PM angry at sugar mafia’s threats

Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken serious notice of the threats being hurled at the inquiry commission probing the sugar crisis and warned the elements of severe action if they continue to intimidate the committee. “The prime minster has expressed extreme displeasure over the threats being given to the FIA inquiry commission probing the sugar crisis,” Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Firdous Ashiq Awan said in a post-cabinet media briefing on Tuesday. “Strict action will be taken against such elements if they threat the inquiry commission again,” she quoted…

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Asia Pacific markets mixed as countries regionally continue to battle pandemic

Stocks in Asia Pacific were mixed on Wednesday as countries in the region continued to put measures in place to battle the coronavirus pandemic. In Japan, stocks saw a turnaround after an earlier slip, with the Nikkei 225 rising 2.13% to close at 19,353.24 as shares of index heavyweight Fast Retailing surged 7.7%. The Topix index also gained 1.59% to end its trading day at 1,425.47. Mainland Chinese stocks dipped on the day, with the Shanghai composite down 0.19% to about 2,815.37 while the Shenzhen composite slipped 0.156% to around…

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Wrangling persists over electric vehicle policy

ISLAMABAD: An electric vehicle policy came up for discussion on Monday, and persistent differences in views between commerce ministry and climate change ministry continued to mar the smooth passage of the policy. The meeting presided over by Adviser to the Prime Minister for Commerce, Investment and Industries & Production Abdul Razak Dawood was attended by Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, Adviser to the PM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam and Adviser to the PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr Ishrat Husain. The meeting decided that the…

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Chinese tourist sites packed as country comes out of lockdown, but experts say risk still high

Large numbers of people flocked to popular tourists sites and major cities across China over the country’s holiday weekend, despite warnings from health authorities that the risk posed by the coronavirus pandemic remains far from over. Images from the Huangshan mountain park in Anhui province on Saturday April 4 showed thousands of people crammed together, many wearing face masks, eager to experience the great outdoors after months of travel restrictions and strict lockdown measures. Such was the rush to get into the popular tourist spot, that at 7.48 a.m., authorities…

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IMF to Disburse $1.4 Billion to Pakistan Next Week

The priority is to move ahead with the rapid financing instrument that Pakistan requested to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic, International Monetary Fund resident representative Teresa Daban Sanchez says in reply to questions. • Work continues on the $6 billion extended fund facility: statement • Pakistan authorities remain committed to the policies and reforms outlined under the EFF-supported program secured last year

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