The Singapore University of Technology and Design has predicted through mathematical modeling that Covid-19 will end around June 3 for Pakistan. Its project of data-driven estimation of end dates brings together projections for other countries as well. It uses data from Our World in Data and applies the SIR Model for Spread of Disease – The Differential Equation Model.
Pakistan has received $1.39 billion by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to shore up economy, according to the State Bank of Pakistan’s tweet. This is a loan under the Rapid Financing Instrument. It was approved by the IMF on April 17 to bolster the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected to meet urgent balance of payment needs that have arisen due to the pandemic.
Pakistan’s usage of petroleum products slumped 31% to 1.38 billion litres countrywide since the lockdown. The Federal Board of Revenue said this had the effect of eating into tax collection. Before the lockdown was enforced, Pakistan’s demand for petroleum products was 2 billion litres.
The FBR said that the global rout in oil prices will nonetheless benefit people here as oil products will be cheaper but tax collection targets may not be achieved.
Pakistan has urged China to ease in payment obligations of over $30 billion worth of about 12,000-megawatt power projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This will help Pakistan minimise its financial and economic difficulties. This is part of the ongoing government efforts to secure discounts and savings on power purchases from independent power producers (IPPs) as circular debt liabilities cross Rs2 trillion.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), has extended Pakistan’s deadline from June to October to take steps to avoid being placed on its blacklist. The deadline has been extended because of the outbreak of COVID-19. It will now meet from October 21 to October 26 in Beijing. In February 2020, the FATF expressed concerns over “Pakistan’s failure to complete its action plan in line with the agreed timelines.
Former Pakistani batting legend Javed Miandad suggested death penalty for match fixers. He said that players involved in spot-fixing should be hanged because it is similar to killing someone, and so the punishment should also be on the same lines. Miandad who scored Pakistan’s second highest Test runs with 8832 beleives that an example should be set so that no player even thinks about doing something like this.
The Torkham and Chaman borders connecting Pakistan and Afghanistan are going to be opened for three days to allow Afghan nationals to exit Pakistan. The Foreign Office announced the news in a statement on Saturday. It is being opened at the special request of the Afghan government on humanitarian considerations. The Torkham and Chaman border crossings will be opened for a specific period from April 6 to 9.
Google and Netflix have helped Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to lower burden on its telecom network by sharing some steps they have taken. Google has introduced new features and resources which links to the National Institute of Health (NIH) to provide locally relevant information to Pakistani users such as expansion of COVID-19 SOS Alerts and Knowledge Panels on Google Search, as well as YouTube Information Panels.
Pakistan has decided to keep its borders with Iran, Afghanistan and India closed for another two weeks as it stepped up efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf announced the decision but added that the government could give special waivers for flights if a country requests to evacuate its stranded citizens in Pakistan.
China has sent eight health experts in a special flight to Pakistan as a part of its assistance to help Pakistan combat the novel coronavirus. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the special flight will land at the Islamabad International Airport and the special team will stay in the country for two weeks.