Rana

DAY BY DAY CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQS
FOR THE MONTH MAY 2018

May 2, 2018
 The army authorities had decided to hand
over to the civilian administration the check-
posts across Malakand division a month ago.
3. Over 1.8m KP children out of school
1. PM opens country`s largest airport after  More than 1.8 million children are out of
years of delay school in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mainly due to
 After many announcements, delays and lack of interest, poverty and absence of
reannouncements, the Islamabad schools, revealed a survey of the Elementary
International Airport was finally inaugurated and Secondary Education Department.
by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on  The education department had completed
May 1, 2018. the survey in more than one year at a cost of
 Built at a cost of Rs105 billion, the country`s Rs227 million.
largest airport is scheduled to welcome  The survey`s findings, showed that the out-
commercial flights from May 3, 2018. of-school children in the province were 23
 The country`s first greenfield airport has per cent of the total population of the
been designed to cater to millions of children 5-17 years.
passengers from all over the globe as  Of the out-of-school children, 64pc are girls
Islamabad gets ready for increased and 36pc boys.
commercial activity.  Out of the total children, at least 1.152
 A greenfield construction project is one that million (64pc) are reported as `never
is not constrained by existing infrastructure. enrolled` and 0.648 million(36pc) as
The analogy refers to using unused land for ‘previously enrolled’ or dropped out. Both
building a new project from scratch. incidences of `never enrolment` and
 The airstrip saw its first commercial `previous enrollment` are substantially
touchdown on May 1, 2018 when the higher for girls than boys.
Pakistan International Airlines` flight PK-300  Overall, 34pc boys across the province have
landed at around 11.15am. An hour after the never gone to school or dropped out against
successful landing, another PIA flight PK-301 66pc for girls.
took off for Karachi. 4. Morocco cuts Iran ties over arms delivery to
 The first commercial flight to Islamabad W. Sahara separatists
International Airport (11A) was welcomed  Morocco has cut diplomatic ties with Iran
with a water cannon salute as it landed over its alleged involvement in the delivery
2. Army hands over Upper Dir check-post to of weapons from its Lebanese ally Hezbollah
police to the Polisario Front on May 1, 2018.
 The control of the Akhgram army check-post  A first shipment of weapons was recently`
in Upper Dir district was handed over on May sent to the Algerian-backed Polisario Front,
1, 2018 to police personnel who have which is seeking independence, via an
formally been deployed there for checking èlement` at the Iranian embassy in Algiers.
purposes.  `Morocco has irrefutable proof, names and
 Akhgram is the gateway to Upper Dir and the specific actions to corroborate the
check-post was set up there about nine years complicity between the Polisario and
ago. Hezbollah,`
 The army authorities handed over  The decision to sever ties with Tehran is ìn
responsibilities of the check-post at a response to Iran`s involvement, through
function held at the check-post. Cap Hamza Hezbollah, in allying itself with the Polisario
from the Pakistan Army and SHO Mazoom over the past two years in order to target the
Khan from police force as well as elders of security and higher interests of Morocco`.
the area attended the function.
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5. US-backed alliance launches `final` battle be legal and the off-spinner could resume
against IS in Syria bowling at the international level.
 A US-backed Kurdish-led alliance announced  The bowling action of Hafeez, was
on May 1, 2018 it is launching the final stage reassessed on April 17 at the Lough borough
of its battle to expel the IS from its desert University in England where it was revealed
holdouts in eastern Syria. The United States that the amount of elbow extension in his
confirmed the start of the military operation. action was within the 15-degree tolerance
 Backed by the US-led coalition, the Syrian permitted under the ICC Illegal Bowling
Democratic Forces have driven the jihadists Regulations.
out of large parts of the country. But IS  Hafeez, a regular memberofthe
fighters have retained a presence in a few Pakistanone-day side, was first suspended
areas of the country, including in the eastern from bowling in December 2014 after being
oil-rich province of Deir Ezzor near the reported for suspect action during a Test
border with Iraq. series against New Zealand.
 The SDF`s Deir Ezzor Military Council on May 8. Russia, Pakistan to strengthen cooperation
1, 2018 said it would press its efforts to oust  Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and
IS from remaining areas. Òur forces with the his Pakistani counterpart Khawaja
forces of the international coalition have Muhammad Asif on May 1, 2018 agreed to
started the last stage` of the anti-IS strengthen bilateral cooperation in
campaign, it said in a statement. counterterrorism, economic, trade and
6. US-backed alliance launches `final` battle other fields.
against IS in Syria  The ministers exchanged messages on May 1
 A US-backed Kurdish-led alliance announced marking the 70th anniversary of the
on May 1, 2018 it is launching the final stage establishment of Russia-Pakistan diplomatic
of its battle to expel the IS from its desert relations.
holdouts in eastern Syria. The United States  Both Lavrov and Asif expressed satisfaction
confirmed the start of the military operation. about the development of bilateral relations
 Backed by the US-led coalition, the Syrian and their two countries' constructive
Democratic Forces have driven the jihadists interaction concerning global affairs within
out of large parts of the country. But IS the frameworks of the United Nations and
fighters have retained a presence in a few the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, it
areas of the country, including in the eastern said.
oil-rich province of Deir Ezzor near the 9. US delays travel restrictions on Pak
border with Iraq. diplomats
 The SDF`s Deir Ezzor Military Council on May  Pakistan Embassy in Washington on May 1,
1, 2018 said it would press its efforts to oust 2018 confirmed that a proposed travel ban
IS from remaining areas. Òur forces with the on Pakistani diplomats in the United States
forces of the international coalition have had been delayed.
started the last stage` of the anti-IS  Neither Pakistan’s Foreign Office or the US
campaign, it said in a statement. State Department has issued a statement on
7. ICC allows Hafeez to resume bowling the decision, however the delay signals that
 Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez both sides are making efforts to settle their
was on May 1, 2018 cleared by the differences
International Cricket Council (ICC) to resume  Last month, the Trump administration
bowling in international matches following communicated to the Pakistani government
remedial work and reassessment. that its diplomats stationed there could face
 According to an ICC media release, the restrictions in their travel movement if
game`s governing body announced that similar limitations on American diplomats in
Hafeez`s bowling action had been found to Pakistan were not eased.
 The ban that was to be implemented from  A notification issued by the office of the
May 1 would now take effect 10 days later. district magistrate says non-prohibited bore
10. Iran bans use of popular Telegram licences will be issued after completion of all
messaging app formalities and in light of the policy of the
 Iran’s judiciary has banned the hugely interior ministry and the SOPs issued by the
popular Telegram messaging app, which the district magistrate.
authorities have accused of allowing armed  Non-prohibited bore weapons are also
opposition groups to fuel unrest. categorised and include non-automatic or
 A judge in Tehran gave “the order to semi-automatic shot guns and revolvers or
interrupt Telegram”. The move comes on pistols.
the heels of a recent presidential directive  The government had banned the issuance of
banning all government workers from using arms licences in June 2013 to invalidate
foreign messenger apps to communicate. illegally issued licences. It was also part of its
 Telegram, built by Russian tech guru Pavel de-weaponising policy.
Durov, is the most popular social network in 3. Pakistan becomes hottest place on earth in
Iran with some 40 million users - roughly half April
the population.  Pakistan has become the hottest place on
May 3, 2018
earth in April when the temperature crossed
50 degrees Celsius in Nawabshah on the last
day of the year`s fourth month breaking its
own record of 49.2 Celsius which was
1. US delays agrément for Ali Siddiqui recorded in 2017, the Met office confirmed
 The US government has not yet released the on May 2, 2018.
agrément for Ali Jahangir Siddiqui, a Karachi-  It said on April 30, Nawabshah sizzled at 50.2
based businessman who was designated the Celsius and it was the first time in the history
new Pakistani envoy to Washington in of the country and the world when the
March. temperature touched the 50-degree mark in
 An agrément is the approval of a diplomatic April.
representative by the state to which he or  `Last year recorded Celsius was 49.2 on April
she is to be accredited. Pakistan had sent 22. `The temperature further increased this
relevant papers to the US State Department year and touched 50.2 Celsius mark on April
almost two months ago and is now waiting 30.
for the agrément.  The city has a history of being warm and
 Diplomatic norms do not allow a host humid in the summer, but being so hot in
government to tell another government who April is a little unusual.
to send as ambassador, but they also place 4. Pakistan currently has largest percentage of
no obligation on the host government to young people in its history: report
approve the appointment.  Pakistan currently has the largest
 In early March, the federal government percentage of young people ever recorded in
announced in Islamabad that it planned to its history, according to the new National
appoint Mr Siddiqui as Pakistan`s Human Development Report launched on
ambassador to the United States. May 2, 2018 by the United Nations
2. Ban on arms licences lifted Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan.
 The capital administration on May 2, 2018  Titled Unleashing the Potential of a Young
lifted the ban imposed on arms licences and Pakistan, the report says 64pc of the total
a standard operating procedure (SOP) was population is below the age of 30 while 29pc
also prepared for the issuance of the is between the ages of 15 and 29 years.
licences.
 It is one of the youngest countries in the end to its journey,` the group said in a letter
world and the second youngest in the South published on Wednesday by Spanish online
Asian region after Afghanistan. newspaper El Diario. ÈTA has completely
 This youth bulge will critically impact dissolved all of its structures and declared an
Pakistan as a country if not dealt with end to its political initiative.
appropriately, depending on how the 7. UK admits cancer screening failure for
country invests in the youth by providing 450,000 women
them with quality education, employment  Britain on May 2, 2018 admitted that a
and meaningful engagement opportunities. "serious failure" in its breast cancer
 The report says that if engaged and utilised screening programme over nearly a decade
properly, the youth can serve as catalysts for led to 450,000 women missing out on
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). invitations to their final tests -- and may have
5. India has world`s 14 most polluted cities, shortened the lives of up to 270 of them.
says WHO  Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt apologised to
 Only a handful of India`s 100 most polluted parliament for the failure, blaming it on "a
cities have drawn up plans to combat air computer algorithm failure".
pollution despite being asked to do so three  Women in England between the ages of 50
years ago, senior government officials said and 70 are automatically invited for breast
on May 2, 2018 after a damning report by cancer screening every three years by the
the World Health Organisation. state-run National Health Service. But
 India is home to the world`s 14 most between 2009 and the start of 2018, an
polluted cities, the WHO said, based on the estimated 450,000 women did not receive
amount of particulate matter under 2.5 their final invitation, which should have been
micrograms found in every cubic metre of sent between their 68th and 71st birthdays.
air. 8. Burj Capital switches on 50MW wind plant
 Kanpur, a north Indian city of three million in Jhimpir
people, is the world`s most polluted city, yet  Burj Capital, a Dubai-based investment firm,
it only has one system to monitor air quality on Wednesday announced successful
 Delhi sixth most polluted city Delhi is the achievement of commercial operations at its
world`s sixth most polluted city, according to 500MW renewable asset platform in
the WHO. On May 2, 2018, air quality in the Jhimpir, located in Gharo-Keti Bandar wind
city stood at 143 micrograms, which is corridor, southeastern Pakistan.
ùnhealthy for sensitive groups`.  “Completing our first project and delivering
6. Basque separatists ETA announce power to the national grid is a proud
dissolution moment indeed,” Saad Zaman, founder and
 Basque separatist group ETA has announced group CEO of Burj Capital, said in a
it is fully disbanding, marking the definitive statement. “This is only the start; however,
end to its deadly independence campaign we have a lot more in store for Pakistan.
and to western Europe`s last armed  Zaman said they were at the cusp of an
insurgency. energy revolution that would transform the
 Created in 1959 at the height of Francisco country into an energy rich nation.
Franco`s dictatorship, ETA waged more then  “I would like to congratulate all our
four decades of attacks, killings and stakeholders, especially the government of
kidnappings in its fight for an independent Pakistan,” the Burj Capital CEO said adding it
Basque homeland in northern Spain and must be gratifying to see the wind and solar
southwest France, leaving at least 829 dead. space bearing fruit.
 ÈTA has decided to declare its historical 9. EU unveils bigger post-Brexit budget
cycle and functions terminated, putting an  The EU unveiled plans May 2, 2018 for a
bigger 1.279-trillion euro budget for the
seven years after Brexit, featuring a capital administration development division
controversial move to cut funding for and information technology, respectively,
countries that fail to respect the rule of law. giving them the status of federal ministers.
 European Commission chief Jean-Claude  Besides, an MNA of the ruling PML-N, Laila
Juncker said the proposals were "reasonable Khan, was also inducted into the cabinet as
and responsible" but the idea of spending minister of state.
more money faces opposition from several 2. Pakistan is Ready to share CPEC prosperity
countries. with India: NSA
 Poland and Hungary, which have both been  National Security Advisor Lt General (r) Nasir
severely criticised by Brussels over Khan Janjua has said that Pakistan is ready to
democratic freedoms, are meanwhile up in share its CPEC prosperity with India as the
arms over the proposal to "suspend, reduce neighbouring countries cannot stay enemies
or restrict access" to errant states. forever.
10. Malaysian badminton pair banned 20, 15  For this purpose, resolution of all disputes
years for match-fixing between India and Pakistan is vital. He
 Two Malaysian badminton players have stated this in a seminar on the Economic
been hit with career ending bans of 20 and Diplomacy in Global Arena and its
15 years respectively after being found guilty implications for Pakistan on May 3, 2018.
of corruption and match-fixing, on May 2,  “Through the CPEC we can take India to
2018. China and Central Asia. We can serve half of
 The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said northern India as it is largely covered from
former world junior champion Zulfadli Bombay,” he added.
Zulkiffli, 25, was banned for 20 years and  There were several challenges to the CPEC as
fined $25,000, while Tan Chun Seang, 31, issues in Balochistan and Karachi have
was barred for 15 years and fined $15,000. surfaced but all such attempts were foiled.
 They were found guilty of breaching the BWF  Although there is world order dictated by
code of conduct in relation to betting, the war but war needs a strong economy.
wagering and irregular match results. Economic diplomacy and its relationship
May 4, 2018
with security is need of the hour.
3. Rs250m allocated for cotton research
 Pakistan Agriculture Research Council on
May 3, 2018 announced allocation of Rs250
1. Barrister Ibrahim made federal minister millions for the cotton research under
 Minister of State for Human Rights Barrister Competitive Grant Systems to the provinces
Usman Ibrahim was promoted to the rank of on competitive basis.
federal minister on May 3, 2018.  According to officials PARC will up-grade
 President Mamnoon Hussain administered four labs in Islamabad, Karachi, KP, Punjab
the oath to Mr Ibrahim as the federal and will establish two new labs in Tandojam
minister at a ceremony held at the and Quetta. These labs will monitor
presidency. pesticide residue level.
 Earlier on April 27, Prime Minister Shahid  The PARC will also create and establish
Khaqan Abbasi appointed his adviser on provincial boards in provinces and manage
finance, revenue and economic affairs province-inclusive Competitive Grants
Miftah Ismail as the federal minister and System.
upgraded three ministers of state Marriyum  Under the project six labs in all provinces of
Aurangzeb, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Pakistan will be set while already established
Anusha Rehman, who were holding labs in Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar and
portfolios of information and broadcasting, Kala Shah Kaku will be upgraded.
4. Beijing ‘installs missiles’ on South China Sea  Iran warned on May 3, 2018 it will quit a
islands landmark nuclear deal if President Donald
 Beijing May 3, 2018 reasserted its right to Trump pulls the United States out of the
build “defence” facilities in the disputed accord, while also criticising European states
South China Sea, but declined to confirm over `concessions` to the Americans.
reports it had installed new missiles on  Trump has threatened to abandon the
artificial islands it has built in the region. agreement when it comes up for renewal on
 The Chinese army installed anti-ship and air- May 12, demanding his country`s European
to-air defences on outposts also claimed by allies `fix the terrible flaws` or he will re-
Vietnam and the Philippines over the last 30 impose sanctions.
days.  The nuclear deal was struck in 2015 between
 If the information is verified, it could Iran and Britain, China, France, Germany,
provoke renewed tensions between Russia and the United States, then led by
countries bordering the strategically vital Barack Obama. Under the pact, sanctions
maritime region. At a regular briefing on were lifted in return for a commitment not
May 3, 2018, Chinese foreign ministry to pursue a nuclear bomb, but Iran says it is
spokeswoman Hua Chunying neither not reaping the rewards despite complying
confirmed nor denied the deployment. with the deal.
“China’s peaceful construction in the Spratly 7. 125 die as dust storm batters India
archipelago, including the deployment of  A huge dust storm and lightning strikes killed
necessary national defence facilities, is at least 125 people across India which
aimed at protecting China’s sovereignty and braced May 3, 2018 for more wild weather.
security,” she said.  Dust clouds plunged swathes of north India
5. US casualties in Afghanistan highest since into darkness as choking winds of more than
2015, says report 130 kilometres per hour swept across the
 The Afghan insurgency and US casualties in states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and
the first quarter of this year were at the level Punjab, flattening houses, walls, trees and
highest since 2015, when the United States power pylons.
drastically reduced its military presence in  At least 111 people were killed, many as they
Afghanistan, says an official report released. slept when walls and roofs came tumbling
 The report by the office of the Special down on them.
Inspector General Afghanistan  Another 14 people were killed in the
Reconstruction (SIGAR) also shows that southern state of Andhra Pradesh which was
between January and March 2018, US forces hammered by more than 41,000 lightning
dropped a total of 1,186 munitions in strikes on Wednesday, disaster officials said.
Afghanistan, the highest since 2013, when 8. Scientists devise new, more accurate peanut
SIGAR began compiling its quarterly report allergy test
for the US Congress.  British scientists have developed a far more
 This is over two and a half times the number accurate blood test to diagnose peanut
dropped in the first quarter of 2017. allergy, offering a better way to monitor a
 Statistics released by the US Air Force`s significant food hazard.
Central Command Combined Air Operations  Peanuts are the most common cause of fatal
Centre shows that the United States food-induced anaphylaxis, or severe allergic
dropped 378 munitions in January, 469 in reaction, and allergy cases among children
February, and 339 in March 2018 during 215 have risen sharply in recent years. Britain’s
missions. Food Standards Agency estimates up to one
6. Iran threatens to quit nuclear deal if US in 55 children have a peanut allergy.
walks away
 In contrast to existing skin-prick and other Western Europe and also one of the most
blood tests that produce a large number of deprived not only in Britain but in Western
false positive results, the new diagnostic has Europe.
98 percent specificity, researchers from the  Most of the residents of this borough trace
Medical Research Council (MARC) reported their roots back to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,
on May 3, 2018 Bangladesh and African countries.
May 5, 2018
3. Quran education up to matric is compulsory
now in Punjab
 The Punjab Assembly on May 4, 2018
unanimously passed two bills including the
1. Heads of three Senate committees elected one relating to compulsory education of
 Senators Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Muzaffar Holy Quran up to matriculation.
Hussain Shah and Sardar Yaqoob Nasar were  The House unanimously passed private bill
on May 4, 2018 unanimously elected presented by JI’s Dr Waseem Akhtar- The
chairmen of three standing committees of Punjab Compulsory Teaching of the Holy
the upper house of parliament. Quran Bill 2017.
 Senator Javed Abbasi proposed Mr Sayed`s  The legislation has made teaching of the
name for the Senate foreign affairs Holy Quran part of curriculum from Class 1
committee and it was seconded by Senator to matriculation.
Nuzhat Sadiq.  The House also passed The Punjab Sound
 The standing committee on national food Systems (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill 2018
security and research in its inaugural that allow use of four loudspeakers at
meeting elected Senator Muzaffar Shah as mosques only for call for prayers, sermon in
its chairman. His name was proposed by Arabic during Juma and Eid prayers. These
Senator Maula Bakhsh Chandio and speakers can also be used for reciting
seconded by Senator Sajid Mir. Darood Sharif and announcement for
 Senator Nasar was elected chairman of the missing children or deaths. Hate speeches
standing committee on inter-provincial will not be allowed.
coordination. 4. Neelum Jhelum project's unit 1 completes
2. British Pakistani becomes first directly reliability test
elected female Mayor of London borough  The first unit of the AJK-based 969MW
 A British Pakistani woman has made history Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project
by becoming the first directly elected mayor successfully completed the reliability test on
in a London borough. May 4, 2018, paving the way for its
 Rokhsana Fiaz, who has been a councilor for commercial operation.
Custom House in East London since 2014,  “Under the protocols, the unit will now be
won with 53,214 votes – 73.4 percent. As checked completely and adjustments if any
many as 35.84 percent of Newham turned will be carried out by the
out to vote for the council elections on May manufacturer/contractor,”.
3. Elections in 150 English councils were held  The unit, was expected to start commercial
on the same day. operation thereafter. The first generating
 Rokhsana Fiaz will replace Sir Robin Wales, unit of Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project
who was deselected after 16 years in the was synchronised with the system on April 9.
post. At his last election, Sir Wales had The second unit was scheduled in May,
received 61 percent of the votes. Rokhsana however, Wapda succeeded in
Fiaz will be in charge of nearly £250 million commissioning this unit for trial generation
annual budget for Newham, which is known ahead of schedule and synchronised it with
as one of the most diverse boroughs in the the national grid on April 22. Both generating
units have provided around 20 million units
of electricity for the national grid during  American film star Katie Holmes and British
their test run. actor-cum-director Idris Elba rubbed
 The 969MW Neelum Jhelum Hydropower shoulders with Saudi officials, as the
Project, located in Muzaffarabad district, has conservative kingdom kicked off an initiative
four generating units, each of them having to invest 130 billion riyals ($34.7 billion, 29
generation capacity of 242.25MW. The billion euros) in culture and leisure by 2020.
remaining units are likely to commence by  The goal is to create a true cultural industry,
end June 2018 operation at one month with theatres, cinemas and training centres.
interval each. 8. Israel pulls out of race for UN Council seat
5. No literature Nobel this year after sex  Israel on May 4, 2018 dropped out of a race
scandal for a Security Council seat in 2019 and 2020
 Forr the first time in almost 70 years there following a campaign by Arab states at the
will be no Nobel Literature Prize this year, United Nations to block the bid.
after the Swedish Academy that selects the  The decision leaves the path clear for
laureate failed to contain a deep crisis Germany and Belgium to take the two seats
stemming from the anti-sexual harassment available for countries of the Western
#MeToo campaign. Europe and Others group when the General
 The body has been in turmoil since Assembly votes next month.
November when Swedish daily Dagens  It was Israel`s first attempt to win a seat at
Nyheterin the wake of the global #MeToo the 15-member council.
campaign published the testimonies of 18 9. US Military Bans Huawei, ZTE Phones
women claiming to have been raped,  Personnel on US military bases can no longer
sexually assaulted or harassed by an buy phones and other gear manufactured by
influential culture figure with longstanding Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE, after the
ties to the Academy. Pentagon said the devices pose an
6. India’s massive military spending upsets "unacceptable" security risk
Pakistan  Concerns have heightened at the Pentagon
 India’s massive military spending has upset about consumer electronics being used to
Pakistan as Islamabad contacted the United snoop on or track service members.
Nations to stop India’s arms buying spree. 10. Breach-Valdez journalism prize awarded to
 Pakistan had apprised the UN chief, António Rea
Guterres, about the arms build-up by India –  Daniela Rea, a Mexican journalist known for
threatening regional peace. her searing chronicles of the violence
 India is threatening peace. The military gripping her country, was awarded the first
spending is definitely targeting Pakistan or edition of the Breach-Valdez Prize in
China. There should not be an imbalance in journalism and human rights.
