Pakistan Roundup: Zuckerberg's 'death sentence', IMF praise economic reforms, US soybean imports resume
Mark Zuckerberg says he was almost sentenced to death in Pakistan
During a podcast conversation with Joe Rogan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recounted a near-death sentence he faced in Pakistan due to legal claims asserting that Facebook had hosted blasphemous material, specifically a depiction of Prophet Mohammed, as reported by News18. He said, “There are laws in different countries that we disagree with. For example, there was a point at which someone was trying to get me sentenced to death in Pakistan because someone on Facebook had a picture where they had a drawing of Prophet Mohammed, and someone said, ‘That’s blasphemy in our culture.’ They sued me and opened this criminal proceeding. I don’t know exactly where it went because I’m just not planning to go to Pakistan, so I was not that worried about it," he continued.
IMF praised Pakistan's economic reforms: Finance minister
Pakistan's Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb revealed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has acknowledged Pakistan's economic reforms and its journey towards macroeconomic stability. Sharing insights from his interaction with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva during a conference in Karachi, he pointed out advancements in taxation, energy, and the management of state-owned enterprises. Dunya News reported that he attributed these improvements to sound policymaking. Furthermore, Aurangzeb underscored the critical nature of addressing climate change, advocating for a policy framework enabling government facilitation while encouraging active participation from stakeholders, especially in the insurance sector, to promote sustainable economic development amidst financial hurdles.
Pakistan resumes US soybean imports after two-year hiatus
Pakistan has resumed imports of US soybeans after a two-year suspension, with an estimated 265,000 tonnes expected to arrive shortly. This development holds significant implications for the poultry sector, as it ensures a steady supply of high-quality feed. According to Profit, Zain Mahmood, Chairman of the All-Pakistan Solvent Extractors Association, indicated that this move will enhance feed conversion ratios and profitability for poultry farmers, while also reducing dependence on imports and bolstering domestic production capabilities. Experts predict that the re-establishment of these imports will stabilise feed costs and promote the growth and sustainability of the poultry industry.
Pakistan's policy on terrorism, foreign occupation remains unchanged
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its stance on terrorism and foreign occupation amidst media misrepresentation. During a briefing at the UN Security Council according to The News, the country highlighted the urgency of addressing the underlying causes of terrorism, namely poverty and foreign occupation, with a particular focus on Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan, in collaboration with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), supports a holistic counterterrorism strategy that encompasses conflict resolution and draws a clear distinction between acts of terrorism and legitimate struggles for self-determination, in alignment with UN Resolution 60/288 concerning the Global Counterterrorism Strategy.
Anita Karim, Pakistan’s first female Mixed Martial Arts fighter
On a different note, Anita Karim has emerged as Pakistan's pioneering female mixed martial arts (MMA) athlete. Her groundbreaking journey serves as a testament to the increasing representation of women in sports that have traditionally been male-dominated in Pakistan. Karim's successes continue to motivate and empower young female athletes to pursue their aspirations in martial arts, AAJ News reports.
