KARACHI, March 29: Retail payments in Pakistan crossed the two-billion mark in a single quarter for the first time, reaching 2.143 billion transactions—an 11% increase from the previous quarter—according to the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Second Quarterly Payment System Review for FY25. The total value of these transactions grew by 12% to Rs154 trillion during the October-December period, primarily fueled by mobile banking, internet banking, and over-the-counter (OTC) transactions at bank branches. Digital platforms played a dominant role in this growth, processing 1.88 billion transactions, accounting for 88% of all retail payments, while OTC channels handled 263 million transactions…
Author: Ahmad Mukhtar
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Rawalpindi/Karachi/Lahore, March 29: With 20% cut in train fare and 5 additional trains and large number of busses are added by bus stations in mega cities for the passenger to their home towns on Eid ul Fitar travel, still large number of travelers are facing troubles. Despite the launch of five special Eidul Fitr trains by the government, no such service was announced for passengers traveling from Rawalpindi, leading to an unusual rush at the city’s railway station on Friday. Increased Demand and Additional Coaches With public transport fares on highways and the G.T. Road soaring, many travelers…
Islamabad, March 29: The Punjab home department has uncovered a fraudulent US-based website impersonating the Government of Punjab to deceive citizens by offering fake arms license services. In response, the department has formally reached out to the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the director-general of the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) cybercrime wing. It highlighted that the fraudulent website, named “Punjab Arms License Management Verification System” (www.palms.org.pk), was illegally collecting sensitive personal information and payments from unsuspecting individuals. This was under the pretense of providing arms licenses and related services. Authorities confirmed that the website falsely presented itself…
ISLAMABAD, March 29: The federal government has completed arrangements to detain and deport a specific category of Afghan citizens following the March 31 deadline for voluntary repatriation. A high-level meeting, chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, was held on Friday to assess the preparations for repatriating Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders who fail to leave Pakistan by the deadline. Officials confirmed that all necessary arrangements, including the establishment of holding centers equipped with food and healthcare services, have been put in place. Minister Naqvi assured that the federal government is closely coordinating with provincial authorities to facilitate the process and…
Islamabad, March 28: Millions of devoted Muslims assembled at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah on the revered 27th night of Ramadan, seeking the divine blessings of Laylat Al-Qadr. This spiritually significant night saw a record-breaking turnout at the Grand Mosque, with over 4.2 million worshippers uniting in prayer, engaging in Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers to seek mercy, forgiveness, and divine rewards. To facilitate a smooth and organized experience, authorities meticulously coordinated crowd management and logistical arrangements. The Mataf area, designated for Tawaf (circumambulation) around the Kaaba, was efficiently managed to accommodate an astounding 107,000 pilgrims…
Islamabad, March 28: The “2024 World Air Quality Report” presents a grave and alarming assessment of air pollution levels in Pakistan, ranking it among the most severely affected countries globally. Pakistan has been classified as the third most polluted country, while Islamabad has been identified as the fifth most polluted capital city worldwide. These findings highlight an urgent environmental and public health emergency that necessitates immediate and sustained intervention. The “State of Global Air (SoGA) 2024” report further elaborates on the severe health implications of air pollution in Pakistan, documenting a concerning figure of 256,000 deaths attributed to air pollution…
Islamabad, March 28: A powerful earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, causing multiple buildings to collapse in Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, according to eyewitnesses. The tremors were strong enough to be felt in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) to the south. The quake led to widespread panic, prompting hundreds of people to flee buildings in fear. The sudden disruption also forced a temporary halt in trading on the stock exchange. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake measured 7.7 in magnitude and had a depth of 10 kilometers. A significant aftershock…
Islamabad, March 28: The federal government is set to launch the National Minerals Harmonisation Framework 2025 at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25), scheduled for April 8-9 in Islamabad. This initiative seeks to streamline mining regulations across provinces and establish an investor-friendly mineral policy to attract both domestic and foreign investment. Key Objectives of the Framework The framework has been developed in collaboration with provincial governments, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). It aims to: Create a uniform regulatory structure for mining. Ensure safety and environmental sustainability. Enhance efficiency in resource extraction. Foster strategic international partnerships. Encourage Foreign…
Islamabad, March 28: The federal government has formally requested the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to reduce electricity prices by Rs1.71 per unit nationwide, including Karachi. However, this reduction is significantly lower than the Rs8 per unit relief that was initially speculated. Despite earlier reports suggesting a major cut in electricity tariffs, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reportedly blocked a larger reduction during its staff-level review of the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The IMF only permitted a Re1 per unit reduction related to grid levies imposed on industrial captive power plants. During the March 4-14 negotiations, Pakistani…
Islamabad, March 28: The Federal Cabinet has reinstated the 25% income tax rebate for teachers following intervention by the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), bringing relief to educators across Pakistan. During a press conference at the FTO Headquarters, Khalid Javed, Registrar to the FTO, and Amas Ali Jovindah, Advisor Legal & Media Wing, announced that the FTO had resolved over 5,000 complaints related to the rebate issue. The decision will have a nationwide impact, benefiting thousands of teachers. Background of the Tax Rebate Issue The 25% income tax rebate for teachers had been in place since the enactment of the Income…
