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Current Affairs of Pakistan from 1 January TO 18 August 2018

Imran Khan takes oath as Pakistan's 22nd Prime Minister (August 18).

Former Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee dies at 93 (August 16).

Ali Zafar honoured with ‘Pride of Pakistan Award’ in Los Angeles.

Pakistani healthcare startup 'Marham' selected for Google’s Demo Day Asia.

25 year old Sania Ashiq becomes Pakistan's youngest provincial legislator in Punjab Assembly.

Pakistan’s first Kalash lawmaker Wazir Zada takes oath (13 August).

Tanzeela Qambrani becomes Pakistan’s first woman lawmaker of African descent.

Pakistan added to Emirates Islamic QuickRemit money transfer routes (13 August).

Pakistan and Russia reached a military cooperation deal that includes sending Pakistani soldiers
to Russia for training.

Pakistan, India briefly open Munabao border after 12 years.

Russia signs naval cooperation deal with Pakistan.

First-ever eye bank 'The Al Shifa Trust' opens in Pakistan.

US Congress passes bill to slash Pakistan's defence aid to $150 million.

Polish alpine skier Andrzej Bargiel has become the first person to ski down from the summit of
K2.

Pakistan Army aviation pilots rescued Russian climber AlexanderGukov who was stuck 20,650
feet above sea level on Biafo Glacier's Latok Peak (July 31).

Fehmida Mirza becomes first female lawmaker to have been elected 5 times on a general seat.

Justice Tahira Safdar nominated as first female chief justice in Pakistan (July 23).

PML-N's Hanif Abbasi jailed for life in the eight-year-old ephedrine case.
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Fakhar Zaman first Pakistani to score double century in ODIs racing to 210 not out in the fourth
ODI against Zimbabwe.

Pakistan’s tallest woman, Zainab Bibi, passes away in Faisalabad (July 19).

Size of Pakistan’s economy is $313.13 billion, says SBP.

Pakistan hosts spy chiefs from Russia, China, Iran.

Iran’s top military commander arrives in Pakistan for three -day visit (July 15).

PM inaugurates: Pak-China optic fiber cable (July 14).

SBP raises key interest rate by 100 basis points to 7.5 percent (July 14).

Pak Navy signs contract for acquisition of 4 MILGEM class warships from Turkey.

Pakistan at 22 among worlds' most powerful countries.

World’s largest aircraft Emirates A380 lands at Islamabad Airport (July 8).

12,570 candidates contesting for 849 NA, PA seats: ECP.

US human trafficking report places Pakistan in tier 2.

Pakistan Added to Global Terrorism-Financing Monitoring List (June 28).

Three Pakistanis (Haroon Yasin, Hassan Mujtaba Zaidi) receive Queen's Young Leaders award
(June 27).

Yousaf Saleem sworn in as Pakistan’s first blind judge (June 26).

Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins an "absolute majority" in Turkish presidential election by securing
52.5% of the vote.

US quits UN human rights body, citing bias vs Israel (June 20).

Pakistan elected to UN Economic and Social Council (14 June).

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Moody's changes outlook on Pakistan's rating to negative from stable.

Pakistan to launch indigenous remote sensing satellite PakTES -1A next month.

May 1 - May 31

Pakistan to host six-nation international hockey tournament from September 2nd to 10th.

Uzbekistan beat Pakistan in final of Street Child Football World Cup.

The World Trade Organization dispute settlement body rules in favour of Pakistan in chemical
export case.

Pakistan's hockey hero Mansoor Ahmed passes away (12 May).

Mahathir Mohamad sworn in as Malaysia seventh Prime Minister (10 May).

Gen Bajwa named 68th 'most powerful' person in the world by Forbes (Xi Jinping 1st, Putin
2nd).

Supreme Court suspends Ishaq Dar’s Senate membership (8 May).

NA passes Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Bill 2018 (8 May).

Alibaba purchases Pakistani ecommerce website Daraz.

