World in Focus

International  Nov. 16: US President Donald Trump granted full pardons to two American military officials and restored the rank of a third—although all three were found guilty of committing war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq. Nov. 16: Finland qualified for the Euro 2020 finals—first major tournament in their history—with a 3-0 win over Liechtenstein. Nov. 17: Dubai Air Show 2019 …

INTERNATIONAL Oct. 16: Etihad Airways and Air Arabia agreed to jointly set up Abu Dhabi’s first low-cost airline “Air Arabia Abu Dhabi”. Oct. 16: Kenya opened a $1.5 billion Chinese-built railway line linking Nairobi to Naivasha. Oct. 17: Qatar’s government adopted a new minimum wage law that will scrap mandatory exit visas for all workers. Oct. 17: US Vice President …

NATIONAL Oct. 16: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) was recognised as the “7th most effective regulator” by the World Economic Forum in its ‘Global Competitiveness Report-2019’. Oct. 16: Pakistan and Egypt agreed to work out measures for capturing untapped economic potential and promoting bilateral trade. Oct. 16: With 20.3 percent of its population undernourished, Pakistan ranked 94th …

National July 16: World Health Organisation (WHO), during a meeting with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, recommended patient safety standards for Pakistan. July 16: Pakistan fully reopened its airspace for all civilian traffic, following months of restrictions imposed in the wake of a standoff with India in February. July 16: The State Bank of …

National June 16: Pakistan Army announced postings and transfers of three-star officers, appointing Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed as new Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). June 16: Pakistan’s former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif was granted first extension in his service as Commander of 39-country Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC). June 16: Eminent poet Zehra …

Power Play in the Indian Ocean The Great Game Moves to Sea Magazine Desk India, China and the United States, the three major powers, which together account for nearly half of the global economy, are vying for influence in the Indian Ocean arena. All three of them view the region through their own geostrategic frameworks, ensuring intense jostling at best …

The Federal Budget 2019-20 Rarely if ever, except perhaps during the initial years after our independence in 1947, has Pakistan faced such dire economic straits as those that confront it today. Consequently, the template of the federal budget was cast by the IMF programme terms that the country recently agreed with the Fund at the staff-level and has duly complied …

   European Elections Young people chose Europe! The European Parliament elections are over, with the liberal wing sighing with relief, while the right wingers can smugly point to the increase to 25% of representation in the world’s second largest democratically-elected parliament. The good news is that the elections gained something of a new momentum. Since its first-ever direct elections in …

Second Belt and Road Forum Key Takeaways Magazine Desk The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was held in Beijing from April 25 to 27 under the theme “Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future”. The forum consisted of the opening ceremony, the Leaders’ Roundtable, the high-level meeting, 12 thematic forums and a CEO conference. 40 …

National Feb 16: Sarah Mahboob easily won the SN Ladies National Tennis, beating Sara Mansoor in final. Feb 16: Members of the Balochistan Assembly unanimously nominated Akhtar Hussain Langove of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) as chairman of the provincial Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Feb 17: In the aftermath of the Pulwama incident, India raised the customs duty to 200% …