ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Thursday announced that it will operate more relief flights to bring back stranded Pakistanis from Australia and South Korea.
According to PIA spokesperson, the special flights will operate from Islamabad airport on Thursday and Friday to bring back the Pakistanis stuck in Australia and South Korea.
A PIA special flight will leave for Seoul from Islamabad today and will bring back 300 nationals, while another PIA flight PK-8692 will leave for Melbourne tomorrow (Friday), he added.
The special flight will bring 300 passengers from Australia and will land at Islamabad airport on April 26, Friday.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) also decided to operate 53 special flights from next week to facilitate Pakistanis stranded abroad.
According to details, the flights would be operated for Algeria, Khartoum, Nairobi, Oman, Zurich, Amsterdam, Turkey and Jeddah to bring the Pakistani citizens.
The PIA has asked the passengers who were unable to travel to Pakistan from these destinations due to suspension of flight operations amid COVID-19 pandemic to contact the airline’s call centre and provide their local numbers for coordination.
The numbers would be used to inform the passengers regarding booking procedures, flight suspension and others details pertaining to changes made in the flight operations.
Meanwhile, the national flag carrier has also announced to lower its fares after the CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik took notice of the higher fares charged from overseas Pakistanis returning to the country.
“Tickets with updated fares will now be available on the e-ticketing system” said the PIA spokesman.
ISLAMABAD:Pakistan gets major debt relief from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the Fund decided to give one-year debt relief to country as hit hard by coronavirus, said Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday.
The Foreign Minister confirmed that the IMF has decided to give a one-year relief to Islamabad as the country grappled with coronavirus pandemic. “Developing nations have been hit the hardest with the pandemic,” Qureshi said while talking to a private television network.
The foreign minister’s remarks follow the announcement of the G20 nations on Wednesday to give one-year debt relief to world’s poorest nations as they struggle to financially cope with the coronavirus pandemic
“Prime Minister Imran Khan had appealed to IMF for debt relief for developing countries which was accepted by the Fund. IMF has announced it would give one-year relief to 70 developing nations including Pakistan,” Qureshi said.
The foreign minister said the relief by the Washington-based organisation would be for one year and is expected to be given from May 1.
The prime minister on Sunday had appealed for a “Global Initiative on Debt Relief”, stating that the coronavirus pandemic had posed unprecedented health and economic challenges.
The premier had appealed to the international community that the global pandemic could be contained with a strong, coordinated and well-crafted global response.
Earlier, the IMF and World Bank had announced they would back the Group of 20 nations’ decision to give one-year debt relief to world’s poorest nations as they struggle to financially cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
These developments might pave the way for debt rescheduling for Pakistan for the next two years as Islamabad desperately looks for any such facility to create much-needed fiscal space for increasing spending on neglected health sector of the country.
The unemployment as projected by all the multilateral lenders as well as by the independent economists will increase pressure on the budgetary side to jack up funding for social safety nets.
The G20 finance ministers and central bankers endorsed “a time-bound suspension of debt service payments for the poorest countries,” and in the communique following their virtual meeting, said, “All bilateral official creditors will participate in this initiative.”
The initiative will “provide north of $20 billion of immediate liquidity” for poor countries to use “for their health system and support their people facing COVID-19”.
In a joint statement issued by World Bank Group President David Malpass and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said, “We strongly welcome the decision of the G20 to respond to our call to allow the poorest countries of the world that request forbearance to suspend repayment of official bilateral credit on May 1.”
The leaders of the IMF and World Bank hailed the announcement, calling it “a powerful, fast-acting initiative that will do much to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of millions of the most vulnerable people.”
The Washington-based lenders have rushed to roll out emergency financing and have received requests for aid from 100 countries, Geo News reported.
The G20 called on private creditors, working through the Institute of International Finance, to participate in the initiative which extends to the world’s 76 poorest countries.
The IMF has called the economic crisis the “Great Lockdown,” warning it will slash $9 trillion off of global growth as the world economy contracts by three% this year, the most severe downturn since the Great Depression in the 1930s.