Dr Suleman Khan appointed new chief of Intelligence Bureau.

Pakistani girl "Dania Hassan" wins US State Department's 'Emerging Young Leaders' Award.

Pakistan's first Greenfield international airport inaugurated in Islamabad (1st May).

May 1 - May 31
April 24 - April 30

British-Pakistani Sajid Javid becomes UK’s first Muslim home secretary.

Hockey legend Mansoor Ahmed to receive Pakistan’s first mechanical heart aid.
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Pakistan ranks 139th out of 180 countries allowing press freedom.

Seven Pakistani peacekeepers posthumously honoured with UN medal.

Government appoints five new federal minister (Marvi Memon, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Anusha

Rehman and Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry) and one state minister (Leila Khan).

Pakistan announces 5.9 trillion rupee budget (27 April).

Pakistan fail to reach Youth Olympic Qualifiers semis in Bangkok.

India grants land ownership rights to refugees who fled Pakistan 70 years ago.

Islamabad High Court disqualifies Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif under Article 62(1)(f) (26
April).

5.03M girls out of school in Punjab : Unicef.

1.75 million tourists visited Pakistan in 2017 : Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation.

Pak Army Chief meets Russian Army Commander-in-Chief General Oleg Salyukov (24 April).

April 24 - April 30
April 16 - April 23

Pakistan finish second at South Asian Judo Championship in Nepal.

Pakistan appoints first-ever female diplomat Fouzia Fayyaz in Saudi Arabia.

Pakistani-Australian engineer Usman Iftikhar wins Commonwealth Young Person of the Year
award.

Dr Umer Saif appointed chair-holder of UNESCO Chair for Information and Communication
Technology for Development (ICTD).

Pakistan to launch dollar-based savings certificates for overseas residents.

Iran to replace US dollar with euro in financial reports.

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PTI to expel 20 lawmakers who 'sold' votes during Senate polls.

US will place “reciprocal restrictions” on the movement of Pakistani diplomats from May 1,
forcing them to stay within 40km of the city.

PM Abbasi to attend Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM -2018) in London

from April 18 to 20.

PM Khaqan Abbasi reaches Saudi Arabia on a two-day official visit to witness a joint tri-services
military exercise, ‘Gulf Shield-1’.

April 16 - April 23
April 8 - April 15

Pakistan's Mohammad Inam wins first gold medal at Commonwealth Games in the 86kg
wrestling competition.

Pakistan successfully test-fires enhanced range version of Babur cruise missile (14 April).

Pakistan secure 7th place in Commonwealth Games 2018 hockey.

Pakistan Army cadet Sheroz Shahid wins ‘International Medal’ at Royal Military Academy
Sandhurst (RMAS) UK.

Nawaz Sharif, Jahangir Tareen disqualified for life under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution.

Senate passes bill extending Supreme Court, Peshawar High Court jurisdiction to FATA.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena suspends parliament until May 8.

Algerian military transport plane (Ilyushin Il-76) crashes, killing 257 people.

'Pakistan ranked 54th among 84 countries on tobacco smoking'.

Pakistan to host South Asian Football Championship in 2020. Pakistan will also host South Asian
under 15 championship in 2019 and U19 girls’ championship in 2021.

State Bank of Pakistan allowed Bank of China to establish Chinese yuan settlement setup in
Pakistan.

Pakistan trade deficit widens to $27.3 billion in nine months of Fiscal year 2018.
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Pakistani-origin Robina Shah to be appointed high sheriff of Manchester.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) moved Asia Cup 2018 from India to UAE on Pakistan's
request.

Pakistan 12th biggest worldwide beneficiary of international charities: Organisation for

Economic Co-operation and Development.

PM Abbasi arrives in China to attend three-day Boao Forum (April 8).

April 8 - April 15
April 1 - April 7

State Bank of Pakistan banned Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

23 countries including Pakistan takes part in Joint Gulf Shield-1 Military Drill.

