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PIA has announced fares for Hajj 2023

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Fares for the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage have been announced by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)

Pakistan International Airline (PIA) issued a notification which states that It will begin pre-Hajj operations from June 6 till May 21.

For the first time in history, the national flag carrier will charge fares in US dollars from private Hajj pilgrims. The PIA has set $1180 fare for private Hajj pilgrims.

The airfares for the pilgrims from Southern region and Northern region are likely to remain in the range of $810 to $1,100 and $860 to $1,150 respectively, according to PIA.

Pilgrims travelling through the executive economy class would be allowed to carry 40kg baggage and seven-kilogramme hands carry luggage. Moreover, passengers travelling through the economy class would be allowed to carry 35kg baggage and seven-kilogramme hands carry luggage.

Earlier, it emerged that the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has decided to allocate a 25 per cent special quota in the Government Hajj Scheme for the pilgrims who will deposit dues in dollars.

The ministry also decided that the intending pilgrims, depositing dues in dollars, would be exempted from the balloting under the new Hajj policy, official sources said on Friday.

They said about 22,400 pilgrims would benefit from the ‘Sponsorship Scheme’ being introduced by the ministry in the wake of the current foreign exchange reserves in the country.

US warns of severe cost to Russia if it invades Ukraine

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The United States has warned Russia of swift and severe costs if it further invades Ukraine.  

This came as US President Joe Biden held a telephonic conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about escalating military build-up on Ukrainian border.

According to White House, President Biden urged the Russian President to engage in de-escalation and diplomacy.

Meanwhile, in a press briefing, Russia’s foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov said President Putin told Biden that Washington had failed to take Moscow’s concerns into account, and had not received substantial answer on critical elements like NATO’s expansion and deployment of offensive forces to Ukraine.

Prime Minister Imran khan calls for provision of assistance to Afghan people

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Prime Minister Imran Khan says provision of assistance to Afghan people is a collective responsibility of the world community.

Interacting with former diplomats and representatives of think tank in Islamabad today, he said that everyone agrees to save Afghanistan from a humanitarian crisis and if the situation worsens, the United States will also face difficulties.

Talking about his recent visit to China, he said he paid successful visit to Beijing, which carries utmost importance keeping in view rapid growing relations between the two countries.

The Prime Minister said that Chinese leadership had expressed full confidence on Pakistan’s national economy, which is moving in right direction.

Talking about Covid-19, the Prime Minister said that the government dealt with the global pandemic under well-coordinated smart lockdown strategy, which was acknowledged by global community.

Talking about national economy, he said the government is working tirelessly to increase revenue while meetings are being held regularly to create wealth creation aiming to increase national exports.  

Earlier, in his welcome address, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the government is committed to complete all ongoing projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. 

He said some anti-state elements are trying to destabilize the project, but government will foil their nefarious designs. 

In his remarks, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said new projects have been initiated while new transmission lines and roads have been built under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, in his address, said that China helped Pakistan in building its damaged infrastructure, and the government will address all the issues being faced by Chinese investors in Pakistan.

International Symposium on Pakistan’s Hydropower Development in Global Perspective will be held tomorrow

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International Symposium on Pakistan’s Hydropower Development in Global Perspective will be held tomorrow on Monday.

In a tweet on Sunday, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib said the dam experts from the United States, Australia, Switzerland, Turkey and China will participate in the Symposium.

He said the symposium is aimed at showcasing the high-end-technical and financial strategies for unprecedented hydropower and water storage development in Pakistan.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan is working tirelessly for bright future of coming generation producing cheaper electricity in the country. He said ten dams are being built after 1967 and production of power will rise from 9500 megawatt to 20800 after completion of these dams.

Army Chief pays tribute to people of Kashmir on Kashmir Solidarity Day

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Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday has paid tribute to people of Kashmir, their resolve and valiant struggle on Kashmir Solidarity Day.

In a message on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, the army chief has condemned the human rights violations and lockdown in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).

“Time has come to end this human tragedy and resolve Kashmir issue as per aspirations of people of the valley and United Nations (UN) resolutions, he added. 

On the other hand, Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed today to express whole-hearted support of Pakistani nation to the just struggle of Kashmiri people for their inalienable right to self-determination.