World

By Hamza Ameer
Islamabad, May 9 (IANS) As Pakistan's financial year comes to a close, the cash-strapped country's ruling coalition government seems to have come to a point of desperation as it looks towards the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for leniency and revival of the $6.5 billion loan programme.


The Shehbaz Sharif-led government has been struggling to convince the IMF board on its compliance of all the pre-conditions for the revival of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which has led to a delay in the signing of the staff level agreement, causing serious damage to the country's economic condition.

Experts say that in view of the current situation and with no sign of IMF staff level agreement in the coming days, formulating and presenting the financial budget for the next year in June would be an uphill task for the government as it would have to reflect imposition of all pre-conditions of the IMF board in the budget including increase in taxes, fuel prices and interest rates, which would have direct and massive impact on inflation index.

Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has started a fresh round of consultations with the IMF Executive Director Bahador Bilani.

As per details of the first virtual meeting, Dar has sought support and lenience in demands from the IMF management to sign the staff-level agreement with Pakistan.

Sources in the Finance Ministry revealed that the IMF Executive Director has asked Dar about Pakistan's intentions to enter into a new IMF Programme, to which the latter has expressed his readiness to discuss.

The Pakistan government, as well as the Finance Minister, have been publicly blaming the IMF for the delay, claiming that Islamabad has met all prior conditions of the global lender.

However, the IMF has maintained that Pakistan is yet to show full compliance with its pre-conditions, pivotal to the revival of the programme.

But with the financial situation worsening, coupled with all external and global lenders including China, banking their economic financial support to Pakistan with the IMF's defined tax reforms; Islamabad has come to a state of desperation as it requests the IMF to be considerate towards the country's state and the current government's reputation.

Pakistan has been struggling to satisfy the IMF to meet critical conditions for reaching a deal.

And even after introducing the mini-budget, increasing per unit prices of electricity, gas, petrol and leaving the exchange rate of its rupee with market forces; the international lender is still not convinced on Pakistan's progress.

One most crucial shortcoming of Pakistan is the arrangement of $6 billion in additional loans to bridge the gap.

The IMF, on the other hand, has maintained that the revival of the programme can only happen once the necessary financing was in place.

--IANS
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New York, May 9 (IANS) Efforts are on to repatriate the mortal remains of the Indian engineer who was killed in a mass shooting at a mall in the US state of Texas on May 6, the Indian Consulate in Houston said.

The Consulate added that two more Indian nationals were injured during the mass shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets mall in Allen near Dallas.

Aishwarya Thatikonda, the 27-year-old engineer from Telangana, was among the nine victims.

"Consulate is facilitating completion of requisite formalities with regard to mortal remains of the deceased. Two other Indian nationals have been injured in the tragic shooting incident," the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Houston tweeted on Tuesday.

"We are in constant touch with the local & hospital authorities, relatives of the injured and Acommunity leaders. Consulate officials are in Dallas to render all possible assistance," the CGI wrote in an update to its earlier tweet.

Expressing condolences, the CGI had said on Monday that it is in touch with the family of the deceased as well as the local authorities, and is closely monitoring the situation.

"Our officers are on the ground to render all possible assistance. We are closely monitoring the situation," the CGI said.

A resident of Saroornagar area in Hyderabad, Aishwarya was working as project manager in a company called Perfect General Contractors LLC in Texas.

Her family was in deep shock after receiving the news of her death.

Her father Narsi Reddy works as a judge in Rangareddy district court, IANS reported on Monday.

Aishwarya was shopping with a friend when they were shot by gunman Mauricio Garcia, a 33 year-old who had served briefly in the US army, but was removed because of mental health problems.

He was shot dead by a law enforcement officer who was patrolling the area.

Gun laws are among the weakest in Texas.

The Republican-ruled state has seen some of the worst mass shootings recently, including the massacre at an elementary school in Uvalde last May, in which 19 students and two teachers were killed.

--IANS
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Rawalpindi, May 8 (IANS) Pakistan Army on Monday lashed out at former Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief has levelled "highly irresponsible and baseless allegation" against a serving senior military officer without any evidence, media reports said.

"This fabricated and malicious allegation is extremely unfortunate, deplorable and unacceptable. This has been a consistent pattern for last one year wherein military and intelligence officials are targeted with insinuations and sensational propaganda for the furtherance of political objectives," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement, The Express Tribune reported.

