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 September 11, 2018: National Current Affairs

1. Islamabad, Beijing reaffirm commitment to CPEC

• Pakistan and China on September 10, 2018 reaffirmed their commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and resolved to extend the multi-billion dollar joint undertaking of the two countries.
• This commitment was reflected in the statements issued from Islamabad and Beijing after a claim attributed to Prime Minister Imran Khan`s adviser on commerce, textiles, industries and investment Abdul Razzak Dawood left the government red-faced and equally embarrassed the Chinese.
• The Financial Times, quoting government ministers and advisers, reported that the Pakistan government was planning `to review or renegotiate agreements reached under China`s Belt and Road Initiative`. The publication quoted Mr Dawood as having said: `The previous government did a bad job negotiating with China on CPEC they didn`t do their homework correctly and didn`t negotiate correctly so they gave away a lot.
• The adviser went on to say: `Chinese companies received tax breaks, many breaks and have an undue advantage in Pakistan; this is one of the things we`re looking at because it`s not fair that Pakistan companies should be disadvantaged.

2. Governor House to be open for public on Sundays

• The Punjab Governor, Chaudhry Sarwar, has announced opening of the Governor House for the public on Sundays, saying that all national assets belong to the people of Pakistan.
• The historic building would initially be opened for families on Sundays between 10am and 6pm. It would also be opened for the schoolchildren on a formal request to the administration.
• The Governor House in Murree had already been made accessible to the public.
  In the first phase, the Governor House parks, lake, zoo and swimming pool were being opened so that people could see the historic building.

3. COAS confirms death sentence to 13 terrorists

• Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa confirmed on September 10, 2018 death sentence awarded to 13 hardcore terrorists, who were involved in heinous offences related to terrorism including attacks on armed forces and law-enforcement agencies personnel, destruction of educational institutions and killing of innocent civilians.
• On the whole, they were involved in killing of 202 people, including 151 civilians, 51 armed forces/Frontier Constabulary/ police officials, and injuring of 249 others.
• Arms and explosives were also recovered from their possession, it said, adding that these convicts had been tried by special military courts.
• Seven convicts had been awarded imprisonment.

4. OGDC discovers oil, gas in Kohat

• Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd (OGDC), operator of the Chanda development and production lease with joint venture partners Government Holdings Private Ltd (GHPL) and Zaver Petroleum Corporation Ltd (ZPCL) has discovered crude oil and gas from its exploratory well Chanda No.
• 1, located in district Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• In a filing with the PSX, the company stated that the structure of Chanda Well No.1 was tested during work over using OGDCL`s in house expertise and in collaboration GHPL and ZPCL teams.
• The well has tested 7,000 barrels per day of crude oil and 2.2 million standard cubic feet per day of gas through 32/64` choke at well head flowing pressure of 1150-1200 Psi from Hangu and Lumshiwal formation.
• The company notice further mentioned that, earlier in Dec 1999, Lumshiwal formation had tested only 150bpd of crude oil and 0.89 mmscfd of gas through 32/64` choke at well head flowing pressure of 160-190 Psi.

5. Pakistan Army makes major contribution to dams fund

• Pakistan Army on September 10, 2018 came forward for the second time and contributed over a billion (Rs1006 million) as donation to the Supreme Court fund for Diamer-Basha and Mohmand dams.
• Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa presented the cheque in a meeting with Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar. The meeting was held at Supreme Court Building on Monday. With the cheque, COAS Bajwa also presented a letter on behalf of Pakistan Army.
• All ranks of Pak Army have contributed to the fund.
• Pakistan Army Officers including civilian officers paid out of defence estimate (two days pay) while junior commissioned officers/ soldiers and civilians paid out of defence estimate (one day pay).
• It is not the first time that Pakistan Army donated to dams’ fund with such big amount. Since the announcement of fund and after chief justice’s donation, Pakistan Army was the second institution which donated the money.
• In July, officers of Pak Army, Navy and Air Force contributed their 2 days’ pay while soldiers one day’s pay to the announced fund for this national cause.

6. Yousafzai secures Shangla seat in re-poll

• Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf`s (PTI) Shaukat Ali Yousafzai has secured Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly`s seat PK-23 (Shangla-I) once again by defeating Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz`s (PML-N) candidate Muhammad Rashad Khan in a re-poll on September 10, 2018 as a large number of women voters turned out in Shangla district for the first time.
• The Election Commission of Pakistan had declared election in PK-23 null and void as the turnout of women voters was less than the specified 10 per cent of the total cast vote in the general elections on July 25.
• The ECP had announced re-polling in the constituency on Sept 10. Polling started at 8am on September 10, 2018 and continued till 6pm.
• According to un official results, PTI`s Yousafzai defeated PML-N`s Rashad Khan by securing 41,960votes while the latter obtained 22,113 votes.

September 11, 2018: International Current Affairs

7. UN rights chief takes on China, other powers in maiden speech

• UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet called on China on September 10, 2018 to allow in monitors after `deeply disturbing` allegations of large re-education camps in which Uighurs are detained in Xinjiang province.
• Her appeal for access came as Human Rights Watch reported that the Turkic, mostly Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang face arbitrary detentions, daily restrictions on religious practice and `forced political indoctrination` in a mass security crackdown.
• Bachelet, a former Chilean president making her maiden speech to the UN Human Rights Council, said the panel had brought to light `deeply disturbing allegations of large-scale arbitrary detentions of Uighurs and other Muslim communities, in so call edre-education camps across Xinjiang`.

8. UN expert urges countries to protect right to privacy in digital age

• A United Nations expert on September 10, 2018 expressed concern over increasing risks to privacy emanating from state surveillance and lack of digital security, including Pakistan`s `vague criminal prohibitions` on encryption.
• In a report prepared for the 39th session of the UN Human Rights Council that began on September 10, 2018 and will end on Sept 28 the special rapporteur wrote that many governments, including in Pakistan, Russia, China, Iranand Turkey, were neglecting or ignoring their duty to protect online encryption that helped ensure freedom of expression and privacy.
• The report highlighted that the right to privacy was a fundamental human right that was recognised in Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in other international and regional instruments.
• However, it noted that many governments had adopted laws or proposed legislation that increased their surveillance powers, often in ways that fell short of applicable international human rights standards.

9. Sudan’s President Bashir swears in new PM

• Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir swore in a new prime minister on September 10, 2018 in a bid to ease an economic crisis, and lambasted alleged efforts to “block” his country from foreign markets.
• Outgoing irrigation minister Moutaz Mousa Abdallah was sworn in at the presidential palace, after Bashir fired the incumbent prime minister and cabinet on September 10, 2018.
• The 31-member cabinet is to be slashed to just 21 portfolios, as the country grapples with an acute foreign exchange shortage and inflation above 65 percent.
  The long trade embargo severely undermined Sudan’s economy, which was dealt another hefty blow when oil-rich South Sudan seceded in 2011.

September 11, 2018: Sports Current Affairs

10. Djokovic equals Sampras’ Grand Slam record

• Novak Djokovic was thrilled to match Pete Sampras with a 14th Grand Slam title at the US Open on September 10, 2018.
• “Pete Sampras is one of the biggest legends ever to play the game,” Djokovic said after earning a third US Open crown with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 victory over Juan Martin del Potro.
• The victory puts Djokovic three Slam wins away from Nadal’s 17 and six behind Federer’s record 20.
• It will also see him rise to number three in the world behind Nadal and Federer — the rankings again reflecting the “Big Three” status they have shared for so long.
• Djokovic had tumbled down the rankings, slowed last year by an elbow injury and a loss of confidence that accompanied a 54-week title drought.