International
Peace in sight for PoK after days of violence and unrest?
Muzaffarabad, May 14 (IANS) Jammu Kashmir People Action Committee (JAAC) is expected to call off its protest on Tuesday afternoon after holding funeral prayers for one of its workers who was killed in clashes with the security forces in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Tuesday marks the fourth day of the anti-inflation protest and the shutter-down wheel-jam strike across PoK, especially in Muzaffarabad.
Thousands of protesters from all over the region have entered Muzaffarabad chanting anti-government, anti-inflation and pro-freedom slogans.
JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir, who led the long march, called on all the protestors to station themselves in the Eid Gah ground for the night, announcing that the protest will not transform into a sit-in until the demands were met by the Pakistani government.
“There has been a complete shutdown of internet across Muzaffarabad for two days now. Whatever the government decided and announced as a subsidy and new package with reduced prices of electricity and flour, it was not accepted because the third demand of cutting perks and privileges of government officials and bureaucrats has still been left out,” said Mir.
“However, this morning, we have been informed that the government has formed a committee to look into the details of privileges given to current and former officials. This means that they have accepted all of our demands. It indeed is a big success for us and our year long struggle for the rights of the people,” he added.
Shaukat Nawaz Mir said that there are about 40,000 protesters present in Muzaffarabad, who will be attending the funeral prayer of one of the protestors killed in clashes with the Pakistani police yesterday.
It is expected that the protest will be called off after the funeral prayers are held.
The wheel-jam protest has already been called off while the shutter-down strike is continuing while schools and government offices are closed.
The protest against inflation in PoK has gained global attention as violent clashes and scenes of riots, coupled with the government’s attempts to block routes of protesters to the capital and reported casualties on both sides have been unprecedented.
The protests have resulted in the death of at least four protesters and more than 30 getting injured. One police official has also lost his life while over 100 have been injured.
The protest certainly shook up the authorities and forced immediate action by federal government to intervene and find a solution to the worsening situation.
–IANS
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International
Xi Jinping congratulates Iran’s Pezeshkian on presidential election win
Beijing, July 6 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message to Masoud Pezeshkian, congratulating him on his election as the President of Iran.
In his message, Xi said China and Iran enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges, and bilateral relations have maintained sound and steady development since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries more than half a century ago.
In the face of the complex regional and international landscapes, China and Iran have always supported each other and stuck together through thick and thin, continuously consolidating strategic mutual trust, steadily promoting exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and maintaining sound communication and coordination on regional and international affairs, which has not only benefited the two peoples, but also made positive contributions to promoting regional and world peace and stability, Xi added.
The Chinese President also said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Iran relations, and is willing to work with Pezeshkian aiming to guide the deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
–IANS
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International
PM Modi congratulates Keir Starmer, discusses India-UK FTA
New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended an invitation to newly-elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for an early visit to India as both leaders agreed to work towards the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The two leaders spoke over phone as PM Modi congratulated Starmer on his and Labour Party’s “remarkable victory” in the general elections.
“Pleased to speak with Keir Starmer. Congratulated him on being elected as the Prime Minister of the UK. We remain committed to deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and robust India-UK economic ties for the progress and prosperity of our peoples and global good,” PM Modi posted on X after the call.
Both leaders recalled the historic relations between the two countries and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK.
“Appreciating the positive contributions of the Indian community in the social, economic, and political development of the UK. The two sides agreed to continue to promote close people-to-people ties. Both leaders agreed to remain in touch,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
–IANS
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International
Labour govt will reconnect Britain, promises new UK Foreign Secretary
London, July 6 (IANS) Asserting that “diplomacy matters”, Britain’s new Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Saturday that the new Labour government will begin with a “reset” with Europe on climate and with the global South.
Outlining his priorities following his appointment, Lammy highlighted that the world is currently facing “huge challenges” with more countries engaged in conflict than at any time since World War II.
“This government will reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home. What happens here in the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office is essential.
“Diplomacy matters. We will begin with a reset with Europe, on climate, and with the global South. And a gear-shift when it comes to delivering on European security, global security, and British growth,” Lammy said in a statement released by the UK Foreign Ministry on Saturday.
The 51-year-old Labour Party politician promised that the new government is determined to deliver for working people and committed to building a better future for everyone.
“It is the honour of my life to stand before you as Foreign Secretary. A descendant of enslaved people. A black, working-class, man from Tottenham. A community which never produced a Foreign Secretary before. This speaks to what a modern, multicultural Britain can be. Proudly internationalist,” he said.
Lammy also mentioned that Britain has “enormous potential” and that the change has begun now – a slogan with which the Keir Starmer-led party fought the general elections.
–IANS
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International
Pak's macroeconomic environment was challenging in 2023: Central bank
Islamabad, July 6 (IANS) Pakistan’s macroeconomic environment in the calendar year 2023 remained challenging amid rising inflation, weak foreign exchange inflows, pressures on external account and local currency, and low business confidence, particularly in the first half, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said.
However, the policy measures and regulatory interventions that were taken to address growing imbalances coupled with securing a nine-month stand-by agreement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) helped improve the macroeconomic conditions in the second half of 2023, the SBP said in its financial stability review for 2023, Xinhua news agency reported.
Inflation started falling, economic growth recovered, and the exchange rate stabilised towards the year-end, the central bank said in the report.
Against this backdrop, the financial sector exhibited strong growth and performance, and maintained financial soundness and operational resilience, it added.
The asset base of the financial sector expanded by 27 per cent in 2023, mainly driven by the banking sector, according to the report.
–IANS
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International
Flood alert for Pakistan provinces as monsoon season begins
Islamabad, July 6 (IANS) Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning about the potential for flash floods and urban flooding due to the ongoing torrential rain, marking the beginning of the monsoon season in various parts of the country.
The National Emergency Operation Centre of the NDMA anticipates that the ongoing rain may cause flash floods in local streams of Islamabad, parts of east Punjab, and northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the authority said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.
The torrential rain may also cause urban flooding in several districts of the two provinces, including their densely populated capital cities, the statement added.
The NDMA also advised provincial disaster management authorities and local administrations to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate measures to safeguard the at-risk population, the statement read.
The NDMA also urged citizens to download its mobile application for disaster alerts, which provides notifications, guidelines, and precautionary measures to address urban flooding in their areas so they can stay alert and informed.
–IANS
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