Today’s top Pakistan current affairs January 26, 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
- Shafqat Mahmood takes notice of students protesting against physical exams. The Higher Education Commission has been instructed to consult with the vice-chancellors of varsities over the matter of online examinations, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said.
- Sindh Govt Announces Public Holiday on February 5. Sindh government has announced a public holiday on 5th of February (Friday) throughout the province on the occasion of “Kashmir Solidarity Day”.
- Sindh To Receive COVID-19 Vaccine First Batch In Feb. The government of Sindh has placed its order for the COVID-19 vaccine, sources at provincial health department disclosed.
- Kashmiris Observing India’s Republic Day As Black Day. Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and the world over are observing the Indian Republic Day today (Tuesday) as Black Day to convey the message to the international community that India continues to deny them their inalienable right to self-determination.
- WHO Recognizes Madina As World’s Healthiest Cities. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognized the city of Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, among the world’s healthiest cities.
- LHC accepts petition seeking ban on TikTok, Bigo, Likee. The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday overruled its registrar office’s objections to a writ petition seeking ban on a number of social media applications, including TikTok, Bigo Live and Likee.
- Pakistan opposes new permanent seats in UNSC. Pakistan has opposed the creation of new permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
- Rupee strengthens against US dollar. The Pakistani rupee appreciated by Rs0.16 against the United States (US) dollar in the interbank market on Tuesday, according to the State Bank.
- South Africa Women complete ODI series sweep against Pakistan. South Women handed a 32-run defeat to Pakistan in the third and final ODI to complete a 3-0 cleansweep.
Spotlight by The NewsRun
1. COVID-19 IN PAKISTAN
- 24-hour count: Pakistan reported 1,873 new cases and 58 deaths in the past 24 hours. Pakistan also conducted 42,587 tests in the span of 24 hours (P.S. this data was last updated on January 26 at 8:29am).
2. Biden administration to review US-Taliban deal
What’s going on? The administration of US Democratic President, Joe Biden, will reportedly review the peace deal reached with the Afghan Taliban last year under former Republican President, Donald Trump. The review will determine whether the Afghan Taliban are following through on their commitment to cut ties with terrorist groups, reduce violence in Afghanistan, and kick-start negotiations with the Afghan govt.
The details: Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had a meeting with Army Chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt. General Faiz Hameed. They reportedly got together to discuss “national security.” There aren’t more details about the meeting. However, they were presumably talking about the Afghanistan situation, and the Biden administration’s announcement to review the US-Taliban peace deal, which Pakistan helped facilitate.
Tell me more: Afghan govt officials are welcoming a review of the peace deal. Afghanistan’s Vice President, Amrullah Saleh, thinks the US gave up too much in its deal with the Taliban. Afghanistan’s Deputy Interior Minister, Sediq Sediqqi, claimed the US-Taliban agreement didn’t end Taliban violence.
Looking ahead: The Biden administration is expected to contact Pakistan to talk about peace efforts in Afghanistan. Representatives from the Afghan govt and Taliban started direct talks in Doha last year to figure out a ceasefire and potential power-sharing agreement.
The context: According to the February 2020 agreement, US and allied forces have to leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for security and counter-terrorism guarantees.
A little history lesson: US forces have been present in Afghanistan since 2001, when US-led troops removed the Taliban regime from power. Then US President, George W. Bush, told the Taliban to deliver Osama bin Laden to US authorities, since he masterminded the September 11 terrorist attacks. When the Taliban said ‘nope,’ the US rolled up its sleeves and said, ‘we’re coming for you.’ There has been an ongoing conflict between the Taliban and Afghan govt for years. Initially, the Taliban refused to sit down with Afghan govt officials, calling them “American puppets.”
The bottom line: The Biden administration supports the Afghan peace process, but wants to make sure there isn’t a resurgence of terrorism following negotiations and international troop withdrawals. Pakistan wants a political settlement in Afghanistan as well, and remains involved in the peace process.
3. Military kills five members of the Pakistan Taliban group
The military reportedly killed five members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (i.e. Pakistan Taliban or TTP) militant group in North Waziristan, including senior members Syed Raheem and Saifullah Noor. Raheem had been involved in 17 attacks against Pakistani security forces since 2007, and was behind some targeted killings in North Waziristan. He was apparently running two suicide bomber training centers as well. Noor was also involved in attacks on security forces in North Waziristan.
- Backstory: In 2014, Pakistan’s military launched security operations in North Waziristan and its adjoining districts to push out Pakistan Taliban militants. The TTP still launches infrequent attacks on civilians and security forces across the country, but these attacks have reportedly decreased since 2017.
4. Pakistani-American attorney makes history
Saima Mohsin, who was born in Pakistan, is about to become a top federal prosecutor in Detroit, Michigan. On February 2, Mohsin will begin serving as acting US attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan after the current US attorney for the district, Matthew Schneider, resigns. What does this mean? Mohsin will be the first Muslim US attorney in Michigan and the country! She is currently the First Assistant US attorney for eastern Michigan. Even though some Muslim attorneys have worked in prosecutor’s offices before, there hasn’t been a top federal prosecutor who is Muslim, until now. Schneider praised Mohsin for being a “dynamic trial lawyer and a talented manager.”
- Backstory: Mohsin graduated from Rutgers University in New Jersey, earning a bachelor’s degree and law degree. She started working for the US Attorney’s Office in Michigan in 2002, and has been a federal prosecutor for decades.
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