Day by Day Current Affairs For The Month of MAY 2019

DAY BY DAY CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQS
FOR THE MONTH MAY 2019
Day by Day Top-10

Current Affairs
MAY 2019
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May 2, 2019 between 60 and 70 terrorists from

across the Afghan border attacked the
1. UNSC lists JeM chief as global terrorist troops undertaking the border fencing.
 The Sanctions Committee of the United  A number of attackers were killed and
Nations Security Council (UNSC) on May wounded in the counter-attack while
1, 2019 designated Jaish-eMohammad several others fled as the Pakistan Army
(JeM) leader Masood Azhar as a global repulsed the ambush, according to a
terrorist after China did not any further statement issued by the Inter-Services
object to a fresh move by France, the Public Relations (ISPR).
United Kingdom and the United States  The ISPR said the Pakistani security
to get him listed. forces were solidifying border security
 A statement issued by the UN from New through fencing and construction of
York headquarters said: `Mohammad forts some 65 kilometres west of
Masood Azhar Alvi was listed on 1 May Miramshah to deny liberty of action to
2019 pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 4 of the terrorists when the attack was
resolution 2368 (2017) as being carried out from across the Afghan
associated with Al-Qaida for terrorist border.
activities`.  Lance Naik Ali, Lance Naik Nazeer and
 The declaration came following a major Sepoy Imdadullah were martyred, while
diplomatic compromise between China seven other soldiers got wounded in the
and the initiators of the listing proposal exchange of fire. They were later shifted
under which the movers dropped all to Peshawar for medical treatment.
references to Kashmiri uprising in the 3. Pak-Turk education foundation
India-held valley, Pulwama incident and declared banned outfit
Pakistani institutions, especially those  The government has declared Pak-Turk
linking Kashmiri freedom struggle to International CAG Education a
terrorism. proscribed organisation, bringing the
 After the designation, Azhar will be total number of banned outfits to 71.
subject to assets freeze, travel ban and  This is the fifth addition to the list made
arms embargo. by the present government and the first
 India had been seeking JeM leader`s after retired Brig Ejaz Ahmad Shah
listing as a terrorist since 2008 and more assumed the office of interior minister.
specifically after 2016. Prior to the latest  A notification to this effect had been
proposal moved on April 29, 2019, there issued the day Ejaz Shah assumed new
had been four attempts by India all of responsibility on April18.
which had been blocked by China on  The first addition to the list by the
technical grounds. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government
2. Three soldiers martyred in attack from had been made on Dec 13, 2018, when
across Afghan border Yemen based Al-Rahmah Welfare Trust
 Three soldiers of the Pakistan Army were Organisation was outlawed.
martyred and seven others suffered  Balwaristan National Front (Abdul
injuries in the Alwara Mandai area of Hameed Khan Group) was the first
North Waziristan tribal district late on organisation to have been proscribed in
May 1, 2019 night when a group of
2019, with the issuance of a formal rare assembly in Kabul to ensure its
notification on Feb 26. interests are upheld in any peace deal.
 The decision to ban Jamaatud Dawa  The Taliban issued a statement saying
(JuD) and Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation the US special envoy for peace in
(FIF) was taken at a meeting of the Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, had met
National Security Committee, headed by the Taliban`s political chief Mullah Abdul
the prime minister and comprising key Ghani Baradar, who is leading the
cabinet members and military leaders, militants` delegation.
on Feb 21, but a notification by the  `Views were exchanged about key
interior ministry to that effect was aspects for a peaceful resolution of the
issued on March 5. Afghan issue,` Taliban`s spokesman
4. Pakistan proposes CAREC single-visa to Zabihullah Mujahid said.
exploit tourism potential  The talks are part of President Donald
 Pakistan on May 1, 2019 sought Trump`s efforts to end America`s longest
introduction of a single tourist visa for all war. Since October, the US and Taliban
member states of the Central Asia officials have held several rounds of talks
Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) aimed at ensuring a safe departure for
Programme as well as a unified US troops in return for a Taliban
marketing strategy for efficient and cost- guarantee that Afghanistan will not be
effective development and promotion of used by militants to threaten the rest of
interlinked tourist attractions and the world.
facilities in the bloc. 6. US, China hold new round of tariff war
 Speaking at the CAREC Forum on negotiations
Sustainable Tourism Development,  American and Chinese trade negotiators
Prime Minister`s adviser on Institutional met on May 1, 2019 for talks on their
and Governance Reforms Dr Ishrat bruising tariff war after Treasury
Husain noted that all of the 11 member Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the US
states had their own interests but also side might be moving toward a decision
shared similar attractions which should on whether to make a deal with Beijing.
be linked together`.  May 1, 2019`s atmosphere appeared
 Participants are still flowing in for the amicable. Mnuchin and US Trade
May 1-5 annual meeting of the ADB Representative Robert Lighthizer, along
board of governors that marks the first with China`s economic czar, Vice
time a Pacific developing member Premier Liu He, smiled for photos and
country will host to provide an shook hands after their one-day
opportunity to discuss development meeting.
issues facing Asia and Pacific. This year`s  But they said nothing to reporters and
theme of the event is `prosperity no details were announced after the
through unity`. talks at a Chinese government guest
5. US, Taliban open new round of talks in house. Both governments have said they
Doha were making progress. That has helped
 American and Taliban officials resumed to calm jittery financial markets.
talks in Qatar on May 1, 2019 aimed at  In a statement, White House press
ending a 17-year war in Afghanistan, secretary Sarah Sanders said the
while the Afghan government hosted a
discussions `remain focused toward attempt to transfer him to the United
making substantial progress on States.
important structural issues` and the  The 47-year-old activist, his shaggy
talks would continue next week in beard neatly trimmed, raised his fist to
Washington. supporters in the public gallery at
7. Kuwait opens massive causeway to free London`s Southwark Crown Court as he
trade zone was taken down to the cells. They
 Kuwait on May 1, 2019 inaugurated one shouted `Shame on you!` towards the
of the world`s longest causeways, linking court.
the oil-rich Gulf state`s capital to an  WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn
uninhabited border region set to Hrafnsson called the sentence an
become a major free trade hub. òutrage` at a press conference outside
 The 36-kilometre (22-mile) bridge and said that focus would now shift to
connects Kuwait City to the northern preventing Mr Assange`s extradition to
desert area of Subbiya, where Kuwait the US.
aims to create the `Silk City` project  Ìt will be a question of life and death, he
linking the Gulf to central Asia and warned.
Europe. 9. Maoists kill 15 Indian elite commandos
 The `Jaber` bridge, named after late  A bomb attack by suspected Maoist
ruler Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, rebels killed 15 Indian elite commandos
spans 36 kilometres (22 miles), three- and their driver on May 1, 2019, police
quarters of it over water. said, in the latest incident of election-
 It cuts the driving time between Kuwait time violence in a decades-long
City and Subbiya, close to both Iraq and insurgency.
Iran, from 90 minutes to less than half an  Tens of thousands of people have been
hour. killed since the 1960s in several areas of
 Investment in the Silk City project is India in clashes between security forces
expected to top $100 billion, and a and guerrillas first inspired by Chinese
5,000-megawatt power plant has revolutionary leader Mao Zedong.
already been built in Subbiya.  In the latest incident, `Maoists attacked
 The $3.6 billion causeway, designed by a team of commandos travelling in a
Paris based engineering and consulting private vehicle to inspect an earlier
group Systra, took five years to build. attack. So far 16 men have died,` an
8. Assange jailed for 50 weeks official at police headquarters in the
 WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was western state of Maharashtra said.
sentenced on May 1, 2019 to 50 weeks  The attack, the deadliest carried out by
in jail for breaching a British court order the Maoists since 2017, happened in the
seven years ago, when he took refuge in densely forested Gadchiroli region of
Ecuador`s London embassy to avoid Maharashtra, deep in the Indian interior.
extradition to Sweden. 10. Thailand`s king appoints his consort as
 The Australian whistleblower, who was queen
arrested on April 11 after Ecuador gave  Thailand`s King Maha Vajiralongkorn,
him up, will serve the nearly one-year who will have his official coronation, has
sentence while fighting a separate
appointed his consort as the country`s  The dam is being constructed on Swat
queen. river, at the commence of the Mohmand
 An announcement on May 1, 2019 in the and Charsadda districts and the
Royal Gazette said Suthida reservoir area extends upstream to
Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya is legally Mohmand, Bajaur and other northern
married to the 66-year-old king, and is districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
now Queen Suthida.  Its reservoir will supply 13.32 million
 Although she has been in the public eye cubic metres of water to Peshawar city
for about three years, there has been 2. Pakistan has taken steps to eliminate
little official information released about terrorism: US
her and the news was a surprise to many  The United States has acknowledged
Thais. She is reported to be 40 years old that recently both civil and military
and to have previously worked as a flight leaders in Pakistan have taken steps to
attendant for Thai Airways International. eliminate terrorism.
The two reportedly met on a flight.  A senior US official told reporters that
 Suthida joined the palace guard in 2013 Washington did not want to get involved
and became commander of the king`s in Pakistan`s internal politics but it did
security unit, currently holding a expect the country`s civil and military
general`s rank. leaders t ocorrect the situation.
 The new queen also has several top royal  `We support the civilian government.
decorations. We support the nascent democratic
system there,` the official said.
May 3, 2019  `We support the fact that Prime Mister
Imran Khan says right things and appears
1. Government opens construction work to be trying to make some changes
on Mohmand dam within Pakistan,` he added. `But only
 Prime Minister Imran Khan performed time will tell if he is successful in doing
on May 2, 2019 groundbreaking of the that.
Mohmand dam project, which would  The official noted that Pakistan`s
generate 800 megawatts electricity and military was also supporting these
store over 1.2 million acre feet of water, changes.
and on the occasion pledged to take 3. Committees formed to survey building
steps for development of backward violations
areas across the country, especially the  The Capital Development Authority
tribal areas. (CDA) has constituted three committees
 All the parties to the National Finance to survey violations in different
Commission had agreed that they would buildings.
allow the government to set aside three  The CDA claimed that violations in
per cent from the divisible pool for the various types of buildings remained a
development of the tribal areas. major issue and in the past no serious
 Upon completion the Mohmand dam effort was made to eradicate these
will bring about 17,000 acres of barren violations.
land under cultivation.  Àuthority has decided to carry out a
detailed survey to ascertain building
violations, including government  IDB President Dr Bandar Hajjar and
accommodations and office buildings,` Finance Adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh
said a statement issued by the civic signed the agreements.
agency on Thursday.  An oil credit facility of $551 million had
4. Balochistan govt approves special already been signed with the bank last
security division for Quetta week.
 The Balochistan cabinet on May 2, 2019  The IDB president informed the finance
approved a plan to establish a special adviser that the bank would extend all
division of police force for Quetta to possible cooperation in the areas of
ensure security and protection of project financing of Pakistan and
people. resolved early financing for Jamshoro
 Under the new special security division, Coal-fired Power Plant.
over 1,300 vacancies of ranks of Senior 7. Cyprus justice minister resigns over
Superintendent of police (SSP) to serial killings
constables would be created and they  Cyprus`s justice minister resigned on
would be trained on modern lines. The May 2, 2019 amid public uproar at how
meeting, presided over by Chief Minister police handled disappearances of
Jam Kamal Khan Alyani, was informed foreign women, victims of a suspected
that the security division would have the serial killer whose actions went
latest communication system as well as undetected for almost three years.
modern weapons and other equipment.  Four women have been found murdered
 The cabinet also decided to declare in the past three weeks, their bodies
Quetta, Gwadar and Lasbela districts A dumped in three locations west of the
area and Levies force of all these districts capital Nicosia. Investigations are under
would be merged into the police way into three other disappearances,
department. including two girls aged six and eight.
5. Arif Nizami re-elected CPNE president  A 35-year-old career army officer is in
 Senior journalist Arif Nizami was re- custody and police say he has confessed
elected president of the Council of to seven killings in total after having
Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) on connected with the women on an online
May 2, 2019. dating site.
 Imtinan Shahid was elected senior vice  Ì informed the president of the republic
president and Dr Jabbar Khatak that I am resigning for reasons of
secretary general. political sensitivity,` Justice Minister
6. Accord signed with IDB for two grants Ionas Nicolaou told reporters after
 The government on May 2, 2019 signed meeting President Nicos Anastasiades.
two agreements with Islamic 8. Afghans call for ceasefire as peace
Development Bank (IDB) to secure summit wraps up
grants for operationalisation of Exim  Afghan officials called for a ceasefire on
Bank of Pakistan and boosting May 2, 2019 as a huge peace summit
agricultural production through using wound down in Kabul after thousands of
efficient irrigation system in Balochistan. delegates spent days discussing possible
conditions for a peace deal with the
Taliban.
 This week`s `loya jirga` or grand -63kg category in the ongoing National
assembly, saw more than 3,000 religious Judo Championship at Pakistan Sports
and tribal leaders, politicians and Complex on May 2, 2019.
representatives from across the country  Ambreen, who represents Wapda, beat
gather under tight security to discuss the Army`s Huma Farooq to bag the honour.
possibility of peace. Punjab`s Maria Karamat and Fazelat Bibi
 The Taliban, who were not at the talks, of Pakistan Navyshared the bronze
are this week separately meeting in medal.
Doha with US peace envoy Zalmay  Earlier, Ambreen`s sister Umara Ashig
Khalilzad in a bid to make a deal with won gold in the -48kg category and their
Washington that could see the brother Owais Ashiq clinched the gold
withdrawal of foreign forces from medal in the -60kg event. In the -52kg
Afghanistan. category, Wapda`s Maryam Jabar won
9. US military releases civilian casualty gold while, in the -70 kg event, Army`s
figures for 2018 Asma Rani emerged as the champion.
 United States military actions killed
about 120 civilians and injured 65 others May 5, 2019
in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia 1. IMF economist appointed SBP governor
last year, the Pentagon said in a report  In a notification, the finance division
on May 2, 2019, though the figures were formally announced that Dr Reza Baqir
f ar lower than those reported by of the International Monetary Fund
watchdog groups. (IMF) has been appointed governor of
 The annual report, mandated by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to serve
Congress, showed a significant drop for a three-year term.
from nearly 800 civilians killed in 2017,  For the post of Federal Board of Revenue
in part because the pace of operations (FBR) chairman, the guessing game
had slowed against Islamic State continued over who the replacement
militants in Iraq and Syria. will be.
 During operations in Afghanistan in  An Aitchison alumnus, Dr Baqir earned
2018, 76 civilians were killed, with 42 his PhD from the University of California,
killed in total in Iraq and Syria, and two Berkeley, in Economics and has worked
civilians killed during a strike in Somalia, with the IMF for the last 16 years. He has
according to the nearly 20-page report, been the chief of the IMF`s Debt Policy
which tracks air and ground military Division and worked on IMF policies on
operations. external debt sustainability and
 The Pentagon assessed that no civilians restructuring of member countries. He
were killed in Libya or Yemen, the report has also helped design debt and fiscal
said. Still, the civilian casualties in the policies for crisis-hit countries like
report were far lower than those Greece and Ukraine, among others.
reported by watchdog groups. Before the IMF, Dr Baqir worked at the
10. Ambreen Masih, siblings bag gold World Bank, the Massachusetts Institute
medals of Technology and the Union Bank of
 Ambreen Masih added another feather Switzerland.
to her cap by winning the gold medal in
 Dr Baqir will be the second IMF staffer to on fiscal matters. The federal
head the central bank. government will provide grants to
2. Punjab local govt law comes into force provinces through the incentive grants
 Governor Chaudhry Sarwar on May 4, system, subject to fulfilment of certain
2019 signed the Punjab Local baselines in the public finance
Government Bill 2019 following management and social sector
approval with a majority vote in the developments, particularly health and
Punjab Assembly early this week. education.
 The signing of the law by the governor 4. US extends nuclear waivers for Iran
and consequent gazette notification has  US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo
brought to an end the existing union announced on May 4, 2019 that the
councils dominated by the PML-N. Trump administration is extending
 The PML-N had moved the Lahore High waivers that allow certain countries to
Court against the Local Government Act participate in civilian nuclear projects
2019. However, the court dismissed the with Iran.
petition as not maintainable before the  `We are permitting the temporary
final assent of the Punjab governor. continuation of certain ongoing non-
 The new law envisages two-tier local proliferation projects that constrain
government system under which Iran`s nuclear activities and that help
panchayat and neighbourhood councils maintain the nuclear status quo in Iran
would be elected on a non-party basis. until we reach a comprehensive deal
The governor says the new local bodies that resolves Iran`s proliferation
system will protect every penny of the threats,` a US State Department fact
nation and the accountability of local sheet said.
representatives will be ensured.  The department announced that the
3. FCC approves incentive grant for waivers would allow certain pardes to
provinces the 2015 deal to conduct research and
 The Fiscal Coordination Committee do non-proliferation work at three sites
(FCC) on May 4, 2019 approved the in Iran without fear of sanctions Arak,
incentive grant for provinces as Fordow and Bushehr.In 2015, Iran
proposed by its sub-committee but signed a long-term nuclear deal with the
asked for further refinement in P5+1 group of world powers the US, the
consultation with the provinces. UK, France, China, Russia and Germany.
 In a meeting chaired by Finance Adviser  In May 2018, US President Donald
Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, FCC considered Trump walked away from the deal
the recommendations of FCC on public concluded by his predecessor Barack
finance management reforms on Obama.
incentive grant system to provinces 5. King Maha Vajiralongkorn crowned
under` Performance for Results Rama X of Thailand
Programme`.  King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Rama X of
 The FCC is a forum constituted by the Thailand, was crowned on May 4, 2019
Council of Common Interests for the in a dazzling show of pageantry, laced
purpose of ensuring cooperation and with Hindu and Buddhist ritual, vowing
coordination among the federating units to reign `with righteousness` on behalf
of the Thai people.
 Starting at the auspicious time of and Germany again following a ban
10:09am, the public was granted a rare imposed in February by European
window into the cloistered halls of Thai Aviation Authorities.
power as the key rituals of the three-day  Flights to the English city of Birmingham
coronation began. and Germany’s Frankfurt beginning on
 King Vajiralongkorn is the tenth June 1 appeared on Turkmenistan
monarch of the Chakri dynasty, which Airlines’ schedule.
has reigned since 1782.  Flights were not listed to Paris, another
 He ascended the throne over two years destination the airline flew to regularly.
ago following the death of his beloved 8. Egypt uncovers Old Kingdom cemetery
father, but waited until after a long  Egypt`s antiquities ministry on May 4,
mourning period before setting his 2019 unveiled a 4,500-year-old burial
coronation date. ground near the Giza pyramids
6. North Korea fires `projectiles`, Seoul containing colourful wooden coffins and
says stop raising tensions limestone statues dating back to the Old
 North Korea fired several ùnidentified Kingdom.
short range projectiles` into the sea off  The site on the southeastern side of Giza
its east coast on May 4, 2019, prompting plateau contains tombs and burial shafts
South Korea to call on its communist from various periods, but the oldest is a
neighbour to `stop acts that escalate limestone family tomb from the fifth
military tension on the Korean dynasty (around 2500 BC), the ministry
Peninsula`. said.
 The South Korean military initially  A photographer who was allowed to
described it as a missile launch, but access the burial shaft saw inscriptions
subsequently gave a more vague on the walls, intricately painted wooden
description. The latest firing came after sarcophagi and sculptures of animals
the North`s test of what it called a and humans.
tactical guided weapons system in April.  The ministry said the tomb was that of
 Analysts suspected the flurry of military two people: Behnui-Ka, who had seven
activity by Pyongyang was an attempt to titles including the Priest and the Judge,
exert pressure on the United States to and Nwi, also known as Chief of the
give ground in negotiations to end the Great State and `purifier` of the pharoah
North`s nuclear programme after a Khafre.
summit in February ended in failure. 9. Japan’s private rocket reaches outer
 South Korea`s presidency urged North space for first time
Korea to refrain from further action in  A Japanese aerospace startup funded by
one of the most stiffly-worded a former internet maverick successfully
statements since the two Koreas launched a small rocket into space on
embarked on reconciliation efforts early May 4, 2019, making it the first
last year. commercially developed Japanese
7. Turkmenistan airlines to resume flights rocket to reach orbit.
to Europeag  Interstellar Technology Inc. said the
 Turkmenistan’s national air carrier has unmanned MOMO-3 rocket exceeded
scheduled flights to the United Kingdom 100 kilometres (60 miles) in altitude
before falling into the Pacific Ocean. It
was launched from the company’s test May 6, 2019
site in the town of Taiki on Japan’s 1. Ready for ‘any co-op’ on Afghan peace
northern main island of Hokkaido and  Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 5,
flew about 10 minutes. 2019 reiterated his vision for finding a
 “We proved that our rocket developed peaceful solution in Afghanistan, fully
with a lot of commercially available parts owned and led by the Afghans
is capable of reaching the space,” themselves.
Interstellar Technologies CEO Takahiro  Talking to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani
Inagawa told a news conference from who made a telephone call to him, Prime
Hokkaido. Minister Imran Khan said that the spirit
 The rocket, about 10 metres long and 50 of brotherhood defined Pakistan’s
centimetres (1.5 feet) in diameter, approach towards Afghanistan.
weighs about 1 ton. It is capable of  The two leaders exchanged views on
carrying payloads as heavy as 20 matters relating to peace, security and
kilograms (44 pounds) but currently prosperity in Afghanistan and the
lacks an ability to send them into orbit. region.
10. Space station to become carbon  Imran Khan said the prolonged Afghan
mapper conflict has damaged Afghanistan and
 Nasa has sent up an instrument to the adversely affected Pakistan over the
International Space Station (ISS) to help past many decades.
track carbon dioxide on Earth. OCO-3, as  Imran Khan and Afghan President Ashraf
the observer is called, was launched on Ghani agreed to realise the true
a Falcon rocket from Florida in the early economic potential of the two countries
hours of May 4, 2019. for assured socio-economic
 The instrument is made from the spare development, alleviation of poverty, and
components left over after the assembly welfare of the two peoples.
of a satellite, OCO-2, which was put in 2. Pakistan doesn`t need additional taxes
orbit to do the same job in 2014. The to cover revenue shortfall: WB
data from two missions should give  Pakistan has substantial potential to
scientists a clearer idea of how CO2 increase tax receipts without imposing
moves through the atmosphere. new taxes or increasing their rates. The
