Here are 7 news updates for an average Pakistani to catch up
Prime Minister Imran Khan will be inaugurating Karachi’s Green Line service today
What happened: The project has been completed, despite the delays imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, and Prime Minister Imran Khan will be launching the Green Line Bus service in Karachi today. Details: Asad Umar, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, has stated that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz administration made no significant contribution to the Green Line bus service in Karachi following the project’s groundbreaking in February 2016. He was talking to reporters after seeing the Green Line route on Thursday, a day before Prime Minister Imran Khan’s formal opening of the project. What else: Mr Umar stated that good progress has been achieved on all aspects of the Karachi Transformation Plan, and that the federal government was doing its part. The K-IV project, as well as two other projects — the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and a freight corridor from Karachi Port to Pipri are a part of the plan as well. Special Technology Zone will be set up to start vaccine production in Pakistan
What happened: After Pakistan emerged as a prospective contender to begin vaccine production on its own, the government plans to construct a Special Technology Zone (STZ) to begin vaccine manufacture. Details: After receiving authorisation from the World Health Organization (WHO), a Lahore-based pharmaceutical business has already established the first vaccination plant in Pakistan to begin local vaccine manufacture. At least 70% of worldwide vaccines distributed by GAVI are currently manufactured in India. In its efforts to initiate COVID vaccine production in Indonesia, a ministerial team even advocated for its vaccine producers at global conferences earlier this year in Geneva. Why it matters: The WHO wants the government to commit to supporting vaccine manufacture as Pakistan becomes a leading candidate in Asia to begin vaccine production, as this cannot be sustained without a buyback agreement. Pakistan Navy celebrated 50 years of HANGOR day, which marks their naval action against the Indian Navy ship ‘Khukri’
What happened: The Pakistan Navy on Thursday commemorated the Golden Jubilee of HANGOR Day, which honours the Pakistan Navy’s Submarine HANGOR’s courageous act and unrivalled courage, as well as the soldiers of the 1971 war. The historic day: The historic naval action occurred off the coast of India’s west coast, south-east of ‘Diu Head.’ The action is notable in naval history as the first successful submarine kill since World War II. The celebration: An event was held by the Pakistan Navy in Karachi to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the sinking of the Indian Navy Ship Khukri 50 years ago. Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief of the Naval Staff, was the chief guest. The Commander, Vice Admiral (Retd) Ahmad Tasnim, was also present. World Anti-Corruption Day: Baloch governor, Syed Zahoor Agha says corruption is Pakistan’s most serious problem
What happened: Syed Zahoor Agha, the governor of Balochistan, said on Thursday that corruption was one of the country’s biggest and most serious problems, affecting every aspect of life. In a speech commemorating World Anti-Corruption Day, he stated that the elimination of corruption is critical for the country’s growth, as no nation can thrive if corruption exists. Details: Governor Zahoor Agha stated that the moment has come to develop financial discipline and governance transparency in order to make training a reality based on people’s needs and basic amenities. The current government has improved the province’s administrative and financial management, but more work is needed to ensure effective governance, he said. The good news, according to the governor, is that the National Accountability Bureau is holding the country’s corrupt elements accountable. SHC directs Rangers to vacate Noor Muhammad High School hostel as the building is meant for education purpose only
What happened: The Sindh High Court on Thursday ordered the Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, and provincial officials to evacuate the hostel of the historic Noor Mohammad High School in Hyderabad within three months because the structure was intended for educational purposes. Details: The hostel, which is now being used to house the paramilitary personnel, should be given over to the school’s management, according to a single-judge bench of the SHC led by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar. The Rangers may require lodging, but that alone cannot be a cause to occupy such structures. According to the court decision, it is up to the government to make arrangements for their accommodation if it is required. What else: The court also ordered the culture secretary to appoint a team to inspect the Noor Muhammad School, Muslim Degree College, and Makhdoom Bilawal Hostel for heritage purposes, and to notify all three buildings if they meet the required criterion, and to maintain and preserve them at the state’s expense. PTI activists staged a protest against the ‘politically appointed’ police officers
What happened: On Wednesday, activists from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, led by SAPM Arbab Ghulam Rahim, conducted a sit-in in protest against police brutality. According to reports, protesters shut off all routes leading to the Thar Coal project. Details: Arbab Ghulam Rahim, speaking to the protesters, stated the SSP Tharparkar and his SHO were both politically selected, and that the PPP administration was using the police to sway the loyalty of political figures. He said that the Sindh government was involved in public welfare project corruption. He warned that if political victimisation of PTI employees did not end, they would call for an indefinite strike. More: People from Thar have taken to the streets, and they will soon begin protesting against the Sindh government for failing to provide them with basic necessities of life. He requested that SSP Tharparkar and the SHOs of the Kaloi and Depelo police stations be fired. Arbab Anwar Jabbar, Lal Malhi, and others spoke at the sit-in and urged that their workers be released. The development of the country’s largest expo centre has been approved by Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar
What happened: In Faisalabad, Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has approved the construction of the country’s largest expo centre. He was presiding over a meeting in which Industries Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal, the chief secretary, the secretary of industries, the chairmen of the FIEDMC and PIEDMC, and others reviewed progress on special economic zones. Details: While approving the construction of the largest expo centre. He was presiding over a meeting in which Industries Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal, the chief secretary, the secretary of industries, the chairmen of the FIEDMC and PIEDMC, and others reviewed progress on special economic zones.