the region. India’s attitude is upsetting.  Launched in March, the prize honors
 The Stockholm International Peace Research journalists who risk their lives to cover
organisation said in its latest report that human rights abuses in Mexico, following in
India stood fifth on the world’s biggest the footsteps of two Mexican colleagues
military spenders list, behind the United murdered last year: Miroslava Breach and
States, China, Saudi Arabia and Russia. Javier Valdez.
7. S. Arabia launches $34.7bn drive to develop  Its sponsors - the United Nations, Agence
showbiz industry France-Presse, the French embassy in
 After repealing a decades-long ban on Mexico and the Ibero-American University -
cinemas only last year, Saudi Arabia has now praised Rea for her heartrending body of
launched an ambitious drive to become a work in articles, books and documentary film
culture and entertainment hub as part of telling the stories of missing and murdered
sweeping modernisation plans.
Mexicans and the toll the violence takes on  The United Nations and United States have
the country. said the crackdown amounted to ethnic
May 7, 2018
cleansing. The Myanmar army has said it
only targeted militants.
3. Federal Areas brush aside KP to retain
Pakistan Cup title
1. Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal survives  Federal Areas yet again displayed excellent
assassination bid, hospitalised team coordination to outgun Khyber
 Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal narrowly Pakhtunkhwa by five wickets in the final
escaped an assassination attempt during a while retaining their Pakistan Cup title in
corner meeting in his constituency in Faisalabad on May 6, 2018.
Narowal on May 6, 2018.  Watched by easily the biggest crowd of the
 Inspector General of Police (IGP) retired Capt 11-match gala, Federal Areas were always in
Arif Nawaz told that they had arrested a control as they continued their domination
suspect, a 22-year-old man, from the spot in to keep intact unbeaten run by cantering to
the Kanjroor town of the Shakargarh tehsil, a fifth straight success after chasing down a
who confessed to opening fire on the modest target of 253.
minister due to the Khatm-i-Nubuwat issue.  Federal Areas collected Rs2 million besides
 The IGP said they were also investigating the winners` trophy while Khyber
involvement in the incident of any Pakhtunkhwa received Rs1 million and the
facilitators. runners-up trophy.
 A couple of months ago, a shoe was hurled 4. Pakistan prepares for UN counter-terror
at Interior Minister Ahsan at a PML-N strategy review
workers` convention in Narowal, his  Pakistan organised a meeting last week of 15
hometown. countries representing all regions of the
2. Muslim nations seek global pressure on world ahead of next month's review of the
Myanmar over Rohingya UN's Counter Terrorism Strategy that is
 Muslim foreign ministers on May 6, 2018 aimed at updating the document to more
launched a campaign to mobilise effectively combating the terrorist threat by
international support for action against the international community.
Myanmar over the Rohingya refugee crisis.  According to diplomatic sources, 34
 Foreign ministers and diplomats of the 53- representatives of 15 countries as well as UN
member Organisation of Islamic Conference Officials exchanged views on the strategy at
(OIC) set up a campaign committee during a working lunch hosted by Ambassador
two days of talks in the Bangladesh capital Maleeha Lodhi, permanent representative
Dhaka. of Pakistan to the UN.
 OIC secretary general Yousef bin Ahmed Al-  Pakistan had placed itself in a key position by
Othaimeen called the move a key step bringing together Russia, China, India, Egypt,
toward ending a crisis caused by the exodus Iran as well as other OIC members and Latin
of about 700,000 Muslim Rohingya from American Countries on one platform.
Buddhist-majority Myanmar into camps in 5. Pakistan, UAE sign $200m pact to finance
Bangladesh. uplift plans
 A military campaign launched in Myanmar`s  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and
Rakhine state in August last year set off the Pakistan have signed a $200 million
massive influx of the Muslim minority into cooperation agreement to execute Phase III
Bangladesh where they joined 300,000 of the UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme
refugees already living in squalid camps (UAE PAP).
following previous violence.
 The agreement was signed in 7. Lebanese vote in first general election in
implementation of the directives of nine years
President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al  Lebanese voters cast ballots on May 6, 2018
Nahyan, under the support of Sheikh in their first general elections in nine years
Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown an event seen as important for economic
Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme stability but unlikely to upset the overall
Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and balance of power.
the follow-up of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed  The Iranian-backed Hezbollah group and its
Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and allies are expected to do well in the election,
Minister of Presidential Affairs, to provide while Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri`s Future
humanitarian aid to Pakistan. Movement party is expected to struggle to
 The UAE PAP has been launched with the keep all its seats. However, he is seen as
objective of providing help and likely to be nominated to another term.
humanitarian assistance to the people of  But after polling booths closed at 7pm to all
Pakistan and support their development voters except those already waiting inside,
initiatives for a better future. Its mission is to turnout appeared to have been relatively
execute development aid projects that offer low.
sustainability and continuous benefits to  Lebanon has one of the world`s highest
beneficiaries over the long run. debt-to-GDP ratios and the International
 The agreement, which will be funded by the Monetary Fund has said its fiscal trajectory is
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), unsustainable.
was signed in Islamabad by Abdullah Khalifa 8. Tunisia holds first municipal elections
Al Ghafli, PAP Director, and Commandant  Tunisia held its first free municipal elections
MCE, Major General Anwar Ul Haq Chaudhry on May 6, 2018 as voters expressed
of the Pakistani Army, in the presence of frustration at the slow pace of change since
Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, General the 2011 revolution in the cradle of the Arab
Qamar Javed Bajwa and UAE Ambassador to Spring.
Pakistan Hamad Obeid Al Zaabi.  The election has been touted as another
6. Saudi Arabia appoints first-ever female milestone on the road to democracy in the
commercial attaché North African country, which has been
 Saudi Arabia has appointed its first-ever praised for its transition from decades of
female commercial attaché, on May 6, 2018 dictatorship.
citing Arab media.  But Tunisia has struggled with persistent
 Samar Bint Mazin Saleh has been selected by political, security and economic problems as
Majed Bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, the Saudi well as corruption since the revolution, and
minister of commerce and investment, as observers expected a low turnout for poll.
the Kingdom's commercial attaché to Tokyo,  Only 13.6 per cent of voters had cast their
Japan. ballots by midday, according to the electoral
 Saleh, who gained the milestone of commission. And despite bars and a clothing
becoming the first-ever Saudi woman to brand offering discounts to people with ink-
hold the commercial attaché role, was stained fingers proving they had cast ballots,
previously stationed as the trade exchange young voters were markedly absent from
in-charge at the Saudi Embassy in Italy. polling stations in the capital
 At the Kingdom's embassy, her work focused 9. Prof among 10 killed in IHK
on promoting non-oil exports in line with the  Indian soldiers shot dead five freedom
Saudi Vision 2030. Her latest role also comes fighters including a university teacher in a
as part of the country's new strategy — led gunfight May 6, 2018 that triggered violent
by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman — protests in which five civilians were killed.
to empower Saudi women.
 Thousands took to the streets in south  Dr Suleman is the 40th chief of the IB which
Kashmir to show support for the slain is operationally under the prime minister
freedom fighters. Government forces and mainly responsible for countering
opened fire to break up the protests, insecurity within the country, which includes
director general of police Shesh Paul Vaid gathering information relating to cross-
said. provincial crime and terrorism.
 Hundreds of people were injured in the  Dr Suleman`s predecessor Aftab Sultan, also
protests, according to doctors. from the police service, retired on April 3
 Government forces swooped on the village after serving as IB head since June 7, 2013.
of Badigam, in Shopian district south of the 2. Govt, allies fail to agree on Fata reforms
capital Srinagar, following a tip-off about timeline
armed men holed up inside a house.  Prime Minister Shahid Khagan Ababsi on
10. Scientists discover rare mineral in lunar May 8, 2018 failed to persuade the
meteorite government allies on the timeline fixed by
 Mankind's first home away from Earth may the civil and military leadership last week for
soon be discovered, as new research shows mainstreaming the country`s tribal areas by
that frozen water may be lurking beneath taking various actions, including merger of
the moon's surface - giving new hope that the Federally Administered Tribal Areas
the dusty planet could sustain human life. (Fata) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
 Scientists say they've discovered traces of a  Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F chief Maulana Fazlur
rare mineral, called moganite, in a lunar Rehman and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party
meteorite that was found 13 years ago in (PkMAP) president Mehmood Khan Achakzai
northwest Africa. stuck to their positions, forcefully opposing
 Mogamite, which is a crystal similar to the move while asking the government `not
quartz, requires the presence of water in to show haste in the matter which is
order to form, so its discovery is being hailed sensitive in nature`.
as new proof that frozen water exists  While the JUI-F chief reiterated the call for
beneath the moon's surface. It's already holding a referendum in Fata on the issue of
widely known that water exists in the merger, PM Abbasi decided to go for
moon's north and south poles. another round of consultations with the
 But the new discovery gives credence to the parties on Thursday, the sources said.
belief that there may be frozen water that  The sources said that the prime minister
exists underneath more areas of the moon's informed the parliamentary leaders
surface. attending the meeting that the merger of
May 8, 2018
Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would take
place in May 2019. He said that timely
implementation of the proposed reforms
was needed for the mainstreaming of Fata,
1. Dr Suleman Khan made new IB chief according to the sources.
 Dr Mohammad Suleman Khan, additional  The prime minister had called the meeting of
director general of the Intelligence Bureau parliamentary heads, which was also
(IB), has been made chief of the civilian spy attended by National Assembly Speaker
agency of the country. Ayaz Sadiq, to take them into confidence on
 A notification issued by the Establishment the decisions taken by the National
Division on May 7, 2018 stated that Dr Implementation Committee on Fata
Suleman, an officer of the Police Service of Reforms (NICFR) on May 2.
Pakistan, had been promoted from BPS-21 3. Chairpersons of four Senate committees
to 22. elected
 Senators retired Lt Gen Abdul Qayyum, 5. Lebanon vote results cement Hezbollah`s
Faisal Javed, Shibli Faraz and Sassui Palijo dominance
were unanimously elected on May 7, 2018 as  Lebanon`s Iranbacked Hezbollah claimed
chairpersons of four Senate standing victory on May 7, 2018 after elections it said
committees. legitimised its military branch, leaving Saudi-
 For the Standing Committee on Defence backed Prime Minister Saad Hariri as the
Production, Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak main loser.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf proposed Mr  The two main protagonists of the country`s
Qayyum`s name as its chairman and the first legislative polls in almost a decade did
move was seconded by members. not wait for official results to comment on
 For the Standing Committee on Information the implications of a vote which was also
Broadcasting and National Heritage, Senator marked by low turnout.
Maula Bux Chandio proposed the name of  Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah called the
Senator Faisal Javed and he was vote à great political and moral victory for
unanimously elected as its chairman. the resistance option that protects the
 The Senate Standing Committee on sovereignty of the country`
Commerce and Textile in its inaugural  The Iran-backed Shia movement and its
meeting unanimously elected Senator Shibli allies look set to secure a parliament bloc
Faraz as its chairman large enough to thwart attempts for it to
 The Standing Committee on Parliamentary disarm, a longstanding demand of its
Affairs elected Senator Sassui Palijo as its political enemies.
chairperson  The man who has led calls internally for
4. Putin sworn in as Russian president for Hezbollah to lay down its arms is Hariri,
fourth term, keeps Medvedev as PM whose Sunni-dominated Future Movement
 President Vladimir Putin stuck with his long- less dominant since it lost Saudi Arabia`s
serving prime minister in his first act after lavish support lost a third of its seats.
being sworn in for a new term on May 7, 6. Shahid Afridi launches cricket club in
2018, signalling that he would keep faith Toronto
with a policy direction that has brought  Former Pakistan all-rounder and T20 skipper
Russia into conflict with the West. Shahid Afridi launched a cricket club in his
 Standing in the ornately-decorated name which will compete in the local
Andreyevsky Hall of the Grand Kremlin Toronto & District League, starting from May
Palace, with his hand on a gold-embossed 19.
copy of the constitution, Putin, 65, swore to  The league matches will be played on cricket
serve the Russian people, to safeguard rights grounds across the GTA and King City.
and freedoms, and protect Russian 7. Defence production minister assumes
sovereignty. charge
 Putin secured a new six-year term after more  Newly appointed Minister for Defence
than 70 per cent of voters backed him in a Production Barrister Usman Ibrahim
March 18 presidential election. His most assumed the charge of the office on May 7,
dangerous challenger, Alexei Navalny, was 2018.
not allowed to take part.  The minister held an introductory meeting
 After the inauguration ceremony, Putin had with the senior officers.
nominated Dmitry Medvedev again to be  The minister also lauded the progress and
prime minister in his new term. achievements of defence production
 Medvedev, a loyal Putin lieutenant, has held industry especially during the tenure of the
the job since 2012. current government
8. Foreign donors fuelling corruption in  India have declined to play their maiden day-
Afghanistan: US watchdog night test against Australia, leaving the
 Foreign donors have flooded Afghanistan series-opener in Adelaide a day match,
with more money than it can absorb, Cricket Australia confirmed on May 7, 2018.
exacerbating corruption and fuelling the  The Australian board had hoped India would
drawn-out conflict, US independent auditor agree to a floodlit match for the Dec. 6-10
John Sopko. test at Adelaide Oval, where the home side
 The comments by the US government’s have beaten England, South Africa and New
special inspector general for Afghanistan Zealand in pink-ball matches over the past
reconstruction (SIGAR) followed the recent three home summers.
stinging assessment of the World Bank’s  “We can confirm that we have received
handling of the Afghanistan Reconstruction advice from the Board of Control for Cricket
Trust Fund (ARTF). in India that it is not prepared to participate
 SIGAR found there was little oversight of in a proposed Day-Night test in Adelaide this
how and where more than $10 billion summer,” Cricket Australia said in a
contributed by 34 donor nations and statement.
May 9, 2018
agencies since 2002 had been spent. The
World Bank also was unable to accurately
evaluate the impact of the money.
 Such corruption is helping to fuel the
protracted conflict, now in its 17th year, by 1. Trump tears up Iran nuclear deal, revives
eroding support for the Afghan government sanctions
and morale among its security forces “who  President Donald Trump withdrew the
are fighting and dying”, Sopko said. United States from the Iran nuclear deal on
9. Punjab govt launches crop insurance May 8, 2018 as his administration pledged to
scheme find a comprehensive and lasting solution to
 Punjab government has started crop the so-called Iranian threat.
insurance scheme (Takaful) to protect the  `The Iran deal was one of the worst and most
income of farmers against unfavorable one sided transactions the United States has
circumstances. ever entered into,` Mr Trump said in a
 The scheme will launch from Kharif 2018 and televised address from the White House
in first it will cover Sheikupura, Sahiwal, Diplomatic Room.
Loadhran and Rahim Yar Khan districts.  Minutes after the speech, US Secretary of
 Under this scheme,100 per cent subsidy on State Mike Pompeo announced that the
Insurance Premium for land owners of up to United States will not stop at revoking the
five acres while 50 per cent subsidy on deal alone.
Insurance Premium for land owners from  Last week, Britain, France and Germany
five acre to 25 acres. This scheme will be urged the Trump administration not to
applicable during its first phase on cotton revoke the deal, arguing that the agreement
and rice fields. was the best way of stopping Tehran from
 In the second phase, insurance will be acquiring nuclear weapons. President Trump
applicable on more crops including ignored the advice.
sugarcane, maize, wheat, orchards and  Reacting to Mr Trump`s announcement,
vegetables. Under this scheme, President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran
compensation will be done in case of natural would remain committed to the
calamity or low yield. multinational nuclear deal, reports Reuters.
10. India decline day-night test vs Australia Ìf we achieve the deal`s goals in cooperation
with other members of the deal, it will
remain in place. By exiting the deal, America the option to get their gender changed in the
has officially undermined its commitment to National Database and Registration
an international treaty,` President Rouhani Authority`s record.
said in a televised speech. Ì have instructed  Harassment of transgender persons will also
the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation to be prohibited in and outside their homes.
take the necessary measures for future  The lower house of parliament passed a bill,
actions so that if necessary we can resume introduced by Marvi Memon, to provide for
industrial enrichment without limit,` he said fair and speedy trial of heinous offences
in an address to the nation. related to acid and burn violence.
2. Juvenile court hands down first sentence  A bill seeking Pakistani citizenship for the
 The country`s first juvenile court established persons (Bangladeshis and Biharis), who
in Lahore handed down on May 8, 2018 its have been living in the country for 70 years
first sentence four-month simple but could not get citizenship, was also
imprisonment to a teenager as well as a fine passed.
of Rs500,000 on charges of attempted rape.  The house passed a bill seeking amendments
 A resident of Sabzazar had lodged a to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,
complaint with police in 2016 accusing the 1890, under which a maximum of Rs500,000
15-year-old boy of attempting to rape his fine can be imposed to the violators.
seven year-old daughter. The case was  The house also passed other bills related to
entrusted on Jan 20 to the first child court of prevention of child labour in Islamabad,
Pakistan in Lahore having the jurisdiction of protection of witnesses in criminal cases,
a juvenile court as well. establishment of an institute of science and
 The then chief justice of the Lahore High technology in Bahawalpur, setting up of
Court, Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, now a judge rehabilitation centres for disabled children
of the Supreme Court, had established this through Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and forced
court here in Lahore in December 2017 to disappearances.
deal with cases involving children. 4. COAS inaugurates fencing of Pak-Afghan
 The presiding judge of the juvenile court, border in Balochistan
Muhammad Akhtar Bhangoo, ruled in his  Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed
verdict that the accused was found to have Bajwa on May 8, 2018 inaugurated the work
engaged the victim girl of about seven years for erecting fences along the Pak-Afghan
of age in obscene and sexually explicit border near Panjpal area of Balochistan.
conduct, thus, committed an offence of  The Pakistan Army has already completed
sexual abuse punishable under Section 377- work on a 5km-long fence on the border
B of PPC near Panjpai. In total 1,268km-long fences
3. Transgender rights bill among a dozen would be erected along the Pak-Afghan
passed by NA border.
 The National Assembly passed about a dozen  According to official sources, 250 Frontier
bills on May 8, 2018, possibly its last private Corp forts one at a distance of every 3km
members` day. would be built and 16-foot-high
 The house passed the Transgender Persons watchtowers will be built at every kilometre
(Protection of Rights) Bill, 2018, aimed at to ensure proper monitoring of the border.
ensuring rights of transgender persons. The 5. Pakistani prisons house 57pc more inmates
bill, which had already been passed by the than authorised capacity: report
Senate, was moved by Syed Naveed Qamar  Pakistan`s prisons house 57pc more
of the PPP. prisoners than their authorised capacity, and
 Under the proposed law, transgender two thirds of the total prison population is
persons will be able to register to obtain either awaiting or undergoing trial, as
driving licence and passport. They will have
compared to 27pc at the international level, to Kim`s historic summit last month with
a report revealed on May 8, 2018. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his
 The report, titled Addressing Overcrowding expected meeting with Trump in June.
in Prisons by Reducing Pre-Conviction  But Kim`s second trip abroad in such a short
Detention in Pakistan and prepared by the time after having never left North Korea
National Counter Terrorism Authority since coming to power in 2011 shows that
(Nacta), International Committee of the Red Beijing still has a central role to play in the
Cross (ICRC) and Cursor Development and diplomatic shuffle.
Education (Code) Pakistan, added that the 8. Celebrations as Armenian protest leader
situation is causing overcrowding in prisons Pashinyan elected PM
and often results in deplorable living  Tens of thousands of Armenians poured on
conditions for inmates and prison staff, the to the streets of the capital Yerevan May 8,
spread of disease and other problems. 2018 to celebrate opposition leader Nikol
 The report divided its recommendations into Pashinyan’s election as prime minister.
urgent, shortterm and long-term.  Armenia’s parliament elected Pashinyan
6. Alibaba buys Daraz | First big acquisition in after he spearheaded weeks of mass
the country's tech sector protests against the ruling party,
 Daraz Group, Pakistan`s leading online transforming the country’s political
retailer on May 8, 2018 announced its100 landscape.
per cent acquisition by Alibaba Group, a  Lawmakers voted 59 to 42 to approve
Chinese e-commerce giant. Pashinyan for the job, after the ruling
 Following the acquisition for an undisclosed Republican Party came round to backing his
amount, Daraz which also operates in premiership bid on his second attempt.
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Nepal 9. Scientists develop sharper gene-editing
will continue under the same brand name. scissors
 Daraz, founded in Pakistan in 2012, was  American biologists have developed a new
incubated by Germany`s Rocket Internet. gene-editing platform making the previously
 Daraz.pk went to record Pakistan`s first Rs1 blunt cutting tool more like a word processor
billion sales in 2016 with its Black Friday by enabling an efficient “search and replace”
event. By 2017, it renamed the event as Big function for genetic material.
Friday and went on to secure four times  In a paper published in the journal Nature
more orders than the previous year, earning Biotechnology, scientists at the Joint
Rs3bn. Institute of Metrology and Biology (JIMB)
7. Kim meets Xi in China in run-up to Trump revealed a platform called “multiplexed
summit accurate genome editing with short,
 Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un trackable, integrated cellular barcodes,” or
met in China for the second time in six weeks MAGESTIC.
on May 8, 2018, signalling their warming ties  MAGESTIC can produce a sevenfold increase
ahead of the North Korean leader`s expected in cell survival during the editing process,
summit with US President Donald Trump. according to the study conducted by the
 Kim`s trip to the northeastern port city of researchers.
Dalian was his second visit to China since  The researchers said the currently popular
March, highlighting efforts by the Cold War- gene-editing tool CRISPR was as clumsy as
era allies to mend relations that have chilled using scissors to edit a newspaper, with
as Beijing has supported UN sanctions over which one can cut out words, but it’s difficult
Pyongyang`s nuclear activities. to remove individual letters or instantly
 Beijing is keen to avoid being left out in the know how the cuts affect the meaning of the
cold in a whirlwind of diplomacy that has led text.
 CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly increasing punishments and fines for those
Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, the involved in child pornography.
hallmark of a bacterial defense system that  The Women in Distress and Detention Fund
forms the basis for CRISPR-Cas9 genome (Amendment) Bill, 2018 was also cleared
editing technology. with the hope that the institution would
10. Medvedev secures new mandate as Russian finally become effective.
PM 2. Pakistan joins WTO bloc to further free
 Dmitry Medvedev secured a fresh term as trade
Russian prime minister on May 8, 2018, as  Pakistan joined a group of 41 developing and
the lower house of parliament voted developed countries to support a
overwhelmingly for President Vladimir multilateral trading system for global
Putin’s long-term ally to retain his post. economic stability, prosperity and
 “I am ready to do everything for the development.
development of our country,” Medvedev  The rare block emerged in the wake of
said ahead of the vote in the State Duma, recent trade restrictive measures by US
which Putin also attended. President Donald Trump.
 A total of 374 MPs backed his candidacy  Pakistan`s Ambassador to World Trade
while 56 voted against. Organisation (WTO) Dr Taugir Shah told that
 The ruling United Russia party and the ultra- the country has played a key role to put
nationalist LDPR party backed Medvedev, together this group in support of a
while the Communist and Just Russia parties multilateral system.
opposed him.  Pakistan is the founding member of the
 The 52-year-old served a term as president global system and played an important role
from 2008 to 2012 before standing aside to in the past negotiations.
become prime minister while Putin returned  Members include Argentina, Australia,
to the Kremlin. Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Canada, Chile,
May 10, 2018

Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte dÌvoire,
Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Hong Kong China, Iceland, Kazakhstan,
Kenya, Republic of Korea, Lao People`s
1. Senate committee clears three bills on child Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein,
rights Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Republic of
 A parliamentary committee on May 9, 2018 Moldova, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nigeria,
cleared three bills calling for the protection Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
of juvenile offenders, increasing Qatar, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, the
punishments for child pornography and former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
abuse and for the interests of street Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Viet Nam.
children. 3. Pakistan stands with Iran on nuclear deal
 The Senate Functional Committee on Human issue
Rights discussed the Juvenile Justice System  Pakistan May 9, 2018 supported Iran against
Bill, 2018 first. The bill focuses on the the United States President Donald Trump’s
disposal of cases through diversion and decision to withdraw from the historic
social integration of juvenile offenders. nuclear deal.
 The bill was passed by the National Assembly  A foreign ministry statement issued said
in Feb this year and was introduced in Senate ‘arbitrarily rescinding’ such agreements “will
last month. undermine confidence in the value of
 The committee also approved the Criminal dialogue and diplomacy in the conduct of
Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018 which calls for international relations and the peaceful
resolution of disputes.”
 Pakistan, the statement said: “believes that per cent and the slab for Rs48,00,000 and
the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action above be increased by 25 per cent.
represents a very good example of a  The House recommended to the National
negotiated settlement of complex issues, Assembly that in order to protect the dairy
through dialogue and diplomacy.” sector, tariff on import of Skimmed Milk
 “We had welcomed the JCPOA when it was Power should be increased from 45 per cent
concluded and hope that all parties will find to 50 per cent.
a way for its continuation, especially when  To encourage the use of solar energy,
the International Atomic Energy Agency has interest-free loans should be introduced for
repeatedly verified Iran’s compliance,” it the installation of Solar Tube Wells for
said. farmers owning up to 12 acres of land.
4. 1,230MW Haveli Bahadur Shah power plant 6. Mahathir-led bloc ends ruling party`s 60-
starts generation year hold on power
 Minister for Power Awais Ahmad Khan  An alliance of Malaysian opposition parties
Leghari May 9, 2018 announced that led by the country`s 92-year-old former
1230MW RLNG based power project at authoritarian leader Mahathir Mohamad
Haveli Bahadur Shah had started generating won a parliamentary majority in a fiercely
power. contested general election on May 9, 2018,
 He made this announcement while chairing ending the 60-year rule of the Malay-
the 116th meeting of Private Power and dominated National Front.
Infrastructure Board (PPIB) held here.  Official results show the opposition parties,
 The minister for power said that 1230MW which banded together as the Alliance of
project at Haveli Bahadur Shah has world’s Hope, surpassed the 112 seats needed for a
highest plant efficiency rate of 62.5 percent majority in parliament.
and is a great achievement of current  The result is a political earthquake for
government, made possible by the relentless Malaysia, sweeping aside the government of
efforts by the Power Division, PPIB, NPPMCL Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose
and other key players. reputation was tarnished by a corruption
 The minister expressed that China-Pakistan scandal and the imposition of an unpopular
Economic Corridor (CPEC) has greatly served sales tax.
Pakistan in securing self-reliance in power 7. North Korea frees three US detainees ahead
sector while its full scale implementation of Kim-Trump summit
would deliver fruitful results in every nook  North Korea has freed three American
and cranny of our country. detainees, President Donald Trump
5. Senate approves 156 recommendations on announced on May 9, 2018, hailing a
Finance Bill 2018 diplomatic victory ahead of a planned
 The Senate, which resumed discussion on summit with Kim Jong-un.
the budget for the next fiscal year on May 9,  Pyongyang granted the three men
2018, unanimously approved 156 àmnesty`, a US official said, and were on
recommendations on the Finance Bill 2018- their way back to the United States with
19 which have sent to the National Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Assembly. The recommendations were  Two of the men, agricultural expert Kim Hak-
moved by Chairman of the House on Finance song and former professor Tony Kim were
Committee Senator Farooq H. Naek. arrested in 2017, while Kim Dong-chul, a
 The House recommended the tax rate of South Korea-born American businessman
individuals on slab of Rs12,00,000 to and pastor in his 60s, was sentenced to 10
Rs24,00,000, the tax rate be increased to ten years` hard labour in 2016.
per cent slab for Rs24,00,000 to 8. East Asian powers back North Korea
Rs48,00,000, the tax rate be increased to 15 denuclearization
 East Asian powers on May 9, 2018 threw  “This organisation also develops distance
their weight behind breakneck diplomacy to training programmes to strengthen local
rid North Korea of nuclear weapons, setting capacities in the fight against AIDS,
aside their differences on the process to tuberculosis and malaria.
endorse an intra-Korean deal.  Based in Nairobi, Amref was founded in 1957
 Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is hosting as the Flying Doctors of East Africa and
his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang and claims to be the oldest and largest
South Korean President Moon Jae-in as indigenous African health organisation.
May 11, 2018

preparations for a summit between
Washington and Pyongyang heat up. On May
9, 2018, top US diplomat Mike Pompeo was
in Pyongyang to prepare for the summit,
which builds on talks between the two 1. Sindh unveils Rs1.14 trillion deficit budget
Koreas and a deal signed in the truce village  Pakistan People’s Party led Sindh
of Panmunjom last month. government on May 10, 2018 unveiled its
9. Google unveiled an artificial intelligence sixth and last budget of the expiring tenure
tool with a total outlay of Rs1.14 trillion and
 Google unveiled on May 8, 2018 an artificial Rs20.45 billion deficit.
intelligence tool capable of handling routine  The budget comprised estimates for the
tasks such as making restaurant bookings as whole year but Chief Minister Murad Ali
a way to help people disconnect from their Shah announced that they would authorise
smartphone screens. only its part pertaining to first quarter of
 Kicking off the tech giant`s annual Fiscal 2018-19
developers conference, Google chief  CM announces 10pc increase in salaries,
executive Sundar Pichai argued that its AI- pensions of Sindh govt employees
powered digital assistant had the potential  Sindh increases security budget by 10pc for
to free people from everyday chores. first quarter
 Pichai played a recording of the Google  Education sector to get Rs208bn, health
Assistant independently calling a hair salon Rs96.38bn in next year`s budget
and a restaurant to make bookings 2. Punjab, Sindh to share digital data on
interacting with staf f who evidently didn`t criminals
realise they were dealing with artificial  The Punjab and Sindh police May 10, 2018
intelligence software, rather than a real signed a Memorandum of Understanding to
customer. exchange record of 1.25 million criminals
10. Flying doctors group awarded top prize between the two provinces.
 Amref Health Africa, a Kenya-based flying  The MOU was signed on the visit of Sindh
doctors group, was awarded on May 9, 2018 Police IGP A.D Khawaja to the Punjab police
Spain’s prestigious Princess of Asturias department.
award for international cooperation for their  Mr Khawaja held a meeting with Punjab IGP
efforts “to respond to the needs of millions Capt retired Arif Nawaz and other senior
of people on the African continent”. police officers of the province.
 “By means of this initiative, it has been  The meeting was told that that data of one
possible to reach the most vulnerable and million criminals was available in the
remotest populations that would not have Criminal record Office of the Punjab police
regular access to health services, in while Sindh police had data of 250,000
particular, thanks to its flying doctors criminals in its record.
piloting light aircraft-ambulances,” the jury
said in a statement.
 With the sharing of the data, police can from the State Department five days before
access details of criminals like pictures and going beyond the set limits.
finger prints with only a click of button.  As Pakistan-US ties further deteriorate,
3. COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa ranked 68th Pakistan has also decided that from May 11
`most powerful` person restrictions will be imposed on all American
 Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed diplomats and their movements.
Bajwa has been named among the world`s  The US also announced that Pakistani
most powerful people by Forbes in its diplomats in Washington would be facing
ranking for 2018. similar restrictions.
 The army chief has been ranked the 68th 6. Mahathir sworn in as world`s oldest leader
most powerful person in the world on a list after shock poll win
that includes 75 personalities, including  Ninety-two-year-old Mahathir Mohamad
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Canadian was sworn in on May 10, 2018 as the world`s
Prime Minster Justin Trudeau, the Turkish oldest elected leader after a stunning
president, North Korea`s Kim Jong-Un, News election win that swept Malaysia`s
Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch, Indian establishment from power after more than
businessman Mukesh Ambani, Apple CEO six decades.
Tim Cook and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.Chinese  In a huge political upset, former strongman
President Xi Jinping has been named the Mahathir`s opposition alliance broke the
world`s most powerful person for 2018, grip on power of the Barisan Nasional (BN)
while Russian President Vladimir Putin and coalition, which had governed Malaysia
US President Donald Trump have been uninterrupted since its birth as an
ranked second and third, respectively. independent country in 1957.
4. Senate committees elect chairmen in  It capped a dramatic comeback for
inaugural meetings Mahathir, who previously ruled the country
 Another three committees of Senate May with an iron fist for 22 years and came out of
10, 2018 formally elected their chairpersons retirement to take on Prime Minister Najib
in inaugural meetings at the Parliament Razak after the leader became embroiled in
House. a massive corruption scandal.
 Senator Mohsin Aziz, Senator Mushtaq 7. Japan donates $3.73m to UNODC for 4
Ahmed and Senator Talha Mehmood were projects in Pakistan
elected as chairmen of Senate Standing  Japan has contributed $3,730,935 to UNODC
Committees on Petroleum, Science and country office for executing four projects
Technology and Cabinet Secretariat aimed at enhancing air cargo security,
respectively. combating transnational organized crime,
5. Tit-for-Tat: All US diplomats in Pakistan to strengthening border security against illicit
face restrictions trafficking and response to counter-
 In a tit-for-tat move, the Foreign Office on terrorism in Pakistan.
May 10, 2018 announced that all the US  The Japanese government’s contribution for
diplomats in Pakistan would be facing four projects will be for one year.
restrictions from May 11, 2018 under which  In this regard, the UNODC country office in
they won’t be able to roam around without Pakistan and the embassy of Japan hosted a
seeking permission from the authorities play up media event for the projects at
concerned. Serena Hotel on May 10, 2018.
 The US restrictions on the Pakistani  This is to be implemented under the UNODC
diplomats will come into effect. Under the Country Programme for Pakistan (2016-
Trump administration’s decision, the 2019) through the financial support of the
officials of the Pakistan Embassy and four government of Japan. Officials from the
consulates are required to get permission
Ministry of Narcotics Control, National  Pakistan May 11, 2018 hit back at the United
Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and States as Islamabad issued a new travel
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) were permission regime for the American
present on the occasion diplomats, restricting their movement and
8. Hungary’s Orban sworn in as premier revoking undue facilities across the country.
 Fresh from a landslide election win in April,  US diplomats, cargo to be scanned at
Hungary’s combative premier Viktor Orban airports
was formally sworn in as prime minister May  Tainted glasses on vehicles won't be allowed
10, 2018, and hinted at designs on power  Overshooting visa validity periods will not be
until at least 2030. available
 On April 8 the 54-year-old’s right-wing Fidesz  No more unverified, unregistered cell
party won its third consecutive two-thirds phones SIMs
majority, granting it further legislative carte  NOC must for installing radio
blanche to amend the constitution and fast- communication at residences
track new laws.  Americans can no longer use non-diplomatic
9. ‘King of Danish painting’ Kirkeby dies aged number plates on official vehicles and
79 diplomatic number plates on rented vehicles
 Danish painter Per Kirkeby, one of the most 2. Suicide attacks violate Islamic principles:
influential European artists of the post-war ulema
period, has died aged 79 on May 09, 2018  Religious scholars from Afghanistan,
 Widely known as a sculptor, filmmaker and Pakistan and Indonesia issued on May 11,
an author whose work focused on 2018 a declaration saying that violent
landscapes, light and colour, Kirkeby died in extremism and terrorism, including suicide
the city of his birth Copenhagen, the London- attacks, are against Islamic principles, in an
based Michael Werner Gallery announced in effort to convince the Afghan Taliban to end
a statement. violence.
 Over his career of five decades he developed  Seventy prominent Scholars, or Ulema, from
a personal palette and vocabulary of images the three countries issued the declaration at
derived primarily from observations of the a conference in Indonesia on ways to achieve
natural world peace and stability in Afghanistan.
10. Ireland`s big day arrives as they host  Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who
Pakistan in inaugural Test opened the one-day meeting, stressed
 William Porterfield will captain Ireland in Indonesia`s commitment to helping build
their inaugural Test proud of the years of peace in the war-torn country.
campaigning that have led to match against  The conference held at the presidential
Pakistan in Dublin. palace in Bogor, a West Java town on the
 Ireland, who famously knocked Pakistan out outskirts of Jakarta, was organised by the
of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, will Indonesian Ulema Council.
become the 11th men`s Test nation.  About 20 Pakistani scholars attended the
conference in Indonesia. Prominent among
these ulema were chairman of the Council of
Islamic Ideology Prof Dr Qibla Ayaz, Allama
May 12, 2018 Iftikhar Naqvi and Shah Owais Noorani.
Representatives of the seminary boards
belonging to the Shia, Barelvi, Deobandi and
Ahle Hadees schools of thought also took
1. Pakistan imposes new travel regime on US
part in the conference. A delegation from
diplomats
Indonesia that visited Pakistan had selected industry òpen for business`, but largely
them for participation at the event. avoided questions about gender equality.
3. Four airline operators get licences  Saudi Arabia established its first pavilion at
 Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has this year`s Cannes Film Festival, signalling its
issued licences to four applicants for debut on the international movie stage. The
operating private commercial airlines on desert kingdom recently lifted a 35-year ban
domestic routes and later on cinemas, opening the country of 33
oninternationalroutes. million 70 per cent of which is under 30 to
 After acquiring the licences, the new airline both theatres and film productions.
operators will get Air Operation Certificate  On May 11, 2018, the country`s new national
(AOC) and will arrange at least three aircraft film organisation, the Saudi Film Council,
to start flight operation. announced a 35-per cent rebate on films
 The four parties who acquired licences are shot in Saudi Arabia and a 50-per cent rebate
Air Sial, Askari, Liberty and Afeef Zara. for studios that use local talent, as a means
 Bhoja Airlines is also preparing to restart to entice international productions to the
their flight operation after fulfilling the Middle Eastern nation.
requirements. 7. China sends fighter jets near Taiwan in
4. Chairpersons of five more Senate latest show of force
committees elected  China sent fighter jets and other military
 Chairpersons of five more standing aircraft near Taiwan on May 11, 2018 in the
committees of Senate were elected latest of a series of drills which Beijing has
unopposed on May 11, 2018. said are aimed at the island`s ìndependence
 Dr Ashok Kumar became head of the forces`.
Standing Committee on Capital  Taiwan`s defence ministry said multiple H-6K
Administration and Development Division, bombers, reconnaissance planes and
Muhammad Asad Ali Khan Junejo as head of transport aircraft flew over the Bashi
the Standing Committee on Railways; Ms Channel, south of Taiwan, and over the
Ayesha Raza Farooq as head of the Standing Miyako Strait, near Japan`s Okinawa Island,
Committee on Delegated Legislation, Sardar in a drill on May 11, 2018 morning.
Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel became  It was the first time that China`s Su-35
chair of the Standing Committee on Rules of fighters were sent over the Bashi Channel,
Procedure and Privileges and Muhammad the ministry said, while J-11 fighters and
Usman Khan Kakar as head of the Standing early warning aircraft also took part.
Committee on Problems of Less Developed 8. Modi visits Nepal in bid to counter China
Areas. influence
5. Dastagir given foreign ministry`s portfolio  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
 Defence Minister Khurram Dastagir was on inaugurated the construction of a mega
May 11, 2018 given the additional charge of hydropower plant during a visit to Nepal
foreign ministry. May 11, 2018, part of his government’s
 Former foreign minister Khawaja Asif was move to counter Chinese influence in its
disqualified earlier by the Islamabad High backyard.
Court for not disclosing his employment in a  Modi and his Nepali counterpart K.P. Sharma
UAE-based company as an occupation as Oli laid the foundation stone of the $1.4
well as the monthly salary he was receiving. billion India-backed Arun Three hydropower
6. For Saudi Arabia, a coming-out party at plant, a long-mooted project that could be a
Cannes game-changer for energy-staved Nepal.
 Saudi Arabia came to the world`s largest film  It is one of the biggest projects in Nepal.
market to declare its newly launched film Along with employment opportunities, this
MAY 2018
FOR THE MONTH
May 14, 2018

project will create economic and commercial
opportunities in Nepal.
 The plant is the first of five mega
hydropower projects, two of which are
backed by Chinese companies, to begin 1. 700 women handed over bike keys under
construction, which marks a diplomatic win WoW
for India.  Around 700 women were handed over keys
 China has outspent India in Nepal in recent of motorcycles under a project of the Chief
years, as the impoverished Himalayan nation Minister`s Strategic Reforms Unit (SRU) at an
sandwiched between the two Asian giants event held at Alhamra Lahore on May 13,
has titled relations towards its northern 2018.
neighbour  The keys were handed over by Punjab Excise
9. IAEA nuclear inspections chief quits without Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman under the
explanation Women on Wheels (WoW) initiative. The
 The chief of inspections at the UN nuclear minster announced that while the
watchdog has resigned suddenly, on May programme had been initiated in five
11, 2018 without giving a reason. districts of Punjab, they intended to expand
 The departure of Tero Varjoranta comes at a it to all 36 districts of the province and make
sensitive time, three days after the United the sight of women riding motorbikes
States announced it was quitting world common for society.
powers’ nuclear accord with Iran, raising 2. Cambodia makes first arrest using new
questions as to whether Tehran will continue royal insult law
to comply with it.  A 50-year-old teacher has been arrested in
 Varjoranta, a Finn, had been a deputy Cambodia for allegedly insulting the
director general of the International Atomic monarchy in a comment posted on
Energy Agency and head of its Department Facebook, police said on May 13, 2018, the
of Safeguards, which verifies countries’ first such arrest since the country adopted a
compliance with the nuclear Non- royal insult law earlier this year.
Proliferation Treaty, since October 2013. He  Cambodia`s parliament unanimously
will be replaced in an acting capacity by the adopted a law in February, that forbids
head of the department’s Iran team, the insulting the monarchy.
Vienna-based IAEA said.  Rights groups expressed concern that such
10. Gujrat Warriors win First Super Kabaddi legislation, already in effect in neighboruing
League Thailand, could be used against critics of the
 Gujrat Worriers won the first Pakistan Super government.
Kabaddi League after beating Faisalabad 3. Israel`s Netta wins Eurovision Song contest
Sherdils in the final 38-26 here on May 10,  Israel won the Eurovision Song Contest in
2018. Lisbon May 13, 2018 after singer Netta
 Faisalabad`s skipper Nasir Ali, however, was Barzilai beat 25 other contestants with her
declared as best player of the league. upbeat song `Toy` whose lyrics have been
 The winners received a cash prize of Rs1 embraced by the #MeToo movement.
million while the runners-up pocketed  The winning track, which contained refrains
Rs500,000. such as Ì am not your toy, you stupid boy`,
 Overall, 10 teams took part in the event summed up the concerns of many women
which started on May 2. It was the first kind who have adopted the growing global
of kabaddi league held in the country under movement against sexual harassment.
a private sector with the collaboration of the  The 25-year-old former singer in the Israeli
Pakistan Kabaddi Federation. Navy band accompanied her winning
performance with trills, clucking sounds and Pakistan's arts and literature as well as other
chicken-like dance moves in an eye-catching key facets of its national life, with Pakistani
and bizarre performance that is often typical Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi stating that the
of the Eurovision contest. event has become "a prominent voice of our
 Eurovision was first held in 1956 with the country's intellectual journey."
aim of uniting Europe after World War II.  The festival drew a large number of New
Today it has an esti-mated global audience Yorkers to the spacious hall of Asia Society,
of around 200 million people more than the which co-hosts the event.
Super Bowl in the United States and has  An array of distinguished speakers
served as a global launching pad for the likes underlined Lahore's standing as Pakistan’s
of ABBA and Celine Dion. cultural hub, and said that LFF had brought
4. China`s first home-built aircraft carrier ideas and showcased Pakistan's talent
begins sea trials before American audiences.
 China`s first entirely home-built aircraft 7. First freight train from China arrives in
carrier began sea trials on May 13, 2018 in a Belgium
sign of the growing sophistication of the  After travelling 16 days and covering a
country`s domestic arms industry. distance of 11,000 km, the first China-
 The still-unnamed ship left dock in the Belgium freight train from China's Tangshan
nohhern port of Dalian at 7am to `test the port has arrived in the Belgian port of
reliability and stability of its propulsion and Antwerp.
other system.  The train with 41 containers which left
 China is also planning to build a nuclear- Tangshan on April 26, was officially
powered aircraft carrier capable of welcomed on May 12, 2018 in Antwerp. The
remaining at sea for long durations. China direct railway link between China and
has the world`s largest navy in terms of Belgium is part of the China-proposed Belt
numbers of ships, although it lags behind the and Road Initiative.
US in technology and combat capabilities  By opening up a new and quick route into
5. First climbers of 2018 reach Everest summit China, the initiative offers plenty of new
 Eight Nepali climbers reached the top of opportunities for the development of the
Mount Everest on May 13, 2018, the first of Sino-Belgian trade relations.
hundreds of climbers expected to summit  This direct train link puts our port on the BRI
the world’s highest mountain in coming (the Belt and Road Initiative) map and will
weeks. further strengthen our ties with China.
 The team reached the summit on May 13, 8. First female Bishop of London installed
2018 afternoon while fixing ropes for foreign  Sarah Mullally was installed as the first
climbers, who will begin this week to ascend female Bishop of London on May 12, 2018,
the mountain. becoming the third most senior cleric in the
 Iswari Paudel of Himalayan Guides Nepal, Church of England. Mullally was installed as
the company assigned to fix the ropes, the 133rd Bishop of London at St. Paul's
confirmed that the team has scaled the Cathedral on International Nurses Day --
mountain. “This has paved the way for other Florence Nightingale's birthday -- echoing
climbers to reach the summit as well. If the new bishop's former career as a nurse.
weather permits, we will see many summits  She followed the tradition of knocking three
this week,” he said. times on the cathedral's Great West Door
6. Lahore Literary Festival's 3rd edition held in with her pastoral staff. She is now the state
New York church's third most senior cleric, after the
 The third edition of Lahore Literary Festival archbishops of Canterbury and York.
(LLF) concluded in New York on May 12,
2018 after a series of lively discussions on
 The Church of England's general synod gave 1. US gets diplomat involved in road accident
final approval to a historic reform allowing out of Pakistan
female bishops in 2014 after years of bitter  The United States has finally succeeded in
wrangling between factions who opposed getting its diplomat involved in a fatal road
and supported the move. accident out of Pakistan after the Pakistani
9. Chinese scientists develop fire-resistant officials who had been preventing his exit
wallpaper succumbed to Pentagon`s pressure.
 Chinese scientists have developed a fire-  `We can confirm that the American diplomat
resistant wallpaper that not only can who was involved in a tragic accident in
withstand flames, but also detect fires and Islamabad has departed Pakistan, a US
trigger an alarm if a fire occurs. embassy spokesman told on May 14, 2018.
 The wallpaper was designed by scientists  Colonel Joseph Emanuel Hall, the defence
from the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics of attaché at the US embassy, left Nur Khan
the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Airbase on board an American military
 Most of the wallpaper on the market today aircraft that had come to pick him a couple
is made of highly flammable materials such of days after the diplomat had been refused
as plant cellulose fibers or synthetic exit by the Federal Investigation Agency
polymers, which can spread the fire rather from the same airbase.
than preventing it. The new wallpaper can 2. Punjab tables Rs85b supplementary budget
withstand a high temperature of 1,000  Punjab Finance Minister Ayesha Ghous
degrees Celsius. It is made of an inorganic Pasha May 14, 2018 presented the
fire-resistant hydroxyapatite nanowire supplementary budget amounting to
paper and a graphene oxide temperature Rs85.40 billion in the Punjab Assembly.
sensor. The sensor is attached to the back of  Dr Ayesha presented 45 demands for grants
the wallpaper through a simple drop-casting worth Rs 85.40 billion for supplementary
process using an ink containing graphene budget for the fiscal year-2017-18. As per
oxide. It is then connected to the metal wire Supplementary Budget Statement for the
as an electrode. year 2017-18, out of total 45 demands, 23
 Graphene oxide is not electrically conductive were supplementary demands (voted)
at room temperature, but can become worth Rs 81.604 billion; 17 were token
conductive at high temperatures, triggering supplementary demands (voted) worth Rs
the fire alarm device. 17,000 and five were supplementary
 The wallpaper is highly flexible and can be demands (charged) worth Rs 3.798 billion.
made into various shapes, dyed different  The supplementary budget 2017-18
colors, and printed with commercial contained demands for supplementary
printers. grants (voted) under 23 heads- Land
10. Erdogan in UK for talks with ‘valuable’ ally Revenue Rs 96.005 million, Provincial Excise
 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Rs 126.443 million, Forests Rs 56.630 million,
Britain was a "valuable and reliable" Charges on Account of Motor Vehicle Act Rs
strategic ally after he arrived in the UK on 55.252 million, Irrigation and Land
May 13, 2018 ahead of talks with Prime Reclamation Rs 2.759 billion, Administration
Minister Theresa May. of Justice Rs 822.741 million, Jails and
 Erdogan said he wanted to boost trade and Convicts Settlements Rs 52.563 million,
security ties between London and Ankara, Police Rs 5.607 billion, Education 19.863
with Britain preparing to leave the European billion, Health Services 17.162 billion,
Union in March next year. Agriculture 7.603 billion, Fisheries Rs 76.5
May 15, 2018

