Int’l Airline Operation at Risk as Pakistan “Freezing Funds”

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Int’l Airline Operation at Risk as Pakistan “Freezing Funds”

Air transport warns of rising funds jeopardizing airline connectivity.

According to a statement released by the International Air Transport Association (Iata) on Sunday, the industry freezing funds climbed by 47% to $2.27 billion in April 2023 from $1.55 billion in the same month of the previous year.

The Iata further stated that “Airlines cannot continue to provide services in markets where they are unable to repatriate the revenues arising from their commercial activities in those markets.”

Willie Walsh, the director general of the airline association, asked the governments to cooperate with business to find a solution so that airlines could continue to offer the connectivity that is essential for boosting economic activity and job creation.

The top five nations, Nigeria ($812.2 million), Bangladesh ($214.1 million), Algeria ($196.3 million), Pakistan ($188.2 million), and Lebanon ($141.2 million), account for 68.0% of the blocked funds.

In order for airlines to be able to repatriate these monies obtained from the sale of tickets, cargo space, and other activities, the airline association also encouraged governments to uphold their duties under international accords and treaties.

The international aviation industry association issued a warning in March of this year, stating that it had grown “very challenging” to continue operations in Pakistan due to carriers’ struggles to return currency, which made things more difficult for foreign businesses doing business in the crisis-stricken nation.

Dangerously low levels of foreign reserves, Pakistan is experiencing a worsening financial crisis, which is driving up the cost of basic products and creating shortages of them.

The government is at risk of default, analysts have warned, and businesses are dealing with delays in importing or changing currencies.

The impact has been particularly severe for airlines, which sell tickets in local currency but must repatriate dollars to cover costs like fuel.

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Rawalpindi Seized Smuggled Cache of Cigarettes was Hailed

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Rawalpindi Seized Smuggled Cache of Cigarettes was Hailed

Rawalpindi Customs & police seize smuggled cigarettes valued at Rs8 M.

The Shehbaz government attempts to stop the illegal trade in tobacco goods in Pakistan have achieved a significant triumph with the discovery of smuggled cigarettes.

The cigarettes were discovered unpaid for by customs taxes in a warehouse in the Ganjamundi region.

In effort to reduce smoking, the government recently raised cigarette rates, the illegal trade of cigarettes continues to be a significant source of income loss for the government.

After receiving a tip from a local person, the police took action. The cigarettes were in boxes and prepared for sale when the police searched the warehouse. The cigarettes were all foreign brands that weren’t purchased legally.

The warehouse owner has been arrested, and authorities are looking into how the cigarettes were brought into the nation illegally. Also, they are looking into who the intended purchasers of the smokes were.

These actions are the consequence of orders from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to stop the country illicit tobacco trade. Advocates for health claim that the Federal Board of Revenue Track and Trace system has successfully reduced illicit commerce to less than 15% of total trade.

They advise all businesses to implement this technique in order to gain more advantages. The tobacco business manipulates the exaggerated amount of illegal trade to persuade decision-makers to refrain from raising taxes in line with inflation.

Annual GDP Report

An annual economic cost of Rs615 billion, or 1.6% of Pakistan GDP, incurred due to diseases associated with tobacco use. The tobacco business audaciously opposes any actions meant to lessen the impact.

Despite the fact that it significantly harms both public health and the economy. The tobacco business uses the problem of illegal trade to block increases in tobacco taxes, activists emphasized, and this practice happens every budget season.

These businesses knowingly understate their output and trade unregistered goods on the black market, costing the government coffers billions of dollars.

Imran cited a recent study on illegal cigarettes in Pakistan, which found that 15% of the packs contained illegal smokes.

Through stronger regulations, raids, and the widespread implementation of trade and trace, the government has finally begun to rein in illicit trade.

We welcome the government efforts, and the measures will help raise tobacco industry revenue while simultaneously reducing cigarette use.

To address Pakistan economic difficulties, the tobacco sector allegedly conducts cutting-edge research. The industry manufacturing of deadly goods, which endanger Pakistan health and economy, is actually the sole innovative feature of it.

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Six Deaths Due to Congo Virus

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Six Deaths Due to Congo Virus

Congo virus kills six, including women and children in Balochistan.

According to provincial health department officials, 35 cases of Congo virus have been reported in Balochistan, out of which six have died.

This outbreak of Congo virus in Balochistan is not the first incident. Nevertheless, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the epidemic claimed countless lives.

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The deadly virus was first detected this year in a 28-year-old man in Karachi last month. He died during treatment at a private hospital in the city.

