HONG KONG: Hong Kong will suspend flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines from April 20 for two weeks after the N501Y mutant COVID-19 strain was detected in the Asian financial hub for the first time, authorities said in a statement late on Sunday.
The three countries would be classified as “extremely high risk” after there had been multiple imported cases carrying the strain into Hong Kong in the past 14 days, the government said.
The city reported 30 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, 29 of which were imported, marking the highest daily toll since March 15. Hong Kong has recorded over 11,600 cases in total and 209 deaths.
Hong Kong authorities have been urging residents to get vaccinated for coronavirus with only around 9% of Hong Kong’s 7.5 million residents vaccinated so far.
The government last week widened the city’s vaccine scheme to include those aged between 16 to 29 years old for the first time, as they aim to boost lacklustre demand for inoculations among residents.
Airlines impacted by Hong Kong’s ban on travelers from India, Pakistan and the Philippines include carriers such as Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Vistara and Cebu Pacific.
Hong Kong bans flights from India, Pakistan, Philippines for 2 weeks
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Hong Kong bans flights from India, Pakistan, Philippines for 2 weeks
- Three countries classified as "extremely high risk" after multiple imported cases of coronavirus into Hong Kong
- Hong Kong has recorded over 11,600 cases in total and 209 deaths
Pakistan approves $713 million to ease power sector’s cash flow constraints
- Finance minister chairs Economic Coordination Committee meeting to approve grants, review economic situation
- Pakistan is grappling with a ballooning “circular debt,” or unpaid bills and subsidies, that has choked its power sector
KARACHI: Pakistan’s top economic body this week approved a grant of $713 million to ease the power sector’s cash flow constraints, the Finance Division said in a statement, as Islamabad looks to reform its priority sectors.
The development took place as Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to approve grants for various projects and review the overall economic situation of the country.
“[ECC approved] another Technical Supplementary Grant amounting to Rs200 billion ($713 million) under the head of Government of Pakistan investment in DISCOs’ equity to address cash flow constraints in the power sector,” the Finance Division said on Thursday.
DISCOs, which handle billing, recoveries and grid maintenance, have long suffered from corruption and political interference.
Pakistan has attempted to privatize its loss-making state-owned enterprises to raise funds and reform them as envisaged under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program secured last year.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government plans to privatize three DISCOs, the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) and Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) in the months ahead.
The Pakistani government, which owns or controls much of the power infrastructure, is grappling with a ballooning “circular debt,” or unpaid bills and subsidies, that has choked the power sector and weighed on the economy.
The liquidity crunch has disrupted supply, discouraged investment and added to fiscal pressure, making it a key focus under Pakistan’s IMF program.
The ECC also approved, on the interior ministry’s proposal, a provision of Rs 4.775 billion [$17.19 million] as payment to 945 families of “missing persons” as identified by the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.
“The disbursement will be made under the supervision of the Commission in accordance with approved procedures,” it added.
Taking stock of the economic situation, the ECC noted that cumulative inflation for the period July–November averaged 5 percent, which it said was “significantly lower” than the 7.9 percent figure recorded during the corresponding period of the previous year.
It attributed this improvement to prudent fiscal management, effective price stabilization measures and close market monitoring by the government.
