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.
A woman has claimed she was left alone in a dark and locked plane after falling asleep on a flight. Tiffani Adams took a 90-minute Air Canada flight from Quebec to Toronto on 9 June. Ms Adams fell asleep during the journey but woke up to find the aircraft empty, cleared and parked for the night in Toronto.
A Chinese environmental company is ready to invest $3 billion in the clean drinking water and sanitation system in Lahore, said PBIT Chairman Sardar Tanveer IIyas Khan. Although he did not disclose the name of the company saying negotiations were at early stages, he revealed that the same company had already completed a couple of hydro projects in Pakistan.
Domestic one tola and 10 gram gold prices hit fresh peak of Rs78,100 per tola and Rs66,958 per 10 grams, respectively, as international bullion prices surpassed $1,400 before retreating, still holding near a six-year high on the US central bank’s dovish stance on monetary policy. Locally, gold prices saw a surge of Rs800 per told and Rs686 per 10 grams over Thursday’s rate.
In order to attract families during summer season, United Arab Emirates (UAE) has decided to give visa-free entry for two months. Starting July 15 till September 15, visitors under age of 18 can visit without a visa which otherwise costs Dhs 497 (Rs. 21000) for 14-day visa and Dhs 917 (Rs. 39000) for 30-day visa.
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.
Reportedly, three US senators have recently received a classified briefing about an increase in UFO sightings by Navy personnel. In April, the Pentagon said there had been an increase in reported UFO sightings and if true, it is a safety concern. US pilots have been reporting seeing cylindrical objects flying at hypersonic speed off the US East Coast.
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.