million, Veterinary Rs 1.698 billion, Co-
Operation Rs 158.912 million, Industries Rs
758.838 million, Miscellaneous Departments
Rs 500.379 million, Civil Works Rs 1.447 of eliminating terrorism and achieving
billion, Communication Rs 585.430 million, peace, stability, prosperity and development
Stationary and Printing Rs 1.062 million, Civil of the people of the two countries,` a
Defence Rs 30.997 million, State Trading in statement jointly issued by the foreign
Food Grains and Sugar Rs 189.174 million, ministries of Pakistan and Afghanistan said.
Irrigation Works Rs 2.845 billion, and Roads  Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua led the
and Bridges Rs 19.104 billion. Pakistani side at the fourth meeting of
3. Balochistan presents budget with massive APAPPS, whereas Afghan Deputy Foreign
Rs61.9bn deficit Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai headed the
 Adviser to the Balochistan Chief Minister on Afghan delegation.
Finance Dr Ruqayya Saeed Hashmi 5. Israel kills 55 Palestinians as US opens
presented the budget 2018-19 in the Jerusalem embassy
provincial assembly on May 14, 2018.  Israeli forces killed 55 Palestinians on the
 The budget documents show that Gaza border in the conflict`s bloodiest day in
Balochistan is facing a big hole of Rs61.9 years on May 14, 2018 as clashes and
billion in its planned development protests coincided with the deeply
investment of Rs88.2bn for the next financial controversial opening of the US embassy in
year as the pace of growth in its total income Jerusalem.
is projected to slow down to4.9pc against  The surge in fatalities led South Africa to
9.3pc estimated for 2017-18. recall its ambassador in Israel `with
 The slower increase in income and a large immediate effect until further notice` while
development investment gap condemning the deaths ìn the strongest
notwithstanding, the province plans to terms possible`.
create 8,035 new jobs in education, health,  The clashes, which left more than 2,400
levies and other departments that will have Palestinians wounded, erupted before a
a total financial impact of Rs4.1bn on the White House delegation and Israeli officials
new budget. opened the embassy at an inauguration
 The budget documents project the overall ceremony in Jerusalem and continued
provincial income federal transfers, throughout the day.
provincial tax4.9pc against 9.3pc estimated  It was the bloodiest day in the Israeli-
for 2017-18. Palestinian conflict since a 2014 Gaza war.
 Almost 80pc of the provincial income will  The embassy inauguration nonetheless went
comprise federal transfers from the divisible on as planned, attended by a Washington
pool (Rs224.1bn) and straight transfers delegation that included US President
(Rs9.0bn) with provincial own taxes Donald Trump`s daughter Ivanka and her
contributing 3.5pc or Rs10.2bn and non-tax husband Jared Kushner, both White House
receipts 1.6pc or Rs4.9bn to it. aides.
4. New framework for talks with Afghanistan  Ivanka Trump helped declare the new
becomes operational embassy open and a plaque and seal were
 The new Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral unveiled before the 800 guests at the
engagement framework Afghanistan- ceremony.
Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity  Trump addressed the ceremony by video.
(APAPPS) became operational on May 14, 6. Heads of four Senate committees elected
2018 with both sides hoping that its  Senators Rubina Khalid, Hilalur Rehman,
implementation would contribute to Hidayatullah Khan and Sitara Ayaz were on
promoting peace in the region. May 14, 2018 elected chairpersons of Senate
 `Both sides agreed that effective and full standing committees on information
implementation of APAPPS would technology, overseas Pakistanis,
contribute towards the common objectives
communications and climate change, million eligible voters opted to break from
respectively. Spain.
 Since the election of new chairman, Senate 9. Water on Jupiter moon
has completed elections of 30 out of a total  Scientists presented further evidence on
of 42 committees. Monday for water plumes on the surface of
 All standing committees held their inaugural Jupiter`s moon Europa, raising hopes of
meetings at the Parliament House to probing the jets for signs of life around the
formally elect chairpersons. second planet from Earth.
7. Pak Navy establishes Recruitment &  Given the suspected abundance of warm,
Selection Centre at Muzaffarabad liquid water under its kilometers thick ice
 The inauguration ceremony of the shell, the moon is considered a `top
establishment of Pakistan Navy Recruitment candidate` by NASA for life on a Solar System
and Selection Centre in Muzaffarabad, AJ&K body other than Earth.
was held on May 14, 2018.  Twice before has NASA reported evidence,
 Vice Admrial Abdul Aleem, Chief of Staff from its Hubble Space Telescope, for the
(Personnel) was the chief guest on the existence of water plumes on Europa,
occasion. Upon arrival, the chief guest was though this interpretation has caused much
received by Assistant Chief of Naval Staff debate.
(Organization and Methods). 10. O`Brien scores Ireland`s first Test hundred
 The recruitment centre would not only  Kevin O`Brien scored Ireland`s first Test
provide round the year recruitment facilities hundred as the hosts finished at 319 for
at the doorstep to the youth hailing from seven, a lead of 139 runs, at stumps on the
AJ&K and adjacent areas but would also fourth day of their inaugural Test against
promote national integration and regional Pakistan at Malahide on May 14, 2018 after
harmony within Pakistan Navy. being made to follow on.
8. Hardline separatist appointed leader of  It was the 34-year-old O`Brien`s first century
Catalonia for Ireland since he made the fastest-ever
 Quim Torra, a newcomer to politics who has World Cup hundred by any batsman, off 50
campaigned fiercely for Catalonia`s balls, against England at Bangalore in 2011.
May 16, 2018

independence, was appointed regional
president on Monday vowing to keep
fighting for a break from Spain. Torra`s
election by the regional parliament paves
the way for a new government in Catalonia 1. Pakistan, Afghanistan pledge to make fresh
after months of politicallimbo. start in relations
 Torra, handpicked as presidential candidate  With their new bilateral engagement
by deposed, exiled leader Carles framework Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan
Puigdemont, scraped through the for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) -in place,
parliamentary vote -66 separatist lawmakers senior officials of Pakistan and Afghanistan
voted for him, 65 non-independence MPs pledged to make a fresh start in their
against and four abstained. relations that have mostly remained tense.
 The 55-year-old father of three pledged to  Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat
respect the result of an independence Khalil Karzai and Pakistan`s National Security
referendum, which was held on October 1 Adviser retired Lt Gen Nasser Khan Janjua
despite a court ban and marred by police during their meeting agreed to intensify
violence. Catalan separatist authorities said efforts for success of APAPPS and `take a
90 per cent of the 2.2 million people who fresh start, bridge existing gaps, build formal
cast their ballot in the referendum out of 5.5 mechanism of cooperation in all areas of
mutual interests and take collective actions 7.
to strengthen trust between the two 8.
countries` APAPPS became operational with 9. Khokhar, Shahbaz re-elected unopposed as
the meeting of Afghan deputy FM Karzai and PHF president, secretary
Pakistan`s Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua  Retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar was
in Islamabad on May 14, 2018. reelected unopposed as the Pakistan Hockey
 APAPPS would have six working groups Federation president while Shahbaz Ahmed
including those on security and intelligence Sr retained his position as the federation`s
the two issues at the core of the troubles in secretary on May 15, 2018.
Pak Afghan ties.  The final phase of the PHF elections was
2. Scottish Parliament rejects UK`s Brexit bill conducted here under the supervision of
 The Scottish Parliament on May 15, 2018 Chief Election Commissioner Chaudhry
formally rejected legislation for taking Mohammad Riaz. Khokhar and Shahbaz
Britain out of the EU, in an unprecedented were re-elected for the next four years.
move that sets the scene for a constitutional  Khawar Anwar Khawaja (Punjab), Mohamad
crisis. Saeed Khan (KP), Chaudhry Ismail Gujjar
 Lawmakers in the devolved Edinburgh (Balochistan), Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah
assembly voted by 93 to 30 to refuse (Sindh) were elected as vice presidents
`legislative consent` for the highly-contested Ikhlag Usmani was elected as the
European Union (Withdrawal) Bill currently federation`s treasurer.
being debated by the British parliament. 10. Shashank Manohar re-elected as ICC
 British Prime Minister Theresa May is under chairman
no obligation to amend her Brexit plan in  India`s Shashank Manohar has been re-
response to Holyrood`s objection. elected chairman of the International Cricket
 However, experts warn that confrontation Council (ICC) for another two years, the
between London and Edinburgh could push sport`s world governing body said on May
Scotland towards independence. Scottish 15, 2018.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the  Manohar, who became the ICC`s first
secessionist Scottish National Party (SNP), independent chairman in 2016, was elected
said Britain was heading into ùncharted unopposed for a second term after a tenure
constitutional territory`. marked by broad reforms. He was the sole
3. US Iran sanctions to target auto, aircraft nominee for the position.
sectors first  The 60-year-old former head of the Indian
 The United States will re-establish sanctions board successfully revised the ICC`s
against Iran progressively, kicking off with governance and pushed for the appointment
the automobile and civil aviation sectors. of its first independent female director.
May 17, 2018

 Energy and finance will follow, with
companies facing punishment if they
continue to do business with Iran, after US
President Donald Trump withdrew from a
landmark nuclear deal with Tehran. 1. Treasury passes 12 bills in 45 minutes in the
 Aug 6 will see the re-introduction of auto last Punjab Assembly session
and civil aviation sanctions, according to the  The treasury passed 12 bills in just 45
source. Sanctions in the energy sector, minutes during the Punjab Assembly session
covering oil, gas and petro-chemicals, will on Wednesday, clearing the government`s
follow on Nov 4. list of legislation before the completion of its
4. tenure on May 31.
5.
6.
 The laws that were hurriedly passed association with the Lahore Development
included The Punjab Witness Protection Bill, Authority (LDA).
The Punjab Government Servants Housing 4. Nepalese army chief meets Gen Bajwa
Foundation (Amendment) Bill 2018, The  Chief of Nepalese Army General Rajendra
Punjab University of Technology Rasul Bill, Chhetri called on Chief of Army Staff General
The Punjab Bonded Labour System Qamar Javed Bajwa at GHQ May 16, 2018
(Abolition) (Amendment) Bill 2018, The and discussed military to military relations
Explosive Substances (Punjab and regional security situation.
Amendment)Bill,The Registration (Punjab  According to ISPR, matters of mutual
Amendment) Bill, The Registration (Punjab interest including measures to improve
Second Amendment) Bill, The Punjab Land bilateral ties came under discussion during
Revenue (Amendment) Bill and the meeting. It said the visiting dignitary
ThePunjabAgriculturalMarketing Regulatory acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan
Authority Bill. Army’s sincere efforts and sacrifices in the
2. Mian Waheed-ud-Din posted as new chief war against terrorism and for stability in the
secretary of AJK region
 The federal government has posted Mian 5. Iran agrees to build new refinery for Sri
Waheed-ud-Din, a BS-21 officer of the Lanka
Pakistan Administrative Service, as new chief  Iran has agreed to build a new oil refinery for
secretary of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Sri Lanka in addition to upgrading its ageing
 The chief secretary position had fallen 50,000 barrel per day (bpd) state-owned
vacant on May 7 after the promotion of Dr refinery.
ljaz Munir in BS-22 and subsequent transfer  Iranian officials pledged the new refinery
and posting as federal secretary Aviation. when Sri Lanka President Maithripala
 Mr Din was serving as secretary forests, Sirisena made an official visit to Tehran over
wildlife and fisheries in the Punjab before his the weekend, the first leader to go to Iran
fresh assignment. since US President Donald Trump reimposed
 He had also served as secretary mines and US economic sanctions.
mineral department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa  Sri Lanka has a single, 50,000 bpd oil refinery
(KP) until July 14, 2015. in Colombo suburb Sapugaskanda, built by
3. Lahore`s metro train undergoes trial run Iran in 1969 to refine Iranian light crude.
 Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on May 6. Palestinians recall envoys to four EU
16, 2018 inaugurated and completed a trial nations after US embassy move
run of the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT)  The Palestinian Authority has recalled its
the country`s first rapid mass transit rail envoys to Romania, the Czech Republic,
project which had been the centre of Hungary and Austria after their ambassadors
controversy and a litigation battle led by the attended an Israeli reception marking the US
civil society of Lahore since the project was embassy`s move to Jerusalem, it said on May
first launched in October 2015. 17, 2018.
 The chief minister announced that the train  The statement from the PA`s foreign
service would be open to the public within ministry said the EU nations` ambassadors
the next three-and-a-half months. had attended the reception, a day before the
 The OLMT built at a cost of Rs200bn covers a US opened its Israel embassy in Jerusalem.
27.12km-long route, and has 26 stations. It is 7. Guatemala opens Israel embassy in
the only project in the transport /mass Jerusalem after US move
transit sector funded by China under the  Guatemala inaugurated its Israel embassy in
ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) so Jerusalem on May 16, 2018, becoming the
far. It is being completed as a joint venture first country to follow in the footsteps of the
of the China Railways (CR) and Norinco, in United States’ deeply controversial move
that was accompanied by deadly violence on opposite sides of the 8,848 metre (29,030
the Gaza border. feet) mountain.
 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  Kami Rita, 48, was one of six sherpas who
and Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales took seven clients to the summit from the
were among officials who attended a Nepali side, Mingma Sherpa of Seven
ceremony inaugurating the new embassy at Summit Treks, who organised the
an office park in the disputed city, which is at expedition.
the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  A guide for more than two decades, he broke
 The US and Guatemalan moves break with the previous record of 21 summits that he
decades of international consensus. US shared with two other Sherpas.
ambassador to Israel David Friedman also  Kami Rita first reached the top of Everest in
attended Wednesday’s ceremony. 1994 when working for a commercial
Previously Guatemala’s embassy was in expedition.
Herzliya, just north of Tel Aviv like that of 10. Saudi World Cup referee gets life ban over
Paraguay, so far the only other mission with bribery
immediate plans to move to Jerusalem.  Saudi Arabia has banned referee Fahad Al
Paraguay’s embassy is expected to relocate Mirdasi from football for life for a match-
before the end of the month. fixing attempt, weeks before he was due to
8. SCO Women’s Forum held in Beijing fly to Russia to officiate at the World Cup,
 A forum to promote communication among the country`s football federation (SAFF) said
women from Shanghai Cooperation in a statement.
Organization (SCO) member countries was  Al Mirdasi had confessed to offering to fix
held in Beijing on May 16, 2018. King`s Cup final on behalf of the Al Ittihad
 The first SCO Women’s Forum, organized by club, the SAFF said. It added that it had
the All-China Women’s Federation, was requested FIFA hand him a lifetime global
aimed at increasing exchanges and pushing ban as well as removing him from the World
the development of a community with a Cup list.
shared future for humanity, said Shen  The 32-year-old referee made the approach
Yueyue, president of the federation. to Al Ittihad chief Hamad Al-Senaie, who
 Shen called on participants of the forum to immediately handed over the WhatsApp
remain true to their original aspirations, messages to SAFF officials who in turn
advocate the “Shanghai Spirit” of the SCO, alerted the relevant government authorities,
deepen practical cooperation, uphold SAFF said.
openness and inclusiveness, and strive for
common development.
 The 13th meeting of Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Security Council
Secretaries will be held in Beijing on May 21- May 18, 2018
22, Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on
May 16, 2018.
9. Two Sherpas break Everest summit records 1. Punjab Assembly concludes tenure
 Two Nepali Sherpas broke their own world  The treasury in the Punjab Assembly on May
records for the most Everest summits by a 17, 2018 adopted on the last day of its
man and a woman May 16, 2018, reaching concluding session the provincial Rs85.40
the world’s highest peak for a 22nd and billion supplementary budget.
ninth time respectively.  The praises on the deposed prime minister
 Kami Rita Sherpa, a professional guide, and and his brother Chief Minister Shahbaz
Lhakpa Sherpa, who works in a supermarket Sharif were showered in a resolution
in Connecticut, reached the summit from presented by Law Minister Rana Sanaullah
after approval of the additional budget  The United States and the United Arab
2017-18. Emirates have reached an understanding to
 The finance minister justified the end a years-old dispute over alleged Emirati
supplementary budget, which she said was subsidies for their airlines, the White House
spent on the welfare of people. announced on May 17, 2018.
2. WTO rules in favour of Pakistan, against EU  The subsidies give UAE airlines an unfair
 Appellate body, the supreme dispute competitive advantage over others and have
settlement wing of World Trade been particularly harmful for oil starved
Organisation (WTO), has declared European nations like Pakistan who cannot provide
Union (EU) countervailing duties (CVDs) not similar subsidies to their air carriers. The
consistent with its SCM agreement. The EU practice has also hurts major American
appealed but was turned down by the airlines who have been urging the US
appellate body which upheld the initial government since 2015 to use its influence
decision in favour of Pakistan. to end the subsidies.
 The decision came at a time when United  Ìn the newly negotiated understanding, it
States wants to kill the appellate body but was recognised that government subsidies
most of the developed and developing undermine healthy and fair competition,
countries, including Pakistan, are lobbying said the statement.
for the continuation of the system to ensure 5. Punjab govt promotes, reshuffles 27
rule based multilateral trading system. officers
 This is a great win for the country. The  The Punjab government on May 17, 2018
appellate body has handed a definitive promoted four officers to grade 21 and
victory in a dispute concerning CVDs on May transferred 23 others.
16.  As per notification, Secretary Excise and
 This was only the fifth time that Pakistan has Taxation Dr Ahmad Bilal was promoted to
had recourse to the WTO dispute settlement grade 21. Member Board of Revenue Babar
system since 1995, and only the third case in Shafi was promoted to grade 21. Member
which the country chose to pursue the case Inquiries S&GAD Izhar Ahmad and Livestock
all the way to a formal panel ruling. Secretary Naseem Sadiq were promoted to
 Pakistan`s Permanent Ambassador to WTO: grade 21.
Dr Taugeer Shah 6. Arab League calls for international probe
3. Pakistan, S Korea to boost defence co-op into Israeli `crimes`
 Pakistan and South Korea on May 17, 2018  The Arab League called on May 17, 2018 for
discussed matters of shared interest and an international probe into alleged crimes by
improving cooperation in the field of Israeli forces against Palestinians following
defence production. mass protests on the Gaza border that saw
 The issues were discussed during a meeting dozens of demonstrators killed.
between Ambassador of Republic of Korea  Tens of thousands have protested along
Kwak Sung-Kyu and Federal Minister of Gaza`s border with Israel since March 30
Defence Production Barrister Usman calling for Palestinian refugees to be able to
Ibrahim in Rawalpindi. return to their homes now inside Israel.
 Pakistan deeply values its relations with  The largest demonstrations coincided with
Korea and is willing for joint ventures for the move of the US embassy in Israel from
development of different defence products. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on May 14, 2018,
 Current Federal Minister of Defence which saw Israeli forces kill some 60
Production: Barrister Usman Ibrahim Palestinians.
4. US, UAE agree to end airline subsidies  Arab League chief: Ahmed Abul Gheit
7. Chinese private firm launches first space after the hermit state abruptly cancelled
rocket planned inter-Korean discussions.
 A suborbital rocket was launched into space  A high-level meeting between the two
on May 17, 2018 by a start-up in China`s neighbours had been scheduled, but the
burgeoning commercial aeronautics North pulled out early that morning over
industry, as private firms snap at the heels of joint military exercises between the US and
their dominant American rivals. the South.
 OneSpace, the Beijing-based company  The two-week “Max Thunder” drills started
behind the launch, is one of dozens of on May 11 and involve some 100 aircraft
Chinese rivals jostling for a slice of the global from the two allies, including F-22 stealth
space industry, estimated to be worth about fighter jets.
$339 billion by Bank of America Merrill Lynch 10. Atletico Madrid won the Europa League for
and currently dominated by SpaceX and Blue the third time
Origin in the US.  Striker Antoine Griezmann punished sloppy
 Its nine-metre (30-foot) `Chongqing Marseille with two expertly-taken goals as
Liangjiang Star` rocket took off from an Atletico Madrid won the Europa League for
undisclosed test field in China`s northwest the third time with a resounding 3-0 victory
and reached an altitude of 273 kilometres in May 16, 2018`s final.
before falling back to Earth, the company  Olympique de Marseille were going for a
said in a statement. The launch aimed to second European trophy, 25 years after
demonstrate an early working model of the winning the Champions League, but had no
company`s OS-X series of rockets, designed answer to Griezmann`s mobility and
to conduct research linked to suborbital finishing. Captain Gabi capped off the victory
flights. with a fine finish in the last minute after
8. EU takes UK, Germany, four others to court being set up by Koke.
over air pollution
 The European Commission said on May 17,
2018 it is taking Germany, Britain, France
and three other countries to the bloc`s
highest court for f ailing to comply with EU
May 19, 2018

