RAHUL GETS BAIL IN DEFAMATION CASE, NEXT HEARING ON

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was sentenced to two years in prison in a criminal defamation case, was granted bail extension by a sessions court in Gujarat's Surat on Monday. The court will hear his appeal against conviction in the case on April 13.

Earlier, the former president of Congress, arrived in Surat to file the appeal in sessions court against a lower court's order that found him guilty of criminal defamation. The charges stemmed from a remark he made in April 2019 while campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka's Kolar. The court accepted Gandhi's petition and scheduled it for a hearing on April 13. However, he also faces another deadline to vacate his official residence in New Delhi, which was allotted to him as an MP, by April 22.

April 13

During his campaign, Gandhi stated that "all thieves have Modi surname", equating Prime Minister Narendra Modi with fugitives like Lalit Modi and Nirav Modi. On March 23, a lower court in Surat found him guilty of defaming the entire Modi community in a case filed by BJP MLA Purnesh Modi. The former Congress president was subsequently disqualified from the Lok Sabha under a rule that bars convicted MPs from holding Lok Sabha membership.

Gandhi was given the maximum 2-year jail term for his offence, but the sentence was suspended for 30 days for him to file an appeal against the order. If the conviction is not overturned, he will be disqualified from contesting elections for the next eight years.

GROSS DIRECT TAX COLLECTIONS FOR 2022-23 RISE 20% TO RS 19.68L CR

Gross direct tax collections (provisional) for 2022-23 stand at Rs 19.68 lakh crore, registering a growth of 20.33 per cent, according to figures released by the Finance Ministry on Monday.

Direct tax collections (provisional) for 2022-23 have exceeded the revised estimates by 0.69 per cent. The budget estimates (BE) for direct tax revenue in the Union Budget for 2022-23 were fixed at Rs 14.20 lakh crore, which were revised to Rs 16.50 lakh crore.

The provisional direct tax collections (net of the refunds) have exceeded the budget estimates by 16.97 per cent and revised estimates by 0.69 per cent. The provisional figures of direct tax collections for 2022-23 show that net collections are at Rs 16.61 lakh crore, compared to Rs 14.12 lakh crore in 2021-22, representing an increase of 17.63 per cent.

The gross collections (provisional) of direct taxes (before adjusting for refunds) for 2022-23 stand at Rs 19.68 lakh crore, marking a growth of 20.33 per cent over the gross collections of Rs 16.36 lakh crore in 202122. The gross corporate tax collections (provisional) in 2022-23 stand at Rs 10,04,118 crore, showing a growth of 16.91 per cent over the gross corporate tax collections of Rs 8,58,849 crore of the preceding year.

NCERT REMOVES PORTIONS RELATED TO RSS, GANDHI & GODSE FROM BOOKS

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has removed paragraphs from Class 12 Political Science textbooks that contained information about the ban briefly imposed on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) by the then government after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Along with this, paragraphs which stated that Gandhi's quest for Hindu-Muslim unity provoked Hindu extremists have also been removed from the curriculum.

Significantly, NCERT had made several changes in the textbooks of Class 6 to Class 12 last year. Among these, chapters titled Rise of Popular Movements' and 'Era of One Party Dominance' were removed from Class 12 textbook, 'Politics in India since Independence'. Similarly, chapters on 'Democracy and Diversity', 'Popular Struggles and Movements', and 'Challenges to Democracy' were removed from Class 10 textbook 'Democratic Politics-II'.

Significantly, since the last 15 years, Nathuram Godse was referred in the History book of Class 12 as a 'Brahmin from Pune' who assassinated Gandhi, which has been removed now.

As per NCERT, they had been receiving complaints of Godse's caste mentioned in the books from CBSE and several state education boards since long, stating that one's caste should not be unnecessarily mentioned in school textbooks.

Speaking on the matter in Parliament, Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi stated that the syllabus of books was rationalised in view of the loss of education in the pandemic and it was done to reduce the stress faced by students.

NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani said that the load of textbooks was reduced as the students had suffered a lot in the pandemic and it was an attempt to help the stressed students and as a responsibility towards society and the nation. Along with this, the NCERT has categorically rejected allegations that the changes have been made to suit a particular ideology

OVER 500% RISE IN NUMBER OF CASES REGISTERED BY ED IN LAST 4 YEARS

Amid a spike in raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) during the past few years, with several persons, including political leaders having been booked in cases of money laundering under various provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), there has been a stupendous rise of over 500 per cent in the number of cases recorded by the agency in the last four years.

