Another Warning
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has issued another warning to the federal government, demanding it scrap the controversial Cholistan canals project. If the government doesn’t accept his demand, he has said, his party may exit the ruling coalition. He further claimed the PTI government approved two of the six proposed canals, urging the PMLN to not support them.
Dhaka’s Demands
Bangladesh has demanded that Pakistan apologize for the 1971 war; compensate the country for foreign aid, unpaid provident funds, savings instruments; and repatriate Biharis who have been residing in the country since its independence. Islamabad has yet to accept any of the demands, but both sides have agreed to continue engagements to chart out a way forward.
Rescheduling Debt
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is likely to discuss the rescheduling of Chinese debt on the sidelines of International Monetary Fund meetings in Washington next week. The request is linked to the country’s need to bridge a foreign financing gap and follows the repayment of $1.3 billion in Chinese commercial debt.
Dar Reaches Kabul
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has traveled to Kabul for a one-day trip aimed at resolving tensions between the neighboring states. According to foreign ministry officials, the discussions will revolve around the use of Afghan soil by terrorists and their use of American weapons. Additionally, Kabul is expected to take up the matter of ongoing repatriations of Afghan refugees.
Penalizing Vandals
Police in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad have confirmed at least 11 incidents of protesters vandalizing fast-food outlets, stressing 178 people have already been arrested and security ramped up at the restaurants. The ongoing attacks, motivated by Israeli aggression in Gaza, have resulted in the death of one employee, who was shot dead in Sheikhupura.
No More Extensions
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has reiterated there will be no further extensions for the repatriation of Afghan refugees. In a stark warning, he has said that anyone who employs, rents premises or provides assistance to undocumented Afghans will face strict legal action. To date, more than 907,000 individuals have been repatriated.
Arming Terrorists
A new report has alleged that roughly half of the nearly one million pieces of weaponry and military equipment abandoned by U.S. forces in Afghanistan have been lost, sold or smuggled to militant groups. The disclosure comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he will reclaim the weapons from Afghanistan, maintaining that $85 billion worth of advanced weaponry was left there.
Health Advisory
The National Institute of Health has issued advisories urging authorities to take measures to prevent the spread of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever and avert heatstroke amidst soaring daytime temperatures. The advisory notes that the Congo virus has a case fatality rate of 10-40 percent, and has emphasized the need to raise public awareness about safety measures.
Incentivizing Tax Collection
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned officials of the Federal Board of Revenue that those who show good performance will receive incentives, but those who under-perform will be penalized. As part of this initiative, the premier has launched a fully automated and digital system for evaluating officer performance.
Religious Intolerance
A mob, primarily comprising workers of the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan, lynched an Ahmadi man in Karachi and swarmed an Ahmadi place of worship, threatening nearly 60 people within it. According to police, the mob comprised nearly 400 people. They said the crowd was dispersed, but have yet to clarify what, if any, action will be taken against those responsible for the murder.