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Pakistan can declare bankruptcy any moment now

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A country’s economy is directly proportional to the politics of a state. The growth of businesses & industries needs political stability and a conducive environment for investment. But when a state itself institutionalizes corruption, violence, terrorism, and Jihad then not only does investment sentiment decrease but the domestic business opportunities also get killed. This further gives rise to inflation, unemployment, stagnation, and debt ultimately leading to bankruptcy.

Pakistan is on the verge of bankruptcy

According to a news report published in the Pakistani news portal The News, Pakistan’s default risk surges as foreign exchange reserves are rapidly depleting and due to the floating rate of interest, the bond yield is skyrocketing.

Reports suggest that on December 5 2017, the government of Pakistan issued an Islamic bond worth $1 billion at a yield rate of 5.625 per cent for 5 years. The bonds are going to mature on 5 December 2022 at a whopping 27 per cent. Further, the State Bank of Pakistan has stated that before end-June 2022, Pakistan owes $4.889 billion to the market.

Moreover, the liquid foreign exchange reserves of the country are down to $10.1 billion. With a budgetary deficit approaching Rs 5 trillion and a current account deficit reaching $20 billion is on the verge of declaring sovereign default.

Politics Induced Bankruptcy

A sovereign default means a country cannot repay the borrowings on time. Pakistan’s state of the financial situation is suggesting that the country is in a dire condition of financial difficulties. Leave the repayments of earlier borrowings aside, it does not even have sufficient reserves to import basic amenities like food or fuel in coming times.

Although the Sri Lankan financial crisis was induced by the agricultural policies and pandemic difficulties. But Pakistan has dug its own grave by dictating its policies in terms of religion. Influencing every policy through the lens of religion and selling their soul in the Indian hate has resulted in the bankruptcy of the state.

In their hatred towards India, they continued to export terrorism which resulted in the instability in their own country, further ruining the country’s business growth despite its strategic geographical location on the globe. Further, in an arms race with India, they developed weapons of mass destruction but could establish the mass feeding industries.

Sold souls to foreigners

Blinded by foreign aid, Pakistan aided the world’s two most powerful countries in their conquest in South Asia. The country focused on military development but completely ignored its business infrastructure. The instability during the Cold War era & continued fighting in Afghanistan further sank the development boat of Pakistan and the Islamic country missed the bus of the third industrial revolution.

After the US, they held the hand of the Chinese. But the booming market of China did not help Pakistan to grow its industrial base. The country was used by China to advance its presence in the Arabian Sea and made Pakistan a satellite state for their personal gain. Although they made a strong nexus of the military against India, Pakistan remained a serf of China. The paper dragon did not let the Islamic republic stand on its own. Now, once again the Islamic State is on the verge of missing the bus of the fourth industrial revolution.

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan throughout history (since 1947) remained a satellite state and every policy of Pakistan was decided in the bedroom of America & China. Which never let the country realize to stand on their own and learn the basic policy of a modern state to live for their own people, not kill others. And, now the state has reached the situation of bankruptcy where they can’t feed their own people despite being the ‘closest friend’ of the world’s second-largest economy, China.

TFI POST

A special discussion to be held today on the proposed 21

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A special discussion will be held today on the 21st Amendment to the Constitution presented to the Cabinet. The event was presided over by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

All parties represented in Parliament are invited to attend. Wijedasa Rajapaksa, Minister of Constitutional Reforms says that he hopes to get the views and suggestions of party leaders regarding the draft amendment during this discussion.

The Minister said that the proposals would be presented to the Cabinet next week and further discussions would be held and if positive proposals are made, they would be included in the draft.

The 21st Amendment includes proposals to limit the powers of the executive president, deprive dual citizens of parliamentary elections, and strengthen independent commissions.

Foreign Affairs Minister Peiris meets with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Sri Lanka

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris met with Dr. Alaka Singh, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Sri Lanka on 25 May 2022, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss the current challenges Sri Lanka is facing, particularly with regard to pharmaceutical products.

During the discussion, the Foreign Minister outlined the multiple challenges currently encountered by the country and thanked the WHO Representative for the proactive steps undertaken by her Office to support the Government at this difficult juncture. Dr. Singh assured the Minister of the WHO’s full support for Sri Lanka to overcome the current health-related challenges.

Minister Peiris informed that efforts are underway to establish a central mechanism that would streamline requests for assistance emanating from different State agencies and allowing for the identification of the urgent requirements of the country. This would assist multilateral donor agencies, development partners and foreign countries in providing focused and targeted assistance to Sri Lanka. He also welcomed her expertise on steps that could be taken to address the medical challenges and ensuring that the maximum benefit of efforts undertaken by the Government and the WHO reach the people.

Dr. Singh informed that the critical period is till the end of July 2022 and that from August 2022 to July 2023 there will be sufficient medical supplies in the country. Currently there are several offers of assistance received from many countries. In this context, they are coordinating with the UNDP in Sri Lanka in setting up a platform for donations, particularly private donations.

