The PPP’s Minister for Information and Labour in Sindh, Saeed Ghani, is among the few sane voices in the provincial government, who understands well the socio-political dynamics of the region. The affable politician, who is also PPP’s Karachi president, was inspired by his father Usman Ghani and Pakistan People’s Party founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to … Read more
A Taliban delegation led by Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) interim Minister for Foreign Affairs Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi visited Norway, their first official visit to any European state after seizing power in Afghanistan five months ago, to participate in the three-day Oslo Talks on human rights. The Taliban delegation reportedly met Norwegian officials and … Read more
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka and India have launched a joint venture to revive a strategic British colonial-era oil storage facility and strengthen energy security in the region, a senior minister said. The deal is seen as countering China’s rising influence in the region and comes two days ahead of a visit to the Indian Ocean island … Read more
Australia’s government cancelled the world number one Novak Djokovic’s visa for a second time on Friday as it sought to deport the tennis superstar for arriving in the country without a Covid-19 vaccine. According to Australia’s Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, he acted on “health and good order grounds on the basis that it was in … Read more
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz on Thursday said that the first-ever National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy of Pakistan would not only bring revolution in the field of science and technology but also create economic activity in the entire country. “This policy will help encourage technology driven economy through engaging industry, … Read more
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar on Tuesday said that more than 100 million people had received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine. While, in a tweet he said, around 75 million people were fully vaccinated. Read more: Pakistan breaks 1,500 daily mark in covid cases since October last year Describing … Read more
LONDON: Wales star Dan Biggar fears playing the Six Nations behind closed doors could harm the champions’ prospects of a successful title defence. Wales’ first home game of the 2022 Championship sees them up against Scotland on February 12 but, under current restrictions issued by the Welsh government, only 50 spectators would be allowed to attend — … Read more
LAHORE: Minister for Industries and Commerce Mian Aslam reviewed colonisation and improvement of infrastructure for the Export Processing Zone Sialkot, a statement said. During a meeting, Iqbal urged the allottees to start construction after paying outstanding dues, adding that 100 per cent colonisation of industrial zones would be ensured. The meeting was informed that 121 … Read more
BRASÍLIA: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Thursday it will close its Brazilian office, a day after receiving harsh criticism from Economy Minister Paulo Guedes over its forecasts for Latin America’s biggest economy. The IMF said it would close its office in Brasilia when the current country representative’s mandate expires on June 30, 2022. The … Read more
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Finance Ministry said it looks at long-term and historical periods to ensure oil price outlook is more accurate, Arab News quoted Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan, as saying. Speaking at a budget forum in Riyadh, the finance minister said revenues are calculated based on structural income factors. He said the Saudi budget surplus … Read more
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is expected to record a surplus of SR27 billion in 2023 and SR42 billion in 2024, Arab News quoted Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan, as saying, at a press conference; following the cabinet’s approval of the fiscal budget for 2022. He said the kingdom expects revenues to reach SR968 billion in 2023, while … Read more
RIYADH: One in 10 Saudi jobs will be in the tourism industry by the end of the next year, Arab News quoted the kingdom’s minister for the sector, as saying. Speaking at a forum in Riyadh to mark the unveiling of the 2022 budget, Ahmed Al-Khatib said SR500 million ($133 million) will be spent training … Read more
LAHORE: The government is making all-out efforts to increase agricultural production through mechanisation, a senior official said. Chairing a meeting to review the measures for improvement in the agriculture sector, sowing targets of wheat, prices and availability of fertilisers, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam said that the production of … Read more
A security delegation of Cricket Australia held a meeting with Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Friday in Islamabad to discuss the security arrangements for the upcoming Australia tour to Pakistan during March-April next year. During the meeting, Rashid assured the delegation that foolproof security arrangements has been made during the team Australia’s stay in … Read more
