Author: Ayan Achakzai

Pakistan Inflation Drops to 6.9% in September 2024, Lowest Since January 2021 Pakistan inflation drops to 6.9% year-on-year in September 2024, the lowest inflation rate since January 2021, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). This significant drop, down from 9.6% in August, is attributed to easing global commodity prices, a stable exchange rate, and the impact of tight monetary policies. Inflation Hits 44-Month Low The latest data from PBS reveals that inflation decreased by 0.5% month-on-month in September. This sharp drop in inflation surpassed market expectations and official projections, offering relief to Pakistan’s economy. For more insights on…

Iran Launches Missile Strike on Israel in Response to Assassinations Iran has launched a barrage of missiles at Israel, retaliating for the assassinations of senior officials from Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The missile strike has escalated the conflict, pushing the region closer to all-out war. Iranian Missiles Target Israeli Military Bases Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that the missile attack was in direct response to the killings of Hassan Nasrallah (Hezbollah leader), Abbas Nilforoushan (IRGC commander), and Ismail Haniyeh (Hamas leader). Iran claims to have hit three military bases in the Tel Aviv area. You…

Israel Begins Ground Operations in Lebanon Amid Hezbollah Conflict Israel has launched ground operations in Lebanon, escalating its conflict with Hezbollah after two weeks of heavy airstrikes. The Israeli military said its forces entered southern Lebanon on Monday night, focusing on Hezbollah positions that it claimed posed immediate threats to Israel. Israel Targets Hezbollah Strongholds The 98th division, consisting of elite paratroopers and commandos, led the ground raids, supported by air and artillery units. The troops conducted local, targeted operations in villages near the Lebanese-Israeli border. Israel claims these areas housed Hezbollah fighters who had launched rockets into northern Israel.…

Pak-Afghan Border at Kharlachi Reopens After Nine-Day Closure The Pak-Afghan border at Kharlachi in Kurram district reopened on Tuesday, following a nine-day closure caused by clashes between rival tribes. The border’s reopening has alleviated the dire situation faced by residents due to shortages of essential supplies. Clashes Lead to Border Closure= According to local police, peace has been restored after tribal clashes that erupted over a land dispute between two rival groups. The violence had escalated into widespread conflict, impacting multiple regions, including Pewar, Teri Mangal, and Sadda. During the clashes, vital trade routes were blocked, cutting off the supply…

Justice Munib Akhtar Protests Supreme Court Bench Handling Article 63-A Review Justice Munib Akhtar has voiced his protest against the Supreme Court’s decision to proceed with the review petition on Article 63-A without him. In a letter to the court, Justice Munib raised concerns about the four-member bench’s ability to conduct hearings when a five-member bench had originally been constituted. Justice Munib’s Protest In his second letter, Justice Munib Akhtar explained his absence from the hearing, stating he could not sit on a bench formed by the Supreme Court’s Practice and Procedure Committee. Despite his unavailability, the bench, led by…

Punjab Government to Spend Rs612 Million on Luxury Vehicles Amid Economic Crisis As Pakistan faces financial difficulties, the Punjab government has announced plans to spend Rs612 million on purchasing 76 luxury vehicles for parliamentary secretaries and provincial ministers’ protocol duties. This decision comes despite the country’s ongoing austerity measures aimed at reducing administrative expenditures. Breakdown of Vehicle Procurement According to sources, the Punjab government plans to procure the following: •29 luxury vehicles worth Rs220 million for parliamentary secretaries. •15 vehicles valued at Rs90 million for the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD). •30 vehicles costing Rs200.9 million for provincial ministers’…

Article 63-A in Pakistan: A Deep Dive into Historical Applications, Controversies, and the Supreme Court Review Article 63-A of Pakistan’s Constitution addresses the disqualification of lawmakers on the grounds of defection. This article has been a focal point of debate, with the Supreme Court of Pakistan revisiting its 2022 verdict. The current five-member bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, is reviewing whether the votes of dissident lawmakers should be counted. This review has sparked new conversations about the role of defections in Pakistani politics and the implications of this article on party discipline. What Is Article 63-A? Article…

Pakistan to Abolish 150,000 Jobs, Close Ministries Under IMF Loan Deal Pakistan has announced significant reforms to reduce administrative expenditures, including the abolition of 150,000 government jobs and the closure of six ministries. These changes are part of the country’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under a $7 billion loan deal aimed at stabilizing the economy. IMF Loan Conditions and Government Reforms On September 26, the IMF approved the first tranche of over $1 billion following Pakistan’s commitment to implementing tough economic reforms. These include cutting public sector expenditures, expanding the tax base, and taxing non-traditional sectors such…

Punjab Section 144 Expansion: Government Tables Bill to Extend Powers The Punjab provincial government has proposed a bill to expand the powers granted under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The bill, introduced in the provincial assembly, seeks to extend the duration during which restrictions on public gatherings can be imposed. Proposed Changes to Section 144 in Punjab Currently, Section 144 allows the government to impose restrictions for up to two days, extendable to seven days if there is a risk to public safety. The new amendment, however, would allow the Deputy Commissioner to extend these restrictions…

Karachi Protests Over Nasrallah Killing: Clashes with Police Near U.S. Consulate Protests erupted in Karachi on Sunday as demonstrators clashed with police while attempting to reach the U.S. consulate. The rally was organized in response to the killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike. Protesters, numbering around 3,000, chanted anti-American slogans and carried posters of Nasrallah. Clashes Between Protesters and Police Tensions escalated when stone-throwing protesters breached police barricades, leading to clashes with law enforcement. Seven police officers were injured during the confrontation and are currently receiving treatment. Police Deputy Inspector General Asad Raza stated that…