According to finance ministry sources, between 2018-19 and 2021-22, cases registered by ED rose by 505 per cent, as from 195 cases recorded by ED in 2018-19, the cases recorded by the agency went up to 1,180 in 2021-22.

Even the number of searches conducted by ED have rise by a huge 2,555 per cent between 2004-14 and 2014-22.

As per finance ministry's own data, only 112 searches were carried out by ED between 2004-14 which resulted in attachment of proceeds of crime worth Rs 5,346 crore.

However between 2014-22, the number of searches rose to 2,974, a rise of 2,555 per cent, which resulted in attachment of proceeds of crime worth Rs 95,432.08 crore. The humongous rise in the number of cases recorded and searches conducted by ED in the past few years, has led to allegations of witch-hunting by the opposition parties against the BJP-ruled central government.

Opposition parties have repeatedly blamed the central government for using agencies like the ED and CBI against them as political weapons. The government on its part however says that the increase in the number of searches shows it's commitment to prevent money laundering and improved systems for gathering financial intelligence through use of technology. Official sources say that concerted efforts to complete pending investigations in old cases and probe in complex money laundering cases that have multiple accused requiring multiple searches, are some of the reasons for the increase in number of searches in recent times. ED is an investigation agency, which is mandated with the task of enforcing provisions of FEMA, PMLA and Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.

Congress Leader Navjot Singh Sidhu Walks Out Of Patiala Central Jail After Serving His Term In 1988 Road Rage Death Case

CONTD. FROM PAGE 1 of imprisonment by the Supreme Court in May last year in the 1988 case of road rage in which he allegedly thrashed one Gurnam Singh, who later died in hospital.

Punjab Minister Brahm Shankar Jimpa said on Friday that the Punjab government has no objection to Sidhu’s release. “The issue of the release of prisoners whose sentence has been completed is approved by the cabinet. Those who have completed their sentence will be released,” Jimpa said. The Supreme Court allowed the review application on the issue of sentence against Sidhu “We have allowed review application on the issue of sentence. In addition to the fine imposed, we impose a sentence of imprisonment of one year to be undergone by respondent Sidhu,” the court said. The order was delivered by a bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Sanjay Kishan Kaul. The case has gone through Sessions Court, High court and Supreme Court.

On the completion of investigation in the Kanjhawala case, in which a 20-year-old woman was killed after being dragged for several kilometers by a car, the Delhi Police on Saturday filed a 800-page charge sheet against seven accused.

Metropolitan Magistrate Sanya Dalal of the Rohini Court has posted the matter for consideration of the final report on April 13. On Tuesday, the court had asked the police to conclude its investigation and file a charge sheet on Saturday.

“During the course of investigation, seven men were arrested and upon its completion, a charge sheet of around 800 pages was prepared with around 120 witnesses,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer), Harendra Singh said. The police said, “On the basis of the material and evidence collected during the investigation, to the best of capabilities, sufficient material has come on record to prosecute the accused.” Amit Khanna, Krishan, Mithun, and Manoj Mittal have all been booked for murder, according to the charge sheet. Amit Khanna and Ashutosh were also booked in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Act’s rules. It said all the accused were booked for criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, harbouring offender, common intention and false information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of a nother person. Amit Khanna has been charged with additional offences by the Delhi Police for reckless driving and causing hurt by endangering their lives or personal safety.

Initially, the case was registered under Sections 279 and 304 of the IPC but later, police had added section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code in the matter.

On January 21, the Rohini court had dismissed Deepak Khanna’s bail plea. Earlier, two other accused, Ankush and Ashutosh, were granted bail. Anjali died an agonising death on the intervening night of December 31 and Janu ary 1 in the Kanjhawala area after her scooty was hit by the car and her clothes had gotten entangled in one of its wheels, which led to her being dragged for a considerable distance.

Kejriwal Appeals To Pm To Allow Free Train Travel For Sr Citizens

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to allow senior citizens to travel free of cost by trains.

Sharing the letter on Twitter on Monday, Kejriwal wrote: "Please don't end the concession given to elderly in Railways. Crores of elderly people benefit from this concession."

In the letter, Kejriwal called the decision by Modi government "unfortunate" and stated that the country cannot progress without the blessings of the elderly.

He appealed to the Prime Minister to restore it, and said that the Delhi government organises pilgrimage for senior citizens free of cost and spends Rs 50 crore from its budget for the same to avoid any loss to the Centre.

He added that the Central government should follow and ensure that all senior citizens are completely exempted from paying the fare. Kejriwal stated that it is wrong to end the relaxation just to save Rs 1,600 crore.

