Here’s what’s happening across the border: PM House buffaloes auctioned as Imran Khan’s austerity measures continue; IMF reaches Pakistan to review its economic health.
First Lady Bushra Maneka says Imran Khan a true leader in modern times
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s third wife and first lady Bushra Maneka, in an interview with Hum News, supported her husband in his efforts to bring changes in Pakistan, reported The Express Tribune.
Maneka said the tabdeeli (change) which Khan wants to bring to the country will take time. She added, “He does not have a magic wand to fix everything.”
She also said Khan has no “personal interests when it comes to Pakistan.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rT5wEfl66A&feature=youtu.be
Maneka also pointed out that there is a difference between a leader and a politician. She added, “Imran is a true leader in the modern times.”
According to Maneka, “In the 21st century, there are only two leaders — Imran Khan and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.”
She also went on to say that Pakistan is lucky to have a leader like Khan, who is “working tirelessly for the betterment of the country.”
Buffalo auction another step in Imran Khan’s austerity drive
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s austerity drive witnessed a new development Thursday when eight buffaloes at the Prime Minister’s House were auctioned, reported The Express Tribune.
The federal government was able to raise more than Rs 2.3 million from the auction, with the highest bid going up to Rs 3,85,000.
The report said three cattle were bought by Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) supporters. The buyers can get their livestock Friday.
Earlier in September, the government also sold 61 luxury cars.
Pakistan army chief says ‘terrorism contained effectively’
Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Thursday said terrorism is now contained across the country with the support of the nation, reported The News International.
During a three-day international conference at the Air University in Islamabad, Baja said the nation and the armed forces have done a lot to bring back peace to the country. He also said that the army will keep doing all that is required of it for sustained socio-economic progress, added the report.
However, Bajwa urged everyone to remain vigilant and follow the correct course to move from “survival to revival”.
Pak-American businessman Shahid Khan could buy London’s Wembley Stadium
Pakistani-American businessman Shahid Khan, owner of Fulham FC of the Premier League and Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League, has moved a step closer to buying the Wembley Stadium after the Football Association (FA) board agreed to let him present his £600 million plan in front of FA council members, said The News International’s report.
Wembley, in northwest London, is considered to be the spiritual home of football in England. It was reopened in 2007 after a seven-year rebuilding project that cost more than £757 million.
Senior FA executives believe selling the stadium to Khan will provide a huge cash boost for English football as well as the stadium’s hospitality business that will generate more than £300 million revenue in future.
The businessman is scheduled to meet the FA council on 11 October.
IMF delegation in Islamabad to review Pakistan’s economic health
An International Monetary Fund team arrived in Islamabad Thursday for a week-long visit to review Pakistan’s economic situation, The Nation reported.
A News International report quoted a top government official who revealed that once estimates of the country’s financing requirements were figured out, Islamabad could then decide if an IMF bailout is necessary or the country could handle its economic challenges without it.
The IMF team will hold the review under its annual process — Article IV Consultations — for each of its 189 member countries.
The talks are scheduled to take place on two levels: technical and policy level.
The technical team would be spearheaded by finance secretary Arif Ahmad Khan. Discussions for policy level will be held subsequently by Finance Minister Asad Umar.
The IMF delegation is set to hold assessments with Pakistan’s economic team on Imran Khan government’s recently tabled mini-budget, added the report.
Amnesty International asks Pakistan authorities to not intimidate journalists
International human rights NGO Amnesty International said Friday that authorities in Pakistan must make sure that their country’s criminal justice system is not used to subdue and silence journalists.
The NGO made the statement after the Lahore High Court decided to issue a non-bailable warrant against Dawn journalist Cyril Almeida who has been called for a hearing on 8 October in connection with his May 2018 interview with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
In the interview, Sharif alleged that non-state actors (militant outfits) were active in the country and questioned how they could be allowed to stage the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
“Cyril Almeida has simply been doing his job as a journalist. He conducted an interview with a former prime minister and reported what he was told,” said Amnesty International deputy South Asia director Omar Waraich.
He added, “While the Lahore High Court is entitled to demand his appearance, the authorities must be careful not to use the criminal justice system to harass or intimidate journalists.”
There is magic wand called capitalism and free markets which no Indian or Pakistani leader will use.