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ARY NEWS

Anjum Wahab

  • PMSA, customs seize drugs, arrest 12 smugglers

    PMSA, customs seize drugs, arrest 12 smugglers

    KARACHI: Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and Pakistan Customs in an joint operation arrested twelve drug-smugglers and recovered drugs worth rs 2.74 billion from their possession, ARY News reported.

    According to the spokesman of the PMSA, the action was carried out in an open sea, where at least 12 suspects were rounded up, who were trying to smuggling drugs abroad. The confiscated drugs include 171 kg of heroin and 102 kg of crystal meth.

    The recovered drugs is worth rs.2.74 billion in the international market. The recovered drugs have been handed over to the Pakistan Customs for legal action, said spokesman of PMSA.

    It is the biggest action of foiling drugs smuggling in an open sea.

    Earlier on September 19, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) seized 421Kg narcotics and arrested 18 culprits including three women in countrywide operations.

    In a statement, the ANF had said that eight vehicles have also been taken into custody being used for drug smuggling.

    Read more: PMSA rescues nine Iranian fishermen stranded in open sea

    It had said that seized drugs comprised of 374 Kg Hashish, 26.6 Kg Opium, 10.6 Kg Heroin, 435 bottles of Local Wine, 112 Tins Beer and others.

    Earlier on July 11, Airport Security Force (ASF) had foiled a bid of smuggling drugs abroad from the Islamabad airport.

    As per details, officials of the ASF recovered 824 grams of drugs from a passenger from a Doha-bound flight.

    The arrested man was identified as Inayatullah, a resident of Hangu. The drugs were concealed in the green tea, the passenger was carrying with him, the officials said.

    The passenger was handed over to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) for further investigation into the matter by the ASF officials.

  • Hundreds of houses razed in anti-encroachment op in Karachi

    Hundreds of houses razed in anti-encroachment op in Karachi

    KARACHI: The citizens of the metropolis were once again deceived by builders’ mafia which sold out land belonging to Board of Revenue to the people in Karachi, ARY News reported on Thursday.

    Board of Revenue officials carried out an anti-encroachment operation to retrieve its land in Ahsanabad Sector 3 and Gulshan-e-Brohi, where hundreds of houses were razed today.

    The operation resulted in strong protests of the residents as women surrounded the debris of houses and announced not to vacate the location. The residents told media that their houses were turned into rubble without giving any notice prior to the action.

    On the other hand, the board’s officials gave its stance that land grabbing mafia has illegally held the government land and no one is authorised to sell the land. They added that the land up to hundreds of acres were retrieved with the assistance of local police in the latest anti-encroachment operation.

    Read More: Karachi: Anti-encroachment drive launched to clear KCR track

    Earlier on May 15, an anti-encroachment operation had been launched in Gulshan block-13 for restoration of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR).

    The Supreme Court had ordered the authorities to remove encroachments and illegal structures from the route of the KCR within a month.

    The anti-encroachment cell personnel had launched the drive from Urdu College railway station and started removing 300 huts and concrete structures made on the track.

    The city authorities in the previous phase of the drive against encroachments had cleared 7.2 kilometres of the railway track in district central of Karachi.

  • Downward trend continues in PSX as 100-index falls 800 points

    Downward trend continues in PSX as 100-index falls 800 points

    KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) benchmark KSE 100-share Index has lost 800 points at the start of the first day of the trading week on Monday.

    As the trading commenced, negative trend continued to haunt the market as the 100-Index has recorded a decrease of 800 points and currently trading at the level of 32,358 points.

    The trading at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) is showing downward trend amid speculations of a much-awaited announcement regarding the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) agreement with the state of Pakistan.

    The traders rather than buying the share were more interested in selling them amid lingering doubts over economic instability in the country.

    Meanwhile, few economists are optimistic that this will be a transitional phase towards good days, but for now high inflation, low industrial and agricultural output, unemployment and poor corporate earnings all are affecting the PSX.

    Read more: Downward trends continue to haunt PSX, sheds 320 points

    Sources said, Pakistan have adopted stringent demands under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) $6 billion bailout package.

