Author: Arif ArifArman

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Amid a rise in inflation and a shortage of foreign exchange reserves, people in Pakistan have started to face difficulties in performing Haj, Pakistan vernacular media reported. The Haj quota is now available for the first time in Pakistani history, but fewer people are making the pilgrimage. Most Pakistanis are unable to perform Haj due to inflation and a lack of dollars. The remaining Haj quota will be returned to Saudi Arabia, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Pak vernacular media, Qudrat reported. The Federal Cabinet will make the final determination about the repayment of the Haj…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Amid its mounting external debt, Pakistan is listed among the 15 countries globally which are under enormous debt stress, Business Recorder reported. Economic and financial analyst Ateeq ur Rahman said Pakistan needs to get rid of such circumstances as soon as possible. The analyst feared that borrowing costs would rise even further. He mentioned that Pakistan’s external financing need for fiscal year 2024 is about US 40 billion dollars whereas Pakistan has external debt repayments amounting to USD 30 billion (including interest payments). Hence Pakistan’s current account deficit is always dwindling, reported Business Recorder. Pakistan financing options beyond…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Pakistan urged the United States on Thursday to restore military financing and sales suspended by the Trump administration as a senior US official acknowledged the importance of this bilateral relationship in a key strategic region. “It is important that the US restores — for Pakistan — Foreign Military Financing and Foreign Military Sales, suspended by the previous administration,” Masood Khan, Pakistan’s envoy in Washington, said at a seminar in Washington. US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Elizabeth Horst, however, focused on the need to help rebuild the troubled Pakistani economy and urged…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Saturday inaugurated Plaza Mahatma Gandhi in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and unveiled a statue of the Father of the Nation. “Deeply honoured to inaugurate Plaza Mahatma Gandhi in Santo Domingo and the unveiling of Bapu’s statue there,” Jaishankar tweeted on Saturday. “The Mahatma’s teachings have an even greater relevance in a world striving for peace and sustainability. Together with FM @RobalsdqAlvarez, planted a tree to commemorate India-Dominican Republic friendship,” the EAM further wrote. Jaishankar on Friday (local time) inaugurated the Indian Embassy in the Dominican Republic in the presence of Vice…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The new cargo complex at the Agartala’s Maharaja Bir Bikram airport, the second largest in the northeastern region after the one at Guwahati airport, was inaugurated on Friday. Airport Authority of India (AAI) officials said that there were no outgoing cargo operations since December 2022 as BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) shut down the old cargo facility due to absence of security vetting, creating difficulties for post offices, courier services and other trade and export related services. The new cargo complex, which was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 17 crore, would be able to cater…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Japan adopted a new five-year ocean policy on Friday that calls for stronger maritime security, including bolstering its coast guard’s capability and cooperation with the military as China grows increasingly assertive in regional seas. The new Basic Plan on Ocean Policy adopted by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Cabinet also says Japan must accelerate the development of autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated robots to strengthen its surveillance capability. It cited a list of threats: Chinese coast guard ships’ repeated intrusions into Japanese territorial waters, growing unauthorized maritime activity by ‘foreign survey boats’ inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, increasing…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday linked the production of lithium in China to “slave labor” as he discussed his own country’s efforts to ramp up production of the metal used in electric vehicle and other batteries. Canada has significant sources of lithium, Trudeau said, but China has made strategic choices over the decades that have made it by far the world’s largest producer. “If we’re honest … the lithium produced in Canada is going to be more expensive. Because we don’t use slave labor,” Trudeau said in remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations in New…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Between 6 a.m. on Thursday (April 27) and 6 a.m. on Friday (April 28), Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) monitored 38 Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels, and one military aircraft that was circumnavigating Taiwan for the first time, reported Taiwan news. The Ministry of National Defence of Taiwan said that 38 People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) military aircraft and six People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels had been tracked around Taiwan. Citing the MND, Taiwan news reported that 19 of the identified aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the southwest, southeast, or…

ENTERTAIN DESK: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan recently jetted off to Kashmir to shoot for the next schedule of Rajkumar Hirani’s upcoming film ‘Dunki’. Soon after SRK landed in Kashmir, his videos and pictures surfaced on social media. Now, in a new viral picture, the actor could be seen posing with his fans in the cold weather. In the picture, the ‘Don’ actor could be seen donning a black puffer jacket and matching cargo pants. He accessorized his look with black shades. ‘Dunki’ marks the first collaboration of the ‘Chak De India’ actor with director Rajkumar Hirani and actor Taapsee Pannu.…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Punjab boasts an art form that combines both visual and literary beauty — Calligraphy. At the heart of this artistic tradition lies the Gurmukhi script, an alphabetic system that has been used to pen Punjabi literature for centuries. The art of Punjabi calligraphy goes beyond mere words; it is a visual symphony of letters that captures the essence of Punjab’s spirit and soul, the Khalsa Vox reported. The Gurmukhi script, which literally means “from the mouth of the Guru,” was developed in the 16th century by the second Sikh Guru, Guru Angad Dev Ji. It was intended to…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: A former member of the US House of Representatives from Rhode Island who is running for the Senate next year, Bob Lancia has released a video message expressing his excitement at being invited to the G20 conference to be held in Srinagar on May 22. “The state of Jammu and Kashmir in India has always held a special place in my heart. And I’ve been closely following developments in the region. And I was delighted to hear the news that Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir and Jammu, will be hosting a G20 Conference,” he said in his video…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: China is seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases for the first time since a “tsunami” of infections over winter, potentially dampening an expected economic boost during the May Day holiday. The percentage of people testing positive on PCR tests rose to 1.7 per cent on April 20, according to the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. That was up from 1.3 per cent a week earlier and 0.7 per cent three weeks earlier. Experts say it is not clear how serious the latest wave of cases will be, but that it is unlikely to have a major…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: In its flagship annual