Sunni Terrorist Fragments of Unstable Pakistan - March 17, 2017

[SSridhar]

Chinese nationals kidnapped in Balochistan - The Hindu

Three Chinese nationals were kidnapped by unknown people at gunpoint in Quetta, Balochistan, police said on Wednesday.

According to police, four men in an unregistered Grey Corollo abducted Li Xin Heng, Meng Li and Lu Ling - who work as instructors in a local Chinese language centre. Tahir, a passerby was injured in the firing that ensued when he tried to resist the abduction. He is out of danger, doctors said.

Police have surrounded the area and are conducting search operations. Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri has directed the police and agencies to ensure their immediate recovery.

Balochistan province has seen a sharp increase in Chinese visitors over the past couple of years as Pakistan and China are working closely on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

But, Balochistan is sidestepped and so where is the need for a 'sharp increase in Chinese visitors' in Balochistan?

[anupmisra]

The self entitled delusion continues....Must do an equal equal! Face palm time.

Security for national team to be beefed up after Manchester blast

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in talks with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to increase security for the national team, currently in Birmingham to prepare for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, after a suicide bombing in Manchester, officials at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told DawnNews on Thursday.

We are in touch with the ICC to increase Pakistan team's security after the Manchester blast

How about starting with the visas? Perhaps a revisit to that will help?

https://www.dawn.com/news/1335134/secur ... ster-blast

[Peregrine]

Lack Of Opportunities In Pakistan Is A Leading Cause Of Mental Illnesses In Our Youth

Anxiety and depression, aren’t these words too often used by our generation? When they should be energetic having an avalanche of dreams, all we are heard saying is what to do next? What’s my future?

Every year 1000s of students are graduating from the universities with nothing but unemployment and dissatisfaction. Even the jobs are paying peanuts as compared to the money and effort spent by them in return. Each and everyone is living a life while competing with others, wasting more than 50 hours weekly on social media, resulting in more depression and psychological traumas.

Our society still thinks that a girl to be should be married maximum by the age of 25, which is resulting in millions of talented girls wasting their education and boys being burdened with the noble career choices. Even in this so-called advancing state, people look down upon the individuals trying to do something out of the box.

Students after graduating from high schools have no mentors and no direction regarding their career choices. Many youngsters trying out their luck as entrepreneurs cannot fulfill their dreams due to lack of funds and investments. It’s high time for everyone to be sure with the fact that a country with depressant youth can never flourish.

With new restaurants building up at every other corner, demanding a lavish lifestyle to enter and paying not less than 1500 per head, where is everyone heading? This materialism puts more pressure onto our youth, hence getting misused at many instances. So many young girls and boys choose wrong directions and make wrong decisions just for fame and money! Just to get in the competition of “who is better than whom”.

Even after attainment of dreams, the youngsters seem not to be happy, why? Easy, because the new social media update by someone might just turn to be more likable than theirs.

The industrial cities have no public entertainment apart from a number of burger joints and cafes, providing a lazy lifestyle… thus, causing a more serious issue of obesity. The government needs to address this very serious social issue and bring outlets for our youth to vent out their frustrations rather than further masking it up into a personality leading to anxiety disorders.

Because the talent of our youth is not being appreciated many of them leave the country to try their lucks in other countries, hence causing a brain drain! Government institutes are not even providing the education on par with the private institutes some of which are foreign-affiliated creating furthermore educational disparity leading to depression.

Cheers

[Falijee]

"Honest Broker" ," Broken Record" Being Played Again By Paki Foreign Office

Pakistan ready to play mediator's role between Saudi Arabia, Iran: FO

The spokesperson said the ongoing discussions on media regarding the coalition force are based on mere speculations.

