PAKISTAN REPORTS 1,052 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 44 MORE DEATHS

44 more people have lost their lives to COVID-19 over the past 24 hours in Pakistan, pushing the nationwide death toll to 22,152.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 1,052 new cases of the virus emerged during the said period. The overall number of the confirmed cases currently stands at 952,907.
As many as 45,924 samples were tested during this period, taking the country’s overall tests to 14,325,008.

It said Pakistan recorded Covid-19 infection rate at 2.29 during the last 24 hours.

The number of people who have recovered from the disease since the first case of the pandemic was reported in Pakistan has climbed to 897,834 after 1,013 more people recuperated in the last 24 hours.

Mildy ill young COVID-19 patients report lasting symptoms
More than half of young adults with mild COVID-19 who self-isolated at home were still reporting troublesome after-effects six months later, a study from Norway published on Wednesday in Nature Medicine found.

Read more: ECC okays supplementary grant to cope with Covid-19

The study included 312 COVID-19 survivors over age 16, with illnesses of varying severity. Overall, at six months, 189 patients, or 61%, reported persistent symptoms. Of the 61 patients between the ages of 16 and 30 who had only been mildly ill, 32 (52%) continued to have symptoms at six months, including loss of taste and smell (28%), fatigue (21%), trouble breathing (13%), impaired cognition (13%) and memory problems (11%).

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PAKISTAN REPORTS 1,052 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 44 MORE DEATHS

44 more people have lost their lives to COVID-19 over the past 24 hours in Pakistan, pushing the nationwide death toll to 22,152.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 1,052 new cases of the virus emerged during the said period. The overall number of the confirmed cases currently stands at 952,907.
As many as 45,924 samples were tested during this period, taking the country’s overall tests to 14,325,008.

It said Pakistan recorded Covid-19 infection rate at 2.29 during the last 24 hours.

The number of people who have recovered from the disease since the first case of the pandemic was reported in Pakistan has climbed to 897,834 after 1,013 more people recuperated in the last 24 hours.

Mildy ill young COVID-19 patients report lasting symptoms
More than half of young adults with mild COVID-19 who self-isolated at home were still reporting troublesome after-effects six months later, a study from Norway published on Wednesday in Nature Medicine found.

Read more: ECC okays supplementary grant to cope with Covid-19

The study included 312 COVID-19 survivors over age 16, with illnesses of varying severity. Overall, at six months, 189 patients, or 61%, reported persistent symptoms. Of the 61 patients between the ages of 16 and 30 who had only been mildly ill, 32 (52%) continued to have symptoms at six months, including loss of taste and smell (28%), fatigue (21%), trouble breathing (13%), impaired cognition (13%) and memory problems (11%).

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IMF says further discussions with Pakistan on fiscal spending plans, structural reforms needed

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday said that further discussions with Pakistan are needed on Pakistan's fiscal spending plans, structural reforms, particularly in the tax and energy sectors, and social spending.

According to IMF spokesman Gerry Rice, the Fund is holding open, constructive discussions with Pakistan as part of a sixth review of the country's 39-month, $6 billion financing programme that began in 2019.

Rice declined to say if disbursements under that programme had been halted.

IMF staff were unable to complete the talks during a recent mission, but the global lender remained “fully engaged” and aimed to resume the discussions in the period ahead, Rice told a regular IMF briefing.

“We stand ready to continue to support Pakistan,” he said. “As the recovery gains strength, it will be important to accelerate the implementation of policies and reforms needed to address some of the long-standing challenges facing the Pakistani economy.”

Pakistani authorities and IMF, for the time being, have agreed to continue talks to narrow down differences, but the IMF-sponsored programme has been put on halt mode as the international money lender has conveyed that the sixth review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) will be accomplished in September this year instead of July 2021.

Following allegations by former finance minister Miftah Ismail that the IMF programme had been suspended, the Ministry for Finance had issued a statement to clarify that this was not the case.

In a statement, the ministry said that the IMF team will visit Pakistan in August and review the economic performance of the country.

The ministry also said that Pakistan completed all the targets given by the Fund in March and claimed Pakistan had an excellent performance during the outgoing fiscal year.

Last week, Minister for Finance Shaukat Tarin ruled out the possibility of Pakistan's exit from the IMF programme, during his discussion with the Senate Standing Committee on Finance in Parliament House

Pakistan this month set a growth target of 4.8% for the 2021-22 financial year and a fiscal deficit target of 6.3%.

