Islamabad & Global: YouTube marked its 20th anniversary this April, celebrating two decades since co-founder Jawed Karim uploaded the platform’s very first video, Me at the Zoo, in 2005. What began as a simple video-sharing website has since transformed into a global media powerhouse that reshapes entertainment, music, and digital culture on a massive scale. Now engaged with Google, YouTube commemorated the milestone by sharing striking statistics that underscore its continued dominance in the digital space. The platform revealed that over 20 million videos are uploaded each day, with users posting an average of 100 million comments daily throughout 2024.…
Author: Ahmad Mukhtar
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan met David Laborde, Director of FAO, to review ongoing collaboration on Geographical Indications (GIs) and the integration of nutrition objectives into Pakistan’s trade policies.
LAHORE: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan, said that Suzuki biogas plant not only promote environmental sustainability but also create economic opportunities for local farmers through waste-to-energy initiatives. He paid a visit today to the site of Suzuki Company Limited’s upcoming biogas plant project at Manga Mandi, Lahore. The visit was hosted by Suzuki Pakistan’s Managing Director, Mr. Hiroshi Kawamura, who welcomed Mr. Khan and briefed him on the scope and vision of the plant. Commending Suzuki’s initiative, Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan lauded the company’s efforts to pioneer biogas-based fuel solutions for vehicles, calling it a significant…
ISLAMABAD: Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing taxes on essential food items to combat food inflation and alleviate financial pressure on consumers. Emphasizing that access to quality and sufficient food is a basic right of every citizen, the minister stated, “There should be no tax on basic food products,” as he underscored the government’s broader strategy to ensure affordability of staple foods. The statement came during a meeting with David Laborde, Director Agri-Food at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, where both sides discussed ongoing and…
Washington/Islamabad: During the fifth day of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in Washington, D.C., Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb engaged in a series of high-level discussions to advocate for climate resilience, enhance foreign investment, and push for regional economic integration. A major highlight of the day was his participation in the high-level dialogue of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), where he called for the swift operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund. Senator Aurangzeb emphasized that climate change remains an existential threat to Pakistan, referencing the catastrophic floods of 2022.…
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stepped in to address a crisis involving the potential cancellation of Hajj for around 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims due to alleged mismanagement by private Hajj operators and the Ministry of Religious Affairs. During a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s House attended by the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, members of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, and representatives of private Hajj operators, the Prime Minister expressed serious concern over the situation. Reports indicate that the operators failed to meet Saudi Arabia’s requirements, risking the travel plans of nearly half the pilgrims allotted under…
Islamabad: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation in Karachi has significantly lowered the customs values for imported old and used computer systems, including laptops, printers, and related accessories, irrespective of their country of origin. This revision was formalized through a new valuation ruling, Ruling No. 2000 of 2025, issued on Friday, with the intent to support and facilitate importers dealing in such equipment. According to the details shared in the ruling, the previous customs valuation was outdated, having been issued over a year ago. As a result, the Directorate initiated a reassessment process under Sections 25 and 25A of the…
Islamabad: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has formally requested income tax exemptions for its hydropower projects, seeking parity with the private sector and projects in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K). In a letter addressed to the Federal Finance Minister, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Brig. (Retd.) Tariq Saddozai, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Energy and Power, emphasized the province’s significant hydroelectric potential. He argued that if this resource is harnessed through a systematic, transparent, and well-planned approach, it could play a critical role in ensuring long-term, sustainable energy security for the country. The KP government highlighted that both federal and…
Islamabad: SBP has emphasized the need to enhance external external reserves to avoid any external shock with vigilant financial management with cutting risks. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), in its 2024 Financial Stability Review (FSR), highlighted key challenges and opportunities for the country’s economic growth. Emphasizing the critical need for structural reforms to maintain sustainable growth, the SBP stressed the importance of building external buffers and reducing external financing risks. With rising protectionism threatening global economic stability, the review pointed out potential hurdles for Pakistan’s economy, necessitating vigilant financial management and regulatory actions. Key Insights from the Financial Stability…
Islamabad: In a significant step toward national development, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP), approved Gwadar Safe City Project, NUML, IBA Mirpurkhas funding and Gwadar Safe City plus a road linking Sheerin Farhad shrine to the main road in Balochistan. The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, approved seven major development projects aimed at improving infrastructure, education, tourism, and technology. he meeting was attended by senior federal and provincial officials, including Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, members of the Planning Commission, and representatives from relevant ministries and departments. Three projects, worth a combined…