The Paki Foreign Office, IMO, should be "ashamed" that it is offering it's "brokerage services" in the cause of Ummah Unity. Can anyone in his sane mind, believe that Iran is going to "trust" Pakistan to play a neutral role in the Islam civil war. Maybe, just maybe, Pakistan sees itself (wrongly IMO) as a standard bearer of The Unity Of Islam . But , the optics, for sure, do not look good for Pakiland . For various reasons, Pakistan has hitched its (broken!) wagon to Saudi - Sunni faction. The Saudis, with their money diplomacy have roped in the ex Bad Sharif to serve as C-n-C of so-called Muslim NATO, purportedly to "fight terrorism" but in reality to clamp down on the Shias of Yemen. ( Iran is very Shia !). Secondly, the Saudis have made it clear that they have the option to "purchase the Islam Bum " from brotherly country Pakistan, if the need is desperate- no ifs and buts about it . Thirdly, the Iranis have an on-going problem with the Pakis at their border. Fourthly, the Iranis have a thing for Raheel. He "bad mouthed" the Irani President when the Iran Head was in Pakiland , and "openly accused" Iran of siding with India , in its dispute with Pakistan. So Paki credentials to play a "honest broker" do not look good.

[krithivas]

EMPTY VESSEL, MUCH NOISE- For all the chest-thumping, India cannot win a war against Pakistan
https://qz.com/990579/for-all-the-chest ... -pakistan/
Good read - I think this Raghu Raman is the same as the famed TED Talk Capt. Raghu Raman.

[Falijee]

EMPTY VESSEL, MUCH NOISE- For all the chest-thumping, India cannot win a war against Pakistan
https://qz.com/990579/for-all-the-chest ... -pakistan/
Good read - I think this Raghu Raman is the same as the famed TED Talk Capt. Raghu Raman.

IMO, the article is very one-sided - in favour of Pakistan - in the extreme. Secondly, the author did not even touch Pakistan's deteriorating , internal and external situation. (political, social, economical ) which is going to play a role in any war. short or long . IMO, the author did not even touch upon the "trust" factor with the Pakis . They cannot be trusted - plain and simple . This has been proved time and again. The Paki fauj ( who is the "real owner" of Pakistan !) does not want peace (even if "Kashmir dispute is "solved" ! ). Now, it has decided to be a "colony of China" . Then , there is the Malsi factor. The world sees "India as rising" . Pakistan is living on a day to day basis- not sure where it's next meal is coming from !!!

[SBajwa]

[Falijee]

La-Whori Writer Paints Sycophantic Publicity Picture For Shehbaz- "Clever Brother"- Sharif

Chinese praise for Shehbaz Sharif highlights the man's ever growing repute

No mention in the farticle that the "said gentleman" is also a cancer survivor (true or not, who knows )

Then there is this also - from Immy !!!

Imran renames Shehbaz Sharif as ‘Drama Sharif’

The battle goes on for the heart and soul of Paki Pakjabis !!!

[Peregrine]

EMPTY VESSEL, MUCH NOISE- For all the chest-thumping, India cannot win a war against Pakistan
https://qz.com/990579/for-all-the-chest ... -pakistan/
Good read - I think this Raghu Raman is the same as the famed TED Talk Capt. Raghu Raman.

krithivas Ji :

1. Quartz has changed the Original Title of the Article, Originally in http://www.medium.com which is :

Why war with Pakistan — is not an option : Raghu Raman

2. Indeed it is Capt. Raman.

Cheers

[Falijee]

Press reports (Karachi Post ) indicate that two of the Chinese kidnapped from Quetta , were a young couple, running a Chinese Language Centre . So, the day is not too far off, when MANDARIN and CANTONESE will be added to the official list of URDU and ENGLISH.


PS: Official notification in the gazette to be used soon that Chinese nationals will be eligible to apply for the "tough" CSP ( Civil Service Exam ) on-line, from their home-base in China ( once the Chinese internet and Satellite System is fully installed !). Efforts are also under way to conduct the "interview part" of the selection process , in either of the three official languages of Urdu, English and Mandarin

[Falijee]