Significantly, in view of the poor financial condition during the Covid19 pandemic, the Railways had discontinued granting fare concession to senior citizens. This relief was not restored even after the pandemic's threat subsided and other activities in the country were back to normal.

UP DY CM MAURYA MEETS PM; SAYS BJP

Will Win All 80 Seats In 2024 Ls Polls

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Monday exuded confidence in BJP winning all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

While emerging from Parliament House complex after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, Maurya told the waiting media persons that the PM has guided him regarding the 2024 general elections.

He claimed that the entire atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh is BJPoriented. The party is extremely strong and continuous efforts are being made to strengthen it further. "Lotus is set to bloom again in the municipal elections in 2023 and the Lok Sabha elections in 2024," he stated. Notably, being the most populous state in the country, the BJP's campaigns are focused on Uttar Pradesh. Even the Muslim community outreach programme is also quite active and effective in the state.

AMARINDER SEEKS TIME-BOUND CROP DAMAGE RELIEF, SUKHBIR DEMANDS RS 50K PER ACRE

Impasse Between Doctors And Rajasthan Govt Ends After 16 Days

The impasse between the Rajasthan government and doctors, who were on strike for 16 days against the Right to Health bill, ended on Tuesday as both sides came to an agreement.

Consensus was reached between doctors and the government on eight demands on the Right to Health (RTH) Bill at a meeting of a doctors' delegation with Chief Secretary Usha Sharma.

In the meeting, Principal Secretary, Medical Education, T. Ravikanth and the representatives of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), United Private Clinics' & Hospitals' Association of Rajasthan (UPCHAR) and Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Society (PHNS) discussed and agreed on various points. According to the agreement, private multi-specialty hospitals having less than 50 beds will be kept out of the purview of this law in the first phase of its implementation. The law will also not be binding on those private hospitals that have not taken any concession from the government or any rebate in allotment of land for the hospital. As per the agreement, this law will be implemented in private medical colleges and hospitals, hospitals running on PPP mode, those hospitals that have been allotted land free of cost or on subsidised rates, and hospitals run by a trust that got land on concession or subsidised rates.

It was also agreed to consider the regularisation of hospitals functioning in different places in the state as per the 'Kota Model', under which relaxation in building rules will be considered for those hospitals that are functioning in residential premises.

Also, police cases and other cases registered during the agitation will be withdrawn. It will be considered to bring a single window system for licenses and other approvals. Similarly, giving fire NOC to private hospitals every five years will be considered. Along with this, it was also agreed that changes in the rules in the Right to Health law would be made in consultation with the representatives of the IMA.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot welcomed the end of this deadlock, saying:

"I am happy that finally an agreement has been reached between the government and the doctors and Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to implement Right to Health.

"I hope that the doctor-patient relationship will remain the same in future as well."

Gehlot said that the state government's objective to bring in the Right to Health bill was that no one should suffer due to lack of treatment, and expressed satisfaction that the doctors fraternity agreed to the proposals put forth by the state government regarding Right to Health.

He said that all the people of the state have extended their cooperation to the state government in the favour of the bill and have welcomed this propeople bill. "Now the doctors agreeing to this important bill is a good sign," he added, expressing hope that all doctors will immediately join their duty and that private and government hospitals will make the Right to Health, and schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana and RGHS successful. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the way private and government hospitals had set an example with excellent management of Covid, they will similarly successfully implement these schemes on the ground and present the 'Rajasthan Model of Public Health'.

DRUG TRAFFICKERS WON'T BE SPARED: PUNJAB CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said on the directions of Punjab and Haryana High Court the state will soon initiate action against those named in report pertaining to drug trade and those who have ruined youth through drugs won't be spared.

In a statement here, the Chief Minister said the drug trade which had flourished during the previous Akali-BJP and the Congress regime had ruined the future generations of the state.

He said the affluent leaders of both these parties had patronised this illegal trade in connivance of bureaucrats and drug smugglers to mint money illegally.

Mann said the perpetrators of this heinous crime will not be spared at any cost and they will be put behind the bars.

The Chief Minister said the probe report on this issue had been hanging in fire since long as none of the previous government was sincere to take action against those forces which had ruined the future of Punjab.

However, Mann said now when he had received the report in three packets of reports from High Court, severest of severe action will be taken against the forces inimical to state and its youth. He assured the Punjabis that exemplary action will be taken against those people whose hands are drenched with blood of countless youths who fell prey to drug menace. Pertinently, these reports were pending for five years and the previous Congress government had not taken any action but after assuming the charge of office, the Chief Minister had given consent to the High court on February 15. Mann had given his consent to bring into public domain all sealed reports submitted before the Punjab and Haryana High Court that establish a nexus between police officers and drug traffickers. These reports were submitted by a Special Investigating Team, which enquired into the matter deeply. This action paved way for stern action against the strong nexus of officers-politicians and drug peddlers who have been involved in this trade since long.