The country surpassed growth projections in the 2020-21 financial year despite a third wave of COVID-19 infections, reaching GDP growth of 3.96%, after a 0.47% contraction in 2019-20.

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IMF says further discussions with Pakistan on fiscal spending plans, structural reforms needed

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday said that further discussions with Pakistan are needed on Pakistan's fiscal spending plans, structural reforms, particularly in the tax and energy sectors, and social spending.

According to IMF spokesman Gerry Rice, the Fund is holding open, constructive discussions with Pakistan as part of a sixth review of the country's 39-month, $6 billion financing programme that began in 2019.

Rice declined to say if disbursements under that programme had been halted.

IMF staff were unable to complete the talks during a recent mission, but the global lender remained “fully engaged” and aimed to resume the discussions in the period ahead, Rice told a regular IMF briefing.

“We stand ready to continue to support Pakistan,” he said. “As the recovery gains strength, it will be important to accelerate the implementation of policies and reforms needed to address some of the long-standing challenges facing the Pakistani economy.”

Pakistani authorities and IMF, for the time being, have agreed to continue talks to narrow down differences, but the IMF-sponsored programme has been put on halt mode as the international money lender has conveyed that the sixth review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) will be accomplished in September this year instead of July 2021.

Following allegations by former finance minister Miftah Ismail that the IMF programme had been suspended, the Ministry for Finance had issued a statement to clarify that this was not the case.

In a statement, the ministry said that the IMF team will visit Pakistan in August and review the economic performance of the country.

The ministry also said that Pakistan completed all the targets given by the Fund in March and claimed Pakistan had an excellent performance during the outgoing fiscal year.

Last week, Minister for Finance Shaukat Tarin ruled out the possibility of Pakistan's exit from the IMF programme, during his discussion with the Senate Standing Committee on Finance in Parliament House

Pakistan this month set a growth target of 4.8% for the 2021-22 financial year and a fiscal deficit target of 6.3%.

The country surpassed growth projections in the 2020-21 financial year despite a third wave of COVID-19 infections, reaching GDP growth of 3.96%, after a 0.47% contraction in 2019-20.

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Nawaz's pleas in Al Azizia, Avenfield corruption references dismissed by IHC

The Islamabad High Court on Thursday dismissed pleas by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif against the imprisonment sentences announced in the Al Azizia Steel Mills and Avenfield apartments references.

IHC judges Justice Umar Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar pronounced a nine-page judgment that was earlier reserved after listening of arguments from the National Accountability Bureau prosecutor and amicus curiae.

The verdict means that the judgments pronounced by the accountability court for the two cases have been upheld.

According to the IHC judgment, Nawaz is a proclaimed offender and so "there was no choice but to dismiss the pleas" owing to his continued disappearance from court.

The judgment observed that if Nawaz returns or is caught by the authorities, an application for a renewal of appeals can be filed.

The former prime minister had filed appeals with the IHC against the decisions of the accountability court.

Accountability court judge Mohammad Bashir had on July 6, 2018, convicted Nawaz in the Avenfield reference and sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

However, an IHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb suspended the sentence in the reference and later granted him bail allowing him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, accountability judge Mohammad Arshad Malik had on Dec 24, 2018 convicted Sharif in the Al Azizia reference and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment, besides imposing fines of Rs1.5 billion and $25 million.

He was acquitted in a joint reference with the Al Azizia reference — the Flagship investment reference.

Reacting to the development, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said that the "sluggish" Opposition does not pose any threat to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He said that the PTI had won the 2018 general elections with the mandate of bringing back the wealth that was looted from the country.

"This crippled Opposition cannot topple the government," the minister said.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior and Accountability Shahzad Akbar said that the government has once more reached out to the British government for the deportation of Nawaz.

He said that the PML-N supremo has applied for an extension in stay based on medical grounds, adding that if the UK does decide to deport him, he will have the right to appeal the ruling.

Akbar said that the Pakistan government has informed Britain that Nawaz is a convicted felon.

The accountability adviser said that Nawaz had gone to London on a visit visa and British law dictates that no one can stay on a visit visa beyond six months.

He said that Nawaz Sharif "is not ill, he is healthy" and must appear before the court.

"If the court acquits him, we will not object," he said.

Akbar said that Nawaz must let the government know who poses a threat to his life, and he will be provided security.

"Even if he needs a bullet proof vehicle, we will provide it. But he must return to Pakistan," the adviser said.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry hailed the verdict, terming it a "victory for the people of Pakistan".

He said Nawaz and his family "must return the wealth stolen" from the nation.