air quality standards.
 The decision by the commission, the 28-
nation European Union`s executive arm, hits
Britain before it is due to leave the bloc in
2019 following the shock Brexit referendum 1. UN votes to send war crimes probe to Gaza
two years ago.  The UN Human Rights Council voted on May
 The commission had given the six countries 18, 2018 to send a team of international war
which also includes Italy, Hungary and crimes investigators to probe the deadly
Romania a last chance in January to take shootings of Gaza protesters by Israeli
long-sought steps to improve air quality or forces.
be hauled before the European Court of  The UN`s top human rights body voted
Justice. through a resolution calling on the council to
9. N Korea refuses to hold talks with South ùrgently dispatch an independent,
until ties improve international commission of inquiry`-the UN
 North Korea said Thursday it will not hold rights council`s highest-level of
talks with Seoul under the current investigation.
diplomatic situation, calling South Korean  Only two of the council`s 47 members, the
officials “ignorant and incompetent” a day United States and Australia, voted against
the resolution, while 29 voted in favour and  Gen Zhang later called on the acting
14 abstained, including Britain, Switzerland president. Mr Sanjrani congratulated the
and Germany. Chinese general on the conferment of
 The text said the team should investigate all Nishan-iImtiaz and said that Pakistan and
alleged violations and abuses... in the China were close friends, neighbours and
context of the military assaults on large scale trusted partners because their relations
civilian protests that began on 30 March were based on mutual respect and trust.
2018, ... including those that may amount to 4. Govt approves bill to establish Health
war crimes. Regulatory Authority
2. National Assembly passes Rs5.25tr budget  The federal government has finally approved
 The National Assembly on May 18, 2018 the bill for establishing the first Health
approved a Rs5.247 trillion budget for the Regulatory Authority (HRA) to regulate the
year 2018-9 as well as the Finance Bill-2018 health departments and programs being run
with some amendments. by ministry of National Health Services (NHS)
 The approved amendments to the Finance on May 18, 2018.
Bill-2018 include a Tax Amnesty Scheme and  After the 18th amendment and devolution
enhancements in tax exemptions for local of health sector to the provinces, the federal
NGOs and welfare organisations from one city has been lacking a regulatory body in the
year to five years. Two new acts were also health sector.
approved. The first was regarding  After the approval of the bill from the
transferring offshore monetary assets to the president, all the health facilities in public
country and the second was concerning the and private sector will be restricted to
voluntary declaration of assets within the registered with the health authority.
country.  All the hospitals, medical laboratories,
 The government, which could not approve health clinics, dispensaries, homeopathy
the budget on May 14 due to a lack of clinics, teaching hospitals, surgery centers,
quorum, managed to get it passed on May nursing homes, dental centers, private X-Ray
18, 2018 despite it being heavily contested labs, psychiatric centers, nursing homes,
by the opposition. burn center, community centers, dialyses
 A good number of members on the treasury centers, rehabilitation centers, slimming
benches helped approve the budget and the clinics, hair transplant centers and other will
finance bill. The amendments to the finance be registered with the authority.
bill were presented by Finance Minister  The establishing of the authority will help in
Miftah Ismail. eliminating the quackery business in the city
3. Nishan-i-Imtiaz conferred on China`s top providing health rights to the citizens.
military official 5. Six martyred in Indian shelling
 Acting President Sadiq Sanjrani conferred  Six people, including a mother and her three
the Nishan-iImtiaz (Military) on the visiting young children, were martyred and 22 other
vice chairman of the Chinese Central Military civilians sustained severe injuries in one of
Commission, Gen Zhang Youxia, at an the worst incidents of unprovoked firing and
investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-i-Sadr shelling by the India’s Border Security Forces
on May 18, 2018. (BSF) at different sectors of the Sialkot
 The event was attended by Chief of the Army Working Boundary on May 18, 2018.
Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Air Chief  Kulsoom (40), her daughters Shama Naz (18)
Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Naval Chief and Muskan (10) and son Ali Hamza (14)
Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chinese embraced martyrdom in the border area
Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing and other village Khanoor in the Merajke Sector when
senior officials. a mortar shell hit their house. Two other
civilians – Naveed (25) and Ehtesham (12) --
were also martyred in village Harnanwali in aboard. In 2010, a commercial Aero
the same sector. Caribbean plane crashed in central Cuba. All
 As many as 22 people, including women and 68 people on board were killed.
children, sustained injuries in Khanoor, 8. EU launches steps to fight US sanctions on
Patwal, Harpal, Surakhpur, Harnanwali and Iran
Bhagiari villages. They were rushed to the  The European Union took steps May 18,
Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Sialkot 2018 to avoid reimposed US sanctions on
Cantt by Rescue 1122. Iran and save the international nuclear deal
 “In 2018, the Indian forces carried out more as a rift with Washington widened.
than 1050 ceasefire violations along the  The European Commission, the bloc’s
Line of Control and the Working Boundary, executive arm, moved to help EU firms skirt
resulting in the shahadat of 28 innocent US penalties and have member governments
civilians, while injuring 117 others,” directly pay Iran’s central bank for oil.
6. Egypt opens Gaza border  The commission launched the formal
 Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has process to activate the blocking statute by
made a rare decision to open the Rafah updating the list of US sanctions on Iran
crossing with Gaza for a month, allowing falling within its scope.
Palestinians to cross during the holy period  President Donald Trump last week pulled
of Ramazan. Washington out of the 2015 international
 The decision to keep the crossing open was deal with Iran to curb its nuclear programme
taken "to alleviate the suffering" of residents in return for easing sanctions.
in the Palestinian enclave, Sisi said. The 9. US Senate confirms Gina Haspel as new CIA
Rafah crossing is Gaza’s only gateway to the director
outside world not controlled by Israel, but  The US Senate has confirmed Gina Haspel as
Egypt has largely sealed it in recent years, the first female CIA director, despite deep
citing security threats. reservations among some lawmakers that
 The last extended opening lasted three her past involvement in the torture of terror
weeks in 2013, while usually Palestinians are suspects was a red flag.
able to cross for a few dozen days a year.  President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the
Previous openings of Rafah have been cut Central Intelligence Agency passed on a vote
short by violence in the Sinai peninsula or of 54-45, with half a dozen opposition
with authorities giving other reasons. Democrats bucking their party and
7. Plane with 104 on board crashes in Cuba supporting the controversial Haspel’s
 A Boeing 737 plane crashed on May 18, 2018 nomination.
shortly after taking off from Havana`s main  Two Republicans voted against her, while
airport, carrying 104 passengers plus crew Republican Senator John McCain, who was
on a domestic flight. tortured during years spent as a prisoner of
 Wreckage was strewn over the area and war in Vietnam, also opposed her
ambulances and firefighters were at the nomination but is in Arizona battling brain
scene, said a witness. The fire had been put cancer and could not vote.
out and blackened parts of the fuselage  The 61-year-old Haspel, a Russia specialist
could be seen. who spent her career in the clandestine
 The plane crashed in an agricultural area in service, takes over from Mike Pompeo,
Boyeros, some 20 kilometres south of whom Trump recently made his secretary of
Havana. The flight was destined for Holguin state.
and operated by national airline Cubana.  Haspel is widely respected as a disciplined,
 The last fatal crash in Cuba was that of a non-political field agent. She rose to manage
military flight that killed all eight personnel the global clandestine network before
becoming the CIA’s deputy director one year
ago.
10. Israel builds ‘missile net’
 Israel has built a unique "missile net" to
defend a new airport, as part of a newly-
completed segment of its eastern border
barrier.
 The 34-kilometre fence runs along Israel’s
border with Jordan, beginning near the
Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat and reaching
the site of a new airport being constructed in
the Timna Valley.
 The fence, 6 metres high, is part of a broader
strategy by Israel to surround itself by
barriers, including at its southwestern
border with Egypt, to prevent militants and
migrants crossing the border illegally.
May 21, 2018
Pakistan in South Asia to Mauritania in North
Africa.
3. Finance adviser to Balochistan CM resigns
 Adviser to Balochistan Chief Minster on
1. Pakistan goes to WB today to protect water Finance Dr Ruqqaya Saeed Hashmi has
rights resigned from office and said nothing is
 Pakistan will raise its concerns over the more important than respect and honour, on
inauguration of the Kishanganga May 20, 2018.
hydropower plant with the World Bank on  While she confirmed that she had sent her
May 21, 2018, arguing that the dam violates resignation to the chief minister, she did not
the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. mention the reason. She stated she was
 A high-level Pakistani delegation arrived in tendering her resignation due to personal
Washington on May 20, 2018 for the three reason. However, the chief minister has not
day talks, which would cover four key points: yet accepted it so far.
the height of the Kishanganga dam, its 4. Indian court jails former diplomat for
capacity to hold water, Pakistan`s demand passing on secrets to Pakistan
for setting up a court of arbitration to settle  An Indian diplomat convicted on charges of
the dispute, and India`s counter-demand for passing state secrets to Pakistan`s
an international expert. intelligence services has been jailed for three
 On May 19, 2018, India`s Prime Minister years, on May 20, 2018.
Narendra Modi inaugurated the dam,  Madhuri Gupta was found guilty in a New
ignoring Pakistan`s objections and the World Delhi court on May 19, 2018 of `spying and
Bank`s efforts to find a solution acceptable wrongful communication of information`
to both India and Pakistan. while posted to the Indian embassy in
2. Omani elected head of WHO’s Islamabad.
Mediterranean region  Gupta, 61, was arrested in 2010 for allegedly
 During special session of the World Health passing information to the Inter Services
Organisation (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Intelligence (ISI).
Region (EMRO), Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari of  As a second secretary, Gupta was among the
Oman was elected as regional director for lowest ranked officials at the highly sensitive
the region for a period of five years. embassy in the Pakistani capital.
 The seat became vacant after the sudden
death of the former regional head Dr 5. Cheif of Army Staff (COAS) visits UAE
Mahmoud Fikri of UAE.  Cheif of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar
 According to an official statement from the Javed Bajwa Sunday visited United Arab
Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) Emirates (UAE).
on May 20, 2018, NHS Minister Saira Afzal  During the day long visit, the COAS met with
Tarar chaired a special session to elect the Crown Prince Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed
head of WHO EMRO, which includes 22 bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Abu Dhabi.
countries, in Geneva.  Matters of mutual interest including regional
 The election was contested by seven security and bilateral defence cooperation
countries from the EMRO including Oman, came under discussion during the meeting.
Libya, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq. 6. US, China agree to abandon trade war
Each candidate made a presentation on how  US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin
they propose to take the organisation’s confirmed May 20, 2018 that Washington
agenda forward to improve health of the and Beijing have agreed to back off from
people of the region that stretches from imposing tariffs on each other, a day after
reaching an accord on slashing the American 32nd Masters title and ensure a return to the
trade deficit with China. world number one spot.
 "We have made very meaningful progress  Elina Svitolina underlined her status as a top
and we agreed on a framework," Mnuchin favourite for the French Open by sweeping
told. "So right now we have agreed to put Simona Halep aside 6-0, 6-4 to successfully
the tariffs on hold while we try to execute defend her Italian Open crown on May 20,
the framework." 2018.
 China's Vice Premier Liu He, who led a high-  In a repeat of last year's final at the Foro
level delegation to the United States this Italico, Ukrainian Svitolina, seeded fourth,
week, meantime confirmed that "the two was up against Halep a day after the
sides reached a consensus, will not fight a Romanian top seed had ousted Russian
trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on Maria Sharapova.
each other," official Chinese news agency 9. Middle East historian Bernard Lewis dies at
Xinhua reported. 101
 The apparent detente between the two  Lewis, a pre-eminent scholar of Middle
economic giants follows months of Eastern history whose work (The Arabs in
increasing tensions that have set markets on History, The Middle East and the West, The
edge over fears of a damaging trade war. The Emergence of Modern Turkey) profoundly
US-Chinese thaw raised concerns in some shaped Western views of the region
other countries still facing potential US including fears of a `clash of civilisations` but
tariffs, however, with France saying it could also brought scorn from critics who
come "at the expense of Europe." considered his views elitist and favouring
7. China’s FAST telescope to get new receiver Western intervention, died on May 20, 2018
 China’s Five-hundred-meter Aperture in Voorhees, New Jersey. He was 101.
Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), the  Dr Lewis` prolific scholarship including more
world’s largest single-dish radio telescope, than 30 books, hundreds of articles and
will have with a new receiver installed to competence in at least a dozen languages -
boost its efficiency in surveying the sky. traced fault lines that define the modern
 The 19-beam L-band receiver, first of its kind Middle East, such as sectarian divisions, the
worldwide, is expected to be put into use in rise of radical Islamists and entrenched
early June and it will increase FAST’s survey dictatorships, some backed by the West.
speed by five to six times, according to  Along the way, Lewis often gained a
Science and Technology Daily. privileged vantage point for events in the
 The receiver was jointly developed by region during a life that spanned the era of
scientists from China and Australia. It weighs T.E.
1.2 tonnes and cost over 20 million yuan 10. Nepali photojournalist scales world’s
(about 3.14 million US dollars). highest peak for first time
8. Rafael Nadal won the Rome Masters, Elina  Nepali photojournalist Purnima Shrestha has
Svitolina defend her Italian Open crown scaled the world’s highest peak Mount
 Rafael Nadal won the Rome Masters for the Qomolangma, becoming the first
eighth time on May 20, 2018 when he photojournalist from Nepal to stand atop,
defeated defending champion Alexander authorities confirmed.
Zverev 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 after a stunning  This is the first ascent of 27-year-old
comeback. Shrestha to the 8,848-meter high
 German second seed Zverev was 3-1 up in Qomolangma, known as Sagarmatha in
the decider before two rain stoppages Nepali language. “Purnima Shrestha reached
halted his momentum. Top seed Nadal raced summit on May 19, 2018 morning at 8:10
away with the last five games to secure a a.m. local time,.
 Shrestha, who hails from Gorkha district of warfare, has recently attracted the attention
Nepal, had left for the summit bid on May of many developed and developing
15, 2018 from the base camp. According to countries.
Sherpa, it usually takes four to five days for  `Reports of government websites being
the climbing team to reach the top from the hacked and sensitive data being stolen by
base camp via four different high camps. foreign groups is not new anymore,` the
Shrestha, who has been doing photo document says, adding that affective cyber
journalism for last five years, is affiliated attacks can cripple an entire nation`s
with Karobar national daily along with Food infrastructure and can damage the
and Wine magazine. economy.
May 22, 2018

 Cyber security has been recognised as a
global problem, transcending national
boundaries. It is estimated, according to a
working paper of this project, that
1. Rs108.2bn A JK budget unveiled amid cybercrime costs the global economy $400
opposition`s sloganeering billion annually.
 Azad Jammu and Kashmir`s (AJK) record  `Cyber security is a rapidly growing challenge
Rs108.2 billion budget for the 2018-2019 with new sophisticated zero-day attacks
fiscal year was unveiled by Finance Minister costing economies billions per year.
Dr Najeeb Nagi before the Legislative 3. Pakistan, World Bank resume talks to settle
Assembly on May 21, 2018, amid unceasing water dispute with India
ruckus by the opposition.  Pakistan engaged the World Bank on May
 The budget proposed a staggering Rs82.7bn 21, 2018 for arbitration in settling its water
(76.43pc) for recurring expenditures, more dispute with India, which opened a run-of-
than 80pc of which would go into salaries the-river hydroelectric scheme earlier this
and pensions, and Rs25.5bn (23.57pc) for week for harnessing the flow of the Neelum
developmental activities, an amount which River.
was 10pc higher than the current year.  The World Bank and the four-member
 The minister announced that the ratio of the Pakistani delegation, which arrived in
revenue grants which AJK would receive Washington on May 20, 2018 for the talks,
under the NFC framework from 2018-19 had are refusing to disclose the details of the
been increased from 2.27pc to 3.64pc and talks on an issue which can have disastrous
therefore the revenue deficit grants consequences for Pakistan, if not handled
provided by the centre in the past had been aptly.
abolished.  The talks would cover four key points: the
 Under that formula, AJK would receive height of the dam built on the Kishanganga
Rs49bn in 2018-19 as federal grants. River, its capacity to hold water, Pakistan`s
2. Project for country`s first National Centre demand for setting up a court of arbitration
for Cyber Security inaugurated to settle the dispute and India`s counter-
 A project for establishing the first National demand for an international expert.
Centre for Cyber Security was inaugurated  The document that would determine the
on May 21, 2018 by Interior Minister Ahsan outcome of Pakistan`s efforts to protect its
Iqbal. rivers, however, is the Dec 20, 2013, decision
 The centre is being set up at the Air of The Hague Court of Arbitration.
University and will consist of affiliated 4. Moody`s reaffirms Pakistan`s rating, but
laboratories in 10 various universities in the vulnerabilities remain
country. According to documents for the  Moody`s Investors Service continues to
project, cyberspace, a fifth domain for expect solid economic activity, driven by
investments related to the China Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC) while it reaffirmed  The Balochistan Assembly May 21, 2018
Pakistan`s credit profile as B3 stable. approved over Rs 308.33 billion provincial
 Moody`s said that Pakistan`s (B3 stable) budget for the fiscal year 2018-19, including
credit profile is supported by the country`s Rs 88.24 billion for developmental sector
robust growth performance and potential, a and Rs 220.8 billion for non-developmental
large but low-income economy, and an expenditure on May 21, 2018.
improved track record of reforms that  The session was chaired by Speaker Raheela
started under its 2013-16 International Hameed Khan Durrani.
Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.  The approved budget included an amount of
 Moody`s report indicates that the economy Rs71.46 million for provincial vegetation,
is still on track despite political upheavals in Rs4.38 million for stamps, Rs20 billion for
the country which has created uncertainty pensions, Rs1.80 billion for judicial
on the face of the country`s political and management, Rs32.72 million for legal
economic scenario. services and legal matters, Rs15.16 million
 Moody`s said these strengths (economic) for Provincial Ombudsman, Rs29.11 million
have been accompanied by greater for department of prosecution, Rs18.62
transparency and lower levels of inflation billion for police department, Rs 4.45 billion
and inflation volatility. for Police Constabulary, Rs8.91 billion for
5. Pakistan backs China, Russia efforts to save Levies, Rs12.78 million for Civil Defence, Rs8.
Iran N-deal 95 billion for Civil Works (including
 Pakistan supports China, Russia and establishment charge), Rs3.82 billion for
Europe’s efforts to offer a new accord to Iran health services, Rs88.53 billion for higher
to salvage its 2015 nuclear deal, diplomatic education, and Rs 43.87 billion for secondary
sources said. education.
 Pakistan had assured China, Russia and the 7. 1,180MW Bhikki plant starts full power
European countries that it will back their generation
efforts for the nuclear deal.  Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power (Private)
 One official said: “As a policy we are against Limited, Harbin Electric International
the United States decision to walk out of the Company Limited and GE Power have
nuclear deal with Iran. We support any effort announced the completion of combined
to save this agreement. The US disappointed cycle commissioning activities and the start
many countries.” of full-fledged commercial operations at the
 Reports said the Europe, China and Russia Bhikki Power Plant.
were discussing a new accord to offer Iran  The facility is now adding up to 1,180
financial aid to curb its ballistic missile to megawatts (MW) of power to the national
save the 2015 nuclear deal. grid - the equivalent power needed to supply
 Diplomats from these countries will meet in up to 2.4 million Pakistani homes.
Vienna this week under the leadership of  The plant is owned by QATPL, HEI is the
senior European Union diplomat Helga engineering, procurement and construction
Schmid to discuss next steps after the May 8 (EPC) contractor for the project, responsible
decision by US President Donald Trump to for setting up the power plant and all
pull out of a 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, commissioning activities and GE has
reports said. Germany, France, Britain, supplied two advanced HA heavy-duty gas
Russia and China would participate in the turbines, associated equipment and
meeting. The US will stay away from the technical advisory services for the facility.
meeting. 8. US warns Iran of `strongest sanctions in
6. Balohchistan Assembly approves Rs308.33b history`
budget  US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on May
21, 2018 threatened to impose the
`strongest sanctions in history` against Iran if  The South American nation of some seven
it did not accept a sweeping series of US million people follows in the footsteps of the
demands, including effectively giving up its United States, which broke with decades of
nuclear ambitions, curtailing its ballistic international consensus when President
missile programme and ending its Donald Trump declared Jerusalem Israel’s
èxpansionist behavior`. capital in December.