Jobless PhD,s Roaming The Highways And Byways Of Pakistan

Jobless PhD degree holders stage protest

ISLAMABAD: Scores of jobless and contractually employed PhD degree holders on Monday staged a protest demonstration outside the Higher Education Commission (HEC) building.Holding placards, the protesters blocked the main road in front of the HEC headquarters.The protesters, who completed their doctorate degrees under the HEC scholarship schemes recently, said they were suffering a lot because of the ineffective job placement policy of the commission. “The PhD scholarship scheme consumed lots of monetary resources and years of human efforts on part of the degree scholars but the benefit of the scheme could not be achieved,” said Dr Sher Ali, one of the protesters. Based on past Paki press reports ( and some inductive reasoning !) , I see two reasons for this market glut of surplus Pee ech dees : (i) the institution issuing the "certificate" is a bogus enterprise along the lines of the world famous "Axact University", so obviously, it is not worth the paper it is printed on (ii) Ever since Saudi Arabia invaded Pakistan (figuratively ) with Wahabi-ism in the 80's , Islam has become a "growth industry" and the Pakistani universities( with the generous financial support of the "Head Of The Two Holy Mosques) have been churning out PhD's in Islamic Studies, like there is no tomorrow ! Some ( not all !) of these "Doctors of Philosophy " have agreed to "export" themselves and have successfully been absorbed in the faculty of Islamic Studies in Ummah and Non -Ummah countries. Some have become (radical ) preachers in the Saudi built mosques in Europe, North America and Australia. Some leading western Think Tank experts have successfully argued that due to indoctrination in these places, Radical Islam in now rearing it's ugly head. The PhD holders vehemently disagree

Before availing the scholarship we had signed an agreement with the HEC under which we would serve in Pakistani universities for five years. But the HEC is now providing us only one year’s job under an interim placement programme.”

He equated the HEC with a factory which produced goods but made no arrangements for marketing.

Another protester, Dr Qasim Ali, said after completing the PhD programme, the scholars were not being provided jobs in the universities of Pakistan. They should consider learning Mandarin- the demand for Chinese languages is predicted to rise dramatically

HEC’s acting spokesman Waseem Khaliqdad said technically the commission had no direct role in providing jobs to the PhD degree holders.
“A majority of scholars who completed their PhD under the HEC scholarship programme have already been given jobs in various universities. We will check the issue and then will address the concerns of those who held the protest today,” he said. Job placement in the "Other IT" is always a last option . The GOP should pick up these "scholars" ASAP , before ISIS or Al-Qaeda makes them an offer they can't refuse

PS: The GOP had announced last year that plans are afoot to ensure that, at least 10,000 "scholars " will be trained to become "Doctors Of Philosophy" . In view of the above surplus, the govt is urgently requested and sincerely urged to reconsider this grandiose programme, for the sake of saving scarce resources!!!

[ArjunPandit]

Press reports (Karachi Post ) indicate that two of the Chinese kidnapped from Quetta , were a young couple, running a Chinese Language Centre . So, the day is not too far off, when MANDARIN and CANTONESE will be added to the official list of URDU and ENGLISH.


PS: Official notification in the gazette to be used soon that Chinese nationals will be eligible to apply for the "tough" CSP ( Civil Service Exam ) on-line, from their home-base in China ( once the Chinese internet and Satellite System is fully installed !). Efforts are also under way to conduct the "interview part" of the selection process , in either of the three official languages of Urdu, English and Mandarin

catch'em young!

[Falijee]

On top of jobless PhD's desperately looking for job , this "Taaza Khabar" from Pakistan, just in :

Pakistani man ‘commits suicide’ to keep job in the family- The Times Of London.

A low-ranking government employee in Pakistan is believed to have jumped to his death minutes after being told that his son could inherit his job only if he died while on duty. Muhammad Iqbal, 59, fell 30ft from the roof of an Interior Ministry building in Islamabad and died later in hospital.

My father said he was just going to the washroom,” his son, Umar, said. “We only knew about his death when he fell from the building and the ambulance came. Obviously, the family did not have "enough sifarish" - very sad !

[Falijee]

Ganja Sharif "nervous" On Joint Investigation Team (JIT) Probing Panama Case ?

Panama Case JIT decides to summon PM Nawaz Sharif

Hussain Nawaz approaches SC against two members of Panama Case JIT

Government raises objections over the Panama case JIT probe process

Ganja, the shrewd politico will find a way, by hook or by crook to deflect this growing pressure , which attempts to de-legitimize his ill-gotten wealth

[RCase]

On top of jobless PhD's desperately looking for job , this "Taaza Khabar" from Pakistan, just in :

Pakistani man ‘commits suicide’ to keep job in the family- The Times Of London.

A low-ranking government employee in Pakistan is believed to have jumped to his death minutes after being told that his son could inherit his job only if he died while on duty. Muhammad Iqbal, 59, fell 30ft from the roof of an Interior Ministry building in Islamabad and died later in hospital.

