Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman inaugurated “Fruit for all Programme” by planting a sapling in Peshawar on Thursday.
Under the program, more than seven million fruit saplings will be planted in different areas of the province.
Thursday, 31 January 2019
Actor Ahsan Khan throws party of year
Sumptuous food, great music and the creme de la creme of Lahore – Ahsan Khan threw what the guests unanimously termed the ‘party of the year,’ at his new home in Lahore, in honor of his brother Ally Adnan who was visiting Pakistan from the United States.
“Ally Bhai is a musicologist, a connoisseur of food and a very intelligent person,” remarked Ahsan Khan.
“Organizing a party for him is never easy but I did my best – getting the best food that Lahore has to offer, inviting the finest people of the city, and flying in Pakistan’s finest young qawwals, Ghayoor-Moiz-Mustafa Qawwal and Party, from Karachi. I am glad that the party was a success.”
The glittering guest list included Amjad Islam Amjad, Ayesha Sana, Faseeh Bari Khan, Resham, Roshaneh Zafar, Saba Qamar, Salman Shahid, Shahida Habibullah, Sheraz Uppal, Tahira Syed, Resham, and Zeb Rehman, but the true stars of the evening were the talented qawwals who sang their hearts out for Lahore’s discerning crowd.
Sahiwal Incident: JIT claims of substantial evidences about car being used
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) officials, who have been detained over an alleged encounter in which three members of the same family and their friend were killed on January 19, have refused that they opened fire on the car.
Reportedly, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing into the incident has inquired four CTD officers including Safdar, Ramzan, Saifullah and Hasnain.
Meanwhile, the officers refused that they had opened fire on the car ‘first’ and they shot at the car in retaliation.
Responding to JIT’s question that how did four people die in the car, officers said that they were killed in firing by their accomplices who were on a motorcycle.
“Nobody ordered us, we only fired in retaliation,” the officials added.
On the other hand, the JIT has found substantial evidences about the car which was being used by Zeeshan, who CTD officials had been accusing of having links with Daesh militant organisation.
According to sources, the car was owned by Adeel Hafeez who was shot dead in Faisalabad.
Furthermore, the JIT has gathered statements of previous owners of the car and critical documents which could assist the investigation process.
Moreover, eight eyewitnesses of the incident have been included in the investigation and statement of former CTD senior superintendent of police (SSP) Jawad Qamar has been recorded.
The CTD spokesperson had identified one of them, Zeeshan, as an active member of the banned outfit, explaining that the terrorists used to travel with families to avoid police checking.
Mini-budget to help narrow Pakistan's current account deficit: Moody’s
Moody's Investors Service in a report published on Thursday said the mini-budget will help narrow the current account deficit.
According to the rating agency, the mini-budget announced on January 23 “places greater weight on improvements in tax administration”.
Also, if successful, the measures will assist the country’s manufacturing sector, promote exports and import substitution and help narrow the current account deficit.
“The current account deficit will narrow to 4.7% of GDP in fiscal year 2019,” the report predicted.
However, the ratings agency said the budget deficit will likely remain large as the government has ignored new spending cuts or revenue-raising measures. The large budget deficit will likely undermine the credibility of government efforts to achieve fiscal consolidation, it noted.
Stating that it will be difficult for the government to meet its deficit target of 5.1% of GDP, Moody’s predicted that the deficit will widen to 6% of GDP in fiscal year 2019 as revenue growth will possibly be below government projections.
The ratings agency projected that the current account deficit will narrow to 4.7% of GDP in FY19 and 4.2% in FY20 compared to 6.1% in FY18, however, it will remain sizable and wider than it was in 2013-16 driving the country’s external financing requirements.
Moody’s noted that Pakistan is in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over a new programme which would provide a stable additional source of external funding besides technical support and assistance on macroeconomic rebalancing and structural reform policies.
