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Imprisoned Imran Khan Celebrates His 71st Birthday Today

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Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Thursday urged former prime minister Imran Khan to dissolve assemblies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab — where his party is in power — saying that it was a prerequisite of his demand for general elections.


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27/07/2022

Bangladesh has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to start negotiations for a loan, becoming the latest South Asian nation to knock on the doors of the international agency, Reuters has reported, citing a local newspaper.

Finance minister A H M Mustafa Kamal told the Prothom Alo newspaper that while Bangladesh had started negotiations, the economy was “in no way in trouble”.

27/07/2022

ISLAMABAD: After the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) declared PTI-backed candidate Pervez Elahi as the new chief minister of Punjab and removed PML-N's Hamza Shehbaz from the post, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed a session of the National Assembly Wednesday and said that the coalition parties have mutually decided to save the state instead of political point-scoring.
“All parties in the coalition government selected me. I knew that the Prime Minister's Office is not a bed of roses but that of thorns,” he said, adding that he had several opportunities to become the PM in the past but he chose to serve Punjab.

“I was offered to become PM by a president in 1992. Musharraf also offered me the same position. When Nawaz Sharif offered to make me the PM, I chose to serve Punjab. I rejected illegal offers in the past. I will not divulge the secrets in my heart,” he stated in his address.

Speaking about the Constitution, PM Shehbaz said that it was drafted under Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's leadership and presented Pakistan as a strong and dynamic country at a global level.

He added that the Constitution will guide and strengthen Pakistan, despite the attempts of people trying to meddle with it.

During the address, he also criticised the results of the 2018 General Elections and how it was the worst in the country’s history.

“Those polls imposed a government through the process of rigging," he said.

He added that the Results Transmission System (RTS) malfunctioned and counting of votes was halted by the order of the former chief justice.

27/07/2022

LAHORE: Pakistan captain Babar Azam, star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abdullah Shafique climbed up in the latest update of the Test rankings issued by the International Cricket Council (ICC) Wednesday.

The ICC revised the players’ rankings following their impressive performance in the first Test against Sri Lanka last week.

In a statement, the PCB said that Pakistan achieved their second highest run-chase when they scored 344 for six with Babar contributing 119 and 55, while Abdullah scoring 13 and a magnificent 160 not out.

In recognition of these performances, Babar has moved up one place to third in the latest ICC Men’s Player Rankings for Test Batters and is now the only player in international cricket to feature in the top-three across all formats, while Abdullah has vaulted 23 places to break into the top-20 for the first time in 16th position.

While Babar already holds the top positions in both white-ball formats, he is yet to reach the summit at the Test level and still trails England's Joe Root.

Abdullah by virtue of his 23-place leap, has now become the third Pakistan batter to feature inside the top-20.

Apart from Babar, Mohammad Rizwan is occupying 20th position, while Azhar Ali has slipped six places to 24th and Imam-ul-Haq has dropped three places to 64th.

Amongst the bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi has continued his ascendency and has gained one place in the latest rankings following his four wickets in the first Test. The left-arm fast bowler has leapfrogged India’s Jasprit Bumrah into third position on 836 points.

This is Shaheen’s career-high ranking and compliments his No 3 position in ODIs and 12th ranking in T20Is.

27/07/2022

Pakistan’s top court has ruled to hand control of the country’s most populous province, Punjab, to a candidate backed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, triggering political uncertainty in the South Asian nation amid a deepening economic crisis.

The move ramps up pressure on the federal government, made up of a coalition of parties that removed Khan from the premiership in April, as it attempts to implement tough, and unpopular, economic reforms to stave off a financial crisis.

President Arif Alvi administered the oath to Elahi at the presidential house in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Elahi had to rush from Lahore to the federal capital after Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman refused to carry out the job, the report said.

Elahi had been denied victory by the speaker of the Punjab assembly, who disregarded votes cast in his favour on the basis of them being against the party line and handed victory to the candidate of the ruling coalition.The court overturned the speaker’s decision.

The development gives Khan’s campaign for new elections a shot in the arm. He has been holding protests across the country for snap general elections, which are not due until late next year.

The tug of war between Khan and his opponents has already weighed heavily on the economy of the nuclear powered nation of 220 million, which is in the middle of a tough IMF programme.