 One way this will be achieved is through country`s tax revenue potential would
the different perspectives OCO-2 and reach 26 per cent of GDP, if tax
OCO-3 will get. compliance were to be raised to 75 per
 The former flies around the entire globe cent, which is a realistic level of
in what’s termed a sun-synchronous compliance for lower middle income
polar orbit, which leads to it seeing any countries.
given location at the same time of day.  This means that Pakistan`s tax
The latter, on the other hand, because it authorities are currently capturing only
will fly aboard the station, will only see half of this revenue potential the gap
locations up to 51 degrees North and between actual and potential receipts is
South; and see them at many different 50 per cent, according to a new
times of day. document prepared by the World Bank
titled Pakistan Revenue Mobilisation to the visa center or the Chinese
Project, published recently. Embassy.
 This comes against the backdrop of  Diplomats, officials can submit
revenue shortfall which the government applications directly in the embassy
has sought to diminish with the 4. IsDB says gave Pakistan $12.43b for
Washington-based lender`s assistance uplift projects
of $400 million for the revenue  Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
mobilisation project to be implemented President Dr Bandar Hajjar on May 5,
by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) 2019 said IsDB group has provided a
aiming to contribute to a sustainable total financing of 12.43 billion to
increase in domestic revenue by Pakistan through development projects
broadening the tax base and facilitating in the past years. Pakistan is the integral
compliance. The credit of $400m will member country of the IsDB group and
come from World Bank affiliate, is the third largest beneficiary of IsDB
International Development Association financing in different developmental
(IDA). sectors, Dr Bandar Hajjar said this while
 However, the FBR has internal adressing a press conference here.
challenges which it needs to overcome  He highlighted that IsDB is financing
as it has a negative impact on tax Neelum Jhelum Hydro Power Project,
receipts. According to the project Jamshoro Power Station, CASA 1000
document, unlike most revenue project for improving energy needs of
authorities in the world, the FBR is not the country. Dr Hajjar said that he had a
organised along functional lines, nor very fruitful and constructive meetings
does it have a clear hierarchical with the President and Prime Minister of
structure. Pakistan. He said Prime Minister Imran
3. China opens visa centre in Islamabad Khan’s vision of road to Naya Pakistan
 China May 5, 2019 announced to open a would pave way for the economic
visa centre in Islamabad to facilitate prosperity of the country.
people-to-people exchange. 5. US hints at reviewing ties with
 The Visa Center is responsible for countries deemed anti-Israel
handling various consular documents  The United States may review its ties
and applications, “including ordinary with countries it deems as being anti-
visas, attestation, Hong Kong SAR and Israel after what a US envoy said on May
Macao SAR visa applications, biometric 5, 2019 was a shift in policy towards
information collection and collection of equating anti-Zionism with anti-
attestation fees on behalf of the Chinese Semitism.
Embassy - including express and urgent  US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said
fees - passport/visa collection and in a March speech that anti-Zionism
answering applicants’ questions among opposition to Israel`s existence as a
other services, in line with the homeland for the Jewish people was a
requirements of the Chinese Embassy.” form of anti Semitism, or hostility
 The visa center will be on trial operation towards Jews, that was on the rise
from May 6 to May 10. During this worldwide and that Washington would
period, applicants with ordinary `fight it relentlessly`.
passports can submit their applications
 The State Department`s special envoy were a violation of an inter-Korean
for monitoring and combating anti- agreement to cease all hostile acts.
Semitism, Elan Carr, said this US position  Pyongyang’s official Korean Central
could spell reviews of ties with foreign News Agency said Kim expressed “great
governments or leaders. satisfaction” over Saturday’s drills and
 `The United States is willing to review its stressed that his front-line troops should
relationship with any country, and keep a “high alert posture” and enhance
certainly anti-Semi-tism on the part of a combat ability to “defend the political
country with whom we have relations is sovereignty and economic self-
a deep concern,` he said during a visit to sustenance of the country.”
Israel.  The weapons launches were a likely sign
6. Cattle rancher leads the way as Panama of Pyongyang’s growing frustration at
elects new president stalled diplomatic talks with Washington
 Social-democrat Laurentino Cortizo is meant to provide coveted sanctions
the favourite to win as 2.7 million relief in return for nuclear disarmament.
Panamanians took to the polls on May 5, They also highlighted the fragility of the
2019 to elect a new president following detente between the Koreas, which in a
a campaign dominated by talk of military agreement reached last
corruption. September vowed to completely cease
 Cortizo, a 66-year-old businessman and “all hostile acts” against each other in
cattle rancher, was 10 points clear of his land, air and sea.
closest challenger, former foreign 8. Qatar says visas will not be granted to
minister Romulo Roux of the Democratic ènemies`
Change party, with polls showing  Qatar will not grant visas to those it
independent Ricardo Lombana a close considers ènemies`, the secretary-
third. general of the National Tourism Council
 Winner will succeed Juan Carlos Varela, said in reference to Egyptians seeking to
who is unable to stand for re-election as enter the country amid an ongoing
Panama`s constitution limits presidents political rift.
to a single five-year term. Corruption  Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates,
played a significant role in election Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and
campaigning in a country struggling to trade ties with Qatar in 2017, accusing it
shed its image as a money-laundering of supporting terrorism. Doha denies the
paradise following the Panama Papers allegation.
scandalthree yearsago.  While citizens from the three Gulf states
7. Kim oversees missile firing drills were recalled to their home countries
 North Korean state media on May 5, due to the rift, Egyptians, who make up
2019 showed leader Kim Jong Un the largest Arab minority in Qatar, have
observing live-fire drills of long-range remained and make up a sizable portion
multiple rocket launchers and what of the tiny but wealthy country`s work
appeared to be a new short-range force.
ballistic missile, a day after South Korea 9. West Indies set record ODI opening
expressed concern that the launches stand
 West Indies openers John Campbell and
Shai Hope shattered the record for the
highest first-wicket partnership in a One- May 7, 2019
day International with a stand of 365 1. PM announces two-tier LG system for
against Ireland in Dublin on May 5, 2019. Punjab
 The duo comfortably exceeded the  Prime Minister Imran Khan announced
previous opening best at this level of 304 on May 6, 2019 that powers would be
set by Pakistan`s Imam-ul-Haq and devolved to grass-roots through two-
Fakhar Zaman against Zimbabwe in tiered elections in Punjab.
Bulawayo in July last year.  PM said elections for local governments
 Campbell made 179 and Hope 170 in an would be held directly in two tiers – at
eventual total of 381 for three after the village council or panchayat level and at
visitors were sent in to bat by Ireland tehsil level. Flanked by Punjab and KP
captain William Porterfield. CMs Usman Buzdar and Mehmood
 They were both dismissed in the 48th Khan, former PTI secretary general
over, Campbell top-edging Barry Jahangir Tareen and others, the PM said
McCarthy to mid-off with Hope falling funds would directly be transferred to
three balls later when he holed out to village councils and tehsil nazims that
deep square-leg. would financially empower locals to
 Campbell faced 137 balls, including 15 decide development projects.
fours and six sixes, with Hope`s 152-ball  Tehsil nazims can coordinate and choose
knock featuring 22 fours and two sixes. a representative at district level. The
10. Morgan inspires England to T20 win prime minister said that during PTI’s last
over Pakistan term in KP, it had formed councils in
 England captain Eoin Morgan led his side villages, which were "very popular
to a seven wicket win over Pakistan in a among the people", and the same
lone Twenty20 international in Cardiff "system will now be introduced in
on May 5, 2019 with an unbeaten Punjab". Imran said: “Rs140 billion will
innings of 57. be allocated for local bodies in Punjab.
 Test skipper Joe Root made 47 and This is the first time that a government
James Vince 36 as England overhauled was devolving power.”
Pakistan`s total of 173 for six with four  Imran Khan said 22,000 panchayats or
balls to spare at Sophia Gardens. village councils would be set up. He said
 This was England`s second victory in Rs40 billion was allocated for villages,
three days after their One-day which will be passed down directly to
International success away to Morgan`s village councillor so that they do not
native Ireland in Dublin on May 3, 2019 have to wait for federal or provincial
as they continued an encouraging start governments to secure development
to a season that sees them staging both funds.
the 50-over World Cup and the Ashes. 2. Shabbar Zaidi to head Federal Board of
 England fast bowler Jofra Archer also Revenue
continued his push for a World Cup call-  Prime Minister Imran Khan announced
up by taking two for 29 in Pakistan`s on May 6, 2019 the appointment of
innings. chartered accountant Shabbar Zaidi as
the chairman of Federal Board of 30th this month. The Election
Revenue. The announcement was made Commission has directed that no posting
by Prime Minister Imran Khan. or transfer of any officer be made in the
 His official notification will be made tribal districts till the publication of
soon, the PM said. Earlier, Adviser to PM names of returned candidates
on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh had 4. World Bank proposes customs reforms
picked Ahmed Mujtaba Memon as FBR  The World Bank has released
chairman. However, the government `Governance Notes on Pakistan Customs
had withheld the notification. Zaidi, a (PC)` on May 6, 2019 highlighting three
chartered accountant, is known for his key reforms including enhancement of
extensive contribution to development risk management system (RMS),
of taxation and fiscal laws of the country. improving pre and post-clearance
 He is a senior partner of accountancy facilities and broadening tax base to
firm AF Ferguson & Co, a trustee of the enable PC build on its relatively strong
Sindh Institute of Urology and base of goods and revenue control
Transplantation and a member of Board capabilities.
of Governors of Liaquat National  The report proposes enhancement of
Hospital, Karachi. the RMS to be the first reform priority at
 Zaidi has also been the president of the the PC so that the system can focus on
Institute of Chartered Accountants of risk problems of authorised operators to
Pakistan and chairman of the South ensure only those goods` declarations
Asian Federation of Accountants. posing noteworthy risk to revenue,
3. Polls on 16 seats of KP tribal districts on safety, or security are selected for
July 2 physical examination thereby reducing
 Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) excessive controls.
May 6, 2019 issued elections schedule  An improved RMS will subsequently help
for sixteen seats of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa customs manage large volumes of trade
Assembly in tribal districts. more effectively while relying less on
 According to the schedule, polling will be physical and documentary inspections,
held on July 2 while the candidates could the report adds.
file their nomination papers from 5. Jordan loses ICC appeal over failure to
Thursday to Saturday. The last date for arrest Bashir
scrutiny of the nomination papers has  International appeals judges on May 6,
been fixed as May 18. Last date for filing 2019 upheld a reprimand of Jordan for
of appeals against decisions of the failing to arrest former Sudanese
returning officers regarding acceptance president Omar al Bashir during a visit to
or rejection of the nomination papers is the Arab country two years ago.
May 22.  Amman had appealed a ruling by the
 The candidates can withdraw their International Criminal Court which
nomination papers by 29th of this found that Jordan `failed to comply with
month whilst on the same day, the its obligations` because it did not detain
revised list of candidates will be Bashir in 2017 when he was wanted by
published. Election symbol to the the Hague-based tribunal on charges of
contesting candidates will be allotted on genocide, war crimes and crimes against
humanity.
 The ICC`s appeal judges nonetheless  It was founded in Bloemfontein in 1912
eased the blow a bit by reversing a pre- to fight against the white minority
trial chamber judges` decision to refer government`s restrictions on free
Jordan to the UN Security Council and movement and land ownership by
the court`s Assembly of States Parties blacks.
(ASP) for further measures.  During the anti-apartheid struggle, the
 Bashir, 75, was indicted by the ICC in ANC espoused socialist values and had
2009 in connection with fighting in the many communist members, but in
western region of Darfur, where more power, it has adopted a more liberal
than 300,000 people have died and 2.5 economic programme.
million others displaced since 2003,  It has easily won all post-apartheid
according to UN figures. elections and has a stranglehold on
6. India, US to resolve trade issues parliament, where it has held over 60
 India and the United States will engage percent of the 400 seats since the dawn
regularly to resolve outstanding trade of democracy.
issues, the Indian government said, after 8. Peace deal with Afghan Taliban can
US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross have unintended consequences: report
met his Indian counterpart Suresh  A peace deal with the Taliban can carry
Prabhu on May 6, 2019. with it the seeds of unintended and
 India and the United States are locked in unforeseen consequences, warns a US
disputes over tariffs, price caps India has watchdog, in its quarterly report sent to
imposed on imported US medical the US Congress recently.
devices and over rules banning  The office of the US Special Inspector
companies from selling products via General for Afghanistan Reconstruction
firms in which they have an equity (SIGAR), in its quarterly report on the
interest. status of reconstruction to Afghanistan
 `Both sides agreed to engage regularly at to the Congress, notes that while a
various levels to resolve outstanding peace deal with the Taliban could end
trade issues by exploring suitable the war, it could also have long-term
solutions, which are mutually unintended consequences.
beneficial,` the government said in the  The report stresses the importance of
statement. planning for `the day after` any peace
7. 48 parties to contest elections in South deal in eight areas: security, civil
Africa tomorrow policing, corruption, economic growth,
 A potpourri of 48 political parties will counter narcotics, women`s rights,
contest South Africa`s general election reintegration of ex-combatants and
on May 8, 2019 a record number. oversight.
 Here are snapshots of some of the front- 9. YouTuber Austin Jones gets prison
runners: African National Congress The sentence
African National Congress rose from a  A former YouTube star has been
liberation movement to govern Africa`s sentenced to ten years in prison in the
most industrialised country, but its US after pleading guilty to a charge of
once-glorious image has been tainted by receiving indecent images of children.
its record in office.
 Austin Jones admitted encouraging six education institutions in the country,
underage girls to send him sexually including 30,000 madressahs (religious
explicit videos in private messages, seminaries).
telling some they needed to “prove” that  During a meeting, the cabinet vowed
they were his biggest fans. Jones had that there would be no power load-
built up a profile based around his covers shedding during Ramazan. It also
of famous pop songs. decided to renew licences of mobile cell
 The 26 year-old had 500,000 subscribers phone companies for 15 years which will
on YouTube and 225,000 on Twitter. fetch $1.3 billion.
Both accounts have now been deleted.  The cabinet approved installation of
YouTube blocked Jones’ channel from automatic metering system to revamp
carrying advertising following his arrest power supply and distribution system
in 2017 but was criticised for being slow and overcome the issue of circular debt
to remove it completely. Jones, from forever.
Illinois, had also admitted to using  However, the expected approval for the
Facebook on around 30 other occasions appointment of Syed Shabbar Zaidi as
to entice underage girls to send him chairman of the Federal Board of
explicit photos and videos. Revenue (FBR) was not given as the
10. Meghan gives birth to a boy, seventh in summary regarding his appointment
line to throne was not presented before the cabinet.
 Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has 2. Meals programme launched in 13
given birth to a boy, her husband Prince schools
Harry announced in a statement to  A school meals programme has been
television cameras on May 6, 2019, launched in 13 rural schools in the
adding that mother and baby were capital by the Ministry of Federal
`doing incredibly well`. Education and Professional Training and
 `Mother and baby are doing incredibly the World Food Programme (WFP).
well. It`s been the most amazing  The pilot project was launched on May
experience I can ever possibly imagine.` 7, 2019 at the Islamabad Model School
Buckingham Palace said the boy, for Boys Jhang Syedan, in the Nilor area,
seventh in line to the throne, weighed by Education Secretary Arshad Mirza.
seven pounds and three ounces (3.26  It aims to increase school attendance,
kilograms). improve dietary diversity and reduce
 Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and hunger among schoolchildren.
Prince William were among the  Under the project, 3,500 students will be
members of the royal family to have provided dried fruit as a mid-morning
been informed and àre delighted with snack, and they will be taught how to
the news,` it added. improve their eating habits, health and
May 8, 2019 
hygiene.
Pakistan is home to 22.6 million children
1. Uniform syllabus for education (12.1m girls and 10.5m boys) between
institutions, madressahs approved the ages of five and 16 who do not
 The federal cabinet on May 7, 2019 currently attend school.
approved a uniform curriculum for all
 `WFP`s vision is to eradicate hunger in government released Rs217.4 billion for
our lifetime, a bold aim manifested in National Highway Authority (NHA) out of
the Sustainable Development Goals. its total allocation of Rs185.197 billion.
3. Committee set up to end moon-sighting  Under annual development agenda, the
confusion government also released Rs11.61
 Federal Minister for Science and billion for National Transmission and
Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Despatch Company and Pakistan Electric
May 7, 2019 constituted a five-member Power Company for which an amount of
committee to prepare lunar calendar for Rs33.365 billion was allocated under
the next five years. PSDP 2018-19.
 According to a notification issued here  Similarly, Rs10.13 billion released for
by the Ministry, the committee Communication Division (other than
comprised representatives from the NHA) as the government earmarked
Ministry of Science and Technology, Rs13.977 billion in its PSDP 2018-19.
COMSATS University of Islamabad, two  Railways Division received Rs23.22
officials of Meteorology Department billion out of its total allocation of
and Space and Upper Atmosphere Rs28.06 billion whereas Aviation
Research Commission (SUPARCO). Division received Rs1.33 billion out of
 The committee would determine the total allocation of Rs3.65 billion.
exact dates of Ramazan, Eidul Fitr, Eidul 5. Punjab Government bans official Iftar
Azha and Muharram for the next five parties
years with 100 percent accuracy through  Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on May 7,
technology. 2019 banned Iftar parties at official
 The religious festivals are marred by expense and this ban would be
controversy and confusion year after applicable to the ministers, secretaries
year in the country of 200 million. and other government officials.
 Fawad constitutes panel to prepare  In his direction, the CM said: `We are
lunar calendar for next five years custodian of the national resources and
4. Rs564.2b released for projects under austerity is fundamental part of
PSDP government policies.
 The federal government has released  We want to make people realise that
Rs564.2 billion for various ongoing and their money will only be spent on public
new social sector uplift projects under welfare programmes.
its Public Sector Development  The chief minister also conducted visits
Programme (PSDP) 2018-19 as against to far-flung areas of the province on the
the total allocation of Rs675 billion. first day of Ramazan and inspected
 Under its development program, the special bazaars, a hospital and wheat
government has released an amount of procurement centres. He suspended
Rs22.66 billion for federal ministries, Chief Officer Corporation (Rahim Yar
whereas Rs22.9 billion for corporations Khan) Qasim Manzoor and District Civil
and Rs38.1 billion for special areas, Defence Officer Latif Gull over
according to a latest data released by dereliction of duties.
Ministry of Planning, Development and  He announced provision of funds for the
Reform. Out of these allocations, the construction of a flyover and said
resources would be provided for the  The Election Commission came under
establishment of a cadet college. heavy criticism for releasing delayed and
6. Iraq plans $53bn project with confusing preliminary vote totals, and
ExxonMobil, PetroChina has been accused of tilting in favour of
 Iraq is planning a $53 billion mega the military.
project with global energy giants  There are 500 seats in the House of
ExxonMobil and PetroChina to use Representatives, and the committee
seawater from the Persian Gulf to boost endorsed 349 of the 350 won by direct
oil production, Prime Minister Adel vote.
Abdul-Mahdi announced on May 7, 8. Chinese scientists develop new
2019. material to tackle oil pollution
 The 30-year project would boost output  Chinese scientists have developed new
from Iraq`s southern oil fields, and biomimetic polypropylene foams for oil-
includes designs to capture natural gas, water separation, which can be used to
which is lost to flaring under current prevent and control oil pollution.
practices, Abdel-Mahdi said at a press  Oil-water separation is a global
conference. challenge due to increasing industrial
 Iraq is producing oil at record levels, but oil-containing waste water and frequent
officials are targeting even higher output oil spills. Consequently, research on
to meet budget projections and finance high-efficiency oil-water separation
reconstruction projects after 16 years of materials and technologies has scientific
war. significance and application value.
 Output averaged 4.5 million barrels per  Some conventional methods for tackling
day in March, second only to Saudi oil pollution such as combustion and
Arabia in the Organisation of Petroleum filtration have shortcomings including
Exporting Countries, according to data high energy consumption, long duration
from the global oil consortium. and possible secondary pollution.
7. Anti-military party leading in Thai polls: Scientists from the Ningbo Institute of
official results Materials Technology and Engineering
 Thailand`s Election Commission on May under the Chinese Academy of Sciences
7, 2019 officially endorsed results from have designed new biomimetic
the country`s March 24 general election, polypropylene
declaring that the Pheu Thai party 9. Aleem Dar becomes third umpire to
associated with fugitive former Prime supervise 200 ODIs
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra topped the  Pakistan`s Aleem Dar became the first
field by winning 136 constituencies. umpire from the country to achieve the
 The commission said the rival military- milestone of supervising 200 One-day
backed Palang Pracharath party ran International matches when he came to
second with 97 seats. officiate the match between West Indies
 It is still unclear who will form the next and Bangladesh in Dublin on May 7,
government, as both of the top two 2019.
competitors are seeking partners to  Aleem is only the third man to achieve
achieve a parliamentary majority. the feat after New Zealand`s Billy
Bowden, and South Africa`s Rudi Shabbar Zaidi, a member Board of
Kortzen. Trustees Karachi Education Initiative,
 Aleem has also umpired in 125 Tests and the parent body of KSBL, had served as
is three short of Steve Bucknor`s record Minister of Finance in the Sindh
of 128 Tests. He is sitting on top of the caretaker govt. Zaidi – a Chartered
tree in T20Is with 43 matches. Accountant by profession and partner,
10. Former WI great Seymour Nurse dies A.F. Ferguson and Co. has a
 Former West Indies batsman Seymour distinguished record of achievements to
Nurse has died at the age of 85 after a his credit.
long illness.  He was past president, Institute of
 Barbados-born Nurse made his Test Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
debut against England in 1960 and was a (ICAP) and South Asian Federation of
powerful middle-order batsman and a Accountants and former chairman,
top-class fielder. Professional Standard and Technical
 Nurse, who was a Wisden Cricketer of Advisory Committee of the Institute of
the Year in 1967, scored 2,523 runs in 29 Chartered Accountants of Pakistan.
Tests at an average of 47.60. 2. Pakistan warns India against water halt
 He finished his Test career by making  Pakistan May 9, 2019 warned India
258 against New Zealand at Christchurch against water terrorism and urged New
in 1969 the highest score by a cricketer Delhi to stop violating the Indus Water
in his final Test innings. Treaty.