Gen Sir Nicholas Patrick Carter, Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the UK Army arrives in
Pakistan on a two-day official visit (April 6).

PM Abassi arrives in Afghanistan on one-day visit (April 6).

South Korean former president Park Geun-hye sentenced to 24 years in jail for abuse of power.

PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi announces simplified income tax package, amnesty scheme for
foreign assets.

China imposes 25 percent tariffs on US exports.

Facebook: Up to 87 million users affected in Cambridge Analytica scandal.

Pakistan win final Twenty20 against West Indies in Karachi to whitewash series 3 -0.

139 terrorists connected to Pakistan on the United Nations Security Council sanctions list.

UAE suspends ‘character certificate’ rule for working Pakistani workers.

Federal cabinet declares April 6 as Kashmir Solidarity Day.

US blocks UNSC statement on Israel's use of force on Land Day.

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Abiy Ahmed sworn in as Ethiopia's prime minister (2 April).

Mokgweetsi Masisi sworn in as Botswana's new president (1 April).

UNSC approves new sanctions on N.Korea.

March 24 - March 31

State Bank of Pakistan maintains policy rate unchanged at 6% for next two months (31 March).

Pakistan Women cricket team clinch T20 series against Sri Lanka (Pakistan - 2, Sri Lanka - 1).

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi wins second term as Egyptian president with 92% of vote.

Russia expels 60 US diplomats and closed the St Petersburg consulate.

Pakistan Navy test-fires submarine-launched cruise missile 'Babur' with a range of 450
kilometres (29 March).

Philanthropist Dr Amjad Saqib founder of “Akhuwat”, receives Commonwealth Points of Light

award.

Pakistan Navy wins 25th National Shooting Championship in Karachi with 20 gold, 14 silver and
11 bronze medals, Pakistan Army secured the runner up position.

Australian ball-tampering scandal: Steve Smith, David Warner banned for 12 months and
Cameron Bancroft for 9 months.

Nobel prize winner Malala Yousafzai returns to Pakistan 6 Years after she was shot by Taliban
(29 March).

Pakistan’s 1st National Forum on Philanthropy held in Islamabad (28 March).

COAS General Bajwa arrives in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) on official visit (27 March).

Tashkent to host international conference on Afghanistan’s peace from March 25 -27.

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Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif will represent Pakistani delegation.

Air Marshal Arshad Malik appointed Vice Chief of Air Staff (26 March).

US, EU expel more than 100 Russian diplomats over over a spy (Skripal) poisoning case.

Afghanistan defeat West Indies to win ICC World Cup 2019 Qualifying Final.

Election Commission of Pakistan removes Farooq Sattar as convener of the Muttahida Quami
Movement.

Islamabad United defeat Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets and claim the Pakistan Super League
2018 title at the National Stadium Karachi (25 March).

US adds seven Pakistani companies to a list of foreign entities that are subject to stringent export
control measures.

President Mamnoon Hussain conferred 58 military and 73 civil awards on people from all walks
of life for their services to the country.

US president Trump replaces McMaster with John Bolton as national security advisor.

March 24 - March 31
March 16 - March 23

Sarfraz becomes youngest Pakistani cricketer to receive Sitara -e-Imtiaz.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka sign three MoUs to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of youth
development and training of diplomats and civil servants (23 March).

Pakistan ranks third among countries facing water shortage.

Pakistan acquires PakSat-MM1 communication satellite from China.

Sherry Rehman becomes the first female Leader of the Opposition in Senate with the support of
34 members (22 March).

Egypt Grand Mufti Sheikh Shawki Allam arrives in Pakistan on five -day visit, endorses
Pakistan’s national narrative Paigham-e-Pakistan (21 March).

Travel, tourism contributed Rs 930.9 billion to Pakistan's economy in 2017: World Travel and
Tourism Council.
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Pakistan offers zero duty on 6,000 items from China.

Sri Lanka’s president Maithripala Sirisena is set to visit Pakistan from March 22 to 24 where he
will be the ‘guest of honour’ for the Pakistan Day parade.