JP Morgan, in a note earlier on Tuesday, warned that renewed calls for early elections maintained pressure on the ruling coalition and add to political uncertainty.

“The results have important implications for the government’s willingness to implement electorally challenging policies that are likely required to resume and maintain the IMF program,” said the JP Morgan note released hours before the court verdict.

27/07/2022

EU states have accused Russia of squeezing supplies in retaliation for Western sanctions over Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Gazprom cited the halted operation of one of the last two operating turbines for the pipeline due to the “technical condition of the engine”.

The German economy ministry dismissed the explanation, saying there was “no technical reason for a reduction of deliveries”. Government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann spoke on Wednesday of a “power play” by Moscow.

“The Federal Government has taken note of the renewed reduction of gas supplies by Gazprom and is monitoring the situation very closely. The supply contracts are not being honoured at this point in time,” she added.

FILE PHOTO: Pipes at the landfall facilities of the 'Nord Stream 1' gas pipeline are pictured in Lubmin, Germany, March 8, 2022.
Pipes at the landfall facilities of the ‘Nord Stream 1’ gas pipeline in Lubmin, Germany [Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters]
Klaus Mueller, head of Germany’s energy regulator, said gas flows had dropped to 20 percent of the pipeline’s capacity on Wednesday from 40 percent.

“We’ll see today if it stays that way,” he said in a statement.

In parallel, Italian energy major Eni said Gazprom had informed the group it would only deliver “approximately 27 million cubic metres” on Wednesday, down from around 34 million cubic metres in recent days.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed EU sanctions for the limited supply.

“Technical pumping capacities are down, more restricted. Why? Because the process of maintaining technical devices is made extremely difficult by the sanctions adopted by Europe,” Peskov said.

26/07/2022

Big blow to PML-N’s Hamza as SC strikes down deputy speaker’s ruling; Elahi to take over as Punjab CM
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26/07/2022

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit the Russian coastal city of Sochi on August 5 to meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Russian energy giant Gazprom has said gas flows to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline will be slashed to 20 percent from Wednesday due to maintenance issues, a move the European Union’s energy chief has called “politically motivated”.

26/07/2022

BEIJING, July 26 (Reuters) - The leaders of China and Indonesia pledged to scale up trade and expand cooperation in areas such as agriculture and food security, following a rare visit to COVID-wary China by a foreign head of state.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on Tuesday. China last hosted foreign leaders during the Winter Olympics in February, with Russian President Vladimir Putin among those who visited Beijing.

The commitment by China, Indonesia's No.1 trading partner, to deepen trade relations and fully back Indonesia's chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year is an economic and political win for Jokowi, as the Indonesian president is widely known.

China hailed Indonesia as a model strategic partner, in contrast to its sharp words for the United States in recent months over issues from Taiwan and Ukraine to trade practices and the South China Sea.

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26/07/2022

LOS ANGELES: Tens of millions of Americans already baking in a scorching heat wave braced Saturday for record-setting temperatures to climb, while a major fire ravaged part of California.

The country´s central and northeast regions face the brunt of the extreme temperatures, which are not expected to peak until Sunday at the earliest and have sent public health officials scrambling.The sweltering heat has also increased the risk of blazes, such as the major Oak Fire, which broke out Friday in California near Yosemite National Park, where giant sequoias have already been threatened by fire in recent days.

The Oak Fire -- described as "explosive" by officials -- went from 60 acres to more than 6,555 (2,650 hectares) in less than 24 hours. Concentrated in Mariposa County, it has already destroyed ten properties and damaged five others, with thousands more threatened.

As of midday Saturday, it was zero percent contained, according to California´s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The department said the fire´s activity was "extreme" and that emergency personnel were working to evacuate residents and protect structures.

More than 400 firefighters assisted by water-dropping helicopters are fighting the blaze, the department said, but the Los Angeles Times cited officials who said it could take a week to contain.

"Explosive fire behavior is challenging firefighters," the department added on its website.

Climate scientist Daniel Swain tweeted that the fire was "exhibiting consistently extreme behavior," while stunned social media users posted images of billowing plumes of smoke -- with the LA Times reporting that the cloud reached up to 30,000 feet into the air.