May 10, 2019 Speaking at a weekly news briefing here,
Foreign Office spokesperson Dr
1. Govt appoints Shabbar Zaidi as FBR Mohammed Faisal said the World Bank
chairman on honorary basis for 2 years should fulfil its responsibility regarding
 The federal government on May 9, 2019 empanelment of Court of Arbitration
appointed Shabbar Zaidi as chairman of after India hinted at restricting the flow
Federal Board of Revenue on honorary of water into Pakistan from its share of
basis for a period of two years. rivers.
 “The federal government has been  The spokesperson denounced the recent
pleased to appointment Syed statements of Indian leadership on the
Muhammad Shabbar Zaidi as chairman Indus Water Treaty.
Federal Board of Revenue, Islamabad on  India’s Minister of Water Resources and
honorary basis/pro bono basis for a Shipping Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said
period of two years, with immediate New Delhi will stop Pakistan’s share of
effect and until further order,” said a water as allocated under the Indus
notification issued by the Establishment Water Treaty.
Division. As a honorary chairman, he will  Minister Gadkari also announced that
have full authority and powers but he "India was not bound to follow the
will work without any salary or Treaty and had plans to divert the water
privileges. flow to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan".
 A chartered accountant by profession,  Under the Indus Water Treaty signed in
Zaidi has vowed to bring administrative 1960, Islamabad has unrestricted access
reforms in the tax machinery. Syed to the western rivers - Indus, Jhelum and
Chenab - while New Delhi enjoys the recognising the growing phenomena of
same authority over the eastern rivers - false blasphemy accusations.
Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.  The annual report of the US Commission
3. HED appoints VCs of two women on International Religious Freedom
universities (USCIRF) also urges Washington to
 The Punjab Higher Education encourage Islamabad to create the
Department (HED) on May 9, 2019 National Commission for Minorities`
appointed vice chancellors of two Rights as mandated by the Supreme
women universities -the Government Court`s 2014 decision.
College for Women University,  The report, which is distributed by the
Faisalabad, and the Government College US State Department, was released days
for Women University, Sialkot. before Islamabad announced on
 As many as 11 public sector varsities in Wednesday that Aasia Bibi has moved
the province were still functioning out of Pakistan to a country where she
without regular VCs for the last one and could not be harmed by religious
a half years, causing administrative as extremists. The Supreme Court
well as academic problems. acquitted Aasia Bibi a Christian woman
 The process for appointment of VCs in all and farm labourer of blasphemy charges
public sector universities in the province in October 2018 after a lower court
was on, and in this connection the sentenced her to death in 2010.
interviews of the applicants for the slots 5. 36 social welfare projects launched, PM
in four varsities -GCWU, Faisalabad, informs meeting
GCWU, Sialkot, Women University  Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a
Multan and University of Home high-level meeting on May 9, 2019 and
Economics, Lahore, had been held. announced that the government had
According to officials, around 30 initiated 36 social welfare projects in the
candidates were interviewed for the slot country.
in each women`s university.  He said Ehsas, the government`s flagship
 As per results, Women University, programme, would not only help fulfill
Swabi, VC Prof Dr Khanzadi Fatima the state`s responsibility to address
Khattak, was appointed as VC of the issues like poverty, joblessness and
GCWU, Faisalabad and Insutute of health, but it would also ensure effective
Administrative Sciences, University of utilisation of government resources on
the Punjab, Director Prof Dr Nasira welfare of the people.
Jabeen as VC of the GCWU, Sialkot. Both  Heads of different departments briefed
vice chancellors were appointed for a Imran Khan about the progress made on
full term of four years. targets given to them regarding
4. US report calls Aasia Bibi`s acquittal a corporate Prime Minister Imran Khan
`landmark decision` receives briefing on development and
 An official US report calls the Pakistan public welfare initiative.
Supreme Court`s order to release Aasia 6. Iran-US tensions escalate as Trump
Bibi a `landmark decision` and notes that imposes new sanctions
Prime Minister Imran Khan and other
Pakistani political leaders are also
 The United States announced harsh new  The two missiles fired on Thursday went
sanctions on Iran as tensions surge in an easterly direction from the
between the decades-long rivals. northwestern area of Kusong, South
 President Donald Trump issued an Korea`s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
executive order to sanction Iran’s steel,  They covered distances of 420 km and
aluminium, copper and iron sectors, 270 km and reached an altitude of about
which provide crucial foreign currency 50 km before falling into the sea.
earnings for its crippled economy. 8. Europe rejects Tehran`s ùltimatum`,
Trump also threatened further action but stands by nuclear deal
unless Tehran “fundamentally” changed  European powers on May 9, 2019
its behaviour. denounced Tehran`s threat to resume
 The move came after Tehran earlier said nuclear work, drawing a sharp response
it was quitting parts of the 2015 nuclear from the Iranian foreign minister who
agreement with world powers, which accused them of caving in to US bullying.
Washington abandoned in 2018 and  The three European signatories to the
ignited the current crisis. The metals 2015 Iran nuclear deal urged the Islamic
sector is the Islamic Republic’s largest republic to stick to its commitments
non-petroleum-related source of export after it said it would stop respecting
revenue and represents 10 percent of its some limits imposed by the agreement.
export economy, a statement from the  And they rejected an ultimatum from
White House said. President Hassan Rouhani, who
7. North Korea fires two missiles in second threatened to go further if they fail to
test in a week deliver sanctions relief to
 North Korea fired what appeared to be counterbalance US President Donald
two short-range missiles on May 9, 2019 Trump`s renewed assault on the Iranian
in a likely protest by leader Kim Jong-un economy within 60 days.
at the United States after he and  EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini
President Donald Trump failed to reach and France, Germany and Britain the
an agreement on nuclear weapons and three European signatories to the
missiles at a February summit. dealvoiced `great concern` at President
 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who Hassan Rouhani`s dramatic intervention.
earlier cut short a European trip to 9. Chinese scientists discover bizarre
return to Washington for meetings on winged dinosaur
Iran, would also have discussions on  Chinese scientists have found the
North Korea after learning of the remains of a bizarre Jurassic dinosaur
launches, a senior US State Department with membranous wings, showing a
official said. strange but unsuccessful attempt to fly
 The launches came less than a week in the evolution process from dinosaur
after Kim oversaw the test-firing of to bird.
multiple rockets and a missile and  The well-preserved fossil, discovered
coincided with a visit to the South from northeast China’s Liaoning
Korean capital by US special envoy for Province, dates back 163 million years
North Korea, Stephen Biegun. and belongs to a new species of Jurassic
non-avian the ropod dinosaur with
associated feathers and membranous of Rs700 billion in budget for next fiscal
tissues. year. The IMF is asking Pakistan to
 About 32 cm long and weighing about impose massive taxes equivalent to 1.7
306 grams, the new species has been percent of the GDP (Rs700 billion) to
named Ambopteryx longibrachium, control the widening budget deficit.
meaning a mixture of a dinosaur and the However, the government believes that
membranous wings of the pterosaur. massive taxation would result in
10. Facebook ‘generated’ extremist video increase in inflation rate, which is
 Facebook has been accused of “auto- already on the way up. Inflation had
generating” extremist content, including touched 5-year highest level of 9.41
a celebratory jihadist video and a percent in March this year. The
business page for al-Qaeda. government has assured the Fund that it
 The material was uncovered by an would impose taxes worth of Rs500
anonymous whistleblower who filed an billion while rest of the amount could be
official complaint to US regulators. collected through enforcement
 Similar content for self-identified Nazis measures. However, the proposal was
and white supremacist groups was also turned down by the IMF.
found online. 2. Iran ‘disrupting’ border fencing
 Facebook said it had got better at  Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan, a
deleting extreme content but its systems paramilitary force, May 10, 2019
were not perfect. informed the Senate panel that Iran was
creating hurdles in Pakistan’s effort to
fence the Pak-Iran border.
May 11, 2019  Lt Colonel Hussain of the FC (South)
1. Pak-IMF talks extended for two days informed the Senate Standing
 Talks between Pakistan and Committee on Interior that Pakistan was
International Monetary Fund (IMF) for “facing resistance from Iran, not overtly
new loan programme ended inclusively but covertly, in its efforts to fence the
on May 10, 2019 mainly due to the border” to block infiltration of terrorists
differences on increasing taxes to as well as smuggling.
control deficit in upcoming budget.  “When we start fencing work, Iran
 The government and the IMF were creates problems for us,” the official said
supposed to announce a staff-level adding that though Iran officially used to
agreement yesterday (Friday). However, say that it was ready to help Pakistan in
talks are extended for another two days fencing the border.
to make a breakthrough after both sides  The official was responding to the
failed to make consensus on loan deal. questions of lawmakers regarding the
“Pakistan and the visiting IMF Mission Ormara incident. JUI-F lawmaker
have made good progress in their Senator Talha Mahmood had inquired
discussions. Consultations will continue from the FC whether it was not a failure
over the weekend,” the ministry of of the civil armed force that more than
finance said in a brief handout. 15 terrorists allegedly came from Iran
 Pakistan has accepted all IMF’s and killed 14 passengers near Ormara
conditions except imposing taxes worth area of Balochistan.
3. Vice Admiral Niazi takes over as Karachi  The Alpine Club of Pakistan National
commander Mountaineering and Sport Climbing
 Vice Admiral Mohammad Amjad Khan Federation itself and through its
Niazi assumed office as Karachi affiliated units would mobilise 100,000
Commander while Vice Admiral Asif people to engage them in voluntary
Khaliq took over as Pakistan Fleet work. Seminars, workshops, clean and
Commander in separate ceremonies green hikes, photographic and painting
held at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard and competitions and exhibitions as well as
PNS Bahadur on May 10, 2019. conferences on various themes of caring
 Upon assumption of command, Vice for the environment would be
Admiral Niazi is now the commander of organised.
all training units of the Pakistan Navy in  A letter of understanding was signed
Karachi. between Climate Change Secretary
 Whereas, Vice Admiral Khaliq is now the Hassan Nasir Jamy and ACP President
Operational Commander of Pakistan Abu Zafar Sadiq.
Navy`s fleet, including ships, fast attack 5. Indian jets intercept foreign cargo plane
craft (missile), submarines and aviation flying from Karachi
units.  Indian Air Force fighter jets forced a
 Vice Admiral Mohammad Amjad Khan Georgian cargo plane flying from Karachi
Niazi joined Pakistan Navy in 1983. Also to New Delhi to land in Jaipur on May 10,
a recipient of the Sword of Honour, the 2019 after it allegedly violated Indian
officer has an illustrious career with airspace.
wide-ranging experience of various  The An-12 aircraft was intercepted by
command and staff appointments. His two Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets after it
major command appointments include deviated from its scheduled flight path,
commanding officer of PNS Badr, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said.
commanding officer of PNS Tariq,  `The aircraft did not follow the
commander 18th Destroyer Squadron, authorised Air Traffic Services route and
commandant PNS Bahadur and was not responding to radio calls from
commandant Pakistan Navy War Indian controlling agencies,` the IAF said
College, Lahore. His distinguished staff in a statement. `The aircraft was
appointments include director naval shadowed and forced to land at Jaipur
operations, principal secretary to Chief for necessary investigation.
of the Naval Staff, director general naval  Hundreds of commercial and cargo
intelligence, deputy chief of the naval flights have been affected by continuing
staff (training and evaluation) at the tensions between India and Pakistan
Naval Headquarters and chief naval after their tit-for-tat air strikes in
overseer (China). February.
4. Alpine Club, ministry join hands to  Restrictions over Pakistani airspace have
launch Clean and Green Pakistan drive forced international airlines, including
 The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) has those from India, to take costly and
joined hands with Ministry of Climate lengthy detours.
Change for launching a Clean and Green 6. China indicts former Interpol chief on
Pakistan drive. bribery charges
 Chinese prosecutors indicted former counter unspecified threats from Iran
Interpol president Meng Hongwei on have arrived at a major American air
May 10, 2019 on charges of accepting base in Qatar, the US Air Force
bribes, the latest development in a case acknowledged on May 10, 2019.
that began with his disappearance while  Images released by the US Air Force`s
on a journey to Beijing. Central Command show B-52H Strato
 The announcement from the fortress bombers arriving at Al Udeid Air
prosecutor`s office in the northeastern Base in Qatar on May 9, 2019 night.
city of Tianjin said Meng had abused his  Others landed at an undisclosed location
positions, including as a vice minister of in `southwest Asia,` the Air Force said.
public security and head of the maritime The US military in the past has described
police to ìllegaly accept cash and its presence at both the Al Dhafra Air
property in return for performing Base in the United Arab Emirates and Al
favours for others.` `The amounts were Udeid as `southwest Asia.
especially huge,` the statement said.  The Air Force identified the aircraft as
 Earlier, the ruling Communist Party`s coming f rom the 20th Bomb Squadron
disciplinary committee said an of Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
investigation found that Meng abused 9. Conflicts displaced over 10m people
his power in order to satisfy his family`s last year, says study
èxtravagant lifestyle.` Meng was  Conflict forced more than 10 million
formally arrested last month afterbeing people to flee their homes to live
expelled from public office and the elsewhere within their own country last
party. While serving at Interpol, Meng year, bringing the total number of
retained his title as a vice minister of people internally displaced by violence
public security. to a record high.
7. Israel lifts Gaza fishing ban as calm  The new figure brings the total number
returns of people currently living in internal
 Israel lifted a ban on May 10, 2019 on displacement due to violence to 41.3m,
Palestinian fishing boats operating off an all-time high, according to a report by
Gaza, an Israeli military body said, the Internal Displacement Monitoring
ending a measure imposed during a Centre (IDMC) and the Norwegian
deadly flare-up of violence earlier this Refugee Council (NRC).
month.  Ìt is really a mind-boggling figure,` NRC
 The fishing union in Gaza confirmed the chief Jan Egeland told reporters in
lifting of the ban, saying the new limits Geneva.
imposed by Israel were 12 nautical miles 10. Former Sri Lankan cricketers charged
in the southern half of Gaza, and six with match-fixing
nautical miles in the north.  Former Sri Lankan Test players Nuwan
 The Israeli navy often fires on Gazan Zoysa and Avishka Gunawardene have
boats it says have exceeded the limits. been charged with match-fixing and
8. US B-52 bombers land in Qatar after given two weeks to respond, the
unspecified Iran threat International Cricket Council announced
 B-52 bombers ordered by the White May 10, 2019.
House to deploy to the Persian Gulf to
 The charges against the two cricketers down to $3,000 as proposed by the
relate to a T10 league played in the ECAP.
United Arab Emirates in December, the 2. Pakistan ranked 3rd in world for newly
ICC said. installed hydropower capacity
 Zoysa was charged under four counts,  Pakistan has been ranked 3rd in the
including for `being a party to an world for newly installed hydropower
agreement to influence improperly the capacity, much ahead of the US and
result, progress, conductor the respects India.
of a match`.  Out of the top 20 countries which
 The ICC slapped two charges against installed new hydro capacity during
Gunawardene, one for soliciting a 2018, Pakistan, with the new installed
match-fixing breach and the other for capacity of 2487MW, has been ranked
failing to inform the Anti-Corruption 3rd, just behind China and Brazil which
Unit of the ICC. are ranked 1st and 2nd respectively in
 The charges are the latest in a spate of the list, declared by the International
match-fixing controversies to hit former Hydropower Association (IHA) in its
world champions Sri Lanka in recent recently issued report titled 2019:
months. Hydropower Status Report – Sector
Trends and Insights.