    According to economists, the PTI-led government will need to perform vigilantly and persistently to recover from the economic crisis.

  • US dollar touches all time high at Rs148 in inter-bank

    US dollar touches all time high at Rs148 in inter-bank

    KARACHI: The rupee continued its up and downward trend against the US dollar in the inter-bank on Thursday as the greenback touched an all-time high of Rs148, ARY News reported.  

    The dollar gained Rs6.61 at the start of the trading in the inter-bank today, but soon was contained to 146 rupees.

    It may be noted, just three days after Abdul Hafeez Sheikh’s  announcement regarding finalization of a three-year bailout with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for $6 billion, the rupee went into free fall on Wednesday, hitting a record low of Rs146.25 against the dollar in the open market during trading and later bounced back to Rs144 at the closing of the trading.

    The greenback was recorded an increase of Rs2.5 against the local currency to reach Rs146.25 in the open market.

    Read more: PM Imran Khan orders crackdown against companies selling dollar above market rate

    Taking notice of the devaluation of rupee against the US dollar, Prime Minister Imran Khan had ordered crackdown against money changers companies selling dollar above market rate.

    As per details, the premier had chaired a special meeting to review sudden surge in the dollar’s value. The meeting also had a delegation of E-Commerce Association of Pakistan (ECAP) in presence.

    On the occasion, ECAP delegates assured of not supporting companies selling foreign currency at higher rates.

  • Gwadar attack: Funeral prayer of SSG commando held in Karachi

    Gwadar attack: Funeral prayer of SSG commando held in Karachi

    KARACHI: Funeral prayer of Special Service Group (SSG) commando of Pakistan Navy Muhammad Abbas Khan was offered in Karachi and his burial rites were held at his native town, Haripur, ARY News reported on Monday.

    Abbas Khan had embraced shahadat (martyrdom) while valiantly fighting the terrorists during counter terrorism operation at PC Gwadar hotel on Saturday.

    The funeral was attended by Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Pakistan Navy’s Senior officers including the commander coast, the commander Karachi, the commander Pakistan Fleet and the commander Logistics in Karachi on May 12.

    Read More: Gwadar attack: Funeral prayers of martyred security guards offered

    Later, the burial rites of Abbas Khan Shaheed of SSG (Navy), were held and the Shaheed was laid to rest with full military honours. A contingent of Pakistan Navy presented guard of honour to Shaheed Abbas Khan and floral wreath was placed on his grave on behalf of the chief of the naval staff. Senior Officers from Naval Headquarters and Northern Command were also present on this occasion.

    In his message, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi paid tribute to Shuhada and to their families, he said that great sacrifices of Shuhada for national defence and counter terrorism in the country were highly praiseworthy.

    Besides, Pakistan Navy senior officials and men, personnel of sister services, relatives and a large number of people also attended the funeral and the burial rites.

    Earlier on May 11, three terrorists had stormed a five star hotel in Gwadar city of Balochistan province. A clearance operation by the security forces resulted in safe evacuation of all the guests in the establishment.

  • Dr Reza Baqir assumes charge as governor SBP

    Dr Reza Baqir assumes charge as governor SBP

    KARACHI: Dr Reza Baqir has assumed the charge of Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) after President Arif Alvi appointed him as the governor for a period of three years in pursuance of Section 10(3) of the State Bank of Pakistan Act 1956.

    Dr Reza Baqir has 18 years of experience with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and two years with the World Bank.

    He was the Head of the IMF’s Office in Egypt and Senior Resident Representative since August 2017. He has also held positions as IMF Mission Chief for Romania and Bulgaria, Division Chief of the IMF’s Debt Policy Division, Head of the IMF delegation to the Paris Club, Deputy Division Chief of the IMF’s Emerging Markets Division, IMF Resident Representative to the Philippines, and numerous other positions.

    Read More: Reza Baqir resigned from IMF to serve Pakistan: Firdous Ashiq Awan

    Dr Baqir’s research has been published in top journals of the economics profession, including the Journal of Political Economy and the Quarterly Journal of Economics.

