Islamabad, Dec 12: For all eligible iPhone and iPad models, Apple has formally launched iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2. The changes, which include a number of additions and enhancements, are now accessible to the general public after a beta testing phase and two release candidate builds. Important Updates and Features in iOS 18.2 Significant changes are included in iOS 18.2, especially for Siri, which now connects with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. By utilizing ChatGPT’s sophisticated features, this allows Siri to respond to increasingly complicated queries while protecting user privacy by guaranteeing that requests stay anonymous. Users can also sign in with their…
Author: Iqra Khan
Islamabad, Dec 12: The fourth edition of Invest2Innovate’s (i2i) main project, the Pakistan Startup Ecosystem Report 2024 (PSER 2024), has been formally issued. Prominent figures from Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, investors, legislators, and other important players were present at the report’s launch event, which took place at a nearby hotel. The ecosystem has undergone a major reset following the investment boom of 2021–2022, therefore the report comes at a critical moment. The ecosystem’s focus has switched from quick growth to creating lucrative, sustainable firms based on good unit economics, as investments have fallen from $355 million in 2022 to barely $37…
Islamabad, Dec 12: The sale of 11.3343 percent of Treet Battery Limited (TBL) shares has been completed by Treet Corporation Limited (PSX: TREET). TREET declared in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) that, as of November 30, 2024, 99,977,721 shares had been successfully liquidated. The company’s stake in TBL now represents 85.76 percent of its paid-up capital as a result of this disposal. Additionally, the Board examined and accepted TBL’s request to issue additional shares without rights issues in order to convert a portion of its intercompany loan and accrued interest into equity. TBL has asked for Rs.…
Islamabad, Dec 12: Atif Ikram, president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), has called on the federal government to restore the Export Finance Scheme (EFS) to its pre-Finance Act 2024 state as soon as possible. He said that the textile industry and associated sectors had suffered as a result of the Act’s changes, which eliminated sales tax exemptions and zero-rating on domestic materials used in export manufacture. Ikram voiced serious worries about the industry’s large losses and the widespread shutdown of spinning facilities. He pointed out that the national exchequer has suffered significant losses as…
Islamabad, Dec 12: In order to expedite the $5–6 billion refinery upgrading projects in Pakistan, the federal government has chosen to temporarily increase the inland freight equalization margin (IFEM) on gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and light diesel oil by Rs. 2.5 per liter. In order to finance the improvement initiatives, this increase will be transferred into ESCROW accounts. According to a national newspaper, this change is merely a stopgap measure until the next government budget. The Petroleum Division will draft a statement for the approval of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) after the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has been…
Islamabad, Dec 12: In order to build an electric bus depot in Green Town, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered authorities to move trees instead of cutting them down. The ruling was reached at a hearing that Justice Shahid Karim chaired and that covered several environmental petitions, including smog-related ones. The court underlined how crucial it is to preserve trees in order to safeguard the environment. Justice Karim praised the government’s continuous measures to fight smog, including the installation of pollution monitoring equipment and tree-planting campaigns. Khalid Ishaq, the Punjab Advocate General, promised the court during the hearing that…
Islamabad, Dec 12: During high-level diplomatic talks, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have discussed the urgent issue of issuing visas to Pakistani nationals. On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar met with UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi at the Foreign Office. The meeting’s main goal, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), was to strengthen bilateral collaboration. Additionally, read Punjab’s decision to pay certain government employees in advance. Concerns about visas were discussed, and Ambassador Al Zaabi gave updates on initiatives to expedite the visa application process for…
Islamabad, Dec 12: Pakistan is laying the groundwork for the shift to a sustainable, just, and interest-free financial ecosystem by hosting the worldwide Islamic capital market conference. SECP Chairman Akif Saeed made this statement during his welcome speech to the speakers and delegates of the Second International Islamic Capital Markets Conference and Expo, which began in Karachi today. The dinner was organized by the Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited (CDC), Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), and National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited (NCCPL).To honor the distinguished delegates and speakers attending the Second International Islamic Capital Markets Conference and Expo, the…
Islamabad, Dec 12: The Jinnah Avenue underpass would be open to traffic, according to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. According to a news release from the interior ministry, the announcement was made while he was there to assess the development at the Serena Chowk Interchange and the F-8 Exchange Chowk Interchange. The underpass was completed in 43 days, which was hailed by the minister for its speedy completion. Additionally, he said that the F-8 Exchange Chowk Interchange, which has a flyover and connecting loops, should be opened in the second week of February, well within the 100-day window that he and…
Islamabad, Dec 12: At the World Communication Awards (WCA) 2024, Jazz, the top digital operator in Pakistan, received the coveted “Best Operator in a Growth Market” honor. This recognition emphasizes how important Jazz is to extending digital access and closing the digital divide in Pakistan’s underprivileged communities. London hosted the 26th WCA ceremony, which honored innovation and quality in international telecommunications. Jazz’s Chief Legal Officer, Kamila Khan, collected the honor, highlighting the company’s dedication to community empowerment, connection, and digital transformation. Since 1999, Total Telecom has organized the WCA every year, which honors innovators and pioneers in connectivity and has…