May 16, 2019 Formed under the auspices of UNESCO
in 1995 as a forum to promote and
1. PM forms body to control rupee disseminate good practice about
devaluation hydropower, IHA champions continuous
 A day when the value of the US dollar improvement and sustainable practices
against the rupee touched an all-time across the sector.
high, Prime Minister Imran Khan set up a  India with 535 MW new installed
committee to control devaluation of the capacity is ranked 8th while US with
local currency and capital flight from 141MW is ranked 15th of the list. Listing
Pakistan. down top 20 countries by newly installed
 The committee headed by Adviser to the capacity, the IHA states in its report that
PM on Finance Dr Hafeez Shaikh was Pakistan managed to add 2487MW of
formed on May 15, 2019 during a environment-friendly hydel electricity in
meeting in which members of the 2018 following China and Brazil at the
Exchange Companies Association of first and second rung that added
Pakistan (ECAP) apprised the prime 8540MW and 3866 MW to their systems
minister about various factors involved respectively. Turkey with an addition of
in capital flight and devaluation of the 1085 MW and Angola with an addition of
rupee against the dollar. The governor of 668 MW remained at 4th and 5th
the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is a positions respectively as far as newly
member of the committee. installed hydro capacity is concerned.
 The committee has been tasked to The neighbouring India stood at the 8th
ascertain whether the provision of position that could succeeded in adding
carrying $10,000 by anyone who travels 535 MW hydel electricity to its system
abroad from Pakistan can be slashed recently.
3. E-transfer policy for teachers okayed
 Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on May 15,  The meeting was informed that wheat
2019 approved e-transfer policy an crop had suffered a setback due to
online system for the transfer of recent rains and thunderstorms and
schoolteachers. about 5 per cent losses are initially
 He was chairing a meeting to give formal estimated to have been caused to the
approval to the e-transfer policy at his overall production.
office.  In his presentation, the secretary,
 Mr Buzdar said the new policy would ministry of national food security and
save time of the teachers besides research updated the meeting about the
ensuring transparency as every availability of wheat in the country
posting/transfer would be made purely saying total stocks stood at 5.328 million
on merit. He said the teachers would tonnes as of May 13. It was reported
also register their complaints in case of that initial estimates put the total wheat
any problem and the service delivery output at 24.268m tonnes during the
would be improved through the new just concluded crop season against a
system. target of 25.56m tonnes.
4. Salman Shah made adviser to CM  About 1.213m tonnes were lost due to
 The Punjab government has appointed recent adverse weather conditions.
economist Dr Salman Shah as adviser to 6. Cabinet approves appointment of Zulfi
the chief minister and assigned him the Bukhari as PTDC chairman
functions relating to the economic  The federal cabinet approved the
affairs, planning and development. appointment of Minister of State for
 Dr Salman has been appointed following Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari as the
resignation tendered by adviser to chief chairman of the Pakistan Tourism
minister on political affairs Muhammad Development Corporation (PTDC), the
Akram Chaudhry. The chief minister can Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and
have only five advisers following a court Human Resource Development
decision. announced via a tweet. The cabinet’s
5. Govt approves 5.15m tonnes wheat decision was endorsed by the PTDC
procurement, supply of another board, the tweet further said.
150MW to KE  The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)
 The Economic Coordination Committee government has laid emphasis on
(ECC) of the cabinet on May 15, 2019 promoting tourism in Pakistan and has
approved Rs158 billion wheat taken multiple steps to facilitate
procurement plan and 150MW travelers. Last year, the government
additional power supply to K-Electric relaxed the visa policy and announced
from the national grid. the offering of online visas to visitors
 Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance, from 175 countries.
Revenue and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul  The government has also taken steps to
Hafeez Shaikh presided over the promote religious tourism. Prime
meeting that did not approve about Minister Imran Khan last year laid the
Rs118bn electricity subsidy to industrial foundation stone of the Kartarpur
consumers for want of further crossing that would facilitate Indian Sikh
deliberations. pilgrims to visit holy sites in Pakistan.
 The premier has stressed on the Abortions would only be legal if the life
importance of proper infrastructure to of the mother is in danger or the fetus
facilitate tourists. has a fatal condition.
7. Pakistan extends partial airspace ban 9. Ardern, Macron launch `Christchurch
till 30th Call` against online extremism
 Pakistan on May 15, 2019 extended its  Major tech pledged on May 15, 2019 to
airspace ban for flights to India till May pursue a range of fresh measures aimed
30 as there has been no progress at the at stamping out violent extremist
bilateral level in this respect. Foreign content on the internet, amid growing
flights using Indian airspace are also not pressure from governments in the wake
allowed to cross over Pakistan. of the massacres at two New Zealand
 Pakistan had on Feb 26 fully closed its mosques in March that left over 50
airspace following the violation of its people dead.
international boundary and airspace by  The `Christchurch Call` was spearheaded
Indian fighter jets. In March, it partially by New Zealand`s premier Jacinda
opened its airspace but kept it banned Ardern and French leader Emmanuel
for the Indian flights. Macron, who gathered executives and
 `Pakistan on May 15, 2019 reviewed world leaders to launch the initiative at
lifting of its airspace ban for Indian a meeting in Paris.
flights and decided to extend it till May  The US government did not endorse the
30. Christchurch Call and was not
 The CAA, after the decision, issued represented at the Paris meeting.
NOTAM (notice to pilots) informing  The vow came as outrage has mounted
them about the flight/route guidelines since the massacre in which the gunman
(till May 30). `The government will again broadcast his rampage live on Facebook
review the matter on May 30. via a head-mounted camera.
8. US state passes toughest bill against 10. Scientists unearth `most bird-like`
abortion dinosaur ever found
 The Alabama senate has passed the  Researchers in Germany have unearthed
most restrictive abortion bill in the a new species of flying dinosaur that
United States, which places a near-total flapped its wings like a raven and could
ban on the termination of pregnancy hold vital clues as to how modern-day
even in cases of rape and incest and birds evolved from their reptilian
could punish doctors who perform the ancestors.
procedure with life in prison.  For more than a century and a half since
 The text passed by the Republican-led its discovery in 1861, Archaeopteryx a
senate has been sent to Governor Kay small feathered dinosaur around the size
Ivey`s desk for signature into law and, if of a crow that lived in marshland around
approved, is expected to trigger a legal 150 million years ago was widely
battle which its supporters hope will considered to be the oldest flying bird.
reach the Supreme Court.  Palaeontologists from Ludwig-
 Under the bill, performing an abortion is Maximilians University in Munich and
a crime that could land doctors who the University of Fribourg examined rock
perform it in prison for 10 to 99 years. formations in the German region of
Bavaria, home to nearly all known programme aimed at providing job
Archaeopteryx specimens. opportunities, education, soft loans and
 They came across a petrified wing, which professional skills to the youth of the
the team initially assumed to be the country.
same species. They soon found several  The prime minister took the decision at
differences, however. a meeting held in connection with the
May 17, 2019 programme