UP: CRIMINAL WANTED IN MURDER OF SURESH RAINA'S KIN SHOT DEAD IN ENCOUNTER

A criminal from Rajasthan, who was an accused in the murder of cricketer Suresh Raina's relatives in Punjab in 2020, was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Police in Shahpur village of Muzaffarnagar district on Saturday, police said. The accused, identified as Rashid a.k.a. Sipahiya, carried a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head and had nearly a dozen criminal cases registered against him. Vinay Kumar Gautam, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Budhana), said, "Rashid was hiding in Moradabad and had come to Muzaffarnagar to execute his next crime. He was intercepted but he opened fire and was killed in retaliatory firing on Saturday. Station House Officer of Shahpur, Bablu Kumar, sustained a bullet injury. Rashid's associate managed to escape." Muzaffarnagar Senior Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Suman, said, "We are now scanning records to collect more information about his activities." In August 2020, Raina's uncle Ashok Kumar, his son Kaushal Kumar, wife Asha Rani and two more members of the family were attacked by the 'Chhah Maar gang' (part of the notorious Bawariya gang) from Uttar Pradesh at Tharial in Punjab's Pathankot district. Kumar died on the spot while his wife and son succumbed to injuries later at a hospital. The gang of robbers had allegedly barged into their house and beaten up the family with sticks before decamping with cash and other valuables. Following the incident, an FIR was registered against unidentified men at Shahpur Kandi police station in Pathankot under IPC sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with weapons), 149 (offence committed in prosecution of common object), 458 (housebreaking), 459 (grievous injury due to housebreaking) and 460 (causing death due to housebreaking).

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Punjab Chief Minister CaptAmarinder Singh on Tuesday demanded time-bound compensation for the farmers whose wheat crop has been damaged by recent rains, while Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Badal demanded release of crop relief at the rate of Rs 50,000 per acre. CaptAmarinder Singh said the government should also consider providing interim relief for the farmers till the actual compensation is worked out after special 'girdawari', which is likely to take some time. He said Rs 15,000 compensation announced by the government was too less as the losses to farmers were quite enormous and demanded that the compensation must be at least Rs 30,000 per acre. The former chief minister said the unprecedented rains had caused devastating damage to the standing wheat crops across the state. He said most of the farmers have been badly hit. This, he added, will also affect the yield and eventually the income of the farmers who are already reeling under severe economic crisis. Slamming Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the SAD president said "what is the Chief Minister waiting for? The complete destruction of the wheat crop in nearly half of the state is there for all to see. It has also been corroborated by agricultural experts. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had also promised to give compensation immediately after crop damage on the 'Delhi Model' and should make good its promise instead of delaying the assessment procedure to deny relief to farmers as it had done last year also. Farmers have not received compensation for damage done to wheat and cotton crops last year which should also be given immediately, Badal added. CaptAmarinder said while the government has been claiming to have ordered a special girdawari, the ground reports suggest that no official has reached out to farmers as yet to assess their losses. "This means that it will take more time and till then the farmers should be provided some interim relief to enable them to sow the next crop and manage day-to-day affairs," he added, while urging the government to take the relief measures at war-footing.

Punjab Cm Asks Mlas To Expedite Wheat Crop Loss Relief

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday asked the MLAs and officers to enhance their field visits for expediting the process of girdwari (harvest inspection) and redress problems of farmers. "The MLAs should meet the farmers and listen to their grievances, likewise the officers should make sure that the special girdwari is completed soon so that we can disburse the compensation before Baisakhi," said the Chief Minister.

Expressing solidarity with the farmers who have lost their crop due to incessant untimely rain and hailstorms, the Chief Minister said the government is with the food growers in this hour of crisis. He said the loss worth every single penny will be compensated and no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause. He was well aware about the agony faced by the farming community due to the whopping loss suffered by them on account of inclement weather conditions. The Chief Minister said he is personally monitoring the entire drive on a day-to-day basis to ensure that the affected farmers are compensated in a most transparent and expeditious manner. Mann said as he hails from a common family so he is aware of the anguish of the farmers at the personal level, and duly compensating them remains the top priority of the government.

DELHI'S SOURCE OF DRUGS, HIMACHAL NOW FACES AN ADDICTION SURGE

Himachal Pradesh, the picturesque state nestled in the Himalayas, is known for its natural beauty and tranquility. However, in recent years, the state has been grappling with a rising drug problem that is threatening to tarnish its reputation. It has become a major cause for concern, particularly among the youth.

