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Media Maven, Khairpur Mirs (2025)

28/06/2023

Security forces have gunned down four terrorists, including a commander, in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, shared the military’s media wing in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the operations were conducted on Tuesday in KP's Bajaur and Khyber districts.

In Bajaur, the operation was launched after the security forces received a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the general area of Inayat Qilla.

During the operation, an intense fire exchange took place between security forces and terrorists that resulted in the killing of three militants, including commander Shafi.

“Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists, who remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces as well as killing of innocent citizens,” said the ISPR. It added that the forces were conducting sanitisation of the area to eliminate any terrorists found in the area.

Khyber operation
The operation in the Khyber district was conducted in the general area of Tirah, where a fire change took place between the security forces and terrorists.

In the shootout, one terrorist was killed, while another three were injured. The forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from the killed terrorist.

“Sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism,” the ISPR added.

28/06/2023

Pak Suzuki Motor Co Ltd (PSMC) has extended the closure of its automobile and bike plant by another week on a "continued shortage of inventory level", The News reported.

In an earlier notification on June 19, the company had announced production cuts from June 22 to July 08, 2023, which it has now extended till July 15.

The decision came as a result of a persistent shortage of raw materials, which was communicated in a statement released to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday.

"Due to continued shortage of inventory level, the management of the company has decided to extend the shutdown of automobile and motorcycle plant till July 15, 2023," the PSMC company secretary informed in the notice.

The company kept its motorcycle plant closed for five days at the start of June, and the automobile plant also remained closed in May for eight days along with the bike plant.

Since July of the previous year, the company has been afflicted by a persistent lack of raw materials, principally due to difficulties importing these crucial components due to a reduction in the nation's foreign exchange reserves.

There are other automakers suffering similar interruptions besides Pak Suzuki. Due to the shortage of essential raw materials, both Honda Atlas Cars and Indus Motor Company have had several shutdowns recently.

Even makers of vehicle parts have been impacted by the scarcity, which has forced them to temporarily halt their own production lines.

The closures have an effect that goes well beyond the affected businesses. Due to the interruption in raw material imports brought on by postponed letters of credit (LCs) openings, the whole automotive industry has been struggling with unproductive days.
The situation has led to reduced operational capacities and an overall decrease in productivity across multiple sectors of the economy.

The news of Pak Suzuki's latest shutdown has sparked concerns among employees, stakeholders, and the general public alike. The closure will undoubtedly have a considerable impact on both the company's workforce and the overall economy.

According to one analyst, Suzuki's plant closure serves as a sharp reminder of the bigger problems the Pakistani automotive industry is now dealing with.

In order to address the underlying causes of the raw material scarcity and put permanent solutions into place to avert further disruptions, he said stakeholders and governments must collaborate.

Bannu Woollen Mills halts production Bannu Woollen Mills Limited also announced a production break till July-mid, blaming inventory shortages.

"Due to shortage of raw materials, the management of the company has decided to temporarily shut down /close of its production activities from July 02 2023 to July 15 2023," it said in a notice to the PSX.

The company will resume production activities on July 16, 2023.

Bannu Woollen Mills is principally engaged in the manufacture and sale of woolen yarn, cloth, and blankets.

It manufactures various woolen products, including tweed, blazers, velour, blankets, shawls, services dress cloth and upholstery. The company announced a six-week plant shut down in March 2023 on import restrictions.

The government recently lifted restrictions on imports in an attempt to win the stalled IMF deal. With the foreign exchange reserves of the State Bank of Pakistan as low as $3.5 billion, it would be difficult for the central bank to meet import demand in the country.

28/06/2023

China’s Nanjing University of Information Sciences and Technology (NUIST) is offering fully funded scholarships to Pakistani students in the field of Climate Change and Environmental Governance, to help the students enhance their research capacity to combat the climate crisis.

