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‘Pakistan’s debt burden mounts to $63.966 bln’

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s International debt burden continued to rise and reached a whopping Rs 63,966 billion, at the end of August in FY2023-34, ARY News reported on Monday, citing sources. Sources stated that a briefing session related to the country’s debt was held, during which it was revealed that the foreign debt had surged to $24,174 billion by the end of August, while the local debt had reached Rs 39,791 billion by the same period. The data presented in the briefing showed that, over the past year, the total loans had witnessed a massive increase of Rs 14,506 billion. It is pertinent to mention here that, in August 2022, the volume of loans was a comparatively modest Rs 49,571 billion. However, the foreign debt of the country stood at $18 trillion, meanwhile, the local debt was stood at Rs 32,152 billion during the same time period. READ: Pakistan received $3.49bn loan in three months of FY23-24 Earlier to this development, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has demanded ...

Zaka Ashraf gets 3-month extension as PCB managing committee head

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The caretaker federal cabinet has given a three-month extension to the Pakistan Cricket Board Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf. According to the notification issued by the Inter-Provincial Coordination Ministry after the approval from the cabinet, the powers of the PCB Management Committee have been restricted. The notification states that the PCB Management Committee cannot make any high-level appointments, the Management Committee will conduct the election of the Board of Governors and the Chairman. The PCB Management Committee will deal with day-to-day affairs and cannot make policy decisions. The notification also states that the PCB Management Committee will not get an extension beyond three months Ashraf-led PCB Management Committee was formed in July 2023 for a four-month period, and the caretaker PM, using his prerogative as patron of the PCB, has given a three-month extension, said the PCB . Read more: Summary sent to PM to decide fate of PCB chief Zaka Ashraf ...

Scores killed as Israel strikes ambulance near Gaza hospital

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GAZA: An Israeli air strike on an ambulance being used to evacuate the wounded from besieged northern Gaza killed 15 people and injured 60 others on Friday. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has said one of its ambulances was struck “by a missile fired by the Israeli forces” just feet from the entrance to the hospital in Gaza City, in an attack it says killed 15 people and wounded more than 60 others. Video shared on social media, showed people lying in blood next to an ambulance with flashing lights on a city street as people rushed to help. Another video showed three ambulances standing in a line, with about a dozen people lying either motionless or barely moving next to them. Blood was pooled nearby. World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a social media post he was “utterly shocked by reports of attacks on ambulances evacuating patients”, adding that patients, health workers and medical facilities must be protected. Utterly shocked by...

Over 162,479 illegal Afghan immigrants left Pakistan, says govt

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ISLAMABAD: Over 162,479 Afghan nationals illegally staying in Pakistan, have returned to home so far, said the data released by the caretaker government on Friday.   On October 3, an apex committee of the National Action Plan (NAP) meeting chaired by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar gave all foreign nationals living illegally in the country until October 31 to leave voluntarily or face deportation. After the expiry of the deadline, the caretaker government has swung into action against illegal immigrants. According to details, repatriation of the illegal Afghans through the Chaman and Torkham borders is underway. On November 2, 19,344 Afghans returned to Kabul. The FC and the Afghan government have agreed to keep the Torkham border till 11 at night to ensure the smooth repatriation of the illegal immigrants. Read more: Afghan diplomat meets Bugti over immigrants repatriation Separately, the Afghan Charge d’ Affairs called on Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfra...

Azerbaijan’s first direct flight touches down in Islamabad

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KARACHI: The national airline of Azerbaijan – Azal – has started its flight operation to Pakistan, after which the first direct flight from Baku touched down in Islamabad on Wednesday night, ARY News reported. According to the details, Azerbaijan’s national airline – AZAL – commenced direct flights to Pakistan, while an inaugural flight from Azerbaijan, comprising 100 passengers, landed at Islamabad airport. On arrival, the authorities at Islamabad airport saluted the inaugural flight from Baku, Azerbaijan, with a water cannon and a cake-cutting ceremony was held with the Airline staff along with CAA Additional DG AVM Taimur Asghar as well as Azerbaijan Embassy Deputy head of mission. https://arynews.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/water.mp4 Aftab Gilani, the Chief Operating Officer and Airport Manager of Islamabad extended a warm welcome to the passengers, marking a significant milestone in the ever-strengthening ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. “Azerbaijan airline will laun...

PIA to operate 61 flights today as fuel supply gets better

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The flight operation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is returning to normal as the national flag carrier is all set to operate 61 domestic and international flights today (Wednesday), ARY News reported. PIA spokesperson said that 90 per cent of the flight operation of the national flag carrier is restored following the supply of fuel from Pakistan State Oil (PSO). The PIA spokesperson said the flights of small aircraft are also being ensured to facilitate the travelers. The  airline suffered a ‘loss’ of Rs10 billion  due to the current fuel crisis that led to the suspension of over 800 flights. According to the Secretary General of Pakistan International Airlines Senior Staff Association, Safdar Anjum the current management of the national flag carrier is responsible for the huge loss to the already loss-making government entity. Read more:  Privatization Minister holds meeting with potential FAs for PIACL He demanded to sack the current chief executive of...

Asad Umar, Aleema, Uzma Khan’s bail extended

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LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Monday extended the interim bail plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders Asad Umar, Aleema and Uzma Khan, in May 9 attack cases, ARY News reported. Sisters of the PTI chairman, Aleema, Uzma Khan and former minister Asad Umar are accused of attacking state properties on May 9, following the arrest of the former prime minister Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case. The ATC Judge subsequently scheduled further arguments on the pre-arrest bails for November 22. Protests had broken out across Pakistan after the PTI chairman was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court on May 9. The protests were held in remote and major cities as the party workers were agitated due to their chairman’s arrest, with Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad summoning the armed forces to ensure law and order. Army installations and the Corps Commander’s house in Lahore came under attack during a protest by PTI workers. from...