Here’s what’s happening across the border: Foreign journalist says Imran gave her an interview but aide says no, and actress to launch ‘Inkar karo’ movement in line with #MeToo.
Stock market gains 1,000 points after Saudi loan pledge
The Pakistan stock market has shot up by 1,000 points following the anticipated infusion of a $6 billion loan from Saudi Arabia, following the visit of prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday.
Thank you Mr Prime Minister, tweeted @Faraz999, a self-proclaimed entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Thank you Mr. PM @ImranKhanPTI After the successful visit of KSA. Stock market is up over 1000 points. It is just a small glimpse and a beginning of so many successes of the future. IA pic.twitter.com/wL56XV891D
— Faraz Chaudhry (@Faraz999) October 24, 2018
Bloomberg journalist Faseeh Mangi has also tweeted saying that the Pakistan stock market has skyrocketed.
Pakistan's stock market has skyrocketed today after Saudi bailout of $6 billion – its surged so much only on twice since 2010 pic.twitter.com/rm1p0vfkPF
— Faseeh Mangi (@FaseehMangi) October 24, 2018
After meetings with the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, it was announced that Saudi Arabia would offer a bailout package for Pakistan’s ailing economy. The package is currently worth $6 billion — with $3 billion in balance of payments support and another $3 billion in deferred payments on oil imports.
But finance minister Asad Umar told Geo News that the total amount of money would be double that, as much as $12 billion, because the deferred payments for oil imports would continue for another two years.
Meanwhile, finance ministry spokesman told Reuters that Pakistan would still go ahead with negotiations with the IMF, despite the Saudi bailout.
Foreign journalist says Imran gave her an interview, aide says no
Naeem ul Haque, Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s special assistant on political affairs, has denied foreign media reports quoting Khan as saying that he was “desperate” to get loans from Saudi Arabia in order to shore up the country’s economy.
However, Irish journalist Amanda Coakley, who along with two British journalists reported their meeting with Imran Khan in their respective newspapers, has rejected this claim.
Haque has denied that Imran Khan had ever used those words in his meeting with the British journalists. In fact, Haque said, there was no such interview in the first place and, that it was only a casual, informal meeting.
PM did not give any interview. A delegation of foreigners touring Pakistan called on him and were told about the state of affairs we are faced with. Why can’t senior journalists like you get our version.
— Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) October 23, 2018
But Coakley retorted in a tweet, pointing out that each of the journalists had a recording device placed next to Khan and that the interview lasted 70 minutes. She also claimed that none other than the information minister Fawad Chaudhry was part of the meeting.
@naeemul_haque @mehreenzahra @GulBukhari @AliaChughtai I beg to differ Mr ul Haque. On Sunday 14th three British journalists and myself an Irish journalist went to Pak as part of a UK Media Delegation and were offered an interview with PM Khan. https://t.co/yxlMZxzRNK
— Amanda Coakley (@amandamcoakley) October 23, 2018
On Saturday 20th we met the PM and conducted an on-the-record interview which lasted 1 hour and 12 minutes. You were in attendance as was Mr Fawad Chaudhry and Mr Sarfraz Hussain, picture attached. pic.twitter.com/kNg1heD1oM
— Amanda Coakley (@amandamcoakley) October 23, 2018
Benazir Bhutto’s daughter Bakhtawar lashes out at Imran
Benazir Bhutto’s daughter Bakhtawar seems to be getting interested in politics. Her brother Bilawal is the head of the Pakistan People’s Party and is considered a rising star, despite his foreign accent. Could Bakhtawar be following suit?
In a tweet, Bakhtawar said Tuesday that Pakistan instead was in a “desperate” requirement of “real leadership” as opposed to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent statement on the country getting “desperate” to get foreign loans to stave off debts.
She said this was a matter of embarrassment for Khan to use such a phrase.
Pakistan is not desperate for foreign loans. We are desperate for real leadership. We are desperate for fair elections. I’ve never seen such an absurd and pathetic statement from a head of state. Embarrassment is an understatement. https://t.co/v9LZpHxvLG
— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) October 23, 2018
Pakistani woman cricketer grabs top position in ICC ODI ranking
Pakistani off-spinner and former captain of women’s cricket team in ODIs, Sana Mir, has grabbed the top spot in the ICC ODI ranking, reports Cricket Pakistan.
Mir scored 3-26, 1-37 and 3-53 in the Women Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The performance lifted her three spots on the table. Mir claimed the top position in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings for bowlers with a career-high 663 points.
Despite her team’s loss to Australia, Mir surpassed South African player Marizanne Kapp and Australia’s Megan Schutt.
‘Inkar karo,’ says Pak actor, urging women to speak up
As the #MeToo campaign intensifies globally, Pakistani actress and director Angeline Malik has decided to start a movement to bring forth relevant social issues in Pakistan, reports The Nation.
The first in the series of movements will be ‘Inkaar Karo’, a creative campaign that will depict strong women coming together to stand against suppression.
Throwing light on the movement, Malik said, “This initiative ‘Inkaar Karo, Hum Tumhare Saath Hain’ says a lot. I have heard many stories and seen a lot due to the nature of my work.”
“It’s hard to say no and it is even harder to speak up and make people believe you. I have brought together a group of strong women who feel the same as I do and we altogether want to convey the message that we hear you, we believe you and we will support you,” she added.
Contributors: Aastha Singh, Jyoti Malhotra and Manisha Mondal