Author: Iqra Khan

Islamabad, Dec 21: The Climate Action Centre and Pakistan EV Oversight hosted the inaugural Pakistan Electric Vehicles Conference on December 21, 2024, at Avari Towers, Karachi. This landmark event aimed to bring together key stakeholders in the electric vehicle (EV) sector to align policies and financial frameworks with the industry’s growth aspirations ahead of the anticipated Energy Vehicle Policy 2025. Senator Sherry Rehman, Chair of the Standing Committee on Climate Change, delivered the keynote address as Chief Guest. Highlighting the urgency of addressing urban pollution, she projected that the number of motor vehicles in Pakistan will double within a decade,…

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Islamabad, Dec 21: Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa, along with the Member Engineering and relevant officers, visited the Serena Interchange and Jinnah Avenue Interchange project sites on Saturday. During the visit, the relevant authorities gave a detailed briefing to the Chairman CDA regarding the ongoing construction work on the projects. During the briefing, it was apprised that the underpass at Jinnah Avenue Interchange has entered the final stages of its completion in record time. The underpass of this project will be opened for traffic after the inauguration of the underpass on December 24, 2024. The Chairman was also briefed on…

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Islamabad, Dec 21: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has urged authorities to take decisive action against tax defaulters and ensure their inclusion in the tax net. During a high-level review meeting on strategies to boost revenue collection, the Prime Minister stressed the need for strict enforcement against non-compliance. The meeting focused on the use of technology to enhance the performance of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Officials briefed the Prime Minister on the installation and monitoring of video analytics in the sugar industry, which is aimed at improving revenue collection, curbing hoarding, and stabilizing sugar prices. Prime Minister Sharif…

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Islamabad, Dec 21: The government has launched a new loan scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to officers of the Pakistan Administrative Services (PAS) and Provincial Management Service (PMS). Under this scheme, officers can borrow funds at a low markup rate of just 2%, offering significant financial support to public servants. A committee, led by Finance Secretary Mujahid Sherdil, has been tasked with overseeing the management of the program. The scheme’s loan limits are based on the officer’s grade: Grade 17 officers can apply for loans up to Rs. 5 million. Grade 18 officers are eligible for loans up to…

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Islamabad, Dec 21: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) celebrated a significant milestone with the 10th National Finance Olympiad (NFO), marking a decade of financial excellence, innovation, and leadership. Since its inception, the NFO has grown into a premier platform for finance professionals, showcasing their expertise and pushing the boundaries of financial knowledge and skills. The event brought together 52 teams representing a range of sectors and organizations, participating in a rigorous competition that spanned two challenging rounds. After intense deliberations, six top teams  Unilever, Lipton Teas & Infusions, Engro Fertilizers, KPMG, KnS School of Business Studies, and…

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Islamabad, Dec 21: Sindh Minister for Information and Transport Sharjeel Memon has identified reckless driving and lax adherence to traffic laws as the primary causes of Karachi’s persistent traffic woes, dismissing the notion that heavy vehicles like dumpers are solely to blame. In an interview on a private news channel, Memon highlighted flaws in Pakistan’s licensing system, remarking, “Vehicles don’t cause accidents on their own; the real issue is how licenses are issued to drivers.” He criticized the country’s lenient regulations and underscored the need for stricter protocols to improve road safety. Memon emphasized adopting global standard operating procedures (SOPs)…

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Islamabad, Dec 21: The U.S. Embassy has introduced a specialized training program for English teachers in Pakistan, aiming to address the increasing demand for English language education and enhance the country’s global competitiveness. Spearheaded by the embassy’s Regional English Language Office, the program commenced with educators from Rawalpindi district, marking a significant step in improving teaching standards. Part of the Small Grants 2024 initiative, the training is designed to boost English proficiency among teachers and equip them with advanced pedagogical skills to enhance their classroom effectiveness. The program emphasizes practical teaching strategies, fostering improved learning outcomes for students. A diverse…

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Islamabad, Dec 21: Freezing temperatures gripped Pakistan on December 21, 2024, with the Meteorological Department reporting an intense cold wave across various regions. Islamabad shivered at a minimum temperature of 0°C, marking one of the coldest days in the federal capital this season. Residents bundled up to endure the icy chill, as the weather department forecasted persistently cold conditions in the days ahead. Several areas recorded sub-zero temperatures, with Leh standing out as the coldest location at a bone-chilling -13°C. Skardu followed with -11°C, while Gupis registered -9°C. Gilgit and Baramulla also experienced frigid conditions at -8°C, and Peshawar reported…

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Islamabad, Dec 21: South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has faced disciplinary action following an emotional outburst during the second ODI against Pakistan. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that Klaasen has been fined 15% of his match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct. This regulation addresses “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment, or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.” The incident unfolded during the high-stakes match when Klaasen, after being dismissed for a valiant 97 off just 74 balls, kicked the stumps in frustration. His innings had…

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Islamabad, Dec 21: Tech enthusiasts eagerly anticipate Marquess Brownlee’s (MKBHD) annual Smartphone Awards, a tradition in its tenth year. This year’s ceremony once again highlighted the remarkable evolution of smartphones, with some familiar winners and a few surprises. Let’s dive into the standout devices of 2024. 2024’s Smartphone MVP: Galaxy S24 Ultra Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra emerged as the ultimate winner, taking home the prestigious “MVP” award and solidifying its dominance in the premium segment. This marks the fourth time a Galaxy device has claimed the title, further cementing Samsung’s reputation for delivering flagship excellence. The S24 Ultra also clinched…

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