Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and announced this by taking to social media on Saturday afternoon.
The swashbuckling all-rounder tweeted, “I’ve been feeling unwell since Thursday; my body had been aching badly. I’ve been tested and unfortunately I’m covid positive. Need prayers for a speedy recovery, InshaAllah”
I’ve been feeling unwell since Thursday; my body had been aching badly. I’ve been tested and unfortunately I’m covid positive. Need prayers for a speedy recovery, InshaAllah #COVID19#pandemic#hopenotout#staysafe#stayhome
Earlier in May, Afridi had bought a cricket bat auctioned by Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim in a bid to raise funds to help fight the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
The ICC said that former Pakistan captain Afridi has decided to join the noble cause by buying the bat on behalf of his charity foundation for $20,000. “Mushfiqur Rahim has found a buyer! Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has joined the good cause, picking up the bat on behalf of his charity foundation,” the ICC tweeted.
Earlier in May, Afridi had bought a cricket bat auctioned by Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim in a bid to raise funds to help fight the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
The ICC said that former Pakistan captain Afridi has decided to join the noble cause by buying the bat on behalf of his charity foundation for $20,000. “Mushfiqur Rahim has found a buyer! Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has joined the good cause, picking up the bat on behalf of his charity foundation,” the ICC tweeted.
Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kamalkote sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday by firing without provocation towards Indian positions, officials said.
“At about 9:20 a.m., ceasefire violation was reported from Kamalkote sector in Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district,” the officials said.
They said Pakistani troops fired without provocation on Indian posts and firing is going on. The Army is giving a befitting response to the Pakistani troops, they added.
This is the second ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in the district in as many days. On Friday, a 48-year-old woman was killed as Pakistani troops violated ceasefire along the LoC in Rampur sector of the district.
Akhtar Begum, wife of Zahoor Ahmad Chechi, was killed on the spot when her house at Batgran was hit by a shell. A 23-year-old woman was also injured in the incident.
Four residential houses and a mosque were damaged in the shelling by Pakistani troops.
Several families took refuge either in underground safety bunkers or moved to safer places elsewhere in the Uri Tehsil.
Gen. Naravane said that they were in talks with the country, starting with Corps Commander level and followed up with meetings at the local level between commanders of equivalent ranks
Army chief General M M Naravane on Saturday said the situation on India’s borders with China was under control and expressed hope that the ongoing dialogue will settle all the perceived differences between the two countries.
“I would like to assure everyone that the entire situation along our borders with China is under control. We are having a series of talks which started with Corps Commander level talks which was followed up with meetings at the local level between commanders of equivalent ranks, ” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Indian Military Academy’s Passing Out Parade here.
Gen. Naravane said the ongoing dialogue will sort out all the perceived differences between the two countries.
“As a result a lot of disengagement has taken place and we are hopeful that through the continued dialogue that we are having, all perceived differences that we (India and China) have will be set to rest,” the Army chief said.
He said both sides have begun to disengage in a phased manner and the process has started from the north.
“Both sides are disengaging in a phased manner. We have started from the north, from the area of the Galwan river where a lot of disengagement has taken place. It has been a very fruitful dialogue that we have had. And as I said it will go on and the situation will improve as we go on,” he said.
Replying to a question on Nepal, which has revised its map showing Lipulekh as Nepalese territory, he said India has always had strong ties with Nepal and they will remain strong in future.
“We have a very strong relationship with Nepal. We have geographical, cultural, historical, religious linkages. We have very strong people-to-people connect. Our relation with them has always been strong and will remain strong in the future.”
‘Tough times’
General Naravane also said that the country is passing through difficult times and its safety and honour depend on the ability of its young officers as military leaders.
Addressing gentlemen cadets at the Indian Military Academy, Gen. Naravane said they are being commissioned as officers into the army under the most daunting of circumstances and the high standards of their military training will help them overcome the challenges lying in store for them.
The parade saw a total of 423 cadets being commissioned into the army including 333 from the country and 90 from friendly foreign countries.
