{"id":64701,"date":"2020-12-21T17:59:26","date_gmt":"2020-12-21T17:59:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepistan.com\/blog\/?p=64701"},"modified":"2020-12-23T09:50:28","modified_gmt":"2020-12-23T09:50:28","slug":"current-affairs-december-212020-top-pakistan-current-affairs-for-entry-test-preparation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepistan.com\/blog\/current-affairs-december-212020-top-pakistan-current-affairs-for-entry-test-preparation\/","title":{"rendered":"[Current Affairs] December 21,2020 Top Pakistan Current Affairs for Entry Test Preparation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Today\u2019s top Pakistan current affairs December 21,2020 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, <\/strong><strong>KPPSC, SPSC, BPSC, AJKPSC, OTS, PTS, and other Govt Jobs, exams &amp; MDCAT, ECAT Entry test preparation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"wq4_F5HiafA\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Current Affairs 21 and 22 December 2020 top Pakistan Current Affairs for Entry test Preparation\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wq4_F5HiafA?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/prepistan.com\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>One Liner<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">Mehran Express resumes operations after nine months.<\/span> Mehran Express, which takes passengers from Karachi to Mirpurkhas, resumed its operation on Sunday after nine months.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">Pakistan Army soldier martyred in Awaran operation.<\/span> A Pakistan Army soldier was martyred during the exchange of fire with terror suspects at Jatt Bazar in Balochistan\u2019s Awaran Sunday night, according to the military\u2019s media wing.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">Saudi Arabia suspends international flights for a week.<\/span> The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has suspended all international flights over concerns of a new strain of the novel coronavirus.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">Pakistan bans flights from UK due to new coronavirus strain.<\/span> Pakistan has banned flights from the United Kingdom until December 29 after a new strain of the coronavirus reportedly emerged in the UK, a notification said.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">Punjab CM Usman Buzdar tests positive for COVID-19.<\/span> Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Monday,<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">Pakistan Will Not Recognize Israel Until Solution Of Palestine: Qureshi.<\/span> Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan has given the dossier regarding Indian sponsored terrorism in Pakistan to the International World.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">Faisalabad man dies after \u2018playing PUBG for 24 hours\u2019.<\/span> A man in Faisalabad\u2019s Jaranwala died after playing PUBG for straight 24 hours, according to the police.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">Gold prices continue to rise in domestic market.<\/span> Gold prices continued their upward trend as the per tola price of the precious metal on Monday witnessed an increase of Rs150 to Rs112,600 in the domestic market<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Spotlight by\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenewsrun.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The NewsRun<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\"><strong>1. COVID-19 IN PAKISTAN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>24-hour count:\u00a0<\/strong>Pakistan reported<strong>\u00a01,792\u00a0new cases<\/strong>\u00a0and<strong>\u00a062\u00a0deaths<\/strong>\u00a0in the past 24 hours. Pakistan also conducted\u00a0<strong>34,772\u00a0tests\u00a0<\/strong>in the span of 24 hours (P.S. this data was last updated on December 21\u00a0at 7:27am).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"m_3322501606418052363size-18\" lang=\"x-size-18\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\"><strong>2. Using tribal areas as tax havens<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s going on?\u00a0<\/strong>The former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) have reportedly become\u00a0a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tribune.com.pk\/story\/2276497\/former-fata-becomes-tax-haven\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/newsletter.thenewsrun.com\/t\/j-l-aiudtlk-iluykthdp-t\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1608654451497000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEcQyWChIygU6e-ea4t3FYaNcLjfw\">tax haven<\/a>\u00a0in Pakistan. Basically, businesses are\u00a0establishing shell or small setups in the tribal\u00a0areas to avoid paying taxes. A\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/s\/shellcorporation.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/newsletter.thenewsrun.com\/t\/j-l-aiudtlk-iluykthdp-i\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1608654451497000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFxSYic8llNQa5ENl1v6bEKOyl-5g\">shell company<\/a>\u00a0only exists on paper, and isn&#8217;t a legit office with employees.