Double whammy for consumers as fuel, power prices jacked up
(2 June, 2022) The federal government has decided to raise the prices of all petroleum products with the exception of one by another Rs30, just a week after making a similar increase hours after the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) approved a massive increase of Rs. 7.91 per unit in the power tariff. The new fuel prices will come into effect from midnight petrol will be available at Rs. 209.86 per litre, high-speed diesel (HSD) at Rs204.15, kerosene oil at Rs181.94 and light diesel oil at Rs. 178.31. Only the price of kerosene oil was increased by less than Rs30. With the new hike in the power tariff, the price of a unit is expected to move upwards from Rs16.91 to Rs24.82. Despite an inevitable increase in the prices that will unleash a strong wave of inflation, the coalition government remains short of clinching a deal with the International Monetary Fund that still requires an agreement on the budget for fiscal year 2022-23. But Finance Minister Miftah Ismail did not give a surety to withdraw gas and electricity subsidies accorded to the richest people and fuel allowances of cabinet , judges, generals and bureaucrats. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said the government was still facing a loss of around Rs9 in petrol despite a hike of Rs30 as it was “not collecting any tax” on the fuel. The minister added that the government was holding talks with the IMF every day. “We cannot accept all their demands but there are certain points that we have to agree to.” He maintained that the subsidy on petroleum products announced by ex-premier Imran Khan had to be withdrawn to avert financial losses. “Irrespective of what the IMF says, the government cannot sell petrol and diesel by bearing losses.”However, Miftah said the government would ensure stability in prices of sugar and wheat at Rs70 per kg and Rs40 per kg respectively at utility stores across the country. The minister added that the government was willing to import oil from Russia, provided it did not come with sanctions.
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How can China’s unmanned drone carrier strengthen Pakistan’s defence?
On 18th May 2022, China launched the world’s first drone carrier, Zhu Hai Yun, which can operate on its own
By:News Desk | 20 May 2022
CSSC Huangpu Wenchong has launched a research ship intended to help China’s oceanographers to expand their research through the use of unmanned and autonomous tools. This unmanned ship can be controlled remotely and navigated freely in water, making it a powerful tool for the country to carry out its marine scientific research. Moreover, this automatic drone carrier incorporates an artificial intelligence technology significant for maintaining maritime security and monitoring the sea lanes. Likely, this 88-meter vessel helps China to intercept, besiege, and expel invasive targets within a very short time and this would largely contribute to expanding maritime influence in the Indian Ocean Region. The construction of the carrier ship was started last year in July by Huangpu Wenchong, a subsidiary of China’s largest shipbuilding companies the China State Shipbuilding Corporation. Similarly, the ship is expected to be delivered by the end of this year after successful sea trials. Additionally, the wide deck of the ship can carry many unmanned vehicles, including drones, unmanned ships, and submersibles, making it a network to observe targets in the marine capacity. Moreover, this drone carrier is 88.5 meters long, 14 meters wide, and 6.1 meters deep, designed to carry 2,000 tonnes, with a sailing speed of up to 18 knots. This unmanned drone carrier can strengthen Pakistan’s Defence system. This technology would prove to be beneficial for Pakistan’s marine safety and defense in the Arabian Sea as it incorporates one of the advanced radar and AI technology. In addition to defense and security, this ship is also effective for marine disaster prevention and monitoring of the marine environment. Likewise, this unmanned carrier is also capable of providing accurate marine information. Furthermore, if Pakistan is able to get this unmanned drone carrier from china it will automatically strengthen its defense system against its neighboring countries India and Afghanistan. Similarly, this would help to cater to the threat perception from the west as well. Conclusively, this unmanned drone carrier with AI technology is one of the modern defense strategies helping China to accomplish its strategic goals of maritime influence as an emerging global power.
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Launching ceremony of PNS BADR held at Karachi
By Web Desk | May 21, 2022 | Karachi
Launching Ceremony of MILGEM Class Corvette PNS BADR held at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW). Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The newly launched corvette is equipped with state of the art weapons & sensors including surface to surface, surface to air missiles and anti-submarine weapons, which would significantly boost Pakistan Navy’s defensive and offensive capabilities. Contract for construction of four MILGEM Corvettes for PN was signed between DGMP and M/s ASFAT in 2018; wherein, two ships will be constructed at Istanbul Naval Shipyard (INSY), Turkey and other two ships at KS&EW, Pakistan. In this regard, 1st Ship of the Project, PNS BABUR was launched at Turkey in August 2021. On the occasion, the honorable Chief Guest expressed it a historic occasion as Ministry of Defence Production, Pakistan Navy, Karachi Shipyard and M/s ASFAT of Turkey had jointly supported construction of this state of the art platform. The Prime Minister appreciated the performance of KS&EW and reiterated that indigenization is at the forefront of our national policy and it is very encouraging to see modern warships being built in Pakistan. The Chief Guest also highlighted that MILGEM Project will enable acquisition of much needed design and construction capability for future needs and export potential. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his message on the occasion extended felicitation on timely completion of ongoing Pakistan-Turkey MILGEM project despite COVID pandemic. He highlighted that MILGEM project is manifestation of deep rooted historical ties and willingness to share of expertise in the Defence industry between the two brotherly countries. Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, in his address underscored that Pakistan’s geographical position and current geo strategic environment demands building of a strong Navy to defend maritime interests. Our sea trade routes and vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) needs to be effectively safeguarded. The Naval Chief underlined that PN MILGEM Ships will play an important role in catering operational needs of Pakistan Navy. The ceremony was also attended by Minister of National Defence Turkey and other high ranking government officials of Pakistan & Turkey, Pakistan Navy and KS&EW.
