Pakistan’s top trade body demands 500 bps interest rate cut as inflation hits nine-year low

KARACHI: International animal rights organization FOUR PAWS said on Wednesday it had rescued a three-year-old female dancing bear from abuse in eastern Pakistan and relocated her to the country’s capital city where she is undergoing treatment. 
The development takes place days after FOUR PAWS and local authorities rescued a seven-year-old black bear ‘Rocky’ after finding out that he had been kept illegally in Punjab province and abused in 35 fights. Local authorities had intervened to move him to a safer facility.
FOUR PAWS said it came to know about Sunny during a meeting with the adviser to the prime minister of change and environment, who received information about the successful confiscation of a female bear that had been abused as a dancing bear. 
“The FOUR PAWS experts lost no time and made the 400-kilometer journey to Jhang district to provide urgent help for three-year-old dancing bear Sunny together with a team from the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB),” the animal welfare organization said in a press release. 

FOUR PAWS said it arrived in Jhang after facing a challenging night-time journey through many villages with “bad road conditions” during heavy rains and thunderstorms. 
It said after 15 hours the team arrived at the location where Sunny was kept, provided her first aid, and set about returning to Islamabad to bring the bear to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.
FOUR PAWS veterinarian Dr. Amir Khalil said the team would conduct a thorough veterinary assessment of the bear. 

“We saw that her teeth had been removed, which is a cruel practice that left her defenseless,” Dr. Khalil said in a statement. “She is emaciated and in an anxious mental state but we will make sure she gets all the care she urgently needs.”
Dr. Khalil provided an update on the rescued bear Rocky, saying that he was recovering “very well” and is eating and drinking and adjusting to his new environment. The veterinarian said Rocky will stay in quarantine for the next few days until his new enclosure is finalized.
“We’ve also given him painkillers and antibiotics to support his recovery,” Dr. Khalil said. “The rescues of Rocky and Sunny are another successful collaboration effort between FOUR PAWS, IWMB, and the Pakistani authorities.”
Pakistan has a troubled history with animal welfare. Last December, an elephant died at a safari park less than two weeks after being reunited with her sister. It was the latest tragedy to affect elephants in captivity in Pakistan.
In 2020, a pair of sick and badly neglected dancing Himalayan brown bears left a notorious zoo in Islamabad for a sanctuary in Jordan.

KARACHI: The government announced on Wednesday the appointment of a lead adviser to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on the Pakistan Crypto Council to develop policy measures ahead of adopting digital currencies, according to an official statement.
The crypto council is a proposed advisory body the Pakistan government is considering establishing to oversee the development and regulation of the country’s digital asset ecosystem. The initiative aims to ensure Pakistan’s engagement with digital assets is secure, compliant and sustainable.
This appointment of the adviser also signifies a shift in Pakistan’s stance on cryptocurrencies, moving from previous resistance to a more open and regulatory-focused approach.
According to the finance division’s statement, Bilal Bin Saqib, a Web3 investor and strategic adviser recognized by Forbes, has been named as the lead adviser. He featured in Forbes 30 under 30 and received an MBE (Member of the British Empire) in 2023 for his contributions to the UK’s National Health Service. Saqib has background in blockchain and digital finance, making him well-positioned to guide Pakistan’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation.
“Mr. Saqib’s appointment underscores our commitment to embracing emerging technologies while ensuring a secure and transparent financial system,” the finance minister was quoted as saying in the statement. “We are confident that his leadership will guide the development of a sound and effective regulatory framework, fostering innovation and sustainable growth in Pakistan’s crypto sector.”
As the chief adviser, Saqib will contribute to policy development for integrating cryptocurrency and blockchain into Pakistan’s financial system while ensuring alignment with global regulatory standards.
He will also advise on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance government efficiency and decision-making processes.
“Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology hold immense potential for Pakistan, particularly for the youth, who are the driving force behind our nation’s digital future,” the finance minister’s newly appointed adviser said. “With the right strategies and regulatory framework, we can empower our country’s youth, foster economic growth, and establish Pakistan as a leader in the space.”
Pakistan has maintained a cautious stance on cryptocurrencies in the past, citing financial security and regulatory risks.
However, the government has acknowledged more recently the presence of over 20 million active digital asset users in the country and aims to address challenges such as high transaction fees through proper regulation.