“These are difficult times for the country. Its safety, honour and respect depends on your abilities as military leaders. You have to live up to the expectations of your countrymen. You have to ensure that whatever you do is for their welfare,” he said.
The army chief said there are no good or bad regiments but only good officers. “Become one with your men. Win their trust and affection and they will win battles for you,” Gen. Naravane said.
He asked the gentlemen cadets to throw themselves into their new role as commissioned officers with passion but also be compassionate towards their men.
“When the going gets tough and all seems lost, it is the spirit of your men that helps you win,” he said.
He said the gentlemen cadets who are taking their first step as commissioned officers will have to take decisions in the tactical and operational domain as well as resolve ethical issues and they will have only their conscience to guide them. “In such critical moments let the core values enshrined in the preamble of the constitution of India be your guiding light,” the Army Chief said.
‘No discrimination’
Asking them to rise above petty considerations of caste, creed and religion, he said the army does not discriminate.
Apart from containing the external threats you may also have to defang internal forces out to destabilise the country.
He said the precise drill movements of the cadets had convinced him they will do their respective countries proud.
“In the autumn of your careers what will matter is not the position your finally attain but how honourably you have served your nation,” he said.
Islamabad: For the first time in 68 years, Pakistan’s economy has marginally contracted by 0.38% in the outgoing fiscal year due to adverse impacts of novel coronavirus coupled with economic stabilisation policies that had hit the industrial sector much before the deadly pandemic.
Except for the agriculture sector that grew 2.7%, the industrial and services sectors witnessed negative growth rates, pulling the overall growth rate down to negative 0.38% in the fiscal year 2019-20, ending on June 30. The per capita income in dollar terms has also dipped to 1,366 – a contraction of 6.1%, but it increased in rupee terms to Rs214,539.
GDP shrinks to $266b, per capita income goes down to $1,366
The National Accounts Committee approved the provisional gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate for the outgoing fiscal year besides a downward revision of the economic growth rate for the first year of the PTI government. For fiscal 2018-19, the NAC cut the provisional growth rate of 3.3% to 1.9%, which is the lowest in 11 years.
The SBP’s quest for hot foreign money has adversely hit the industries even much before the Covid-19 started impacting the economy. In the end, neither the hot foreign money stayed in Pakistan nor the country achieved sustainable economic growth. There is a need to investigate the sources of hot foreign money inflows in Pakistan that created an artificial sense of economic stability.
Former finance minister Dr Hafiz Pasha had disputed the PTI government’s claim of a 3.3% growth rate and instead claimed a year ago that the growth in the first year of the PTI government was 1.9%. His assessment has become true and finally admitted by the government.
The Planning secretary chaired the National Accounts Committee meeting, which has representation of all the federal and provincial departments concerned, including the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
It is for the first time since 1951-52 that Pakistan’s economy contracted, although the pace of contraction was far lower than -1.5% growth rate predicted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the finance ministry and the SBP.
The GDP — the monetary value of all goods and services produced in a year — is projected to have a negative growth rate of 0.38% during the fiscal year 2019-20 ending on June 30, according to the NAC. These estimates are based on six to nine months provisional data projected for the whole year and adjusted for the impact of Covid-19 followed by the lockdown, it added.
The economic contraction coupled with currency devaluation has caused the size of the economy — in the US dollar terms — to slip to around $265.6 billion from $280 billion a year ago. At the end of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government’s term, the size of the GDP in dollar terms was $313 billion.
The GDP at the current market prices stands at Rs41.7 trillion for 2019-20. This shows a growth of 9.9% over Rs.37.9 trillion for 2018-19 due to double-digit inflation. The per capita income for 2019-20 has been calculated as Rs214,539 for 2019-20, showing a growth of 8.3% over Rs198,028 during 2018-19. However, in dollar terms, the per capita income has shrunk by 6.1% to $1,366.
The NAC also confirmed the 5.53% economic growth rate for the last year (2017-18) of the PML-N government. The growth came largely from the services sector, which was less job intensive.
