Friday, 27 August, 2021 I 18 Muharram, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 57 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition
Unveiling three-year performance report, pm says economy improved Under pti
d
uring the three-year rule of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf government, Prime Minister imran Khan highlighted that his government had made progress in improving the economy and welfare of the country. On completion of three years in office, Prime Minister imran Khan highlighted the key achievements of his government on August 29, marking a journey of stable economy and development and welfare projects, reported radio Pakistan. The PM launched the Three-year Performance report at the Convention Centre islamabad to give an insight into the efforts of each ministry and division in facilitating the common man in line with the vision of naya Pakistan. The prime minister began the speech by welcoming “all our chief ministers, governors and the leaders of AJK who have just been elected” before commending Sindh governor imran ismail for singing his famous Tabdeeli song prior to his speech. “i’m not sure if he has more talent for singing or governance,” PM imran said
about the governor’s performance. He then recalled the time when his party was nascent and “had just five to six people who were mocked for being PTi representatives”. He compared this to his career as a cricketer, wherein the premier said that one could get standing ovations one moment, and be cursed the next. He underscored that this prepared him for a life of struggles. “until you go through struggles, you cannot do anything big,” the prime minister said. “no leader became big with a shortcut. Quaid-e-Azam was a big leader. He struggled in his life and people will always remember him [for that].” On assumption of power in August 2018, the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf government faced numerous inherited challenges, said imran. However, in three years, the journey of development has added several feathers to the cap of the government. “When we assumed power, the [current account] deficit was $20billion and now it is $1.8 billion. Our foreign currency reserves
coronavirUs in
pakistan
CONFIRMED CASES:
1,140,411
LAST UPDATED AT 12:43 PM ON AUGUST 26, 2021
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
NEW CASES:
85
4,553
RECOVERED:
DEATHS:
1,022,847 25,320 SINDH:
PUNJAB:
425,570
385,258
KPK:
BALOCHISTAN:
158,964 AJK/GB: 31,294/9,769
32,014 ISLAMABAD:
97,542
were $16.4bn when we assumed power and today they are at $27 billion. Our tax collection was rs3800 billion three years ago and now it has reached rs4700 billion. “We had no capital to settle loans. We had no foreign exchange. The current account deficit we faced was of $20 billion. if Saudi Arabia, China and uAE had not helped us at the time, rupee would have declined further and caused us some real damage,” he said. “We had to go to the iMF and whoever you acquire loan from they set [certain] conditions,” he added. “We witnessed record sales in motorcycles and tractors, while car sales saw an 85 percent increase. it means that the people’s lifestyle is improving.” Defending the authenticity of the figures he quoted, PM imran quipped: “These figures are not of ishaq Dar’s, these are real.” The prime minister accused his rivals of “spreading hopelessness because they want the old system back”. it bears mentioning that The Economist recently ranked Pakistan as the ‘third-best performing country’ for handling the Covid19 pandemic. Moreover, he highlighted that the national Accountability Beauru had recovered rs519 billion in their anti-corruption efforts, whereas it had only recovered rs 290 billion in the 18 years prior to the PTi assuming office. The prime minister then mentioned the country’s tiff with india in the aftermath of Pulwama incident and thanked the armed forces for their part. “i appreciate our army and air force. As they (indian fighter jets) came into our territory and launched an offensive, we realised the [power] of our army.” Without naming any names, the premier accused a “mafia” of defaming state institutions, particularly the army. “i also criticised the army in the past,” he said. “Judiciary and army also make mistakes but it doesn’t mean we should [expect] them to topple the democratic government. News Desk
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Up to 20 dead in Kabul airport blasts as airlift deadline looms Two powerful explosions outside Kabul airport killed as many as 20 people on Thursday, just hours after Western nations warned of an imminent terror threat and thousands of people gathered hoping for a flight out of Talibancontrolled Afghanistan. The blasts came as the August 31 deadline looms for the united States to withdraw its troops, and for it and other Western countries to end a massive airlift that has already evacuated nearly 100,000 people. The airport is the only part of the country under foreign control following the Taliban's return to power on August 15, and huge crowds have massed in the hope of being evacuated. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's main spokesman, told AFP that “between 13 and 20” people were killed and 52 wounded in the twin blasts, while Kabul hospitals reported six dead and up to 90 wounded. The Pentagon said “a number” of uS troops died in what spokesman John Kirby called a complex attack. uS President Joe Biden had earlier cited an “acute” terrorist threat from the regional chapter of the militant islamic State group. The Taliban condemned the
CJP has sole discretion to invoke suo motu action: SC The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Chief Justice of Pakistan has the sole discretion to invoke suo motu action, recalling its earlier order regarding harassment of media persons. Last Friday, a two-judge bench — consisting of Justice isa and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel — took notice of an application moved by the Press Association of the Supreme Court, highlighting the purported incidents of harassment of journalists. in an order issued the same day, the judges said since the application had raised matters of public importance with reference to the enforcement of fundamental rights, it met the criteria for invoking the suo motu jurisdiction under Article 184(3) of the Constitution. On Thursday, a five-member larger bench of the apex court headed by Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice umar Ata Bandial maintained that “no other bench can invoke suo motu jurisdiction.” it added that the “substantive claims” made in the application by the Press Association of the Supreme Court and other petitioners would be placed in front of the chief jus-
blasts, saying they were in an area under uS military control. “The islamic Emirate strongly condemns the bombing targeting civilians at Kabul airport,” said a statement released by Mujahid on Twitter. A uS official earlier said uS service members were among the wounded, adding he was citing an initial report and cautioning that it could change. He said there were casualties but did not know how many or of what nationality. Thousands of people have been gathering outside the airport in recent days. Western troops are racing to evacuate foreigners and Afghans who helped Western countries during the 20-year war against the Taliban, and to get out themselves by an Aug 31 deadline. News Desk
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Taliban will allow Americans, atrisk Afghans to leave after Aug 31: Blinken STORY ON BACK PAGE
more inside
WFP thanks Pakistan for helping repair damaged humanitarian aid planes STORY ON BACK PAGE
tice for consideration. “no bench may take any step or make any order (whether in any pending proceedings or otherwise) as would or could constitute exercise of the suo motu jurisdiction (such as, but not limited to, the issuance of any notice, making any enquiry or summoning any person or authority or any report unless and until the chief justice has invoked/assumed the said jurisdiction,” the order issued today added. During the hearing, Justice Bandial said there was “no difference of opinion” on the harassment of journalists. He said that the application filed by the Press Association of Supreme Court and others would
still be valid and action would be taken. However, he noted that the Supreme Court had to take action in accordance with the law and its authority. “if something is done to journalists, Supreme Court will stand as a wall with them. Protecting the Constitution and ensuring basic rights is the responsibility of the judiciary,” observed Justice Ahsan. Justice Amin said journalists would “never be disappointed” by the Supreme Court. PSA President Amjad Bhatti said the apex court had raised legal questions, therefore, journalists could not present arguments in cooperation. News Desk
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Afghanistan will get $1bn transit royalty from TAPi: FM STORY ON PAGE 03
Getting vaccinated only way to control coronavirus: Asad Umar STORY ON PAGE 02
Clash between tribal groups claims eight lives STORY ON PAGE 02