May 23, 2018
Two weeks after the United States pulled out
of an international nuclear deal with Iran,
Pompeo spelled out a hardline approach,
potentially setting Washington and Tehran
on a deeper confrontation course. 1. PATA also to be merged into KP
 Pompeo took aim at Iran`s policy of  The government has decided to also merge
expanding its influence in the Middle East Provincially Administered Tribal Areas
through support for proxy armed groups in (PATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along with
countries such as Syria and Yemen. FATA.
 Iran is unlikely to accede to the US demands.  The bill in this regard will likely to be tabled
9. First woman CIA director sworn in before the Parliament for legislation on May
 Veteran CIA officer Gina Haspel was sworn in 24, 2018.
as the agency’s first female director  Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on
Monday, hailing the “heroines” who had May 22, 2018 held a meeting with heads of
gone before her and expressing hope she Parliamentary parties in his chamber and
and her team would be “role models.” issues relating to FATA and PATA merger in
 The 61-year-old Haspel, a Russia specialist Khyber Pakhtunkhwa came under
who spent her career in the Central discussion.
Intelligence Agency’s clandestine service,  It was further decided in the meeting that
takes over from Mike Pompeo, whom Trump Federal Crimes Regulation (FCR) would not
recently made his secretary of state. be revoked at once and the government
 Haspel was confirmed by the Senate last would remove some of its draconian clauses
week in a 54-45 vote, despite the deep to make it acceptable till the time the
reservations of some lawmakers about her administrative and judicial infrastructure
past involvement in the torture of terror would be set up in these areas.
suspects in the post-9/11 era.  The timeline for the merger would be one
10. Paraguay president opens embassy in year but the exercise would most likely to be
Jerusalem completed much earlier. After the merger of
 Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes both FATA and PATA the people of these
inaugurated his country’s Israel embassy in areas would be given representation in
Jerusalem on May 22, 2018, making it the provincial legislature.
third nation to take the deeply controversial  According to the proposed 30th
step after the United States and Guatemala. constitutional amendment bill, these areas
 Cartes and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin would be getting 23 provincial assembly
Netanyahu spoke at the inauguration of the seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.
new embassy in a high-tech industrial park in 2. Sindh passes Rs271b budget for 3 months
southwest Jerusalem. The Paraguayan  The Sindh Assembly on May 22, 2018 passed
leader called it a “historic event”. the provincial budget for the year 2018-19
 Paraguay already supplies some 40 percent with an authentication of Rs 271.633 billion
of beef consumed in Israel, while Cartes has for the first three months.
Israeli bodyguards.  The chief minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah
had earlier presented a budget of Rs 1.14
trillion in the provincial assembly on May 10 Jhelum and Chenab and three eastern rivers
but announced that after consultations with the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi. The controversial
the party they had decided to give Kishanganga dam is built on the Neelum
authentication for the expenditure of only river, which is a tributary of the Jhelum river.
first three months.  The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty gives Pakistan
 On May 22, 2018, the assembly passed 153 exclusive use of the western rivers, the
demands for the grants of budget for the Jhelum, Chenab and Indus, while the eastern
year 2018-19 for three months amounting to rivers Ravi, Beas and Sutlej go to India.
over Rs 271.633 billion. 5. SC disqualifies PML-N lawmaker for life
 The chief minister also had the portfolio of  The Supreme Court on May 22, 2018
the finance minister. disqualified a Pakistan Muslim League-
3. Veteran advertising professional passes Nawaz member of the Punjab Assembly for
away life under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution.
 A veteran in the field of advertising, Shoaib  Raja Shaukat Aziz Bhatti was disqualified for
Mir, passed away on May 21, 2018 night. He giving a false affidavit with his nomination
was 71. papers for contesting the general elections
 Mr Mir was suffering from stomach cancer in 2008.
for long and under treatment at Shaukat  Raja Bhatti contested the elections from PP-
Khanum Memorial Hospital. 4 Rawalpindi-IV in May 2013 and was
 Shoaib Mir was a visiting faculty at declared the returned candidate.
Beaconhouse National University (BNU), a 6. ECNEC approves Rs506.8b updated cost for
communications consultant and creative NJHP
writer. He has to his credit creation of  The Executive Committee of the National
several iconic advertising campaigns in the Economic Council (ECNEC) on May 22, 2018
five decades that he worked with all the has approved updated cost of Rs506.81
major advertising firms of the country. billion for the Neelum Jhelum Hydroelectric
 He graduated from the University of Punjab Project (NJHP).
and started his advertising career from  The Ecnec, chaired by Prime Minister Shahid
Prestige Communications, Karachi as a Khaqan Abbasi, has approved projects
copywriter in March 1969. He later went on costing Rs775 billion.
to work with Scan Communications, Blazon,  The meeting has approved 4th Revised PC-1
Manhattan Leo Burnett, Orient McCann, of Neelum Jhelum Hydroelectric Project at
Lowe & Rauf, Orient Advertising and Midas. an updated cost of Rs506.808 billion. The
He was teaching at BNU till he passed away. ECNEC in 2002 approved the project at the
4. WB says it`s seeking amicable solution to cost of Rs84.502 billion. The cost of the
Pakistan-India water dispute project scaled up to Rs277.502 billion which
 The World Bank said on May 22, 2018 that it the Ecnec approved in 2012.
was holding talks with a Pakistani delegation  And then the cost of project was revised
to seek an amicable resolution of its water upward by 86 percent to Rs404 billion mainly
dispute with India. because of the inclusion of duties, taxes
 A Pakistani delegation, headed by Attorney which further increased up to Rs500.343
General Ashtar Ausaf Ali, arrived in billion because of the inclusion of IDC
Washington on May 20, 2018, a day after (interests during cost) till completion of the
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi project and the cost of the consultant.
inaugurated a controversial dam in India-  The Central Development Working Party
held Kashmir, which Pakistan fears will (CDWP) has recently approved consultants
reduce its share in the waters of the Indus for third-party validation of the Neelum-
and its tributaries. The Indus system of rivers
comprises three western rivers the Indus,
Jhelum Hydropower Project at a cost of  The New York Stock Exchange for the first
Rs100 million. time in its 226year history will be led by a
7. Palestine asks ICC to open probe into Israel woman.
crimes  Stacey Cunningham, who started her career
 Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad as a floor clerk on the NYSE trading floor, will
al-Malki submitted a referral on May 22, become the 67th president of the Big Board.
2018 to the International Criminal Court  That means that two of the world`s most
(ICC) asking prosecutors to immediately well-known exchanges will be led by women.
open a formal investigation into accusations Adena Friedman became CEO of Nasdag in
of Israeli crimes in the occupied Palestinian early 2017.
territories.  Current NYSE President Thomas Farley, is
 "The State of Palestine took an important leaving to head a special purpose acquisition
and historic step towards justice for the company.
Palestinian people who continue to suffer 10. Tech ‘Nobel’ awarded to Finnish physicist
from ongoing, widespread and systematic for small smart devices
crimes," Malki told press after meeting with  Finnish materials physicist Tuomo Suntola,
ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. who developed a groundbreaking
 He said the referral addressed a myriad of technology to reduce the size of complex
issues including "settlement expansion, land devices, on Tuesday won Finland’s take on
grabs, illegal exploitation of natural the Nobel science prizes.
resources, as well as the brutal and  The 74-year-old was awarded the
calculated targeting of unarmed protesters, Millennium Technology Prize worth one
particularly in the Gaza Strip". million euros ($1.18 million).
8. Scientists discover how breast cancer  “Suntola’s prize-winning ALD (atomic layer
hibernates deposition) innovation is a nanoscale
 Scientists have identified the mechanism technology in use all over the world,” the
that allows breast cancer cells to lie dormant Technology Academy Finland, which awards
in other parts of the body only to reemerge the biennial prize, said in a statement.
years later with lethal force, according to a  His technology is used to manufacture ultra-
study published May 22, 2018. thin material layers for a variety of devices
 In experiments with human cells and live such as computers, smartphones,
mice, researchers showed that disabling the microprocessors and digital memory
mechanism - with drugs or gene devices, enabling high performance in small
manipulation - crippled the cancer cells and size.
May 24, 2018

inhibited their capacity to spread.
 The discovery, reported in the journal
Nature Communications, provides a
promising target for the development of
breast cancer therapies, the study said. 1. First ever SCO meeting held in Pakistan
 Some 90 percent of breast cancer deaths since becoming member
occur with metastasis, when the disease  Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua May 23,
moves to other organs or parts of the body. 2018 said Pakistan was ready to work with
 Scientists have struggled to understand how regional countries under the umbrella of
cancer cells manage to remain hidden - Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to
sometimes for decades. defeat terrorism.
9. For the first time in 226 years, woman to  Inaugurating the three-day meeting of the
lead NYSE Legal Experts Group of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation – Regional Anti-
Terrorist Structure, she said Pakistan was  A heritage museum showcasing the 11th
cognizant of the threats posed by terrorism, century artifacts, weaponry and other
separatism and extremism to the region and objects of artistic, cultural and historical
beyond. importance has been established in Laspur
 This is the first ever SCO meeting being held valley of Chitral district.
in Pakistan since becoming member of the  Aga Khan Rural Support Programme and
SCO in June last year. Legal experts from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sustainable Tourism
eight member states, China, Kazakhstan, Foundation with the financial support of
Kyrgyzstan, India, Russia, Tajikistan, Swiss Agency for Development and
Uzbekistan and Pakistan, as well as Cooperation under its WES project
representatives of the SCO and Regional established the museum to promote
Anti-Terrorist Structure Executive ecotourism in the district, according to a
Committee are participating in the meeting. press release issued here on Wednesday by
They will discuss terrorist threats facing the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
region and ways and means to enhance  The museum is located in Harichan area and
counter-terrorism cooperation among the tourists and visitors from entire Chitral and
SCO member states. Gilgit-Baltistan can easily reach the venue via
 The SCO is an important forum for global and Shandur Pass. A camping site is also under
regional peace and security and promoting construction to accommodate at least 30
mutually beneficial cooperation between tourists while visiting the museum.
member states. 4. Govt hires UAE banks to raise $200m loan
 The SCO, in which China and Russia play an  The Government of Pakistan is raising a $200
influential role, specialises in regional million syndicated loan with three United
security, counter-terrorism and related Arab Emirates (UAE) banks, as Islamabad
issues. The organisation consists of China, clings to external funding to stave off the
Russia, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, pressure on balance of payments.
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.  The loan, with a one-year maturity, is being
2. Spadework for first local iron-ore steel mill arranged by Commercial Bank of Dubai,
complete Emirates NBD, and Noor Bank.
 The planning work, including the financial  Pakistan needs to raise funds to offset a drop
model, for building the country`s first ever in international reserves and to fill a fiscal
local iron-ore steel mill at Chiniot has been deficit which the International Monetary
finalised and the government is ready for Fund estimates at 5.5 per cent of gross
holding a road show for international and domestic product this year.
local investors.  Pakistan`s Finance Minister Miftah Ismail
 `The spadework for the mining, processing confirmed Pakistan was borrowing $200
and (building) a steel mill complex at Chiniot million and said it would help the country`s
has been completed and is ready for debt repayments.
exposure to the world,` said Mines Secretary  Pakistan raised a $2.5bn bond late last year
Dr Arshad Mahmood, who is also the head of through a $1bn sukuk and a $1.5bn
the Punjab Mineral Company, which is conventional bond.
carrying out the project.  The country has been very active in the loan
 The total proposed amount for mining, market recently, as balance of payments
processing and steel production is around pressure mount. It raised a $700m 10-year
$1.2 billion. This includes $150 million for loan late last year with a partial guarantee
mining, $250 million for processing and the from the International Bank for
rest for the steel mill. The proposed investor Reconstruction and Development, a unit of
internal rate of return is around 20 per cent the World Bank.
3. Heritage museum opens in Laspur valley
5. Egypt, Russia sign 50-year industrial zone Jhelum, Chenab and Indus, while the eastern
agreement rivers Ravi, Beas and Sutlej go to India.
 Egypt and Russia signed a 50-year 7. ECP unveils draft polling scheme for
agreement on May 23, 2018 to build a elections
sprawling industrial zone that Egypt hopes  The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)
will attract up to $7 billion in investments. on May 23, 2018 unveiled the draft polling
 The 5.25 million square metre (57 million scheme on its website for General Elections
square foot) industrial zone will be located 2018.
east of Port Said in the new Suez Canal  According to the details, there are 86,436
Economic Zone, a mega project launched by polling stations including 48,667 in Punjab
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. and 18,647 in Sindh. In Fata and K-P, 14,655
 The construction of the first phase of the polling stations will be established and 4,467
Russian industrial zone is expected to cost in Balochistan
around $190m, according to a statement  The polling scheme provides constituency
from Egypt`s trade ministry announcing the wise details of polling stations, number of
signing of the agreement. polling booths there and the number of
6. Water talks failed to produce agreement: voters assigned to each polling station.
World Bank 8. Giuseppe Conte approved for Italian prime
 The World Bank on May 23, 2018 announced minister
that two days of talks with a Pakistani  Italy’s president on May 23, 2018 approved
delegation did not lead to an agreement on little-known lawyer Giuseppe Conte’s
the way forward in Pakistan`s water dispute nomination to be prime minister of a
with India. government formed by far-right and anti-
 A four-member Pakistani delegation arrived establishment parties.
in Washington on May 20, 2018, a day after  Conte’s appointment could herald an end to
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi more than two months of political
inaugurated a controversial dam in India- uncertainty in the eurozone’s third-biggest
held Kashmir, for talks with senior World economy - but the coalition’s eurosceptic
Bank officials. Pakistan fears the dam will and anti-immigrant stance has alarmed
reduce its share in the waters of the Indus senior European officials.
and its tributaries and will also damage the  President Sergio Mattarella met on May 23,
ecosystem of the Neelum and Jhelum rivers. 2018 afternoon with Conte, “to whom he
 The World Bank said that senior bank gave the mandate to form a government,”
officials met the Pakistani team, at their said Ugo Zampetti, General Secretary of the
request, on May 21-22 and discussed issues Italian presidency.
regarding the Indus Waters Treaty and  The talks with the president had been
opportunities within the treaty to seek an delayed amid a furore over claims that Conte
amicable solution to the India-Pakistan had exaggerated his academic experience on
water dispute. his CV.
 The Pakistani agenda for the talks included 9. Polish writer wins Man Booker prize
four key points: the height of the dam built  Poland’s first ever writer to win the Man
on the Kishanganga River, its capacity to hold Booker International Prize on May 22, 2018.
water, Pakistan`s demand for setting up a  Olga Tokarczuk won the prize on May 22,
court of arbitration to settle the dispute and 2018 with the English translation of her
India`s counter demand for an international novel Flights, which charts multiple journeys
expert, instead of the court. in time, space and human anatomy.
 The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty gives Pakistan  The 56-year-old author is among Poland’s
exclusive use of the western rivers, the top writers. Her liberal views and
perspectives on Polish history especially on article 247 which place the tribal areas under
the Holocaust, including her criticism of the command and control of the president.
Polish antisemitism have clashed with those 2. US envoys treated badly in Pakistan,
of the ruling conservative party. She has Pompeo tells Congress
received death threats in the past.  US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has
10. American literary giant Philip Roth passes informed the Congress that American
away officials are treated badly in Pakistan, adding
 Prolific novelist Philip Roth, a dominant force that Washington released `far fewer funds`
in American literature throughout the latter to Pakistan in 2018 and may give even less
half of the 20th century, has died at the age next year.
of 85.  The decision to raise the issue of
 Roth won the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for fiction mistreatment of US officials in Pakistan
for his acclaimed novel American Pastoral. A during a public hearing at the House Foreign
prolific essayist and critic, Roth was best Affairs Committee indicates that
known for mining the Jewish-American Islamabad`s once close relationship with
experience in his work. He first achieved f Washington has almost ended and Pakistan
ame for his 1969 novel Portnoy`s Complaint, is now treated as an adversary.
about a horny teenager named Alexander 3. Pakistan`s envoy meets Aafia at Texas
Portnoy. prison
 His titanic stature on the post-World War II  Pakistan Consul General in Houston Aisha
literary scene came from the universality of Farooqui has rejected rumours about Dr
his message in his own words: Ì don`t write Aafia Siddiqui`s death as baseless and false,
Jewish, I write American. adding that she met Siddiqui on May 23,
May 25, 2018

2018 at a US federal facility.
 The two-hour meeting took place at the
Federal Medical Centre, Carswell, which is a
US federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas, for
1. NA passes historic KP-Fata merger bill female inmates of all security levels with
 31st constitutional amendment gets 229-1 special medical and mental health needs.
votes  Recent rumours regarding Dr Aafia Siddiqui
 JUI-F, PkMAP members tear copies, leave are completely baseless and false and are
House in protest refuted. The Consul General met Dr Aafia in
 Fata will have one minorities, four women her prison cell inside the FMC Carswell
and 16 general seats in KP Assembly complex. This was the Consul General`s
 In a landmark development the National fourth consular visit to Dr Aafia Siddiqui in
Assembly on Thursday passed a the last 14 months.
constitutional amendment, paving the way  On Sept 23, 2010, a court in New York
for the merger of the Federally Administered sentenced Dr Siddiqui, a neuroscientist, to
Tribal Areas (Fata) with the Khyber 86 years in prison.
Pakhtunkhwa province. 4. Trump cancels summit with Kim, warns N.
 The 14th National Assembly in its last days Korea against `foolish acts`
managed to get the “Constitutional (31st  US President Donald Trump on Thursday
amendment) Bill, 2018” passed with 229 called off his planned June summit with Kim
votes in favour and only a single vote Jong Un, blaming `tremendous anger` and
against. `hostility` from the North Korean regime and
 The new legislation also envisages warning Pyongyang against committing any
amendment in article 246 and repeal of `foolish or reckless acts.
 In a letter to Kim, Trump announced he
would not go ahead with the high-stakes
meeting set for June 12 in Singapore, and 7. Venezuela’s Maduro sworn in for second
would instead pursue Washington`s six-year term
`maximum pressure campaign` through  Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro was sworn in
sanctions on Kim`s regime. May 24, 2018 for a second term as president
 Just before Trump announced the of the crisis-wracked Latin American
cancellation of the talks, North Korea country, just days after winning an election
declared it had `completely` dismantled its boycotted by the opposition and decried
nuclear test site, in a carefully abroad.
choreographed move portrayed by the  Maduro swore “to respect and enforce the
isolated regime as a goodwill gesture ahead Constitution and lead all revolutionary
of the summit. changes” in a ceremony before the
5. Spy agency MI6 launches first-ever TV Constituent Assembly, which he set up
advert himself last year and stacked with his
 Britain`s MI6 launched its first TV advertising supporters.
campaign on May 24, 2018 as part of a bid to  The 55-year-old former bus driver was re-
cast off its macho James Bond image and elected in a vote boycotted by the main
recruit a more diverse workforce to the opposition and widely condemned by the
secret service. international community, including the
 The brief commercial features a shark gliding United States, which denounced it as a
through the waters of an aquarium in a shot “sham.”
deliberately intended to evoke the spy 8. Lebanon’s Saad Hariri gets new term as PM
thriller genre.  Lebanese lawmakers designated Prime
 `We are intelligence officers but we don`t do Minister Saad Hariri for a third term in office
what you think. It is not keeping your cool in May 24, 2018, less than three weeks after
the shark tank, it is picking up the silent cues elections that saw his movement lose
that matter,` a voiceover intones. ground in parliament.
6. China gives Pakistan $1.6b credit line  “The head of state summoned prime
 China has given Pakistan a credit line worth minister Saad Hariri and tasked him with
$1.6 billion to stave off a balance of forming a government,” said a statement by
payments crisis, two State Bank of Pakistan the office of President Michel Aoun.
sources said on May 24, 2018, with cash  The presidency made the announcement
earmarked for boosting fast-depleting after Hariri, 48, was endorsed by a vast
foreign currency reserves. majority of members of parliament after
 The credit facility that accompanies a only a few hours of consultations. Hariri said
currency swap agreement between SBP and in a statement that he would seek to form a
China’s central bank has been hiked to 20b new government as quickly as possible in
yuan ($3.13b) from 10b yuan. order to implement some of the reforms
 This arrangement has been finalized. pledged earlier this year to secure key
Meanwhile, The People's Bank of China, the foreign aid.
country's central bank, said May 24, 2018 it  Hariri has been prime minister since
had extended a currency swap agreement December 2016 and served his first term
with the State Bank of Pakistan. The swap is from 2009 to 2011. His father, who was
sized at 20 billion yuan (3.1b US dollars) or assassinated in 2005, also served two terms
351 billion Pakistani rupees, according to a between 1992 and 2004.
statement from the bank. 9. UN chief calls for 'total elimination' of
 The two parties believe the extension will nuclear weapons
facilitate bilateral trade and investment to  The UN chief said May 24, 2018 the "total
help economic development in the two elimination" of nuclear weapons remained a
countries.
UN priority, warning against a burgeoning issued a directive for parliament to expedite
new arms race. the passage of the Fata merger bill.
 In a speech to students at Geneva University, 2. MoU signed for capacity building of
Antonio Guterres presented a new lawmakers
disarmament agenda to face challenges  Parliament`s Sustainable Development
emerging in a world where "Cold War Goals Secretariat and the Sustainable
tensions have returned." Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on May
 "Today, the total elimination of nuclear 25, 2018 signed a memorandum of
weapons remains our priority," he said, understanding (MoU) for training and
cautioning that long-championed global capacity building of lawmakers.
"efforts to achieve this goal are in state of  National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and
severe crisis." SDPI Executive Director Abid Sulehri signed
 At the same time, around 15,000 nuclear the MoU.
weapons remained in stockpiles around the  The speaker said parliament would continue
world, Guterres said. playing its role in the capacity building of
10. Malala elected Oxford college social lawmakers and staff.
secretary 3. Pakistan to buy 30 gunship helicopters from
 Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai is Turkey
to help plan parties at her Oxford college,  Ankara and Islamabad have signed a deal for
after being elected as a social secretary by the sale of 30 Turkish attack helicopters,
her fellow students. The 20-year-old is according to an election manifesto the ruling
currently finishing the first year of a degree Justice and Development (AK) Party
at Lady Margaret Hall. announced.
 She was chosen to join the Junior Common  In a November 2017 interview with the
Room (JCR) Executive Committee in Anadolu Agency, Pakistani Minister for
elections at the college last week Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain
 Each Oxford College has a JCR committee to said his country planned to procure 30 attack
organise events and campaigns. Ms helicopters and four naval ships from
Yousafzai, who is studying politics, Turkey.
philosophy, and economics, will share the  Pakistan was interested in the T129 ATAK
social secretary role with Tiger Akawin for helicopter, developed by the Turkish
the upcoming academic year. Aerospace Industries and the Italy-based
May 26, 2018