My father said he was just going to the washroom,” his son, Umar, said. “We only knew about his death when he fell from the building and the ambulance came. Obviously, the family did not have "enough sifarish" - very sad !

I guess he was in a hurry to get his 72 raisins!

[gakakkad]

EMPTY VESSEL, MUCH NOISE- For all the chest-thumping, India cannot win a war against Pakistan
https://qz.com/990579/for-all-the-chest ... -pakistan/
Good read - I think this Raghu Raman is the same as the famed TED Talk Capt. Raghu Raman.

krithivas Ji :

1. Quartz has changed the Original Title of the Article, Originally in http://www.medium.com which is :

Why war with Pakistan — is not an option : Raghu Raman

2. Indeed it is Capt. Raman.

Cheers

i doubt this was written by any genuine IA veteran ...the content is bonafide crap... not even sure why it was posted here...

[arun]

X Posted from the CPEC thread.

The Peoples Republic of China attempt to do propoganda for OBOR,BRI,CPEC by getting the UN ESCAP to write a favorable report embarrasingly blows up and results in the PRC pressuring the UN ESCAP to dissapper the report which I will addresse in my next post.

UN ESCAP report punctures PRC boast that this endevour is the greatest thing since the invention of sliced bread by saying:

"The dispute over Kashmir is also of concern, since the crossing of the CPEC in the region might create geo-political tension with India and ignite further political instability,"

"Afghanistan's political instability could also limit the potential benefits of transit corridors to population centres near Kabul or Kandahar, as those routes traverse southern and eastern Afghanistan where the Taliban are most active,"

"However, social and environmental safeguards are a concern. The CPEC could lead to widespread displacement of local communities. In Balochistan, there are concerns that migrants from other regions of Pakistan will render ethnic Baloch a minority in the province"

"In addition, Hazaras are another minority of concern. If the benefits of the proposed CPEC are reaped by large conglomerates, linked to Chinese or purely Punjabi interests, the identity and culture of the local population could be further marginalised,"

"Marginalisation of local population groups could reignite separatist movements and toughen military response from the government"

And goes on to subtly point out that presently it is NOT founded on principles such as trust, confidence and sharing benefits among participating states :

"In order for the full potential of the BRI to be realised there are several prerequisites. It should be founded on principles such as trust, confidence and sharing benefits among participating states."

Above from Times of India:

CPEC may ignite more India-Pakistan tensions: UN report
Meanwhile press from the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakista, ARY News reported thus on the UN ESCAP Report:

CPEC might create geo-political tension between India and Pakistan: UN report

[arun]

X Posted from the CPEC thread.

Looks like under pressure of the Peoples Republic of China the UN ESCAP report on BRI/OBOR/CPEC that was done at the specific request of PRC has been removed from website of UNESCAP. The PRC it appears has been unable to stomach criticism. My search of UN ESCAP website came up with only a dead 404 link.

Reference however remains on Google.

Search on Google for the phrase “If the benefits of the proposed CPEC are reaped by large conglomerates, linked to Chinese or purely Punjabi interests, the identity and culture of the local population could be further marginalised” shows up it was posted at some time.”

See the entry headed “Download - United Nations ESCAP”, 4 down from the top at the time of my search.

Google Search

Meanwhile the UNESCAP report that was critical of BRI/OBOR/CPEC was apparently posted at the below link but vanished now presumably because China was unable to stomach the slap and pressured UN ESCAP to disappear the report:

http://www.unescap.org/sites/default/fi ... edited.pdf

[SSridhar]

U.N. rejects Pakistan's claim that Indian troops targeted its vehicle near LoC - PTI

The United Nations has dismissed the Pakistan Army’s claim that its military observers came under attack from Indian troops near the Line of Control (LoC), saying there was “no evidence” of them being targeted.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said there was no evidence that an UNMOGIP (United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan) vehicle was targeted by the Indian Army along the LoC near the Khanjar sector.

“I can say to you that this afternoon in Bhimber District, in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, UNMOGIP military observers accompanied by Pakistani Army escorts heard gunshots in their vicinity. There is no evidence that the UNMOGIP military observers were targeted by the gunfire. No U.N. military observer was injured,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, had said that a vehicle carrying two officers of the U.N. military observer group came under attack by Indian troops during a visit to the LoC.