26/07/2022

GALLE: Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne battled through back pain to extend Sri Lanka's second-innings lead to 323 after key strikes by Pakistan's bowlers in the second Test on Tuesday.

The hosts reached 176-5 when bad light stopped play early on day three, with stumps called in Galle after more than half an hour's wait for conditions to improve.

The left-handed Karunaratne, on 27, and Dhananjaya de Silva, on 30, were batting in an unbeaten stand of 59.

Spinner Ramesh Mendis had claimed a five-wicket haul to help bowl out tourists Pakistan for 231 in the opening session, with the hosts at a lead of 147 going into their second innings.

Sri Lanka were in trouble at 117-5 when Karunaratne, who stayed off the field during Pakistan's innings, and De Silva got down to the grind.

De Silva took on the opposition bowlers and hit six boundaries with Karunaratne happy to play anchor. The skipper got help from the physio in between his knock.

Karunaratne rotated the strike and also hit two boundaries including a reverse sweep for four off leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

Pakistan earlier rattled the Sri Lankan batting with key wickets including Angelo Mathews in his 100th Test after the former captain, who made 35, attempted to rebuild the innings with Dinesh Chandimal.

Off-spinner Agha Salman got Mathews out for his maiden Test wicket after Pakistan reviewed the umpire's call, with ultra-edge technology confirming a spike when the ball passed the bat and into the hands of slip.

26/07/2022

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, July 26 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Monday his $500 billion flagship project NEOM, a huge economic zone eventually meant to house nine million people, will be partly financed through a flotation expected in 2024.

The city's first phase is set to cost 1.2 trillion riyals ($319 billion), half of which will come from the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, he said.

The crown prince was speaking to reporters, architects, investors and others on Monday attending a presentation that provided updates on The Line project, a key part of the NEOM development.

Saudi Arabia will tap sovereign wealth funds in the region and globally in the fourth quarter of this year to raise part of the remaining 600 billion riyals, which will also be funded through private sector investment and an initial public offering (IPO) that is expected to take place in 2024, he said.

26/07/2022

Terming deputy speaker's ruling "illegal", Supreme Court announces Pervez Elahi as new chief minister of Punjab
By Web DeskJuly 26, 2022
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ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan Tuesday termed the deputy speaker's ruling in chief minister Punjab's election "illegal", announcing PML-Q leader Pervez Elahi as the new CM of the province.

The three-member bench, which announced the verdict after a delay of three hours, directed governor Punjab to administer oath from Elahi tonight at 11:30pm.

The PML-Q had filed a petition on Saturday against the ruling of the Punjab Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari that paved the way for Hamza Shahbaz to retain his post of the chief minister of the province.

The apex court’s three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, and comprising Justice Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar — heard the case.

At the outset of today, hearing, CJP Bandial said that the constitution's Article 63 (A) clearly states that the parliamentary party gives directions to the lawmakers — and the formation of a full court was nothing more than "delaying the case".

"The formation of a full court and then hearing of the case could have been delayed till September as judges are on leaves."

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26/07/2022

ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi on Tuesday said that the "neutrals" of the country should always remain neutral and backed the idea of appointing an army chief before November considering the prevailing political crisis in the country.

The president was asked "is it not a good option to appoint the chief before the set time" to which he said, "not a bad idea".

He said that this "elephant in the room is not new; it has been there for the last 50 years".

"This is a ground reality and can be solved through dialogue," Alvi said in a rare chat with journalists.

On a question of a grand dialogue between the political parties to end the crisis, Alvi said as president he does not have the constitutional role to ask stakeholders to hold talks.

"It is only possible if all the stakeholders agree to it and then the President House can play a role," he said, as calls grow in the country for negotiations amid reports that the establishment is mulling a "soft intervention".

He added that he is asked to "play his role" in the assistance of any of the services chiefs but "I can not do that."

Echoing his party leader Imran Khan, Alvi said in the case of a changing situation one must also change their opinion.

The president said he is against the presidential power to dissolve assemblies under Article 58 2(b) - the provision which has not been removed from the constitution through the 18th Amendment.

"A parliamentary system of governance is the best," he said.

