Islamabad, Feb 23: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing high-level engagements and strengthening cooperation across key sectors, including trade, investment, energy, defence, and people-to-people exchanges. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The two leaders held in-depth discussions on expanding economic collaboration and reinforcing strategic partnerships between their nations. Sheikh Abdullah acknowledged Pakistan’s role in maintaining regional stability and appreciated the contributions of the Pakistani community to…
Author: Iqra Khan
Islamabad, Feb 23: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has introduced Raast Participation Criteria, setting minimum requirements for entities seeking to join Raast, the country’s instant digital payment system. This initiative aims to broaden access to digital payments, foster innovation in the financial sector, and promote competition among banking and non-banking institutions. Launched in 2021, Raast is designed to facilitate instant, safe, and efficient fund transfers across Pakistan, with the tagline “Instant Payments – Pal Bhar Mein. Mulk Bhar Mein”. The system currently supports bulk payments, person-to-person (P2P) transfers, person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions, and payment initiation services. Since its inception, 44…
Islamabad, Feb 23: President Asif Ali Zardari Calls for Global Collaboration on Economic, Environmental, and Security Challenges. President Asif Ali Zardari has underscored the urgent need for international partnerships to tackle economic, environmental, and technological challenges, emphasizing that inclusive and sustainable development can only be achieved through global cooperation. Addressing the 5th International Workshop for Leadership & Stability at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Saturday, President Zardari highlighted Pakistan’s strategic importance in regional trade and investment. He reiterated Pakistan’s role as a gateway to landlocked Central Asian economies, inviting international partners to utilize Gwadar Port for shared economic prosperity. The president also stressed…
Islamabad, Feb 23: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to embark on a two-day state visit to Azerbaijan from February 24-25, aiming to bolster economic and trade ties between the two nations. The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, marks Shehbaz’s second official trip to Baku since assuming office in March 2024. Accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the prime minister will engage in wide-ranging discussions focusing on trade, energy, defence, education, and climate cooperation. The visit is expected to witness the signing of multiple agreements and MoUs,…
Islamabad, Feb 23: As Pakistan prepares for their highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 showdown against India in Dubai, star batter Babar Azam’s absence from the team’s final practice session has fueled speculation about his availability for the high-pressure encounter. With just hours left until the crucial clash, the Pakistan squad underwent their final training session, but Babar’s noticeable absence has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike. Journalist Saleem Khaliq first reported Babar’s absence, noting that no official statement had been released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) or the team management to clarify whether it was a precautionary…
Islamabad, Feb 22: The University of Sargodha (UoS) and the Punjab Council of the Arts, Sargodha Division, have formalized a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering academic and cultural collaborations. The agreement, signed by Prof. Dr. Ahmad Raza Bilal, Director of the Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization at UoS, and Asad Ahmed, Director of the Punjab Council of the Arts, Sargodha, marks a significant step towards enriching student experiences through hands-on learning opportunities. Under this partnership, students from UoS will benefit from internships, specialized training programs, and access to theatre and gallery spaces for exhibitions.…
Islamabad, Feb 22: The Maryam Ki Dastak program is making significant strides in Bahawalpur district, bringing essential government services directly to citizens’ doorsteps. Since its launch, the initiative has facilitated the issuance of 2,450 domicile certificates, 962 learner’s driving license renewals, 770 regular driving license renewals, and numerous birth, marriage, and character certificates, along with general police verifications. In a recent development, Deputy Commissioner Bahawalpur Dr. Farhan Farooq distributed Dastak ID cards among facilitators of the program, ensuring a structured and recognizable system for service delivery. He reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing accessibility, emphasizing that the program enables citizens…
Islamabad, Feb 22: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is set to embark on a two-day state visit to Azerbaijan from February 24 to 25, 2025, at the invitation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. This will be his second visit to the country since taking office in March 2024, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to expanding its diplomatic and economic ties with Azerbaijan. Accompanying the Prime Minister will be a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, along with other key cabinet members. The visit is expected to feature extensive discussions between the two nations, focusing on bolstering…
Islamabad, Feb 22: The demand for an increase in Blue Line buses along the Islamabad Expressway reflects the growing reliance on public transport in the capital. With Islamabad’s population expanding, the existing fleet is struggling to keep up with commuter needs, leading to overcrowding and long wait times. Given that the Blue Line Bus service was introduced as an affordable transit option for middle-class commuters, its success has ironically become a challenge demand now far outweighs supply. The situation described by commuters like Ayesha Khan and Shabana highlights the urgent need for the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Transport…
Islamabad, Feb 22: This beautification project by the Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) is a much-needed step toward improving Rawalpindi’s urban aesthetics and recreational spaces. Transforming old Airport Road into a model road, along with efforts to enhance public spaces like Jhanda Chichi Market and Leh Nullah, will definitely uplift the city’s appeal. The addition of a cricket arena and football ground for children is a great initiative, providing much-needed recreational spaces in an area that often lacks such facilities. The uniformity of shop signboards and the upcoming decorative lighting installations will also add to the overall visual appeal of the…