Minister Peiris conveyed the sincere appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka for the strong, consistent and continuous support received from WHO, in particular the Country Office in Sri Lanka, as well as the support of many foreign countries in assisting the Government address the current health related challenges.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

26 May, 2022

Foreign Affairs Minister Peiris meets with the UN FAO Representative and the Country Director of the WFP to SL

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Foreign Affairs Minister Peiris meets with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative and the Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) to Sri Lanka

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris met with Vimlendra Sharan, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative and Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, the Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) to Sri Lanka on 25 May 2022, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss further collaboration between the FAO, WFP and Sri Lanka to address the current challenges faced by Sri Lanka in relation to food security.

Minister Peiris conveyed the sincere appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka for the valuable support of the FAO and the WFP, in particular the Country Office in Sri Lanka, for the assistance provided towards the development of agriculture, fisheries and livestock, in the country. While outlining the multiple challenges currently faced by the country, the Foreign Minister thanked the FAO and WFP Representatives for the crucial role played by them in providing guidance and support to the Government at this difficult juncture.

Both Representatives assured the Minister that the FAO and the WFP would extend full support for Sri Lanka to overcome the current challenges related to food security and briefed the Minister on their current activities to mitigate any potential food security challenges.

Minister Peiris stated that Sri Lanka and the United Nations enjoy close, longstanding and cordial relations with the UN and that the UN has supported Sri Lanka in times of difficulty. In this context, the Minister referred to the request made by the Prime Minister to the UN Secretary-General and the Director General of FAO for technical support and assistance to augment food production in the country, enabling Sri Lanka to tide over this critical situation.  

Ministry of Foreign Affair

Colombo

26 May, 2022

Economic Situation in SL: PM to make special statement in Parliament

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to deliver a special statement in Parliament revealing the actual economic situation in the country. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Wickremesinghe will be delivering this statement on June 07.

The Prime Minister is expected to explain the economic situation of Sri Lanka as well as the measures to be taken by the government to address the crisis befallen the people.

The sole UNP Parliamentarian become the Island Nation’s Premier overnight Wickremesinghe is also expected to table an Interim Budget for this year instead of the Budget tabled by former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Matters related to this Budget will also be briefed in Parliament, sources learn.

Wickremesinghe’s Interim Budget is believed to have allocated funds to increase the salaries of public servants, probably paving the way for the Private Sector to expect the same, according to sources.

MIAP

LITRO urges public not to queue up for gas tomorrow

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There will be no distribution of domestic lp gas cylinders tomorrow (27) said the LITRO Gas company.

Accordingly, the state-run lp gas company urged the public not to queue up for gas tomorrow.

Same as yesterday and the day before, no gas was distributed today.

MIAP

Justice Minister Rajapaksa’s private MP motion for 21A withdrawn

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The 21st Amendment to the Constitution tabled as a private MP motion by Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa has been withdrawn as revealed in the Supreme Court today (26).

As the petitions filed against the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution were taken up for hearing, the Attorney General’s Department informed the Supreme Court that Rajapaksa’s had informed the Speaker that the relevant motion was to be withdrawn.

The petitions against the 22A were filed by Convener of the National Organisers Collective Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara and Attorney at Law Nuwan Bellanthudawa of the Deshapremi Jathika Peramuna.

The private motion added to the Parliament Order Book by Rajapaksa had suggested to slash powers vested in the Executive Presidency.

The other 21st Amendment to the Constitution proposed by the Ranil Wickremesinghe-led government was also presented to the Cabinet by Rajapaksa as the Justice Minister.

MIAP

Court issues order barring protests near PM’s House

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The Colombo Magistrate Court today (26) issued an order barring the holding of any protests causing public nuisance by blocking the Fifth Lane and surrounding roads and schools in the Kurunduwatte Police Division where Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s residence is located.

The order was issued based on a request by the Kurunduwatte Police.

MIAP

PM Wickremesinghe points out need to make policy decisions based on export oriented economy

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has pointed out the need to make policy decisions based on an export oriented economy. Only these policies can assist the export industry overcome the current economic crisis facing the country.

The Prime Minister made this statement when he met the heads of banks this morning (26).

The Prime Minister pointed out that there are many challenges to be faced in the future, both locally and abroad.

About seventy countries are facing difficulties in the current global crisis. Mr. Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka is ranked first amongst those countries. There is a high risk of rising international interest rates. The danger of rising international food prices is also being observed at this moment. However, the Prime Minister explained that Sri Lanka has a small window in which if the correct policies are taken we can reduce the impact.

The Central Bank said it would be difficult to find a definitive solution to these problems until an agreement was reached with the International Monetary Fund.
The focus was on providing loan deferral relief based on the needs of essential customers.

The Governor of the Central Bank and a number of local and foreign bankers joined the discussion with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

PM offers digital space for GotaGoGama protesters to lodge ideas

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has offered a digital space for the youth to join the protesters at GotaGoGama agitation ground in GalleFace and discuss their problems and collect ideas and suggesttions for the future.

Accordingly, the Prime Minister has opened up a space in his website, pmoffice.gov.lk for the youth to connect.

Anyone including those in the GotaGoGama agitation ground wanting a change can submit their views and proposals to the government through the Prime Minister’s Official Website.

Wickremesinghe has been positive about the people’s protest from the beginning and is of the view that it should continue. He had also appointed a committee chaired by former MP Ruwan Wijewardena to extend support required by GotaGoGama.

MIAP