PPP MNA Ayaz Soomro passes away in New York at 59 (20 March).

India most vulnerable country to climate change followed by Pakistan - HSBC report.
Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan takes over as PAF chief (19 March).

Vladimir Putin wins re-election for fourth term.

HEC bans 13 universities' MPhil, PhD distance learning programmes.

DSP Investigation Multan Shahida Nasreen secured 1st position at the 7th International Women
Policing Conference held in Georgia also won Medal of Valor.

LTG Ghayur Mahmood appointed colonel commandant of Frontier Force Regiment (17 March).

Karachi ranked 6th cheapest city in the world by Economist Intelligence Unit (Singapo re most
expensive city).

PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met with United States Vice President Mike Pence during his private
visit to the US (17 March).

Pakistan's 'net reserves stand at minus $724m': IMF (16 March).

Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar appointed as new chief of air staff.

March 16 - March 23
March 08 - March 15

Pakistan ranks 75th out of 156 countries in the 2018 World Happiness Report (Finland 1st,
Burundi ranked 156).

Mahira Khan receives international award for her Contribution to Film and Activism at the UK
Asian Film Festival in London.

Punjab Assembly unanimously passes landmark bill to regulate Sikh marriages (14 March).
British physicist Stephen Hawking dies at 76 (14 March).

FIFA lifts suspension on Pakistan Football Federation.

Trump fires Rex Tillerson as secretary of state and named current CIA chief Mike Pompeo to
succeed him.
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Bangladeshi passenger plane carrying 71 people crashed in Kathmandu killing at least 50 people.

PakVitae a startup wins regional HULT prize for clean drinking water model.

Sadiq Sanjrani elected as chairman Senate. Sanjrani secured 57 votes, while PML -N’s Raja

Zafarul Haq secured 46 out of the total 103 votes (12 March).

Saleem Mandviwalla elected deputy chairman of Senate with 54 votes (12 March).

Chief of Air Staff Sohail Aman awarded US Legion of Merit.

Pakistan listed 9th largest arms importer in the world by SIPRI (India 1st).

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has arrived in Islamabad for 3 -day visit (11
March).

Mauritius president Ameenah Gurib-Fakim to resign next week for using credit card issued by a
charity to buy clothes, jewellery.

Saudi Arabia signs deal with Britain for 48 Typhoon fighter jets.

Pakistani physician-scientist Dr Faisal H Cheema awarded $4m for outstanding medical resear ch
on heart transplantation.

Pakistan's abstains from voting on a UNHRC resolution against human rights violations in Syria
(Resolution adopted by a vote of 29 in favor and 4 against. 14 countries including Pakistan
abstained from the voting).

Pakistan concludes Joint Naval and air Exercise 'Ribat - 2018'.

PM appointed Ali Jahangir Siddiqui as ambassador to US.

British High Commission announces Asma Jahangir scholarship to the best female Chevening
candidate each year.

US offers $5m reward for info on TTP chief Mullah Fazlullah.

Pakistan ranks eight in kidney diseases causing 20,000 deaths every year (20 million people
suffer from kidney diseases).

Pakistan's stock exchange to launch exchange-traded fund this year.

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Casualties linked to militancy and violence have dropped in Pakistan for the 3rd consecutive
year, with 21% fewer fatalities in 2017 than in 2016.

Pakistan and South Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for employment
of Pakistani workers.

BlackBerry use Facebook, WhatsApp over patent infringement..

March 08 - March 15
March 1 - March 7

First container vessel MS Tiger, under the China-Pakistan Economic Project (CPEC), arrived at
Gwadar Port (7 March).

Moroccan PhD student Nisrine El Kettani wins Miss Arab Veil 2018 award held in Cairo, Egypt.

Pakistan, India agree to swap women, mentally challenged, above 70 prisoners (7 March).

There are a record 2,208 billionaires in the world, according to Forbes' 2018 rich list.