The state which is also known for widespread illegal cultivation of cannabis and its derivatives -- hashish, charas and the very popular malana cream -- is now being flooded by 'chitta' and pharmaceutical drugs, quite like its neighbouring state, Punjab.

The Himachal Pradesh police data analysis of 'Register 29' maintained in all police stations to keep a track of drug peddlers reveals that about 60 per cent of those active in the state have taken to 'chitta'. It has added a new dimension to the drug menace in the state. According to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity, Himachal Pradesh currently houses 3,000 jail inmates, with 40.8 percent of them incarcerated for drug-related offences. Of these inmates, 68 percent are undertrials while the remaining 32 percent have been convicted. The official revealed that the state's correctional department has requested the government to expand prison capacity to 5,000 in response to the escalating drug problem. Furthermore, there are over 8,000 ongoing NDPS cases in different courts, with approximately 7,000 awaiting trial.

Once upon a time, the state's drug headache was limited to illegal cannabis plantations in the Kullu Valley. According to sources, the demand is still high and the illegal business of the drug cartel is still booming. Himachal Pradesh's ancient Aryan village of Malana is known all over the world as a haven for those looking for a high in the hills. An oily and aromatic strain of hashish called Malana Cream is considered to be the purest form of hashish and is derived by the locals from the cannabis grown illegally in the surrounding Parvati Valley. The international popularity of the drug still brings thousands of tourists to the village. The economy of the area has boomed following the explosion in the demand for Malana Cream. Malana Cream is not limited to Himachal Pradesh because it is trafficked to other states across the country.

PAKISTANIS DROWN UNDER COST OF LIVING AS INFLATION HITS ALL-TIME HIGH OF 35.4%

EX-NZ PM ARDERN APPOINTED SPECIAL ENVOY FOR COMBATING TERRORISM

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Tuesday appointed his predecessor Jacinda Ardern as Special Envoy for the Christchurch Call, a Wellington-led global initiative to fight terrorism and extremism after the deadly March 2019 mosque shootings.

The Special Envoy for the Christchurch Call will report directly to the Prime Minister, reports Xinhua news agency.

Ardern has declined to receive any remuneration for the new post and will commence her role on April 17, Hipkins said.

"The Christchurch Call is a foreign policy priority for the government and Jacinda Ardern is uniquely placed to keep pushing forward with the goal of eliminating violent extremist content online," the Prime Minister said.

"Terrorist and violent extremist content online is a global issue, but for many in New Zealand it is also very personal," he said, adding that the

Christchurch Call is part of the response to the March 15, 2019, terror attacks on the two Christchurch mosques which killed 51 people.

The special envoy will serve as New Zealand's senior representative on Christchurch Call-related matters, working closely with France as coleaders, according to the prime minister.

The Christchurch Call is a global initiative working across governments, the tech sector and civil society to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.

It has delivered new safety tools and systems online, backed by many of those running the platforms on which this content is shared, he said. "Work is also underway in new areas, like the way algorithms affect radicalization and how the implications of fast rising tech such as AI and augmented reality can be exploited by terrorists and violent extremists," Hipkins said.

LAVROV READY TO MEET BLINKEN IF THERE’S WILLINGNESS FROM US: RUSSIAN UN ENVOY

On the sidelines of his upcoming visit to New York on April 24-25, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is ready to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken if there is willingness from Washington, says Moscow’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya. Addressing a press conference here on Monday on Russia’s assumption of the rotating presidency of the Security Council for the month of April, Nebenzya said: “I think that depends on two factors. First, where Secretary Blinken will be at that time, and on his ability and willingness to meet with our Foreign Minister,” TASS News Agency reported.

The Russian side has never “run away from whatever meetings with those people who want these meetings”, the envoy claimed.

“If such a meeting is requested, I presume that Minister Lavrov will be ready to meet Secretary Blinken,” he added.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will meet Lav rov “when he is in town”, Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief’s spokesman, told reporters on Monday.

“I have no doubt that when Lavrov is here, he and the Secretary-General will have a sit-down,” Xinhua news agency quoted Dujarric as saying.

“The sit-down would be about going through the long list of issues and agenda items between the Russian Federation and the UN Secretariat,” he added.

The development comes two days after Blinken spoke on the phone with Lavrov and conveyed the US’ grave concern over Russia’s “unacceptable detention” of American journalist Evan Gershkovich over espionage charges.

A State Department statement said that during the call on Sunday, Blinken called for The Wall Street Journal reporter’s “immediate release and also urged “the Kremlin to immediately release wrongfully detained US citizen Paul Whelan”.