Kamyab
called
Naujawan
`Wazir-i-Azam
Programme`
1. Nine `militants` killed in Mastung (WAKNP).
operation  Special Assistant to the Prime Minister
 At least nine suspected militants were on Youth Affairs Usman Dar briefed the
killed and four security personnel meeting on the programme.
injured in a gun battle between security  Ùnder the programme, several schemes
forces and members of banned militant are being launched for the youth,
organisations during an operation in including youth economic development
Qabo-Koh-i-Mehran area of Mastung economic scheme, PM`s green youth
district, 65km off here, on May 16, 2019. movement, PM startup Pakistan,
 The Counter-Terrorism Department of internship programme, Hunarmand
police force along with other law programme and Kamyab Naujawan
enforcement agencies cordoned off the employment exchange programme.
Qabo-Koh-i-Mehran after receiving 3. UN Women, WPC sign MOU for
information about the presence of a legislative reform to end child marriage
hideout of militants in the mountainous  The National Assembly Women
area. Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) and UN
 The militants opened fire on the security Women Pakistan have decided to work
forces when they penetrated the area. together to raise awareness for
The security forces took position and legislative reforms to end child marriage
retaliated. A heavy exchange of and advance women empowerment and
brecondnued for several hours and gender equality.
culminated in the death of nine  These are also central to Pakistan`s
suspected terrorists and injuries to four efforts towards achieving the
personnel of security forces. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
 A security official said that the terrorists, by 2030.
who died on the spot, belonged to  A memorandum of understanding
different banned organisations that (MoU) was signed in this regard by UN
were involved in terror attacks in Quetta Women Country Representative
and other areas of Balochistan. Jamshed Kazi and WPC Secretary
 The Islamic State militant group was Munazza Hassan at the National
using the hideout along with other Assembly on May 16, 2019.
terrorist outfits,` security sources said.  It was agreed that the issue of child
2. PM approves ambitious youth support marriage needs attention and efforts at
programme all levels, and both UN Women and the
 Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 16, WPC acknowledged the urgent need for
2019 approved in principle an ambitious consolidated and concerted action to
curb child marriages in all parts of  Central Development Working Party
Pakistan through advocacy, awareness- (CDWP) meeting was held under the
raising and legislative reform. chairmanship of Deputy Chairman
4. External debt, liabilities shoot to Planning Commission and Federal
$105.84 billion Minister for Planning, Development &
 Pakistan’s external debt and liabilities Reforms Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar.
surged to $105.84 billion by the end of The CDWP accorded approval to one
March 2019 following the massive project worth Rs. 385.135 million and
borrowings made by the successive recommended four projects worth Rs
governments. 123.6 billion to ECNEC for consideration.
 The country’s debt and liabilities had  Government of Sindh presented project
gone up by $10.6 billion in nine months Karachi Urban Mobility Project, Yellow
(July to March) of the ongoing fiscal Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) worth Rs.
year, according to the latest figures of 61.44 billion which was recommended
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The debt by CDWP to ECNEC for consideration.
and liabilities had increased to $105.84 6. Veteran artist Jamil Naqsh dies
billion in March 2019 from $95.24 billion  Distinguished Pakistani artist Jamil
in June 2018, showing an increase of Naqsh passed away in London on May
$10.6 billion 16, 2019. He was 80.
 The successive governments in Pakistan  He was admitted to a hospital in London
had massively borrowed from external on May 7 after contracting pneumonia.
as well internal sources to meet the twin  Naqsh was born in the city of Kairanain
deficits including budget and current undivided India in 1939. After
account. The governments had failed to independence, his family came to
enhance the country’s exports, which Pakistan.
stood at $23 billion only. The incumbent  In the early 1950s he joined the Mayo
PTI government, which criticized School of Industrial Arts (which was later
previous governments for borrowing, named National School of Arts)in Lahore
had also made significant borrowing but left it citing the reason that he
since coming into power. The wanted to experience the world and art
government had borrowed $9 billion first-hand. He did, however, get trained
from three friendly countries in last few as a miniaturist under Ustad Haji Sharif.
months. Pakistan had barrowed $4 7. Women around the world unite against
billion from China, $3 billion from Saudi US abortion bill
Arabia and $2 billion from United Arab  Celebrities revealed their abortion
Emirates (UAE). stories and ordinary Americans stood up
5. CDWP approves five projects worth to be counted as a backlash against
Rs124 billion tough new US abortion laws gathered
 Central Development Working Party pace on May 16, 2019 and a social media
(CDWP) May 16, 2019 approved five campaign went viral.
projects worth Rs 124 billion, including  The online campaign to protect access to
Karachi Yellow Line Bus Rapid Transit abortion followed moves by Alabama
service and Gwadar East Bay and other US states to heavily restrict a
Expressway. woman`s right to end her pregnancy, a
perennial battleground in US politics and India’s Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty
touchstone of modern feminism. wrote in a post forwarded almost 10,000
 Galvanised by the threat, movie stars times.
divulged their own painful stories,  The image used a similar font, layout and
warning against any return to backstreet logo to Oxford Dictionaries’ website, but
abortions or men legislating over did not use the word Oxford. Oxford
women`s bodies. Dictionaries replied on its verified
 On social media, hundreds of ordinary Twitter account. “We can confirm that
Americans answered a call by talk show the image showing the entry ‘Modilie’ is
host Busy Philipps to share stories and fake and does not exist in any of our
ènd the shame`. Philipps launched the Oxford Dictionaries,” it said.
hashtag #youknowme aimed at showing  Gandhi, 48, also tweeted a link to a
how common it is for women to end website called www.modilies.in that he
their pregnancies. said “catalogues the best Modilies!
8. Bob Hawke, one of Australia`s most 10. International cyber-crime gang busted
famous prime ministers, dies  An international crime gang which used
 Bob Hawke, a transformative and malware to steal $100m (£77m) from
charismatic left-wing lawmaker with a more than 40,000 victims has been
`larrikin` streak who served as Australian dismantled. A complex police operation
prime minister from 1983 to 1991, died conducted investigations in the US,
on May 16, 2019 aged 89, his family said. Bulgaria, Germany, Georgia, Moldova
 While others may have struggled to and Ukraine.
dismiss a reputation for boisterous, if  The gang infected computers with
well-meaning, behaviour, silver-haired GozNym malware, which captured
Hawke said it helped him win favour online banking details to access bank
with working-class voters. accounts. The gang was put together
 Hawke`s death comes ahead of a from criminals who advertised their
Saturday general election, with his skills on online forums. The details of the
opposition Labour partyis narrowly operation were revealed at the
aheadin the polls. headquarters of the European police
9. Oxford Dictionaries dragged into Indian agency Europol in The Hague.
poll  Five Russian nationals remain on the
 Oxford Dictionaries was dragged into run, including one who developed the
India’s bitter election on May 16, 2019 GozNym malware and oversaw its
as it rubbished a claim that “Modilie” — development and management,
referring to Prime Minister Narendra including leasing it to other cyber-
Modi — is a recognised word. criminals. Among the victims were small
 Rahul Gandhi, Modi’s main challenger in businesses, law firms, international
the election, tweeted what he said was a corporations and non-profit
screen shot of an online dictionary entry organisations. One of the things that the
for the word combining the words Modi operation has highlighted is how
and lie. “There’s a new word in the common the selling of nefarious cyber-
English Dictionary. Attached is a skills has become, says Prof Alan
snapshot of the entry :),” the scion of Woodward, a computer scientist from
University of Surrey. “The developers of
this malware advertised their ‘product’  Soon after taking the charge, Mr Atta
so that other criminals could use their held a meeting with tobacco control
service to conduct banking fraud. cellof the Ministry of National Health
Services and it was decided that new
May 18, 2019 pictorial health warning on 60pc of the
cigarette packets would be introduced
1. Govt ponders over electric cars to fight on M ay 31.
pollution  The PM Office has been declared 100pc
 Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 17, tobacco free. Ban on all advertising,
2019 chaired a meeting on climate including inside shops, will be ensured.
change and decided to introduce electric 3. Sadpara scales Lhotse peak in Nepal
cars by setting up electric car plants for  Renowned Pakistani mountaineer
the first time in the country. Mohammad Ali Sadpara scaled the
 Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate 8,516-metre Lhotse peak in Nepal, the
Change Malik Amin Aslam briefed the fourth highest mountain in the world An
premier on the climate change. organiser of the expedition, Seven
 The prime minister ordered the Summit Treks confirmed that Sadpara
authorities concerned to ensure climbed the peak in Nepal.
conversion of 30 per cent of all cars  He said it was Sadpara`s solo summit,
running in the country into electric however, Nepalese Sherpas helped him
vehicles by 2030. fixing the ropes, adding the mountaineer
 On the issue of possibility of heavy rains was descending to the base camp from
and flood in Gilgit Baltistan, the meeting camp 4 of the peak.
was informed that Shisper glacier in  Sadpara had arrived Nepal in first week
Hassanabad village of Hunza was posing of April to summit Makalu (8,485m)
a serious threat to residents of the area peak, the fif th highest in the world. He
with each passing day as it has surged by plans to climb the peak, next week.
three kilometers.  Summit of Lhotse was not part of his
2. `Pakistan fails to implement tobacco plan, however, he did the adventure as
control framework` part of acclimatisation.
 Prime Minister`s Focal Person on Polio 4. East Timor to become world`s first
Eradication Babar Bin Atta on May 18, plastic-neutral nation
2019 said Pakistan has failed to  In a region where seas are awash with
implement World Health Organisation trash, East Timor is set to become the
(WHO)`s tobacco control framework world`s first country to recycle all its
which is a potential embarrassment for plastic waste after it teamed up with
the country. Australian researchers on May 17, 2019
 In a statement, he said Pakistan had to build a revolutionary recycling plant.
decided to introduce the pictorial  The $40-million plant will ensure that no
warning up to 60 per cent of cigarette plastic, once used in the Southeast Asian
packs by the end of this month. nation, would become waste, but would
 Mr Atta has recently been appointed as instead be turned into new products.
the focal person on tobacco control.  Dili said it had signed a memorandum of
understanding with Australia`s Mura
Technology to establish a non-profit Taliban insurgents even as the US is
called RESPECT that will run the plastic trying to broker a peace deal to end
recycling plant, expected tolaunchby the nearly 18 years of war.
end of2020. 7. Trump tells Pentagon chief he doesn`t
5. Taiwan approves same-sex marriage in want war with Iran
first for Asia  Senior officials in Washington have
 Taiwan`s parliament legalised same-sex begun looking for ways to defuse
marriage on May 17, 2019 in a landmark tensions with Tehran after President
first for Asia as the government survived Donald Trump has made it clear that he
a last-minute attempt by conservatives doesn`t want a war with Iran, sources
to pass watered-down legislation. say.
 Lawmakers comfortably passed a bill  The New York Times has reported that
allowing same-sex couples to form during a meeting Mr Trump told his
èxclusive permanent unions` and acting defence secretary, Patrick
another clause that would let them Shanahan, that he does not want to go
apply for a `marriage registration` with to war with Iran.
government agencies.  The president`s statement was meant to
 The vote which took place on the apprise his hawkish aides that he did not
International Day Against Homophobia, want the intensifying US pressure
Transphobia and Biphobia is a major campaign against the Iranians to turn
victory for the island`s LGBT community into an open conflict, said the
and it places the island at the vanguard newspaper.
of Asia`s burgeoning gay rights  According to another statement, US
movement. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called
6. US air strikes kill 17 Afghan policemen the leader of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin
by mistake Said, to discuss the threat posed by Iran.
 US air strikes killed 17 policemen by Oman has long been seen as an
mistake during a battle with insurgents intermediary between the West and
in the country`s southern Helmand Iran.
province, Afghan and US military officials 8. Some 250,000 Rohingya refugees
said on May 17, 2019. receive first ID cards: UN
 Attaullah Afghan, head of the provincial  The United Nations said on May 17, 2019
council, said the air strikes took place it has registered more than 250,000
around 9pm local time on Thursday Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh,
outside the province`s capital of Lashkar providing many with their first ever
Gah, during clashes between Afghan identification cards and proof of their
police and the Taliban. Afghan added 14 right to return to Myanmar in the future.
policemen were also wounded in the  The UN refugee agency also said the
strikes. registration could serve as a tool for law
 Deadly incidents of friendly fire in US enforcement to help counter human
military support for its Afghan allies have trafficking.
happened before, but are not common.  Òver a quarter of a million Rohingya
Afghanistan`s beleaguered security refugees from Myanmar have now been
forces come under near daily attacks by jointly registered and provided with
identity cards by Bangladesh authorities  The innings fell apart after a century
and UNHCR, spokesman Andrej Mahecic stand between Babar (115) and
told reporters in Geneva. Mohammad Hafeez (59).
 Some 740,000 Rohingya refugees fled a
military crackdown in August 2017 to
cross into Bangladesh where 300,000 May 19, 2019
members of the persecuted Muslim 1. Reforms plan sets tax to GDP ratio
minority were already in camps. target at 17pc
9. World Cup winners to get record $4m  Pakistan has finalised a comprehensive
prize money tax reforms programme to increase tax
 The winners of the upcoming World Cup to GDP ratio to 17 per cent by 2024 for
in England will receive a record $4 which benchmarks in 10 key areas have
million (3.1 million) for lifting the trophy, been set.
the International Cricket Council  The World Bank has committed to
announced on May 17, 2019. providing $400 million assistance to
 In all a total of $10 million is on offer Pakistan for implementation of the
during the showpiece men`s One-day reforms over the next five years. The
International tournament, which starts reforms programme was evolved in the
later this month and lasts 46 days. light of recommendations of the
 As well as the champions` pay-out, each Working Group, which was constituted
team that wins a group stage match will in December 2018.
receive $40,000 (31,000), with the losing  The last WB-funded reforms project,
semi-finalists collecting $800,000 which was launched in 2004 during
(625,000) and the runners-up banking Musharraf`s military rule, concluded in
$2 million (1.56 million). the year 2011 costing $149m. Of this
 Tournament hosts and favourites amount, $102.9m was provided by the
England, bidding to win the trophy for WB.
the first time, will open the World Cup  A senior tax official told Dawn that the
when they face South Africa at The Oval programme had already been
in south London on May 30. negotiated with the economic affairs
10. England take unassailable lead in series division. The project document was
 England took an unassailable 3-0 lead in likely to be approved by the Word Bank
the one-day series against Pakistan after Board in its meeting scheduled for May
winning the fourth match at Trent 30.
Bridge, Nottingham, by three wickets on 2. Sindh Assembly revives Musharraf-era
May 17, 2019. Police Order amid opposition walkout
 England overwhelmed a daunting target  The Sindh Assembly on May 18, 2019
of 341 thanks to electrifying knocks by revived the Police Order, 2002 by
opener Jason Roy (114) and Ben repealing the colonial-era Police Act,
Stokes(71not out). 1861, prompting a walkout by the three
 Earlier Pakistan were unable to cash in major opposition parties that were part
on Babar Azam`s century as they were of a select committee to examine the
restricted to 340 for seven after being draft law.
178 for one in 30 overs..
 Among several other structural changes, the Public Financial Management (PFM)
establishment of public safety reform strategy for the period 2017-20.
commissions at district and provincial  The overall objective of putting in place
levels are said to be the most significant a robust PFM system is to ensure
part of the new law. financial compliance, facilitate
 The Sindh (Repeal of the Police Act, 1861 prioritisation amongst competing claims
and Revival of Police Order, 2002) on scarce resources, encourage efficient
Amendment Act, 2019, was moved in delivery of public services and achieve
the house with five of the 15 members the ultimate goal of efficient, effective
of the select committee refusing to sign and accountable use of public resources.
it. 5. US State Dept approves $314m sale of
 The Police Order, 2002 was first missiles to South Korea
enforced by the former president retired  The US State Department has cleared
Gen Pervez Musharraf. $314 million in possible sales of air
3. Balochistan notifies Levies-police defence missiles to South Korea, the
merger Pentagon said, as tensions re-emerge on
 The Balochistan government has the Korean peninsula.
formally merged the Levies force with  South Korea, a key Asian ally of the
the police department in three districts United States, asked to buy up to 94 SM-
of the province despite opposition`s 2 missiles used by ships against air
misgivings. threats, along with 12 guidance systems
 It was announced through a notification and technical assistance for a total cost
on May 18, 2019. of $313.9 million, the US Defence
 The official notification issued by the Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
Home and Tribal Affairs department said on its website.
states, it was `pleased to declare the  The agency, a unit of the Department of
revenue limits of districts of Quetta, Defence, delivered certification on
Lasbela and Gwadar as À-Area` with the Thursday notifying Congress of the
meaning of aforesaid sections, for the possible sale.
purpose of terri-torial jurisdiction of  The proposed sale comes after North
Balochistan police with immediate effect Korea recently criticised South Korea`s
and until further orders`. defence purchases from the United
4. World Bank to help KP Govt boost States, including the arrival of the first F-
revenue collection 35 stealth aircraft.
 The World Bank will help the Khyber 6. US warns airliners flying in Gulf amid
Pakhtunkhwa government prepare a Iran tensions
programme to increase provincial tax  US diplomats warned on May 18, 2019
collection and improve the management that commercial airliners flying over the
of public resources. wider Persian Gulf faced a risk of being
 The project, for which the International `misidentified` amid heightened
Development Association (IDA) will tensions between the US and Iran.
provide a credit of $100 million, will fund  The warning relayed by US diplomatic
expenditures of the main government posts from the Federal Aviation
entities responsible for implementing Administration underlined the risks the
current tensions pose to a region crucial intelligence agent for $25,000 during
to global air travel. It came as Lloyd`s of trips to Shanghai in March and April
London warned of increasing risks to 2017.
maritime shipping in the region.  `Your object is to gain information, and
 Concerns about a possible conflict have my object is to be paid,` he told the
flared since the White House ordered Chinese agent in a May 5, 2017 message.
warships and bombers to the region to  The fluent Mandarin speaker had served
counter an alleged, unexplained threat in the US army, then as a special agent
from Iran that has seen America order for the security service of the State
non-essential diplomatic staff out of Department, before becoming a covert
Iraq. case officer for the Central Intelligence
7. Conservatives pull off an unexpected Agency.
win in Australian poll 9. Bahrain asks its citizens to leave Iran,
 Australia`s ruling conservative coalition Iraq ìmmediately`
defied expectations to retain power in  US-allied Bahrain warned its citizens on
national elections on May 18, 2019, Saturday against travel to Iraq and Iran
prompting Prime Minister Scott and asked those already there to return
Morrison to declare: Ì have always ìmmediately` for their safety.
believed in miracles! `How good is  The Bahrain foreign ministry cited,
Australia, shouted a jubilant Morrison, ùnstable regional circumstances,
who came to office just nine months ago dangerous developments and potential
in a party coup against his moderate threats, according to BNA.
predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull.  The warning comes amid simmering
 While it remained unclear if Morrison`s tensions between the United States and
Liberal party and their rural-based Iran.
National party partners would win  Washington on Wednesday pulled
enough seats to form a majority nonemergency staff members from its
government, the leader of the main embassy in the Iraqi capital Baghdad out
opposition Labour party conceded of apparent concern about perceived
defeat shortly before midnight. threats from neighbouring Iran, to which
 Ìt is obvious that Labour will not be able Iraqi Shiìte militias are allied.
to form the next government,` Bill 10. Austrian vice chancellor forced to
Shorten told stunned supporter s in resign after hidden camera sting
Melbourne.  Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian
8. Former CIA agent gets 20 years for Strache, a key figure of the European far-
selling information to China right, resigned on May 18, 2019 after
 A former CIA officer was sentenced to 20 explosive revelations came to light from
years in prison on Friday for spying for a hidden camera sting, just days before
China in a case called part of an key EU elections.
àlarming trend` in the US intelligence  Ì tendered my resignation as vice
community. chancellor of Austria to Chancellor Kurz,
 Kevin Mallory, 62, was convicted under and he accepted this decision, an
the Espionage Act for selling classified emotional Strache said in a televised
US `defence information` to a Chinese
statement which almost certainly marks  Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad
the end of his career. Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has assured Pakistan
 Media reports emerged on May 17, 2019 that he will make personal efforts to
alleging that Strache promised public resolve visa restriction issues being
contracts in return for campaign help faced by the Pakistani community.
from a fake Russian backer he met on  The Kuwaiti emir gave this assurance to
the island of Ibiza a few months before Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood
2017`s parliamentary elections in Qureshi, who called on him in Kuwait
Austria. City on May 19, 2019.
 The foreign minister apprised the emir
May 20, 2019 of Kuwait about reservations and
difficulties being faced by the Pakistani
1. Pakistan needs diplomatic push to exit community in Kuwait due to visa
FATF grey list restrictions. He also presented special
 Apart from technical compliance, letters from President Dr Arif Alvi and
Pakistan needs to launch an aggressive Prime Minister Imran Khan to him.
diplomatic effort over the next four  Mr Qureshi thanked the emir for raising
weeks to secure enough support and voice against human rights violations in
votes to exit the grey list of the Financial India-held Kashmir by New Delhi. He also
Action Task Force (FATF)the global thanked the emir for supporting
watchdog on anti money laundering Islamabad`s stance during the recent
(AML) and combating financing terror tension with India.
(CFT).  He said over 100,000 workforce and
 The coming FATF Plenary and Working experts of Pakistan origin are playing an
Group meetings in Orlando, Florida, important role in the development and
scheduled for June 16-21, would be progress of Kuwait. He said Pakistan
crucial for Pakistan to get rid of the grey attached high importance to its bilateral
list or fall into the black list having and economic relations with Kuwait.
serious economic repercussions. The 3. Exit polls predict victory for Modi
Orlando plenary will actually set the  India`s protracted and acrimonious
stage for Pakistan`s future even though general elections ended on May 19,
a formal announcement would come out 2019 with four exit polls predicting a
at the next FATF plenary due in Paris on return for the Modi government, but
October 18-23. analysts cautioned that such surveys had
 Pakistan was now fully compliant with gone completely wrong previously.
the related United Nations resolutions,  Former aide to Atal Bihari Vajpayee
said the official who was part of the Sudheendra Kulkarni reminded
Pakistani delegation to `Face-to-Face television viewers that every exit poll
meeting` of the Asia-Pacific Group, a had predicted a win for the former prime
regional affiliate of the FATF, in minister in 2004, but the election was
Guangzhou, China last week. won by the Congress-led coalition.
2. Visa policy for Pakistanis to be revised:  In 2009, exit polls had predicted 186 for
Kuwaiti emir assured Mr Vajpayee and 197 for Dr Manmohan
Singh. The NDA won much less 160 and
the Congress coalition ended up winning diplomats and the Taliban about a
another term with 262 seats. possible settlement of an 18 year
 The winner must get at least 272 seats in conflict.
the 543-member Lok Sabha. 6. Saudi Arabia calls for regional talks over
4. Swiss vote to tighten gun laws, Iran tensions
safeguard EU relations  Saudi Arabia has called for emergency
 The Swiss voted on May 19, 2019 to regional talks to discuss mounting Gulf
toughen their gun laws and bring them tensions, saying on May 19, 2019 that it
in line with EU legislation, heeding does not want war with Iran but is ready
warnings that rejecting the change could to defend itself.
have threatened relations with the bloc.  The move comes days after mysterious
 Final results showed that voters sabotage attacks on several tankers in
overwhelmingly supported reforming highly sensitive Gulf waters and drone
Swiss gun laws, with a full 63.7 percent strikes on a Saudi crude pipeline by
casting their ballot in favour. Yemen rebels who Riyadh claimed were
 A majority of voters in all but one of acting on Iranian orders.
Switzerland`s 26 cantons backed the  The United States has also deployed an
reform, with the Italian-speaking canton aircraft carrier and bombers to the Gulf
of Ticino in southern Switzerland the over alleged threats from Iran.
only outlier.  King Salman invited Gulf leaders and
 A demand from the neighbouring Arab League member states to two
European Union that the Swiss toughen emergency summits in Makkah on May
their gun laws prompted a rare national 30 to discuss recent àggressions and
debate over firearm ownership in the their consequences`.
wealthy Alpine nation, which has a 7. Dubai tells food groups to give calorie
deeply rooted gun culture. details on all menus
5. First session of Afghan parliament ends  Dubai has issued a circular requiring
in brawl over new speaker food organisations to give details on
 Afghanistan`s parliament descended calories on all menus, the government
into chaos on May 19, 2019 when media office tweeted on May 19, 2019.
lawmakers brawled over the  `The first phase will be introduced in
appointment of a new speaker, an November 2019 for restaurants with
inauspicious start to the assembly which more than 5 branches. (The) second
was sitting for the first time since chaotic phase in 2020 for all restaurants,
elections last year. catering establishments and hotels,` it
 Results of last October`s parliamentary quoted a municipality circular as saying.
election were only finalised earlier this  Dubai, the Gulf`s tourism hub known for
month after repeated technical and its glittering skyscrapers and luxury
organisational problems and properdes, shops and restaurants,
widespread accusations of fraud. attracted 15.92 million overnight tourist
 May 19`s incident underscored the visitors in 2018.
turmoil in Afghan politics ahead of 8. Woakes wraps up England rout of
presidential elections that are taking Pakistan
place in the shadow of talks between US
 Chris Woakes took five wickets as
England beat Pakistan by 54 runs to win
the fifth one-day international at May 21, 2019
Headingley on May 19, 2019. 1. SBP warns of higher inflation next fiscal
 Victory, in their final match before the year
World Cup hosts and favourites name  In a move that will doubtless trigger
their tournament squad on Tuesday, dismay across the business community,
saw England cruise to a 4-0 series win the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on May
after the first match was washed out. 20, 2019 raised its policy rate by 150
 Woakes took three wickets for no runs in basis points to 12.25 per cent, 50bps
nine balls as Pakistan slumped to six for above market expectations.
three in pursuit of a target of 352. Babar  The bank cited rising inflation as well as
Azam (80) and captain Sarfaraz Ahmed expectations of future inflation driven by
(97) then kept England at bay but both a weak rupee, widening fiscal deficit and
batsmen were run out and any lingering potential adjustments to the utility
hope Pakistan had went with them. tariffs as the key drivers behind the rate
9. Iram fifty helps Pakistan regain lead hike.
against SA  The move follows a staff level
 Iram Javed`s half-century helped agreement with the International
Pakistan women beat South Africa by Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $6 billion
four wickets in their third T20 bailout package, which is likely to be
International in Pietermaritzburg on accompanied with tough conditions,
May 19, 2019. The win helped the including higher interest rates and
visitors secure a 2-1 lead in the five- commitments to roll over debts taken
match series. from China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
 Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz also made useful  The agreement was preceded by a major
contributions to steer Pakistan to the reshuffle in the financial corridors
139-run target 22 balls to spare. resulting in the appointment of Reza
10. SSGC lift Corporate T20 Cup Baqir, an economist associated with the
 Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) rode IMF who replaced former SBP governor
on excellent knocks from Khushdil Shah Tariq Bajwa. This was the SBP`s first
and Ahmed Shehzad to clinch their monetary policy statement released
maiden Corporate T20 Cup title with a since Dr Baqir took office.
clinical 41-run defeat of Omar Associates 2. PM okays appointment of 18
in the seventh edition`s final. ambassadors
 After being put into bat at a jam-packed  The government on Monday appointed
DHA Sports Cub Moin Khan Academy, Moeen-ul-Haq as high commissioner to
SSGC recovered from 16-3 all wickets India.
taken by seamer Khurram Shehzad (3-30  Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood
in four overs) through Ahmed (67 off 37 Qureshi announced the appointment of
balls, five sixes and four fours) and man- 18 ambassadors and consuls general,
of-the-match Khushdil (61 off 30, five including five women officers and two
sixes and four fours) to post 206-6. retired generals.
 `Today I met Prime Minister Imran Khan Meeting (SCO-CFM) in Bishkek, Kyrgyz
and after a detailed discussion he [PM] Republic on May 21-22, 2019.
gave approval for the fresh  Foreign Ministers of all SCO Member
appointments keeping in view new States are expected to attend the
challenges,` Mr Qureshi told media. meeting.
 The foreign minister expressed the hope  This CFM will approve important
that the newly-appointed envoys would documents which will later be adopted
play a pivotal role in promoting the soft by the Council of Heads of States (CHS)
image of Pakistan and serve the meeting, to be held in Bishkek in June
Pakistanis living overseas. 2019.
3. RAW network busted in GB  During the CFM, the Foreign Minister
 Security forces have successfully busted will deliver remarks at the Plenary
local chapter of Balwaristan National Session.
Front (Hameed Group) Gilgit Baltistan, a 5. Ban imposed on interprovincial
network of Indian Intelligence Agency movement of wheat
RAW to carry out terrorism and  The provincial food department has
subversion. decided to impose restriction on
 The local chapter of BNF(H) was busted interprovincial movement of wheat
in an intelligence-based operation owning to expected wheat crises and
carrying out subversion by publishing price hike of floor in the province.
material through a magazine  Provincial Minister for Food Hari Ram
”Balawaristan Times”. Huge quantity of Kishori Lal on May 20, 2019 gave
weapons and ammunition was also approval to imposition of restriction on
recovered during IBO. As a result of the the movement of wheat. Hari Ram said
activists of BNF were also apprehended. that the Pakistan Floor Mill Association
 Sub Nationalist (SN) Organisation South Zone have also shown their
Balwaristan National Front (Hameed Gp) apprehension regarding non-availability
BNF(H) GB was cultivated on the behest of wheat stocks in Sindh and proposed
of Indian intelligence agency RAW and the ban of purchasing of wheat by the
tried terrorism and subversion by feed mills.
targeting “Youth” in GB and various  He said that in order to stop out flow of
universities of Pakistan. wheat stocks from Sindh to other
 Chairman BNF(H) Abdul Hameed Khan provinces, the provincial home
(AHK) of Ghizer spotted by RAW was department as well as commissioners
taken to Nepal in 1999 and then shifted and district administrations have been
to India where he was handled by RAW’s directed to ensure the ban on
agents, Col Arjun and Joshi. He was kept movement of the wheat from Sindh.
at three star apartments at Delhi. 6. French drug smuggler sentenced to
4. FM to lead Pak team in SCO-CFM death in Indonesia
meeting  Indonesia on May 20, 2019 sentenced a
 Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood French drug smuggler to death by firing
Qureshi will lead Pakistan’s delegation in squad, in a shock verdict after
the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers prosecutors had asked for a long prison
term.
 The three-judge panel in Lombok  Lava tubes are long tunnel-like caves left
handed a capital sentence to Felix by previous molten activity on the
Dorfin, 35, who was arrested in moon.
September at the airport on the holiday  It comes after NASA announced its next
island next to Bali, where foreigners are mission to the moon will be called
routinely charged with drugs offences. Artemis.
 Indonesia has some of the world`s 9. Asif Ali`s cancer-hit daughter is no more
strictest drug laws including death for  Pakistan batsman Asif Ali was included in
some traffickers. the final 15-man World Cup squad,
 It has executed foreigners in the past, selectors said on May 20, 2019, one day
including the masterminds of Australia`s after the death of his 18-month-old
Bali Nine heroin gang. daughter Noor Fatima was announced.
7. Google to suspend business with  Noor Fatima had been receiving cancer
Huawei treatment in the US.
 Time to abandon the Huawei phone?  Islamabad United, the team Asif plays
That was what some owners asked after for in the Pakistan Super League,
US tech giant Google said it would confirmed the child`s death in a
suspend its business with China`s top statement issued.
mobile maker, threatening future access 10. Wahab, Amir, Asif named in Pakistan’s
to Gmail, YouTube and Chrome. final World Cup squad
 Google said on May 20, 2019 it would  Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on May 20,
comply with an order by US President 2019 included experienced fast bowlers
Donald Trump to stop supplying Huawei, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir and
meaning it would no longer be able to hard-hitting batsman Asif Ali in the
offer its popular Android apps to buyers Pakistan’s final World Cup squad
of new Huawei phones. following a loss to England in the one-
 The order to US companies could affect day series.
tens of millions of consumers in Europe,  Hard-hitting batsman Asif Ali also made
its biggest market outside mainland the World Cup team - at the expense of
China. opening batsman Abid Ali - with his two
8. NASA scientists on moon caves half centuries against England. On Abid
 Astronauts could live inside caves on the Ali, chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said:
moon left behind by lava, a NASA “It has not been an easy decision to
scientist has claimed. leave out Abid, particularly after he got
 Experts from the space agency discussed only one opportunity on the tour. But,
the possibility of lunar habitation as part he was our third choice opener. After
of an “ask me anything” session on both the first choice openers struck early
Reddit ahead of the next planned US form, we preferred Asif Ali as he brings
moon mission in 2024. firepower to the team that can
 Dr Daniel Moriarty, a post-doctoral lunar strengthen our chances in the
scientist, suggested lava tubes on the tournament.
moon’s surface could provide shelter for
astronauts.
given soft loans up to Rs5 million for

