The IMF executive board meeting is scheduled to go until May 3, according to specifics. Based on the sources, it is expected that the international lender will approve Pakistan’s $1.1 billion payout today.

The State Bank of Pakistan is anticipated to obtain the final tranche from the IMF tomorrow, following approval, they added.

On July 12, 2023, Pakistan took advantage of a $3 billion loan package offered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Thus far, Pakistan has been granted two installments totaling $1.9 billion: $1.2 billion in July and $700 million in January 2024.

On the last assessment of a $3 billion loan plan, Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) came to a staff-level agreement last month.

Following their week-long visit to Islamabad, which ended on March 19, the IMF delegation made the announcement.

Global lender expressed its optimism that the incoming caretaker administration and central bank of Pakistan would persist in their efforts to stabilize the country’s economy, complimenting them on their “strong program implementation.”

In order to further solidify economic and financial stability, the new government is dedicated to carrying out the policy initiatives that were initiated under the existing Stand-By Arrangement for the balance of this year, the IMF official stated.

In June of last year, the IMF granted Pakistan’s economic stabilization program support through a critical nine-month agreement.

Increased enforcement against unlicensed drivers, particularly those under the age of 18, was directed by Amara Athar, the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) of Lahore.

Underage drivers’ automobiles are to be impounded by the Lahore traffic police instead of becoming the subject of criminal complaints.

Riding a car or motorcycle while on a learner’s permit is illegal in Lahore and carries fines, according to Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Amara Athar.

Underage drivers who operate motorbikes and cars put other people’s lives at danger in addition to their own, according to her, and they should not be given any leeway.

As you may remember, a deadly accident in November 2023 in Lahore resulted in the deaths of six family members, including two newborns and two mothers. As a result, the Lahore traffic police began to crack down on juvenile drivers.

Following a visit to relatives in Shadab Colony on Ferozpur Road, the family was reportedly making their way home in two cars. The car, driven by a teenage kid, struck their car as they were approaching a roundabout.

The Punjab government’s refusal to buy wheat from farmers was contested in a lawsuit brought before the Lahore High Court by Farhat Manzoor Chandio, according to the information.

While the government had established a program to buy wheat from farmers at Rs 3,900 per maund, the petitioner claimed that the government was obligated to acquire wheat from farmers at the official price and that the policy had not been put into practice.

With little progress made on the wheat purchase, farmers in Punjab are left exposed to selling their harvests for less money when it rains, as was originally planned when the Punjab government was set to begin purchasing wheat from farmers on April 22.

Requesting that the government buy wheat from farmers and prosecute the mafia, the petitioner beseeched the court for intervention.

According to sources in the Food Department, the Punjabi government has not yet decided how to purchase wheat. This information was disclosed yesterday.

A statement regarding the next course of action will also be made, according to reports, and farmer leader Sultan Javed stated that the choice must be made by Monday (today).

Prime Minister Shehbaz’s move to raise the procurement target for wheat was well received by him. “We anticipate a comparable declaration from the Punjabi government in the near future,” Sultan Javed continued.

Previously, the federal government was ordered by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to buy wheat from farmers right away after farmers filed complaints.

The statement issued by the PM Office stated that PM Shehbaz also raised the goal of procuring wheat from 1.4 million metric tons to 1.8 million metric tons.

The statement also stated that thousands of farmers around the nation should profit from the prime minister’s decision and receive a consistent income.