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May 21, 2019: National Current Affairs
1. SBP warns of higher inflation next fiscal year
• In a move that will doubtless trigger dismay across the business community, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on May 20, 2019 raised its policy rate by 150 basis points to 12.25 per cent, 50bps above market expectations.
• The bank cited rising inflation as well as expectations of future inflation driven by a weak rupee, widening fiscal deficit and potential adjustments to the utility tariffs as the key drivers behind the rate hike.
• The move follows a staff level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $6 billion bailout package, which is likely to be accompanied with tough conditions, including higher interest rates and commitments to roll over debts taken from China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
• The agreement was preceded by a major reshuffle in the financial corridors resulting in the appointment of Reza Baqir, an economist associated with the IMF who replaced former SBP governor Tariq Bajwa. This was the SBP`s first monetary policy statement released since Dr Baqir took office.
2. PM okays appointment of 18 ambassadors
• The government on Monday appointed Moeen-ul-Haq as high commissioner to India.
• Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi announced the appointment of 18 ambassadors and consuls general, including five women officers and two retired generals.
• `Today I met Prime Minister Imran Khan and after a detailed discussion he [PM] gave approval for the fresh appointments keeping in view new challenges,` Mr Qureshi told media.
• The foreign minister expressed the hope that the newly-appointed envoys would play a pivotal role in promoting the soft image of Pakistan and serve the Pakistanis living overseas.
3. RAW network busted in GB
• Security forces have successfully busted local chapter of Balwaristan National Front (Hameed Group) Gilgit Baltistan, a network of Indian Intelligence Agency RAW to carry out terrorism and subversion.
• The local chapter of BNF(H) was busted in an intelligence-based operation carrying out subversion by publishing material through a magazine ”Balawaristan Times”. Huge quantity of weapons and ammunition was also recovered during IBO. As a result of the activists of BNF were also apprehended.
• Sub Nationalist (SN) Organisation Balwaristan National Front (Hameed Gp) BNF(H) GB was cultivated on the behest of Indian intelligence agency RAW and tried terrorism and subversion by targeting “Youth” in GB and various universities of Pakistan.
• Chairman BNF(H) Abdul Hameed Khan (AHK) of Ghizer spotted by RAW was taken to Nepal in 1999 and then shifted to India where he was handled by RAW’s agents, Col Arjun and Joshi. He was kept at three star apartments at Delhi.
4. FM to lead Pak team in SCO-CFM meeting
• Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will lead Pakistan’s delegation in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting (SCO-CFM) in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic on May 21-22, 2019.
• Foreign Ministers of all SCO Member States are expected to attend the meeting.
• This CFM will approve important documents which will later be adopted by the Council of Heads of States (CHS) meeting, to be held in Bishkek in June 2019.
• During the CFM, the Foreign Minister will deliver remarks at the Plenary Session.
5. Ban imposed on interprovincial movement of wheat
• The provincial food department has decided to impose restriction on interprovincial movement of wheat owning to expected wheat crises and price hike of floor in the province.
• Provincial Minister for Food Hari Ram Kishori Lal on May 20, 2019 gave approval to imposition of restriction on the movement of wheat. Hari Ram said that the Pakistan Floor Mill Association South Zone have also shown their apprehension regarding non-availability of wheat stocks in Sindh and proposed the ban of purchasing of wheat by the feed mills.
• He said that in order to stop out flow of wheat stocks from Sindh to other provinces, the provincial home department as well as commissioners and district administrations have been directed to ensure the ban on movement of the wheat from Sindh.
May 21, 2019: International Current Affairs
6. French drug smuggler sentenced to death in Indonesia
• Indonesia on May 20, 2019 sentenced a French drug smuggler to death by firing squad, in a shock verdict after prosecutors had asked for a long prison term.
• The three-judge panel in Lombok handed a capital sentence to Felix Dorfin, 35, who was arrested in September at the airport on the holiday island next to Bali, where foreigners are routinely charged with drugs offences.
• Indonesia has some of the world`s strictest drug laws including death for some traffickers.
• It has executed foreigners in the past, including the masterminds of Australia`s Bali Nine heroin gang.
7. Google to suspend business with Huawei
• Time to abandon the Huawei phone? That was what some owners asked after US tech giant Google said it would suspend its business with China`s top mobile maker, threatening future access to Gmail, YouTube and Chrome.
• Google said on May 20, 2019 it would comply with an order by US President Donald Trump to stop supplying Huawei, meaning it would no longer be able to offer its popular Android apps to buyers of new Huawei phones.
• The order to US companies could affect tens of millions of consumers in Europe, its biggest market outside mainland China.
8. NASA scientists on moon caves
• Astronauts could live inside caves on the moon left behind by lava, a NASA scientist has claimed.
• Experts from the space agency discussed the possibility of lunar habitation as part of an “ask me anything” session on Reddit ahead of the next planned US moon mission in 2024.
• Dr Daniel Moriarty, a post-doctoral lunar scientist, suggested lava tubes on the moon’s surface could provide shelter for astronauts.
• Lava tubes are long tunnel-like caves left by previous molten activity on the moon.
• It comes after NASA announced its next mission to the moon will be called Artemis.
May 21, 2019: Sports Current Affairs
9. Asif Ali`s cancer-hit daughter is no more
• Pakistan batsman Asif Ali was included in the final 15-man World Cup squad, selectors said on May 20, 2019, one day after the death of his 18-month-old daughter Noor Fatima was announced.
• Noor Fatima had been receiving cancer treatment in the US.
• Islamabad United, the team Asif plays for in the Pakistan Super League, confirmed the child`s death in a statement issued.
10. Wahab, Amir, Asif named in Pakistan’s final World Cup squad
• Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on May 20, 2019 included experienced fast bowlers Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir and hard-hitting batsman Asif Ali in the Pakistan’s final World Cup squad following a loss to England in the one-day series.
• Hard-hitting batsman Asif Ali also made the World Cup team – at the expense of opening batsman Abid Ali – with his two half centuries against England. On Abid Ali, chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said: “It has not been an easy decision to leave out Abid, particularly after he got only one opportunity on the tour. But, he was our third choice opener. After both the first choice openers struck early form, we preferred Asif Ali as he brings firepower to the team that can strengthen our chances in the tournament.
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