Day: June 5, 2023

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that rapidly rising levels of blocked funds are a threat to airline connectivity in the affected markets.

The industry’s blocked funds have increased by 47 percent to $2.27 billion in April 2023 from $1.55 billion in April 2022, while $188.2 million remain blocked in Pakistan.

“Airlines cannot continue to offer services in markets where they are unable to repatriate the revenues arising from their commercial activities in those markets. Governments need to work with industry to resolve this situation so airlines can continue to provide the connectivity that is vital to driving economic activity and job creation,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

The top five countries account for 68.0 percent of blocked funds. These comprise:

Nigeria ($812.2 million)

Bangladesh ($214.1 million)

Algeria ($196.3 million)

Pakistan ($188.2 million)

Lebanon ($141.2 million)

IATA has urged governments to abide by international agreements and treaty obligations to enable airlines to repatriate these funds arising from the sale of tickets, cargo space, and other activities.

The Association’s remarks follow last year’s payment backlog prevalent in Pakistan which has kept the country in the top five markets where airline funds are being blocked from repatriation.

In March 2023, the IATA warned that it has become very difficult for carriers to serve Pakistan because they are unable to repatriate their dues, which are paid in dollars. “If conditions persist that make the economics of operation to a country unsustainable, one would expect airlines to put their valued aircraft assets to better use elsewhere,” Philip Goh, the IATA’s Asia-Pacific head said at the time.

According to the IATA, which represents 300 airlines and 83 percent of global air traffic, $290 million was stuck in Pakistan as of January, an increase of nearly a third since December 2022. While the outstanding dues have dropped in volume since then, they remain at $188.2 million as of April 2023, posing a threat to airline connectivity in the country.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that Eid-ul-Azha will likely fall on Thursday, 29 June, based on their forecast for the sighting of the Dhul-Hajj moon.

According to the department’s Climate Data Processing Center, most parts of the country are expected to experience cloudy weather during the moon sighting. Sunset is projected to occur at 7:24 pm.

The center states that the moon can be visible for up to 80 minutes after sunset and must be at least 19 hours old to be seen. Based on this information, it is estimated that the Dhul-Hajj moon will be visible on 19 June, with the first day of Dhul-Hajj falling on 20 June and Eid-ul-Azha expected to be celebrated on Thursday, 29 June.

To facilitate public inquiries and planning, the cabinet division has already issued a notification outlining public and optional holidays for the upcoming year. According to this notification, there will be three holidays for Eid-ul-Adha on 29 June, 30 June, and 1 July, with an extra holiday of 2 July, which falls on a Sunday, making it a long weekend.

These dates are subject to change based on the actual sighting of the moon. A separate notification will be issued once the moon has been officially sighted.

The final announcement regarding the moon sighting will be made by the Central Sighting Hilal Committee which convenes on the 29th day of every Islamic month.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police along with sister security agencies has arrested key terrorist and facilitator in Swat.

Addressing a news conference in Swat on Monday, Inspector General Police Akhtar Hayat Gandapur said, arrested terrorist named Rafiullah alias Jawad was involved in target killings, extortion in Charbagh, Manglore and Malam Jabba areas of Swat.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has emphasized on joint efforts to protect the environment as it is a matter of survival for the mankind.

In her message on the World Environment Day today, she urged the youth to make the protection of biodiversity their mission.

She said climate change risks can be reduced by curtailing carbon footprint.

The Minister said conservation of marine life, microorganisms, plants, fungi, and all sorts of species is equal to the protection of life.

She said that the youth and the children will have to become a force against environmental pollution.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said a campaign for the complete elimination of disposable items made of plastic is being started in Islamabad from August this year, which is a good step.

She said banning of one-time use of shopping bags, plates, spoons, forks, boxes, cups, knives and other things made of plastic in a phased manner is a priority of the government.

The Minister said the use of straws, plastic-capped goods, and plastic bags for beverages will be eliminated gradually.

Marryium Aurangzeb said we will have to make a pledge to end environmental pollution caused by plastic and its goods.

She said manufacturers of plastic crockery and other things have also assured their cooperation and the general public should also extend its cooperation to make a substantial difference.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Sajid Hussain Turi has paid tribute to the security forces which always foiled the nefarious designs of internal and external enemies.

During a visit to Radio Pakistan Peshawar today, he strongly condemned the incidents of vandalism and ransacking of Kernel Sher Khan Monument, Jinnah House, Radio Pakistan Peshawar and other national assets on May 9 and May 10.

Later, the federal minister went around different sections of the burnt building of Radio Pakistan and APP Offices.

The minister said that PPP stands with employees of both the organizations and the historic building would be rehabilitated more beautifully than before.

Minister for Overseas Pakistanis has said the death grant of overseas Pakistanis has been increased from 600,000 rupees to 800,000 rupees and the dowry grant from 400,000 rupees to 600,000 rupees.

In an interview, he said 800,000 children of overseas Pakistanis and 62,000 students of other Pakistanis were enrolled in schools.

Source: Radio Pakistan