Planning Secretary Zafar Hasan chaired the 102nd meeting of the NAC that endorsed the provisional economic growth rate figure on the basis of data received from the federal and provincial governments.
It was the second meeting of the NAC in the past three days. Earlier, on Friday the NAC tried to approve a -0.34% GDP growth rate for the last fiscal year but some members objected to the methodology. The figure is provisional and subject to variation until the final results are available at the end of the fiscal year.
The economic contraction depicts the challenges that the PTI government faced in its second year in power and the miseries caused by the Covid-19 that hit the world at the beginning of December 2019. However, Pakistan started getting affected by the pandemic in the fourth week of March and the government has now completely lifted the lockdown.
Almost every sector of the economy witnessed negative growth. The provisional growth rate in the second year of the PTI was significantly lower than the pace needed to absorb the youth bulge. In the pre-Covid-19 situation, the IMF and the finance ministry had a projected 2.4% growth rate due to stabilisation policies adopted under the Fund programme.
About 87% of the growth came from the services sector and its share in the total size of the economy has increased to 60%. The sectoral shares of various sectors in the economy have also slightly changed. The agricultural sector’s weight in the GDP has further reduced to 18.99% from 19.27% a year ago.
The industrial sector’s weight in the size of the economy was 20.8% a year ago that has gone down to 20.58%. However, the share of the services sector, which is less job intensive, has increased to 60.43%.
The government missed the growth targets set for the services, agricultural and industrial sectors with a wide margin. The sub-sectors of electricity generation, housing services, general government services, and other private services relatively performed better.
The electricity generation and gas distribution is the only sector that outperformed others, as its growth stood at 40.5% against the 10% target set for the outgoing fiscal year.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, will formally announce a provisional growth rate of 3.3% on June 11 with the release of the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2019-20.
Agriculture
After witnessing a 0.6% growth rate in the last fiscal year, the agricultural sector grew this time by 2.7%. But the government missed all its sub-sector targets except forestry and other crops. The government had set a target of 3.5% growth in the agricultural sector for this fiscal year.
The production of major crops increased by 2.9% and other crops by 4.6%. Cotton ginning contracted by 4.6%, according to the NAC. The livestock sector grew by 2.6% and the forestry sector grew by 2.3%. The fishing sector grew by only 0.6% against the 4% target.
Cotton production declined by 6.9% to 9.2 million bales. The production of rice increased by 2.9% to 7.4 million metric tons but sugarcane production fell by 0.4% to 66.9 million metric tons. The output of wheat grew by 1.7% to 24.94 million metric tons. The production of maize showed a growth of nearly 6% to 7.2 million metric tons.
Industries
The industrial sector is the worst hit by the Covid-19 situation, although there was a partial lockdown in the country and some industries kept running. The sector was already facing the brunt of the heavy taxation and unrealistically tight monetary policies that the SBP pursued the sake of hot foreign money.
The government missed some key sectoral targets except for slaughtering, electricity generation, and construction. Against a target of 2.3%, the output in the industrial sector stood at -2.64%. For the previous fiscal year too, the NAC revised the economic growth rate down to -2.2%.
The output of large-scale manufacturing contracted by 7.8% in this fiscal year while small-scale manufacturing grew 1.5% after the government adjusted the adverse impact of the Covid-19.
The slaughtering sub-sector grew at a pace of 4.1%, electricity generation and distribution by 17.7% and mining and quarrying sub-sector registered a negative growth of 8.82%. The construction sector also posted a growth of 8% this year as against a negative growth of 16.7% in the previous fiscal year.
Services
The services sector, which accounts for 60.4% of the size of the economy, contracted by 0.6% against the target of 4.6%. The wholesale and retail trade sector posted -3.4% growth against the target of 3.9%. The transport, storage, and communication sub-sector saw a -7.1% growth rate. The finance and insurance sector marginally grew by 0.8%, housing services grew 4%, general government services by 3.9% and other private services grew by 5.4%.
Dehradun: Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane on Saturday said the country is passing through difficult times and its safety and honour depend on the ability of its young officers as military leaders.
