ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan finance minister, Miftah Ismail, on Sunday announced forming a new political party that would be “internally democratic” and would speak for the “aspirations of all Pakistanis.”
Ismail, who took tough decisions for the resumption of the country’s stalled $6 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, was forced to step down in September 2022 by the former coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and with Ishaq Dar.
The former minister, along with other dissident politicians belonging to the then ruling coalition, kicked off a nationwide debate called “Reimagining Pakistan” in 2023, taking up a wide range of issues for discussion while expressing regret they were not adequately addressed earlier.
For the last several months, speculation had been rife that the former finance minister was planning to launch a new political group, which could be joined by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and ex-senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokar.
On Sunday, Ismail said they were forming a party based on “ideas and not personalities,” with women and young people as part of the leadership team.
“We are forming a different kind of party... a party that has professionals of integrity, competence and intellectual honesty, a party that belongs not to a province or a city but to the whole nation, a party that will constitutionally mandate term limits for its leaders, be internally democratic, and would never consider any individual or family to be indispensable,” he said on X.
“Most importantly, a party that speaks for the hopes and aspirations of all Pakistanis.”
In an op-ed written for the English-language daily The News on Saturday, Ismail said for the first time ever, they were not just apprehensive but frightened about the future of Pakistan.
“Daily survival is getting harder and harder for our people, our already ineffective governance is getting even worse, and our nation is drifting backward as the rest of the world is marching forward,” he wrote.
“We are fast reaching the point of no return – and it is imperative we take a hard look at our ineffective governance that has failed our people. We need to radically restructure our governance so that we can finally give hope and opportunity to all our people.”
Pakistan has for months been faced with low foreign exchange reserves, currency devaluation and high inflation. The South Asian country last month completed a short-term $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, which helped stave off a sovereign default, but the incumbent government of PM Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the need for a fresh, longer-term program.
Pakistan and the IMF are expected to begin formal talks next week, with Islamabad saying it expects a staff-level agreement by July. Though both Pakistani and IMF officials have refrained from commenting on the size of the program, the South Asian nation is expected to seek around $7 billion bailout from the global lender.
Former Pakistan finance minister announces forming new party ending months of speculation
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Former Pakistan finance minister announces forming new party ending months of speculation
- Miftah Ismail, who took tough decisions for resumption of Pakistan’s stalled $6 billion IMF bailout, was forced to step down in 2022
- Former minister says they are forming a party based on ‘ideas and not personalities,’ with women and young people as part of leadership
Pakistan raises fuel prices by up to Rs9.56 per liter amid global energy market fluctuations
- With the new surge, the per liter cost of petrol and high-speed diesel will be Rs265.61 and Rs277.45, respectively
- Any upward revision to fuel prices is generally met with public discontent amid fears of high inflation in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The government on Sunday increased the per liter cost of petrol and high-speed diesel by Rs7.45 and Rs9.56, respectively, after taking credit for reducing petroleum prices by up to Rs35 since taking over following the last review.
Fuel prices are fixed on a fortnightly basis by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) in Pakistan, which adjusts them by considering fluctuations in the international energy market and rupee-dollar parity.
This allows the government to pass on the net effect to consumers to finance the country’s fuel imports.
“The prices of petroleum products have seen an increasing trend in the international market during the last fortnight,” said the statement circulated by the finance division, adding that OGRA had worked out the consumer prices accordingly.
“There will be no change in the applicable taxes & duties, which will remain at the existing level,” it added.
With the new surge, the per liter cost of petrol will be Rs265.61, and for high-speed diesel, it will be Rs277.45.
The new prices will be applicable for the next fortnight, starting July 1.
Any upward revision to fuel prices in the country is generally met with public discontent as it contributes to inflationary pressure, raising the overall cost of living.
Pakistan witnessed a 38 percent inflation rate in May 2023, which eased more recently to 11.8 percent last month.
PIA slashes Umrah fares to Madinah until July 15
- The round-trip Umrah fare from Karachi to the Saudi holy city will be Rs76,000 without taxes
- Umrah pilgrims flying from other Pakistani airports will pay Rs86,000 excluding relevant taxes
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national air carrier announced a reduction in Umrah fares for pilgrims traveling to Madinah in a statement issued on Sunday, saying the discounted rates would be implemented immediately.
Thousands of Pakistanis travel to Saudi Arabia each month to visit the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah, making the kingdom a lucrative destination for the financially struggling Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Earlier this month, PIA also disclosed plans to operate 171 flights to bring about 35,000 Hajj pilgrims back to Pakistan by July 21.
“PIA announces reduction in Umrah fares,” the airline announced in a statement. “Umrah pilgrims traveling from Pakistan to Madinah will benefit from discounted fares.”