"We ask the political leader concerned to make a recourse to legal avenues and stop levelling false allegations," it added.

The ISPR also said that the institution reserves the right to take legal course against patently false and malafide statements and propaganda.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari have also slammed Khan's serious allegation against the army, Geo News reported.

Berating the PTI chief, the Prime Minister said that Khan's act of routinely maligning and threatening the Pakistan Army and an intelligence agencies for the sake of petty political gains is highly condemnable.

"His levelling of allegations without any proof against General Faisal Naseer and officers of our intelligence agency cannot be allowed and will not be tolerated," he said, Geo News reported.

On the other hand, former President Asif Ali Zardari said the PTI chief has crossed all limits to defame institutions, which will not be tolerated anymore.

--IANS
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New York, May 8 (IANS) An Indian-origin primary care physician in US' Georgia has been accused of sexually assaulting four of his female patients during routine check-ups over a 12-month period.

Rajesh Motibhai Patel, 68, was indicted last week on multiple counts of violating his patients' constitutional right to bodily integrity while acting under colour of law and for engaging in unwanted sexual contact, a Department of Justice release said.

According to information presented in court, between 2019 and 2020, Patel, a physician at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Decatur, allegedly assaulted four of his female patients by touching them improperly during routine exams. Investigators believe that Patel may have victimised additional patients.

"Patel allegedly sexually abused his female patients and violated his oath to do no harm to patients under his care," US Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said.

"Veterans and their families expect and deserve the highest quality of healthcare delivered in a safe and accountable setting," Veteran Affairs Inspector General Michael J. Missal said.

He said that the department has been cooperating the law enforcement to ensure the safety of patients.

--IANS
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Chandigarh, May 8 (IANS) Newly-crowned King Charles III has had a long and enduring love for India and the living bridge between the UK and India will grow stronger in the years to come, said British Deputy High Commissioner Caroline Rowett here on Monday.

The Deputy High Commission hosted a party to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla and the event was attended by several guests from various sectors, including government officials, business leaders, and British nationals.

At the event, Rowett said: "I am delighted to host this Tea Garden Party to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

"It is an historic occasion for the British people -- the largest ceremonial event for 70 years -- and I am honoured to share it with friends in Chandigarh and the region.

"Saturday's ceremony reflected a modern and diverse UK, with representatives from many faiths -- including Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam -- carrying the Coronation Regalia. As the sun sets on the long Coronation weekend, it is good to know that so many of us around the world were able to celebrate this truly remarkable event.

"His Majesty has had a long and enduring love for India and I hope that the living bridge between the UK and India will grow stronger in the years to come."

The tea event was held at the residence of the Deputy High Commissioner, which was decorated in the theme of a traditional English tea party.

During the party, guests were served traditional English tea, cakes and scones. The guests enjoyed the beautiful ambiance and the Coronation music.

--IANS
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Lahore/Washington, May 8 (IANS) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and deposed Pakistan premier Imran Khan claimed that the economic situation of Pakistan had worsened even more than that of Sri Lanka, media reported.

However, he added that a strong government with a public mandate could pull the country out of its economic quagmire, Express Tribune reported.

The PTI Chief reiterated that free and fair elections were the only solution to the current economic and political instability in the country.

Referring to a recent report in Bloomberg, Imran pointed out that the publication had highlighted that the economic situation of Pakistan had worsened even more than that of Sri Lanka.

"Today, the rate of inflation is higher in Pakistan than in Sri Lanka," he added, Express Tribune reported.

The PTI Chief said that "Mir Sadiq" would be an unsuitable title for former Army Chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa as no enemy had harmed Pakistan in the manner he had.

"He (Bajwa) imposed on the country all the corrupt people, who had no stake in Pakistan," Khan claimed.

"Over 60 per cent of the current federal cabinet members are out on bail in corruption cases when they were given charge of the government," he reiterated, Express Tribune reported.

Imran said that in just one year, these "imported rulers" had ruined the national economy.

"Everywhere in the world, inflation is declining except in Pakistan," he added.

--IANS
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Paris, May 7 (IANS) A group of European space and telecommunications players have come together to form a partnership to bid on the European Commission's IRIS2 multi-orbit secure satellite constellation, according to a report.