The two top officials met last month for the first time since Russia waged its ongoing war against Ukraine in February last year. The brief meeting took place on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi.

Before this, Blinken and Lavrov met in Geneva in January 2022.

PAK-CHINA KHUNJERAB PASS TRADE ROUTE OPENS AFTER 3 YEARS

In a major development for Pakistan-China trade relations, Khunjerab Pass, one of the pivotal trade route between the two countries, has reopened after being shut down for almost three years due to the Covid19 pandemic in 2020.

However, the route has been reopened as authorities from both sides have directed relevant quarters to complete all necessary measures to contain Covid-19 before the arrival of goods from Pakistan.

Official sources confirmed that the Chinese authorities have shared a letter with Pakistani authorities regarding the reopening of the pass for trade while port authorities have put in place, all pre-testing and precautionary measures to check all shipments from Pakistan.

On the other hand, Pakistani authorities have also been instructed to take all measures regarding Covid-19 and to ensure the containment of the disease. As per routine procedures, the Khunjerab Pass normally opens from April 1 to November 30 every year and remains closed from December 1 to March 31 primarily due to the cold weather and lack of oxygen in the high altitude. However, in view of the urgent needs and ot her supplies, as well as smooth custom clearance of Pakistan's supplies, the port was temporarily opened twice this year.

"Despite difficulties including extremely cold weather, heavy snow and lack of oxygen, the local customs have worked round the clock to ensure transportation of cargo," said an official source.

"The two temporary opening lasted for 12 days between January 30 and February 10, while the first port opening was between January 19-20.

The two temporary openings facilitated 128 cross-border personnel visits, 328 transportation vehicles' passes, and more than 6,000 tonnes of goods exported." The reopening of the Khunjerab Pass trade route is being seen as a major boost to the economic activities between Pakistan and China.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his delight over the reopening of the border, calling it a major pillar of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

"Reopening of Khunjerab Pass is critical to accelerating trade between Pakistan and China. The government is determined to unpack the full potential of CPEC by making it the centerpiece of our economic diplomacy for the region. Trade and connectivity are the building blocks of prosperity, he maintained.

"CPEC was a gift of progress and prosperity given by former Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif and the Chinese leadership for the region and the people."

The Khunjerab Pass at 4,693-meter-high (15,397 ft), is the highest paved international border crossing in the world and the highest point on the Karakoram Highway.

It is located in a strategic position on the northern border of Pakistan (Gilgit Baltistan'sHunza and Nagar districts) and on the southwest border of China (Xinjiang).

CURRENCY DEALERS OFFER $24B IN LOANS TO PAKISTAN TO STAY AWAY FROM IMF PACKAGE

Currency dealers in open market in Pakistan have offered loans of $24 billion to the government for the next two years to help it stay away from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, which has badly hit the nations economy. Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP)

President Malik Bostan said: “We have offered $1 billion a month in financing to the government for the next two years to get rid of the IMF,” The Express Tribune reported. The government must pass an order to allow exchange companies to borrow US dollars directly from overseas Pakistanis, foreign firms and global exchange companies, he emphasised.

The loans will be free of cost and can be rolled over, if required.

“We are in contact with millions of expatriate Pakistanis as they are our clients. They are ready to lend $1 billion a month to us (exchange companies) over the next 24 months, in addition to the usual inflows received by exchange companies.” Bostan, along with other office-bearers of the association, floated the proposal in a meeting with Senate Standing Committee on Finance Chairman Saleem Mandviwala in Islamabad, The Express Tribune reported.

Central bank officers and other high officials were present in the huddle.

“Exchange companies are already supplying $300-400 million a month, totalling $4 billion a year, to the inter-bank market,” he revealed, adding that the IMF had continued to come up with new conditions one after another, making it tough for Pakistan to give a push to its economy. He asked the government to further review its laws, rules and regulations for IT freelancers, who had deposits of billions of dollars in foreign banks. “If the regulations are softened, they will bring these deposits to Pakistan.”

Pakistans monthly inflation blew past forecasts in March and soared to a nearly all-time high level — 35.4 per cent — from a year earlier, with people feeling more pain from some of the fastest rising consumer prices amid straining budgets as cost of living continues to outstrip average incomes, according to a media report. The fresh inflation reading issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Saturday also multiplied the prospects of a further rise in interest rates in the upcoming monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting scheduled for April 4, Geo News reported.

The pace of increase in the prices endorsed the expectations of the Finance Ministry that said inflation was expected to stay at an elevated level owing to market frictions caused by relative demand and supply gap of essential items, exchange rate depreciation, and recent upward adjustment of administered prices of petrol and diesel, the report said.