The Pakistan Army had claimed the vehicle was carrying UNMOGIP officers Major Emmanual of the Philippines and Major Mirko of Croatia.

Asked about the increasing tension between the south Asian neighbours and whether the U.N. Secretary-General will look into the situation, Mr. Dujarric reiterated, “we’re obviously concerned at the situation in Kashmir, and it’s an issue that the Secretary-General is following closely.”

According to the U.N. Security Council mandate of 1971, UNMOGIP observes and reports on ceasefire violations along and across the LoC and the Working Boundary between India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as reports developments that could lead to ceasefire violations.

India has maintained that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Simla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the LoC.

The observer group is headed by Major Gen Per Lodin of Sweden. It currently has 38 military observers and 73 civilian personnel.

[Atulya P]

Heroin being smuggled on PIA to Londonistan

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-40016761

[anupmisra]

Pakistan wrestlers unlikely to be sent for World Championships in France

India plans to send a 40-member wrestling contingent to France for the World Wrestling Championships later this summer but Pakistan is not likely to field any wrestler in the global event because of lack of money

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/206473 ... to-be-sent

[Peregrine]

X Posted on the PESW Thread

Economic Survey: GDP growth rate at 5.28%, size of economy increases to $304bn

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Survey for 2016-17 unveiled by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar today recorded the GDP growth rate at 5.28 percent, increasing the size of the economy at $304 billion and per capita income at $1,629 during the outgoing financial year.

The minister provided an overview of the economic progress made in recent years in Pakistan. He highlighted the main features of the comprehensive reforms agenda undertaken by the present government, which has resulted in macro-economic stability and a 10-year high growth rate of 5.28 percent.

The minister will present the budget for FY 2017-18 tomorrow (Friday) on the floor of the National Assembly. In his budget speech, the minister will provide details of the revenue, expenditure and relief measures envisaged for the next fiscal year.

Cheers

[Peregrine]

Budget 2017-18: pie in the sky

Before we start any discussion on Budget 2017-18, to be presented in the National Assembly on May 26, it would not be out of place to see how the country has fared during the previous years on this count.

This is particularly important because subsequent to Shaukat Aziz’ first budget (2000-01) as Pakistan’s finance minister, all governments have conveniently hoodwinked the masses at the time of budget presentation by deflating the expenditure and budget deficit with a view to presenting a rosy picture of the economy.

Based on previous experience, one can safely make two estimates. One, whatever figure the government may release on May 26, the actual expenditure during 2016-17 will be in the range of Rs6.5 trillion. As per the provisional budgetary figures for the first three quarters of 2016-17 (July 2016-March 2017), the expenditure stood at Rs4,384 billion. Considering that the average for the first three quarters was Rs1,461 billion, if the government ‘estimates’ to spend anything less that Rs2.0 trillion during the last quarter (April-June 2017), it would be indulging in figure fudging.

Based on this, the estimate of expenditure for 2017-18 should be close to Rs7.0 trillion. Anything less than this would raise doubts about the government’s sincerity.

Cheers

[Falijee]

Indian national Uzma returns home from Pakistan following court orders

Uzma, an Indian national who claimed she had been forced to marry a Pakistani man at gunpoint in Buner earlier in May, returned to her home country via the Wagah border on Thursday, a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) gave her permission to do so.Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter to welcome the 22-year-old back to India. "Welcome home India's daughter. I am sorry for all that you have gone through," Swaraj wrote.Indian Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh saw Uzma off in Islamabad and she was escorted to Wagah border crossing with strict security.

In the light of recent happenings ( Jadhav, LOC violations etc ), it could be looked upon as a "small victory" for India. Pakistan (Deep State) cannot afford to disobey the Isloo High Court judgement. It should also serve as a "tale of caution" for those still interested in" inter -border love romances"

[anupmisra]

PAF jet crashes while on routine training near Mianwali

...a PAF F-7PG aircraft, while on a routine operational training mission, crashed near Mianwali. The pilot of the aircraft ejected safely.

