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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday called for a global initiative on debt relief for developing countries, including Pakistan, so that they could combat the novel coronavirus in a better way. During a telephonic conversation with Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, PM Khan apprised him how his government was fighting on two fronts simultaneously — combating Covid-19 and saving people from hunger caused by the countrywide lockdown. According to an official press release, Prime Minister Khan discussed with Bill Gates the latest developments surrounding the Covid-19 response. He appreciated the support provided by the Gates Foundation and other international partners during this unprecedented crisis and emphasised on the continued urgency of the situation. Pakistan, he said, was making all-out efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic with a robust and coordinated response. “Pakistan is facing a dual challenge of overcoming the pandemic and sav

KARACHI: Two people were killed in firing near Federal Urdu University, situated in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, an area of Karachi on Thursday, said rescue sources. Rescue sources said, the victims were identified as Wazir Ahmed and Muhammad Zafar. The cause behind the incident remains unknown. The bodies were moved to a nearby hospital, while investigation into the matter was underway. Earlier in the month of January, unidentified men had killed a man as they opened fire at a shop in Baldia Town area of the city. Read more: Man allegedly killed over free-will marriage in Karachi According to police, the incident occurred at Yousuf Goth area of the Baldia Town when armed motorcyclists opened fire at a shop. Initially, it was claimed that the incident happened when the shopkeeper resisted a dacoity bid, forcing the criminals to open fire on him. However, investigations into the case had revealed that it was killing over personal enmity. The police have shifted the body to a hospital for me

RAWALPINDI: A Pakistan Army soldier and two civilians embraced martyrdom as Indian troops resorted to unprovoked firing across the Line of Control (LoC), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday. According to the military’s media wing, the violation was reported in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s sectors of Kailer and Rakhchikri along LoC. In Kailer Sector, Indian troops targeted Pakistan Army posts with automatic and heavy weapons. However, Pakistan Army responded effectively resulting in heavy losses to Indian troops. During exchange of intense fire, 34 years Lance Naik Ali Baz, resident of District Karak, embraced martyrdom. In Rakchikri Sector, Indian Army troops deliberately targeted civilian population in which 16 year old girl and a 52 woman were martyred while a 10 years boy and 55 years woman got injured due to indiscriminate fire in Kirni village. Read more: COAS Bajwa visits forward troops along LoC: ISPR On April 27, a woman had embraced martyrdom while

PARIS: France on Wednesday reported 427 more deaths from COVID-19 to push the total above 24,000 but it also saw new declines in the numbers of patients in hospital and intensive care. The total number of deaths in hospitals and nursing homes from the virus in France is now 24,087, the health ministry said in a statement. But the latest figures confirmed the recent more optimistic trends seen over the last days with 650 fewer coronavirus patients in hospital and 180 less in intensive care. The new figures were announced a day after Prime Minister Edouard Philippe outlined France s strategy for easing its lockdown from May 11. Shops and some schools will reopen but cafes and restaurants will stay shut for now, while wearing a mask will be obligatory on public transport. He emphasised that the government was treading a fine line between the need to protect the economy while also warding off the threat of a new wave of infections. “A little too much carelessness, and the epidemic r

Actor Rishi Kapoor has passed away at a Mumbai hospital, Hindustan Times said on Wednesday. According to Hindustan Times , Rishi's brother Randhir Kapoor confirmed the development. The 67-year-old actor fought a two-year-long battle with cancer and passed away at the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai. This is the second death to shake the Indian cinema industry this week. Only yesterday actor Irrfan Khan passed away in Mumbai after battling medical complications arising from a colon infection. Fellow Amar Akbar Anthony actor Amitabh Bachhan also tweeted about Rishi's passing: Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also tweeted his condolence: In May 2019, Rishi had confirmed that he was cancer-free after first being diagnosed with the disease in 2018. However, the actor was admitted to hospitals in quick succession in February. More to follow from The Dawn News - Home https://ift.tt/2VQ9B0k via IFTTT

ISLAMABAD: The parliamentary leaders in the National Assembly on Wednesday ruled out the option of holding a virtual session of parliament in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak and agreed that the government should convene a physical session of the assembly in a routine manner. The decision was taken by parliamentary leaders of all political parties at a meeting of the Special NA Committee on Virtual Session, presided over by federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam. According to an official announcement of the National Assembly Secretariat, the parliamentary leaders were of the view that the parliament embodied the will of the people and, therefore, it should be made functional to continue its role of parliamentary oversight on the executive. They extended their complete support to Speaker Asad Qaiser in conduct of the session of the assembly in the presence of the pandemic. Participating in the meeting through a video link, parliamentary leader a

RAWALPINDI: The government on Wednesday enf­orced the Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952 allowing the Pak­istan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) to rescue, evacuate and repatriate Pakistanis and foreigners stranded in different countries. The Act has been implemented with immediate effect and for a period of six months. Consequent to the Covid-19 pandemic, a large number of Pakistanis and diaspora are still stranded in var­ious countries with exp­ired visas and limited res­ources, according to a spokesman for PIA. The spokesman in a press release said that in order to ensure an uninterrupted and continual operation of rescue, evacuation and repatriation efforts, the services of PIACL had been placed under the Essential Ser­vices (Maintenance) Act 1952, with an immediate effect and for a period of six months. It is hoped that through the implementation of this act, the departments and employees of the company will generate greater synergy in achiev