report State of Human Rights in 2022, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over the political and economic turmoil of last year, both of which have had a serious impact on the human rights situation. Both the incumbent and previous governments failed to respect the supremacy of Parliament, while tussles among the legislature, executive and judiciary undermined institutional credibility. The report notes that political victimisation continued throughout the year, with colonial-era sedition laws being weaponised to stifle dissent. Dozens of journalists and opposition politicians were arrested, with ensuing claims of…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: A retired diplomat from Pakistan by the name of Abdul Basit has recently justified the attack on Indian soldiers in Rajouri near Bhimber Gali on April 20, 2023 as being legitimate. Basit said in a video message that the attack was ‘legitimate’ as it targeted Indian soldiers and not civilians. Basit served as Pakistani High Commissioner in New Delhi. His statement proves that Pakistan-sponsored Jihadi terrorist organisations are seen as an extended arm of Pakistan’s malicious militant campaign against the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Basit is of the opinion that ‘although a number of people are referring…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: In its flagship annual report State of Human Rights in 2022, released earlier this week, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed concern over the political and economic turmoil of last year, both of which have had a serious impact on the human rights situation. Both the incumbent and previous governments failed to respect the supremacy of Parliament, while tussles among the legislature, executive and judiciary undermined institutional credibility, the report noted. The report stated further that political victimisation continued throughout the year, with colonial-era sedition laws being weaponised to stifle dissent. Dozens of journalists and opposition…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Singapore’s move to double property taxes for foreigners signals that policy makers are growing more cognizant of surging money inflows from wealthy Chinese, even though the higher rates are unlikely to cool home prices. In new measures announced Thursday, foreigners will pay 60% tax on any residential purchase, while the rate for using an entity or a trust was raised to 65%, preventing any circumvention of the rules. Permanent residents and citizens buying their second residential property will also pay more. The additional buyer’s stamp duty, or ABSD, comes on top of a multi-tiered existing tax that all…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Violations of agreements on the contentious India-China border “eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations”, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told his Chinese counterpart in New Delhi on Thursday. Singh also told visiting Chinese Defence Minister General Li Shangfu that bilateral ties were premised on the “prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders”, a statement from India’s Ministry of Defence said. The defence ministers of the two countries had not publicly met since September 2020, when General Wei Fenghe, Li’s predecessor, talked to Singh in Moscow on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers’…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India has slammed Pakistan after its envoy at the UN raised the Kashmir issue and said no amount of misinformation, rhetoric and propaganda from any country can deny the fact that the union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh “were, are and will always remain” an integral and inalienable part of India. Speaking at the UN General Assembly plenary on ‘Use of the veto’ on Wednesday, Pratik Mathur, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, also spoke on the adoption of the ‘veto initiative’ by the Assembly said India’s position has been consistent and clear.…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The report examines how the government should engage with faith groups in England and identifies the need for a more nuanced understanding of “subversive and sectarian activity” within the Sikh community. The report warns that some pro-Khalistan Sikh groups aim to artificially inflate their influence by lobbying political bodies under the guise of human rights activism, presenting a false appearance of legitimacy. It also notes that some groups use various aliases to “subvert the British political order”, a strategy used historically by white supremacist and Islamist terrorist groups. It notes that the subversive, sectarian, and discriminatory activities of…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The United Kingdom and India on Wednesday signed an agreement to collaborate on science and innovation. The agreement between the two nations was signed after the meeting between the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh and UK Science Minister George Freeman. The memorandum of understanding signed between the two nations on research will enable quicker, deeper collaboration on science between the two science powerhouses that will drive economic growth, create skilled jobs and improve lives in two nations and worldwide, UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said in a press release.…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio have welcomed the commencement of negotiations on agreement concerning the transfer of defense equipment and technology, recognising the future potential. The two premiers decided to elevate the bilateral relationship to a “Strategic Partnership” as a guiding principle to lead the two countries’ journey into the next 50 years and beyond, according to a joint statement issued here today. Both leaders shared the determination to enhance cooperation, specifically cooperation for peace and stability in the region and beyond, deepening economic cooperation for mutual benefits and regional prosperity, and…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The stage is being prepared for the first of its kind international event–G20 tourism working group meeting under India’s presidency in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir–Srinagar, slated to be held on May 24-26, 2023 while the projects prioritized for the major event are in the finishing stage. For the first time after the abrogation of the Articles 370 and 35-A, Jammu and Kashmir will be hosting an international event in which delegates from G20 member states, guest countries and several international organizations will participate. Srinagar’s south and eastern pockets are getting a new facelift ahead of…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Bollywood is once again making its presence felt in the valley! The move is expected to give a significant boost to the economy of Kashmir and promote tourism in the region. The shooting of back-to-back Bollywood films in Kashmir has generated excitement among locals and tourists alike. According to Iliyas Ahmad, CEO of the Sonamarg Development Authority, the arrival of Bollywood stars like Shahrukh Khan and Taapsee Pannu will not only bring economic benefits to the region but also put Kashmir on the global map of tourism.” Shah Rukh and Taapsee reached Kashmir for the shoot of Rajkumar…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: American companies in China are increasingly pessimistic about the relationship between Washington and Beijing as geopolitical tensions escalate, even as they have a more favorable view of the nation’s economic recovery, according to a new survey. Some 87 per cent of respondents to a flash survey taken last week said they were at least slightly pessimistic about US-China ties, according to the survey published on Wednesday (Apr 26) by the American Chamber of Commerce in China. That was 14 percentage points higher than the chamber’s previous poll. “Bilateral relations between the United States and China have substantially deteriorated,”…