F-7PGs were first inducted in the PAF in 2002 as a replacement for F-6, which were then de-commissioned. The trainer FT-7PGs came later

The PAF has more than 50 of the Chinese-made aircraft in its fleet

About eight or nine F-7PGs/FT-7PGs have been lost during the 15 years

The losses of F-7PGs/FT-7PGs in air crashes are within limit, aviation experts say.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1335346/paf-j ... r-mianwali

[anupmisra]

AG representing Pakistan in Jadhav's case in ICJ admitted in hospital

Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali was admitted to Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi when he got chest pain. He was appointed to represent Pakistan in the Kulbushan Jadhav case in the International Court of Justice.

http://nation.com.pk/national/25-May-20 ... n-hospital

[Peregrine]

Pakistan aims to borrow another $8.2b in the coming year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan plans to obtain $8.1 billion new loans in next fiscal year for project and budget financing – 27 per cent or $3 billion – less than the revised budget estimates for the outgoing year, suggesting that the government is not telling its exact borrowing plan to parliament.

The Finance Ministry estimated receiving $8.1 billion – or Rs853 billion – in foreign economic assistance for fiscal year 2017-18, said sources in the ministry. New loans will be obtained to return a few previous loans and to finance projects of federal, provincial and autonomous bodies.

Just as the outgoing fiscal year’s original budget estimates of $8 billion, the plan for the new year also appears highly unrealistic in view of the country’s higher foreign financing requirements.

The Foreign Economic Assistance plan for 2017-18 will be tabled in parliament on Friday when Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will present his government’s fifth budget.

For fiscal year 2016-17, the government had budgeted $8 billion in foreign loans, but it has now revised the estimates upwards. New estimates showed that actual foreign borrowings might even cross the $11-billion-mark, sources said. If the revised borrowing plan materialises, this will be the highest-ever borrowing in a single year in the country’s history.

PML-N’s priorities versus allocations

The Finance Ministry had to borrow more to fulfil external sector requirements after Coalition Support Fund disbursements, foreign remittances and exports receipts fell far below expectations.

This will also be the first time in years when the country will receive $3 billion or 38.5 per cent more than the original budgetary estimates, pointing towards issues that bar the authorities from projecting the exact foreign financing requirements at the time of making budget.

The sources said that the finance ministry did not want to make the exact financing requirement public to avoid criticism and exploitation by foreign lenders.

The main reasons behind $3 billion additional borrowing in the outgoing fiscal year were mounting foreign debt repayments and interest requirements. The additional $3 billion are primarily originating from China – the country’s new lifeline after change of mood in Washington.

Sources in the Q-Block said that against original estimates of $572 million, China is expected to disburse $2 billion in the outgoing fiscal year. Another source of additional foreign loans is commercial banks and again a major chunk is coming from Chinese banks.

For the outgoing fiscal year, the government had budgeted $2 billion loans by foreign commercial banks. But revised estimates show that we may end up taking $3.7 billion worth foreign commercial loans, said the Finance Ministry sources. About 62 per cent of foreign commercial loans – $2.3 billion to be precise – are coming from Chinese financial institutions.

Garment manufacturers seek Rs60b for export industry

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China gave $300 million, the China Development Bank is expected to provide $1.7 billion, including $1 billion coming this month, and the Bank of China is likely to give $300 million.

The country would obtain $700 million foreign commercial loans under World Bank Policy Based guarantees. It is also seeking another $300 million foreign commercial loans before the end of next month, said the sources.

2017-18 borrowings

About one-fifth of new loans, or $1.6 billion, would be obtained from China for project financing. This will be the highest contribution by any single source, followed by $1.56 billion by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). IDB loans will be expensive, as the country again intends to use this short-term facility.

The World Bank will provide $1.34 billion or $16.6 per cent of the estimated new loans, said sources in the Finance Ministry.

Pakistan also plans to issue $1 billion worth of Eurobonds in the next fiscal year, besides obtaining another $1 billion in foreign commercial loans, said the sources.

They said that in the next fiscal, foreign commercial borrowings may again remain higher than the estimates.

Because of growing public debt, which has limited the country’s repayment ability, the government gets such short-term borrowings rescheduled each year.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is expected to provide $1.2 billion or 15 per cent of the estimated foreign economic assistance, said the sources.

The borrowings from other traditional sources would not be very significant and the countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Japan and European nations would not contribute much except France which is giving $157 million next year, said the sources.

The United Kingdom may provide $115 million grant in the next fiscal year, said the sources. The United States contribution on account of Kerry-Lugar aid is estimated at $118 million, said the sources.

