• The Biden administration has accepted the appointment of Sardar Masood Khan as

Pakistan`s ambassador to the United States, Foreign Office spokesman Asim Iftikhar said
on February 5, 2022.

• In wide-ranging talks with Chinese premier Li Kegiang, Prime Minister Imran Khan on
February 5, 2022 underscored the importance of Pakistan and China working together to
promote shared objectives of peace, stability and development in Afghanistan and
regional connectivity.

• Security forces on February 5, 2022 completed operation against terrorists in Panjgur

and Nushki. Nine security personnel, including an officer and JCO, were martyred and six
others injured in the 72-hour operation. The Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a
statement that 20 terrorists were killed during the operation.

• The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa establishment department has drafted a bill (KP Civil Servant
Amendment Act, 2022) to do away with the pension and gratuity facility for future
government employees after retirement amid fears of the province`s pension liability
reaching Rs300 billion in the next 10 years.

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to
`unwind` the two key measures for the promotion of housing and construction activities.
The staff report, which the IMF released along with the $1 billion tranche under the
resumed loan programme, said the international lender `urged` the central bank to wind
down two key measures `out of concerns for financial stability`.

• The French government on February 5, 2022 forged ahead with efforts to reshape
Islam in France and rid it of extremism, introducing a new body made up of clergy and
laymen and women to help lead the largest Muslim community in western Europe.

• US steps on lifting sanctions are `good but not enough`, Iran said on February 5, 2022,
following Washington`s announcement it was waiving sanctions on Iran`s civil nuclear
programme.

• Palestinian prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh on February 5, 2022 urged the African
Union (AU) to withdraw Israel`s accreditation, bringing simmering tensions to a head as
the 55-member bloc opened a two-day summit in Addis Ababa.

Feb 6, 2022
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