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May 06, 2019: National Current Affairs
1. Ready for ‘any co-op’ on Afghan peace
• Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 5, 2019 reiterated his vision for finding a peaceful solution in Afghanistan, fully owned and led by the Afghans themselves.
• Talking to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani who made a telephone call to him, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the spirit of brotherhood defined Pakistan’s approach towards Afghanistan.
• The two leaders exchanged views on matters relating to peace, security and prosperity in Afghanistan and the region.
• Imran Khan said the prolonged Afghan conflict has damaged Afghanistan and adversely affected Pakistan over the past many decades.
• Imran Khan and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani agreed to realise the true economic potential of the two countries for assured socio-economic development, alleviation of poverty, and welfare of the two peoples.
2. Pakistan doesn`t need additional taxes to cover revenue shortfall: WB
• Pakistan has substantial potential to increase tax receipts without imposing new taxes or increasing their rates. The country`s tax revenue potential would reach 26 per cent of GDP, if tax compliance were to be raised to 75 per cent, which is a realistic level of compliance for lower middle income countries.
• This means that Pakistan`s tax authorities are currently capturing only half of this revenue potential the gap between actual and potential receipts is 50 per cent, according to a new document prepared by the World Bank titled Pakistan Revenue Mobilisation Project, published recently.
• This comes against the backdrop of revenue shortfall which the government has sought to diminish with the Washington-based lender`s assistance of $400 million for the revenue mobilisation project to be implemented by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) aiming to contribute to a sustainable increase in domestic revenue by broadening the tax base and facilitating compliance. The credit of $400m will come from World Bank affiliate, International Development Association (IDA).
• However, the FBR has internal challenges which it needs to overcome as it has a negative impact on tax receipts. According to the project document, unlike most revenue authorities in the world, the FBR is not organised along functional lines, nor does it have a clear hierarchical structure.
3. China opens visa centre in Islamabad
• China May 5, 2019 announced to open a visa centre in Islamabad to facilitate people-to-people exchange.
• The Visa Center is responsible for handling various consular documents and applications, “including ordinary visas, attestation, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR visa applications, biometric information collection and collection of attestation fees on behalf of the Chinese Embassy – including express and urgent fees – passport/visa collection and answering applicants’ questions among other services, in line with the requirements of the Chinese Embassy.”
• The visa center will be on trial operation from May 6 to May 10. During this period, applicants with ordinary passports can submit their applications to the visa center or the Chinese Embassy.
• Diplomats, officials can submit applications directly in the embassy
4. IsDB says gave Pakistan $12.43b for uplift projects
• Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) President Dr Bandar Hajjar on May 5, 2019 said IsDB group has provided a total financing of 12.43 billion to Pakistan through development projects in the past years. Pakistan is the integral member country of the IsDB group and is the third largest beneficiary of IsDB financing in different developmental sectors, Dr Bandar Hajjar said this while adressing a press conference here.
• He highlighted that IsDB is financing Neelum Jhelum Hydro Power Project, Jamshoro Power Station, CASA 1000 project for improving energy needs of the country. Dr Hajjar said that he had a very fruitful and constructive meetings with the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of road to Naya Pakistan would pave way for the economic prosperity of the country.
May 6, 2019: International Current Affairs
5. US hints at reviewing ties with countries deemed anti-Israel
• The United States may review its ties with countries it deems as being anti-Israel after what a US envoy said on May 5, 2019 was a shift in policy towards equating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism.
• US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a March speech that anti-Zionism opposition to Israel`s existence as a homeland for the Jewish people was a form of anti Semitism, or hostility towards Jews, that was on the rise worldwide and that Washington would `fight it relentlessly`.
• The State Department`s special envoy for monitoring and combating anti-Semitism, Elan Carr, said this US position could spell reviews of ties with foreign governments or leaders.
• `The United States is willing to review its relationship with any country, and certainly anti-Semi-tism on the part of a country with whom we have relations is a deep concern,` he said during a visit to Israel.
6. Cattle rancher leads the way as Panama elects new president
• Social-democrat Laurentino Cortizo is the favourite to win as 2.7 million Panamanians took to the polls on May 5, 2019 to elect a new president following a campaign dominated by talk of corruption.
• Cortizo, a 66-year-old businessman and cattle rancher, was 10 points clear of his closest challenger, former foreign minister Romulo Roux of the Democratic Change party, with polls showing independent Ricardo Lombana a close third.
• Winner will succeed Juan Carlos Varela, who is unable to stand for re-election as Panama`s constitution limits presidents to a single five-year term. Corruption played a significant role in election campaigning in a country struggling to shed its image as a money-laundering paradise following the Panama Papers scandal three years ago.
7. Kim oversees missile firing drills
• North Korean state media on May 5, 2019 showed leader Kim Jong Un observing live-fire drills of long-range multiple rocket launchers and what appeared to be a new short-range ballistic missile, a day after South Korea expressed concern that the launches were a violation of an inter-Korean agreement to cease all hostile acts.
• Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency said Kim expressed “great satisfaction” over Saturday’s drills and stressed that his front-line troops should keep a “high alert posture” and enhance combat ability to “defend the political sovereignty and economic self-sustenance of the country.”
• The weapons launches were a likely sign of Pyongyang’s growing frustration at stalled diplomatic talks with Washington meant to provide coveted sanctions relief in return for nuclear disarmament. They also highlighted the fragility of the detente between the Koreas, which in a military agreement reached last September vowed to completely cease “all hostile acts” against each other in land, air and sea.
8. Qatar says visas will not be granted to `enemies`
• Qatar will not grant visas to those it considers `enemies`, the secretary-general of the National Tourism Council said in reference to Egyptians seeking to enter the country amid an ongoing political rift.
• Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar in 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Doha denies the allegation.
• While citizens from the three Gulf states were recalled to their home countries due to the rift, Egyptians, who make up the largest Arab minority in Qatar, have remained and make up a sizable portion of the tiny but wealthy country`s work force.
May 6, 2019: Sports Current Affairs
9. West Indies set record ODI opening stand
• West Indies openers John Campbell and Shai Hope shattered the record for the highest first-wicket partnership in a One-day International with a stand of 365 against Ireland in Dublin on May 5, 2019.
• The duo comfortably exceeded the previous opening best at this level of 304 set by Pakistan`s Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in July last year.
• Campbell made 179 and Hope 170 in an eventual total of 381 for three after the visitors were sent in to bat by Ireland captain William Porterfield.
• They were both dismissed in the 48th over, Campbell top-edging Barry McCarthy to mid-off with Hope falling three balls later when he holed out to deep square-leg.
• Campbell faced 137 balls, including 15 fours and six sixes, with Hope`s 152-ball knock featuring 22 fours and two sixes.
10. Morgan inspires England to T20 win over Pakistan
• England captain Eoin Morgan led his side to a seven wicket win over Pakistan in a lone Twenty20 international in Cardiff on May 5, 2019 with an unbeaten innings of 57.
• Test skipper Joe Root made 47 and James Vince 36 as England overhauled Pakistan`s total of 173 for six with four balls to spare at Sophia Gardens.
• This was England`s second victory in three days after their One-day International success away to Morgan`s native Ireland in Dublin on May 3, 2019 as they continued an encouraging start to a season that sees them staging both the 50-over World Cup and the Ashes.
• England fast bowler Jofra Archer also continued his push for a World Cup call-up by taking two for 29 in Pakistan`s innings.