Confirming the report, Professor Dr Tong Jiang of NUIST and Executive Director for the Research Institute of Climatic and Environmental Governance on Monday said that his department is offering fully funded scholarships in the field of Climate Change and Environmental Governance for Pakistani students.
In this regard, NUIST is collaborating with NUST and an MoU has been signed to foster collaboration in scientific research and exchanges of students and faculty. The research cooperation is being also expanded with other prominent universities of Pakistan which include Quaid-e-Azam University, COMSATS University Islamabad, and the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Professor Jiang said.

He added that young scientists from Pakistan’s universities in the field of climate change and climate risk studies would be admitted to the university for research. Moreover, Environmental Change Postdoctoral positions would also be offered.

He said, "Our new project in Pakistan is focused on water shortage and tipping points about climate change. Pakistan suffered great losses due to heavy floods last year and now facing high temperatures and drought."

In Pakistan, according to the UN report, the water shortage is increasing in Pakistan and water is also getting drained. It is probably because of the increasing population and deficiencies in the water management mechanism.

He said that Pakistan’s economic system is also based on Agriculture and for this water is an essential component. So, therefore, our research would focus to overcome this climate change impact and reducing the water shortage.

Talking about air pollution and smog problems, he said that the major causes of poor air quality are industrial emissions, vehicular emissions, domestic emissions, construction-related dust emissions, smoke from brick kilns, and soot from burning agricultural waste.

For solutions, he said industries should be shifted from cities to industrial areas, converting the system to renewable energy, increasing the use of affordable public transport system, planting trees, and better management of livestock and waste from cities.

28/06/2023

The Pakistan Meteorological Department's (PMD) forecast Wednesday mentions weather will likely remain hot and humid during the next 24 hours.

The minimum temperature will remain 29°C, while the maximum will be between 34°C and 36°C. There is a chance of drizzle during the morning and night, while light rain is also likely, the Met Office said.
Humidity in the air will be at 70%, and winds blowing from the southwest will be at 10 kilometres per hour, the PMD said.

Meanwhile, rain/wind thundershower is expected at isolated places in upper Punjab, Islamabad, and Potohar region, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eastern Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

The temperature recorded in Islamabad this morning was 27°C, Lahore 28°C, Karachi 30°C, Peshawar 26°C, Quetta 24°C. Gilgit 22°C, Murree 16°C and Muzaffarabad 23°C.

A day earlier, at least 22 people in Islamabad and Mardan died due to heatstroke amid extreme heat gripping the country.

Eighteen people died due to sunstroke in Mardan on June 24 (Saturday), Mardan Medical Complex chief Dr Tariq Mehmood said, adding that most victims of heatstroke were women over 50.

Moreover, according to officials, at least four people died of heatstroke in Islamabad in the same period.

Several cities across the country experienced sweltering weather last week, with unannounced power outages compounding the miseries of the masses.

28/06/2023

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided in the favour of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over its demand regarding the warm-up matches in upcoming World Cup 2023.

The PCB reportedly had no interest in facing Afghanistan in the warm-up matches ahead of the mega tournament to be hosted by India in October.
a note to the ICC, the PCB said that the Men in Green would have already faced the neighbouring country during the Asia Cup before World Cup and requested of playing a non-Asian team.

After the schedule for the mega event was announced on Tuesday, it was confirmed that Pakistan’s warm-up games will be against New Zealand and Australia on September 29 and October 3 in Hyderabad. This means that they won’t be facing any Asian team ahead of the tournament.

Here is Pakistan's schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023:
October 6 - vs Qualifier 1 in Hyderabad
October 12 - vs Qualifier 2 in Hyderabad
October 15 - vs India in Ahmedabad
October 20 - vs Australia in Bengaluru
October 23 - vs Afghanistan in Chennai
October 27 - vs South Africa in Chennai
October 31 - vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
November 4 - vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
November 12 - vs England in Kolkata
The day match which will start at 10:00am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures starting at 01:30pm (PST).

