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Historic government; historic period

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Pakistan is currently going through a historic period. For the first time in its history, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is in power.

Imran Yaqub Khan Profile Imran Yaqub Khan

For the first time in history, the US dollar is also touching the mark of Rs170. For the first time in history, petrol has gone up to Rs123 per litre. According to the SBP data, Pakistan's internal and external debt has reached Rs39,859 billion in June 2021. A landmark presidential ordinance has imposed an advance income tax of 5 to 35 percent on electricity bills. Additional tax will be applicable on electricity bills of non-filers belonging to professional sectors. This is in addition to the 40% increase in electricity prices from 2018 to date. The basic rate of electricity in 2018 was Rs11.72 paise per unit, which has now increased by Rs 4.72 paise to Rs16.44 paise per unit.

According to the official retail rate, one kg of sugar is available in Rs89.75. Ordinary consumers who find sugar at this price in the market are considered lucky. According to last week's statistics, the price of ghee was Rs345.70 per kg. A 20kg bag of flour costs Rs1,180, meaning one kilogram of flour costs about Rs60. Despite this year's historic and record wheat production, flour is not cheap. Despite record production, wheat has to be imported.

The PTI government has successfully completed its 3 years. On the completion of 3 years, a big celebration was also held at the federal level in which the achievements of the government were lost. The government of Punjab, the largest province in Pakistan in terms of population, also publicized its performance after completing 3 years. Now if we talk about the prices of flour, ghee, sugar, petrol and the dollar 3 years ago, the difference is sky high. The income of the common man has not increased while inflation has doubled. This historic inflation has made it difficult for the common man to light a stove. According to a recent outlook report by the Asian Development Bank, Pakistan's growth in 2022 will be 4%. The same Outlook report also states that the inflation rate will remain at 7.5 percent. Rising prices of wheat, sugar and foodstuffs will lead to higher prices.

Well, every one of our beloved Prime Ministers has a very positive attitude, he is an athlete, he has sportsmanship, he demands the same attitude from his party and the people, where he keeps urging his team to work hard. I have repeatedly advised not to panic. Interesting reactions of the people on social media to this statement of the Prime Minister also keep coming to the fore. In some light-hearted public videos on rising inflation, citizens are seen pleading, “Prime Minister! Now let us panic. " There are also some tyrants on social media who keep searching for past statements and tweets of the Prime Minister and his team's top leaders.

On the other hand, when petrol became a little more expensive, he immediately posted an old tweet and statement on social media in which the increase in the price of petrol was proved to be the theft of the thief rulers or there was a comparison between the real price of petrol and the tax. In the days of his opposition, Khan Sahib has also tried to launch a civil disobedience movement. In such a situation, he had set fire to the electricity bill in front of the people. However, now that the price of electricity has reached the level of his government, the people are waiting to see what the Prime Minister will advise them to set fire to. Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen blames "corona virus" for inflation. He believes the global epidemic has affected the world's supply line and pushed up commodity prices around the world. Talking to media this week, he said that the current price of sugar in the global market is 4 430 per tonne as against 24 240 per tonne in 2018. He also claimed that India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Vietnam were selling expensive petrol to us.

Now compare Pakistan with India, then 2 rupees 30 paise becomes one Indian rupee. India's per capita income is 22 2,200, inflation is 5.6% and the average price of petrol is Rs 105 per liter. Pakistan's per capita income is 90 1,190 and inflation is 8.4 percent. It is not appropriate to make such a comparison. However, other government spokespersons have also offered similar interpretations on the rise in petrol prices. Inflation and government figures may be correct somewhere, but the common man is also going through a difficult economic period historically.

Look at the good fortune of the sitting government that it has got an opposition in its time which has hardly any other government in history. The opposition has to be the voice while expressing the people on how friendly or hostile the policies of the government are, but the opposition has not yet decided how to be the voice against the government. The PML-N is the largest opposition party. To give the government a tough time, he is still embroiled in a dilemma over whether to honor the vote or the performance, often confused even by his big and small leaders. PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah has said that he will decide to launch a movement against inflation later, now let the people enjoy some more change.

The PPP is still going through a new process of self-identification after splitting from the PDM, so it too has not been able to become the voice of the people on the most important public issue like inflation. Maulana Fazlur Rehman is a sting of the PPP, so he is also keeping pace with the PML-N. Perhaps the repeated warnings from the government leaders have made a small place in some corner of his heart and mind Like the PPP, the PML-N should not leave them alone at any point. Jamaat-e-Islami has started its protests against inflation. So far, however, they are proving to be the sound of parrots in the gallery.