“The round-trip Umrah fare from Karachi to Madinah will be Rs76,000 excluding taxes,” it continued. “From Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan and Sialkot to Madinah, the round-trip fare has been set at 86,000 excluding taxes.”
The statement added the facility to travel from Pakistan at discounted fares would remain effective until July 15.
Fears mount of new deportation wave as Afghan refugees’ registration cards expire on June 30
- Pakistan extended the POR cards for two months in April after expelling more than 540,000 Afghan nationals
- Government launched the deportation drive against ‘illegal immigrants’ in November, citing security concerns
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan may resume its deportation drive against Afghan refugees from Monday after their Proof of Registration (POR) cards expire today, June 30.
POR cards are identification documents issued by Pakistani authorities to Afghan refugees that serve as official recognition of their legal status in the country, allowing them access to various services such as education, health care and banking.
The government extends these cards on a periodic basis, often depending on the political and security situations involving both countries.
It decided to extend these cards for two months in April amid rising international concerns of more Afghans being expelled after over 540,000 of them were sent home in the first deportation phase launched amid security concerns last November.
While the government has not yet issued a statement addressing the future of these refugees, the situation has once again stirred concern about Afghan nationals needing “international protection.”
“They’re refugees. They’re not involved in terrorist activities. They’re just people who fled and who need protection,” Philippa Candler, an Afghan refugee agency official in Pakistan, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera.
Pakistan began its deportation drive against “illegal immigrants,” mostly Afghan nationals, after a surge of deadly suicide bombings which officials in Islamabad blamed on militants based in Afghanistan.
The authorities also blamed the Afghan administration in Kabul for facilitating these militants, a charge denied by Taliban officials, while blaming Afghan nationals in Pakistan for carrying out 14 out of 24 suicide attacks in the country.
Pakistani officials also warned that they would expel registered Afghan refugees from the country.
Seven killed, 10 injured in road collision in Pakistan’s Karachi amid heavy port traffic
- The incident took place on Mauripur Road, which is notorious for traffic jams due to heavy vehicles
- The top police surgeon in Karachi says three people involved in the accident are in critical condition
KARACHI: Seven people were killed and ten injured after a road accident occurred between a coaster and a trailer in Pakistan’s southern city of Karachi on Sunday.
The incident took place on the central Mauripur Road, notorious for traffic jams due to the heavy flow of trawlers and trucks carrying goods to and from the city’s port facilities.
Karachi, Pakistan’s commercial capital, is a major hub for import and export, benefiting from a bustling harbor that provides access to global sea lanes.
“We received seven bodies, one male and six females,” said Karachi’s top police surgeon, Dr. Summaiya Syed, while speaking to Arab News.
She informed that among the 10 injured people, four were male while six were female, with three of them in critical condition.
Road accidents are common in Pakistan, where traffic rules are rarely followed and roads are often in poor condition.
Karachi, the largest and most densely populated Pakistani metropolis, experiences a heavy load of traffic on nearly every artery of the city.
According to media reports, the speeding coaster rammed into the trailer and overturned as the latter’s driver was trying to take a U-turn.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed grief over the incident, saying the licenses of all reckless drivers should be suspended.
Twenty inmates stage jailbreak in Azad Kashmir, one killed – officials
- The incident took place at the Poonch district jail in Rawalakot city where the inmates used a revolver to hold a sentry hostage
- A search operation is underway to locate the escapees, some of whom were held on serious charges including terrorism
MUZAFFARABAD: Twenty detainees, some accused of terrorism, staged a prison break in Azad Kashmir on Sunday, officials told AFP, adding that one was “killed in the crossfire” during the escape.
“The inmates had a revolver that they used to hold a sentry hostage,” said Badar Munir, an official with the regional ministry of interior.
“It is unclear whether they seized it (the weapon) from jail officials or if it was brought in from outside,” Munir added.
The incident took place at the Poonch district jail in Rawalakot city, about 110 kilometers (68 miles) south of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir.
“In total, 20 people escaped from the prison. One was killed in the crossfire, while 19 others remain at large,” the inspector general of Kashmir prisons, Waheed Ali Gillani, told AFP.
A senior local police official, Riaz Mughal, told AFP that police had blocked the entry and exit points of Rawalakot, and a search operation was currently under way to locate the escapees.
Prisons in Pakistan are notorious for overcrowding, poor conditions, corruption and human rights violations. Additionally, slow judicial processes contribute to prolonged stays for prisoners.
Militant groups have organized several mass jailbreaks in Pakistan in the past, including one in the northwestern town of Bannu in 2012 that sprung 400 prisoners.