Eight teams have qualified for the event through the Cricket World Cup Super League while the final two spots will be taken by the finalists of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier taking place in Zimbabwe.

If the West Indies qualify, they will be Q1 irrespective of where they finish in the Qualifiers.

If Sri Lanka qualify, they will be Q2 irrespective of where they finish in the Qualifiers.

If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will play in Kolkata.

If India qualify for the semifinals, they will play in Mumbai unless playing against Pakistan, in which case they will play in Kolkata.

The tournament will be played in the round-robin format with all teams playing against each other for a total of 45 league matches.

The top four teams will qualify for the semifinals, which will be held in Mumbai on November 15 and in Kolkata on November 16. The semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.

28/06/2023

With Eid ul Adha just around the corner, teenager Amanullah Khan teeters on his tiptoes, daubing towering camels with festive henna patterns to attract buyers at a sacrificial animals market near the Pakistan capital.

Hundreds of farmers have camped at the maweshi mandis set up between Islamabad and its twin city Rawalpindi for two weeks, hoping to sell their animals ahead of the annual holy festival starting Thursday in Pakistan.
However, the markets are drawing smaller crowds owing to the rampant inflation that reached a record 38% in May.

Khan's cousin Zakaria brought 18 camels to market after good profits last year but has sold only one so far.

"People's purchasing power is over. Customers are not coming to the market, and those who come prefer to return empty-handed due to the high prices of the animals," Zakaria, 21, told AFP.

During the festival, Muslims around the world will slaughter an animal — a goat, sheep, bull or camel — keeping a third for themselves before giving a third to friends and relatives, and a third to charity.

The ritual commemorates the readiness of Ibrahim — Abraham in the Christian and Jewish faiths — to sacrifice his son to show obedience to Allah.

The centuries-old festival is guided by tradition, but this year many middle-class Pakistanis will not be able to perform a sacrifice.

"Our income is the same but the prices are sky-high. From where would we get that much money?" buyer Ali Akbar, a 46-year-old builder, asked.

Another customer, Zerak Ali, had come to enquire about the price of a camel, which can cost up to one million rupees ($3,500).

"It is worth 700,000 for you," Zakaria barters. But 56-year-old shopkeeper Ali leaves, leading his two grandsons towards the enclosure housing cheaper bulls.

Camel sacrifice is not common in Pakistan, but some wealthier buyers prefer the animal because 11 families can share its meat, according to Islamic rules.

More than 250 camels have been brought to the Islamabad market, along with thousands of bulls, cows, goats and sheep.

Bulls cost up to 500,000 rupees, while the price of goats ranges from 50,000 to 150,000.

Eating into Zakaria's profits are market taxes, rising fodder and truck rental prices, as well as staff wages.

"I will lose millions of rupees this year," he glumly predicts.

Bakht Zaman, a farmer from Mardan district in Pakistan's northwest, brought 10 camels to market and has so far sold only one for 500,000 rupees.

"The value of the Pakistani rupee has fallen," says buyer Haq Nawaz. "Who will buy such expensive animals?

28/06/2023

The Lahore police have arrested the suspect allegedly involved in firing at the house of former Punjab governor and senior lawyer, Sardar Latif Khosa

Punjab Police DIG Investigation Kamran Adil said the suspect, involved in the attack on the senior politician's home in Lahore, is already wanted in 14 cases of firing.
The suspect's next target was Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan," the police official revealed, speaking about the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader.

He added that the suspect Mohsin, alias Lamba, is a resident of Samanabad, an area in Lahore's Millat Park.

The suspect told the police that he was given money by Zubair Khan Niazi, after which he opened fire at Khosa's house.

"The suspect was used to create tension in the ties between the lawyers and the government," DIG investigation said.

Earlier this month, the politician's driver sustained injuries after a gun attack was launched by unidentified gunmen at his house in Lahore.