establishing their own business.
May 22, 2019  `Soft loan of Rs100,000 to Rs500,000 will
be given at six per cent interest rate and
1. Cabinet approves Rs100bn scheme for Rs50,000 equity, while loans of
youth Rs500,000 to Rs5,000,000 will be
 The federal cabinet on May 21, 2019 provided at eight per cent markup with
approved Rs100 billion Wazir-i-Azam 20 per cent equity,` said Special
Kamyab Naujawan Programme Assistant to the Prime Minister on
(WAKNP) under which the youth will be Information Firdous Ashig Awan.
 The youth aged between 18 and 35 years seven sub-consultants (four foreign and
were 65 per cent of the population and nine local firms).
in order to empower them, the cabinet  The agreement was signed in Islamabad
had decided to launch `Kamyab by the WAPDA general manager/project
Naujawan Programme`. This would help director of Mohmand dam, Mohammad
engage young people in economic and Javed Afridi, and MDCG representative
trade activities and create job Dr Tahir Mehmood Hayat.
opportunities.  Federal Minister for Water Resources
2. Buzdar suspends AC over power theft Mohammad Faisal Vawda, Secretary of
 Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar Water Resources Mohammad Ashraf,
during his visit to Sargodha on May 21, WAPDA Chairman retired Lt Gen
2019 suspended the Bhera assistant Muzammil Hussain, Joint Secretary of
commissioner (AC) from service and Water Resources Syed Mohammad
ordered the police to register a case Mehr Ali Shah, Wapda members, senior
against him for power theft. officers and representatives of the
 Mr Buzdar also inspected four Ramazan consulting firms were present on the
bazaars but the public was barred from occasion.
meeting him. 4. New NDMA chairman appointed
 The chief minister also directed the  Lt Gen Mohammad Afzal has assumed
Bhera police to register a power theft the charge of chairman National Disaster
case against AC Wasif Abbas after a Management Authority (NDMA).
Faisalabad Electric Supply Company  On recommendations of the Minister of
(FESCO) team raided his official Defense and approval by the Federal
residence and found direct power supply Cabinet, the Establishment Division has
to the residence late on Monday. issued the notification of the
 FESCO officials` attempt to get a case appointment of Lieutenant General
registered remained futile. Mohammad Afzal as Chairman NDMA.
 Then the matter was conveyed to the  He succeeds Lieutenant General Omar
chief minister, who took the action Mahmood Hayat who retired from the
immediately. service last month.
3. Rs9.98bn contract signed for Mohmand  General Afzal is an officer of the
dam project Engineers Crops of Pakistan Army and
 The Water and Power Development has served as Engineer-in-Chief at GHQs
Authority (WAPDA) on May 21, 2019 and as Chief Technical Adviser to Chief of
signed a contract of Rs9.98 billion with a the Army Staff. He has also served as
joint venture (JV) for consultancy director general Frontier Works
services regarding construction design, Organization (FWO).
supervision and contract management  Lieutenant General Mohammad Afzal
of the Mohmand dam hydropower has a vast experience of various staff and
project. command duties during over 35 years of
 The JV namely Mohmand Dam his service.
Consultants Group (MDCG) is led by 5. Former Sindh CM Ali Mahar passes
NESPAK and comprises six partners and away
 Federal minister for narcotics control police to the assembly to be sworn in as
and former Sindh chief minister Sardar lawmakers.
Ali Mohammad Mahar passed away on  The Supreme Court allowed the five
May 21, 2019 in Ghotki. He was 52. men, on trial for their role in Catalonia`s
 He was at his home in Khanpur Mahar 2017 secession attempt, to leave jail to
when he suffered a cardiac arrest, family take up their seats, but they are likely to
members said. His funeral prayers were be quickly suspended because of their
offered after Isha prayers in Khangarh legal situation.
Sharif and he was laid to rest in his native  They won office in an April 28 general
graveyard in Khangarh. election that was won by acting Prime
 Ali Mohammad Mahar was inducted as Minister Pedro Sanchez`s Socialists but
federal minister for narcotics control without a majority.
into the cabinet of Prime Minister Imran  Oriol Junqueras, Jordi Sanchez, Jordi
Khan in September last year. He served Turull and Josep Rull won seats in the
as the 25th chief minister of Sindh from Congress, the lower house of
2002 to 2004. parliament, while Raul Romeva was
 Born to Ali Anwar Khan Mahar in elected to the Senate, the upper house.
Khangarh on Jan 12, 1967, Ali 8. First black woman sworn in as Chicago
Mohammad Mahar got early education mayor
from Sadiq Public School in Bahawalpur,  Lori Lightfoot told aldermen and other
Punjab. city powerbrokers assembled at her
6. Hindko writer Ismail Awan laid to rest inauguration on May 20, 2019 as
 Mohammad Ismail Awan, a senior Chicago`s first black woman mayor that
Hindko language writer and poet, passed she meant what she said on the
away here the other day. He was 81. He campaign trail about top to-bottom
left behind two sons and two daughters reforms in the nation`s third largest city.
to mourn his death.  `For years, they`ve said Chicago ain`t
 The senior writer had not been keeping ready for reform,` said Lightfoot,
good health for quite some time. He speaking minutes after her swearing-in
suffered a heart attack on Monday at the Wintrust Arena. `Well, get ready,
which proved fatal. because reform is here.
 Large number of writers, poets and  Among her toughest challenges and
people from different walks of life perhaps the one most scrutinised by
attended last rites of the deceased who those outside the city will be overhauling
had to his credit award-wining Hindko the beleaguered Chicago Police
language books and was a member of Department.
the several literary and cultural 9. Indonesia`s Widodo re-elected
organisations. president as rival rejects result
7. Jailed Catalan separatists take seats in  Heavily armed Indonesian troops were
Spanish parliament on high alert on May 21, 2019 amid fears
 Five jailed Catalan separatist leaders of civil unrest in the capital Jakarta, as
elected to the Spanish parliament last the surprise early announcement of
month were temporarily released from official election results handed Joko
prison on May 21, 2019 and escorted by
Widodo another term as leader of the normalisation), Pakistan would take
world`s third-biggest democracy. two. `We are ready for dialogue even
 The election commission had been due today,` Mr Qureshi stressed.
to give the divisive poll`s final tally on 2. $3.2bn Saudi oil facility to begin on July
Wednesday, but results were 1
announced early Tuesday instead.  The Saudi oil facility promised to
 Presidential challenger Prabowo Pakistan in October last year for supply
Subianto, a 67-year-old retired general, of crude oil and its products on credit is
vowed to take his claims of widespread set to begin from July 1, which will help
cheating to court as several thousand partially offset increasing pressure on
supporters rallied in the sprawling the exchange rate.
capital.  The Saudi facility will get activated in July
10. Pakistan`s World Cup kit unveiled and provide about $3 billion worth of oil
 The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on May supplies on deferred payments.
21, 2019 unveiled the kit of the national  Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance
team for the ICC World Cup being staged Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh later took to
in England and Wales from May 30 to Twitter to thank Crown Prince of Saudi
July 14. Arabia Mohammad Bin Salman for his
 The kit has different shades of green continuous support for the people of
from dark to a lighter one. Pakistan. `From 1st July 2019 KSA is
activating the deferred payment for
May 23, 2019 petroleum products facility of US$275m

per month,` the minister said, adding
1. Pakistan revives talks offer to India in that the facility amounting to $3.2bn per
impromptu meet annum would be available for three
 Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood years. `This will strengthen Pakistan`s
Qureshi in an informal chat with Indian balance of payments position,` Dr
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Hafeez said.
on May 22, 2019 told her that Pakistan 3. BoI chairman quits, finance secretary
remained ready for dialogue with India. also set to be replaced
The two had an unscheduled and  Board of Investment (BoI) chairman
informal interaction on the sidelines of Haroon Sharif, who was appointed eight
Shanghai Cooperadon Organisation`s months ago, tendered his resignation to
(SCO) meeting of foreign ministers in Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 22,
Bishkek. 2019. Later in the day reports emerged
 Ì made it clear to her that we want to that Secretary Finance Younus Dagha is
amicably resolve all issues,` Mr Qureshi also likely to be replaced within days.
said in a brief statement circulated by his  Mr Dagha had developed differences
public relations staff after the with Adviser to PM on Finance Hafeez
interaction. Shaikh over the negotiations with the
 The foreign minister reminded his Indian IMP. `Dagha felt that the adviser had
counterpart that Prime Minister Imran negotiated a bad deal for Pakistan,` the
Khan in his inaugural speech had said source says. The differences emerged in
that if India took one step (towards the last round of meetings with the IMP.
 `The team led by former finance minister  Seven summits means climbing the
Asad Umar, of which Dagha was an highest peak in each and every continent
important part, had softened the IMF of the world.
programmein significant ways,` the  Mirza Ali, who is brother of Samina Baig,
source claims. the first and youngest Pakistani woman
 Shaikh wanted the programme to be to climb Everest in 2013, was part of an
`front loaded`, meaning most of the eight-member expedition to summit the
difficult reforms to be done upfront highest peak.
rather than being lagged out over a  The expedition members started the
period of time. This is what created adventure in the first week of April.
differences between them, reaching to a  According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan,
point where Dagha did not participate in Ali scaled the mountain on May 22, 2019
the last few rounds with the IMF before and hosted the Pakistani flag atop it.
the programme was finalised.  Pioneer Adventure had organised the
4. Patrol vessel built with Chinese help expedition.
launched 6. India claims another first for world`s
 The Karachi Shipyard and Engineering fastest cruise missile
Works (KS&EW) on May 22, 2019  India said the world`s fastest cruise
launched a 1,500-tonne state-of-the-art missile passed another key test on May
Maritime Patrol Vessel (MPV) built for 22, 2019 when it successfully hit a land
the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency target after being fired from a fighter jet.
(PMSA).  India is developing the supersonic
 The MPV is a multi-mission vessel with a BrahMos missile which has a top speed
steel hull and aluminium super structure of 3,450 kilometres (2,140 miles) per
of 95 metres length and 12.2 metres hour with Russia, and according to
breadth and can achieve maximum media reports wants to soon start selling
speed up to 26 knots. The ship has been it abroad.
built in technical collaboration with the  The missile is one-and-a-half times
China Shipbuilding & Trading Company faster than the old Concorde supersonic
(CSTC) and Huang Pu Shipyard, China. It jet.
is fully equipped to enforce maritime  The Indian defence ministry said a
security, search and rescue missions in specially converted Su-30 MKI fighter jet
the maritime Exclusive Economic Zone successfully fired the 2.5-tonne missile,
(EEZ) of Pakistan. which has a range of about 300
 Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral kilometres (185 miles).
Kaleem Shaukat graced the occasion as 7. Risk of N-war now highest since WWII,
the chief guest. says UN expert
5. Mirza Ali from GB scales Mount Everest  The risk of nuclear weapons being used
 Mountaineer Mirza Ali scaled the Mount is at its highest since World War Two, a
Everest, the world`s highest peak, on senior UN security expert said, calling it
May 22, 2019, thus becoming the first an ùrgent` issue that the world should
Pakistani climber to have done seven take more seriously.
summits in all the seven continents of  Renata Dwan, director of the UN
the world. Institute for Disarmament Research
(UNIDIR), said all states with nuclear ruling ANC party returned to power in
weapons have nuclear modernisation legislative elections.
programmes underway and the arms  Ramaphosa was `duly elected president
control landscape is changing, partly due of the Republic of South Africa, chief
to strategic competition between China justice Mogoeng Mogoeng told
and the United States. parliament. Ramaphosa was the only
 Traditional arms control arrangements name nominated by lawmakers in Cape
are also being eroded by the emergence Town.
of new types of war, with increasing  MPs from the African National Congress,
prevalence of armed groups and private which won 230 out of 400 seats on May
sector forces and new technologies that 8, choose the head of state in the
blurred the line between offence and parliament`s first postelection sitting.
defence, she told reporters in Geneva.  The ANC won the ballot with 57.5
 With disarmament talks stalemated for percent of the vote, its thinnest majority
the past two decades, 122 countries since the end of apartheid.
have signed a treaty to ban nuclear  Ramaphosa will be sworn in on May 25,
weapons, partly out of frustration and 2019 and is expected to name a deputy
partly out of a recognition of the risks, president and cabinet at the weekend.
she said  Under South Africa`s 1996 constitution,
8. Omani woman becomes first Arab electors vote for a party, and the party
author to win Man Booker prize selects individuals who go to the
 Jokha Alharthi of Oman became the first National Assembly, which then chooses
Arab author on May 21, 2019 to win the the head of state.
Man Booker International prize for her 10. Pakistan women go down to SA despite
novel, Celestial Bodies, which depicts life Nida record
in her small Gulf nation.  Nida Dar struck the fastest half century
 Omanis hailed the writer`s `historical by a Pakistani woman but it wasn`t
achievement` and praised her for enough to prevent her side from losing
bringing `honour` to their nation. the fourth Twenty20 International to
 The 50,000-pound ($64,000) Man South Africa at Willowmoore Park on
Booker prize celebrates translated May 22, 2019.
fiction from around the world and is  Nida scored 75, completing her fifty in
divided equally between the author and 20 balls the second-fastest in women`s
the translator. international cricket, as Pakistan set
 The judges said Celestial Bodies was à South Africa a target of 173, which they
richly imagined, engaging and poetic reached in the last over with four
insight into a society in transition and wickets remaining to level the five-game
into lives previously obscured`. series at 2-2. The deciding fixture will be
9. S. African parliament re-elects played on Thursday.
Ramaphosa as president  Earlier, Nida jot eight fours and three
 South African lawmakers on May 22, sixes in her 37-ball knock, missing out on
2019 re-elected Cyril Ramaphosa as the the record for the fastest fifty by just two
nation`s president, two weeks after the balls.
 New Zealand`s Sophie Devine holds that  The system would facilitate speedy
record, scoring a half-century off just 18 disposal of outstanding legal matters
balls against India in 2005 in Bangalore. pertaining to organisations and
individuals in the provinces.

