Pakistan Viral Series

  The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has requested the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to factor in Pakistan's ongoing political instability in any future negotiations regarding an economic bailout package.  According to sources within PTI who spoke to Reuters, the party has sent a letter to the IMF outlining its position on the matter. While details of the letter have not yet been publicly disclosed, PTI indicates more information will be shared in due course. The IMF has confirmed receiving no such communication as yet. A Fund spokesperson noted last week that the current priority is completion of the existing $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement agreed upon last summer. However, the IMF stated it stands ready to support Pakistan's incoming government through a new program if requested. This comes after PTI Chairman Imran Khan urged the IMF to conduct an independent audit of Pakistan's disputed February general elections prior to approving additional funds. Khan has qu...

  The 41st session of the Arab Interior Ministers Council recently commenced its meetings in the Tunisian capital of Tunis. In attendance were interior ministers and high-level security delegations from across the Arab world alongside representatives from important international organizations.  At the outset of proceedings, His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the UAE, was warmly received at Carthage Palace by Tunisian President Kais Saied. Sheikh Saif had headed the strong UAE delegation to the crucial ministerial gathering.  He took the opportunity to convey the greetings of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to his Tunisian counterpart. Sheikh Saif also expressed appreciation for the generous hospitality extended by Tunisia in hosting this important ministerial session.   Comprising senior security officials, the UAE delegation actively participated in the agenda discussions cove...

All eyes are on the Election Commission of Pakistan as the expected announcement of the Presidential Election schedule has yet to be made. Insiders indicate the poll may happen in early March but an official date is awaited. Pakistan’s presidential election will be held on March 09, citing sources at the election commission . With new governments sworn in after the recent General Election, the two largest parties - PPP and PMLN - have been in discussion regarding their joint nominee for President. All signs point to PPP's Asif Ali Zardari as the coalition's consensus candidate.  However, neither his formal nomination nor a finalized date for the electoral college to convene has been publicized so far. Comprising of national and provincial lawmakers, the body decides the Presidency through an indirect election process. As the political deliberations continue behind closed doors, curiosity among citizens is growing. When will the much anticipated announcement be made? Pakistan ho...

  In a recent turn of events, Mohammad Hafeez, former director of the Pakistan Cricket Team, has addressed the comments made by wicketkeeper batter Azam Khan regarding his selection in the national team. Azam Khan expressed his reservations about being given limited opportunities to showcase his skills in international cricket. Mohammad Hafeez, known for his experience and insights, responded to these remarks during an episode of the A-Sports show 'The Pavilion.' Azam Khan's Concerns: During an interview with the International League T20 franchise Desert Vipers, Azam Khan expressed his frustration at being given only a handful of fixtures instead of participating in a full series. He emphasized that he needed more chances to prove his mettle in international cricket. Azam Khan also mentioned that doubts about his skills when he is performing to the best of his abilities can be disheartening. The Importance of Fitness: Mohammad Hafeez, known for his fitness and longevity in ...

Karachi: In a surprising turn of events, the former Commissioner of Rawalpindi, Liaquat Ali Chatha, apologized for allegations of election rigging and withdrew his statements , it emerged on Thursday.  In a recorded statement before the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) investigative committee, Chatha said he had been facing pressure due to his upcoming retirement and gave in to authorities.  The ex-commissioner clarified that during his tenure, he did not direct any Returning Officer (RO) or interfere in support of any party. "I never instructed any RO to show favoritism," he stated. Chatha, who has 32 years of service, was set to retire on March 13. He expressed regret over his rigging claim, saying he had worries over potential loss of benefits after retirement.  The former commissioner revealed he had close ties with an official of a political party during his role as Punjab secretary, hoping for future advantages. He disclosed meeting the leader of a party in L...

  The Sindh High Court (SHC) has recently issued a significant order, directing the federal government and the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) to restore social media platforms across Pakistan. This decision comes in response to a petition filed against the "unconstitutional" internet outages that have been affecting the country in recent days. The order, issued by a bench headed by SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, specifically mentions the restoration of services for various social media platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter). These platforms have been inaccessible to users in Pakistan following reports of internet disruptions and outages. The court has also summoned a report from the PTA regarding the suspension of internet services on the day of the elections. This move highlights the court's concern over the impact of these disruptions on the democratic process and the freedom of expression. The decision by the SHC reflects the importance ...