\u00a0Shell companies aren&#8217;t exactly illegal, but they can be used illegitimately to cover up business ownership or dodge taxes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><strong>The details:\u00a0<\/strong>Why is there a tax exemption in FATA?\u00a0This &#8220;five-year tax holiday&#8221; is part of an overarching plan to make FATA &#8220;mainstream.&#8221; From June 2018 to June 2023, factories\u00a0in FATA are exempt from paying a 17% sales tax on supplies. The point is to create incentives that will contribute to development in the tribal areas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><strong>Something to know:\u00a0<\/strong>The manufacturing, import, services, and retail\/distribution sectors in Pakistan\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fbr.gov.pk\/sales-tax\/131167\/131269\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/newsletter.thenewsrun.com\/t\/j-l-aiudtlk-iluykthdp-d\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1608654451497000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHbyKdfjFh4JqK76cod3oydLH2Gxw\">have to pay a\u00a0sales tax<\/a>\u00a0on their locally produced goods and imported goods. However, not all goods\u00a0are &#8220;taxable supplies.&#8221; Tax exemptions can vary on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><strong>Tell me more:\u00a0<\/strong>Some businesses in the country are reportedly taking advantage of looser tax requirements\u00a0in FATA.\u00a0For example, shell companies or small\u00a0units\u00a0in FATA are importing foam with tax exemptions.\u00a0Then, they send\u00a0that imported foam to their foam factories outside of FATA.\u00a0Also, some businesses\u00a0are making and selling goods in developed parts of the country, but allegedly showing that production and consumption are taking place in the tribal areas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><strong>The context:\u00a0<\/strong>FATA merged with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in 2018, bringing it into the fold of Pakistan&#8217;s legal system and govt authority. The govt wants to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usip.org\/sites\/default\/files\/2018-03\/sr-421-mainstreaming-pakistan-federally-administered-tribal-areas.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/newsletter.thenewsrun.com\/t\/j-l-aiudtlk-iluykthdp-h\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1608654451497000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHTc3AUTDy2ycGjoELqna6cZHjJ7Q\">&#8220;mainstream&#8221;<\/a>\u00a0FATA in order to reduce militancy and improve security in the region. Other proposed reforms in FATA include the provision of basic human and legal rights under Pakistan&#8217;s constitution, economic support and development aid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><strong>The bottom line:\u00a0<\/strong>Foam manufacturers producing goods in Punjab\u00a0are feeling threatened by big-time industry players misusing\u00a0tax exemptions in FATA.\u00a0As a\u00a0start, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has set up check posts\u00a0to monitor\u00a0goods being transferred from FATA\u00a0to more developed parts of the country. However, manufacturers have doubts about the FBR&#8217;s ability to effectively keep track of goods being moved\u00a0out of FATA.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\"><strong>3. An &#8220;airpocalypse\u201d in Lahore<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Lahore&#8217;s air quality reportedly\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dawn.com\/news\/1596720\/air-quality-touches-hazardous-level\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/newsletter.thenewsrun.com\/t\/j-l-aiudtlk-iluykthdp-k\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1608654451498000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHGqmEuU5mEEJJsATiqiTc0FgxXkg\">plummeted<\/a>\u00a0on Saturday, according to the city&#8217;s Air Quality Index (AQI).The AQI ranges from 0 to 500. A high number in the AQI indicates poor air quality. A number above 300 is considered &#8220;hazardous,&#8221; so imagine how people reacted when the highest number,\u00a0615, was recorded\u00a0near the US Consulate. If the air quality\u00a0crosses 500, it is considered &#8220;beyond index.&#8221; An average AQI of\u00a0540 was recorded across the city. Lawyer and environmental activist Ahmed Rafay Alam, believes local news\u00a0outlets don&#8217;t cover air pollution enough. According to Alam, local\u00a0media needs to start taking the air quality issue more seriously, so people are aware of how dangerous it is for\u00a0their health.