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May 08, 2020: National / International Current Affairs
1. Prime Minister announces gradual lifting of lockdown
• Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 7, 2020 announced lifting of the countrywide lockdown in phases from May 9, 2020 by reopening all construction-related industries and shopping centres for five days a week from Fajr [early morning] till 5pm and outpatient departments (OPDs) in hospitals.
• The decision came on a day when Pakistan reported nearly 1,300 cases of Covid-19 and 48 deaths in 24 hours.
• The prime minister announced the decision after a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) also attended by chief ministers of the four provinces.
2. Suspension of domestic flights extended till 10th
• As the government is inching towards easing the lockdown, the suspension of domestic flight operation was further extended up to May 10.
• The international and domestic flights had been suspended till April 30 in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
• The suspension of domestic flights was further extended till May 7.
• However, chartered and cargo flights continued to operate.
3. Board exams cancelled across country
• The National Coordination Committee (NCC) on May 7, 2020 extended closure of educational institutions in the country till July 15 and decided to cancel examinations to be conducted by the boards in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.
• After the NCC meeting, Federal Education Minister Shahfgat Mahmood said the committee had approved closure of all educational institutions, from schools to universities, till July 15. He said that in Pakistan students of 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th classes appeared in board examinations and it had been decided that students of 10th and 12th classes would be promoted on the basis of their results of 9th and 11th classes, respectively.
• Later talking to Dawn, Mr Mahmood said: `Now we will take further decisions in consultation with stakeholders.` He said that students of9thand11thclasses were likely to be given a chance to appear in composite examinations
4. Voice of Cholistan Krishan Lal Bheel dies
• Renowned Seraiki folk singer from Cholistan Krishan Lal Bheel passed away in Rahim Yar Khan on May 7, 2020 after suffering from kidney disease. He was 60.
• According to his family sources, the singer was hospitalised five days ago as he was suffering from serious kidney complications.
• He had received the President`s Pride of Performance Award and was a constant feature in Lok Mela at the Lok Virsa, Islamabad, Rafi Peer Mystic Music Sufi Festival, Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) and Alhamra ArtsCouncil. He had performed in many countries of the world
5. Mirza resigns as SECP Policy Board chairman
• Khalid Mirza on May 7, 2020 resigned as chairman Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Policy Board after reaching a settlement with the government.
• Mirza was the first private sector expert to head SECP`s Policy Board and was appointed in November 2018. Prior to his appointment, the position was traditionally held by secretary finance.
• However, Mirza`s appointment was reversed by the Cabinet on Aug 9, 2019. In the same decision, the cabinet also challenged the appointment of SECP chairman.
6. President Alvi summons NA special session on May 11
• President Arif Alvi , on May 7, 2020 evening, formally summoned special session of national assembly to hold debate on negative impact of Corona Virus (COVID-19) on country’s economy and related matters.
• The 21st session of national assembly has been called to meet on Monday (11th May) and may continue till 21st May. The session of national assembly was summoned on the recommendations of parliamentary committee through a virtual session, in which parliamentary leaders suggested to call physical session. Parliamentary parties from both sides ignored the option to call virtual session of national assembly due to technical and constitutional matters. As per the recommendations of the committee, the session could continue for two to three hours to carry out debate on a daily basis. The sitting would be conducted on alternate days.
• According to the recommendations, the special session would not take legislative agenda . It was decided to not take question hour, adjournment motion, call attention notice and privilege motions and only debate on the set agenda would be conducted
7. Registry launched to boost small business financing
• The government on May 7, 2020 launched Secured Transactions Registry (STR) to facilitate micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector to access Knancial services.
• It is also negotiating with lending institutions to put in place mechanisms to support MSMEs in retaining workers through payment of their salaries.
• The STR was formally inaugurated by Finance Adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.
• Established under the Financial Institutions (Secured Transactions) Act, 2016 for registration of security interests and charges created by entities other than companies on their movable assets, the STR was operationalised by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP)
8. Iraqi parliament okays US sympathiser as PM
• Iraq`s former spy chief Mustaf a Kadhemi took office as prime minister on May 7, 2020 facing a staggering economic crisis, a pandemic and the spectre of renewed protests after breaking months of political deadlock.
• Parliament approved the new government overnight after last-minute changes to the cabinet line-up, nearly a month after the ex-head of the National Intelligence Service (INIS) was nominated by President Barham Saleh.
• It was the third attempt to replace outgoing premier Adel Abdel Mahdi.
9. Moscow extends lockdown after record Covid-19 cases
• Moscow authorities extended coronavirus lockdown measures until the end of May on May 7, 2020 as Russia reported another record increase in daily coronavirus infections, with more than 11,000 new cases.
• A government tally showed 11,231 infections over 24 hours, bringing the total to 177,160.
• Russia now ranks fourth in the number of reported cases in Europe and hfth in the world, according to an AFP tally.
• Coronavirus cases have been registered in all of Russia`s 85 regions, with Moscow the worst affected by far with 92,676
10. Japan approves remdesivir as treatment for Covid-19 patients
• Japan on May 7, 2020 approved Gilead Sciences Inc`s remdesivir as a treatment for Covid-19, making it the country`s first officially authorised drug to tackle the coronavirus disease.
• Japan reached the decision just three days after the US drug maker filed for fast-track approval for the treatment.
• `There has so far been no coronavirus medicine available here so it is a significant step for us to approve this drug,` a Japanese health ministry official said at a press briefing. Remdesivir will be given to patients with severe Covid-19 symptoms, he added
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