  "#BoycottPSL trend tops Twitter after PSL partners with KFC" The hashtag #BoycottPSL became the top trend on Twitter in Pakistan on Friday after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) announced a partnership with fast food chain KFC as their snack partner.  KFC is owned by Yum! Brands, an American multi-national restaurant corporation that owns several other popular brands including Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Yum! Brands subsidiaries are known to provide free food to Israeli soldiers amid the ongoing conflict in Palestine.  Given Pakistan's solidarity with Palestine and stance against Israel, the decision to partner with KFC triggered dissent among cricket fans. Many took to Twitter using the hashtag #BoycottPSL to express their dissatisfaction with PSL's choice of sponsor. The trend gathered momentum rapidly on the social media platform. Within hours, #BoycottPSL was trending at the top spot in Pakistan as thousands of tweets criticized PSL's move. Some Twitter users ar...

Services of the microblogging platform Twitter continued to remain disrupted in Pakistan for the third consecutive day on Monday. According to internet monitoring website Downdetector, people started reporting issues with accessing Twitter from around 10:30AM which persisted until noon.  While the services were temporarily restored around 12:24PM, disruptions were again reported after 1PM. Downdetector showed outages being reported from major urban centres across Pakistan such as Karachi, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Gujranwala.  Netblocks, an organization that tracks internet outages, has also confirmed that Twitter remains restricted in Pakistan for the third day running amid ongoing controversies related to last month's general elections. Some users reported being able to access Twitter only via VPN applications. The disruptions coincide with allegations of vote rigging and manipulation during the February 8 polls. Last week, a senior election official held a press conference whe...

In a significant political development, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced its decision to sit in the opposition in both the federal government and the province of Punjab. This decision comes after allegations of election rigging and a disputed mandate in the recent general elections. The PTI, led by its founder Imran Khan, has expressed its determination to continue its protest until its constitutional demands are met. Background: The political landscape in Pakistan has been marked by uncertainty following the general elections held on February 8, 2024. None of the major political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), or the PTI-backed independent candidates, secured a simple majority in the National Assembly. As a result, political stakeholders have been engaged in efforts to form alliances and secure the required number of seats in the lower house of parliament. PTI's Allegations of Election Rigging: The PTI ...

The caretaker government headed by Hamza Shehbaz has approved another increase in petrol prices effective from today. According to a notification issued late last night, the per litre price of petrol has been raised by Rs2.73 to Rs275.62.  The price of high-speed diesel (HSD) saw a bigger jump of Rs8.37, taking it to Rs287.33 per litre. There was no change announced in the prices of kerosene oil and light diesel oil. The new prices have been notified on the recommendation of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and are aimed at passing on the impact of rising international oil rates to consumers. Officials said petrol prices globally had risen by about $1.20 per barrel over the last two weeks, while HSD became costlier by $3.5 per barrel. However, the local currency saw some appreciation against the dollar, mitigating part of the impact. Exchange rate gain of around 40 paisas limited the increase. But premium paid on securing oil cargoes in the international market went up m...

The Pakistan authorities are considering increasing the prices of petrol and diesel from February 16th due to fluctuations in global oil prices.  According to the reports, there is a possibility of increasing the price of high-speed diesel by Rs. 8 per liter from February 16th. The current price of diesel is Rs. 278.96 per liter. If approved, the new price will be Rs. 286.97 per liter. Additionally, petrol prices may see a smaller increase of 80 paise per liter.  The prices of petroleum products in Pakistan are reviewed and notified on a fortnightly basis by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) in accordance with changes in global oil rates and currency movements. For this next fortnightly period starting February 16th, OGRA has based its calculations on the current petroleum levy and general sales tax rates. However, it has not officially notified the new rates yet. The possible hike in diesel prices will likely impact the transportation and agriculture sectors negativ...

Karachi - Japan has announced plans to launch a new visa category aimed at attracting digital nomads and remote workers to live and work in the country.  The Digital Nomad Visa program is scheduled to take effect from March 2024 and will provide an opportunity for eligible individuals to base themselves in Japan while maintaining existing remote employment overseas.  Under the new rules, applicants must earn a minimum annual salary of approximately 67,000 USD. They will also be required to have private health insurance for the duration of their stay. A key benefit of this visa is that holders will be allowed to bring their spouse and children with them to Japan. However, the initial visit will be limited to 6 months. Visa holders must then return home before reapplying to extend their stay. Eligible nationalities have yet to be confirmed but it is hoped the program will welcome a diverse range of remote professionals from different countries and territories around the world....

In a surprising turn of events, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), announced his withdrawal from the race for Pakistan's prime minister. Bhutto-Zardari stated that his party would instead support the candidate for the prime minister's post backed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by former premier Nawaz Sharif. This decision comes after last week's elections failed to produce a clear majority for any party, leading to political uncertainty in the country. The Coalition Efforts: Following the inconclusive election results, talks between the PPP and the PML-N were initiated to form a coalition government. The aim was to gather the required number of 169 seats in the National Assembly. However, Bhutto-Zardari's announcement indicates a deviation from this plan. The move comes after Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, the winner of the most seats in the NA, rejected the possibility of a coalition with ...