The minister said that Maryam Nawaz's sworn affidavit "was fake".

He further declared today's decision to be a triumph for the PTI's stance.

"Nawaz Sharif is an absconder and he has been fined but he is unwilling to pay it," he added.

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Kulbhushan Jadhav case: ICJ review and reconsideration bill presented in Senate

The International Court of Justice (Review and Reconsideration) Bill, meant to provide the right of appeal to Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, was presented in the Senate on Thursday. The bill had been passed by the National Assembly last week.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan introduced the bill in the House, which was criticised by the Opposition. Following this, the Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani referred the bill to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice.

The bill states that where the International Court of Justice issues an order regarding the rights of foreigners, the high court will have the power to review and reconsider it and the affected foreigner will be able to file a petition for review in the high court either themselves or through their representative.

The petition will be filed with reference to punishment or order of punishment by a military court under the Pakistan Army Act. A review or reconsideration request will be filed within 60 days of the military court's order.

Per the bill, the high court will examine whether the foreign national has been discriminated against in terms of defence, right to testify, fair trial, and denial of consular access.

The aims and objectives of the bill stated that India has approached the International Court of Justice regarding Jadhav's trial, adding that the decision of the ICJ requires Pakistan to provide a review mechanism to such prisoners.

Commenting on the bill, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that the PTI-led government did not take the Opposition into confidence when passing the bill in the National Assembly last week.

"The PPP will not be a facilitator in Jhadav's case because the bill was prepared by the government behind closed doors," he said while speaking to the media in Karachi.

Bilawal added that if the government wishes to grant the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) to Jhadav, PM Imran Khan should do it himself without expecting the cooperation of his party.

Bilawal also shed light on issues related to Afghanistan and said that the Parliament should be informed about the deal that the PTI-led government has struck with Afghanistan.

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Nawaz's pleas in Al Azizia, Avenfield corruption references dismissed by IHC

The Islamabad High Court on Thursday dismissed pleas by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif against the imprisonment sentences announced in the Al Azizia Steel Mills and Avenfield apartments references.

IHC judges Justice Umar Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar pronounced a nine-page judgment that was earlier reserved after listening of arguments from the National Accountability Bureau prosecutor and amicus curiae.

The verdict means that the judgments pronounced by the accountability court for the two cases have been upheld.

According to the IHC judgment, Nawaz is a proclaimed offender and so "there was no choice but to dismiss the pleas" owing to his continued disappearance from court.

The judgment observed that if Nawaz returns or is caught by the authorities, an application for a renewal of appeals can be filed.

The former prime minister had filed appeals with the IHC against the decisions of the accountability court.

Accountability court judge Mohammad Bashir had on July 6, 2018, convicted Nawaz in the Avenfield reference and sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

However, an IHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb suspended the sentence in the reference and later granted him bail allowing him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, accountability judge Mohammad Arshad Malik had on Dec 24, 2018 convicted Sharif in the Al Azizia reference and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment, besides imposing fines of Rs1.5 billion and $25 million.

He was acquitted in a joint reference with the Al Azizia reference — the Flagship investment reference.

Reacting to the development, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said that the "sluggish" Opposition does not pose any threat to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He said that the PTI had won the 2018 general elections with the mandate of bringing back the wealth that was looted from the country.

"This crippled Opposition cannot topple the government," the minister said.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior and Accountability Shahzad Akbar said that the government has once more reached out to the British government for the deportation of Nawaz.

He said that the PML-N supremo has applied for an extension in stay based on medical grounds, adding that if the UK does decide to deport him, he will have the right to appeal the ruling.

Akbar said that the Pakistan government has informed Britain that Nawaz is a convicted felon.

The accountability adviser said that Nawaz had gone to London on a visit visa and British law dictates that no one can stay on a visit visa beyond six months.

He said that Nawaz Sharif "is not ill, he is healthy" and must appear before the court.

"If the court acquits him, we will not object," he said.

Akbar said that Nawaz must let the government know who poses a threat to his life, and he will be provided security.

"Even if he needs a bullet proof vehicle, we will provide it. But he must return to Pakistan," the adviser said.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry hailed the verdict, terming it a "victory for the people of Pakistan".

He said Nawaz and his family "must return the wealth stolen" from the nation.

The minister said that Maryam Nawaz's sworn affidavit "was fake".

He further declared today's decision to be a triumph for the PTI's stance.

"Nawaz Sharif is an absconder and he has been fined but he is unwilling to pay it," he added.

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