Islamabad, Dec 15: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the final anti-polio campaign of the year by administering drops to children at a ceremony on Sunday. The seven-day drive, which begins on Monday, aims to vaccinate 23.3 million children across Punjab, marking a crucial step in the government’s ongoing efforts to eradicate polio. This concluding drive of 2024 will involve 85,000 mobile teams, working tirelessly to reach every child across urban and rural areas of the province.
Author: Iqra Khan
Islamabad, Dec 15: Sukkur IBA University has released the provisional results for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2024, with candidates now having the opportunity to address any concerns or objections regarding their scores. Vice Chancellor Asif Sheikh stated that candidates who wish to raise complaints must do so by emailing the university’s designated complaint system before 5:00 PM on December 17, 2024. He assured that all submissions would be reviewed thoroughly and transparently, in line with the directives issued by the Sindh High Court (SHC). The university has committed to resolving grievances based on merit, with a…
Islamabad, Dec 15: In response to the prevailing law and order concerns, the Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi has announced the closure of all public and private schools and colleges in the district for Monday. The decision was made following a law and order meeting held on Sunday to assess the security situation. An official notification from the district administration confirmed the closure, stressing that both public and private educational institutions are to remain closed on Monday, with no exceptions. The move aims to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff amid ongoing security concerns. In addition to the…
Islamabad, Dec 15: The Sindh government is set to establish two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Karachi to encourage Chinese investors to collaborate with local businesses and set up industries, announced Provincial Minister for Energy, Planning, and Development, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah. Speaking at the 10th Beauty, Fitness, and Consumer Health International Expo at Expo Centre Karachi, the minister emphasized the city’s growing importance as a commercial hub amid global trade shifts. With several countries seeking alternatives to direct imports from China, Pakistan is poised to become a key player in the global supply chain. Nasir Hussain Shah urged Pakistani…
Islamabad, Dec 15: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has implemented the Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) System at Karachi under its Transformation Plan, a significant step towards modernizing the customs framework in Pakistan. Approved by the Prime Minister, the FCA system centralizes the assessment of import goods declarations filed at Karachi’s Appraisement Collectorates, transferring these tasks to the newly established Central Appraising Unit (CAU) at South Asia Pakistan Terminal Karachi. The FCA system aims to enhance efficiency, reduce clearance times, and ensure transparency in customs assessments. By eliminating the need for face-to-face interactions between importers and customs officials, the initiative…
Islamabad, Dec 15: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation Karachi has issued updated customs values for cereal foods imported in bulk packaging from countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the USA, the UK, and Canada. The revised values, formalized under Valuation Ruling 1923 of 2024, address concerns raised by stakeholders about the disparity in customs valuations. The initiative was launched in response to industry representations requesting the inclusion of specific customs values for cereals imported in bulk. Importers explained that these products, typically packed in 9 kg bulk packaging, are repackaged locally under domestic brands. They advocated for separate valuation to…
Islamabad, Dec 15: Farmers are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, yet their immense contributions often go unnoticed. Recognizing this, Fatima Fertilizer initiated a groundbreaking movement in 2019 by proposing Kissan Day, celebrated annually on December 18. This visionary initiative marked the first time in Pakistan’s history that farmers were given a dedicated day to honor their relentless efforts and sacrifices. Kissan Day is more than a symbolic occasion; it’s a platform to highlight farmers’ challenges and celebrate their invaluable role in ensuring food security and driving economic growth. Agriculture accounts for 24% of Pakistan’s GDP and sustains millions of livelihoods,…
Islamabad, Dec 15: As part of its relentless crackdown on gas theft, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has taken firm action in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Islamabad.During the latest operations, 611 illegal connections were disconnected, and fines totaling Rs. 3.8 million were imposed on violators. In Lahore, SNGPL teams disconnected 14 illegal connections and imposed fines amounting to Rs. 1.66 million. The Faisalabad regional team severed five illegal connections, addressed one compressor-related violation, and imposed fines of Rs. 0.02 million.Similarly, in Sheikhupura, fines of Rs. 1.34 million were levied on offenders involved in gas pilferage. The Gujranwala region…
Islamabad, Dec 14: Under the Transformation Plan, Federal Board of Revenue is going to implement Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) System from 15th of December, 2024 at Karachi. FCA is one of the key components of the FBR Transformation Plan approved by the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. All the import goods declarations field after 12.00 AM in the Appraisement Collectorates of Karachi shall be allocated to the Central Appraising Unit (CAU) for assessment which has been established at South Asia Pakistan Terminal Karachi in terms of CGO No.6 of 2024 issued by FBR a few days ago. The introduction of FCA…
Islamabad, Dec 14: To provide securely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in the city of Karachi, the World Bank (WB) has approved $240 million in financing for the Second Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-2). In a news release on Friday, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Najy Benhassine stated that “safely managed WASH services are the foundation of public health and quality of life and are central to addressing the stunting crisis in Pakistan. “The scope of expenditures in bulk water augmentation, water treatment, wastewater treatment and reuse, water distribution, and sewage network repair will…