23/07/2022

Maryam says PML-N won't accept any decision if court repeatedly makes same decisions by coming under pressure.
Maryam says current political chaos and instability started with the Supreme Court's court decision on Article 63A.
Says a new interpretation is being made of decision on Article 63A to benefit PTI chairman.

23/07/2022

GALLE: Pakistan Cricket team’s captain Babar Azam, in a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday, acknowledged the efforts of the team in the first Test match in Galle, Sri Lanka.

The team will be playing its second Test match against Sri Lankan on Sunday July 24.

“Morale is quite high,” he said, adding that every player in the team is making a record. “They are taking initiative to accept challenges head on and play their part, which helps us find solutions to play in different conditions.”

Azam added that winning always helps raise the team’s spirits and adds confidence to prepare for the next match. “We want to accomplish what no one has and we are doing so in difficult playing conditions, which is a great feat,” he stated.

He added that the playing eleven will consist of two fast bowlers in the next second Test including Nauman Ali, who has replaced Afridi in the squad.

23/07/2022

Protests have been held in major cities across Pakistan to denounce what they called a “theft” of the mandate of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party in the Punjab provincial assembly.

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Friday lost a key vote in the local assembly in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province, despite winning a by-election there earlier this week.

23/07/2022

International human rights groups have urged Sri Lanka’s new president to immediately order security forces to cease all unlawful use of force against protesters, who have been demonstrating over the country’s economic meltdown.

Armed troops and police arrived in trucks and buses on Friday to clear the main protest camp near the president’s official residence in the capital, Colombo, a day after President Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in.

23/07/2022

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the monkeypox outbreak in more than 50 countries an “emergency of international concern”. More than 16,500 cases of monkeypox have been reported globally.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the decision to issue the declaration despite a lack of consensus among experts serving on the UN health agency’s emergency committee. It was the first time the chief of the UN health agency has taken such an action.


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22/07/2022

KARACHI: Two Pakistani female mountaineers created history on Friday morning by reaching the top of the 2nd highest peak of the world, the 8,611-metre high K2.

Samina Baig summited the mighty K2 along with her team members and became the first ever Pakistani woman to scale the mountain. Following Samina’s summit, Naila Kiani reached the top, becoming the second.

No other Pakistani woman could achieve this feat before.

Several other climbers from various countries, including female climbers from Oman, Lebanon, Iran, and Taiwan summited the peak on Friday morning.

The summit push started late last night as soon as rope fixing teams completed their jobs and the first group reached atop K2 at around 3am in the night.

The team of Pakistan’s 31-year-old climber Samina Baig confirmed that she, along with other Pakistani mountaineers, summitted K2 at 7:42am PST on Friday.

“We are extremely proud to announce that Samina Baig with her strong Pakistani team, successfully summited the world's most fascinating and dangerous mountain known as the savage mountain — the world's second and Pakistan's tallest mountain K2 8,611meters this morning at 7:42am,” read a statement by Samina’s team at the ground.

“Grateful and blessed that K2 allowed her to stand atop this incredible mountain,” the statement added.

Samina Baig comes from a remote village of Gilgit valley Shimshal. In 2013, she became the first Pakistani woman to scale the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest.

The other members to climb with Samina include Eid Muhammad, Bulbul Karim, Ahmed Baig, Rizwan Dad, Waqar Ali and Akber Hussain Sadpara.

Less than three hours after Samina’s feat, Pakistan’s Naila Kiani reached the top.

“Yes, Allhamdolillah,” Naila texted this correspondent, via a satellite communication device confirming her summit.

Pakistan’s Sohail Sakhi and Sirbaz Ali Khan also summited K2 along with Naila.

22/07/2022

Islamabad, July 21 (AsiaFreePress): Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution (IICR) organized a round table session titled “Securing Balochistan Amid Hybrid Warfare Through development”. The panelists included Senator Anwaar Ul Haq Kakkar, Dr. Nazir Hussain, Dean Social Sciences University of Wah, Lt. Gen. Naeem Khalid Lodhi®, and Lt. Gen. Dr. Zahid Latif Mirza®. Dr. Mansoor Ahmed, PRO Vice Chancellor University of Turbat Balochistan, and Dr. Farah Naz, Assistant Professor Department of Governance and Public Policy NUST. The session was moderated by Ms. Sabah Aslam Executive Director, IICR.