Agusta Westland.
 The gunship helicopter was added to the
inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces in
2014. On March 23, T129 ATAK helicopters
1. Fata merger bill sails through Senate from Turkey participated in a fly-past
 The Fata merger bill sailed through the ceremony in the Pakistani capital,
Senate on May 25, 2018 amid strong Islamabad.
opposition from the Pakhtunkhwa Milli 4. Govt gives Torghar forests back to local
Awami Party (PkMAP) and Jamiat Ulema-i- tribes
Islam (JUI-F).  The provincial government has given the
 The bill moved by Law Minister Mahmood ownership rights of Torghar district`s forests
Bashir Virk after suspension of rules was back to the local tribes.
passed with a majority of 71 against five  All forests in Torghar district are yet again
votes. the property of the local people.
 The PkMAP senator claimed that the  In 2011, the government had changed the
National Security Committee (NSC) had status of Torghar from a tribal area to a
settled district before taking the control of historic summit which was attended by the
all forests by declaring them own property. then Indian prime minister, Atal Bihari
 A committee formed by the chief minister Vajpayee, in Lahore was signed on Feb 22,
had recommended the return of the forests 1999 but some f acts show that then prime
to the people of Torghar and that the minister Nawaz Sharif was already aware of
provincial cabinet had approved it for the Kargil incident.
implementation. 7. Gen Durrani summoned to GHQ over book
5. Pakistan, China agree on terms of FTA controversy
Phase II  The military high command has summoned
 Pakistan and China have agreed on the terms former ISI chief Lt-Gen (r) Asad Durrani to
of Phase II of the China Pakistan Free Trade General Headquarters on Monday to explain
Agreement, it has been learnt reliably. his position on the controversial book he has
 According to official documents, the agreed co-authored with RAW ex-chief.
liberalisation level of 90 percent, tariff lines  In a tweet yester night, ISPR chief Maj Gen
and trade value have been slashed to 75 Asif Ghafoor said Durrani will be questioned
percent of tariff lines for both countries and on views attributed to him in book ‘Spy
some new terms have also been added to Chronicles’, which apparently was a violation
the agreement. of the military code of conduct.
 The CPFTA was signed in November 2006  This development came after the senators
and became operational in July 2007. The on May 25, 2018 took an exception to the
agreement has to be implemented in two book while the former prime minister Nawaz
stages. It was agreed that by the end of the Sharif also called for convening a National
phase 2, the two sides would liberalise 90 Security Council (NSC) meeting and
percent of tariff lines and the trade value. formation of a commission over the
 The remaining 10 percent were left for the revelations made in the book.
protection of local industry and agricultural  Speaking outside the accountability court,
produce. Nawaz made this demand while apparently
 Phase 1 was completed in 2012 and the drawing a parallel between his own recent
negotiation for the Phase 2, lingered on for statement on the Mumbai attack case and
almost six years as Pakistan was requesting sensitive nature of the content in the book:
unilateral market access to Chinese market ‘The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion
but Beijing was refusing it arguing there was of Peace’, penned by Durrani and RAW ex-
no such provision in the agreement. chief A S Dulat which was released on
6. From Kargil to the Coup Book launched Wednesday.
 Opinion regarding whether Nawaz Sharif 8. Ireland votes in historic abortion
was aware of the Kargil episode was split referendum
during the launch of a book on the conflict  People in Ireland on May 25, 2018 voted in a
on May 25, 2018. landmark referendum on whether the
 From Kargil to the Coup by journalist Nasim traditionally Catholic country should
Zehra was launched at the Islamabad Club liberalise some of the strictest abortion laws
with a large number of diplomats, in Europe.
politicians, retired army officials and  A bitter campaign has dominated public
bureaucrats participating in the event, which debate in Ireland over recent months as
was moderated by columnist Mosharraf nearly 3.5 million voters are asked whether
Zaidi. they want to overturn a constitutional ban
 Retired Maj Gen Ejaz Awan said the Lahore on abortion.
Declaration a bilateral agreement between  The pro-choice campaign had an early lead
India and Pakistan af ter the conclusion of a in opinion polls but lost some of its
advantage in recent weeks and experts have
predicted the result could be exceptionally ownership should be given to those inherent
close, with many voters still undecided. lands at Gwadar from old generations.
May 27, 2018

9. Australia builds world’s longest cat-proof
fence to save wildlife
 A conservation agency has constructed what
is believed to be the world’s longest cat-
proof fence in central Australia to save 1. Next election to be held on July 25
native wildlife and vegetation ravaged by the  President Mamnoon Hussain on May 27,
feline predators. 2018 set July 25 as the date for general
 Australia has the highest extinction rate in elections in the country.
the world, while declining populations are  The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)
affected by habitat loss as well as introduced had sent a summary to the president on May
creatures such as cats, foxes and rabbits 21, proposing holding of 2018 general
going feral and killing native species across elections on any date between July 25 and
the vast continent. 27. The president had signed the summary
 The Australian Wildlife Conservancy this approving July 25 as the polling date.
month finished building and electrifying the  Under Section 57 (1) of the Elections Act,
44-kilometre (27-mile) long fence to create a 2017, the president announces the date for
predator-free area of almost 9,400 hectares elections in consultation with the ECP and
(23,200 acres) some 350 kilometres the commission is required to announce the
northwest of Alice Springs. “Australia does schedule for polls within seven days of the
not have an effective strategy for controlling announcement of election date.
cats,” AWC chief Attius Fleming told AFP.  The ECP said a tentative schedule for polls
 The project will be extended in 2020 to cover was ready and was most likely to be
a larger area of around 100,000 hectares, announced on Monday after formal
Fleming added. approval by the commission.
10. Federal cabinet approves economic zone in  According to the tentative schedule
Gwadar obtained by Dawn, returning officers will
 The cabinet under Chairmanship of Prime invite nominations papers through public
Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has notice and June 4is to be set as the last date
approved establishment of federal Special for filing of nomination papers.
Economic Zone (SEZ) at Gwadar and directed 2. Fata’s Manzoor Afridi chosen as KP caretaker
the authorities concerned to identify land for CM
procurement in the range of 10,000 to  Khyber Pakhtun-khwa Chief Minister Pervaiz
50,000 acres, The News has learnt. Khattak and Opposition Leader in the KP
 The federal government has decided in Assembly Lutfur Rehman have agreed to
principle to get maximum land out of total nominate Manzoor Afridi as caretaker chief
earmarked 100,000 acres for the purpose of minister of the province.
establishment of SEZ at port city of Gwadar.  The decision was taken after consultations
The land has become a hot potato keeping in between Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak and
view development plan for Gwadar under Opposition Leader Lutfur Rahman on May
the context of China Pakistan Economic 26, 2018.
Corridor (CPEC).  The 42-year-old Manzoor Afridi belongs to
 The Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) Tehsil Bara of Khyber Agency. He is brother
has been assigned to identify land of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) newly-
availability in the area and then efforts will elected Senator Ayub Afridi and also the first
be made to acquire maximum land for cousin of Javed Afridi, chairman of cricket
federal SEZ. The government is working on team Peshawar Zalmi.
different models that the sense of
 His grandfather Haji Aka Khail Shah Afridi geographical boundaries of a province
served in Pakistan Army while his another without approval by the assembly of that
cousin Mirza Mohammad Afridi is also a province.
senator from FATA. 4. Brain behind 'Imran Series' passes away
 He would be the first chief minister from  Renowned Urdu spy-fiction novelist Mazhar
FATA after merger of tribal areas into Khyber Kaleem MA was laid to rest here at a local
Pakhtunkhwa. cemetery on May 26, 2018. He passed away
3. KP Assembly may validate Fata bill today after a prolonged illness, family sources
 All political parties are hopeful that the confirmed.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly during  He was born in Multan in 1942 and held a
its extraordinary session on May 27, 2018 a Masters degree in Urdu literature besides an
day before its dissolution on the completion LLB.
of its five-year term will manage to validate  Mazhar Kaleem rose to popularity across the
the bill already passed by the two houses of country due to his Urdu spy-fiction novel
parliament seeking merger of Fata with the popularly known as 'Imran Series'.
province with the required two-thirds  Although, the Imran Series was originally a
majority. creation of Ibn-e-Safi, another well known
 However, according to some legal and Urdu fiction writer, Mazhar Kaleem took this
constitutional experts, the failure of the genre to new heights and wrote over 600
provincial legislators to do so can bring the novels. He introduced many new characters
legislation under legal scrutiny and it can in the series which attracted Urdu readers
even be challenged before a court of law from across the world.
since the Constitution issilent on the period  Family sources claimed that the number of
required for the president to wait for the books written by Mazhar Kaleem was
nod from the provincial assembly prior to beyond 5,000. Imran series is comprised of
giving his assent. one of the Urdu's best selling spy novels, the
 The provincial government had reportedly series basically revolved around Ali Imran, a
sent a summary to the governor on May 25, comical secret agent who controls the Secret
2018 soon after the passage of the Service. The first book of the series,
constitution amendment bill from the Khaufnaak Imarat, was published in October
Senate for summoning a session of the 1955.
assembly at 2pm on May 27, 2018. The 5. WB allocates $728m for climate-resilient
session has been convened only to give its development
approval to the historic bill that would erase  The World Bank is committing $728 million
the colonial-era division between tribal through four projects to put Pakistan on the
areas and the province. path of climate resilient development which
 After the provincial assembly`s approval the would benefit millions of its citizens.
landmark bill will bring the tribal  These projects will protect the environment
borderlands, comprising seven agencies and and improve the quality of life in cities while
six Frontier Regions, to the mainstream and being engines of growth and promoting
they will be merged with Khyber sustainable water management through
Pakhtunkhwa. Tribal people will get efficient irrigation, robust weather
representation in the KP Assembly through forecasting and improved disaster
the amendment. preparedness. International Development
 Tabling the Constitution (Amendment) Bill in Association, concessional financing arm of
the KP Assembly is a constitutional the World Bank, is funding all four projects.
requirement. As per Article 239(4) of the  “The projects offer wide ranging support to
Constitution, the president cannot assent a address climate vulnerability and variability
constitutional amendment bill which affects by strengthening institutions and systems
and investing in priority infrastructure in developing countries. Taiwan can now claim
rural and urban areas,” said Illango only one ally in Africa, Swaziland.
Patchamuthu, World Bank Country Director 7. Malaysia renegotiating terms of Òne Belt,
for Pakistan. “Millions of Pakistanis will One Road` rail project
benefit from improved irrigation, weather  Malaysia is haggling over the terms of a $14
services, and resilience to natural disasters. billion rail deal with its Chinese partners and
At the same time, Punjab’s cities will benefit can reduce its ballooning national debts by
from investments to improve infrastructure $50bn by doing away with mega projects, its
and local services while protecting its prime minister said in an interview published
environment.” on May 26, 2018.
 The $188 million Hydro met and Disaster  Mahathir Mohamad, the 92-year-old who
Risk Management Services Project will help triumphed over scandal-plagued Najib Razak
Pakistan deliver more reliable and timely in elections earlier this month, has made it a
weather forecasting and disaster risk priority to cut the national debt and pledged
management services. Total cost of the to review major projects agreed by the
project is around $210 million in which previous government.
World Bank would finance $188 million.  Work on the 55bn ringgit ($13.82bn) East
Pakistan suffered $18 billion losses between Coast Rail Link the largest such project in the
2005 and 2014 (US$10.5 billion from the country and a major part of Beijing`s One
2010 floods alone) due to the adverse Belt, One Road (OBOR) infrastructure push
impact of climate change. The project, which started last year.
would be completed in five years, will help  The project was planned to stretch 688
increase preparation for and resilience to kilometres (430 miles) connecting the South
natural disasters and climate change, as well China Sea at the Thai border in the east with
as improve water management for the strategic shipping routes of the Straits of
agriculture. It would strengthen Pakistan’s Malacca in the west.
public sector delivery of reliable and timely 8. Leaders meet to salvage Trump-Kim summit
hydro-meteorological and disaster risk  North and South Korea’s leaders held
management services. surprise talks on May 26, 2018 to get a
6. China, Burkina Faso establish ties following historic summit between Kim Jong Un and
Taiwan snub US President Donald Trump back on track
 China and Burkina Faso signed an agreement after a head-spinning series of twists and
to establish diplomatic relations on turns.
Saturday, days after the west African nation  The meeting is the latest remarkable
cut ties with Taiwan in yet another victory diplomatic chapter in a roller coaster of
for Beijing in its campaign to isolate the developments on the Korean peninsula.
island. A communique on establishing  Trump had rattled the region on Thursday by
relations was signed in Beijing by Chinese cancelling his meeting with Kim which had
Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his been due to take place in Singapore on June
counterpart Alpha Barry. 12 citing “open hostility” from Pyongyang.
 Burkina Faso broke off ties with Taiwan on But within 24 hours he reversed course
May 24, 2018, becoming the second country saying it could still go ahead after productive
to do so within a month and leaving the talks were held with North Korean officials.
democratically ruled island with only 18  South Korean President Moon Jae-in met
diplomatic allies around the world. with Kim Saturday in an effort to ensure the
 The move had been widely expected after landmark meeting between Trump and the
Burkina Faso defected from Taiwan, which North Korean leader goes ahead.
has steadily lost ground in a decades-long 9. Ireland overturns abortion ban in landslide
diplomatic tug-ofwar with China in vote
 Ireland voted by a landslide to ditch its strict Parliamentary Affairs Imtiaz Shahid Qureshi
abortion laws in a landmark referendum in the provincial assembly which met with
hailed by Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Speaker Asad Qaiser in the chair.
May 26, 2018 as a “quiet revolution”,  A day before the completion of its five years
triggering scenes of jubilation in Dublin. term on May 28 today, the KP Assembly was
 Final results showed more than 66 percent called to meet on May 27, 2018 to approve
of voters in what has been a traditionally the historic 31st Constitutional Amendment
staunchly Catholic country backed repealing Bill 2018.
the constitutional ban on terminations.  The bill was approved with more than two-
Hugging, celebrating, singing and cheering thirds majority as 92 members in the House
wildly, thousands crammed into the of 124 voted in favour of the bill, which
courtyard of Dublin Castle, where the official required 83 votes to secure a two-thirds
result was declared. majority, while only seven MPAs from the
10. Japanese team arrives to summit K2 JUI-F, which has been opposing Fata-KP
 Japanese climber Akira Oyabe and his merger from day-one, voted against the bill.
expedition have arrived in Pakistan after Political parties that favoured the bill
spending the last two years planning and included the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI),
preparing to summit K2, the second highest the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the Jamat-
peak in the world. e-Islami, the Awami National Party (ANP),
 Mr Oyabe has faced the 8,611 metre peak the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) and the
twice before. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
 He was forced to turn back at 7,900m due to 2. Population put at 207.7 million
strong winds in 2009, and was unable to  Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has finalised the
summit the mountain again in 2013 due to census results which show a decrease of
heavy snowf all. 68,738 (0.033 percent) persons against the
 Other than Mr Oyabe and one other team provisional compilation, it was learnt reliably
member, no one on the expedition has here May 27, 2018.
climbed an 8,000m plus peak before.  The headcount according to the provisional
 Takashi Higashiyama, the youngest member census results was 207,753,364 which has
of the team, attempted to climb K2 five years been reduced to 207,684, 626 in the final
ago but was forced to abandon his ascent compilation, said a report prepared by the
after an avalanche blew away camp three, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
killing two climbers from New Zealand.  The total male population of the country is
May 28, 2018

around 106.3 million which is five million
higher than the female count of 101.3
million. This means the sex ratio on the
national level is 104.91 males against 100
1. KP Assembly clears Fata merger bill females.
 Amidst opposition from Jamiat Ulema-e  The total population of Punjab is 109.99
Islam-Fazl lawmakers, the Khyber - million (52.96 percent), Sindh 47.85 million
Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on May 27, 2018 (23.04pc), KP 30.51 million (14.69pc),
passed the Federally Administered Tribal Balochistan 12.34 million (5.94pc), Fata 4.99
Areas Reforms Bill, 2018 with a two-thirds million (2.4pc) and ICT 2 million (0.96pc).
majority, paving the way for tribal areas 3. Ali Jehangir Siddiqui: A ‘caretaker’
merger into KP province. ambassador to US
 The bill, which has already been approved by  Ali Jehangir Siddiqui left for Washington on
both National Assembly and Senate, was May 27, 2018 to take over as Pakistan’s
tabled by Provincial Minister for Law and ambassador to the United States –
ostensibly a ‘caretaker’ job unless the
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz returns to 22, 2018 and the house had stahed debate
power after the July 25 polls. on it.
 Siddiqui, who travelled on his new 6. US warships sail near South China Sea
diplomatic passport, will take charge of the islands
responsibilities from May 28 (today). His  Two US Navy warships sailed near South
predecessor Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry will China Sea islands on May 27, 2018, in a move
return to Pakistan on May 29. that drew condemnation from Beijing as
 Back home, the government will completes President Donald Trump seeks its continued
its term on May 31 and under the rules, a cooperation on North Korea.
political appointee has to resign after the  The operation was the latest attempt to
government loses power. The caretaker counter what Washington sees as Beijing`s
government can ask Siddiqui to continue ef forts to limit freedom of navigation in the
until a new elected government takes over strategic waters.
after the July 25 polls. The new ambassador  While this operation had been planned
could retain his job, after the polls, if the months in advance, and similar operations
PML-N is voted to power. have become routine, it comes at a
 Siddiqui will practically be a ‘caretaker particularly sensitive time and just days after
ambassador’ until a new government takes the Pentagon uninvited China from a major
over. US-hosted naval drill.
4. Punjab Advocate General Shakilur Rehman 7. Qatar bans Saudi, UAE goods from stores
Khan resigns  Qatar has ordered shops to remove goods
 Punjab’s top law officer has resigned from originating from a group of Saudi Arabian-
his office as the tenure of the provincial led countries which a year ago imposed a
government is concluding on May 31. wide-ranging boycott on the emirate.
 Shakilur Rehman Khan, son of former SC  A directive from the economy ministry
Judge Khalilur Rehman Khan, served as ordered shops to immediately strip shelves
advocate general Punjab for more than two of products from Saudi Arabia, the UAE,
years. He was appointed on the post on Bahrain and Egypt. Inspectors will visit stores
March 07, 2016. to ensure they comply with the order.
 Traditionally the top law officer of the  The government will also try and stop
province tenders his resignation before the products such as Saudi dairy goods from
end of tenure of the provincial government entering Qatar via a third country. Qatar's
as the interim government brings its own Government Communications Office (GCO)
people into the system to look after the said it was trying to "protect the safety of
affairs of the state. consumers".
 He was the 36th advocate general Punjab 8. Pakistan Crush England at Lords
who served more than two years. He  Pakistan completed a convincing nine-wicket
represented the provincial government in victory over woeful England to win the first
many important cases and faced the Test at Lord’s with more than a day to spare
challenges with courage and commitment. on May 27, 2018.
5. AJK Assembly approves Rs108bn budget  Set a target of just 64 on the fourth morning,
 The Legislative Assembly on May 27, 2018 Pakistan finished on 66 for one before lunch
unanimously approved Rs108.2 billion to go 1-0 up in this two-match series ahead
budget for the fiscal year 2018-19. of next week’s second Test at Headingley.
 Minister for Finance Dr Najeeb Naqi Imam-ul-Haq was 18 not out and Haris Sohail
presented 32 demands for grant for the next 39 not out. England were undone by two
year which were approved by the house. The top-order batting collapses, slumping to 184
budget was unveiled by the minister on May all out after winning the toss in their first
innings and declining to 160 for six in their
second before fifties from Jos Buttler and  US astronaut Alan Bean, the fourth person to
Test debutant Dominic Bess prevented an walk on the moon, has died. He was 86 years
innings defeat. old.
 England, resuming Sunday on 235 for six in  Born March 15, 1932 in Wheeler, Texas the
their second innings, lost their last four future moonwalker earned a degree in
wickets for just seven runs in 18 balls to be aeronautical engineering from the
bowled out for 242. “Not good enough, if I’m University of Texas in 1955.
being brutally honest,” said England captain  The moonwalker who went on to become a
Root at the presentation ceremony. “We painter died May 26, 2018 in Houston after
were outperformed in all three suddenly falling ill weeks before, the
departments.” statement said.
9. Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev to  He was among the elite group NASA chose
take the trophy for its third group of astronauts in 1963,
 Gareth Bale came off the bench to score having served as a test pilot in the US Navy.
twice, including one of the all-time great He twice ventured into space, originally in
goals in a Champions League final, as Real 1969 on the Apollo 12 moon landing mission,
Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev on May 26, and later as commander of the second crew
2018 to take the trophy for the third year to fly to the first US space station Skylab in
running. 1973.
 Bale's jaw-dropping overhead kick in the  His second foray outside of Earth's
64th minute put Real 2-1 up moments after atmosphere saw Bean log a record-breaking
his introduction, following a dramatic start 59-day, 24.4 million-mile flight (39.3 million
to the second half in which Karim Benzema kilometers). He retired from Nasa in 1981 to
gave Real the lead as a result of a Loris Karius embark on a third career as an artist,
howler. creating Apollo-themed paintings textured
 Sadio Mane had briefly restored parity, but with lunar boot prints or using acrylics
Bale put Real in front again and then sealed infused with small bits of his mission patches
the triumph late on with a long-range strike sprinkled with moon dust.
May 29, 2018

