WASHINGTON: The IMF on Thursday approved the disbursement of US$1.386 billion to Pakistan under the Rapid Financing Instrument to address the economic impact of the coronavirus shock. “While uncertainty remains high, the near-term economic impact of COVID-19 is expected to be significant, giving rise to large fiscal and external financing needs,” the international lender said in a statement. Pakistan has …
The UK government on Friday announced the schedule for chartered flights run by Qatar Airways which will repatriate around 2,500 British citizens stuck in Pakistan. Pakistan’s national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has also announced daily flights from Pakistan to UK but has not announced the exact schedule yet. The chartered Qatar Airways flights from Islamabad to London will run …
ISLAMABAD: The government on Saturday extended the suspension of international and domestic flight operations till April 30 in line with national strategy to stem the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). “As per the decision of the Government of Pakistan, the suspension of international and domestic flight operations as effected earlier has been extended upto Thursday, April 30, this year at …
PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Farman said Saturday that the government remained in liaison with Ulema in consultation process in the wake of coronavirus in the province. Talking in a video link conference of Ulema under the chair of President Dr. Arif Alvi today(Saturday), the governor proposed eight member Ulema committee across the country in making decisions with government regarding …
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday rejected a petition against the ban imposed on congregational prayers to limit the spread of the coronavirus. An application submitted to the SHC maintained that the provincial government’s decision to close mosques is a violation of fundamental rights and the law does not permit the government to stop citizens from offering Friday prayers in mosques. However, the SHC …
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said the religious scholars’ (Ulema) cooperation was required to contain the spread of coronavirus and he would soon meet their delegation in that regard. The prime minister was talking to the renowned religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil, who called on him at the PM Office. The prime minister lauded Maulana Tariq Jamil’s public …
ISLAMABAD: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is set to provide Pakistan the equipment for testing of COVID-19 through use of nuclear-derived technique, the Foreign Office said on Friday. “IAEA will provide Pakistan a Polymerase Chain Reaction PCR machine, bio-hazard safety cabinets, test kits and related consumer goods to help fight the novel coronavirus through the nuclear derived technique,” Foreign Office …
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday said the decision by G-20 countries to give debt relief to developing countries will have “substantial impact” on Pakistan, allowing the country a much needed “fiscal space” to focus on the downtrodden against the backdrop of Covid-19. Qureshi’s statement came just hours after finance ministers of G-20 countries announced a major debt relief …
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday appreciated the debt relief measures taken by the G20 countries, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank for the developing countries including Pakistan. The prime minister said this in a meeting with his Finance Advisor Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh who called on him here, a PM Office press release said. The finance advisor informed …
ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Thursday that Prime Minister Imran Khan eased the lockdown for facilitation of the people, and ensuring timely supply of essential goods and other facilities. In a tweet she said that this step did not mean that that the challenge of corona pandemic was …