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Has Imran played his trump card too soon?

11:12 PM | 28 Feb, 2019
Has Imran played his trump card too soon?
It's no secret that Pakistan's image on the international level isn't great; the credit for which goes to some of our previous policies and constant propaganda by India. However, during the last few days of tension between Pakistan and India, Pakistan has, with its rational policies, emerged as the one on a higher moral ground.

The tension between the two countries escalated after the Pulwama attack for which India blamed Pakistan without any evidence and waged a propaganda war against it. The statement Prime Minister Imran Khan gave in response was solid, concrete and very rational. “I welcome all kinds of investigations to be done to find out the perpetrators of the attack,” he offered. However, his offer was met with hostility.

Despite Khan's invitation and assurances, India was quick to escalate things against Pakistan. Indian government launched a crackdown against Kashmiris, a Pakistani prisoner was stoned to death in an Indian prison, clashes erupted on LoC and India violated Pakistani airspace and attacked "non-military targets" in Balakot. One civilian got injured due to this misadventure of Indian Airforce.

What happened next was no surprise. Two of Indian fighter jets violated Pakistani airspace again and were shot down by Pakistan Air Force, one pilot was captured alive and produced before media. A clear message was sent to the neighboring country that any offense will be met with retaliation. A clear battlefield victory for Pakistan.

Tension escalated some more, few of Indian airports and Pakistani airspace was shut down, forces of both countries are on high alert.

Amidst this tensed situation, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that the captured pilot Wing Cdr Abhinandan Varthman will be returned tomorrow. This gesture by Pakistan's government is one of peace and shouldn't be mistaken as weakness, for it was acquired through a military victory by shooting down the intruding jets and capturing the pilot. By announcing the unconditional release of Adhinandan with a sole purpose to deescalate the tension, Pakistan has scored moral victory too. This can also be considered a political victory since it is a clear indication of Pakistans commitment and seriousness towards peace in the region and should give us a better standing internationally.

Pakistan now stands on the higher moral ground.

But it's not time to celebrate the tactical victory. It's time to cash it.

Pakistan needs to build a strong case against India for violating its airspace, for carrying out a provocative attack against "non-military" (read civilian) targets and injuring a civilian Pakistani during the peace-time - which calls for serious implications. Pakistan also needs to give ample attention to the extra-judicial killing of a Pakistani prisoner in an Indian prison, and ask for an apology from India for attempting to tarnish Pakistan's image by accusing it of Pulwama attack without any evidence.

India's failure to provide concrete evidence immediately afterward and hostile reactions are clear indicators that India doesn't want peace in the region - at least not until their elections are over. On the contrary, Pakistan has made efforts to further the peace process. This narrative is based on facts and should be pushed properly on the International level. Pakistan needs to do this before we return the captured pilot tomorrow. Otherwise, we are just going to waste this golden opportunity where Pakistan has emerged victorious in every way. Who knows where we stand tomorrow.

 

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Pakistani rupee recovers against US dollar, Euro, Pound, Dirham and Riyal; check forex rates

Pakistani rupee continues recovering losses against US dollar and other currencies amid positive economic cues.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Tuesday, the US dollar moved down and was being quoted at 283.6 for buying and 286.65 for selling.

Euro slides down to 309 for buying and 312 for selling. British Pound rate inches up to 360 for buying, and 363.5 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED dropped to 77.50 whereas the Saudi Riyal rate stands at 75.90.

Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan - 5 December 2023

Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar USD 283.6 286.65
Euro EUR 309 312
UK Pound Sterling GBP 360 363.5
U.A.E Dirham AED 77.5 78.2
Saudi Riyal SAR 75.9 76.7
Australian Dollar AUD 187.72 188.22
Bahrain Dinar BHD 757.72 765.72
Canadian Dollar CAD 209 211
China Yuan CNY 39.93 40.33
Danish Krone DKK 41.59 41.99
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.46 36.81
Indian Rupee INR 3.42 3.53
Japanese Yen JPY 1.49 1.56
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 922.11 931.11
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 60.97 61.57
New Zealand Dollar NZD 175.89 177.89
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.68 26.98
Omani Riyal OMR 740.01 748.01
Qatari Riyal QAR 78.27 78.97
Singapore Dollar SGD 211 213
Swedish Korona SEK 27.45 27.75
Swiss Franc CHF 327.65 330.15
Thai Bhat THB 8.16 8.31

Gold Rates in Pakistan - Check today gold price - 5 December 2023

The gold remained under pressure in Pakistan amid a huge drop in price of the precious metal despite in the international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 5 December 2023

On Tuesday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs218,500 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs187,330. 

Single tola of 24 karat is Rs218,500, 22 Karat Gold costs Rs200,290, rate of 21 karat gold stands at Rs191,190 whereas 18k gold rate is Rs163,875.00 for each tola.

In the global market, gold saw huge drop in price, coming down to $2037 per ounce after drop of $81.79.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Karachi PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Islamabad PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Peshawar PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Quetta PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Sialkot PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Attock PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Gujranwala PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Jehlum PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Multan PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Bahawalpur PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Gujrat PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Nawabshah PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Chakwal PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Hyderabad PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Nowshehra PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Sargodha PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Faisalabad PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Mirpur PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720

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