The monthly inflation rate, however, declined to 3.7 per cent in March over February.

The inflation situation has worsened to its worst, steeping the masses, whose purchasing power has eroded by leaps and bounds, into misery, as the price of almost every edible item has gone through the roof over a period of months.

Core inflation, which was calculated after excluding the volatile energy and food prices, increased in March to 18.6 per cent in urban areas and 23.1 per cent in rural areas.

Analysts believe Pakistan is now heading towards hyperinflation a situation when prices are out of control and in the territory of a 50 per cent surge, Geo News reported.

PAKISTAN: FORMER ARMY CHIEF GENERAL BAJWA PUT PRESSURE ON ME TO RESTORE TIES WITH INDIA: EXPM IMRAN KHAN

CONTD. FROM PAGE 1

Bajwa wanted friendship with India and put pressure on him for this, Khan was quoted as saying by The News.Bajwa said something one day and retracted it the next day. His accountability should be initiated within the army, he said.

Answering a question about the general elections, the PTI chairman said if the elections were not held in 90 days, there would be no Constitution left in the country and then he would take direct action. Earlier this month, Pakistan again denied it was holding any “backchannel” talks with bordering India but reiterated its desire for a peaceful neighbourhood, The Express Tribune reported. “At this stage, there is no back channel (talks) between Pakistan and India,” said Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch while responding to a question at a weekly briefing, The Express Tribune reported. Relations between the two neighbouring countries have remained at a standstill for the last many years.

Pakistan had not only downgraded diplomatic ties but suspended bilateral trade with India. However, there was a chance of a possible thaw in ties when two countries engaged in backchannel talks in 2021. The secret meetings between senior security officials of Pakistan and India in the UAE led to the renewal of ceasefire understanding along the Line of Control (LoC) in February 2021, The Express Tribune reported. The next move was to restore bilateral trade but the process came to a halt when the government of then premier Khan turned down the decision to import sugar and cotton from India.

Some reports later claimed that backchannel talks even discussed the possibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Pakistan.

Pakistan Approves Bill To Curtail Powers Of Chief Justice

After the Pakistan federal cabinet approved a ‘controversial’ bill to deprive the office of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) of powers to take suo motu notice in an individual capacity, the proposed legislation was referred to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice by National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf for further deliberations. The amendments which have been proposed in the Supreme Court’s rules, have sparked a fresh debate in legal and political circles and it is expected that the bill may be struck down by the apex court, Dawn reported. Soon after the approval of the bill, called the “Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023”, by the federal cabinet in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, it was tabled in the National Assembly. The bill was introduced in the assembly through a supplementary agenda, as it was not included in the original orders of the day. It is expected that the standing committee will pass the bill in its meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Dawn reported. The bill proposes a committee of three judges headed by the chief justice which will be empowered to take suo motu notice as opposed to the earlier practice, which allowed the CJP to initiate proceedings under Article 184(3) in an individual capacity.

SALMAN KHAN JOINS SHAH RUKH KHAN'S FAMILY GAURI, ARYAN & SUHANA AT AMBANI'S EVENT; POSE TOGETHER

TIFF ANNOUNCES TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX REJUVENATION AND PARTNERSHIP WITH OCAD U

TORONTO: TIFF is delighted to announce exciting changes to its visitor experience and Membership community. Renovations to the TIFF Bell Lightbox’s third floor are well underway as part of its commitment to create a welcoming and inspiring space for all film lovers and audiences to gather. The highlight of this project is an elegant reimagining of the third-floor public spaces and the Bell Blue Room, which will reopen as a new destination for all guests of TIFF Bell Lightbox. The TIFF Membership programme is also being relaunched based on feedback from our 12,000+ Members, with new benefits to reflect and strengthen the year-round and Festival offerings TIFF Members value most. Also announced today is TIFF’s new partnership with OCAD U, which welcomes students in the Experimental Animation program as well as students who produce content for OCAD U LiVE into TIFF Bell Lightbox. “We’ve been glad to welcome millions of visitors to TIFF Bell Lightbox over the past 13 years,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. “Now, it’s time for a refresh. When film lovers walk into our new third floor, they’ll feel a warmer, more inviting environment, perfect for gathering with friends over coffee to talk film, art, or whatever sparks their imagination that day.”

