Video - FM Bilawal Bhutto delivered Keynote Address at the launch meeting of Group of Friends

Turkish firms file complaint against Pakistan in World Bank over ‘mismanagement’ by Buzdar-led Punjab govt

Two Turkish firms have filed a complaint in the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), which is a part of the World Bank Group, seeking USD 230 million against Pakistan under the strong claims of “mismanagement by the previous Buzdar-led Punjab government”, the Express Tribune reported.

The name of the Turkish Firms was Al-Bayrak and Ozpak which had come to Pakistan a decade ago under the invitation of then-Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The ICSID deals with disputes concerning international investors.

The two firms have made the president, prime minister, chairman of the Board of Investment, minister for law and defence, minister of foreign affairs, secretary of local government and community development department, chairman of the LWMC, Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkey and office of the AGP as respondents in the case, the Express Tribune reported, adding that, a high-level government delegation led by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and AGP Ashtar Ausaf Ali also met with the management of both Turkish companies in Istanbul last week.

However, the meeting bore no fruit as the firms went ahead and approached the international tribunal against the country.

In fact, two years ago, the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) had reportedly stormed the offices of Turkish companies on December 20, 2020, and seized equipment belonging to Turkish companies.The LWMC was set up in 2012 to clean up Lahore and pick up garbage in regard to which LWMC had signed an agreement with two Turkish companies, Al-Barak and Ozpak in 2012 to clean the city of Lahore. Under the agreement, the city was divided into two parts for cleaning purposes. Both companies had to purchase the machinery themselves. After which the two companies had set up their offices at six different places in the city. The two Turkish companies were required to haul 600 million metric tons of garbage from across Lahore for seven years, Express Tribune reported.

Hamza Shahbaz was elected as the new chief minister with 197 votes on April 16 and a day later he was scheduled to take the oath but Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema “postponed” the oath-taking ceremony as he ruled his election controversial due to the ruckus that took place in the Assembly.

https://theprint.in/world/turkish-firms-file-complaint-against-pakistan-in-world-bank-over-mismanagement-by-buzdar-led-punjab-govt/1009200/

#Pakistan - Missing Persons

Heart-wrenching visuals of the father of recently-abducted Baloch student Feroze Baloch holding a placard for his safe release on Father’s Day reiterate for the umpteenth time that those who conveniently go “missing” are much, much more than a talley count.

In an ideal world, no force could supersede the security and safety of a law-abiding citizen in a sovereign state. By extension, any such anomaly would have jerked the authorities to action as they moved heavens and earth in pursuit of answers. Sadly for the children of the lesser gods, this is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan where a higher judiciary needs to shake the federal government out of complacency and scream out what is clearly written in the constitution. Even then, no ruling–however historic–is able to live through one news cycle. When Islamabad High Court decided to rope in a long queue of executives from Pervez Musharraf all the way to incumbent Shahbaz Sharif for clarifications as to why they should not be tried for “undeclared tacit approval” of enforced disappearances, the surprising ruling created murmurs all over.

But soon after, newspapers got tired of the age-old saga and television anchors moved on to more attention-worthy scandals because those who were supposed to show some action preferred to keep their heads buried. The entire episode reeks of a sinister agenda because anyone daring to let out a howler is instantly implicated in frivolous charges. Swarms upon swarms of desperate family members sitting outside press clubs and official buildings have become a routine affair, which the authorities have become immune to.

A very clever approach because nothing solves a problem easier than shutting eyes and pretending it does not exist. Harping to the tune of civilian supremacy and negotiating with some powers operating from behind an iron curtain does not suit those at the helm of an independent country. The sooner far more critical mud-slinging activities are shelved for a session or two to demand answers from the law enforcement agencies why they take pleasure in picking people off the roads without trying them in courts.Heart-wrenching visuals of the father of recently-abducted Baloch student Feroze Baloch holding a placard for his safe release on Father’s Day reiterate for the umpteenth time that those who conveniently go “missing” are much, much more than a talley count.

In an ideal world, no force could supersede the security and safety of a law-abiding citizen in a sovereign state. By extension, any such anomaly would have jerked the authorities to action as they moved heavens and earth in pursuit of answers. Sadly for the children of the lesser gods, this is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan where a higher judiciary needs to shake the federal government out of complacency and scream out what is clearly written in the constitution. Even then, no ruling–however historic–is able to live through one news cycle. When Islamabad High Court decided to rope in a long queue of executives from Pervez Musharraf all the way to incumbent Shahbaz Sharif for clarifications as to why they should not be tried for “undeclared tacit approval” of enforced disappearances, the surprising ruling created murmurs all over.

