Today’s top Pakistan current affairs April 06, 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
- Schools To Remain Closed Until April 28: Mahmood. On-campus classes for grades from nursery to eighth at all private and government schools in Covid-19 affected cities will remain suspended until April 28, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood announced on Tuesday.
- All exams, including O/A levels, to be held on schedule: Shafqat Mahmood. Federal minister for education Shafqat Mahmood on Tuesday said that all exams including O/A levels will be held according to the schedule. Talking to media after the NCOC meeting held today to decide the future of schools and discussing the exam situation
- Increased restrictions have slowed down Covid-19 positivity: Asad Umar. The government’s increased restrictions and precautionary measures have slowed down the coronavirus positivity ratio, Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar said.
- Russian foreign minister arrives in Pakistan on a two-day visit. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Islamabad on a two-day visit, the Pakistani Foreign Office said Tuesday.
- Pakistan to welcome Russian investment for Steel Mill’s revival: FM. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday said Pakistan would welcome if Russia made an investment for the revival of Pakistan Steels Mills (PSM) or other projects.
- 20pc of Pakistan’s population to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Dec 2021. The federal government on Tuesday said that 20 percent population of the country would be vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 2021
- Pakistani rupee strengthens against US dollar. The Pakistani rupee strengthened by 33 paisas (0.22%) against the United States (US) dollar in the interbank currency market on Tuesday.
- Gold price falls Rs2,000 in Pakistan over last three days. The gold price dropped by another Rs2,000 in Pakistan over the last three days, according to rates shared by the All Sindh Saraf Jewelers Association. A tola of gold now costs Rs104,000.
Spotlight by The NewsRun
1. COVID-19 IN PAKISTAN
- 24-hour count: Pakistan reported 4,323 new cases and 43 deaths in 24 hours. Pakistan also conducted 43,362 tests in the span of 24 hours (P.S. this data was last updated on April 5 at 8:32am).
- Vaccinating foreigners in Pakistan: The federal govt reportedly decided to let foreign nationals receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Pakistan. The vaccination program for foreign healthcare workers and foreigners over 60 started yesterday. According to The Express Tribune, several foreigners claimed there wasn’t any arrangement or strategy to get them vaccinated like other Pakistani nationals.
2. French Senate approves Hijab restrictions
What’s going on? The French Senate voted to ban the hijab for anyone under 18 in public places. Mothers who wear hijabs can’t accompany their children on school trips. Also, burkinis will be banned at public swimming pools (i.e. burkinis are swimsuits that cover the body and head). This development is also getting coverage in Pakistan. Muslims in France and around the world are criticizing proposed hijab restrictions in the country.
The details: The French Senate voted in favor of “prohibiting in the public space any conspicuous religious sign by minors, and any dress or clothing that signifies the interiorization of women over men.” However, many Muslim women wear the hijab for religious purposes, which is why Muslims in France are feeling targeted.
The context: France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, has a history of opposing the hijab and how it supposedly goes against the French ideals of separating state from religion. However, it looks like France’s strict secularism policies have impacted other religions as well. In 2004, France banned students from wearing any signs of religious affiliation at state schools, including Muslim headscarves, Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses. In 2019, a state retirement home in France told a Christian nun she had to stop wearing her religious habit (i.e. tunic) and headscarf in order to live in the residence.
Something to know: This isn’t the first time France has banned attire that some Muslims consider a religious obligation. In 2011, France imposed a ban on wearing veils (i.e. face coverings) in public places. A few years earlier, authorities in several French beach towns banned burkinis due to concerns about “religious clothing.”
Looking ahead: The French Senate has only passed the law, which is part of a Separatist Bill. The National Assembly still has to confirm it. This means the laws haven’t been implemented yet.
The bottom line: The French state believes it is “liberating” women and protecting them from patriarchy. At the same time, critics of the ban are accusing France of fueling Islamophobia, violating
3. Anti-terrorism judge killed over property dispute
The judge of an anti-terrorism court in Swat, Aftab Afridi, was shot dead while traveling with his family members.They were going back to Islamabad after attending a wedding in Peshawar when gunmen started firing at their vehicle. There are conflicting reports about the other family members who were killed in the attack. The Express Tribune wrote that Afridi’s wife and two children died. However, Dawn said Afridi’s wife, daughter-in-law, and grandson died. The judge’s son, Abdul Majid Afridi, claimed his father was killed over a property dispute. Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the killing.
4. Pakistan comments on the ‘royal dispute’ in Jordan
Pakistan was quick to take sides and announce it’s on team King Abdullah II (i.e. the King of Jordan). On Twitter, the Foreign Ministry wrote, “Pakistan supports the right of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, led by his Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein. Pakistan fully supports the right of the kingdom to preserve its security, stability and sovereignty.” To sum up what’s happening in Jordan, a royal family dispute became very public.
- What Jordanian authorities are saying: Officials in Jordan accused former Crown Prince, Hamzah bin Hussein, of planning a coup. Prince Hamzah is also King Abdullah II’s half brother. During a press conference, Jordan’s Foreign Minister alleged that Hussein and other senior officials were
plotting to destabilize the kingdom.
- What Prince Hamzah is saying: In a video recording, Prince Hamzah said his internet and phone lines have been cut, but he’s using satellite internet to share a video message. According to Prince Hamzah, Jordan’s chief of general staff told him he couldn’t go out, communicate with anyone, or see anyone since he attended meetings where people criticized the govt and king. Long story short, the video shows Prince Hamzah calling Jordan’s leaders “corrupt” and “incompetent,” without taking the king’s name. He also mentioned an alleged crackdown on critics of the govt.
- Now what? King Abdullah’s paternal uncle swooped in to help the kingdom’s royal family calm down. He spoke to Prince Hamzah. By the end of their conversation, Prince Hamzah said he’ll remain loyal to the king and Jordan’s constitution. According to professional mediator and family friend, Malik R. Dahlan, a senior security official and govt official misrepresented the situation, which should have remained a family matter.
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