Hi all on Wednesday, Sept 30. I apologise for no newsletter yesterday. I had back to back morning meetings and totally miscalculated the time they would take and before I knew it, hi, its a new day.
So the day got away from me, as I’m sure happens to you guys as well. I’m happy for the slight chill in the air, right before smog season starts. This time, now does feel like the best time in Lahore and Punjab because its slightly chilly and then, you know what’s coming.
A PTI protest update, PM Shehbaz makes history and well, so does the country of Morocco! About time other Muslim countries joined the list of first female PMs, don’t you think?
SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW!
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Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar says talk of imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is “premature”, despite accusing the provincial govt of failing to control terrorism and maintain law and order. He claimed the PTI-led govt had failed to strengthen the police and alleged that terrorists were moving freely in the province. His comments come as PTI prepares for a march towards Islamabad (which was postponed and is now set for Oct 4).
Two of three men accused of sexually assaulting an Azerbaijani woman in Lahore have been arrested, with police still searching for the third suspect. Police allege the woman was given a substance suspected to contain a drug at a café before being taken to a house and assaulted, and was later left near Lahore airport. The two arrested suspects are expected to be produced in court as investigators continue raids to find the remaining man.
Pakistanis will soon be able to buy and sell govt bonds and treasury bills through the stock market, under a new plan linked to the IMF program. Currently, banks hold 78% of govt securities, but the govt wants ordinary investors to have greater access too. The announcement comes as Pakistan holds talks with the IMF to secure another $1.2 billion in funding, potentially by the end of October or early November.
PM Shehbaz has become the first Pakistani PM to open a trading session at the London Stock Exchange, where Pakistan also launched a record $3 billion sovereign Eurobond. The bond attracted nearly $6 billion in demand from international investors, almost twice the amount the country was looking to raise. The govt says the move marks Pak’s return to global capital markets and will help diversify how the country raises money internationally.
Morocco has made history, appointing Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country’s first female prime minister after her party won the most seats in parliamentary elections. The 50-year-old former housing minister and Marrakesh mayor is now forming a coalition govt. El Mansouri called the moment “truly historic” and a source of pride for Moroccan women.
That tingling in the back of your throat…yes, the flu is coming on and you need to rest it out.
In this episode of The Current Podcast, we host YouTuber and comedian Raza Samo for what is easily one of our boldest, most unfiltered conversations yet.
From modern taboos and breaking boundaries to what happens when people follow religion blindly without ever actually understanding it, we tackle the uncomfortable truths Pakistan seems to have made peace with.
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