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 February 15, 2018 (Day by Day Current Affairs)

1. Afghan Taliban say they want to end war through talks
   • The Taliban said they wanted to end Afghanistan`s war through dialogue but warned that their willingness to hnd peace did not mean they were exhausted and that their armed campaign would be sustained no matter how powerful the US opposition.
   • A more aggressive US strategy in Afghanistan including a surge in air strikes introduced by President Donald Trump in August has pushed the Taliban back from several district centres and two provincial capitals.
2. 48pc Pakistani women have no say in health matters: UN
   • A United Nations report released on February 14, 2018 presents a very bleak picture of Pakistan thatis yet to make a serious start for women`s development, the majority of whom are deprived of education and basic healthcare.
   • The report finds that 98.8 per cent of women from the poorest rural households are education poor (defined as having only completed six or less years of education), with the rural Pashtun women not only being the mostdeprived in education but also have the least say in decisions regarding their own health care.
3. NA body approves amendments to ICT Local Government Act
   • A parliamentary panel on February 14, 2018 approved amendments to the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Local Government Act that would ensure taxes collected within the capital are utilised for residents and allocated by a proposed capital finance commission instead of the federal government.
   • The amendments also call for the devolution of several of the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad`s (MCI) functions to union councils, including the removal of encroachments, signboards, water supply, solid waste collection, grounds maintenance, open spaces and streetlights. Union councils would also be authorised to collect the approved taxes and fees.
4. Long-term Islamic financing facility launched
   • The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on February 14, 2018 launched the much-awaited Islamic LongTerm Financing Facility (ILTFF) based on Modaraba for exporters with a maximum limit of Rs1.5 billion.
   • The central bank currently provides the Long Term Financing Facility (LTFF) through conventional banks for import of machinery.
   • The SBP since 2008 has been offering LTFF for both imported and locally manufactured plant and machinery through commercial banks and development finance institutions (DFIs).
5. Pakistan, Canada to settle agro-exports fumigation issue
   • Pakistan and Canada have agreed to find a solution to the long-standing fumigation issue of agro-based exports to Pakistan which amount to C$600 million.
   • During a meeting between Commerce Minister Pervaiz Malik and Canadian Minister for Agriculture and Agri-food, Lawrence MacAulay, in Ottawa, it was decided that instead of relying on ad-hoc arrangements, a permanent science-based solution should be worked out for the issue.
6. First phase of Pak-Saudi naval drill ends
   • The first phase of Joint Special Operation Forces Maritime exercise Aff’aa Al Sahil between Pakistan Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Forces concluded in Karachi on February 14, 2018.
   • Exercise Aff’aa Al Sahil is aimed at enhancing interoperability and sharpening the tactical proficiency in countering Maritime human trafficking, piracy and terrorism.
   • The exercise will help in developing synergy in operations against asymmetric and conventional threats
7. US cautiously welcomes Pak actions
   • The United States has cautiously welcomed the steps Pakistan has taken this week to ban individuals and groups on the UNSC list of ‘terrorists’.
   • But officials are not saying whether the move is enough to ease up on its push to add Pakistan to an global terrorism-financing watch list.
8. Afghan institute wins `music`s Nobel`
   • An Afghan music institute that has empowered girls and metal pioneers Metallica on February 14, 2018 shared the Polar Music Prize, often called music`s Nobel.
   • The laureates will each receive one million Swedish kronor ($125,000) at a televised gala in Stockholm on June 14 in the presence of King Carl XVI Gustaf.
   • The Afghan National Institute of Music was honoured along with its founder, Ahmad Sarmast, who started the schoolin 2010 in a rare coeducational initiative.
9. Dr Ayesha to attend global conference in US
   • Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghous Pasha will attend the First Global Conference of the Platform for Collaboration on Tax under the umbrella of Taxation and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), organised by World Bank Group in New York.
   • Over 350 participants including development partners of World Bank, businessmen and representatives from civil society will be present at the occasion.
10. Nations pledge $30b for Iraq reconstruction
    • Governments, global funds, organisations and investors on February 14, 2018 pledged billions of dollars in loans and investment for the reconstruction of Iraq, a nation reeling from a three-year war against the Islamic State group.
    • Donors had pledged $30 billion by the final day of the international conference, according to host nation Kuwait.
    • Baghdad says it needs nearly $90 billion to rebuild after a grisly war with IS extremists which devastated homes, schools, hospitals and economic infrastructure, displacing millions of people.

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