Today’s top Pakistan current affairs January 04, 2021 with download link available in pdf. These are the latest breaking news about Pakistan which will be helpful for aspirants in test preparation of current affairs, Pakistan affairs, General knowledge for NTS, PPSC, CSS, FPSC, KPPSC, SPSC, BPSC, AJKPSC, OTS, PTS, and other Govt Jobs, exams & MDCAT, ECAT Entry test preparation.
One Liner
- Govt orders 1.2mn doses of coronavirus vaccine: Attaur Rehman. Renowned scientist and Chairman of Prime Minister’s Taskforce on Science and Technology Dr Attaur Rahman on Sunday announced that the government has ordered 1.2 million doses of coronavirus
- Oil prices rise on expectations that OPEC+ likely to maintain output. Oil prices rose on Monday on expectations that OPEC and allied producers may cap output at current levels in February at a meeting later in the day as the coronavirus pandemic keeps worries about first-half demand elevated.
- Govt to reopen educational institutions in phases starting Jan 18: Shafqat Mahmood. A meeting of education ministers decided on Monday to reopen educational institutions across the country in a phase-wise manner with classes nine to 12 resuming in the first phase on January 18.
- Pakistan Embassy in Washington shut owing to ‘Covid-19 exposure’. The Pakistan Embassy in Washington has been closed due to possible “Covid-19 exposure” on its premises, according to a notification issued to this effect.
- Huge number of fuel stations selling smuggled petroleum products. Taking notice of sale of smuggled petroleum products inflicting a huge loss on the national exchequer, Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered a crackdown against elements involved in it
- PIA’s Plane Flies to Manchester With Only One Passenger. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has set a new record for operating an international flight with just one passenger on Sunday.
- Gold rates move up in domestic market. The per tola gold price witnessed an increase of Rs1,300 to Rs115,600 in the domestic market on Monday
- Pakistani Rupee Begins the Year With a Slight Loss Against the US Dollar. The first shift for the Pakistani Rupee’s exchange rate against the US Dollar in 2021 came as a loss of 14 paisas on the opening day of the week.
- Williamson’s century puts New Zealand on top in second Test. An outstanding unbeaten century from captain Kane Williamson has put New Zealand in a commanding position in the second Test against Pakistan in Christchurch on Monday.
Spotlight by The NewsRun
1. COVID-19 IN PAKISTAN
- 24-hour count: Pakistan reported 1,895 new cases and 39 deaths in the past 24 hours. Pakistan also conducted 30,139 tests in the span of 24 hours (P.S. this data was last updated on January 4 at 8:21am).
- Saudi Arabia lifts travel restrictions: Saudi Arabia ended its temporary travel ban, which had been ongoing since last December due to COVID-19. Saudi resumed entry via air, land and sea yesterday morning. There has reportedly been a decline in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country.
- In news not related to Pakistan, but still relevant: India granted emergency approval to the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca-Oxford University. India also gave emergency approval to a vaccine by state-run institute, Bharat Biotech. Bharat’s vaccine is still in stage 3 clinical trials, and the final results haven’t been released yet. However, the Drugs Controller General of India said the vaccine is “found to be safe.” This is the first time vaccines have been granted emergency approval in India, which has the second largest COVID-19 outbreak in the world, following the US. India is also the second country to approve the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine after the UK.
2. Gunmen kill Shiite Hazara coal miners
What’s going on? Gunmen reportedly abducted and killed a group of Shiite Hazara coal miners in Balochistan. The Gunmen killed 11 people. The attack took place on Sunday near the Mach coal field.
The details: Armed men took the coal miners to nearby mountains, where they shot them. The Islamic State (ISIS) militant group claimed responsibility for the attack. Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan posted about the attack on Twitter, calling it “an act of terrorism.” Members of the Hazara community held protests in Quetta, blocking highways with burnt tires and tree trunks. Shiite cleric, Nasir Abbas, said protests against the incident would be organized across the country.
The context: Sunni militant groups like ISIS, and other banned hardline groups like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, have targeted Pakistan’s minority Hazara community in the past. In fact, ISIS has reportedly declared war on the Shiite community in neighboring Afghanistan as well.
The bottom line: PM Khan wants the killers to be apprehended and brought to justice. This violent attack is being condemned across the country.
3. A forest fire in Ayubia Park
There was a fire in Ayubia National Park, which is located near the Mukeshpuri mountain top in Abbottabad District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Ayubia National Park is surrounded by seven major villages and four small towns – Thandiani, Nathiagali, Ayubia and Khanspur. The fire reportedly blazed on for around three days. Hundreds of trees burned, and numerous wild animals died as well. Police shifted locals and tourists to Doonga Gali. It’s unclear what exactly caused the fire.
- Backstory: Ayubia park was declared a national park in 1984. It was named after Muhammad Ayub Khan, the second President of Pakistan. The park area is around 8,000 feet above sea level, and home to more than 100 plant species. The area is known to be a big tourist attraction, and has several hotels and restaurants.
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