The duty of real opposition is to stand in the way of the public interest and against wrong policies of the government. Well, since we are living in a historical period, perhaps that is why the opposition seems to be playing a historic role. Whatever the economic indicators of the government, the rising inflation, unemployment and the depreciating value of the rupee are indications that the average Pakistani is getting poorer with each passing day and this historic era is dark for the common man. And this historical period is becoming the era of darkness for masses! 

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Pakistan

Pakistan committed to advance SCO’s security, development cooperation agenda: Dar

Ishaq Dar reaffirms Pakistan's unwavering commitment to the SCO Charter and the Organization's fundamental ideals as enunciated in the 'Shanghai Spirit'

Published by Hussnain Bhutta

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Beijing: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Monday expressed Pakistan's strong commitment to advancing Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s security and development cooperation agenda.

He was talking to Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Ambassador Zhang Ming in Beijing on Monday (today).

Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to the SCO Charter and the Organization's fundamental ideals as enunciated in the 'Shanghai Spirit.'

 Recognizing the immense potential of the SCO region, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the collective responsibility of SCO member states to collaborate effectively and harness the collective potential for sustained progress and prosperity of the entire SCO region.

The discussion also touched on Pakistan's initiatives and contributions in its ongoing Chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government.

Ambassador Zhang Ming reiterated SCO Secretariat's continued support to Pakistan during its tenure as Chair of the Heads of Government of the Organization.

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Health

Avicenna Medical College responds to allegations amid student protests

The college reveals additional information regarding its educational standards and the circumstances surrounding the recent protests, which it described as “staged”

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Lahore: Avicenna Medical College on Monday issued a statement countering allegations raised by a student who was expelled for disciplinary reasons.

The college revealed additional information regarding its educational standards and the circumstances surrounding the recent protests, which it described as "staged."

The reaction follows protests by students citing grievances over what they termed as "strict discipline," which they claimed had caused mental stress and allegedly led to five deaths over the past few years.

Chairperson Dr. Shandana Sheikh provided insight into the background of the student at the center of the controversy, identified only as [name withheld]. Initially a promising football player and class representative, the student's academic performance suffered following a leg injury, leading to fear of failure and depression.

A disciplinary committee meeting was convened on February 28 to address harassment allegations against the student, along with previous disciplinary infractions. Despite undergoing psychiatric treatment and showing signs of academic improvement, the student was involved in multiple disciplinary and harassment cases, including expulsion from Liaqat Medical University, Karachi.

Based on thorough deliberation and consideration of the student's psychiatric and behavioral issues, the Discipline Committee recommended informing the student's parents of the proceedings and termination of his enrollment due to concerns about potential future threats to colleagues and patients.

The college, drawing on interviews with students, revealed that the expelled student attempted to link a student's death to the college's disciplinary policies, a claim subsequently refuted by the University of Health Sciences.

While some students expressed reservations about strict penalties, others recognized their role in fostering professionalism. "Any measure that reinforces our commitment to our studies serves as a guiding light, steering us away from distractions," remarked one student.

 

 

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Pakistan

Weather update:  Most parts of country likely to remain dry, hot

The MET office says  rain-wind and thunderstorm is expected at isolated places in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas

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Islamabad: Mainly hot and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country while, very hot in southern parts during the next twelve hours.

However, rain-wind and thunderstorm is expected at isolated places in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas.

Dust raising and gusty winds with light rain/thunderstorm may occur at few places in south Punjab and upper Sindh.

Temperature of major cities recorded this morning:

Islamabad and Gilgit fifteen degree centigrade, Lahore twenty-three, Karachi twenty-nine, Peshawar twenty,  Quetta twelve, Muzafarabad fourteen and Murree ten degree centigrade.    

According to weather forecast for Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, partly cloudy weather with chances of light rain and thunderstorm is expected in Srinagar, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Baramula, while partly cloudy and dry weather in Leh and hot and dry weather in Jammu.

Temperature recorded this morning:                

Srinagar, Anantnag and Shopian ten degree centigrade, Jammu twenty-one, Leh six, Pulwama and Baramula eleven degree centigrade.

 

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