LAHORE: Mandi Bahauddin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) president Syed Haider Raza Naqvi called on Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce Mian Aslam Iqbal and discussed issues of the business community. Mian Iqbal said that 54 acres of land has been acquired for setting up a small industrial estate in Mandi Bahauddin. He assured … Read more
LAHORE: Minister for Industries and Commerce Mian Aslam Iqbal on Wednesday directed expediting the process of colonisation of industrial estates. Chairing a meeting, he said, the economy could grow only by accelerating the pace of industrial development. The minister said he would personally visit industrial estates to check on the ground situation of development works … Read more
KARACHI: Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce and Cooperative Department Jam Ikramullah Dharejo has said that due to incompetence and flawed policies of the federal government, industries in Sindh are in dire straits and facing gas shortages. Sindh should be provided its share of gas so that the wheel of industries can continue running, he … Read more
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Privatisation Mohammedmian Soomro has said that a level-playing field is being provided to all the prequalified bidders for ensuring utmost transparency. Chairing a second pre-bid meeting of Heavy Electrical Complex (HEC), he said the transaction of HEC is in its concluding stage and “we are resolving the pending matters related to … Read more
KARACHI: The Balochistan government earlier this week banned fishing and trawling off the Gwadar coast after talks with protesters from the local fishing community, Arab News reported on Saturday. A group of protestors in the Gwadar port city staged a sit-in earlier this week, complaining the government was not doing enough to prevent “illegal trawling” in the … Read more
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, which reported last month a surplus in its first quarterly budget surplus since the first quarter of 2019, is applying restraints on spending even, as oil prices are trading near multiyear high, Arab News reported. The Saudi Ministry of Finance has started to apply the spending cap regardless of the oil price and revenues, … Read more
JEDDAH: The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture has warned of a crisis in wheat production caused by water scarcity, with production deficit reaching two million tonnes this year, Arab News reported. Muhammad Al-Khafaji pointed out that the water problem and the scarcity of funds reduced the agricultural plan by 50 per cent, according to the Iraqi … Read more
LAHORE: Dissemination of fake air quality index (AQI) was against the national interest, a government official said. Addressing a hurriedly called press conference, Punjab Minister for Environment Muhammad Rizwan said that vested interests were showing much higher pollution level in Lahore by sharing data gathered through cheap devices. The minister shared Environment Protection Agency’s report … Read more
ABU DHABI: Saudi Arabia helped break the logjam to reach a deal at last week’s crucial climate change talks at COP26, kingdom’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told a conference in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, Arab News reported. Prince Abdulaziz said that contrary to allegations from environmental groups, a Saudi proposal on wording … Read more
As Babar Azam and his men get ready to take on arch-rivals India, in a rare sight politicians from across the spectrum wished the Pakistan team good luck against Virat Kohli and co. Pakistan and India will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign tonight at the Dubai International Stadium. Since 2013 both teams have … Read more
ISLAMABAD: Rice is the most important human food crop in the world, directly feeding more people than any other crop, a government official said. Speaking as the chief guest at the seminar on “Public Private Partnership in Rice towards Crop Sustainability and Farmers Livelihood”, organised by the Rice Partners (Pvt) Limited, Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed … Read more
KARACHI: A comprehensive steel policy would be rolled out soon with the active consultation with the stakeholders of steel sector for which a two-member team has been nominated from PALSP side, a senior government official said. Chairing a session of the consultative meeting on the country’s steel policy with the leading steel industry players at … Read more
ISLAMABAD: Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam has stressed the need to increase awareness about safe and nutritious food, and encourage the stakeholders to produce more nutritious food sustainably, and manage food waste. He was speaking as the chief guest at an event in connection with the World Food Day, jointly … Read more
LAHORE: Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) chairman Ali Salman Siddique has called on Minister for Industries and Commerce Mian Aslam Iqbal at the Civil Secretariat and discussed measures for improving the quality of education and providing economic opportunities to the youth, a statement said. Iqbal said that an effective strategy has been formulated … Read more