Addressing gentlemen cadets at the Indian Military Academy here as the reviewing officer of a passing out parade, Gen Naravane said they are being commissioned as officers into the army under the most daunting of circumstances and the high standards of their military training will help them overcome the challenges lying in store for them.
The parade saw a total of 423 cadets being commissioned into the army including 333 from the country and 90 from friendly foreign countries.
“These are difficult times for the country. Its safety, honour and respect depends on your abilities as military leaders. You have to live up to the expectations of your countrymen. You have to ensure that whatever you do is for their welfare,” he said.
The army chief said there are no good or bad regiments but only good officers.
“Become one with your men. Win their trust and affection and they will win battles for you,” Naravane said.
He asked the gentlemen cadets to throw themselves into their new role as commissioned officers with passion but also be compassionate towards their men.
“When the going gets tough and all seems lost, it is the spirit of your men that helps you win,” he said.
He said the gentlemen cadets who are taking their first step as commissioned officers will have to take decisions in the tactical and operational domain as well as resolve ethical issues and they will have only their conscience to guide them.
“In such critical moments let the core values enshrined in the preamble of the constitution of India be your guiding light,” the Army Chief said.
Asking them to rise above petty considerations of caste, creed and religion, he said the army does not discriminate.
Apart from containing the external threats you may also have to defang internal forces out to destabilise the country.
He said the precise drill movements of the cadets had convinced him they will do their respective countries proud.
“In the autumn of your careers what will matter is not the position your finally attain but how honourably you have served your nation,” he said.
In a message to the gentlemen cadets’ parents, who were not allowed to attend the event due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Army Chief said, “Till yesterday they (gentlemen cadets) were your children but from tomorrow they will be ours.”
He promised to be with them through thick and thin.
The parade looked slighthly off colour this time with the enthusiastic crowds of parents and some usual features missing like the showering of the drill square with flower petals by helicopters.
Former DGP of J&K Police Shesh Paul Vaid has favoured arming the minority Hindus and vulnerable sections among the Muslim community in the Kashmir Valley so that they can protect themselves from terror attacks.
Former J&K DGP Vaid said Kashmiri Pandits can be armed to protect themselves
He also said vulnerable Muslims in Kashmir can also be given arms training
The remarks come following the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit in Anantnag
Days after the assassination of Kashmiri Pandit Sarpanch, Ajay Pandita Bharti, in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, former DGP of J&K Police Shesh Paul Vaid has favoured arming the minority Hindus and vulnerable sections among the Muslim community in the Kashmir Valley so that they can protect themselves from terror attacks.
Former J&K DGP Vaid
Speaking exclusively to India Today TV at his Jammu residence, the former J&K top cop said that all options must be explored for instilling a sense of security among the minority community of Kashmiri Hindus.
He also said that weapons should be provided to the members of the community and arms training should be given to them so that they can take protect themselves from the terror attacks. “There is no harm in giving arms training and providing weapons to the minority Hindu community as well as to the vulnerable section of the Muslims in the Kashmir valley,” said former DGP Vaid.
He added, “Village Defence Committees (VDCs) can be constituted in the Valley. However, this formula requires detailed planning. Forming VDCs in the Kashmir Valley is difficult, but not impossible.”
Since the brutal killing of Kashmiri Hindu Sarpanch Ajay Pandita Bharti, many displaced Kashmiri Pandits have demanded that government must arm the Hindus in the valley as they are soft targets for the terrorists.
The former top cop recalled how he as the SSP of Udhampur in 1995 was instrumental in forming the first VDC in Bagankote village which was part of Udhampur district at that time. The village is now part of Reasi district carved out of Udhampur in 2007.
The area was infested with terrorism in the early 90s. SP Vaid said that later VDCs were formed through a formal J&K government order in Chenab valley region of Jammu division where Hindus are in minority.