The IMF estimates the 20 governments already has committed about $7 trillion towards combating the virus and providing economic lifelines to households and companies struggling to weather the crisis.
ISLAMABAD: A man in Islamabad was seriously injured after a suspect shot him during a robbery attempt in broad day light on Wednesday.
The man runs a bakery in Jhangi Sayedan of suburban area of Federal Capital. He was sitting at his shop when a man entered and tried to rob the bakery owner with a gun. The owner resisted the attempt after which the suspect shot him.
The owner has been shifted to PIMS Hospital. The police have arrested the suspect and a case has been registered against him.
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army rejected India’s allegations against Islamabad of ceasefire violations and purposefully “infiltrating COVID-19 affected individuals” in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, terming them as “baseless” and “delusional”.
In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Major General Babar Iftikhar referred to the 15 Corps Commander’sinterviw with BBC and said: “Indian insinuations about infiltration and CFVs by Pakistan are not only baseless but are also patently designed to divert global and domestic attention from the unending fiasco post – 5 Aug 2019.”
He said no less delusional are the allegations about Pakistan infiltrating Covid-affected individuals into Occupied Kashmir.
No less delusional are the allegations about Pakistan infiltrating Covid-affected individuals into IOJK. Pakistan has always extended unhindered UNMOGIP access to CFV sites. We will continue to do that most transparently, General Baber said
Major General Babar Iftikhar further added that Pakistan has always extended unhindered UNMOGIP access to ceasefire violation sites. We will continue to do that most transparently.
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed has suspended eight policemen over charges of corruption, a police spokesman said on Saturday.
He said that suspended policemen included six Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs), one head constable and a constable. The complaints regarding corruption were received against these policemen and inquiry into complaints has been now marked to Superintendents of Police (SPs) of their respective areas.
The SPs would submit inquiry report within 48 hours following which further action would be initiated against them on basis of reports.
The DIG (Operations), Waqar Uddin Syed said that a policy of zero tolerance against corruption is pursued in Islamabad Police as this menace seriously undermines the country.
Islamabad Police, following directions of IGP Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan, have started an accountability system to monitor performance of the police officials and disciplinary action is taken against those involved in dereliction of duties, negligence, poor investigation, absence and involvement in corruption.
The DIG (Operations) said that accountability system helps in improving the performance of any department and working of the staff can be easily judged through it.
He said that such accountability system would continue in future and those performing well would be encouraged.
ISLAMABAD: In the light of the Supreme Court orders, the government on Wednesday decided to resume the normal services at hospitals and open the dispensaries in Islamabad.
The OPD (outdoor patients department) and other services at the hospitals, including the Polyclinic, would be opened gradually.
Similarly, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government followed the apex court’s directives about reopening the OPDs at all hospitals due to the problems faced by the people. However, social distancing would be ensured at the health facilities.
Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed earlier this week had observed that all the hospitals and clinics should remain functional.
Criticising the decision to shut the hospitals and their OPDs as well as dispensaries in Islamabad for other patients to focus on those infected by coronavirus, the chief justice said nothing had been done practically as only meeting, meeting was being played. “Protecting the people’s rights is our responsibility”, he added
What kind of medical emergency has been imposed when even the private hospitals and clinics are shut, he remarked.
The chief justice had passed these remarks while heading a five-member bench which was hearing a petition against the high court’s, orders to release the prisoners.
Meanwhile, the treatment services at the teaching hospitals in Punjab are facing a severe crisis due to the negligence of the Specialised Healthcare Department which shut the normal operations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to 24NewsHD, the hepatitis, TB and diabetes clinics have been shut because of which the patients are left clueless.
Moreover, the vaccination of children is also stopped after the closure of immunisation centres.
Meanwhile, the HIV centres are also among those services which have been closed, leaving the AIDS patients at the mercy of their circumstances.
None of the patients could neither have their medical check-up nor got any medicines.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gulberg Greens Islamabad for provision of Information Communication Technology (ICT) services and infrastructure in the society.