that the unfortunate Karius could only punch
into the net. Jurgen Klopp's and Liverpool's
own evening was marred by the loss of a
distraught Mohamed Salah to injury in the
first half, the Egyptian coming off half an 1. Govt, opposition pick ex-CJP Nasir as
hour in having damaged his shoulder. caretaker PM
 This was not to be Salah's night, with Real  Amid fears that the government and the
allowing Zinedine Zidane to become the first opposition may not reach a consensus on
coach ever to win the Champions League the name of caretaker prime minister, the
three years in a row. "With a team like this two sides on May 28, 2018 agreed on the
we can go far, but to win three of them, it's name of former chief justice of Pakistan
something crazy," Zidane said. Nasirul Mulk as caretaker prime minister to
 Madrid are the first team to achieve that feat supervise the upcoming general elections.
since Bayern Munich in 1976. This is their  The agreement on the name of Nasirul Mulk
fourth title in five years, and their 13th was announced at a joint press conference
overall. Cristiano Ronaldo has now won five addressed by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan
in his great career, although he later cast a Abbasi, Leader of the Opposition in the
cloud over the night by hinting that he could National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah and
soon leave the club, saying: "It was very nice Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq at the Parliament
to be at Real Madrid." House.
10. Astronaut-artist Alan Bean dies at 86
 The term of the present government is Constitution (Thirty-First) Amendment Bill,
expiring on May 31, after which the 2018, which proposes abolishment of Article
caretaker set-up will be put in place to run 247 of the Constitution. As per Article 247,
state affairs and hold general elections on the executive authority of the federation
July 25. shall extend to Fata and Pata.
2. Nasir Mahmood Khosa, Former bureaucrat  However, as soon as the president signs
to head Punjab`s interim govt Constitution (Thirty-First) Amendment Bill,
 While the name of former bureaucrat Nasir 2018, the control of Fata Interim
Mahmood Khosa proposed by the Governance Regulation, 2018 would be
opposition was agreed upon by Punjab Chief handed over to the KP government.
Minister for the caretaker chief minister of  The bill was passed by KP Assembly on
the province on May 28, 2018. Sunday in its final phase. The bill was passed
 PTI chairman Imran Khan in a surprise move with two-thirds majority, after it was already
rejected the previously decided Manzoor approved from the upper and lower
Afridi`s nomination for the caretaker CM of chambers of the Parliament. As many as 92
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. lawmakers in the KP Assembly voted in
 Talks between the government and the favour, while seven MPAs used their votes
opposition continued in Sindh where some against the bill.
names have come up for the office of 4. First-ever woman advocate general
caretaker CM. appointed
 However, in Balochistan the matter is likely  Additional Advocate General (AAG) Asma
to be referred to a committee after the two Hamid has been appointed as first-ever
sides failed to reach a consensus on any woman advocate general of Punjab (AGP)
name.  Shakilur Rehman Khan tendered his
 The name of Nasir Mahmood Khosa, former resignation as the principal law officer the
federal finance secretary who has also other day owing to expiry of the provincial
served as the chief secretary of Punjab and government`s constitutional term on May
Balochistan, was proposed by the PTI and 31.
finalised by CM Sharif and Leader of the  Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif approved a
Opposition Mahmoodur Rasheed in a summary to this effect on May 28, 2018
meeting at the PML-N`s Model Town office. evening. Shakilur Rehman Khan, son of
3. President signs Fata Interim Governance retired Justice Khalilur Rehman Khan and
Regulation, 2018 appointed as AGP on March 7, 2016, served
 Pakistan’s northern borderlands people for two years.
have been rid of the century-old draconian  Ms Hamid is a daughter of former Punjab
law, Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), as governor Shahid Hamid and niece of former
President Mamnoon Hussain signed the new federal law minister Zahid Hamid. She was
set of rules for the region – Fata Interim appointed as assistant advocate general in
Governance Regulation, 2018. January 2014 and later elevated to AAG on
 The 'FATA Interim Governance Regulation, Feb 18, 2015.
2018' is a set of interim rules that apply to  In 2016, she was briefly given look-after
the Federally Administered Tribal Areas charge of the principal law officer after the
(Fata) until it merges with Khyber- then AGP Naveed Rasool Mirza had resigned
Pakhtunkhwa "within a timeframe of two due to health issues.
years".  Ms Hamid holds an LLB degree from
 However, the president will have the University of Punjab and an LLM in
jurisdiction over Fata and the Provincially Constitutional Law from Harvard Law School,
Administered Tribal Areas until he signs US. Her law career includes litigation on
behalf of top law firms of Pakistan as well as
individual engagement for drafting Banking Supervision (BCBS). The Basel
legislation for the government of Sindh`s committee, established by the central bank
heritage protection laws. She is also well- governors of the Group of Ten countries in
versed in contractual and commercial law. 1974, frames guidelines and standards for
 Her thesis at Harvard focused on the process the banking sector.
of judicial appointments in Pakistan. 7. PM inaugurates capacity building project
5. Pakistan to export six light armoured for Fata youth
vehicles to Bahrain  Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
 The defence production sector of Pakistan inaugurated a project for the capacity
has signed a deal to export locally building of youth in Fata under Prime
manufactured light armoured vehicles called Minister’s Youth Programme in
Ìnterceptor` to Bahrain. collaboration with the United Nation’s Office
 Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) a defence of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT).
industrial complex which manufactures and  Fata Development Authority will implement
rebuilds tanks and armoured personnel the project in coordination with Pakistan
carriers for the military will be making six Army.
Interceptors for the Bahrain National  Under the project, vocational training and
Guards. psycho-social support will be given to 100
 A Memorandum of Understanding was terror-affected youth in Fata, both male and
signed between HIT`s chief Lt Gen female under the age of 35, in order to
Muhammad Naeem Ashraf and Lt Gen provide them access to sustainable
Mohammed Bin Isa Al Khalifa, the brother of livelihood, and thereby gaining resilience
Bahrain`s King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa. against terrorist propaganda and its
6. IMF endorses Islamic rules for financial recruitment. Unemployed and disabled
assessment youth will be given priority.
 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has  Some 20 per cent of the training seats are
approved a plan to incorporate Islamic reserved for female candidates from FR
finance into its financial sector assessments Kohat & FR Peshawar, whereas 10 per cent
of select countries starting from January 1, seats are reserved for disabled persons.
2019.  Male candidates will be trained in trades like
 The Core Principles for Islamic Finance Mobile Repair, Auto CAD, Computer
Regulation (CPIFR), endorsed this week by Operator, Industrial Electrician, Quantity
the IMF executive board, provides a set of Survey, and Civil Survey; whereas trades for
principles for `the regulation and supervision female candidates include Tailoring,
of the Islamic banking industry and are Embroidery, and Knitting.
designed to take into consideration the 8. EU to observe Zimbabwe polls first time in
specificities of Islamic banks, the IMF 16 years
announced.  The European Union will deploy observers to
 The IMF noted that the Islamic finance has Zimbabwe`s general election expected in
over $2 trillion of assets globally and is July, the first time in 16 years the bloc will
offered in over 60 countries, including monitor polls in the southern African
Pakistan and the industry has become country.
systemically important in 13 jurisdictions  The EU and Zimbabwe`s government signed
across the globe, it added. a memorandum on May 28, 2018 outlining
 The core principles approved by the IMF guidelines for election monitors. Zimbabwe
executive board were prepared by the formally invited the EU in March to send an
Malaysia-based Islamic Financial Services election observation mission.
Board (IFSB) with the participation of the  The elections will be the first since long-time
secretariat of the Basel Committee on ruler Robert Mugabe was removed from
power last November following a brief leftist candidate to contest a runoff in
military take over. Colombia.
 Mugabe`s successor President Emmerson  Duque won 39.2 percent of the votes,
Mnangagwa, 75, will be squaring off against compared to Petro's 25 percent, in the May
Nelson Chamisa, 40, of the opposition 27, 2018 poll which showed deep divisions
Movement for Democratic Change. over a peace deal with former rebel
 The memorandum sets out the rights and movement FARC.
obligations of the EU observers.  It was the first presidential election in half a
 The head of the last European Union century free of the threat of the FARC,
observer mission, Pierre Schori, was thrown however Duque has campaigned strongly on
out of Zimbabwe in 2002 on the eve of a pledge to rewrite a peace agreement with
presidential elections that were condemned the group.
May 30, 2018

as flawed.
9. India orders closure of Vedanta plant
 Indian authorities on May 28, 2018 ordered
the permanent closure of a controversial
copper plant, which was at the centre of 1. Pakistan, India agree to restore LoC
deadly protests last week with 13 people ceasefire
killed by police fire.  In a rare positive development, Pakistan and
 The violence erupted when thousands India agreed on May 29, 2018 to restore
marched in southern Tamil Nadu state last ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) and
week, demanding the closure of the factory Working Boundary (WB) whose violation has
owned by British-based mining giant left over 100 dead during the last nearly a
Vedanta Resources over fears that it was year and half on the Pakistani side.
polluting the environment.  The agreement was reached during a hotline
 In an order May 28, 2018, the state conversation between the Directors General
government said it supported concerns of Military Operations of Pakistani and
raised by its pollution regulator about the Indian armies. The conversation between
Sterlite Copper factory located outside Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza and Lt Gen
Tuticorin city, and ordered it be shut Anil Chauhan was held on a Pakistani
permanently. initiative.
 It also instructed the company to cease all  It was unprecedented for both sides to issue
activities at the plant until a decision had almost identical statements on the
been made on its pending application to conversation, whichunlike before did not
renew its operational license. accuse the other of wrongdoing. It could
 Last week Tamil Nadu’s high court also ruled have easily been made a joint statement had
against a request to double the factory’s it not been for the difference in their
annual production of 400,000 metric tonnes. terminology like Working Boundary versus
10. Anti-FARC conservative wins in Colombia, International Border and some other minor
faces leftist in runoff details that the respective sides decided to
 Conservative candidate Ivan Duque won the put in.
first round of Colombia's presidential  From the timing of the conversation, which
election but fell short of the 50 percent was stated by India to be 18:00hrs and the
threshold needed to avoid a runoff next immediaterelease of press statements
month. afterwards, which normally does not happen
 The 41-year-old senator will face former and takes at least a few hours, it looked that
guerrilla Gustavo Petro on June 17, the first the agreement had been reached earlier and
the two commanders spoke only to formally  Discussing the water shortage issue, the
commit to the understanding. minister said it was a national failure and
2. Cabinet approves five-year internal security criticised the lack of a unified approach
policy among the provinces and the centre.
 Just two days before the expiry of its five- 4. Educationist Dr Tariq Banuri made HEC
year term, the government on May 29, 2018 chairman
took several important decisions, including  Prime Minister Shahid Khagan Abbasi on
approval of the National Internal Security May 29, 2018 appointed educationist Dr
Policy (NISP) 2018-23 to address terrorism, Tariq Banuri chairman of the Higher
extremism and other crimes effectively. Education Commission (HEC).
 The policy was approved at a meeting of the  Mr Banuri is a former professor at the
federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister University of Utah and holds a PhD in
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The NISP is based on economics from Harvard University. He
six approaches reorlent, reimage, reconcile, completed his masters in development
redistribute, recognise and regional. economics from Williams College after
 The NISP 2018-23 was a continuation of the finishing his bachelors in Civil Engineering
previous policy which was announced in from the University of Peshawar.
2013. 120 actions had been recommended  He has authorized 20 books and 30 research
in the policy to improve the internal security papers, and was at the top of the list of four
situation in the country. candidates who had been selected by a
 The six approaches, provided a detailed committee for the post.
implementation plan as to how security  His name was followed by Dr Mukhtar
forces could overcome the menace of former vice chancellor of Islamia University,
terrorism, extremism and street crimes, Dr Iqbal Chaudhry and Anwarul Hasan Gilani.
besides their own capacity building. The committee shortlisted the candidates
 Under a separate decision, the meeting after interviewing over 90 people.
approved issuance of Charter Class-II license  The new chairman will face many challenges
(domestic) to a new airline called K-2 when it comes to improving higher
Airways (pvt) Limited. education in the country.
3. Govt unveils food security policy, terms it  The last chairman, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed,
most vital after defence completed his term on April 14. He has left
 Just two days before the end of their five- behind a mix of successes and failures.
year term, the government unveiled the  Funding for the HEC saw significant
National Food Security Policy calling it the improvement in his tenure, and he took
second most important issue after the some steps to improve the quality of
national security policy. education in universities.
 The government`s official policy was 5. Saleem Baig made Pemra chief
announced by Minister for Food Security and  The government on May 29, 2018 appointed
Research Sikandar Hayat Bosan on May 29, Principal Information Officer (PIO) Saleem
2018, who claimed that the food security Baig as the chairman of Pakistan Electronic
policy was interlinked with the national Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for four
water policy and national zero hunger years.
programme.  The government made the announcement
 The policy not only focuses on the of Mr Baig`s appointment after President
development of crops and enhancing farm Mamnoon Hussain approved the summary
produce but also addresses the issue of food of Mr Baig`s appointment sent to him by
wastage which accounts for one-third of the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
food produced in the country.
 The post had been vacant since removal of  Gujar Khan-born Sir Anwar Pervez is the first
Absar Alam, the previous chairman of Pakistan-born British national on the list with
Pemra, on the order of the Lahore High a net worth of 3.09 billion pounds. Although
Court in December last year. the fortunes of Sir Pervez rose by £145
 In April this year, the Supreme Court had million during the year, his rank on the
ordered the government to hire a Sunday Times list fell from 40th to 43rd.On
competent person to head the electronic the list, British chemical tycoon Jim Ratcliffe
media regulatory body. is at the top with a net worth of over 21
 In May, a six-member committee was billion pounds.
formed by the government and it was given  The rise of Sir Anwar Pervez is considered
the responsibility of searching and selecting among the most inspiring rags-to riches
a suitable candidate for the vacant Pemra stories in the UK.
chairman post.  After arriving in the UK at the age of 21 and
 The committee, headed by Deputy Chairman settling down in Bradford, he like many
of Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz, other economic migrants did some menial
interviewed several candidates for the jobs. Later, he set up a convenience store in
purpose. west London with his savings. In 1976, he set
6. New envoy takes charge in US to deal with up a warehouse in Acton area of west
daunting challenges London along with three other friends and
 Pakistan has a new ambassador in relatives with very small seed money.
Washington now, Ali Jahangir Siddiqui, as  The company then named Bestway now
Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary relinquished his stands as a strong business group with
charge on May 29, 2018 after serving his stakes from cash-and-carry to pharmacy.
country in the US capital for a little more The Bestway Group now trades from more
than a year. than 60 warehouses under its own name and
 Mr Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary, who assumed the Batleys brand, which it acquired,
the office of the ambassador on March 13, enjoying an 18 per cent market share in the
2017, said that in those 14 months and 17 grocery wholesale sector, where it supplies
days, he `defended my country passionately to about 100,000 retailers.
and in a complex and difficult phase of US-  According to Sunday Times, Zac Goldsmith,
Pakistan relationship`. He said during this Lady Annabel Goldsmith and family
phase, he `pursued a multi-pronged inherited a quarter of Sir James Goldsmith`s
strategy, which I hope will be built upon by wealth that stood at £1.2 billion when he
my successor`. died in 1997.
 Mr Siddiqui arrived in Washington on May 8. First human rights trial since 2011 revolt
28, 2018 night and was welcomed at the opens in Tunisia
airport by Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, the deputy  A Tunisian court on May 29, 2018 heard the
chief of Pakistan Mission to the US. Mr first round of cases brought by a commission
Siddiqui assumed his office just two days probing human rights violations stretching
before the government that appointed him back six decades, with 14 former officials,
completes its term. including the ousted dictator, on trial.
7. Two British Pakistanis in UK`s billionaires  The Truth and Dignity Commission (IVD) was
club set up in 2014 following the revolt that
 Two Pakistani origin businessmen are among toppled dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in
the British nationals with net worth of one 2011 and sparked the Arab Spring uprisings.
billion pounds, according to Sunday Times  It has a mandate to investigate human rights
rich list 2018. violations between 1957, when Habib
Bourguiba became president, and the date
of its creation, with the aim of holding
perpetrators to account and rehabilitating  Morgan, England’s limited-overs skipper,
their victims. had been set to captain the side. He will be
 First court case concerned the forced replaced as captain by former Pakistan
disappearance of Kamel Matmati, a member captain Shahid Afridi, while Morgan’s
of the Islamist movement Ennahda, who was compatriot Sam Billings will take his place in
arrested in October 1991 during Ben Ali`s the squad. Surrey all-rounder Sam Curran
rule, and tortured to death. and England fast bowler Tymal Mills have
9. Israel seizes control of boat in Gaza also been added to the World XI squad.
blockade protest  Afridi, a leg-spinning all-rounder,
 Israeli forces stopped and seized control of a represented his country in over 500
Palestinian protest boat May 29, 2018, as international matches and famously broke
those aboard sought to demonstrate against the record for the fastest ODI century in his
the Jewish state’s blockade of Gaza. maiden international innings as a 16-year-
 The incident occurred amid high tensions in old.
the Gaza Strip after militants fired dozens of
mortars in the direction of Israel, whose
military retaliated by hitting dozens of
targets. The boat, carrying sick Gazans and
those unable to find work, was stopped by
Israeli forces several kilometres (miles) out
at sea, Salah Abdul Atti, one of the
organisers, told AFP. “Israeli forces
surrounded it and intercepted it,” he said,
adding communications had been lost with
the boat.
 There was no immediate confirmation from
the Israeli army and the circumstances of the
incident were unclear. Army spokesman
Jonathan Conricus said the boat was making
an “illegal attempt to break a legal naval
blockade that we have imposed on Gaza
ever since the terrorist organisation called
Hamas seized power.”
 One main boat carrying around 20 people
accompanied by a group of smaller ones had
set off from the fishermen’s port in Gaza City
on May 29, 2018 morning.
 There were conflicting statements about
whether the boats would seek to break
Israel’s blockade, which currently allows
them to travel nine nautical miles (16
kilometres) off the coast.
10. Afridi to skipper World XI as Morgan injured
out
 Eoin Morgan has been forced to pull out of
the ICC World XI squad for the 31 May
Twenty20 International against the Windies
at Lord’s due to a fractured finger.
May 31, 2018
incidents of terrorism and other crimes as
compared to the corresponding period last
year.
 According to statistics, four incidents of
1. Balochistan`s first health policy okayed kidnapping for ransom took place during the
 The Balochistan cabinet on May 30, 2018 current year as compared to 11 in 2017. The
approved of the first Balochistan Health incidents of kidnapping for ransom dropped
Policy. It also gave green light to the by 64 percent, as compared to last year.
Balochistan Drugs Rules 2018 which would Similarly, a total of 16 theft and 17 extortion
be sent to the Balochistan Assembly for cases occurred during the current year as
approval. compared to 19 theft and 35 extortion cases
 The outgoing provincial cabinet`s last last year.
meeting was presided over by Chief Minister  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has adopted
Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, where the offensive-cum-defensive policy for
cabinet also approved of an amendment combating terrorism. During the current
made to the Balochistan Civil Servant Act year, 31 incidents of terrorism took place as
1974.During the meeting, the cabinet compared to 44 incidents in the
approved of an amendment in the Ship corresponding period last year, which
Breaking Rules 1979 under which the fee per showed 13 per cent decrease in the
ton on the ships will be Rs 800 instead Rs 50. terrorism incidents
 The cabinet also approved the Balochistan 4. US refuses to place religious sanctions on
Revenue Authority Amendment Bill 2018. Pakistan: report
2. Govt extends export package of Rs195b for  The US Commission on International
3 years Religious Freedom (USCRIF) has again
 The government on May 30, 2018 has recommended that Pakistan should be
extended the export package worth of Rs195 declared a `country of particular concern`
billion for next three years to increase the but the Trump administration, like its
exports. predecessors, has refrained.
 The Economic Coordination Committee  The USCIRF has been making this
(ECC) of the Cabinet, which met with Prime recommendation since 2002 but successive
Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the chair, US administrations have continued to ignore
has extended the PM Export Package for the their advice on the grounds that the
next three years i.e. upto 30th June 2021. proposed designation will fail to promote
 The package aims at improving the religious freedom in the country.
competitiveness of the textile and non-  On Dec 22, 2017, the US Secretary of State
textile export sector to continue the export placed Pakistan on a Special Watch List for
growth in the coming financial years. `having engaged in or tolerated severe
 The package was initially approved in violations of religious freedom`. The move
January 2017 for a period of 18 months i.e. caused speculations in the media that this
till June 2018. The package has vitally year the administration may declare
contributed towards the turnaround in Pakistan a country of particular interest,
exports in FY 2018 which had been triggering a set of new sanctions. But
continuously declining since FY2014. Pakistan escaped the designation this year as
3. KP witnesses drop in terror incidents in well.
2018 5. PTV Parliament channel launched
 During the first five months of the year 2018,  Federal Minister for Information and
the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province has Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on
witnessed a significant decrease in the Wednesday said the PTV Parliament channel
would telecast live proceedings of both
Houses of the Parliament, Standing  Saudi Arabia has passed a new law to
Committees and would deepen connectivity criminalise sexual harassment, state media
between public representatives and masses. said May 30, 2018, less than a month before
 The launch of the channel was a welcoming the conservative kingdom lifts its decades-
step, adding, the content of programmes for long ban on women driving.
the channel would be prepared with the  The kingdom’s Shura Council, which advises
assistance of Pakistan Institute of the cabinet, passed a draft law on May 30,
Parliamentary Studies (PIPS). 2018 which would introduce a prison term of
 This is first phase of the Parliament Channel up to five years and a maximum penalty of
and in future, it will become a full fledged 300,000 riyals ($80,000).
channel and the next Parliament will have its  The law has been approved by the cabinet,
role to improve its working. the official Saudi Press Agency reported. It is
6. Nabila Gazanfer given additional charge of “a very important addition to the history of
DGPR regulations in the kingdom”, Shura Council
 Nabila Gazanfer has been given the member Latifa al-Shaalan was quoted as
additional charge of director general public saying in an information ministry statement.
relations, said a notification issued here May  “It fills a large legislative vacuum, and it is a
30, 2018. deterrent,” she added. The new law appears
 She is a grade 19 officer of the DGPR to be in preparation for the historic lifting of
department. Before this, she was serving as the kingdom’s driving ban on women on
Director Administration and Director June 24.
Coordination in the head office. She also  The move is part of a highly publicised
performed duties as DGPR to Inspector liberalisation drive launched by powerful
General Police for seven years. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who
 It is worth mentioning that Nabila Ghazanfar has also ended a decades-long ban on
is the first woman who has ever been cinemas, allowed mixed-gender concerts
appointed Director Administration. Before and clipped the powers of the long-feared
this posting, she also worked as Director religious police.
Electronic Media, Deputy Controller PTV, 9. Singapore Airlines to launch world's longest
Liaison Office Karachi and at other posts. flight
7. US governor resigns amid sex scandal,  Singapore Airlines said on May 30, 2018 that
finance probe it will re-launch the world's longest
 Missouri Governor Eric Greitens - once a commercial flight in October, a journey of
rising Republican political star – has resigned almost 19 hours from the city-state to New
amid expanding investigations of a sex York, but it will not be available to economy
scandal and potential violations of campaign travellers.
finance laws.  The daily, non-stop journey from Changi to
 It was a stunning fall from grace for the Newark Airport will cover about 16,700
military veteran and Rhodes scholar once kilometres (10,300 miles) and take about 18
rumored to be considering an eventual run hours 45 minutes, the airline said in a
for the presidency. statement.
 The Midwestern US state's legislature,  The current record holder is Qatar Airways
controlled by the governor's own party, was Flight 921 from Auckland to Doha, which
in the midst of a special session to consider takes 17 hours 40 minutes.
whether Greitens should be impeached,  The Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight will use the
when the governor announced his long-range Airbus A350-900ULR, which will
resignation would be effective Friday be configured to carry 161 passengers - 67 in
evening. business class and 94 in premium economy.
8. Saudi Arabia outlaws sexual harassment
 The airline had flown a similar route from
2004 until 2013 but cancelled it as it fell
short of revenue expectations. However, its
latest decision comes as carriers look for
new sources of revenue in a competitive
environment, while long-haul flights often
make more cash than those that require
stops.
10. Musca helps scientists unravel solar system
mysteries
 An Australian study has shed new light on
the mystery of how the solar system formed
in a cloud of gas and dust in space billions of
years ago.
 The joint study, led by The Australian
National University (ANU) and the University
of Crete in Greece, unravelled the mystery
when examining a star-forming cloud called
Musca, which appears as a needle in the
southern sky.
 Lead researcher Dr. Aris Tritsis, from the
ANU, said the study visualised the 3D shape
of Musca, which lies hundreds of light years
away from Earth.
 The large gas cloud, formed mainly of
molecular hydrogen and dust, stretches 27
light years across the plain of the sky, with a
depth of about 20 light years and width up
to a fraction of a light year.
 The study, which was part of Tritsis' PhD
thesis, has made use of data from the
European Space Agency's Herschel space
telescope.

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DAY BY DAY CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQS

FOR THE MONTH MAY 2018

May 10, 2018

May 11, 2018

May 14, 2018

May 15, 2018

May 16, 2018

May 17, 2018

May 19, 2018

May 22, 2018

May 24, 2018

May 25, 2018

May 26, 2018

May 27, 2018

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