Islamabad: The PTI on Thursday announced nationwide rallies in connection with upcoming by-elections on nine National Assembly seats.

The party's chairman, Imran Khan, will address rallies in 17 cities of the country.

According to the party's schedule, Khan will demonstrate his political sghow in Rawalpindi on Sunday, August 21, Haripur on Wednesday, August 24, Karachi on Friday, August 26, Sukkur on Saturday, August 27, and Imran Khan on Sunday, August 28 in Peshawar.

Apart from this, Khan will address a meeting in Jhelum on Monday, August 29, Attock on Wednesday, August 31, Sargodha on Thursday, September 1, Gujarat on Friday, September 2, and Bhawalpur on Saturday, September 3.

According to the schedule, the former prime minister will address public meetings in Bahawalnagar on September 7, Multan on September 8, Sheikhupura on September 9, Gujranwala on September 10 and Quetta on September 11.

According to PTI leader Ali Zaidi, the August 19 rally in Karachi has been postponed due to heavy rains.

Japan's young adults are a sober bunch - something authorities are hoping to change with a new campaign.

The younger generation drinks less alcohol than their parents - a move that has hit taxes from beverages like sake (rice wine). 

So the national tax agency has stepped in with a national competition to come up with ideas to reverse the trend.

The "Sake Viva!" campaign hopes to come up with a plan to make drinking more attractive - and boost the industry.

The contest asks 20 to 39-year-olds to share their business ideas to kick-start demand among their peers - whether it's for Japanese sake, shochu, whiskey, beer or wine.

The group running the competition for the tax authority says new habits - partly formed during the Covid pandemic - and an ageing population have led to a decline in alcohol sales.

It wants contestants to come up with promotions, branding, and even cutting-edge plans involving artificial intelligence.

Japanese media say the reaction has been mixed, with some criticism about the bid to promote an unhealthy habit. But others have posted quirky ideas online - such as famous actresses "performing" as virtual-reality hostesses in digital clubs.

Contestants have until the end of September to put forward their ideas. The best plans will then be developed with help from experts before the final proposals are presented in November.

The campaign's website says Japan's alcohol market is shrinking and the country's older demographic - alongside declining birth rates - is a significant factor behind it.

Recent figures from the tax agency show that people were drinking less in 2020 than in 1995, with numbers plummeting from 100 litres (22 gallons) a year to 75 litres (16 gallons).

Tax revenue from taxes on alcohol has also shrunk over the years. According to The Japan Times newspaper, it made up 5% of total revenue in 1980, but in 2020 amounts to just 1.7%.

The World Bank estimates that nearly a third (29%) of Japan's population is aged 65 and older - the highest proportion in the world.

Concerns about the future of sake is not the only problem that poses for Japan's economy - there are worries about the supply of younger staff for certain types of jobs, and care for the elderly in the future.

SOURCE: BBC

Islamabad: Pakistan and the United Kingdom have signed reciprocal agreement to return foreign criminals and immigration offenders from the UK to Pakistan.

In a press release, UK Home Department said the agreement underlined both countries’ ongoing commitment to tackle issue of illegal migration and the significant threats it posed to both nations.

The agreement included ongoing work to improve and expand UK-Pakistani law enforcement cooperation.