Day: April 23, 2024

A British-Pakistani traveler has raised serious allegations against a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officer for allegedly subjecting him to torture at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport.

The incident occurred on Monday when the British citizen, who had arrived from Dubai, lodged a formal complaint with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) against ASI Bilal, prompting swift action against the accused officer.

According to the complaint, the passenger approached the immigration counter where ASI Bilal demanded an e-visa. However, due to a dead mobile phone battery, the passenger requested to verify the visa using his passport number. This simple request reportedly led to verbal abuse from the officer.

The situation escalated when ASI Bilal allegedly resorted to violence, punching the passenger in the face and ear, resulting in a nosebleed and ear injury. ‘I was punched in the face and ear by ASI, causing blood to flow from my ear,’ stated the British national victim.

In response to the complain
t, both the CAA and FIA have launched separate investigations into the matter to ascertain the facts and determine appropriate disciplinary measures. Director FIA Lahore, Sarfraz Virk, wasted no time in suspending ASI Bilal from duty pending the outcome of the inquiry.

The CAA spokesperson reiterated the authority’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all passengers at Pakistani airports. They pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and take necessary action to uphold the integrity of airport security personnel.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said the country’s foreign exchange reserves are expected to hover between nine to ten billion dollars by the end of this fiscal year.

Addressing inaugural session of the 7th Leaders in Islamic Business Summit in Islamabad today, he said at present the foreign exchange reserves stand at eight billion dollars. He said the last tranche from the IMF understand by arrangement will take the foreign exchange reserves to over nine billion dollars. He said this is a much better position in comparison to the previous year when the foreign exchange reserves had dipped to three point four billion dollars.

The Finance Minister also expressed satisfaction over the bumper crops saying the agriculture is growing by five percent.

Muhammad Aurangzeb said stock market is at all time high and foreign buyers are also coming in the market.

The Finance Minister said the government has initiated discussion with the IMF for a larger and longer program in order to bring permanence in the m
acroeconomic stability and ensure execution of structural reforms agenda.

He said the government has set targets to keep current account deficit and fiscal deficit within reasonable limits.

He said tax collection increased by thirty point two percent in the first nine months of current fiscal year.

The Finance Minister said the government is working to attract foreign direct investment in the country.

Addressing the summit, Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gillani emphasized the importance of checking the population growth through awareness amongst the people about family planning.

The Chairman said the world community should also support Pakistan to deal with the challenge posed by climate change.

Addressing the Summit, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan has great potential to achieve economic growth.

He however emphasized the need for political stability in order to take the country forward.

He said collective efforts are need of the hour to put the country on positive trajec
tory.

Source: Radio Pakistan

The President of Iran Dr. Ebrahim Raisi reached Karachi along with his delegations on the last leg of his tour of Pakistan.

The visiting President was accorded warm welcome at the airport by Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and other dignitaries.

Later, the Iranian President visited Mazar of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi.

The visiting dignitary laid floral wreath at the Mazar, offered fateha and paid tribute to the great leader of Pakistan for his leadership skills.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has said power sector reforms will be implemented with a clear timeline after approval by the Prime Minister.

Talking to a delegation of Pakistan Business Council in Islamabad, he said these reforms will promote favorable environment for industrial development in the country.

The delegation highlighted important issues affecting the industries and made recommendations to improve the power sector.

The Federal Minister said all the recommendations presented by the Pakistan Business Council are included in the reform agenda of the power sector.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable development and promoting inclusive growth.

He was talking to Country Lead for Pakistan at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Syed Ali Mahmood and CEO of Karandaaz Waqas ul Hassan who called on him in Islamabad today.

The meeting focused on exploring avenues for collaboration and innovative solutions to address key developmental challenges in Pakistan.

Syed Ali Mahmood shared insights from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s ongoing initiatives in Pakistan, particularly in context of financial inclusion.

He appreciated the Government’s ambition for digitalizing the economy and offered support.

He further expressed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s efforts in achieving its development goals and improving the lives of its citizens.

Waqas ul Hassan provided an overview of Karandaaz’s role in promoting financial inclusion and entrepreneurship in Pakistan.

He hig
hlighted the Foundation’s focus on fostering innovation and expanding access to financial services for underserved communities, thereby contributing to economic empowerment and poverty alleviation.

The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of partnership and collaboration in driving sustainable development.

During the discussions, Sustainable growth and management of Raast, connectivity of Raast with Buna and digitalization of the tax system were discussed as the critical initiatives for collaboration.

Source: Radio Pakistan