Federal Minister of Industries and Production Hammad Azhar presented Rs7.14 trillion ‘tax-free’ budget 2020-21 on Friday. The budget for fiscal year 2021 comes amid a health crisis that caused our GDP to shrink by Rs3,300bn, and has been referred to as the ‘corona budget’. As Azhar highlighted the PTI-led government’s efforts to streamline the economy, he was challenged by the opposition’s loud jeering.
The government of Punjab has started closing quarantine centers across the province, including six in Lahore, following a change in the policy under which the suspected Covid-19 patients were earlier required to quarantine at these centres. Under the new policy, those arriving at Lahore and other airports from abroad are just being screened through thermal scanners rather than tested on the spot.
The global leader in business and financial data, Bloomberg, speculates Army is slowly tightening its grip in Pakistan and is unofficially back in control. With Imran Khan’s dwindling popularity and more than a dozen military officials in prominent government roles, the idea seems plausible to many. Military has certainly been Pakistan’s most important institution, but the supporters of “New Pakistan” had not envisioned this.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has announced to provide $200 million financial assistance to Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan programme for youth development. UAE ambassador made the announcement while meeting PM’s Special Assistant to on Youth Affairs Usman Dar today. The financial assistance had been promised by the Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi during his recent visit to Pakistan.
A recent report has brought to light a new scam by federal ministries and departments. The report submitted to the Prime Minister’s office reveals that federal ministries have been siphoning fuel and repair expenses off the federal government for more than 7,000 defective vehicles. Acting over the report, PM Khan has ordered to halt transfer of fuel and repair expenses.
A viral image showing ‘seriously sick’ former prime minister Nawaz
Sharif, along with his family members, in a cafe in London has raised questions regarding the ex-PM’s health. The image has made PTI-led Punjab government skeptical about the ‘serious nature’ of his health as Nawaz appears very stable in the picture and may become a hurdle for extension in his stay abroad.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has decided to provide the transgender community with free medical services through the Sehat Insaf Card Program. Prime Minister PM Khan distributed the cards among the transgender persons in a special ceremony held in PM House. Under the scheme, the treatment for angioplasty, brain surgery, cancer and other diseases will be done free of cost.
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari offered Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) ministries in Sindh in exchange for the party breaking off its alliance with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). Bilawal said if MQM breaks off its alliance with PTI and manages to get Sindh its share in resources, the provincial government will “stand by [MQM] for the sake of Karachi’s people.
The construction work of the Bahrain-Kalam road that was initiated in 2017, under the government of PML-N, is finally completed by the current government of PTI. It took more than 3 hours of rough journey to Kalam; now the same route has been reduced to a 45 minutes drive. Kalam is one of the top destinations of Pakistan. However, the bumpy and rough roads reduced its visitors almost to a null.
After the success of Sehat Insaf Card, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government now plans on introducing Kamyab Jawan Youth Card to facilitate the youth further. NADRA and SBP will be jointly working on a feasible strategy for rolling out the cards. The project will be revolutionary as it will be offering a number of discounts and incentives to the youth.