Today’s top Pakistan current affairs 16 June, 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
- Coronavirus Claims More 46 Lives Across The Country. Pakistan has reported 46 deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 944,065.
- World Appreciating Pakistan’s Efforts For Peace In Afghanistan: FM. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says the world is appreciating Pakistan’s efforts for peace in Afghanistan.
- Five Officers Of PAF Promoted To Rank Of Air Vice Marshal. Five officers of Pakistan Air Force have been promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal.
- G-20 suspends Pakistan’s debt payments by end of 2021. Pakistan has received major debt relief from G20 countries amid the coronavirus pandemic as the premier forum of the world’s leading economies has suspended Pakistan’s debt of $3.7 billion by the end of this year.
- Pakistan-IMF talks over sixth economic review remain inconclusive. Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) held inconclusive talks over a sixth review of the $6 billion loan programme
- Temporary shortage of Covid jabs at some vaccination centres, says SAPM Faisal. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, Dr Faisal Sultan said on Wednesday that 2 million doses of Covid vaccines are still available in the country and supply would improve further after June 20
- Rupee continues to weaken against US dollar. The Pakistani rupee depreciated 17 paisas against the United States (US) dollar in the interbank currency market on Wednesday.
- ICC Releases Test Rankings. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has lost No.1 position in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings to Australia batsman Steve Smith.
Spotlight by The NewsRun
1. COVID-19 IN PAKISTAN
- 24-hour recap: Pakistan reported 838 cases and 59 deaths in 24 hours. Pakistan also conducted 35,039 tests in the span of 24 hours (P.S. this data was last updated on June 15 at 7:38 am).
- Less than 1,000 COVID-19 cases reported in Pakistan since Feb 15: Less than 1,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Pakistan for the first time since February 15. 838 cases were reported in the last 24 hours, according to information from the National Command and Operation Centre. 35,039 tests were conducted and 59 deaths were also recorded in the last 24 hours. Sindh recorded the most number of cases at 479, but Punjab had the highest death toll at 32 deaths. The positivity rate currently stands at 2.39 percent.
- UAE extends travel ban on Pakistani arrivals till July 7: According to Etihad Airways — the UAE’s national carrier — a travel ban on passengers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka has been extended to July 7. The initial ban started on May 12. According to Etihad Airways, passengers who’ve visited any of the listed countries over the past 14 days are not allowed entry into the UAE either. The only exemptions are for diplomats, UAE nationals and those who hold a Golden Visa, a long-term residence visa for the UAE. As for the Dubai-based Emirates airline, it didn’t post an updated extension date on its website, but mentioned that travelers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka will remain suspended until further notice. The UAE’s decision to place a travel ban on Pakistan was brought on by a third wave of COVID-19 infections, according to Samaa Digital.
2. Gujjar, Orangi nullah houses demolished on order of Supreme Court
What’s going on? Houses along the Gujjar and Orangi nullahs were demolished Monday June 14 after the Supreme Court rejected an appeal by residents to stop the demolition. According to Karachi Bachao Tehreek — a movement to stop demolitions of working-class settlements in Karachi — more than 50,000 residents will be displaced by the demolition, 21,000 of whom are children.
The details: The demolitions came after the Supreme Court ordered the clearance of all stormwater drains (nullahs) following torrential rains last August. In May 2021 the Sindh High Court halted demolitions along the two nullahs until the Supreme Court heard the case, but on Monday June 14 the Supreme Court ruled in favour of demolitions amid protests outside its gates. Children residing in the nullah areas protested outside the Karachi Press Club on Sunday before the court’s ruling. According to a Dawn article, parts of the Gujjar nullah were already bulldozed by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation earlier this year in February.
Tell me more: According to a Dawn editorial, the Supreme Court had initially halted the demolitions on the grounds that the houses along the nullahs had been leased to residents by the government. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling on Monday dismissed this notion, arguing that land along the nullahs is not lawfully allowed to be leased.
The context: In addition to protests taking place, #HousingForAll has been trending on Twitter in support of those whose homes have been razed to the ground. One member of the Awami Workers Party tweeted that “not a single mainstream political party stood with residents of informal settlements & slums in Pakistan.” Writer and educationist, Khurram Ali, pointed out that the latest demolitions at Gujjar and Orangi nullahs are a class issue above all else; working-class citizens pay the price for allegedly constructing settlements illegally while residents of “elite” housing societies face no such consequences.
The bottom line: The Supreme Court didn’t rule in favor of the Gujjar and Orangi nullah affectees who are losing their homes. Now, opponents of the demolitions, like Karachi Bachao Tehreek, are hoping the affectees will at least receive adequate compensation and rehabilitation.
3. Xulfi confirmed as Coke Studio’s new producer
Musician Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, also known as Xulfi, has been confirmed as Coke Studio’s new producer following the exit of former producer Rohail Hyatt. Coke Studio tagged Xulfi in a tweet Monday saying “Shuru Karain?”, meaning “Let’s begin?” Xulfi is the creator and producer of Nescafe Basement, a Pakistani music television series featuring underground artists. He also produced Tayyar Hain, the official anthem of the 2020 Pakistan Super League.
- Backstory: Vital Signs musician Rohail Hyatt announced his departure from Coke Studio earlier this year in March. He founded Coke Studio in 2008 and after producing six seasons took a break from production in 2013, returning again in 2019. In March Hyatt responded to a fan’s concern on Twitter over who the next producer will be, saying “Xulfi is the best option IMO.”
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