May 24, 2019 The facility would initially be utilised to
connect the court`s principal seat in
1. Training launch of N-capable Shaheen-II Islamabad and the Supreme Court
missile conducted Branch Registry, Karachi, said the
 Pakistan on Thursday conducted a statement.
training launch of nuclear capable,  A three-member bench headed by Chief
intermediate range, surface-to-surface Justice of Pakistan Justice Asif Saeed
ballistic missile Shaheen-II. Khosa would start hearing cases through
 The training launch was aimed at this facility on Monday.
ensuring operational readiness of Army 3. Another key change as govt names new
Strategic Forces Command. finance secretary
 Shaheen-II missile can carry both  About two weeks ahead of the
conventional and nuclear warheads up announcement of the federal budget,
to a range of 1,500 kilometres, according the government on May 23, 2019 made
to the Inter-Services Public Relations another change to its economic team
(ISPR). and appointed Naveed Kamran Baloch
 `Shaheen-II is a highly capable missile as the federal finance secretary after
which fully meets Pakistan`s strategic removing Muhammad Younas Dagha.
needs towards maintenance of desired  The coveted post has been retained by
deterrence stability in the region,` the the powerful Pakistan Administrative
ISPR statement further said. Service (PAS), formerly known as the
 The missile is a solid-propellant, two- District Management Group. This group
stage ballistic missile. It was first flight has jealously kept the position under its
tested in March, 2004, with a range of control for decades, with the exception
2000km. In November, 2014 a test- of Dr Waqar Masood Khan who was an
launch with a different design of outsider.
Shaheen-II was conducted with a range  Mr Baloch, a grade-22 of ficer of the PA
of 1500km. The missile is claimed to be S, was until Wednesday posted as
able to achieve `surgical precision`. secretary of the cabinet division and has
 It is an operational weapon systemin been replaced by Maroof Afzal, another
service with Army Strategic Force PAS officer working as information
Command. technology secretary.
2. In a first, SC to use e-Court system  The government reappointed Naeem
 For the first time in the judicial history of Zamindar as chairman of the Board of
the country, the Supreme Court of Investment after Haroon Sharif resigned
Pakistan will on May 27, 2019 put into from the position on Wednesday. Mr
use the e-Court system under which its Zamindar was the BOI chief during the
registries in the provinces would be tenure of the PML-N government and
connected through the latest technology was replaced by Mr Sharif.
to its principal seat in the federal capital.
 Mr Dagha, also a PAS officer, had taken support of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan at
over as finance secretary exactly two this difficult time. He also confirmed his
months ago, on March 23, but could not participation to the forthcoming OIC
getalong with the prime minister`s Summit in Makkah. The KSA has
adviser on finance, Dr Abdul Hafeez extended a $3.2 billion deferred
Shaikh. payment facility with Pakistan for
4. British Airways to resume operations petroleum products from the start of
with three weekly flights from June 2 July
 British Airways (BA) will resume flights 6. Federal Budget to be presented on June
between London and Islamabad on June 11
2 after a break of around 11 years, with  The government on May 23, 2019
a three flights per week service on the formally announced that budget for the
Boeing 787 Dreamline aircraft. next fiscal year 2019-20 would be
 The airline is starting a three flights per presented in National Assembly on June
week service to London Heathrow. The 11.
final touches are coming together for  Adviser to the Prime Minister on
the airline`s return, ahead of its first Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs,
flight on June 2, the statement said. Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired a
 The service will be operated on a three meeting to review the budget
class Boeing 787 Dreamliner with World framework for the year 2019-20. He
Traveller (long-haul economy), World gave direction to concerned wings of
Traveller Plus (long-haul premium finance ministry to timely complete the
economy) and Club World (long-haul budget process which will be presented
business class) available. in the National Assembly on June 11. The
 The 787 is BA`s newest long-haul PTI-led government would present its
aircraft. first annual budget, as it had already
 It is 20pc more fuel efficient that other announced two mini-budgets in last few
aircraft and features larger windows, months.
mood lighting and the latest in in-flight 7. Modi wins second term by landslide,
entertainment. Lower cabin pressure pledges inclusive govt
means that customers step off the flight  Prime Minister Narendra Modi won an
feeling fresh. emphatic mandate on May 24, 2019 for
5. Imran to attend OIC summit in Makkah a second consecutive term in general
 Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 23, elections that saw him pitching national
2019 confirmed his participation in OIC security as an invincible talisman.
Summit scheduled in Makkah on May  In a tweet, Mr Modi promised an
31. Prime Minister while speaking inclusive government. `With all +
Governor Tabuk Prince Fahd bin Sultan everybody`s confidence = victorious
Al Saud who telephoned to Prime India,` he said. `Together we grow.
Minister Imran Khan and said he looks  His Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shocked
forward to Prime Minister’s upcoming a formidable lower caste coalition of
visit to Saudi Arabia. Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj
 The Prime Minister reciprocated the Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh by winning
greetings and thanked for the generous 60 of the 80 seats. The BJP was close to
winning 300 seats in the 543-member
Lok Sabha, a potential increase of 18 magnetic-levitation (maglev) train that
seats from the party`s tally in 2014. will run at speeds up to 600 kilometers
8. Saudi Arabia launches ‘Quran recitation per hour (373 miles per hour).
competitions’  “The testing prototype can check and
 Two competitions calling for the “most optimize the key technologies and core
beautiful and influential voices” from system components of the high-speed
around the world to recite the Quran maglev system and lay a technological
and perform Adhan have been officially basis for the forthcoming engineering
opened by Saudi Arabia’s General prototype,” Chinese Xinhua news
Authority for Entertainment. agency quoted Ding Sansan, who is head
 The Quran and Adhan Awards “aim to to of the team.
provide a rich Islamic experience to the 10. Bowlers, Lee secure series for South
world by highlighting the diversity of the Africa women
cultures of the Islamic world, which is  A collective bowling performance
reflected in the different methods of followed by opener Lizelle Lee’s third
reciting the Quran and raising the fifty-plus score in four T20Is helped
Adhan. South Africa women clinch the five-
 Applications for both competitions match series 3-2 against Pakistan
opened on May 22 and will close on June women in Benoni.
22. Filtering of applications will take  After limiting Pakistan to 125 for 5, Lee
place until August 22, with live and nineteen-year-old Nadine de Klerk
performances taking place throughout put on an unbroken century stand for
August and September and the winners the second wicket to usher the host’s
declared in October. Registration is home. After being inserted, Pakistan lost
open. Umaima Sohail to Shabnim Ismail in the
 The first competition will be for the most fourth over and meandered to 30 for 1
beautiful reciting of the Holy Qur’an, and in the Powerplay. Javeria Khan (20),
competitors from all over the world are Captain Bismah Maroof (23), Nida Dar
invited. The first prize will be SR 5 (28) and Aliya Riaz (26) all moved into
million. the twenties, but none could find a gear
 The second Islamic competition is for high enough to hurt South Africa.
the adhan (call for prayer). In addition to
receiving a large prize of SR 2 million, the
winner of the first prize can also look
May 27, 2019
forward to raising the adhan in the 1. Four mega projects under CPEC
Prophet’s Holy mosque. launched
9. China unveils high-speed maglev train  Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chinese
prototype Vice President Wang Qishan May 26,
 A Chinese research and development 2019 launched four mega development
team completed the prototype of a projects in the fields of energy,
record-breaking high-speed train, local technology and education under China-
media reported on May 23, 2019. Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
 The team unveiled the test model in the  Both the dignitaries unveiled the
eastern city of Qingdao for a proposed plaques of the four projects at a
ceremony held during the visit of the spearheading the revolutionary agenda
Chinese vice president who is here on of President Xi Jinping.
three-day visit. 3. Govt launches website, app for moon
 Under the first project, a transmission sighting
line of 660KV would be laid between  While launching Pakistan`s first official
Matiari and Lahore to transmit power moon-sighting website and Hijri
from coal-based plants located at Thar, calendar, Minister for Science and
Port Qasim and Hub. The project would Technology Fawad Chaudhry on May 26,
have the capacity to supply 2000MW 2019 announced that Eidul Fitr would be
with 10 percent overloaded capability celebrated on June 5 according to the
for two hours. newly developed calendar.
 The two leaders unveiled the plaque for  An android application for moon sighting
Rashakai Special Economic Zone (RSEZ) would also be available on Google Play
project to promote industrialization store from May 27, 2019 (today).
through optimally priced, world-class  Mr Chaudhry said the moon sighting
industrial infrastructure in Khyber application information would be valid
Pakhtunkhwa province. for five years. A number of departments
 The two leaders inaugurated the collaborated to create the website and
Confucious Institute at the University of Hijri calendar, which was sent to the
Punjab. The institute mainly provides Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) before
Chinese education, cultural promotion being presented in the cabinet meeting
and cultural exchanges and other for approval, he added.
projects and activities. 4. PIA to resume flights for Tokyo
 The ceremony also marked the  The Pakistan International Airlines has
launching of Huawei Technical Support decided to resume its two weekly flights
Center to be established in Pakistan as to Tokyo from May 30 after a suspension
part of Chinese tech giant’s commitment of three months.
to make massive investment in Pakistan.  The problem PIA had been facing was a
2. Chinese VP conferred Nishan-e- lack of passengers and cargo from
Pakistan award Beijing for Tokyo. However, the issue has
 President Dr Arif Alvi conferred the now been sorted out after negotiations
Nishan-e-Pakistan award to visiting with Japanese authorities.
Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan in  Current Federal Minister for Aviation:
recognition of his services towards Ghulam Sarwar Khan
promoting the Pak-China relations, at an 5. GB girls scale highest peak in Spain
impressive ceremony held here at  Two teenage girls from Ghanche district
President House on May 26, 2019. of Gilgit-Baltistan have scaled the Teide
 Nishan-e-Pakistan is the highest civil peak, the highest mountain in Spain.
award that is granted for the highest  Amina Hanif, 15, and Siddiqa Batool, 17,
degree of service to the country and residents of Hushey valley of Ghanche,
nation of Pakistan. are also the granddaughters of famous
 Wang Qishan is a great friend of Pakistan mountaineer Abdul Karim known as
and ardent supporter of Pak-China Little Karim.
Friendship. He played a pivotal role in
 The two young mountaineers had  A deadline to register for Algeria’s
started their adventure with their father, controversial presidential election has
Mohammad Hanif, who is also a climber, passed without a single candidate
thus becoming the youngest putting themselves forward.
mountaineers to summit the highest  That would raise the possibility of a
peak in Spain. delay to the July 4 poll, already opposed
 On May 25, they had got best hikers by protesters who reject the legitimacy
award after trekking the highest hiking of any vote held under authorities they
site in Spain. say are tarnished by corruption under
 This is the start of their career and in ousted leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
future, they have strong intention to  But several other public and private
scale the world`s loftiest 14, 8,000m media outlets reported that retired
peaks, including Mount Everest and K2, military officer Benzahia Lakhdar, of
according to the Facebook post Bouteflika’s National Liberation Front,
6. China to solarise 10,000 households in had put himself forward.
Balochistan 8. Saudi women runners taking to the
 China has agreed to provide grant for the streets
solarization of 10,000 households in  Women have been taking to the streets
Balochistan, establishment of five burn of Saudi Arabia’s cities in increasing
centres across the country, provide numbers - to go running.
20,000 scholarships to Pakistani  Jeddah Running Community was
students along with other two dozen founded in 2013, challenging cultural
projects under the CPEC socio-economic norms under which it has long been
development cooperation. widely considered inappropriate for
 China has agreed to provide of one women to participate in sport in public.
billion dollars for CPEC socio economic  It was one of the first groups to hold
development cooperation to Pakistan mixed training sessions for women and
and in the first phase both the countries men, though it also holds women-only
have shortlisted 27 projects to be meet-ups. The idea has gained traction
funded with China aid. more widely, with groups forming in
 The agreement related to CPEC socio other cities.
economic development cooperation  In recent years, the conservative Gulf
was signed in April last during Prime kingdom has reversed a ban on sports
Minister Imran Khan’s visit to China for for girls in public schools and allowed
participation in the Belt and Road women to watch football matches in
Forum. Pakistan and China have stadiums. It sent its first female athletes
shortlisted 27 projects to be funded with to the Olympics in 2012.
China aid under CPEC socio economic 9. Former Thai PM Prem Tinsulanonda
development cooperation. The 27 dies at 98
shortlisted projects will be executed  Former Thai prime minister and
under the first phase of CPEC socio influential royal adviser General Prem
economic development cooperation. Tinsulanonda, a towering figure over
7. Algeria poll deadline passes with ‘no decades of turbulent politics and
candidates’ military interventions, died on May 26,
2019 at age 98 of heart failure, the royal
palace said. May 28, 2019
 In a career that spanned decades, Prem 1. SC makes history, decides four cases via
most recently played a role in organising video link
the ornate coronation of King Maha  The dream of using modern technology
Vajiralongkorn this month. He served for prompt dispensation of justice was
briefly as the country`s regent shortly finally realised when a Supreme Court
after King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the bench, headed by Chief Justice of
current monarchsfather, died in 2016 Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, on May 27,
after a 70-year reign. 2019 started hearing cases through the
 As chairman of the prestigious Privy first-ever è-court system` in the judicial
Council of royal advisers, Prem held one history of Pakistan.
of the country`s most powerful  The bench that also comprised Justice
unelectedpositions. He also sat as Sardar Tariq Masood and Justice Mazhar
honorary adviser on the board of several Alam Khan Miankhel took up and
of the country`s most prominent decided four cases mainly bail matters
businesses including its largest bank, through a video link with the Karachi
Bangkok Bank and its largest branch registry.
conglomeration, Charoen Pokphand  `Through the e-court system, we have
Group. saved between Rs2 million and Rs2.5
10. Three French IS members sentenced to milhon in one day alone that otherwise
death by Iraqi court had to be borne by the litigants,` said a
 An Iraqi court on May 26, 2019 visibly calm and composed chief justice.
sentenced three French citizens to death  Taking up the first case through the new
for joining the militant Islamic State technology, the chief justice remarked
group, the first IS members from France that a big milestone had been achieved
to be handed capital punishment, a with cases being heard through the
court official said. latest technology.
 Captured in Syria by a US-backed force  Besides, the video link would promote
fighting the militants, Kevin Gonot, decentralisation and reduce burden of
Leonard Lopez and Salim Machou were migration to urban centres like Lahore,
transferred to Iraq for trial. They have 30 Rawalpindi and Multan and would also
days to appeal. help promote equality of opportunity to
 Iraq has taken custody of thousands of grow for the lawyers practising in
militants repatriated in recent months Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi
from neighbouring Syria, where they Khan, Sargodha and Sahiwal
were caught by the US-backed Syrian 2. PM to launch Qarz-i-Hasna, asset
Democratic Forces during the battle to transfer schemes next month
destroy the IS `caliphate`.  The government will start next month
 The Iraqi judiciary said earlier in May the process of distributing over 80,000
that it has tried and sentenced more loans and moveable/immovable assets
than 500 suspected foreign members of every month to the deserving families
IS since the start of last year. under Qarz-i-Hasna and assets transfer
schemes.
 Both schemes will be launched by Prime 4. Punjab invited to join hands with
Minister Imran Khan under the Chinese provinces for progress
ambitious Ehsaas programme.  Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan has
 According to the Prime Minister Office, invited the Punjab government to enter
under the Ehsaas Qarz-i-Hasna scheme, into economic cooperation with big
over 80,000 loans will be disbursed provinces of China.
every month among youth and women,  Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and
enabling them to undertake their own provincial ministers Hashim Jawan Bakht
business ventures and help their families and Mian Aslam Iqbal welcomed the
extricate from poverty trap. Chinese vice president at L ahore airport.
 These loans would be prioritized in the  Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing and
underdeveloped districts. Consul General Long Dingbin were
3. Narowal haveli has nothing to do with present on the occasion.
Baba Guru Nanak  Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar
 A building in Bathanwala village in hosted a dinner in honour of the Chinese
Narowal with pictures of Baba Guru vice president at Governor House.
Nanak on some of its walls is not a shrine 5. Major parties suffer as far right gains in
or sacred Sikh place where Guru Nanak EU elections
stayed.  The tussle for top EU jobs got under way
 Travel writer and poet Irfan Shahood on Monday after European Parliament
had visited the haveli or saraye -and elections delivered a fragmented result,
documented it through pictures and a with gains for eurosceptic and green
blog last year. He rejected the parties as the traditional mainstream
impression that the haveli had anything groups took a hit.
to do with the founder of Sikhism,  The main centre-right and centre-left
adding that it was not a sacred place groups lost their combined majority in
related to Sikh religion or its founder, the 751-seat parliament in the face of a
but just a haveli. Locals knew the challenge by eurosceptic and nationalist
building as `Haveli Ranjit Singh`, he tells forces of Marine Le Pen, Matteo Salvini
Dawn. and Nigel Farage although the populist
 `The people who occupied the haveli at wave was less than some had predicted.
the time of my visit told me that it was  There were big wins for the Greens, who
built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh for a posted double digit scores across
relative of one of Singh`s three wives Europe`s biggest countries, and the
belonging to that area,` says Mr Liberals, with both parties likely to play a
Shahood. major role in any future parliamentary
 He adds that Sikh historian and writer coalition.
Amardeep Singh, who has documented  Each previous EU election since the first
the whole of Sikh heritage in Pakistan in in 1979 has seen turnout f all, but figures
his book, Lost Heritage: The Sikh Legacy from across the 28-nation bloc were at a
in Pakistan, has not mentioned this 20-year high of 51 percent, suggesting
haveli as it had nothing to do with this year`s culture clash mobilised both
Sikhism. populists and those who oppose them.
6. Austrian chancellor loses no-confidence sentiment in the bloc. Vowing to build a
showdown “welfare state”, Nauseda said he would
 Austria`s Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on bridge the gap between rich and poor in
May 27, 2019 became the first Lithuania, which is among the most
chancellor in the country`s postwar pronounced in the 28-member EU,
history to be removed from office by a adding that he would also seek to bring
no-confidence vote over a corruption urban and rural Lithuanians closer
scandal that had already brought down together.
his coalition with the far-right. 8. Nobel Prize-winning physicist Murray
 The motion against Kurz and his cabinet Gell-Mann dies at 89
is the latest fallout from the so-called  Murray Gell-Mann, a physicist who
Ìbiza-gate` scandal, which saw farright theorized the existence of the quark and
Freedom Party (FPOe) leader and Vice- won a Nobel Prize for his method of
Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache classifying particles, has died at age 89,
resign from both posts after he was the California Institute of Technology
caught appearing to of fer public (Caltech) said.
contracts in return for campaign help  Considered among the most important
from a fake Russian backer. physicists of the 20th century, the
 The video led to Kurz ending his coalition American scientist theorized in the
with the FPOe and calling early elections 1960s that subatomic particles --
for the autumn. protons and neutrons -- were composed
 But that didn`t stop opposition parties of paired subunits he called quarks.
tabling the no-confidence motion and Experiments later confirmed the
insisting that the 32-year-old leader existence of the particles, which are a
must also take responsibility for the continuing subject of study by physicists
scandal. including those at the Large Hadron
7. Political novice wins Lithuania’s Collider, the world’s most powerful
presidential race proton smasher straddling the French-
 Gitanas Nauseda, a centre-right Swiss border.
independent and political novice, won  Amid an explosion of research into what
Lithuania’s presidential runoff in a race makes up matter in the 1950s and
marked by low populist sentiment and 1960s, Gell-Mann came up with a
concerns over inequality in the Baltic criteria for putting particles in groups of
eurozone state. eight based on characteristics like
 Although Lithuanian presidents do not electric charge and spin.
directly craft economic policy, bread- 9. Malaysia`s last male Sumatran rhino
and-butter issues have dominated the dies
race.  Malaysia`s last surviving male Sumat
 Experts also noted that by choosing ranrhino died on May 27, 2019, wildlife
between two pro-EU, centre-right officials said, leaving behind only one
candidates in the runoff, Lithuanians female in the country and pushing the
who see the European Union as a source critically-endangered species closer to
of prosperity and security bucked extinction.
growing eurosceptic and populist  Once found as far away as eastern India
and throughout Malaysia, the Sumatran
rhino has been almost wiped out, with as CEO of a major Pakistani institution. In
fewer than 80 left, according to the the past, a German CEO of Pakistan
World Wildlife Fund. National Airlines also left his job after
 Only a handful of the creatures remain in corruption charges were brought against
the wilds of Indonesia. him.
10. Australia record comfortable warm-up  Morin earned Bachelors in Economics in
win over SL 1982 from University of Montreal and
 Australia concluded their World Cup Masters in Business Administration in
preparation on an emphatic note, 1988 from McGill University. He also
beating a struggling Sri Lanka by five passed “Canadian Securities Course” in
wickets in their final warm-up game here 1984 and “Partners, Directors and
on May 27, 2019. Officers Examination” in 2000 from
 Usman Khawaja, who opened alongside Canadian Securities Institute. Recently,
skipper Aaron Finch in place of a rested he has also passed “Chief Compliance
David Warner, anchored the chase with Officer Examination”.
89 off 105 balls as Australia eventually 2. PM to attend 14th OIC Summit in
breezed to victory in 44.5 overs. Makkah on 31st