“After the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir valley, the terrorists then started targeting the minority Hindus in Chenab valley region of Jammu division. Many massacres of minority Hindus were carried out by the terrorists in the Chenab valley. But soon VDCs were constituted and people were given arms training. Muslims were also made part of the VDCs as they also faced terror attacks. This formula proved to be very successful and the mass exodus of Hindus was prevented,” SP Vaid told India Today TV.
G.O. stresses marking of equidistant circles in paint indicating mandatory distance outside every shop
J&K’s summer capital Srinagar will reopen 50% of its shops from Saturday, first time since the lockdown restrictions were imposed on March 20.
“A detailed discussion was held with all trade and business organisations. Mandatory observance of standard operating procedures, including wearing of masks, maintaining physical distancing, hygiene and sanitization, was also laid down,” an official order said.
Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary, had sought recommendations from experts in the health sector before devising protocols and finalising the phase wise opening of shops selling different commodities.
The government order stressed that equidistant circles in paint indicating mandatory distance shall be marked outside every shop and establishment. “Every shop or establishment shall be properly sanitized before being made operational. Hand sanitizers and soap etc shall also be compulsorily made available at every establishment,” it read.
Shopping malls have been directed to prominently display roster for 50% shops to be opened on alternative days.
“Shops will remain open full day Monday to Saturday of bookshops, stationery, chemists, fruits, vegetables etc. Restaurants for home-delivery and take-away, bakery, and other essential products will also restart,” the officials said.
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, garments, cosmetics, footwear, electronics, jewellers, tailors will remain open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “Similarly, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11 am to 5:30 pm, handicrafts, handloom, hardware, building material, furniture, furnishing, automobiles, services stations and barbers will remain open,” the order said.
For the public transport, the order underlined that the three wheelers with two passengers have been allowed. “No parking shall be allowed on roads except designated or notified parking places,” the order reads.
A spokesperson of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the move. “Srinagar, being a declared Red Zone, was facing an extremely serious and grim situation. All are requested to kindly avoid unnecessary movement to the commercial areas as the basic idiom. Business establishments are advised to ensure regular sanitization of their premises and also ensure that their employees and customers follow the prescribed protocols,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, 156 fresh cases of coronavirus were reported on Friday. Those who tested positive included 80 travellers and 76 locals, taking the total to 4730.
“While 88 cases were reported in Jammu, 68 were reported in Kashmir division. Meanwhile, 266 patients also recovered and were discharged from hospitals,” a government spokesman said.
Meanwhile, one person died of COVID-19 infection in Jammu.
The identity and group affiliation of the slain ultras was being ascertained.
Two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district in the early hours of Saturday, police said.
An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in J-K’s Kulgam (REUTERS)
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Nipora area of Kulgam in south Kashmir following specific information about the presence of militants there, a police official said.
He said the search operation turned into an encounter after militants fired at security forces, who retaliated.
In the ensuing gunfight, two militants were killed, the official said. He said the identity and group affiliation of the slain ultras was being ascertained.
Akther Begum, 40, of Bhatgran in Uri died of splinter injuries, an official said. A 35-year-old woman was among the two injured in Uri.
A woman was killed and two were injured in heavy exchange of fire and artillery between the Armies of India and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramulla and Poonch on Friday.
Silikote, Haji Pir Sector, Churanda, Nambla, Saidpora and Thajal bore the brunt of intermittent firing and shelling.
Families evacuated
Nearly 20 families were evacuated. People said they hid in shelters and houses.
“Despite the ongoing pandemic and the crisis we all face, there is no end to firing and shelling. We appeal to India and Pakistan to end border skirmishes, as civilians are dying on both sides,” said a villager, evacuated to the Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Uri.
“Satisfactory arrangements, including supply of essential commodities, have been made for the displaced families. The administration is geared up for any emergency,” Sub-Divisional Magistrate Reyaz Ahmad said.
The Army said Pakistan violated the ceasefire in two sectors in Poonch.
“Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars along the LoC in Kirni and Qasba sectors around 4.15 p.m. Indian Army is retaliating befittingly,” the spokesman said.
An Army jawan was killed in a ceasefire violation in the Pir Panjal’s Rajouri district on Thursday.