According to the politician, he remained safe in the attack, but the attackers fled the scene.

“I was listening to a client’s case at home. My driver came in and said he had been shot,” Khosa said, sharing details about the incident.

The veteran PPP politician said he saw holes in the house door when he stepped outside to check. “Kalashnikov was used to fire at my house. Such tactics won’t work. We stand with the chief justice.”

Meanwhile, the PPP had abruptly suspended the basic membership of both Khosa and Ahsan, reportedly for violating the party's discipline. On the other hand, the differences between the party and senior leaders have also grown amid the country's deteriorating political landscape.

Talking exclusively to Geo News, PPP Central Punjab chapter President Rana Farooq Saeed confirmed that the basic membership of the duo had been suspended — apparently after they showed support for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

28/06/2023

The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Umar Ata Bandial, rejected the request for issuing a stay order on military trials of civilians after the federal government on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that trials had not commenced in military courts as investigation in cases was still underway.

At the same time, Justice Yahya Afridi asked the CJP to form a full court over the military trial of civilians as without one, any judgment by the present bench may lead to diminishing deference the decision deserves.
six-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice Umer Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsen, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha A Malik heard the petitions, challenging the trial of civilians in military courts.

In pursuance of the court’s order, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan told the court that the trial of civilians in military courts had not yet started as, he said, investigation in cases was still in progress. The AGP told the court that he will file the relevant documents and his written synopsis before the next date of the hearing. The AG also provided the court with the list of 102 civilians who are currently in military custody along with the details of the stations where they are being kept.

On the court’s query, the AG stated that the cases of detained civilians are at the investigation stage and no detained civilian is to be charged with the commission of any offence that attracts either capital punishment or a lengthy sentence, the court order issued on Tuesday’s hearing said.

The AG told the court that under the Pakistan Army Act Rules, 1954, after the completion of the investigation, accused persons are provided copies of the prosecution evidence and granted time to examine the same and to engage counsel. That stage has not arrived yet, therefore, no military trial of any of the detained civilians has so far commenced. However, if any development in this regard takes place, he will immediately inform the Chief Justice of the same in Chambers, the court noted down in its order.

Similarly, the AG submitted that the telephonic conversation of the detained civilians with nominated members of their families shall be established today and a weekly visitation schedule for them shall be chalked out expeditiously.

The AG informed the court that no advocates and journalists are in military custody, says the order adding that additionally, the federal government shall render its assistance to trace and recover the missing journalist Imran Riaz Khan. He also submitted that he will seek the instructions of the federal government on whether the list of 102 detained persons can be made public and shall apprise the bench of the response in chambers today, says the order. The court then adjourned the hearing after Eid holidays,

It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Justice Umer Ata Bandial the other day had expected that no civilian will be tried in the military courts till the final conclusion of the pending proceeding with it. While hearing pleas seeking the protection of fundamental rights of citizens, the apex court had directed the federal government to provide complete details regarding persons arrested so far in connection with the May 9 riots across the country.

28/06/2023

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday he hoped a bailout decision from the International Monetary Fund would come in a day or two, capping off protracted negotiations as the country faces an acute balance-of-payments crisis.
Islamabad is racing against time to unlock $1.1 billion under the lender's ninth review of a $6.5-billion Extended Fund Facility agreed in 2019. The programme expires on June 30.

Here are some facts about the importance of unlocking the funds for the cash-strapped South Asian country of 230 million people and the challenges it has faced:

Delayed tranche

Pakistan has cleared eight of the 11 listed programme reviews, with the ninth review pending since November last year. The delay is already the longest since at least 2008.

-The ninth review is to release a tranche of $1.1 billion, leaving about $1.4 billion on the table in unlocked funds. It is unclear if an IMF agreement would release the entire amount.

-The ninth review had been stalled due to differences between the fund and Islamabad over policy actions, including external financing needs and a budget that meets programme goals.