TIGER STEPS IN FOR PATHAAN! IT’S WAS A BIG DAY FOR BOLLYWOOD AND HOLLYWOOD AS ALL THE STARS CAME UNDER ONE ROOF FOR THE LAUNCH OF NITA MUKESH AMBANI CULTURAL CENTRE (NMACC). THE KHANS ATTENDED THE NITA MUKESH AMBANI CULTURAL CENTRE OPENING IN MUMBAI NIGHT IN STYLE AND ELEGANCE. WHILE SALMAN KHAN ARRIVED SOLO, HE DECIDED TO FILL IN FOR SHAH RUKH KHAN AS HIS FAMILY POSED WITHOUT HIM ON THE RED CARPET. BOLLYWOOD'S BHAIJAAN WAS SPOTTED POSING ALONE AND LATER JOINED GAURI KHAN, ARYAN KHAN AND SUHANA KHAN FOR PHOTOS. THEY ALSO INDULGED IN SOME CONVERSATION AND LAUGHTER. IT WAS A SIGHT TO BEHOLD FOR THE PAPARAZZI AND MADE FOR A PICTURE-PERFECT MOMENT. A VIDEO FROM THE EVENT SHOWED SHAH RUKH KHAN'S WIFE GAURI KHAN POSING WITH ARYAN KHAN AND SUHANA KHAN. GAURI WORE A NUDE-COLOURED SAREE WITH SEQUINS DETAILING. SUHANA KHAN, ON THE OTHER HAND, LOOKED GORGEOUS IN A RED GOWN WITH A THIGH-HIGH SLIT ON THE SIDES AND ARYAN KHAN LOOKED DAPPER IN BLACK PANTS THAT HE PAIRED WITH A WINE COLOURED BLAZER WITH GOLDEN WORK ON IT. AFTER THE FAMILY WAS DONE POSING, SALMAN QUICKLY JUMPED INTO THE FRAME. AS GAURI SPOTTED HIM, SHE ASKED HER KIDS TO STAY BACK FOR ANOTHER PHOTO. ALL FOUR POSED FOR PHOTOS TOGETHER.

KANGANA FINDS 'DESI KIDS WHO SPEAK HINDI IN SECOND-HAND BRIT ACCENT' ANNOYING

LADY GAGA DISPLAYS HER VOCAL PROWESS, SINGS & DANCES DURING 'JOKER 2' FILMING

DIANA PENTY ROPED IN FOR AMITABH BACHCHANSTARRER 'SECTION 84'

Slated to open in time for the Festival, TIFF’s third-floor public spaces are being redesigned by Toronto-based design studio DesignAgency to reflect the classic and nostalgic sentiment of film, and will feature an inviting cafébar in the Bell Blue Room. I CONTD. ON PAGE 23

FORMER INDIA CRICKETER SALIM DURANI PASSES AWAY AT 88

KANGANA RANAUT SAID THAT SHE FINDS ENGLISH SPEAKING “DESI KIDS” WHO SPEAK HINDI IN A TACKY SECOND HAND BRITISH ACCENT IRRITATING.

OVER THE WEEKEND, THE 37-YEAR-OLD WAS SEEN SHOOTING SCENES FOR THE SEQUEL AT A FAMILIAR PLACE.

DIANA PENTY WILL BE SEEN SHARING SCREEN SPACE WITH MEGASTAR AMITABH BACHCHAN IN THE UPCOMING COURTROOM DRAMA THRILLER 'SECTION 84'.

TO WATCH ALL THE LATEST GOSSIP IN ENTERTAINMENT,WATCH CHANNEL Y ROGERS 857, BELLFIBE 828, TELUS 2418

Y MEDIA TEAM AT TORONTO SMASHERS BADMINTON CLUB'S AWARDS NIGHT & DINNER GALA

Salim Durani, one of the finest all-rounders that have played for India, passed away at his home here after a prolonged battle with cancer, on Sunday. He was 88, according to a family source. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, Durani had Pashtun origins and was known for his batting and bowling prowess that left the spectators thrilled. “He will always be remembered for hitting sixes when spectators demanded. Hitting sixes during that period was rare,” remembered a family friend in Mumbai. A slow left-arm orthodox bowler and left-handed batsman, Durani was the hero of India’s series victory against England in 1961-62, claiming 8 and 10 wickets in India’s wins in the Calcutta and Madras Tests, respectively. He also played a key role in India’s maiden Test win against the West Indies in 1972, taking the wicket of key batters Clive Llyod and Gary Sobers. He is the first cricketer to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award and was awarded the C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the BCCI in 2011. In 29 Tests, Durani scored 1202 runs at an average of 25.04 hitting one century and seven half-centuries. In his 50 innings, Durani scalped 74 victims at an average of 35.42, claiming 5 wickets in an innings on five occasions and 10 wickets in a match once. He had a best haul of 6/73 in an innings.

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