But soon after, newspapers got tired of the age-old saga and television anchors moved on to more attention-worthy scandals because those who were supposed to show some action preferred to keep their heads buried. The entire episode reeks of a sinister agenda because anyone daring to let out a howler is instantly implicated in frivolous charges. Swarms upon swarms of desperate family members sitting outside press clubs and official buildings have become a routine affair, which the authorities have become immune to.

A very clever approach because nothing solves a problem easier than shutting eyes and pretending it does not exist. Harping to the tune of civilian supremacy and negotiating with some powers operating from behind an iron curtain does not suit those at the helm of an independent country. The sooner far more critical mud-slinging activities are shelved for a session or two to demand answers from the law enforcement agencies why they take pleasure in picking people off the roads without trying them in courts.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/954602/missing-persons-6/

COVID-19 Spread Once More on Rise in Pakistan

The national positivity ratio hits 2.14% with 268 new cases, the highest single-day rise since April 2.

The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be staging a comeback in Pakistan, with the national positivity ratio climbing to 2.14 percent on Thursday with 268 new confirmed cases, the highest single-day rise since April 2. The country’s positivity ratio, similarly, has not crossed 2 percent since March 5.

According to the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), Karachi is bearing the brunt of the current wave, with a positivity ratio of 21.23 percent. It said that 650 samples had been tested in the Sindh capital in the past 24 hours, recording 138 positive results. For contrast, Karachi had reported 53 new cases just a week earlier.

The second highest number of COVID cases reported in the past 24 hours was from Abbottabad, where the positivity ratio currently stands at 8.7 percent. Federal capital Islamabad, Peshawar, Faisalabad, and Mirpur in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have also all reported positivity rates of over 2 percent.Data provided by the NCOC shows that there are currently 75 COVID patients requiring critical care nationwide, with nine of them reported in the past 24 hours alone. It said that one person had died of the virus, leaving 30,385 total casualties.

NCOC meeting

On Wednesday, Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel chaired a meeting of the NCOC in which the participants were informed that 85 percent of the eligible population had been fully vaccinated, while 93 percent were partially vaccinated. It said that 100 percent of the eligible population in Sindh had been fully vaccinated. According to a press release, the meeting noted the recent surge in cases and advised all provinces and regions to administer booster doses on priority to improve protection against COVID transmission. “In view of the global pandemic situation, the Central Health Establishment (CHE) should strictly monitor the health status of incoming passengers at points of entry,” Patel was quoted as saying. “The CHE will be strengthened to enhance the functionality,” he added.

Patel stressed on the need to adopt timely precautions, including social distancing and mask compliance, to avoid further spread of the virus, especially in the lead up to Eidul Azha.

In recent days, medical experts have warned that while the overall numbers remain low, a new variant of COVID-19—BA.5—is spreading rapidly globally and has already arrived in Pakistan. If this variant is not curtailed at this stage, they have stressed, the country could face a sixth wave of the coronavirus.

https://www.newsweekpakistan.com/covid-19-spread-once-more-on-rise-in-pakistan/

#Pakistan #PPP - Bilawal Bhutto Zardari inaugurates Peoples Bus service in Larkana

 

Foreign Minister and Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday evening inaugurated air-conditioned luxury intra-city Peoples bus service in Larkana to provide quality and affordable travel services to people of Larkana.

The inaugural ceremony was held near Sir ShahNaawaz Bhutto Memorial Library, Larkana city.

After the inauguration, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari along-with Deputy Commissioner Larkana Tariq Manzoor Chandio President PPP Larkana District MNA Khurshid Ahmed Junejo, former Provincial Home Minister MPA Suhail Anwar Sial and President PPP Larkana Division and Provincial Advisor for Prisons Mir Ijaz Khan Jakhrani were briefed about about the routes of the air-conditioned Buses.

Buses will run from the city’s New Bus Terminal, Quaid-e-Awam University, Airport Road, Sindh University Campus, IBA Sachal Colony Routes, High Court Road, SSP Office, Shah Nawaz Library and other localities. Citizens will also be able to avail air-conditioned buses in the adjoining areas.

The busses will operate on a 10.3 kms route starting from New Bus Terminal to Larkana Junction Via Indus Highway.

The Peoples Bus Service project of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority aims to provide quality and affordable transport facilities to the Citizens of Larkana.

The buses will facilitate 31 passengers including two seats for the disabled, while there is space for up to 80 passengers. Seats are also reserved for persons with disabilities and Women on buses.

https://www.app.com.pk/national/bilawal-bhutto-zardari-inaugurates-peoples-bux-service-service-in-larkana/