The virus can cause internal bleeding, high fever, muscle aches, and vomiting. which are commonly found in cattle and other livestock. There is currently no vaccination or specific treatment for the virus, which has a high mortality rate.

To prevent the virus, the provincial health service advises residents to take precautions, such as wearing protective clothing and insect repellent when in contact with cattle or other livestock.

Today, FM Bilawal Set to Go Iraq on a Three-Day Visit

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Today, FM Bilawal Set to Go Iraq on a Three-Day Visit

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will arrive in Iraq for visit.

In this Iraq visit, FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will meet with his Iraqi counterpart during his visit. Along with the party leaders, the foreign minister will tour the holy sites.

Central and provincial leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have also arrived at Najaf, Iraq. Faisal Karim Kundi, Sharjeel Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Mukesh Chawla, Qasim Naveed Qamar.

Earlier, the Foreign Office (FO) stated that during his visit, FM Bilawal will meet with Iraqi authorities and conduct a thorough meeting with his counterpart. During the visit, important agreements will also be inked.

Dr. Fuad Hussein, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Iraq, invited FM Bilawal to make this trip.

During his visit to the Middle Eastern country, FM Bilawal will meet with Iraqi authorities and conduct a comprehensive meeting with his counterpart. Several agreements and memorandums of understanding will also be inked during the visit.

He is slated to publicly announce the building of the Pilgrimage Centre in Karbala to assist Pakistani pilgrims, as well as to break ground on the Embassy Complex.

For decades, Islamabad and Baghdad maintained diplomatic relations. Both parties have participated in bilateral commerce as well as defense-related exchanges and conversations.

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Canadian Airline Announces Direct Flights to Pakistan

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Canadian Airline Announces Direct Flights to Pakistan

Canadian airline may run direct Pakistan-Canada flights, per proposal.

According to media sources, Canadian private airline Zara Airways announced that it would begin operating direct flights from Toronto to important Pakistani cities.

Zara Airways will start offering three weekly flights from Toronto to Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore in August, but travellers between the two sides will have to wait. The first phase of operations will make use of Boeing 777 aircraft, and depending on demand, they will be expanded.

According to reports, a Pakistani-Canadian businessman launched new flights through a partnership with Shaheen Airline. The new airline will be supported by the ground staff, cabin crew, and other operational assistance provided by the partner airline.

According to information obtained, the private airline has contacted the appropriate authorities to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the route.

According to reports, the inclusion of a private airline will enhance the nation’s aviation, which recently received support from Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and other airlines.

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Pakistani Actor Mani Quit Politics After May 9 Mayhem

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Pakistani Actor Mani Quit Politics After May 9 Mayhem

Actor Salman Saqib Sheikh, aka Mani, quits politics after May 9 event.

Actor Mani announced his decision through a video clip published on his account, bucking the current trend of having press conferences.

After the attacks on May 9, which targeted both civilian and military targets, more than 100 leaders of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf left Imran Khan’s party, while others decided to retire from politics.

The Bandish actor claimed he is breaking away from politics even though he is a member of Karachi’s Gulshan Iqbal’s NA 251 seat and has remained connected to numerous political parties.

The 44-year-old stated that it would be preferable for him to turn his attention to his family members, claiming that his involvement in politics has had an impact on his children’s academic performance.

The ex-member of PTI also explained that he was at home and was not involved in any acts of vandalism against government facilities.

His announcement comes at a time when a number of senior figures in the previous ruling party distanced themselves from Imran Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which holds the current administration and institutions accountable for the exodus.

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Direct flights from Quetta to Makkah for the first time

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Direct flights from Quetta to Makkah for the first time

Quetta introduces flights to Makkah, expanding Hajj operations in P.K.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority, direct flights have been started from Quetta to Makkah, Saudi Arabia for Hajj, which used to travel with layovers in the holy cities of Balochistan earlier.

Earlier, many passengers used to go to other Pakistani cities like Karachi for Hajj flights, but now the authorities have added Quetta to the list of places where pilgrims can travel.

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For the first time, the country’s national flag flight 747 – PK took off from this city at night. It left for Medina with 145 pilgrims. Earlier, PK-6133 and PK-6137 departed for Madinah carrying around 300 pilgrims.

The recent flight operations from the Balochistan capital came after the Pakistani authorities upgraded the airport, enabling it to host a wider range of aircraft.

Ten Pakistani cities are now participating in the Hajj operation, and on July 4 the post-Hajj flight operation will begin.