    Dr Baqir holds a Ph.D in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley and an A.B. (Magna cum Laude) in Economics from Harvard University.

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Sunday said Dr Reza Baqir had resigned from the IMF to serve Pakistan.

  • Director generals of SEPA, PMSA discuss marine pollution issues

    Director generals of SEPA, PMSA discuss marine pollution issues

    KARACHI: Director General Sindh Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Naeem Ahmed Mughal on Friday called on Director General Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) Rear Admiral Zaka Ur Rehman Hilal here at PMSA Headquarters, ARY News reported.

    They discussed the issues of marine pollution as a result of garbage and industrial waste. The DG SEPA on this occasion briefed Rear Admiral Zaka Ur Rehman on treatment plants and their functioning.

    They also discussed hospital waste management and its impact in the sea.

    The DG PMSA appreciated and thanked Naeem Ahmed Mughal for the steps taken by the SEPA for environment protection. He assured the SEPA of full cooperation on behalf of the PMSA.

    On April 5, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi had lauded anti-marine pollution initiative by Pakistan Navy.

    Read More: Minister Ali Zaidi lauds anti-marine pollution initiative by Pakistan Navy

    Ali Zaidi was attending the induction ceremony of Marine Debris Collection Barges (MDCBs) as the chief guest. Dignitaries from maritime domain in both public and private sectors also attended the ceremony at Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi.

    Upon arrival at Pakistan Navy Dockyard, the chief guest was received by Commander Logistics Rear Admiral Adnan Khaliq.

    During his address, he had underscored the importance of neat and clean harbours/ environment and emphasised the need to address the issue of marine pollution on priority.

  • FBR to launch crackdown on corrupt officials

    FBR to launch crackdown on corrupt officials

    ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday decided to launch a crackdown on corrupt officials working in the department.

    According to details, the residents can file their complaints against corrupt officials by calling a helpline. In addition to this, written complaints, mail, web can also be used for the purpose.

    Both filers and non-filers of tax returns can register their complaints against officials of the FBR, Inland Revenue Service and Pakistan Customs Service by visiting the cell, emailing at [email protected] or calling the helpline (111-772-772).

    Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that he would personally oversee the audit of the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) officials in order to improve their performance to boost revenues for the country. He voiced hope that if the newly formed Integrity Management Cell turned out to be effective, the department would be able to tackle corruption.

    Read more: FBR opposes ‘sin tax’, says will promote illegal business, smuggling

    In December last year, taking another revolutionary measure in the health sector, the government had decided to impose ‘Gunnah Tax’ (Sin Tax) on cigarette smokers across the country.

    Sources had said the federal government was excogitating over different options as high-level consultation meetings are underway in this regard.

  • Customs foils bid to smuggle antique gold jewellery

    Customs foils bid to smuggle antique gold jewellery

    KARACHI: Customs Preventive Services on Friday foiled the bid to smuggle antique and precious gold jewellery and arrested one suspect during a raid at the Jinnah International Airport Karachi, ARY News reported.

    Deputy Collector Customs (Preventive) Mohammed Faisal said the rare and precious jewellery was recovered from the passenger, Israr Mohammed, who was going to Thailand.

    He said the suspect was carrying 115 tola antique gold and 20 tola silver jewellery as well as 11,250 US dollars.

    “The passenger was trying to smuggle the antique gold and silver jewellery abroad,” he said.

    A first information report has been lodged against the passenger at a police station.

    Read More: Bid to smuggle 460 mobile phones through train foiled

    On April 15 Reuters news agency reported, India’s gold smugglers had slowed their operations over worries their shipments will be caught up in seizures of cash, bullion, booze and drugs that were aimed at controlling vote-buying in the country’s national elections.

    In India, political parties and their supporters often offer money or goods in exchange for votes.

    The Election Commission, which monitors the polls, had tried to prevent this by setting up highway checkpoints to seize cash, gold, liquor and other high-value items that candidates avoid mentioning in their expenses due to a cap on the amount they can spend.