Sub-division

Of $8.1 billion, $1.84 billion would go to the provinces for development projects, said the sources. Punjab will get $1.1 billion, followed by Sindh $400 million, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa $280 million and Balochistan nearly $60 million.

Autonomous bodies will get $1.35 billion loans, primarily the National Highway Authority (NHA) $810 million, PEPCO $350 million and Wapda nearly $200 million.

Cheers

[Peregrine]

’Upcoming budget can make or break Pakistan’s economy’

KARACHI: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) Senior Vice Chairman Zahid Mazhar has urged the government to present a budget that supports the export-oriented industries, including textiles.

According to a press release, Mazhar said that the government must accommodate the export-oriented industries.

“The government should avoid imposing any additional tax on the industry because if it does, then that would be the final nail in the coffin for the export sector,” he said.

“The upcoming budget can prove to be a game-changer for Pakistan’s economy if it encourages exports, industry and employment generation,” he added.

The Aptma senior vice chairman said that during the first 10 months of the ongoing fiscal year, the trade deficit has already jumped to $26.55 billion, up 40% from $18.95 billion in the corresponding period of previous fiscal year. He added that if the trend continues, trade deficit for the current financial year would reach to a record level of $30 billion.

Meanwhile, textile exports during the same 10-month period have dipped to $10.296 billion, down 1% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. At present, the industry is running below its installed capacity although it has a potential to increase the country’s exports to $30 billion.

“The textile sector is battling hard for its survival in the global market, which includes problems such as severe competition from neighbours, high cost of doing business and high cost and shortage of raw materials.”

According to the Aptma official, the industry was marred by highest utility tariff for both gas and electricity in the region, along with the highest corporate tax in the region. He demanded the government to provide system gas at regionally competitive rate of Rs400 per mmbtu across the country and remove the levy of Gas Infrastructure Development Cess, adding that the rate of Regasified Liquid Natural Gas should also be reduced.

Regarding the availability of raw material, Mazhar said the government should ensure availability of raw materials to the industry by allowing duty-free import of cotton and polyester staple fibre.

“The country has already suffered huge losses due to the failure of cotton crop for the past two years,” he said. “Therefore, it is imperative to continue with the policy of import of cotton without duty or sales tax because it will be suicidal to re-impose them.”

The senior vice chairman requested the government to ensure zero-rating on all inputs in true spirit, including packaging materials, spare parts and fuel.

He added that payment of all pending refunds of sales tax, which is more than Rs200 billion in worth, should be made without any delay. He also demanded to reduce the turnover tax to 0.25% from existing 1%.

Mazhar concluded that the country has a potential of an annual Gross Domestic Product growth of 8%, but if the aforementioned issues are not addressed in the upcoming budget, then the dream of economic growth might turn into a nightmare.

Cheers

[Peregrine]

Cheers

[amohan2001]

AG representing Pakistan in Jadhav's case in ICJ admitted in hospital

Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali was admitted to Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi when he got chest pain. He was appointed to represent Pakistan in the Kulbushan Jadhav case in the International Court of Justice.

http://nation.com.pk/national/25-May-20 ... n-hospital

He doesn't feel like going for next ICJ hearing.

[ArunK]

Lt Gen (Retd) Amjad Shoaib clearly admits at the 2:00 min mark that Kulbhushan was caught at Chahbahar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPUBhyk1QdM



I am afraid that this video will disappear. So please record it.

I can tell you this looks like a freudian slip. I have watched this several times. The guy was a little pissed off because the panel was questioning the fauj driven foreign policy and he let this slip.

The question was why has Pakistan taken a leardership role in an anti-Iran coalition? Then this guy started to list all the things Iran has done against Pakistan recently.

• Iran and India signed a defense pact in 2002

• Iran gave access to Chahbahar

• Iran handed over control of Chahbahar to India -- running the port etc

• We picked up Kulbhushan from there (Chahbahar)

[yensoy]

Indian national Uzma returns home from Pakistan following court orders

In the light of recent happenings ( Jadhav, LOC violations etc ), it could be looked upon as a "small victory" for India. Pakistan (Deep State) cannot afford to disobey the Isloo High Court judgement. It should also serve as a "tale of caution" for those still interested in" inter -border love romances"

My read is that the episode was causing negative publicity to Pakistan, so they put a quick end to it and got to ride the high horse as well. Good for us too, because sister's story also doesn't add up.

