Pakistan
No choices, no options
After an American intelligence report stated that Saudi Prince Mohammad Bin Salman was directly involved in the murder of Washington Post columnist and journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the US State Department placed restrictions and travel bans on 76 individuals belonging to the desert kingdom.
They were responsible for the murder, the State Department said.
Pakistan, however, immediately rejected the report and stood by its old ally.
Questions are being asked now, whether standing by Saudi Arabia instead of the only super power in the world, was a wise thing to do.
There are no permanent friends nor permanent enemies in the world of International Relations. Permanence is granted only to benefits. In our foreign policy, money, whether in the form of foreign aid or in the form of remittances, constitutes a very important cornerstone. Pakistan’s Achilles heel, if you will.
During the past 7 months, remittances have been rising steadily, now averaging about $2 billion monthly or more. From July last year till January, a record increase of 24.9% saw the amount reach $14.2 billion.
Approximately 60% of this amount is sent from Gulf countries, mainly Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Between July and December 2020, the country received $4 billion from the former and $3 billion from the later. A combined $1.2 billion came from the other gulf countries. One of the reason for this increase is the preference for banking channels instead of hundi. “Roshan Digital Accounts” have made it easy for the diaspora to send money back home. I am happy that in just six months, over 86000 accounts were opened and $550 million made their way over to our banks.
More than 9 million Pakistanis are settled or working abroad. If just half of them open these accounts, then a sizable amount will start pouring in, providing much needed stability to our foreign reserves.
Perhaps it is now easier for the reader to understand why Pakistan stood by Saudi Arabia. Its not just about the brotherly or friendly relations between two Islamic countries but also the much needed foreign reserves. At no cost whatsoever, will Pakistan spoil its equation with the desert kingdom. Especially not now when it is going through a particularly rough patch. Loans from fleecing international organisations such as IMF and ADB have become a given; we just cannot survive without them.
Just recently, Pakistan revived the IMF program of $6 billion, implementing harsh conditions which were a prerequisite for the loan. Foreign loans have now reached the sum of $113 billion.
Can we afford to oppose Saudi Arabia? Do we have a choice here? No. Not in such a severe financial crunch.
Sports
United clinch third PSL title by beating Sultans in season 9 Final
Islamabad United successfully chased down the target of 160 runs set by Multan Sultans in the final over at National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Monday night.
Karachi: In the final match of the HBL PSL Season 9, Islamabad United secured their third championship title by defeating Multan Sultans by 2 wickets on Monday night.
The match, held at Karachi's National Bank Stadium, witnessed Multan Sultans' Skipper Mohammad Rizwan, winning the toss and opting to bat first.
The Sultans made 159 runs at the loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Islamabad United successfully chased down the target in the final over.
For Islamabad United, the chase was initiated by Martin Guptill and Colin Munro, but both couldn't stay long at the crease, with Munro departing after scoring 26 runs.
Following Munro's dismissal, Salman Butt joined Guptill, but he too couldn't contribute much and was out after scoring only 10 runs off 11 balls. Asad Shafiq, coming in at number five, provided some resistance along with Guptill, but Guptill's departure for 50 runs off 32 balls halted their progress.
Soon after Guptill's dismissal, Asad Khan also fell victim to Usama Mir's delivery, followed by quick dismissals of Haider Ali and Faheem Ashraf. After Faheem Ashraf's departure, Imad Wasim and Nasim Shah responsibly played and managed to cross the target with one ball to spare, with Imad scoring 18 runs and Nasim contributing 17 runs.
From Multan Sultans' side, Usman Khan remained the top scorer with 57 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan scored 26 and Shadab Khan scored 11 runs. Yasir Khan and David Willey contributed 6 runs each, with Imad Wasim taking 5 wickets and Shadab Khan dismissing 3 players for Islamabad United.
Regional
Nawaz decides to go Saudi Arabia in last ashra of Ramadan
However, prime minister Shehbaz Sharif will go also be going to Saudi Arabia for Umrah in the last ashra of Ramadan.
Lahore: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) supremo Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has decided to go to Saudi Arabia in the last ashra of Ramadan.
According to the details, Nawaz’s sons Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz and his daughter chief minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz will also be going with him to Saudi Arabia.
Nawaz Sharif will offer Umrah there and then will go to London. Former prime minister will let examine his health in London. After that, PML-N’s supremo will reach Pakistan again after having some stay in London.
However, prime minister Shehbaz Sharif will go also be going to Saudi Arabia for Umrah in the last ashra of Ramadan.
Regional
SIC nominates Malik Ahmad Bhachar as opposition leader
SIC’s chairman said that Malik Ahmad Bhachar is temporarily nominated as leader of opposition.
Lahore: Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) has nominated former member of provincial assembly Malik Ahmad Bhachar as opposition leader and Moin Ud Din Riaz Qureshi as deputy opposition leader in Punjab assembly.
According to the details, SIC’s chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza announced the appointments of these two leaders.
Sahibzada stated that it is the extreme of lawlessness that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader Mian Aslam Iqbal nominated for the Leader of Opposition in Punjab assembly is not even being allowed to take oath.
SIC’s chairman said that Malik Ahmad Bhachar is temporarily nominated as leader of opposition in accordance with the message and instructions received from chairman PTI and with the consultation of Mian Aslam Iqbal.
He further said that Moin Ud Din Riaz Qureshi has been nominated as deputy leader of opposition, Mian Aslam Iqbal will be Leader of Opposition after taking oath.
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