IRIS2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) is the European Union's new flagship space programme for a digital, resilient and safer Europe.

Led by Airbus Defence and Space, Eutelsat, Hispasat, SES and Thales Alenia Space, the consortium will also rely on the core team of the following companies: Deutsche Telekom, OHB, Orange, Hisdesat, Telespazio, and Thales, said a media statement.

IRIS2 will deliver resilient and secure connectivity solutions to governments to protect European citizens and will provide commercial services in the interest of European economies and societies, similar to what SpaceX's Starlink offers.

It will also bolster the EU partnership policy by offering its infrastructure abroad.

Last November, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton announced the continent's plans for IRIS2.

The EU aims to provide 2.4 billion euros, with additional contributions expected from the European Space Agency and private investments, Ars Technica reported.

"IRISA establishes space as a vector of our European autonomy, a vector of connectivity and a vector of resilience," Breton said at the time.

"It heightens Europe's role as a true space power. With a clear ambition and sense of direction."

Together, the group will create a state-of-the-art satellite constellation based on a multi-orbit architecture that would be interoperable with the terrestrial ecosystem.

The consortium will encourage start-ups, mid-Caps and SMEs to join the partnership, resulting in a more innovative and competitive European space sector where new business models will emerge, the statement said.

--IANS
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Islamabad, May 7 (IANS) Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir, in a meeting with acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Sunday, stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between the two countries to "effectively tackle the common challenges of terrorism and extremism", media reports said.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Muttaqi — who is currently in Pakistan on a visit to participate in bilateral and trilateral meetings (with China) — called on the army chief at his office.

Since its launch in 2017, the trilateral dialogue mechanism has become an important platform for the three countries to enhance understanding and deepen mutual trust and cooperation. The dialogue this time is taking place at a time when cross-border attacks from Afghanistan are on the rise.

The statement said the two discussed issues of mutual interest, including aspects related to regional security, border management, and formalisation of bilateral security mechanisms for "improvement in the current security environment".

"COAS stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between the two brotherly neighbours to effectively tackle the common challenges of terrorism and extremism. He reiterated the need for full support and commitment from the Afghan interim government in matters of mutual interest," the ISPR said, adding that the COAS also reaffirmed "Pakistan's commitment to a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan", Dawn reported.

The statement added that the Afghan minister appreciated Pakistan's support for the people of Afghanistan and acknowledged the "important role that Pakistan continues to play in facilitating peace and development in Afghanistan".

Muttaqi also expressed his desire to work closely with Pakistan to promote regional stability and prosperity, it added, Dawn reported.

Both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining regular contact to strengthen bilateral ties and address issues of common concern.

--IANS
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Taluan (Afghanistan), May 7 (IANS) A drug smuggler has been arrested in Afghanistan's northern Takhar province with 100 kg of illicit drugs discovered in his possession, an official with Border Security Force said on Sunday.

The drugs included 50 kg of opium poppy, according to official Mohammad Akram, adding that the alleged smuggler was attempting to take the contraband out of the province but police identified and arrested him in Cha Ab district on Saturday.

In similar operations, the security forces discovered 2,850 kg of hashish in the southern Uruzgan province last week, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Afghan caretaker government banned the cultivation of illegal crops, including poppy, their processing to drugs and drug trafficking in April last year.

--IANS
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Seoul, May 7 (IANS) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed on Sunday to allow a group of South Korean experts to visit Japan to inspect the planned release of radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, both sides said.

Yoon and Kishida announced the agreement during a joint press conference following a summit in Seoul, Yonhap news agency reported.

"With regard to the contaminated water from Fukushima, we agreed on the dispatch of an on-site inspection team of South Korean experts," the South Korean President said during the press conference at the presidential office.

"I hope a meaningful step will be achieved in consideration of our people's demands for a science-based and objective inspection," Yoon added.

The two leaders met in Seoul for their second summit in less than two months, a highly symbolic meeting demonstrating the neighbouring nations are firmly on course to the full restoration of long-frayed relations.

Kishida said the Japanese government's commitment to inheriting past administrations' positions on the two countries' shared history is "unwavering".

He also added that his "heart aches" for the Korean people who suffered under Tokyo's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

--IANS
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