West Indies women beat Pakistan by 71 runs in first T20I
West Indies women beat Pakistan women by 71 runs in the opening T20I at Karachi’s Southend Club on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Pakistan women were bowled out for a mere 89 runs in reply to Windies' total of 160-2.
Apart from skipper Bismah Maroof (38) and Javeria Khan (19), none of the other players in Pakistan team managed double figures.
SS Connell took three wickets for the tourists.
Earlier, Dottin carried the bat with an explosive 90 off 60 balls, while Nation hit a half century not out off 35 balls, after Windies won the toss and opted to bat.
Nashra Sandhu took one wicket.
The Windies team arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday, marking the resumption of women's international cricket in the country. "I think right now we are heading in the right direction when it comes to bringing back the cricket in Pakistan," Windies captain Merissa Aguilleira said at the trophy unveiling ceremony.
"I am urging that other teams come back to Pakistan because the people love cricket which is most important to do as ambassadors of the sport," she added.
Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof said the West Indies tour sends the right message. "Definitely, this tour was important for the promotion of women's cricket," said Maroof.
“I feel honoured and privileged to captain Pakistan in their 100th T20I. And to captain in a home series, is even more pleasing,” Maroof said.
Approximately 1,000 police and paramilitary forces are on hand to provide security at The Southend Club, where all three matches will be played.
Squads
Pakistan: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Irum Javed, Javeria Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Nida Dar, Sana Mir, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) and Omaima Sohail
West Indies: Merissa Aguilleira (T20I capt), Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Natasha McClean, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman and Rashada Williams.
T20 series schedule
January 31 – 1st T20I, Southend Club, Karachi
February 1 – 2nd T20I, Southend Club, Karachi
February 3 – 3rd T20I, Southend Club, Karachi
India should stop using anti-Pakistan rhetoric in domestic politics: FO
The Foreign Office on Thursday rejected India’s objections over a phone call between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
A day earlier, FM Qureshi briefed the APHC leader on the efforts of Pakistan government to highlight the human rights violations being perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Farooq appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan government and emphasised that the Indian atrocities shall never be able to suppress the will of the people.
Addressing a weekly briefing, FO spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said, "The summoning of the Pakistani high commissioner by the Indian foreign secretary is political gimmickry and electioneering."
Urging India to stop anti-Pakistan rhetoric, Dr Faisal said they should instead "concentrate on their election and confine its electoral politics to their own country.”
“Kashmir is an unresolved issue between Pakistan and India and summoning the Pakistani high commissioner is political gimmickry,” Dr Faisal said.
He further added, “The Indian high commissioner has been summoned to Islamabad today.”
Afghan peace process
Responding to a question regarding Afghanistan, Dr Faisal said, “The issues between the Taliban and the Afghan government are their own. Hopefully, they will be able to solve them.”
Expressing concern at the growing activity of Daesh on the Pakistan-Afghan border, the spokesperson said, “We need to be on the same page when it comes to the Afghan peace process.”
He added Pakistan is facilitating trade with Afghanistan by making arrangements so that the Torkham border crossing can remain open 24 hours a day.
Asia Bibi verdict
When asked about Asia Bibi, the Christian woman acquitted by Supreme Court last year, Dr Faisal informed that Bibi is in Pakistan. “If she wants to travel abroad, she can.”
Furthermore, he termed the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman of the utmost importance and said the Foreign Office will brief about the visit.
All decisions to be taken accordingly with Constitution: Governor Punjab
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar on Thursday refuted speculations regarding holding of midterm elections in Pakistan, and asserted that the federal government would complete its tenure.
Reportedly, he spoke to the media in Alhamra Arts Center in Lahore where he dispelled the impression of certain differences and disputes within the coalition government.
“Recommendations of Nawaz Sharif’s medical board will be implemented,” he said while praying for his recuperation.
“May Allah bless him with good health,” the governor said.
He reiterated that certain concerns of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) coalition parties, particularly Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) , would be addressed, and that there would be no political intervention in such matters.
“All decisions will be taken accordingly with the Constitution of Pakistan,” he said.
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