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\"><strong>4. UAE visa suspension due to COVID-19<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Remember the\u00a0UAE visa suspension we&#8217;ve been covering? Reported reasons for the temporary visa suspension\u00a0keep changing. A few weeks ago, we learned that the\u00a0UAE\u00a0will\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dawn.com\/news\/1591082\/uae-suspends-issuance-of-visit-visas-to-12-countries-including-pakistan-says-fo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/newsletter.thenewsrun.com\/t\/j-l-aiudtlk-iluykthdp-u\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1608654451498000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGdy8q8-cNEQ7wNhbcubhS3_Kmqdw\">temporarily stop issuing new\u00a0visas<\/a>\u00a0to citizens of Pakistan and a dozen other countries. At first,\u00a0Pakistan&#8217;s Foreign Office said UAE authorities most likely made this decision due to COVID-19. Later on, media reports claimed the UAE suspended visas to citizens of Pakistan and 12 other mainly Muslim-majority countries for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2020\/11\/25\/uae-halts-new-visas-to-citizens-of-13-mostly-muslim-states\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/newsletter.thenewsrun.com\/t\/j-l-aiudtlk-iluykthdp-o\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1608654451498000&amp;usg=AFQjCNF10KAveafOOoe2DbXA3URweYRXmQ\">security reasons<\/a>.\u00a0Specifically, the UAE suspended\u00a0new employment and visit visas.\u00a0Recently, the UAE\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2020\/12\/20\/halting-of-visas-for-pakistanis-temporary-uae-tells-pakistan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/newsletter.thenewsrun.com\/t\/j-l-aiudtlk-iluykthdp-b\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1608654451498000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGysfV5e_aK8lYSJ9zJXHbJXy8QCw\">assured<\/a>\u00a0Pakistan that COVID-19 is the real reason behind the ban.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong>Backstory:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Pakistan was a bit shook up over the visa suspension, because the UAE reportedly has the second largest population of overseas Pakistanis in the world. Pakistanis working in the UAE are a key source of foreign currency for Pakistan, since they send money in the form of workers&#8217; remittances back home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"m_3322501606418052363size-18\" lang=\"x-size-18\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\"><strong>5. Pakistani scientist wins Young Leaders Award<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>The UK-based Young Professional&#8217;s Society (YPS) gave the Young Leaders Award to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.techjuice.pk\/first-pakistani-space-scientist-at-the-university-of-cambridge-wins-2020s-young-leaders-award\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/newsletter.thenewsrun.com\/t\/j-l-aiudtlk-iluykthdp-n\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1608654451498000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHrXG1YolaoGNvVpwgzTanzpXlYXQ\">Dr. Yarjan Abdul Samad<\/a>, a Senior Research Associate and Teaching Fellow at the Cambridge Graphene Center, and the Engineering Department of Cambridge University. Dr. Samad is reportedly the first Pakistani space scientist to work at The University of Cambridge. He is originally from a small town in Balochistan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>Backstory:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ypsociety.uk\/about-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/newsletter.thenewsrun.com\/t\/j-l-aiudtlk-iluykthdp-p\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1608654451498000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGWa2-Nyhj3iXwMDnunysFSmU4-ZA\">The Young Leaders Award<\/a>\u00a0honors young professionals who have shown outstanding achievements during the early stage of their careers. YPS provides personal and professional development opportunities. It also aims to bring young, accomplished and progressive people to the forefront so they can make positive contributions to society.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[dkpdf-button]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today\u2019s top Pakistan current affairs December 21,2020 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 &amp; MDCAT, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":52815,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-64701","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-current-affairs"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prepistan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prepistan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prepistan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prepistan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prepistan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64701"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/prepistan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64701\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prepistan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prepistan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prepistan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prepistan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}