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April 21, 2022: National / International Current Affairs
1. IMF wants PTI`s relief package `reversed`
• Newly-appointed Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on April 20, 2022 said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) wanted Pakistan to take a number of steps to do away with subsidies extended by the previous government, including raising fuel price and power tariff, to revive its Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
• The fund had set a series of prior conditions involving steep fiscal adjustment close to Rs1.3 trillion, Mr Ismail told media persons before leaving for Washington.
• The IMF wants fuel prices increased to breakeven and taxes restored, amnesty scheme discontinued for industries, circular debt reduced, power rates raised and fiscal savings ensured in order to completely reverse the Feb 28relief package, the minister said
2. HEC chairman`s powers restored through unanimous vote
• Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri on April 20, 2022 was given his power back through a unanimous vote on Wednesday.
• According to a statement issued by the commission, the powers of the HEC chairman, that had been delegated to the commission`s executive director in February through a resolution, were given back to him.
• Mr Banuri had remained in trouble during the PTI regime as he was removed from the post in March 2021 through a presidential ordinance that reduced his four-year term to two years. He was restored by Islamabad High Court (IHC) as the commission`s chairman in January this year.
• However, he faced another setback in February when members of the commission adopted a resolution moved by Education Secretary Naheed S. Durrani, with 14 members in its favour and seven against it, delegating the power of HEC chairman to its executive director.
3. Acting IB chief appointed
• The federal government on April 20, 2022 appointed Intelligence Bureau Academy commandant Fuad Asadullah Khan as acting director general of Intelligence Bureau (IB).
• According to the notification issued by the Establishment Division, Khan, a BS-21 officer of IB, “is assigned current charge of the post of Director General Intelligence Bureau during the leave of Director General Dr Mohammad Suleman or till the posting of regular DG.
• Dr Suleman proceeded to three months leave a day before the no confidence motion was adopted.
• Initially, a summary was moved for the appointment of Abdul Khalique Sheikh as acting DG IB
4. FBR launches reforms plan
• The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched Inland Revenue Strategic Reform Plan (2021-25) to improve tax administration in the four strategic areas.
• The plan provides reform actions to improve tax administration in the four strategic reform areas which include improving tax compliance, strengthening tax administration, building institutional capacity, and reinforcing legislative framework. The plan clearly sets the reform agenda for the four-year period from 2021-22 through to 2024-25. FBR Chairman Ashfaq Ahmed chaired the launching ceremony.
• The event was also attended by key officials of international donors including World Bank, IMF, Asian Development Bank, and senior leadership of FBR
5. Navy ship visits Bahrain as part of maritime security patrol
• Pakistan Navy ship Shamsheer on April 20, 2022 visited Port Mina Salman, Bahrain, during deployment on regional maritime security patrol.
• In a press release, the PN said the ship was patrolling the assigned areas and contributing to international efforts to ensure maritime security in the region.
• Upon arrival at the port, the ship was warmly received by naval and air attaché of Pakistan and senior national representatives of Pakistan at the HQ Navcent, Bahrain.
• During the stay at the port, the Commanding Officer PNS Shamsheer called on Commander Royal Bahrain Naval Forces, Commander Coast Guard Bahrain and Commander Combined Maritime Forces.
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