May 29, 2019 Prime Minister Imran Khan will attend
the 14th Summit of Organisation of
1. PSX’s first foreign CEO resigns Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Saudi
 Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Chief Arabia’s City Makkah on May 31st.
Executive Officer and Chairman Richard  The OIC session is very important to
Morin, the first foreigner to head the discuss the Middle East conflict and also
country’s main bourse, resigned from the proposed Peace Plan to diffuse the
the post on May 28, 2019 after he was situation.
served a notice for allegedly running his  Prime Minister Imran Khan will
own wealth management company in represent Pakistan at the OIC Summit
Canada. titled ‘Makkah Summit: Together for the
 Richard Morin’s resignation has been Future”, hosted by Saudi Arabian King
accepted by the Board of Directors (BoD) Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, which
of the PSX. aims at developing a unified stance of
 It was revealed that Richard Morin was Muslim leaders on rising tension in the
served a show-cause notice for Gulf.
breaching the terms of his employment 3. WHO team arrives to control HIV in
by simultaneously running his own Larkana
wealth management company which is  At the request of the ministry of health,
against the policy of the PSX. However, a team of experts from the World Health
Morin despite answering the notices has Organisation (WHO) arrived in Pakistan
tendered his resignation which was May 28, 2019 to control outbreak of HIV
accepted by the BoD with immediate in Larkana.
effect.  A statement issued by the WHO said that
 Morin who has held several top such cases were first reported on 25th
positions in financial and investment April, while a major HIV screening
houses is the second foreigner to resign programme was started on 28th April. It
was expanded on May 8 with Director General Joint Warfare &
deployment of additional health Training at Joint Services Headquarters,
workers and the testing was ongoing, it Islamabad. The Admiral is currently
said. performing the duties of Deputy Chief of
 Following its extensive deliberations the Naval Staff Project-II at Islamabad. In
with the health authorities of the recognition of his meritorious services,
provincial government and other the Admiral was awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz
stakeholders engaged to handle the (Military), according to the officials
situation the team will reportedly arrive 5. Agreement signed for ìnnovation lab`
in Larkana in a day or two.  A tripartite letter of agreement was
 So far, more than 600 HIV cases have signed by the government of
been identified. Majority of the Balochistan, the University of
affectees are children and youth. The ill- Balochistan (UoB) and the United
fated children are mostly below five Nations Development Programme
years of age. Prior to this outbreak, there (UNDP) on May 28, 2019 to launch an
were over 1200 children diagnosed with ìnnovation laboratory` to support the
HIV who are receiving anti-retroviral provincial government identify solutions
treatment in the country, the statement aimedto accelerate progress towards
said. On 16th May, local authorities had achieving the Sustainable Development
established a new anti-retroviral Goals (SDGs).
treatment clinic for children in Larkana.  The letter of agreement was signed by
4. Ahmed Saeed promoted to rank of Vice provincial Finance Minister Mir Zahoor
Admiral Ahmed Buledi, UoB vice-chancellor Dr
 Rear Admiral Ahmed Saeed of Pakistan Javed Iqbal and Ignacio Artaza of the
Navy has been promoted to the rank of UNDP.-Staff Correspondent
Vice Admiral with immediate effect. 6. Taliban meet Afghan leaders, link peace
 Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed got to US pullout
commission in Pakistan Navy in 1985.  A Taliban delegation including the
The Flag Officer is a graduate of Pakistan group`s top political adviser met senior
Navy War College Lahore, National Afghan politicians in Moscow on May 28,
Defence University Islamabad and has 2019, saying they were committed to
also qualified Senior Naval Command peace in Afghanistan, but insisting that
Course from China. international forces must leave the
 The Admiral has an illustrious career country for peace to be agreed, amid
with vast experience of various gathering diplomatic efforts to end the
Command and Staff appointments. His 18-year war.
major Command appointments include  In a message the Taliban have not
Commanding Officer Pakistan Navy altered since talks with the US started
Submarine and Commander 5th last autumn, Taliban cofounder and
Submarine Squadron. His major staff political leader Mullah Abdul Ghani
appointments include Chief Staff Officer Baradar said the insurgents want an end
to Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST), to 18 years of conflict but would only
Director Submarine Operations, sign a deal after foreign forces quit
Assistant Chief of Naval Staff Afghanistan.`The Islamic Emirate wants
(Operations) at Naval Headquarters and peace, but the first step is to remove
obstacles to peace and end the  `There is a high risk of transmission of
occupation of Afghanistan,` Baradar said the virus as both cases were among
in a rare televised appearance, in what internally displaced persons [in an area]
seemed to be a calculated move to with an estimated population of 8,000,`
establish his legitimacyas one of the the report said.`The two cases had no
main public faces of the Taliban, at the previous history of vaccination for polio.
start of the two-day meeting marking Vaccination coverage in the affected
100 years of diplomatic ties between district is 50pc with insecurity being one
Russia and Afghanistan. of the main obstacles to access.` Latest
 The Taliban, ousted by US-backed forces figures from the Global Polio Eradication
weeks after the Sept 11, 2001, attacks Initiative show there have been 10
on the United States, refer to vaccine-derived polio cases this year:
themselves as the Islamic Emirate. eight in Nigeria, one in Somalia and one
7. Sri Lanka signs port deal with Japan, in Democratic Republic of Congo.
India Pakistan and Afghanistan have reported
 Sri Lanka on May 28, 2019 announced it 24 cases of the wild type.
is entering into partnership with India 9. Papua New Guinea in crisis as PM stalls
and Japan to develop a deep-sea resignation
container terminal next to a  Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter
controversial $500-million Chineserun O’Neill stalled his announced
container jetty in Colombo harbour. resignation and took legal action to
 The state-run Sri Lanka Ports Authority prevent a vote of no confidence May 28,
(SLPA) said a memorandum of 2019, deepening the country’s political
cooperation (MOC) had been signed crisis.
between the three countries to develop  The veteran leader launched what
what is known as the East Terminal of appeared to be a last-gasp bid to cling on
the Colombo port. to power, pressing the Supreme Court to
 The SLPA said it will retain 51 per cent of thwart a planned parliamentary vote to
the company that will run the terminal remove him from office.
while the rest will be owned by India and  Facing mounting criticism, O’Neill on
Japan. It gave no further details of the Sunday announced that he would step
costs of the project. down, but has so far avoided formally
8. Two polio cases reported in Africa submitting his resignation to the
 Two cases of polio have been reported in country’s governor general.
the Central African Republic, the World 10. Pakistan to host 2020 Asia Cup
Health Organisation said in a report on  The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in its
May 28, 2019, the latest setback for meeting in Singapore on May 28, 2019
global efforts to eradicate the crippling reasserted its decision to award the
disease. 2020 Asia Cup to Pakistan, casting
 The cases, reported to the WHO on May serious doubts on the participation of
24, were caused by `vaccine-derived` defending champions India. The
polio rather than the wild type of the tournament, which may be organised in
virus that still circulates in Pakistan and T20 format, will be held in September
Afghanistan. ahead of the World T20 in Australia.
 It was also decided in the meeting that mobilisation and improving governance;
the tournament will be shifted to improving social protection; ensuring
another venue if diplomatic ties food and water security, enhancing
between India and Pakistan do not connectivity, promoting knowledge
improve. India had defeated Bangladesh economy and Clean and Green Pakistan.
in the final of the previous edition held  The NEC approved 12th Five Year Plan
in the United Arab of Emirates (UAE). (2018-23), in principle. It was decided
 The ACC decided Pakistan will continue that the plan will be further fine-tuned,
to be the hosts unless the situation especially its implementation
demands otherwise. The venue can be mechanism, in consultation with all
changed as it was done a couple of years stakeholders.
ago when the event was shifted from 2. COAS, Afghan NSA take up border
India to the UAE. India last played on management
Pakistan soil in 2008. The Mumbai terror  Afghanistan’s National Security Adviser
attack later that year meant the tour Hamdullah Mohib called on Chief of the
turned out to be India’s last visit to the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa
country. at GHQ in Rawalpindi on May 29, 2019.
During the meeting, matters related to
May 30, 2019 mutual interest, peace and stability in

the region were discussed, according to
1. NEC approves Rs1.837tr PSDP for 2019- the Inter-Services Public Relations
20 directorate.
 The National Economic Council which  It said management of Pak-Afghan
met with Prime Minister Imran Khan in border and prospects for peace with
the chair on May 29, 2019 approved particular emphasis on reconciliation
Public Sector Development Programme process in Afghanistan was also
(PSDP) for 2019-20 amounting to discussed
Rs1.837 trillion which includes Federal 3. Govt extends airspace closure on Indian
and Provincial Annual Development border till June 14
Programmes.  Pakistani airspace on its eastern border
 The meeting reviewed Annual Plan with India will remain closed until June
2018-19 and the proposed Annual Plan 14, a Civil Aviation Authority official said
2019-20. It approved GDP growth target on May 29, 2019, the latest extension
of 4 percent along with sectoral growth months after a standoff between the
of agriculture (3.5 percent), industry (2.2 arch-rivals.
percent) and services sector (4.8  Pakistan closed its airspace in February
percent) for next financial year. after IAF carried out Balakot airstrike.
 The NEC meeting reviewed draft 12th  As a result of the ban, foreign carriers
Five Year Plan that is 2018-23. It was using Indian airspace have been forced
informed that main themes of the 12th to take costly detours because they
Five Year Plan include balanced and cannot fly over Pakistan. The closure
equitable regional development; mainly affects flights from Europe to
sustainable, inclusive, job-creating Southeast Asia. The flights from US and
export-led growth; resource
Europe flying in and out of New Delhi  The fiscal monitor also warned that
were worst hit. many emerging market economies
 Air India has long haul (14-16 hours) including Pakistan `have become
flights to New York, Newark, Chicago, vulnerable to rollover risks if they face
Washington and San Francisco. large financing needs` amid `rising
4. Foot and mouth disease control interest burdens, which exceeded 20
programme wins UN award percent of total revenue in 2018 in ...
 The ministry of national food security Pakistan.
and research has been awarded the  Moreover, the report also adds that
Edouard Saouma Award by the Food and Pakistan`s gross financing needs for
Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the 2020 are expected to reach 46pc of the
United Nations in recognition of its GDP on account on anticipated increase
efforts under the National Control in the budget deficit by 1.5 percentage
Programme for Foot and Mouth Disease. points to 8.7pc and2.1 percentage
 This year, the award has been awarded points in maturing debt, which is
jointly to Pakistan and Rwanda. The expected to rise further to 37.2pc of the
award ceremony will take place in Rome GDP.
on June 26 during the annual FAO 6. Journalist Idrees Bakhtiar passes away
conference.  Veteran journalist and broadcaster
 The Edouard Saouma Award is Idrees Bakhtiar passed away on May 29,
presented to a national or regional 2019 evening in Karachi after a brief
institution, which has implemented a spell of hospitalisation.
particular project funded by FAO`s  He had suffered a heart attack on
technical cooperation programme. The Saturday evening soon after attending
biennial award pays tributes to Edouard an Iftar at Karachi Press Club and had
Saouma, who served as FAO director- been admitted to the National Institute
general from 1976 to 1993. of Cardiovascular Diseases.
5. Pakistan`s financing needs grow to  Idrees Sahib, as he was popularly known
42.3pc of GDP: IMF among his many colleagues and
 Pakistan`s gross financing needs during admirers, was born in 1945 in Rajasthan,
2019 increased to 42.3 per cent of GDP India. He moved to Hyderabad in
as budget deficit increased to 7pc and Pakistan soon after Partition and,
maturing debt widened to 35.1pc of the coming from a very humble background,
GDP, data released by the International his was a tremendous story of a lifetime
Monetary Fund (IMF) showed on May of struggle and unflinching integrity.
28, 2019.  He began his career in journalism as a
 The IMF in its fiscal monitor for April said proofreader at Hyderabad`s daily Indus
that, ìn Pakistan, the overall deficit was Times while still studying. After
2.5 percentage points of GDP looser completing his Masters from Sindh
than budgeted, owing to University, he joined the wire agency
underperforming revenues and Pakistan Press International (PPI), later
expenditure overruns related to the moving on to the dailies Jasarat and The
political cycle. Leader. He then moved to Saudi Arabia
for a few years to help launch Arab
News. He returned to Karachi in the mid-  Polls say support for independence has
1970s and joined the Dawn Group`s grown since, but a majority still back the
eveninger The Star around 1980 as its current UK political structure.
chief reporter, mainly focusing on city 9. Maldives ex-president elected
reporting. parliament speaker
7. Chevalier des Palmes Académiques  The Maldives’ parliament has
awarded to Dr Saeed overwhelmingly voted the country’s first
 Dr Saeed Shafqat, Professor and democratically-elected president as the
Founding Director, Centre for Public speaker of the house. Mohamed
Policy and Governance at Forman Nasheed received 67 votes from among
Christian College (A Chartered 87 members. His rival received 17 votes
University) was honored with the past midnight on May 28, 2019.
Chevalier des Palmed Académiques by  The speaker also has a role in the Judicial
the French Embassy in Pakistan on 28th Services Commission that regulates the
May. Supreme Court, and is third in line
 The ceremony took place at Forman should the positions of the president
Christian College where His Excellency, and vice president become vacant.
the Ambassador of France in Pakistan,  President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s
Mr Marc Barety was present on behalf of Maldivian Democratic Party has swept
the French Government to conduct the the parliamentary elections, winning 65
ceremony and confer the award. The out of 87 seats. Last year, Solih defeated
Chevalier des Palmes Académiques is a strongman Yameen Abdul Gayoom in
very prestigious award given to those the presidential vote.
who have made significant contributions 10. China steps up threat to deprive US of
to French education and culture. The rare earths
award was originally created by French  Chinese state media dangled on May 29,
emperor Napoleon Bonaparte but has 2019 the threat of cutting exports of rare
since evolved to an order of merit. earths to the US as a counter-strike in
8. Scotland sets out referendum rules for the trade war, potentially depriving
independence vote Washington of a key resource used to
 Scotland`s pro-independence make everything from smartphones to
government has set out new rules on military hardware.
referendums in the hope of holding  The warning is the latest salvo in a
another secession vote in the second dispute that has intensihed since
half of 2020 if Britain`s parliament gives President Donald Trump ramped up
the go-ahead. tariffs against China and moved to
 A bill presented to the devolved Scottish blacklist telecom giant Huawei earlier
parliament on May 29, 2019 aims to give this month, while trade talks have
clear ground rules that are legally apparently stalled.
watertight for any referendum vote.  Huawei stepped up its legal battle on
 In 2014, Scots rejected leaving their 300- May 29, 2019, announcing it had filed a
year-old union with England and Wales motion in US court for summary
by 55 to 45 percent. judgement to speed up its bid to
overturn US legislation that bars
federalagencies from using its
equipment over security concerns.
 Beijing had already dropped a big hint
that rare earths could be in the firing line
by showing images last week of
President Xi Jinping visiting a rare earths
factory in Ganzhou

Day by Day Current Affairs For The Month of MAY 2019

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Day by Day Current Affairs For The Month of MAY 2019

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DAY BY DAY CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQS

FOR THE MONTH MAY 2019

Day by Day Top-10

May 2, 2019 between 60 and 70 terrorists from

May 17, 2019 programme

given soft loans up to Rs5 million for

May 23, 2019 petroleum products facility of US$275m

May 30, 2019 mutual interest, peace and stability in

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