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February 09, 2022: National Current Affairs MCQs
1. Still short of IMF `all clear`, govt puts on brave face
• The government put on a brave face amid a stalemate on securing a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), needed to avert a nearing sovereign default, as the two sides remained short of concluding external financing estimates and precise domestic fiscal measures.
• A clear roadmap on external financing and domestic budgetary steps, coupled with substantial energy cost adjustments, should have led to sharing of a draft Memorandum of Economic and Fiscal Policies (ME FP) by the visiting IMF mission with the authorities at least a day before scheduled conclusion of tall(s on February 9.
• `As of Wednesday night, we have not received the draft MEFP,` said a senior government official, adding Fund`s `reservations on final plan of action both in terms of fiscal measures and external funding sources were still there`
2. Cabinet `hoards` seven SAPMs amid economic crisis
• Amid an unprecedented financial crunch, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on February 8, 2023 appointed seven more special assistants (SAPMs) on pro bono basis, increasing the number of cabinet members to 85.
• However, one of the newly-appointed SAPMs, Abid Raza, has reportedly declined to accept the post. The PML-N MNA from Gujrat reportedly told a senior officer at the PM Office that he did not need any such office as he wanted to strive for strengthening the party`s position in the district.
• His brother and former PML-N MPA Shabeer Kotla told Dawn Abid Raza had called on PM Sharif a couple of days ago in Islamabad where political and administrative matters relating to Gujrat district were discussed. He told the premier that he did not wish to have any position in the government set-up, Mr Kotla said
3. LHC order paves way for 43 PTI MNAs` return to assembly, for now
• The Lahore High Court on February 8, 2023 suspended the acceptance of resignations of 43 MNAs of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) by the National Assembly speaker and their subsequent notification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), ostensibly paving the way for their return to parliament.
• Issuing an interim order on a petition filed by Riaz Fatyana and other lawmakers of the PTI, Justice Shahid Karim also directed the ECP not to announce a schedule for by-polls in these constituencies.
• Barrister Syed Ali Zafar opened his arguments on the merits of the case saying the petitioners had withdrawn their en masse resignations and an announcement in this regard was aired by television channels. He said a written request was sent to NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Jan 23
4. 12 `TTP terrorists` killed in Lakki operation
• At least 12 `terrorists` of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in a midnight intelligence-based operation (IBO) jointly carried out by members of security forces and police in Lakki Marwat district.
• Official sources said on February 8, 2023 that terrorists of the TTP`s Azharuddin group were moving from Lakki Marwat district to Tank district when a joint team blocked the road to stop the TTP convoy. When the convoy was intercepted by security forces and police personnel, the terrorists opened fire, triggering an exchange of fire.
• `The truck (with terrorists onboard) was intercepted near Chuharkheil area of the district and an exchange of fire took place,` official sources said
5. Over 21tonnes of relief goods sent to Turkiye, Syria
• Pakistan sent more than 21 tonnes of relief goods on February 8, 2023 to Turkiye and Syria after a powerful earthquake hit the two countries earlier this week, killing thousands.
• The goods were transported on behalf of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) via two special flights of the Pakistan International Airlines, a spokesperson for the airline said in a statement.
• Flight PK-705 carrying 7.4 tonnes of cargo departed from Islamabad to Istanbul at 8:45am, whereas PK-9135 carrying 14 tonnes departed from Islamabad for Damascus at 10:30am