The federal cabinet has approved banning sale of loose cigarettes across the country..

Cabinet increases daily allowance of parliamentarians by 71%.

Cabinet approves privatisation of PIA.

Senate passes bill to ensure rights of transgender persons (7 March).

Farhatullah Babar removed as PPP spokesperson.

Google unveils newest 72-qubit quantum processor known as Bristlecone.

PAF, PN conduct successful test of C-802 anti-ship cruise missile.

Pakistan in talks with China to borrow $1b.

Bollywood's veteran character actor Nargis Rabadi, popularly known as ‘Shammi Aunty’ passes
away (6 March).

Sri Lanka declares state of emergency after Buddhist -Muslim clash.

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Saudi Arabia had granted Air India permission to fly over its territory on its new routes to and
from Israel.

Pakistan PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi arrived in Nepal on a two-day visit (05 March).

Henly & Partners Passport Index: Pakistani passport ranked fourth worst for international travel
(Japan and Singapore have secured the top spot).

COAS lays foundation stone of UAE, Swiss govt-supported desalination plant in Gwadar (4
March).

Krishna Kumari becomes first Hindu Dalit woman senator of Pakistan.

9 year-old Pakistani girl Selena Khawaja (who has been titled the "Mountain Princess") has
become the youngest to scale the 5,765-metre-high Quz Sar Peak in Shimshal Valley, Hunza.

Supreme Court bans 'Chinese salt' across country, declares it 'hazardous to health'.
PML-N wins Senate elections (PML-N 33, PPP 20, PTI 12, Independent 15).

Ahmed Baig wins U21 category of 12th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final in Vietnam (March 3).
One out of five women in Pakistan is part of labour force: UN report.

PIA flight services achieves ISO 9001 certification.

Trump to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Pakistan Armed Forces ranked 13th most powerful on Global Firepower military strength index
(US, Russia and China tagged as most powerful in the world).

PML-N candidate Dr Asad Ashraf (298 votes) defeats PTI candidate Dr Zarqa Suharwardi (38
votes) in Senate by-election.

Short film titled Golden Ticket, directed and written by Saira Mansoor gets nominated for the
Asia Peace Film Festival.

Three member countries (Singapore, Philippines and Vietnam ) are blocking Pakistan's entry to
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

February 24 - February 28

Pakistani student, Syed Jaffar Raza, has won the gold medal at the International Math Challenge
VII competition (Bangkok), beating 600 participants.

PAF raises new JF-17 squadron at Samungli.

Russia vetoes United Nations Security Council resolution blaming Iran for arming Yemen's
Houthis.
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Kashmala Tariq sworn in as federal ombudsperson on women's harassment (27 Feb).

Pakistani mountaineer Samina Baig appointed United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
goodwill ambassador (26 Feb).

Shehbaz Sharif elected as acting president of PML-N.

Ed Sheeran named world's best-selling artist of 2017.

Pakistan measles crisis among worst in world, cases rose by more than 100 per cent in 2017,
compared to previous year.

Iranian Air Force Commander Brigadier General Hassan Shahsafi arrives in Pakistan (26 Feb).

NOWPDP, a disability inclusion initiative, has won the prestigious Innovative Practice of 2018
global award at the United Nations (24 Feb).

Riyadh hosts first international half-marathon.

US to open Jerusalem embassy in May for Israel's 70th anniversary.

Japanese scientists invent floating 'firefly' light.

Afghan government to shut down Taliban's Qatar office.

China proposes removal of two-term limit for president.

Sridevi, India's first female superstar, dies [24 February 2018 (aged 54)].

UN Security Council approves 30-day ceasefire.

Pakistan to go on FATF terror financing list in June.

February 24 - February 28
February 16 - February 23

PM Abbasi arrives in Turkmenistan for ground-breaking ceremony of TAPI project (February

22).

