Author: Iqra Khan

Islamabad, Jan 3: Abdul Rehman Siddiqui, Acting President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), addressed a delegation from Tarnol, led by Malik Shabbir Awan, the founder President of the Talagang Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Siddiqui emphasized the importance of overcoming obstacles to creating a business-friendly environment and noted that the business community is committed to contributing to Pakistan’s economic development. Siddiqui recognized Tarnol as a key business hub within the capital and assured the delegation that ICCI would work on resolving pressing issues such as encroachments, water shortages, poor road conditions, inadequate street lighting, and law…

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Islamabad, Jan 3: The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, in collaboration with Huawei, launched the ICT Training Portal on Friday to enhance IT skills among youth. Minister of State for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, highlighted the portal’s significance in fostering a digitally competent workforce, contributing to Pakistan’s growth in the global IT sector. Khawaja explained that the portal would offer free online training to young men and women interested in improving their IT skills, to make them eligible for jobs and aid the country’s development. She emphasized the importance of training Pakistan’s youth, as over 150 million people…

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Islamabad, Jan 3: Cotton arrivals in Pakistan have seen a significant decline, falling by 33% year-on-year as of December 31, according to the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA). The total cotton arrivals this year are recorded at 5.452 million bales, compared to 8.171 million bales during the same period last year. Breaking down the data by region, cotton arrivals from Sindh province reached 2.793 million bales, marking a 32% decrease from the previous year. Similarly, cotton arrivals from Punjab stood at 2.659 million bales, which is a 35% decline over the previous year. Arif Habib Limited attributes the overall decrease…

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Islamabad, Jan 3: Aamir Ibrahim, Chairman of Mobilink Bank and CEO of Jazz, has expressed his excitement over VEON Group’s $15 million investment in Mobilink Bank, calling it a transformative step toward advancing financial innovation and promoting a cashless economy in Pakistan. He emphasized that this foreign direct investment (FDI) demonstrates VEON’s confidence in Pakistan’s economic potential and will have a significant socioeconomic impact. Ibrahim highlighted that this milestone investment not only solidifies Mobilink Bank’s leadership in digital finance but also enhances financial inclusion efforts through Mobilink Bank and JazzCash. The investment will enable the expansion of digital financial solutions,…

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Islamabad, Jan 3: Engro Corporation Limited (ENGRO) and Dawood Hercules Corporation Limited (DAWH) are set to finalize their restructuring process under the Scheme of Arrangement. Both companies have completed all regulatory requirements and received approvals from relevant authorities and courts, as reported by Arif Habib Limited. As per the approved scheme, DAWH will be split into two distinct legal entities. The first entity, which will hold DAWH’s 40 percent stake in ENGRO, will be rebranded as Engro Holding Limited. Under this restructuring, ENGRO will become an unlisted subsidiary of Engro Holdings Limited. ENGRO shareholders will receive 2.24 shares of Engro…

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Islamabad, Jan 3: The Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) announced the results of the first phase of the Provincial Management Service (PMS) examination on Friday.Out of the 6,513 candidates who appeared for the examination, all successfully passed the General Knowledge paper by securing the mandatory 100 marks. This marks a significant milestone for the candidates, as only those who cleared the first phase will be eligible to proceed to the second phase of the PMS exam. A total of 21,006 candidates had registered for the Provincial Management Service examination, highlighting the competitive nature of the process. The successful candidates will…

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Islamabad, Jan 3: The Pakistani rupee (PKR) closed in the green against the US Dollar (USD), ending a four-day losing streak after opening at 279 in the interbank market. On a day-on-day (DoD) basis, the PKR hovered around the 278-279/$ mark, maintaining stability throughout the day before closing at 278.56 against the USD, reflecting a gain of eight paisas and a 0.03% appreciation. In the open market, exchange rates for the USD ranged between 278-281. Despite fluctuations in the broader currency market, the PKR saw overall positive movement, also posting gains against most other major currencies. The rupee appreciated by…

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Islamabad, Jan 3: The Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has announced the formation of the Young Engineers National Forum (YENF), a new platform designed to empower young engineers and foster their professional growth. The forum aims to unite various young engineering associations, societies, and groups, creating a cohesive platform to develop leadership skills and enhance technical expertise among emerging engineering talent in Pakistan. According to PEC, the establishment of YENF will involve creating a comprehensive database of young engineers, which will serve as a foundation for initiatives focused on enhancing their leadership abilities and supporting their professional development. This move is…

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Islamabad, Jan 3: The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Traffic Police, Muhammad Athar Waheed, has ordered traffic officers in Lahore to take decisive action against illegal parking stands, underscoring the importance of strict enforcement and a zero-tolerance policy towards road encroachments. As part of this initiative, the City Traffic Police has launched the “First Clean, Then Clear” campaign, aimed at removing encroachments that disrupt the flow of traffic. Last week, traffic authorities issued warnings to individuals involved in unauthorized parking and encroachment operations, urging them to comply with regulations. DIG Waheed emphasized that unauthorized parking lots are a major contributor…

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Islamabad, Jan 3: Telecom operators in Pakistan have reported significant disruptions in social media services and web browsing, particularly during periods of internet slowdowns, according to feedback submitted to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). This comes after the PTA launched an investigation into widespread complaints about the deteriorating quality of internet services in the country. The findings were shared with the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, with each telecom operator providing insights into the specific challenges faced by their networks. Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) observed varied issues, particularly with social media platforms. Jazz and Telenor noted blocking issues on platform…

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