Author: Ayan Achakzai

Pakistan’s Foreign Exchange Reserves Rise by $43 Million, Rupee Hits Five-Month High The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported an increase of $43 million in its foreign exchange reserves during the week ending on September 13, bringing the total to $9.509 billion. This boost brings Pakistan’s overall reserves to $14.826 billion, which includes $5.316 billion held by commercial banks. Although the SBP did not specify the source of this inflow, currency market experts believe that the central bank is purchasing dollars from the interbank market as part of its regular operations. This increase comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the…

Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Ordinance 2024 Signed into Law In a significant development, President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed the much-debated Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Amendment Ordinance 2024 into law, shortly after it received approval from the federal cabinet. This ordinance aims to revise certain procedural aspects of the apex court, particularly the power dynamics within it. Federal Cabinet’s Approval The ordinance was approved by the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, just hours before the President’s signature. The federal cabinet adopted the ordinance “through a circulation” after it was forwarded by the Ministry…

Pakistan Passport Production Increase: Backlog Cleared, Capacity Boosted Pakistan’s passport production has seen a marked increase in recent months. Major cities like Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore have now cleared their passport backlogs, according to the Director-General of Passports. The department has also delivered over 24,000 passports to overseas Pakistanis. This surge in production comes as a response to growing demand, with daily processing capacity now boosted to 65,000 passports. To stay updated on this, visit our Pakistan News section. Why Has Passport Production Increased in Pakistan? 1. Growing Demand for Passports Pakistan’s demand for passports has surged in recent years.…

Why Pakistan is Struggling to Eradicate Polio as Cases Surge in Balochistan The recent confirmation of the 18th polio case in Pakistan, particularly in Quetta, raises concerns about the country’s struggle to eliminate this preventable disease. The resurgence, especially in Balochistan, where 13 cases have been reported this year, highlights significant gaps in the national immunization campaign and why Pakistan lags behind in the global effort to eradicate polio. For more updates on health issues, visit our Pakistan News section. Why Polio Cases Are Growing 1. Disrupted Immunization Campaigns According to Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) officials, disruptions in the immunization…

PPP Chairman Discusses Constitutional Courts Amendment and Upcoming CJP Appointment PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has expressed confidence that Justice Mansoor Ali Shah will be appointed as the next chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), taking over from Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who is set to retire next month. Additionally, Bhutto-Zardari outlined his party’s vision for the constitutional courts amendment, which is part of a broader package of reforms that the PPP and PML-N leadership are advocating through the Charter of Democracy. Importance of the Constitutional Courts Amendment During a televised interview, Bhutto-Zardari emphasized the need for creating constitutional courts as outlined…

US Sanctions on Pakistan Missile Programme: Balancing Partnership and Security The recent US sanctions on Pakistan’s missile programme are not the first instance where Washington has imposed penalties on its long-term ally. The US continues to maintain a strategic partnership with Pakistan while acting in its national interest through sanctions aimed at curbing missile proliferation and protecting global security. This delicate balance between enforcing international non-proliferation standards and maintaining a cooperative relationship underscores the complexities of US-Pakistan ties. For more on this, visit our Pakistan News section. US History of Sanctions Against Pakistan Amid Partnership Over the years, the US…

Government Inducts Experts in Ministries to Boost Governance Efficiency The government inducts experts in ministries in a bid to modernize governance and improve efficiency. By bringing in professionals from the private sector and international markets, Pakistan aims to overcome its current governance challenges. This decision is set to replace the traditional generalist bureaucracy with field-specific experts who can implement research-based, data-driven decisions to steer the country toward sustainable growth. For more insights, visit our Pakistan News section. Importance of Experts in Ministries for Better Governance 1. Data-Driven Decision Making One of the most significant advantages of the government’s decision is…

Hezbollah-Israel Conflict Escalation: Explosions and Rising Tensions in Lebanon The Hezbollah-Israel conflict escalation has reached a dangerous new phase after a series of deadly explosions in southern Lebanon on September 15, 2024. These blasts, allegedly orchestrated by Israel’s Mossad, targeted Hezbollah’s communication devices, killing 20 people and injuring more than 450. The latest attacks mark a significant security breach for Hezbollah, intensifying fears of a broader regional war. For more updates, visit our Middle East News section. Historical Context of Hezbollah-Israel Tensions The Hezbollah-Israel conflict has been ongoing for decades, with Hezbollah forming in the 1980s as a resistance force…

Constitutional Amendment Protest by Pakistan Bar Council Prominent members of the Pakistan Bar Council, including Shafqat Mehmood Chohaun, Abid Shahid Zuberi, Ishtiaq A Khan, Shahab Sarki, Tahir Faraz Abbasi, and Munir Ahmed Kakar, have expressed deep concerns over the proposed constitutional amendments. These amendments, introduced in what they describe as a “secretive and clandestine manner,” are criticized for violating parliamentary procedure and undermining the independence of the judiciary. For more details, visit our Pakistan News section. Concerns Over Constitutional Amendment Process The legal fraternity argues that the proposed amendments are being pushed through without proper debate or transparency, violating the…

Struggle for Constitutional Amendment Support in Parliament On September 15, the government of Pakistan worked intensively to gather the necessary support for a controversial constitutional amendment that includes setting the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) at three years. Despite extensive political activity over the weekend, Senator Irfan Siddiqui of the ruling PML-N announced that the bill would not be tabled in either house of Parliament due to a lack of assured votes. This decision comes amid ongoing negotiations with coalition partners and opposition parties to reach the required majority. For further details, visit our Pakistan News section.…