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Sindh, Chinese officials agree to evolve foolproof security mechanism
Tahir Siddiqui Saturday May 21, 2022
KARACHI: The Sindh government and Chinese security authorities have agreed to work together to evolve a foolproof security mechanism for the Chinese working in CPEC and non-CPEC projects in the province. This emerged in a meeting between Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput and External Security Commissioner in China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Cheng Gouping along with their respective teams. The chief secretary was assisted by Acting IGP Kamran Fazal, Home Secretary Dr Saeed Ahmed Magnejo, AIG Karachi Ghulam Nabi Memon, AIG Special Branch Javed Odho, AIG CTD Imran Yakoob Minhas, Rangers Colonel Nasrum Minullah, Special Secretary to the CM Rahim Shaikh and others. The Chinese delegation members included Defence Attaché Yang Yang, Deputy DG CTD State Security of China Zhou Shanwu, Consular Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wang Daxue, Deputy DG International Cooperation (Public Security) Li Yuhong, Director Administration Chinese Embassy Sun Mingji, Deputy Director Asian Affairs Wei Guo and others. The meeting, in the backdrop of the Karachi University incidents, agreed to work out a comprehensive plan to provide security to the Chinese nationals working in non-CPEC projects, on the pattern of CPEC-related projects security system. The meeting was told that Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had already directed provincial police to conduct a security audit of the institutions/organisation where Chinese were working under private arrangements. It was informed that the home department was collecting the data of all the Chinese working in the province so that they could be brought under the security cover. For the purpose, the visiting delegation was also urged to help the provincial government in developing a comprehensive database, for which the delegation assured their full cooperation to Sindh government. The Chinese delegation thanked CM Syed Murad Ali Shah for visiting the Chinese consulate just after the KU incident and offering his condolences for the departed souls. The CM had also attended the last rites and memorial services held at the consulate.(Courtesy: Dawn News)
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UN lists Pakistan among ‘drought-hit’ countries
By: Amin Ahmed | May 15, 2022
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is among 23 countries which are facing drought emergencies over the past two years (2020-2022), according to the ‘Global Land Outlook’ report released by the United Nations. The report released by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) ahead of the UN Desertification and Drought Day (June 17) says over the past century, the highest total number of humans affected by drought was in Asia. The 23 countries listed by the report include Afghanistan, Angola, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Pakistan, the United States and Zambia. About future scenarios, the report predicts the outcomes by 2050 and risks involved, and says by 2050, an additional 4 million square kilometers of natural areas, equivalent to the size of India and Pakistan, would require restoration measures, augmented with protection measures of areas important for biodiversity, water regulation, conservation of soil and carbon stocks, and provision of critical ecosystem functions. Up to 40 per cent of the planet’s land is degraded, directly affects half of humanity, threaten roughly half of global GDP worth $44 trillion. If business as usual continued through 2050, the report projects additional degradation of an area almost the size of South America. The report says nations’ current pledge to restore one billion degraded hectares by 2030 requires $1.6 trillion this decade a fraction of today’s annual $700 billion in fossil fuel and agricultural subsidies. The report warns that at no other point in modern history has humanity faced such an array of familiar and unfamiliar risks and hazards, interacting in a hyper-connected and rapidly changing world. (Courtesy: Dawn News)
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Six Pakistani peacekeepers honored posthumously at UN ceremony
(UNITED NATIONS) Six Pakistani peacekeepers honoured posthumously at United Nations Ceremony during a ceremony of International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers which was observed at the UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday 26 May. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the ceremony and conferred the Dag Hammarskjold Medal posthumously on 117 military, police and civilian peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving under the UN flag last year. Among the peacekeepers honoured, six are from Pakistan: Police Tahir Ikram, Police Adil Jan, and SGTMuhammad Naeem [who served with UN-AU Mission in Darfur; Tahir Mehmood deployed with the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo , Muhammad Shafeeq served in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, and Abrar Sayed served in civilian capacity with. As one of the top troop-contributing countries, Pakistan deeply values the vital role played by the “blue helmets” in maintaining security and stability in many conflict-ridden areas around the world. Pakistan is proud of its long-standing and consistent contribution to UN peacekeeping spanning over six decades. (Courtesy Dunya News)