Transparency International ranks Pakistan 117 out of 180 countries on global corruption index
(Pakistan has received 32 score).
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NASA finds 95 new Exoplanets beyond our solar system using data from NASA's K2 mission.
India doctors remove world's 'largest brain tumour' (1.8kg).

India's 4G speed slowest (6 mbps) in the world while Singapore was on the top spot with 44
mbps. (Pakistan 14 mbps).

Top commander of Hizbul Ahrar 'Jihadyar Mehsud' killed in clash with Afghan tribal m ilitia.

KPK bans sale, import, manufacture of Chinese salt.

KPK passed a bill 'Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Marriage Functions Bill 2018' banning demand of
dowries.

Election Act case: Supreme Court bars disqualified Nawaz Sharif from heading PML -N
(February 21).

The European Union (EU) has extended Pakistan’s Generalised System of Preferences plus
(GSP-Plus) status for two years (February 21).

The United Nations children’s agency has declared Pakistan as the riskiest country for newborns.
Balochistan government declares Bostan Industrial Estate an economic zone.

US bid to put Pakistan on terror financing watch-list falls through after member states failed to
reach consensus.

PCB builds Pakistan’s biggest High Performance Centre (HPC) at National Stadium Karachi, in
view to improved batsmen technique for foreign tours.

Saudi Arabia to host first Arab Fashion Week, the Arab Fashion Council.

Russia opens honourary consulate in Peshawar (February 20).

UNDP, Japanese govt launch $3.9m project to empower more than 20,000 youths in Sindh and
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (20 February).

Malaysian naval chief (Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman) arrives in Pakistan on an official
visit (February 19).

Pakistani Sikh Sardar Ramesh Singh Khalsa wins humanitarian award at World Sikh Awards
held in Canada (19 February).

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif to leave for official visit to Russia (February 18).

Imran Khan ties the knot for third time with Bushra Maneka.
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Afghan institute, Metallica win Polar Music Prize, often called music's 'N obel Prize'.

Pakistan borrows $500 million from ICBC China.

The Iran Aseman Airlines ATR-72 crashes into mountain, killing all 66 people aboard (February
18).

Pakistan turns down cheaper loan offer from Japan.

Pakistani social entrepreneur and philanthropist Zain Ashraf has been conferred the 2018
Commonwealth Youth Award.

COAS Qamar Bajwa arrives in Germany to attend Munich Security Conference (Feb 17).

Pakistan to send troops to Saudi Arabia on 'training and advice mission.

Actor Matloobur Rehman, famous for his character of Zakoota Jinn passes away in Lahore
(February 16).

Ethiopia declares state of emergency after Hailemariam Desalegn, the country's prime minister,
resigned.

Each Pakistani owes Rs 130,000 : State Bank of Pakistan.

PAKISTAN POST, NBP sign MoU to boost digital financial services.

February 16 - February 23

February 8 - February 15

Cyril Ramaphosa, elected South Africa’s new president.

Jacob Zuma resigns as president of South Africa.

COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa arrived in Kabul to attend the Chief of Defence Conference
(13 February).

US pushes motion to put Pakistan on global terrorist-financing watchlist.

Pakistani government bans Jamat-ud-Dawa head Hafiz Saeed and take over assets of Hafiz
Saeed's JuD, and FIF.

PML-N’s Iqbal Shah defeated PTI’s Ali Tareen Khan with margin of 27,000 votes in the hotly
contested Lodhran NA-154 by-polls. (PML-N 113,542 votes - PTI 85,933 votes)
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Pakistani leading rights activist, Asma Jehangir, dies at 66 (11 February).

Pakistan’s veteran TV actor Qazi Wajid dies at 87 (11 February).

World's tallest hotel (Gevora Hotel by the Al Attar Group (1,167 feet)) opens in Dubai.

Saudi Arabia accepts one-time raise in Pakistan’s Hajj quota which will enable a total of 184,210
Pakistanis to perform the pilgrimage this year.

India stops 200 Hindu pilgrims from coming to Pakistan.

The Middle East’s first Hindu stone temple will be constructed in Abu Dhabi by 2020.