Water scarcity is a pressing issue in many parts of the world, especially in arid regions like the United Arab Emirates (UAE). To address this challenge, the UAE is taking innovative measures, such as cloud seeding, to enhance rainfall and combat water scarcity . In 2024, the UAE plans to carry out hundreds of cloud seeding missions, showcasing their commitment to finding sustainable solutions to water scarcity. In this article, we will explore the significance of cloud seeding, the UAE's efforts in this area, and the potential benefits of this approach. Understanding Cloud Seeding What is cloud seeding? Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that aims to enhance precipitation by dispersing substances into the air, such as silver iodide or potassium iodide. These substances act as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, promoting the formation of rain or snow. By stimulating cloud formation and precipitation, cloud seeding offers a potential solution to increase water resource...

Polls have closed across Pakistan after millions voted in the general election which was mired in controversies. The counting of votes has begun and all major news channels and analysts are predicting that Nawaz Sharif's PMLN will emerge victorious.  PMLN is particularly popular in the pivotal province of Punjab which has the largest number of seats in the national assembly. Sharif has a strong support base in rural Punjab due to his development work and populist policies over the past terms. Analysts believe that even without Imran Khan in the race, PMLN had an edge over others due to their organizational structure and goodwill in Punjab.  Although PPP gave a tough fight in Sindh, it does not seem they have enough national appeal to defeat PMLN. Bilawal Bhutto campaigned aggressively but the memories of previous PPP governments were not entirely positive and they were battling anti-incumbency as well in some areas.  The disqualification of Imran Khan and banning of PTI e...

  As Pakistan gears up for general elections, the federal cabinet’s decision to restructure Pakistan International Airlines  (PIA) couldn’t have come at a more critical time. With the country facing deep economic challenges and being under pressure from international lenders like the IMF, overhauling state-owned enterprises is essential for stabilizing the economy. PIA, once a pride of the nation, has been drowning in financial woes, accumulating massive debts and losses over the years. Its governance and safety standards have also been under scrutiny, leading to bans on flying to lucrative routes in Europe and the UK. The recent incidents, including a crash and a fake pilot license scandal, have only worsened its reputation. The restructuring plan, which includes bifurcating PIA into two companies, TopCo and HoldCo, aims to streamline operations and attract investors. While privatization may seem like a drastic move, especially for a national symbol like PIA, it’s a necessary...

  In a devastating late-night assault on Chodwan police station in Dera Ismail Khan, ten police officers lost their lives, while six others were injured, just days before the scheduled general elections on February 8. The Regional Police Officer, Nasir Mehmood, confirmed the casualties, revealing  that over 30 terrorists attacked from three directions, seizing control of the police station briefly during the two-and-a-half-hour exchange of fire. Deputy Superintendent Malik Aneesul Hassan described how militants, after entering the building, used hand grenades, escalating the casualties among the police. The funeral prayers for the martyred officers took place at the Dera Ismail Khan Police Lines, attended by dignitaries including Caretaker Chief Minister Justice Arshad Hussain Shah and Chief Secretary Nadeen Aslam Chaudhry. Inspector General Akhtar praised the courage of the police and promised that the sacrifices would not be in vain, asserting that the “cowardly attack” woul...

  Namibia’s President Hage Geingob, aged 82, passed away after revealing his battle with cancer.   In his second term, he supported South Africa’s case against Israel and condemned Germany.   Acting President Mbumba expressed deep sorrow, stating that Geingob was surrounded by family. Detected with cancerous cells in January, he was praised by leaders like South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Kenyan President William Ruto for his role in liberation and commitment to a unified Africa. Geingob, Namibia’s longest-serving prime minister, underwent surgeries and received treatment until his demise. As the nation mourns Geingob's passing, Namibia is set to hold presidential and national assembly elections later in the year.

  Canadian Prime Minister  Justin Trudeau has denounced a recent attack on a mosque in Mississauga, Ontario,  describing it as a hate crime. The incident involved someone throwing rocks through the mosque’s window on Sunday, coinciding with the anniversary of a 2017 mosque attack in Quebec City that claimed six lives. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in this latest incident. Trudeau took to social media, stating, “Islamophobia has no place in any of our communities. The attack… is cowardly, disturbing, and unacceptable. I condemn it in the strongest terms possible.” The National Council of Canadian Muslims expressed concern, linking the attack to a troubling increase in Islamophobic incidents across the country. This comes on the heels of a notable rise in antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes in Toronto, particularly during Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. Global rights advocates have observed an upswing in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia since October 7, trigg...