The signatories included Muhammad Shehzad Yousuf, Chief Business Operations Officer, PTCL and Shujaat Ullah Qureshi, Secretary, Intelligence Bureau Employees Cooperative Housing Society (IBECHS) Islamabad.
PTCL and IBECHS endeavor to transform Gulberg Greens into a smart city base, where the residents will be able to enjoy hi-speed, unlimited internet & bandwidth, crystal clear voice and Smart TV services with quality content.
On the occasion, Shehzad Yousuf, Chief Business Operations Officer, PTCL, said that “PTCL is committed to contribute towards the society by providing a robust ICT infrastructure and seamless services to the citizens in line with Prime Minister’s vision of a Digital Pakistan.”
Shujaat Ullah Qureshi, Secretary, IBECHS, said, “We feel privileged to partner with PTCL that will enable us to bridge the connectivity gap, provide uninterrupted services and move forward collectively to deliver better internet experience to residents of Gulberg Greens Islamabad.”
PTCL strives to provide communities with the necessary facilities and services that are pertinent for growth and endless possibilities.
ISLAMABAD: Serena Hotels employees have donated one day’s salary, with the company equally matching the donation as a goodwill gesture, to contribute Rs 10 million to the Prime Minister’s COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund.
The Serena Hotels started distributing rations to communities in locations surrounding their hotels countrywide, to support affected segments at a time when the global Coronavirus pandemic is wreaking havoc on the country’s economy.
More than 3400 deserving families and households in areas where Serena Hotels are located, including in Islamabad, Faisalabad, Quetta, Swat, Gilgit, Hunza, Shigar and Khaplu have been provided with rations that include food staples and essentials.
“Serena Hotels has always played its role as a responsible business and support the local communities through its extensive CSR initiatives, and community-friendly ethos,” said Aziz Boolani, CEO Serena Hotels.
“During this crisis we stand united with the Government, relief organizations and local community, and shall continue to extend our humble support”, he said
Only the weeks and months ahead will reveal the full impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on Mankind, and the losses to the local and global economy and business sectors, Booolani added.
However, it is already clear by early estimates that there will be far-reaching economic repercussions, with the under-resourced segments of society suffering the most, he continued.
“The severity of the situation calls for prudent measures and precautions to be taken to contain and manage this crisis,” he remarked.
Serena Hotels has implemented a comprehensive Coronavirus Response Plan that stringently follows the health and safety guidelines from the WHO and CDC, and directives from local Government Authorities.
The company has also launched a multimedia awareness campaign for the guests, employees and the public about virus precautionary measures.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and adapting our policies accordingly. We hope and pray to return to times of health and prosperity around the world again,” said Boolani.
ISLAMABAD: Another plane with medical equipment has arrived from China in Pakistan to aid the country to counter coronavirus on Thursday.
According to details, twenty containers including testing kits, masks and gloves reached Islamabad via special flight, PK-8552. The administration confirmed that three planes with medical equipment have arrived from China within past 24 hours.
Twenty containers including testing kits, masks and gloves reached Islamabad via special flight.
On the other hand, Pakistani has so far reported 31 deaths from novel coronavirus while the total number of cases has surged to 2,291.
845 patients have been tested positive for the epidemic in Punjab, 743 in Sindh, 276 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 187 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 169 in Balochistan, 62 in Islamabad and nine in Azad Kashmir.
So far, 107 patients have recovered in the country while 9 are in critical condition.
ISLAMABAD: Doctors have advised Nawaz Sharif, former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Supremo to stay in self-isolation due to coronavirus pandemic.
It has been stated in the report that the erstwhile premier has been advised by doctors to remain in self-isolation in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The report says that Nawaz Sharif is likely to get affected by the epidemic due to age factor and he cannot be taken to hospital as well.
The PML-N supremo was scheduled for heart checkup at the University Hospital Geneva. The dose of cardiac medicines of Nawaz Sharif has been increased and his veins have shrunk, the report said.
