Islamabad, Jan 11: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a venue change for the upcoming tri-nation ODI series featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa. Initially planned for Multan, the matches will now be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, both of which are nearing the completion of extensive renovations ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Upgrades at Gaddafi Stadium The Gaddafi Stadium has undergone significant transformations to enhance the experience for both fans and players. Key upgrades include: Expanded Seating Capacity: The stadium now accommodates 35,000 spectators, offering new, comfortable…
Author: Iqra Khan
Islamabad, Jan 11: The Punjab government has rolled out a revised property tax system that has ended the long-standing exemption for five-marla residential houses across the province. The move is part of the government’s efforts to increase revenue collection and expand the tax base. Under the new property tax regulations, tax will now be levied based on the property valuation, which is determined by the deputy commissioners in the province, commonly known as the Property DC rates. This replaces the previous system where property tax was calculated based on the area measurement, with a tax exemption granted for houses measuring…
Islamabad, Jan 11: Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh’s former captain and one of the country’s most celebrated cricketers, has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of an illustrious career. This is the second time that Tamim has stepped away from international cricket, having previously announced his retirement in July 2023, only to reverse his decision within 24 hours after intervention from Bangladesh’s then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The decision was confirmed by Tamim during a meeting with Bangladesh’s selection panel in Sylhet on Wednesday. Despite efforts from selectors, teammates, and even captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to persuade him to…
Islamabad, Jan 11: In a significant move aimed at easing the burden on first-time homebuyers, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood has agreed in principle to reduce withholding taxes on property sales and purchases. The decision also includes revisiting the 5% Federal Excise Duty (FED) on property transactions to stimulate the housing sector and promote affordable housing schemes across the country. The proposal was discussed during a meeting of the Taxation Working Group of the Task Force for Housing Sector Development, chaired by the FBR chairman. The meeting addressed growing concerns from stakeholders in the real estate sector…
Islamabad, Jan 11: The Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) has officially declared 2025 as the “Year of Gwadar”, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the city’s growth. This milestone comes as three landmark projects are set to launch under the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan, which is nearing completion of its first phase (2017–2025). In a high-level meeting chaired by GDA Chairman Shafqat Anwar Shahwani, key decisions were made regarding the expansion of Gwadar’s urban development area to 118 square kilometers. Additionally, the East Bay Expressway will be connected to the New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA), further enhancing…
Islamabad, Jan 11: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed on Friday that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with global temperatures rising 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing climate crisis. This surge in temperature was driven by extraordinary land and sea surface temperatures and accompanied by extreme weather events that caused widespread destruction across the globe. According to WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis, 2024 witnessed unprecedented ocean heat, along with severe climate impacts, including retreating glaciers and shrinking sea ice. The WMO’s findings, based on six international datasets, revealed that four of these datasets recorded…
Islamabad, Jan 11: Schools across Punjab are set to reopen on January 13 following the winter holidays, with the Department of Special Education announcing revised timings to accommodate the region’s ongoing cold wave. The department confirmed that special education institutions, which had remained closed since December 20, will resume operations on Monday. The new schedule will see schools open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM from Monday to Thursday and on Saturday, while on Fridays, schools will close earlier at 12:00 PM. In response to the chilly weather, the department has also relaxed uniform requirements for students in special education…
Islamabad, Jan 11: Karachi, Jan 11: In a heartwarming gesture, Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori presented a cash prize of PKR 500,000 to Pakistan’s national blind cricket team in recognition of their landmark victory in the Blind T20 World Cup. The ceremony, held at the Governor House on Friday, celebrated the players’ resilience and dedication in securing the nation’s pride through their historic achievement. A Landmark Victory and National Pride Governor Tessori lauded the blind cricketers for their undefeated run in the Blind T20 World Cup, calling them “national heroes.” He commended the team for their unwavering determination, remarking that their…
Islamabad, Jan 11: Al-Azhar University, one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning in Egypt, has announced plans to establish a campus in Pakistan. The move aims to foster deeper educational ties between the two nations, promote women’s education, and deepen understanding of Islamic teachings and Arabic culture. This announcement was made during a meeting between Pakistan’s Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Egypt’s Grand Mufti Nazir Mohamed Ayad in Islamabad on Friday. The collaboration is expected to have a significant impact on the educational landscapes of both countries, offering new opportunities for students to explore diverse…
Islamabad, Jan 11: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has officially dismissed widespread social media rumors regarding an unprecedented cold wave and snowfall in various parts of the country. On Friday, the PMD issued a statement refuting reports suggesting that Pakistan would experience “the coldest days and nights in 100 years” between January 12 and 15. These claims, which included assertions that snowfall would occur in central Punjab, were labeled as false and lacking scientific foundation. Snowfall Claims Debunked The PMD clarified that snowfall in central Punjab is not possible due to the region’s geographic and climatic characteristics. The department labeled…