Russian plane (Saratov Airlines) crash kills all 71 people on board.

Pak-Saudi naval exercise Nasem al Bahr commences in Saudi Arabia (10 February).

9th Karachi Literature Festival started in Karachi (9 February).

11 Pakistani exhibitors participate in Ambiente Fair to be held from February 9 -13 in Frankfurt,
Germany.

Pakistan joins International Socca Federation ahead of mini-football World Cup (9 February).

Pakistani delegation attends Al-Quds Al-Sharif OIC Youth Capital 2018 in Palestine.

Jordan's King Abdullah II arrives in Pakistan on two-day visit (8th February).

World's first passenger drone makes maiden public flight in China.

Bangladesh ex-PM Khaleda Zia jailed for five years in corruption case.

Maldives sends out envoys to 'friendly nations' of China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia.

Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) has been ranked among the top 100 universities of Asia.

144 nomination forms submitted against 52 seats for Senate elections.

The Sindh High Court (SHC) removes regulatory duty from over 350 goods.

Bermuda has become the first country in the world to roll back same -sex marriage laws.
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February 8 - February 15
February 1 - February 7

Veteran journalist Siddiq Baloch passed away in Karachi (6 February).

The Maldives president Abdulla Yameen declared a State of Emergency.

PM Abbasi inaugurates Golen Gol Hydropower project in Chitral.

Adelaide Strikers claimed their first Big Bash League title after defeating Hobart Hurricanes by
25 runs.

Top UN court awards Costa Rica territory claimed by Nicaragua.

India outplay Australia to win Under-19 World Cup.

Karachi ranked number two in marijuana-consuming cities in the world.

The hajj quota for Pakistan for the year 2018 remains the same at 179,210.

COAS Gen Bajwa meets Saudi crown prince in Riyadh (February 2).

Pakistan’s annual inflation climbed to 4.4 per cent in January from 3.7pc in the same month last
year.

Pakistan claimed the third position at the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2018.

Nehal Hashmi sentenced to one month jail time and has been barred from holding public office
for next five years in contempt of court case.

Muhammad Aurangzeb appointed as HBL president and CEO.

Sindh Minister for Planning and Development Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, was found shot dead
with his wife Fariha Razaque in his house in Karachi (Feb 1).

January 24 - January 31

Pakistan Launches Application "Surfsafe" to Combat Cyberextremism.

Supreme Court orders removal of Siddiqul Farooq as Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB)
chief.

India beat Pakistan by 203 runs to Enter ICC U-19 World Cup Final 2018.

Afghanistan Interior Minister and spy chief visit Pakistan (31 January 2018).
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UAE has launched a trade complaint at the World Trade Organisation to challenge Pakistan’s
duties on biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, used in food packaging.

French climber Elisabeth Revol rescued from Nanga Parbat by Polish mountaineers.

India and Pakistan Extend Thar Rail Link for three more years that connects Jodhpur in
Rajasthan with the Karachi.

Babar Azam tops ICC T20I batting rankings.

Pakistan, China jointly host first international exhibition Gwadar Expo (January 29) .
US lifts ban on refugees from 11 countries.

Pakistan tops ICC T20 ranking after defeating New Zealand.

At $19.3 billion, Pakistan ranks fifth in the world that receives the most remittances every year
(India $72 billion, followed by China ($64 billion).

Roger Federer Defeats Marin Cilic to win Record-Tying Sixth Australian Open championship.

PM Abbasi inaugurates DigiSkills programme which aims at training one million youth through
online modules.

Indian origin 10-year-old boy Mehul Garg beats Einstein, Hawking IQ scores.

After 152 years, 'Super Blue Blood Moon' to light up skies on January 31.

Pakistani cardiologist, Jaffar Khan, has won the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society’s
prestigious 2018 Young Investigators Award.

Jalal-ud-Din appointed head of Pakistan women's selection committee.

Usman Akhtar Bajwa appointed new CDA chief.

