Yusara Askari, Author at The Singapore Post

China’s steady progress: a beacon of certainty in an uncertain world

20Dec

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

China’s steady progress: a beacon of certainty in an uncertain world

The recent Central Economic Work Conference, held recently in Beijing, reviewed and analyzed China's economic performance for this year and outlined key policy measures for the upcoming year. This conference not only set the course for China's economic development but also provided the world with a clear vision of stability, innovation, and growth opportunities. By strengthening confidence, leveraging its strengths, and addressing challenges proactively, China will continue to maintain its economic momentum, ensuring strong and consistent progress during the opening stage of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). Not long ago, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China's Zhejiang province saw its annual container throughput surpass 40 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) for...

Institutional reforms can help unlock savings

19Dec

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Institutional reforms can help unlock savings

China's economy has transformed from lengthy periods of shortages to one of surpluses, said Wu Xiaoqiu, dean of the National Academy of Financial Research at Renmin University of China. Wu was speaking to Seashell Finance, a financial news outlet of Beijing News, about ways to stimulate consumption in times of "surpluses". Below are excerpts of the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily. Back in the 1980s, the country's focus was on how to address shortages in supply. By turning the planned economy into a market economy, the country established incentive mechanisms and unleashed productive forces. But the toolbox designed to address supply shortages in the past is no longer suitable for the current circumstances, as overcapacity is widely seen in many...

“Imran Khan Is Alive”: Lawmaker Says Regime Pressuring Him To Leave Pakistan

30Nov

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

“Imran Khan Is Alive”: Lawmaker Says Regime Pressuring Him To Leave Pakistan

Earlier this week, several social media handles from Afghanistan claimed that Imran Khan had been murdered inside Rawalpindi's jail. Refuting the rumours about Imran Khan's death, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Khurram Zeeshan on Saturday said the former Prime Minister is alive and currently lodged in Adiala jail. He added that Khan is being kept in isolation as a tactic to pressure him into leaving Pakistan. Speaking to ANI from Pakistan, Khurram Zeeshan, who is affiliated with Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said the regime in the country is threatened and scared of Imran Khan's popularity, which is why they have not allowed any pictures or videos of him to be released. Earlier this week, several social media handles from Afghanistan claimed t...

X’s location feature: A political row over handles run from ‘Pakistan’, and a reliability catch

27Nov

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

X’s location feature: A political row over handles run from ‘Pakistan’, and a reliability catch

X users making 'pro-Congress, anti-govt' posts based out of Pakistan, Bangladesh etc, according to the platform's location data. BJP pounces, Congress says 'manufactured outrage'. Several X users making “pro-Congress” and “anti-Modi government” posts are based out of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries, according to a new location feature on the social media platform. The BJP claims this has exposed a “coordinated global operation to influence India’s social discourse, spread misinformation and deepen internal divisions”, adding that the new feature has laid bare an “interesting pattern” in “a large number of pro-Congress, anti-Hindu, and divisive caste-based handles”. The Congress has reacted, alleging “manufactured outrage”. It all began when the platform’s H

Pakistan vows political, diplomatic support for Kashmiris on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day

13Jul

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Pakistan vows political, diplomatic support for Kashmiris on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday vowed to extend Pakistan’s diplomatic and political support to the people of Kashmir on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, calling for the resolution of the dispute as per the United Nations Security Council resolutions, state-run media reported. Pakistan marks Kashmir Martyrs’ Day on July 13 every year to pay tribute to 22 Kashmiri protesters who were shot dead in Srinagar, the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, in 1931 by soldiers of Maharaja Hari Singh, the Hindu ruler of the then princely state. Pakistan sees the day as a symbol of Kashmiris’ struggle against what it says is illegal Indian occupation in the disputed Himalayan valley. Both India and Pakistan have fought three wars since 1947, with two of them over Kashmir. Both claim terr

Government and Opposition in Pakistan Start Negotiations to Reduce Political Tensions

24Dec

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Government and Opposition in Pakistan Start Negotiations to Reduce Political Tensions

The Pakistani government and opposition parties commenced talks on Monday to address ongoing political tensions that have persisted since 2022, Anadolu Agency reported. The initial meeting took place in Islamabad between representatives of the ruling coalition and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The discussions follow a recent PTI protest demanding Khan’s release, which resulted in casualties among both protesters and security forces. The National Assembly’s speaker is facilitating the negotiations, focusing on the release of Khan and PTI supporters, as well as a judicial inquiry into the May 9 riots and November 24 protests. Ruling party Senator Irfan Siddiqui expressed optimism about the talks, stating the government enter

Discussions Start Between the PTI and the Pakistani Government: Will Imran Khan Soon Be Freed?

24Dec

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Discussions Start Between the PTI and the Pakistani Government: Will Imran Khan Soon Be Freed?

In a significant political development, the Pakistan government and the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have initiated talks, sparking discussions about a potential shift in the country’s political landscape. The talks, which began on Monday, aim to ease tensions between the two factions, with the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan emerging as one of the key issues on the table. The political dialogue follows a series of events signaling a thaw in relations between the two camps. Notably, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was recently seen embracing PTI leader and Imran Khan’s aide, Ali Amin Gandapur, marking a significant shift in the relationship between the ruling government and the opposition. This gesture is especially significant as it comes just thre

Trump denies that Elon Musk is the true force driving the US president-elect.

22Dec

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Trump denies that Elon Musk is the true force driving the US president-elect.

United States President-elect Donald Trump has pushed back on the notion that he has “ceded the presidency” to billionaire Elon Musk, who has taken an outsized role in the president-elect’s transition into the White House. Trump made the comments during a speech in Arizona on Sunday, days after the Tesla and SpaceX owner intervened alongside the president-elect to scuttle a budget bill negotiated in Congress. The incident was the latest in which Musk has taken an atypically large role in the incoming Trump administration, prompting criticism from Democrats and from within Trump’s own Republican party. Directly addressing those criticisms for the first time, Trump praised Musk, before adding: “And no, he’s not taking the presidency.” Trump further called the suggestion that he

16Dec

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Bangladesh’s Fortunes Change for India

After a five-decade hiatus, a Pakistani cargo ship docked in the port city of Chittagong, Bangladesh, last month. The ship’s arrival signaled a significant shift in Bangladesh’s dealings with Pakistan, from which it seceded in 1971. Dhaka has also boosted its acquisition of arms and ammunition from Islamabad and dispensed with its practice of a full customs inspection of Pakistani imports. These developments have come in rapid succession since Bangladesh’s interim government took over a few months ago. Leader Mohammed Yunus, a Nobel-winning economist, was the consensus candidate after Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down under pressure in August. During her last two terms in office, she worked closely with India’s government. (Hasina has received asylum in New Delhi, a

The military of Pakistan accuses the former intelligence head of engaging in “political activities.”

10Dec

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The military of Pakistan accuses the former intelligence head of engaging in “political activities.”

Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan’s military has charged a former spy chief with “engaging in political activities”, in essence accusing him of working with ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan to destabilise the nation. The chargesheet against retired Lieutenant-General Faiz Hamid, the former head of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), follows months of investigations and proceedings under the Pakistan Army Act. Hamid was arrested in August this year. “During the process, the involvement of Lt Gen Faiz Hamid (Retd) in events related to creating agitation and unrest, leading up to multiple incidents, including but not limited to the events of May 9, 2023, aimed at fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests—is also being separately investig