Pakistan scores a 55.6 under SDGs’ Global Index: UN Report
According to July 2017’s United Nations Report on Sustainable Development Goals, Pakistan placed 122nd out of 157 countries and scored a 55.6 under SDGs’ global index- faring lower than the regional average of 63.3 and is even lower than regional peers Bangladesh’s 56.2 and India’s 58.1.
Read here for further information on UN’s 2017 SDG report.
Read here Dawn’s special report after their team reached out to SDG champions, to assess progress and identify gaps, a year before the country has to report its progress to the UN.
Nawaz set for re-election as PML-N Chief, told to re-appear before NAB Court on Oct 9
Party leaders at the Central Working Committee of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) approved an amendment to Section 120 of the party constitution this Monday- paving the way for ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to regain party presidency even though he was disqualified from public office this July.
Nawaz and his family face three corruption charges filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in September of this year. Since Nawaz, who appeared in court Monday morning was not formally charged with a crime; his children Hussain, Hassan, and Maryam; and son-in-law Mohammad Safdar are now expected to appear on October 9 for their formal indictment.
Government passes Election Bill 2017 in National Assembly Session
The National Assembly on Monday passed the amended Elections Bill 2017, officially paving way for disqualified minister Nawaz Sharif to regain chairmanship of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. Enraged opposition lawmakers tore copies of the bill and threw them onto the speaker’s dais as he announced its passage, reported DawnNews.
Read more on the features of the amended election law, here.
Pakistan lose to Sri Lanka in first test by 21 runs
Srilanka won the first test match against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi by 21 runs on Monday. It was a strong comeback for Srilanka after being whitewashed at home by India, reported DawnNews.
Read here the details of the match as it unfolded.
National survey finds 132k Pakistanis living with HIV
A new national survey reveals 132,000 people in Pakistan are suffering from HIV. The survey conducted with a grant from the Global Fund, took 10 months to complete with 60 teams collecting data from 20 cities nationwide in 5000 places.
Speaking with Dawn, Dr. Baseer Achakzai, manager of the National Aids Control Programme said the survey will help them “make policy to curb the disease and convince international donors to release funds for focused groups”.A detailed 400-page report will also be released Oct 3 he added.
Saudi Arabia plans to open Cinemas by the end of 2017
According to the Saudi Gazette Cinemas currently banned in Saudia Arabia are set to be operational in the kingdom by end of 2017. This news comes just a few days after a Royal Decree granted women permission to drive in the country.
Former chairman of the Saudi Cinema Committee Fahd Al-Tamimi said “there is nothing in the Ministry of Culture and Information laws that prevent [opening of] cinema halls”. Cinemas in Saudia were doing amazing in the 70s but later got banned, he added.
Rangers’ mysterious orders in Islamabad outside Federal Judicial Complex causes severe confusion.
All visitors, including ministers, media persons, lawyers or even senior politicians were barred from entering the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) by rangers officials on Monday as reported by Dawn. It is still unknown as to who actually ordered this blockage.
Only Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif was allowed to enter, that also without his protocol. The only politician accompanying Mr Sharif inside the courtroom was Senator Asif Kirmani, since he was in the same vehicle as the ex-PM.
Pakistani Boxer, Waseem M, beats Carlos and wins his 8th consecutive victory, yet struggles with funding
Waseem M, from Quetta is Pakistan’s pride and two-time WBC silver flyweight champion. He won his eighth consecutive victory after knocking out Panama’s Carlos in the very first round. He has been training hard with Las Vegas coach, Jeff Mayweather since June 29th for the final fight in January next year.
Funds were promised to him last year by Cheif Minister, Balochistan. Waseem is still waiting for the cash incentive which will help him in training and ease his financial problems, reports The Nation.