[yensoy]

Lt Gen (Retd) Amjad Shoaib clearly admits at the 2:00 min mark that Kulbhushan was caught at Chahbahar.

• Iran and India signed a defense pact in 2002

• Iran gave access to Chahbahar

• Iran handed over control of Chahbahar to India -- running the port etc

• We picked up Kulbhushan from there (Chahbahar)

That may indeed be true, but (i) we cannot use this fellow's TV interview as evidence for anything and (ii) it also means that our own defences & security in Charbahar are utterly broken and need to be fully reviewed - heads should have rolled by now.

[Falijee]

"Chini Danda" Inserted Up "Pakistan' s Musharraf

China asks Pakistan to 'take all necessary measures' to free nationals
A.P.

Authorities from China and Pakistan are working together to rescue a Chinese couple abducted in Balochistan, a Chinese government spokesman said Thursday.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China had asked Pakistani authorities to "take all necessary measures and do their best to rescue the kidnapped Chinese". Lu added that the two governments were coordinating to ensure the safety of other Chinese citizens in Pakistan. Pakistani police were searching for the two teachers from a private language school after they were abducted in the city of Quetta Wednesday. Gunmen dressed as police stopped the couple’s car and shot and wounded a man who intervened after he rescued a third person who was in the car, according to Pakistani police and China’s official Xinhua news agency. No one immediately claimed responsibility and the motive behind the abduction was unclear. You do not need to be a "rocket scientist" to figure out who was responsible and what was the reason ( unless RAA has a hand in this !)

Thousands of Chinese nationals work in Pakistan and have sometimes been targeted in attacks by anti-government militants. China is a longtime ally of Pakistan and is currently building a network of roads and power plants under a project known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Gunmen attacked a highway construction site that is part of the economic initiative earlier this month, killing at least 10 Pakistani workers. IMO, there is more to come !

[Peregrine]

X Posted on PESW Thread

Pakistan Economic Survey 2016-17

Cheers

[Peregrine]

Workers’ rights : Labourers demand ‘real’ raises



KARACHI: Labour unions have demanded the government set the minimum wage at Rs25,000 in the upcoming budget.

The demand was made by various unions at a seminar on the fiscal 2016-17 budget on Sunday at the office of the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF).

Gul Rehman, leader of Aluminum Packaging Workers Union, said rulers make a fool of the poor by increasing salaries by a few thousand rupees every year to show that they care about the people.

“The direct beneficiaries of these salary increments are those who work in the public sector. Nothing changes for those who work in private companies as neither the owners increase the amount by themselves nor the authorities meant to keep a check on the order’s implementation do their work,” said Zahra Khan, general secretary of Home Based Women Workers Association.



She said parliamentarians, despite having lucrative salary packages already, still get raises in their salaries and other perks. Another labour leader, Riaz Abbasi of AGS Battery Workers Union, said the private sector was a sheer violator of labourers’ rights as most of the companies did not follow any salary increment procedure. “If a worker gets Rs13,000 at the time of employment, he or she gets the same amount even after spending a decade at the same company,” he commented.

NTUF deputy general secretary Nasir Mansoor said that the ‘minimum wage’ concept was a century old as the world today is talking about ‘fair wages’. He claimed that the federal government is being dictated by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank over running the country’s economy.

“The expense of feeding five goats Khusboos is barely covered by the current minimum wage set by the government,” he said.

NOTE : Clapistani Rupees 25,000 equates to Indian Rupees about 15,000.
Cheers

[Atmavik]

Have escaped the 'well of death': Uzma Ahmed

[Falijee]

CROSS POSTED FROM CPEC

This Is What Happens When "Due Diligence" Not Performed !

Long-term CPEC to cost a whopping $300b

[Falijee]

AG representing Pakistan in Jadhav's case in ICJ admitted in hospital

Has ICJ been informed that the "employee" has gone on "stress leave"

PS: Was Media Police ( PEMRA ) sleeping on the job ? This kind of "sensitive news" should not have" leaked out" in the first place

[Atmavik]

Long-term CPEC to cost a whopping $300b [/quote]

for Pakis or Yellow-Pakis ?