Islamabad, Jan 13: Since arriving in Pakistan in May 2022 as US Ambassador, my focus has been to strengthen and redefine the US-Pakistan relationship, grounding it firmly in areas of mutual interest and cooperation on shared global challenges. It was time to reframe the relationship – not as a lens of Afghanistan-Pakistan or India-Pakistan, but as a deep and enduring partnership between the United States and Pakistan. In the last two and a half years, we’ve broadened and deepened that partnership and made important progress in areas that matter most to Pakistanis: jobs, affordable energy, clean water, health, and education.…
Author: Guest Writer
Islamabad, Jan 8: As internet problems persist, several information technology companies have started using Starlink Elon Musk’s satellite internet service despite the company not having a license issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Talking to Nukta, a senior official at an IT company that utilizes Starlink’s services said they were doing so to get reliable and uninterrupted internet access, particularly for interactions with their overseas clients. “Our company bought equipment from the United Kingdom,” he said, adding that the standard residential package comes to around £79 per month whereas the standard business package starts from £110 per month. “However,…
Islamabad, Dec 31: Over the past Few months, Islamabad’s air quality index has Fluctuated between unhealthy and very unhealthy, according to data shared by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA). Talking to Bloom Pakistan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate change Romina Khursheed Alam highlighted that the main culprits were vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, construction dust and the open burning of waste and crop residue. According to MoCC the CDA’s ongoing construction projects, including the widening of Park Road as well as the construction of new flyovers, were contributing to increased traffic congestion and air pollution. The Pak-EPA had…
Islamabad, Dec 31: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) has long been one of the most intense and highly anticipated rivalries in international cricket. The trophy, which was first introduced in 1996-97, is contested between India and Australia, two of the sport’s powerhouses. Over the years, the BGT has produced some of the most memorable moments in cricket history, from India’s dramatic comeback in 2001 to Australia’s thrilling victories in 2004 and 2008. The latest installment of the BGT has been no exception, with India and Australia engaging in a fiercely competitive series. Australia is currently leading the series, making the upcoming…
Islamabad, Nov 19: Misleading campaigns are exploiting events, successes, and the remarkable development witnessed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on all fronts to tarnish the image of the Land of the Two Holy Mosques through fabricated, baseless, and deceptive media content. These efforts aim to undermine the reputation of the purest nation in this era—a nation dedicated to serving Islam and Muslims across humanitarian, religious, and political dimensions. The truth is these campaigns undoubtedly stem from hostile motives, orchestrated by organizations, entities, states, or individuals with enmity towards Saudi Arabia. Thankfully, such campaigns are transparent and well-known, lacking credibility…
Islamabad, Sep 11: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved capacity payment worth Rs.560 billion of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year (April-June) 2023-24. According to a document obtained by Bloom Pakistan, the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has submitted the plant wise claims of the capacity payments of around 101 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) along with their utilization factors for the period of April to June 2024. Invoices of all Capacity Purchase have been processed in accordance with rates, Terms & Conditions as determined by NEPRA under the 1994 Power…
As winter nears, the Punjab braces itself for what might be called one of the most challenging periods annually. Face masks, respiratory illnesses, asthma attacks and itchy eyes are signs of the country’s ‘smog season.’ According to a report published by Air Quality Life Index in 2021, the entire population of Pakistan lives in areas where the annual average particulate pollution, PM 2.5, exceeds the World Health Organisation’s guideline. Around 98 percent of the population resides in areas that exceed the country’s own national air quality standards. PM 2.5 is shortening the life expectancy of average residents of Pakistan by…
Islamabad, Aug 19: When Gwadar was purchased from Oman in year 1958, no one but few could realise its importance at that time. It remained dormant for next fifty-five years and gained its prominence, still not to its zenith, only in year 2013 when China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was conceived and put into place. Gwadar was termed as the Jewel in the Crown of CPEC, which until now very few understand. Gwadar is on its way to gain further importance amid the geo-political happenings around the world in general and in our region in particular. When CPEC was devised,…