Hole in finances

The government has earmarked $2.5 billion in external receipts from the IMF in its federal budget for FY24, which means the government is budgeting for the 10th and 11th reviews too, or a new IMF programme after the current one expires.

-Pakistan needs upwards of $22 billion to service external debt, make interest payments, and finance its current account for FY24. Reserves, at $3.5 billion, are at a critical level, enough to cover barely one month of controlled imports.

-Pakistan's credit rating has suffered due to macroeconomic uncertainty: Three key rating agencies recently cut Pakistan's ratings - Standard & Poor's rating for Pakistan stands at CCC+, Moody's at Caa3 and Fitch at CCC-.

Secondary benefits

A successful review would not only release much-needed funds, but also unlock credit from other financiers who are looking for a clean bill of health from the IMF for the ailing $350 billion economy. This includes raising money from the private market.

-The country has received financing commitments from friendly countries Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates of $3 billion, while China has granted rollovers on its debt payments due.

-National elections are due by November this year and the government has said the decision to enter a new IMF programme will be a decision for the incoming administration
Tough conditions

The initial draft of the budget presented in parliament earlier this month failed to meet IMF expectations but was hurriedly revised to introduce new taxes and expenditure cuts.

-The country's central bank also hiked the key rate by 100 basis points in an emergency meeting on Monday barely two weeks after keeping the rate unchanged in a scheduled meeting.

-Hopes of a last-minute bailout rose following meetings between Sharif and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in Paris this month, followed by marathon meetings between IMF staff and finance ministry officials.

28/06/2023

In the wake of the looming deadline, only two options have emerged i.e. accomplish the Ninth Review and release of $1.2 billion from the IMF or make a fresh Standby Arrangement (SBA) of $2.5 billion for a shorter period of six months till the end of December 2023.

In the case of striking a fresh bailout package under the SBA, Pakistan could fully utilize its quota of $2.5 billion, which would lapse if the Fund accomplished the Ninth Review and released a $1.2 billion tranche by the end of June 2023
The IMF has already rejected Pakistan’s demand to extend the timeframe of the ongoing Extended Fund Facility (EFF) beyond June 2023. Pakistan also made a request to the IMF for increasing the size of fresh SBA to $3.5 billion but the IMF did not agree to it. However, arrangements are under consideration to accept one option out of the two at the moment.

In a related development, IMF Mission Chief Nathan Porter said, “Over the past few days, the Pakistani authorities have taken decisive measures to bring policies more in line with the economic reform programme supported by the IMF. These include the passage of a budget by the parliament that broadens the tax base while opening up space for higher social and development spending as well as steps towards improving the functioning of the foreign exchange market and tightening monetary policy to reduce inflationary and balance of payment pressures that affect particularly the more vulnerable. The IMF team continues discussions with Pakistani authorities with the aim of quickly reaching an agreement on financial support from the IMF.”

After this statement, the first option of reviving the existing $6.7 billion Extended Fund Facility programme has diminished. Now Pakistan and IMF will have to explore the second option for striking the new transitory programme under the standby arrangement for the next six months to avert a balance of payment crisis.

In case, the IMF opts for a fresh SBA programme for six to seven months period till the end of December 23 or January 24, it will help Islamabad accomplish the upcoming political transition through general elections and whoever wins the elections would have one-or two-month period to strike a fresh bailout package of three years. Pakistan has also requested for disbursement of front-loaded $1 billion tranche while the remaining $1.5 billion might be released through two reviews under the SBA programme.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made a telephonic call to the IMF MD at 4.30 am on Tuesday morning. Now only two options are under consideration i.e. either to accomplish the Ninth Review and release of $1.2 billion tranche, so the remaining due amount will lapse. The second option is to make a fresh SBA programme for the next six months period with the provision of $1 billion front-loaded disbursement,” a top official of the government confided to a select group of reporters here on Tuesday.

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