National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri has directed MNAs to refrain from using word ‘selected’ for Prime Minister Imran Khan. The Deputy Speaker said that as a member of assembly, the Prime Minister was elected through votes and any insult to any member is intolerable. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has, however, decided to consult lawyers regarding legality of the ban.
As the Pakistani currency continues to dwindle down against the US Dollar, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has decided to rationalise airport charges, which now have to be paid in Pakistani rupees only. Passengers were earlier required to pay $20 and the rate has now been rationalised to Rs2,800 per passenger, with immediate effect, on international departures.
An online FBR Tax Profiling System has been introduced by the new FBR chief Shabbar Zaidi. With a fee of Rs500, citizens can check their tax profile. The system will enable 53 million people to check their bank details, properties, utility bills and travel history data, on basis of their computerised national identity card (CNIC) and cell phone number.
The International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) of United Nations has announced that it will be restoring Islamabad’s status as a family station for international staff, effectively allowing UN personnel to travel with their families to Pakistan. The decision is based on recommendation by Under-Secretary-General of UN Department of Safety and Security who evaluated security situation in Islamabad.
A day after British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt during a joint news conference with Shah Mehmood Qureshi in London declared that UK would not sign “politically-motivated” extradition treaties with any country, Pakistan has decided to amend Pakistan Penal Code. Capital punishment for accused, who will be brought back under extradition treaties with other countries will be rescinded.
Nawaz had approached IHC for suspension of his sentence in Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference on medical grounds. A two-member bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani and Justice Amir Farooq has rejected the plea. Nawaz’s counsel, Khawaja Haris, told court there was 60 per cent risk to Nawaz’s life and said his best treatment was only available abroad.
The Lahore-bound Jinnah Express, which had departed from Karachi, rammed into a stationary goods train that was carrying coal and was bound for Yusufwala. The engine of the Jinnah Express came off the tracks but none of the bogies were derailed. Furthermore, the section of the tracks which it was left standing on suffered considerable damage.
After British Airways resuming its flight operations in Pakistan, airlines from Germany, France and Norway have shown willingness to start flight operations. It has been reported that security teams from the European airlines have conducted security survey’s at Karachi and Islamabad Airports. Pakistan Government has also been contacted by all three airlines in reference to the matter.
Major General Nigar Johar Khan, hailing from a Pashtun family, in 2017 became the third woman in Pakistan’s history to hold rank of a major general in Pakistan Army. Apart from being a two-star general in Pakistan Army’s Medical Corps, Nigar is also a sharp shooter. She takes inspiration from her father, who had also served Pakistan Army.
According to United Nations, Pakistan will be among the nine countries where more than half of the world’s population increase by 2050 will be concentrated. Expected to increase from 7.7 billion currently to 9.7bn by 2050, India, Nigeria, Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Indonesia, Egypt and United States will also account for more than half the projected growth of global population.