Lahore, April 9: President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day tariff suspension for countries that refrained from retaliatory measures against U.S. trade actions. The temporary tariff pause, effective immediately, includes a reduced reciprocal tariff rate of 10% during this period. Key Details of the Tariff Pause In a social media post on Wednesday afternoon, Trump stated that over 75 countries engaged with U.S. officials from the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to address trade barriers, currency manipulation, and non-monetary tariffs. He emphasized that these nations avoided retaliatory steps against the U.S., prompting the suspension. The…
Author: Nayab
Islamabad, April 9: Saudi Arabia has announced a temporary visa ban for 14 countries, including Pakistan, ahead of Hajj 2025. The restrictions, effective immediately, apply to Umrah, business, and family visit visas. Authorities confirm that situation will likely return to normal by mid-June. While the Umrah visa holders can enter Saudi Arabia until April 13, other countries on the list include India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Yemen. Visa Ban Details Saudi Arabia formally notified Pakistan about the new regulations. The restrictions aim to streamline Hajj operations and curb overstays. Umrah visa holders must…
Karachi, April 09: The eastern Turkish province of Erzurum—named the ECO Tourism Capital of 2025—will host the much-anticipated Palandöken Economic Forum on April 26-27, 2025. As a dynamic platform that traces its origins back to the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) founded in 1964, the Forum now forms part of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) legacy established in 1985. This year’s theme, “An Equitable Future in a Smart World: Intelligent Economies and Global Inequality”, sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of digital transformation, especially in shaping economies worldwide. A Gathering of Global Minds The Palandöken Economic Forum is set…
Islamabad, April 9: Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in collaboration with the Quaid-i-Azam School of Management Sciences (QASMS), the K Soft Power Seminar 2025 brought together thought leaders, academicians, and students to explore the growing influence of Korean culture in Pakistan and its broader implications for international relations. In his opening remarks, His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, emphasized the enduring friendship between Korea and Pakistan. He highlighted the widespread love of Korean dramas and music among Pakistani audiences, noting that these cultural elements have the remarkable ability to build bridges between hearts and…
Lahore, April 9: Etihad Airways is making headlines once again with an exciting expansion in its flight network. Starting September 29, 2025, the UAE’s national carrier will operate direct flights from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Peshawar (PEW). This marks a significant milestone, further strengthening the airline’s presence in Pakistan. By November 22, 2025, the frequency will increase to a daily service, making travel between the two cities smoother than ever. Why Peshawar? A Growing Travel Hub Peshawar, one of South Asia’s oldest cities, is rich in culture, history, and commerce. The new route is a game-changer for Pakistani expats in…
Islamabad, April 8: A high-profile Saudi delegation, led by Deputy Mining Minister Abdulrahman Al-Belushi, met Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan during the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 to deepen Saudi-Pakistan collaboration in energy and mineral resource development. Read more….PM: Trillions in Minerals Can Secure Pakistan’s Economic Independence Strengthening Bilateral Energy Ties The talks emphasized expanding Saudi investments in Pakistan’s oil, gas, and mineral sectors, with Minister Malik underscoring the country’s vast untapped reserves and investor-friendly policies. Pakistan’s commitment to streamlining regulatory frameworks for foreign investors was reiterated as a cornerstone of future partnerships. Saudi Delegation…
Islamabad, April 08: The United States has officially discontinued the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) for Pakistan, ending a 15-year initiative that provided full scholarships to Pakistani undergraduates for semester-long studies in American universities. The U.S. Department of State confirmed the program’s closure to the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), leaving many applicants for the 2025 cycle disappointed. Read more….USAID to Lay Off All Local Employees in the U.S. US ends Global UGRAD Scholarship Pakistan Launched in 2010, the Global UGRAD Program Pakistan enabled over 2,500 students to gain academic training, leadership skills, and cultural exposure in the U.S. Participants…
Islamabad, April 08: In a stern move, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued 20 official warnings to Telenor Pakistan as a part of campaign against telecommunication companies for failing to meet required service quality standards. The telecom regulatory body has raised concerns over persistent issues like poor network coverage, frequent call drops, and slow internet speeds: a source of frustration for customers across the country. Consistently making bad press for its poor service, Zong came second and was fined over 68 million rupees. Similarly facing repercussions was Jazz, which received 11 warning letters from the PTA due to service…
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a dramatic sell-off on Monday, sending shockwaves through the financial sector. The benchmark KSE-100 index plummeted to an intraday low of 8,687 points, marking the largest intraday point-wise drop in PSX history. Despite a late-session bounce helping to mitigate some losses, the index ended the day at 114,909.49 points, a decrease of 3,882.17 points (-3.27%). Historic Drop Shakes Investor Confidence Monday’s decline ranks as one of the most severe market crashes in Pakistan’s financial history. While the sheer point-wise drop set a new record, brokerage firm Topline Securities clarified that it wasn’t the steepest…
For the past week, social media has been abuzz with claims that Suzuki Mehran is making a grand return with a brand-new look. Videos labelled “Mehran 2025” have flooded platforms, sparking excitement among car enthusiasts. However, the truth has now come to light—Suzuki has no plans to bring back the Mehran. Viral AI-Generated Videos Spark False Hype The rumours began when AI-generated videos of a kei car branded as “Mehran 2025” started circulating online. These clips quickly went viral, convincing many that the legendary hatchback was making a comeback. Some unverified sources even went so far as to suggest a…