Dubai sets world record with biggest cup of karak chai.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) raised its main policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 6
percent.

Fitch revised Pakistan's B rating outlook to negative from stable.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo to visit Pakistan on January 26.

Former LHC judge Asghar Haider appointed as NAB prosecutor general.

PIA Islamabad-New York flights discontinued after Rs 1.2bn loss.

Pakistan win second T20 against New Zealand.
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Pakistan ranked at 47th in the Inclusive Development Index (IDI) 2018 of the World Economic
Forum.

The USA, Congress passes funding bill, ends three-day government shutdown.

January 24 - January 31
January 16 - January 23

Pakistani student (Muhammad Haider Khan) bagged the highest marks in Syllabus D
Mathematics in the Cambridge Examinations.

PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to attend World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland, from 24 -25
January 2018.

Shah Rukh Khan receives human rights award at WEF (World Economic Forum).

Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency launches digital environmental atlas.

World XI beats Pakistan 5-1 in first hockey match.

Government shutdown in the United States over immigration.

India beats Pakistan by 2 wickets to claim Blind Cricket World Cup title at Sharjah Cricket
Stadium.

Over 1.8 million cases pending in Pakistan’s courts.

New Zealand became The 11th country to send a rocket into Orbit.

Pakistani nuclear scientist and former chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Dr.
Ishfaq Ahmed passed away at the age of 87.

Pakistan allows visa on arrival for group tourists from 24 countries.

Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has ordered the closure of the offices of Radio Mashaal.

US set to overtake Saudi Arabia as world’s number two oil producer: IEA.

Three students of the space science department at Institute of Space Technology (IST) in
Islamabad have received international acclaim for their research on super -massive black holes
and galaxy collisions in space.

India test-fires Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile.

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Hasan Ali wins ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award.

Microsoft tops Thomson Reuters top 100 global tech leaders list.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan drops massive 71.5% in Dec.

January 16 - January 23
January 8 - January 15

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) cancels enlistment of 284 political parties.

PIA bans use of social media for its employees.

PML-Q’s Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo sworn in as Balochistan CM (13 January 2018).

New Zealand beat Pakistan in 3rd ODI to clinch series.

National Assembly passes bill to bring FATA under SC, PHC jurisdiction.

World Bank puts $250m policy loan for Pakistan on hold.

Ecuador grants citizenship to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

FIFA World Cup Trophy to come to Pakistan on February 3.

The British Backpacker Society ranked Pakistan number one adventure travel destination.

Sanaullah Zehri resigns as Balochistan CM to thwart political crisis.

Sindhiyani Tehreek activist Zahida Shaikh passes away (8 January).

Sikhs ban Indian diplomats from entering Gurdwaras across US.

January 8 - January 15
January 1 - January 7

Indian court jails powerful politician Lalu Prasad for embezzling funds.

America suspends entire security aid to Pakistan.

PAF's first native and youngest commander-in-chief Air Marshal Asghar Khan passes away at
the age of 96 (5 January).

Renowned chef and media personality Zubaida Tariq passed away (5 January).

Supreme Court slaps complete ban on unlicensed mining in K-P.

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Punjab University Vice Chancellor Zaffar Mueen Nasar resigned from his post, apparently over
the issue of the university land.

US places Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan on a special watch l ist 'for
severe violations of religious freedom'.

Cotton production up by 7.2pc.

Afghan refugees granted sixth extension for their stay in Pakistan.

Pakistan Navy successfully test fires cruise missile Harba.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono to visit Pakistan (January 3).

Pakistan Air Force inaugurates new air base – PAF Bholari.

Pakistan, India exchange lists of nuclear installations.

SBP decides to cut import requirement of cash dollars to 35pc against export of foreign
currencies.

Pakistan, India NSAs hold secret dialogue in Thailand.

Palestine recalls envoy for sharing stage with Hafiz Saeed.

Polish team arrives in Pakistan to conquer K2 in winter.

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