After Court Dismissed Two Cases, Pervaiz Elahi Again Arrested

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After Court Dismissed Two Cases, Pervaiz Elahi Again Arrested

PTI President Pervaiz Elahi rearrested after Gujranwala court cleared.

Minutes before being arrested by a local court, two corruption accusations against the PTI President Pervaiz Elahi were dismissed in Gujranwala anti-corruption police station.

These complaints claimed that he had accepted kickbacks during the building of roads in Gujrat.

This time, the PTI leader has been detained once more in connection with a case brought against him for allegedly engaging in illegal hiring while serving as speaker of the Punjab Assembly.

The PTI leader was taken into custody in an identical manner outside a Lahore court the day before.

In relation to a case involving Rs.70 million in corruption in development funds designated for the Gujrat district, the court has ordered the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader release.

Although a few minutes later, Punjab ACE detained him again in connection with a Gujranwala corruption case they had filed against him.

The PTI leader was taken to ACE regional headquarters in Gujranwala following his detention, where he was later hauled before Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Afzal.

A Lahore anti-corruption court judicial magistrate, Ghulam Murtaza Virk, had earlier ordered his freedom when he announced the reserved decision on a plea for Elahi physical remand.

“Pervaiz Elahi should be released if he is not wanted in any other case,” the judgement stated.

However, upon his release, Gujranwala-registered corruption charges against the PTI leader led to his re-arrest by law enforcement.

After an anti-corruption court denied Pervaiz pre-arrest bail in a case involving irregularities in development projects undertaken during his terms as the Punjab chief minister.

Police conducted two raids on his Lahore residence on Thursday, leading to the first time he was ever arrested.

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Jamaat-e-Islami trial set for June 9, Panama Papers

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Jamaat-e-Islami trial set for June 9, Panama Papers

Supreme Court set June 9 for hearing Sirajul Haq Panama Paper petition

It should be noted that in 2016, Jamaat-e-Islami ‘s Siraj-ul-Haq and attorney Tariq Asad submitted inquiry requests against 436 Pakistanis identified in the Panama Papers leak. While Advocate Asad has passed away.

The petition will be heard by a two-member bench that is led by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and also includes Justice Aminuddin Khan.

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The Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) and other parties in the case have also received notices from the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court is hearing the case now, five and a half years later. On November 23, 2017, the case’s last hearing was held.

Details

The so-called Panama Papers, which reveal the global scope of the secret infrastructure and offshore tax havens used by the rich and powerful, were brought to light by an international collaboration of more than 300 reporters from six continents.

According to the Panama Papers investigation, more than 140 politicians from more than 50 countries, including 14 current or former world leaders, were linked to offshore corporations.

The documents also reveal the identities of hundreds of Pakistanis who have offshore firms in foreign tax havens, including the children of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Requests for an investigation against the 436 Pakistanis involved in the Panama Leaks have been pending for some time, but in a related case, the leader of the Muslim League (N) and a popularly elected official, Nawaz Sharif, was disqualified for simply refusing to accept a fictitious salary. .

Members of the intelligence agencies in the case helped form the JIT, and the Supreme Court closely monitored every step of the procedure.

A Last Ditch Effort to Avoid US Default

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A Last Ditch Effort to Avoid US Default

US Congress approves bipartisan legislation to suspend debt ceiling.

According to the World News Agency, the US Senate and House of Representatives, supporting President Joe Biden, lifted the government’s $31.4 trillion debt limit and approved borrowing more than that.

In the Senate, 63 votes were in favor while 36 were against. Earlier, the bill was also passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday with 314 members in favor and 117 opposed.

President Joe Biden will sign the bill into law today or tomorrow.

After becoming law, the current government’s legal limit on further federal borrowing will be suspended until January 1, 2025, meaning the US government will be able to borrow more than the limit (31.4 trillion billion) until that date.

It should be remembered that the ruling party Democrats and the opposition party Republicans had agreed to approve the bill after months of opposition and criticism.

A few days ago, the US Treasury Department warned that if Congress failed to pass the bill unanimously, there would be no money to make the payments on June 5 and the country would default.

President Joe Biden praised the timely session of Congress and the passage of the bill, saying that the bipartisan agreement is a big win for our economy and the American people.

It should be noted that the opposition party, the Republicans, opposed this bill and took a stand that the people cannot be burdened for government luxury.

To prevent a historic default, the US Congress authorised a debt ceiling suspension through bipartisan legislation.

Today or tomorrow, President Joe Biden will sign the measure into law.

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