Politics

The Lahore Zoo is to receive 8 lions and ten tigers as a gift from the United Arab Emirates according to Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change, Malik Ameen Aslam. This is going to help solve the problem of inbreeding between the big cats kept at the zoo, thus making future cubs much healthier.

Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev resigned on Tuesday after three decades in power. The unexpected resignation appears to be the first step in a choreographed political transition in the country. "As the founder of the independent Kazakh state I see my task now in facilitating the rise of a new generation of leaders," he said in his last address as president.

Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed a public gathering in the Orakzai tribal district and said that the hardships that the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement speaks about are true. However, the manner in which demands are being made will not help anybody. He said that the army was not to blame and that we need to think about how to move forward.

The Finance Division announced late last night that Dr Reza Baqir of the IMF has been appointed the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan for the next three years. Dr Reza Baqir is a graduate of Aitchison, and obtained a PhD from UC Berkeley in Economics. He has been working with the IMF for the last 16 years.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad gifted a Proton car to Imran Khan on Friday. Malaysia has also announced it will be setting up a Proton car manufacturing unit in Pakistan, which will starting production in June next year. This will be a joint venture between the Malaysian carmaker and its local partner Alhaj Automotive.

The National Accountability Bureau in Rawalpindi has filed a reference against Abdul Ghani Majeed, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Omni Group along with Malik Riaz's son and son in law. This is in regards to the ongoing fake bank accounts case where government officials allegedly allotted land that was for government use.

China has shown interest in financially supporting 16 projects related to education and vocational training, healthcare, poverty alleviation, agriculture and drinkable water supply sectors. Majority of the socio-economic development projects to be implemented will be carried out in South Punjab.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the captured Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot has praised the professional treatment he received during his two-day stay with the Pakistani military moments before he was handed over to the Indian authorities, also admitting that the Indian media exaggerates a lot when it comes to issues related to Pakistan. “They make a mountain out of a molehill,” he said.

Speaking of his dismissal as the Finance Minister, Asad Umar said, "It was harder on Khan Sb. He took this decision with a great deal of difficulty and it’s been emotionally tough on him. Personally, I was on the verge of burn out. My stress level has dropped dramatically." He said he is now going to the gym and plans to go to Hunza.

During an interaction with journalists and newspaper owners on Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that he will have a good news to give to the Pakistani people within three weeks. He further said that the off shore oil drilling project in the Arabian sea is at its final stages and there might be a major find.