Published by ANI News Islamabad [Pakistan], December 1 (ANI): The Pakistani government is intensifying efforts to privatise Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) through government-to-government (G2G) agreements, with a deadline set for December 31, ARY News reported on Saturday, citing sources. According to the report, both Abu Dhabi and Qatar have expressed strong interest in PIA’s privatisation, creating a potential opportunity for foreign investment. Active discussions are underway with both countries to finalise the terms of the deal. To attract investors, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SE…

Published by IntelliNews By bne Tehran bureau Iran has launched ACUMER, a new banking platform designed to circumvent international sanctions and enhance trade with Asian partners. Farzin, speaking at the 11th Annual Modern Banking and Payment Systems Conference, said the ACUMER system, designed for Asian countries, became fully operational on October 2nd. Iran’s Central Bank has been pursuing de-dollarisation plans to break away from the Belgium-based SWIFT system in recent years. Tehran has been openly developing an alternative to SWIFT, which is used by the members of the Asian Clearing Union, of which Iran and Ind…

Published by IntelliNews The G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro wraps up with a joint declaration condemning war and calling for climate change action, but short on specifics. ‘We, the Leaders of the G20, met in Rio de Janeiro on 18-19 November 2024 to address major global challenges and crises and promote strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth,’ the document reads. In Rio de Janeiro, the birthplace of the Sustainable Development Agenda, global leaders reaffirmed their commitment to creating a fairer world and a sustainable planet, focusing on reducing inequalities in all forms and ensuring no one is left behin…

Published by ACN Newswire SINGAPORE, Nov 15, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – APTEXPO 2024, the global platform for top decision-makers in textiles, apparel, fashion and their supply chains, has concluded its inaugural edition after an exciting three days of activities in Singapore. With industry players in attendance for on-stage panel discussions, numerous new product launches and showcases, and high-level closed-door discussions, the convention has elevated the stage for resounding change. From 2000 to 2020, Asia’s population grew by an additional 1.7 billion people, which has brought challenges like inventory surpluses and …

Published by ANI News Washington DC [US], November 12 (ANI): President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican, as his national security adviser, according to a source familiar with the developments told ANI. Mike Waltz has time and again reiterated the importance of India for the United States. Last year, Waltz had also led a bipartisan American Congressional delegation and had travelled to India to take part in the Red Fort address of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the country’s Independence Day celebrations. During his visit to India in 2023, Waltz praised PM Modi. Waltz appre…

Published by ANI News London [UK], November 11 (ANI): The United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) has raised serious concerns about the lack of basic infrastructure, including freedom of speech, poor internet connectivity, and restricted media access in the Pakistan-occupied regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. The party highlighted the failure of the Pakistan government to provide essential services to residents, despite the local population paying taxes and contributing billions of dollars in remittances annually, bolstering Pakistan’s economy. Sardar Nasir Aziz Khan, the central spokesperson…

Published by ANI News Islamabad [Pakistan], November 9 (ANI): Al-Nihang, an overseas Pakistani group has offered to acquire Pakistan International Airlines for the cost of PKR 100 billion amid a set of terms and conditions, Ary News reported. The bid for privatisation by Al-Nihaang comes days after both the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan’s Punjab state governments had offered to acquire the airlines. According to Ary News, the group wrote an offer letter to Pakistan’s Ministers of Privatisation, Aviation and Defence amongst other authorities and outlined its proposal to acquire complete ownership of the PIA. The k…

Published by ANI News Geneva [Switzerland], November 8 (ANI): The United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) has issued a report highlighting significant human rights concerns in Pakistan, urging reforms to address discrimination, violence, and restrictions on freedom of expression. The report also evaluates human rights practices in Ecuador, France, Greece, Iceland, and Turkiye. The Committee expressed alarm over a disturbing rise in discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes targeting religious minorities in Pakistan, including Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus, and Sikhs. Concerns were raised regarding the destru…

Published by ANI News Karachi [Pakistan], November 1 (ANI): The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the Cabinet Division and the Ministry of Law and Justice on Thursday regarding two constitutional petitions challenging the validity of the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The petitions, filed by three lawyers, seek to declare the amendment ultra vires to the Constitution, raising significant concerns about the independence of the judiciary in Pakistan, Dawn reported. The two-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice Mohammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Jawad Akbar Sarwana, has also notified the attorney general and t…

Published by ANI News Lahore [Pakistan], October 31 (ANI): The Pakistan Punjab government government imposed a “green lockdown” in designated smog hotspots across Lahore on Wednesday, The Dawn reported. It was observed that restrictions were imposed on various places such as barbecue joints, motorcycle-rickshaws and marriage halls, amongst others. Howver, these measures have been described as insufficient and poorly planned by air quality experts. Pakistan’s Punjab government’s plan is an effort to control rising pollution levels in the city, which continues to rank among the world’s most polluted cities. According…

Published by The New Arab Barnaby Rogerson, a noted author, has written numerous travel guides and books on the Muslim world. His latest book, The House Divided: Sunni, Shia and the Making of the Middle East, explores the idea that a 1,400-year-old schism is responsible for many regional conflicts and proxy wars today. The book’s early chapters explain the origins of this theological split, which is said to have shaped empires and continues to influence the region today. Rogerson then provides an overview of the leadership debates that arose after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, suggesting that the struggles

Published by ANI News Rawalpindi [Pakistan], October 27 (ANI): The skyrocketing prices of foreign second-hand winter clothing have left many low-income families in Rawalpindi struggling to afford essential winter wear, as costs have surged by up to 60 per cent compared to last year. The price hike of jackets, coats, and shawls has significantly impacted the ability of many families to purchase these vital items. In response to the rising costs, larger garment retailers have begun discounting their remaining winter stock by 10 to 25 per cent, the Express Tribune reported. However, the price increases are particularl…