Day: May 8, 2024

Pakistan's first lunar mission, iCube Qamar, has been successfully deployed in orbit. This has been told by a member of the core team at the Institute of Space Technology, Dr Khurram Khurshid while talking to a private tv channel. He said the orbiter was successfully deployed in lunar orbit today at 1:14 pm Pakistn Standard Time. He said it will take around a week to verify the operational readiness of the orbiter's imaging system. The first images from the moon are expected by May 15 or 16. The iCube Qamar was launched on board China's Chang'e-6 from Hainan, China, on May 3. Source: Radio Pakistan

Traffic Police Punjab has revised its policy, permitting failed candidates to retake the driving test after two weeks instead of the previous six-week waiting period. Following the Punjab Cabinet's approval of amendments to Punjab Motor Vehicle Rules 1969, Traffic Police Punjab has issued a notification instructing its officers to adhere to the new guidelines. An official stated that each citizen is issued a learning permit valid for six months to prepare for the driving test. With the implementation of the online license system, approximately 360,000 candidates become eligible for the driving test every six months. The officer shared statistics indicating that the traffic police issued 10.2 million driving licenses across the province last year. During the first four months of 2024, this number was reported to be 3 million. Presently, 100 driving test centers provide facilities to citizens across Punjab. The department has proposed a new scheme to include 28 driving schools in Punjab, increasing the tot al testing centers to 130. In response to citizen concerns, Additional IG Traffic Mirza Faran Baig conducted meetings and subsequently submitted a summary to the Punjab government, recommending amendments to the rules. The home department then forwarded the proposal to the Punjab government. Following extensive discussions, the Cabinet greenlit the traffic police's proposal to reduce the retesting period from six weeks to a mere two weeks. Source: Pro Pakistani

Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom Baroness Sayeeda Warsi called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad today and discussed bilateral relations and regional developments. During the meeting, they resolved to continue working together to further enhance cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom in all areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment and people-to-people links. Source: Radio Pakistan

As new wheat enters the market, flour prices begin to decline. The cost of a 20 kg bag of wheat has now decreased by 800 rupees. In Faisalabad, following the reduction, a 20 kg bag of flour is now available for up to 2,000 rupees, while the price of a 50 kg bag has dropped to 1,500 rupees. Residents are urging authorities to stabilize flour prices, noting that previously it was 150 rupees, now reduced to 100 rupees. They also call for a 100 rupees reduction in ghee prices. Meanwhile, locally ground flour is being sold at rates ranging from 100 to 160 rupees per kg in the city. Mill owners attribute the price drop to the significant decrease in wheat prices, now at 2,800 rupees per 40 kg. This reduction is seen as beneficial for economically disadvantaged communities. A nationwide Farmers Protest has been announced in Pakistan, on May 10, 2024, by Kissan Ittehad. The Chairman of Kissan Ittehad, Khalid Khokhar held a press conference regarding the same and highlighted the main reason for the protest; the f armer leader also said that this step is being taken after their concerns went unheard and that the protest is going to be a peaceful one. Khokar also alleged corruption in wheat imports and said that those implicated should be executed. According to Khalid Khokhar, the farmers approached the prime minister, the army chief, director general of ISI, and minister of food security, but their concerns were not addressed, according to ARY News. He urged the civic society, media, attorneys, and business community to join the farmers' protest too. Khokar asserted that the protest would be peaceful and would continue till the government decided to procure the commodity from the local farmers. Source: Pro Pakistani

Pakistan and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed commitment to early implementation of Uzbekistan - Afghanistan - Pakistan Railways project. The resolve was expressed at a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov in Islamabad today. This project will boost bilateral and regional trade and become a bridge between South and Central Asia. Both sides agreed to identify new areas of economic cooperation and emphasized the importance of a liberal visa regime especially for the business community to promote linkages and people-to-people contacts. They also expressed satisfaction at close security and defence cooperation and robust engagement at multilateral fora such as UN, SCO and OIC. Source: Radio Pakistan

The Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad has decided to establish six cattle markets in the city, comprising three large and three small ones. The larger markets will be located in Sangjani, I-15, and I-12, while the smaller ones will be set up at Bhara Kahu, Sultana Foundation, and Islamabad Expressway. These markets will operate from the 1st to the 13th of Zil Hajj. A fee of Rs. 500 will be charged for large animals and Rs. 250 for small animals. An open auction for cattle markets is scheduled for May 9 at the Directorate Municipal Administration (DMA) office. Previously, the details regarding the central market for sacrificial animals in Karachi were shared by the administration. For this year's cattle market for sacrificial animals, an area of 1000 acres at Taisar Town Northern Bypass has been allocated. Source: Pro Pakistani