[Current Affairs] 03 June, 2021 Top Pakistan Current Affairs for PPSC Test Preparation

2. Ramping up ties with Tajikistan

What’s going on? President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, was in Pakistan for a two-day visit this week. Pakistan and Tajikistan recently signed agreements that outline their strategic cooperation in various sectors, such as culture, investment, transport, education, and defense. Islamophobia also came up, and how both countries are trying to control corruption.

The details: PM Khan and President Rahmon had a one-on-one meeting, attended a ceremony where both countries signed various agreements, and addressed a joint press conference. Yesterday, PM Khan said it’s important to improve Pakistan’s defense ties with Tajikistan. That’s why one of the agreements includes the sale of Pakistan-manufactured arms to Tajikistan.

Tell me more: Pakistan and Tajikistan apparently want to help each other overcome common security challenges. Both countries also want regional peace so terrorism and instability don’t disrupt trade.

Something to know: Tajikistan has reportedly struggled with poverty and instability. The country’s major religion is Islam. It’s major languages are Tajik, Uzbek and Russian. Tajikistan became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991. A five-year civil war followed Tajikistan’s independence. President Rahmon has served as president for four terms since 1994. Authorities have been accused of “obstructing” critical reporting. Websites and social media are often blocked.

The bottom line: Overall, President Rahmon thinks his visit went really well. Pakistan andTajikistan are looking to deepen bilateral relations and improve trade ties with each other.

4. Education Minister announces scaled back board exams

On Wednesday, Minister for Education, Shafqat Mahmood, said board exams for students will take place after July 10. Exams for classes nine and 10 will only be for elective subjects, plus math. Exams for  classes 11 and 12 will only be for elective subjects. As for the grading system, the marks students receive in their exams for elective subjects will be “proportionately allocated” to other subjects for which they didn’t take exams. Lawyer and activist, Jibran Nasir, congratulated students for “asserting themselves as rightful stakeholders” when it came to the exam situation this year. Nasir called this new development a “much needed relaxation in exams.”

• Backstory: In April this year, the education ministry postponed all exams in the country until June 15, including Cambridge International’s O/A-Level exams. The ministry made this decision amid a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases. For the past few months, students, parents and activists have been calling on the govt to cancel in-person exams due to rising COVID-19 cases. Students were also worried about incomplete coursework. According to the students, they didn’t have physical classes for most of the academic year, and didn’t get a chance to complete their syllabus either. Mahmood said the govt postponed exams to address the health concerns of students and parents.