Islamabad, Feb 22: That was definitely an embarrassing slip-up during the England vs. Australia match! Given the recent controversy surrounding the removal of Pakistan’s name from the Champions Trophy logo during the India vs. Bangladesh match, this latest incident has only added fuel to the fire. Technical glitches happen, but in a high-stakes ICC event especially one already surrounded by political tensions such errors raise eyebrows. The timing, too, is curious, given that India’s matches are being played in Dubai due to the hybrid model. Having the Indian national anthem accidentally play in Lahore just adds to the growing list…
Author: Iqra Khan
Islamabad, Feb 22: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved Rs. 49 billion in development Projects, recommendedRs. 19.96 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). The CDWP meeting, chaired by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (PDSI) and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal, has approved development projects worth Rs. 49.310 billion while recommending additional projects worth Rs. 19.96 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval, said a press release issued here. With ECNEC’s endorsement, the total cost of these projects will reach Rs. 69.275 billion.The meeting…
Islamabad, Feb 22: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy has issued updated visa guidelines for Pakistani nationals intending to travel to the UAE. These revised instructions detail the necessary documentation, application procedures, and specific provisions for minors. According to an embassy spokesperson, the visa processing fee is set at $69 per applicant. Applicants seeking visit, tourist, or family visas are required to submit their applications online, whereas employment visas follow a distinct process. Upon submission, applicants will receive a notification regarding their appointment at the embassy or designated visa center. Key Visa Requirements: Visa Application Proof: A copy of the…
Islamabad, Feb 22: Pakistan has made a significant leap in its digital transformation with the successful landing of the ultra-high-capacity Africa-1 submarine cable at the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) landing site at Sea View Beach, Karachi. This milestone strengthens the country’s telecommunications infrastructure, positioning it as a crucial node in the global digital network. The Africa-1 submarine cable system, spanning 10,000 kilometers, will link Pakistan to key locations including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, France, Kenya, and Djibouti. PTCL’s participation in the Africa-1 consortium marks its fifth submarine cable system, further enhancing its capability to provide high-speed,…
Islamabad, Feb 22: Chinese researchers have identified a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, capable of infecting human cells, reigniting discussions on zoonotic diseases and pandemic preparedness. The discovery, led by renowned virologist Shi Zhengli of the Guangzhou Laboratory, was published in the journal Cell, drawing international scientific attention. HKU5-CoV-2 is a variant of the HKU5 virus, originally found in Japanese pipistrelle bats in Hong Kong. It belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which includes the MERS virus, and shares some features with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. One of its notable characteristics is the presence of a furin cleavage site, a…
Islamabad, Feb22: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet has approved a landmark initiative, introducing a one-year paid internship program for 650 BS Nursing graduates under the Provincial Health Services Academy (PHSA). This move aims to provide hands-on clinical experience to nursing graduates while addressing workforce shortages in the province’s healthcare sector. Each intern will receive a monthly stipend of Rs31,000 and undergo practical training at teaching hospitals across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This marks the first time that BS Nursing graduates have been offered a structured, paid internship opportunity in the province. Advisor to the Chief Minister on Health, Ihtesham Ali, emphasized the significance…
Islamabad, Feb 22: The Punjab government has initiated the feasibility and design phase for the Blue Line Metro Train project, a transformative addition to Lahore’s public transportation network. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan to accelerate the process, ensuring that preliminary work is completed swiftly. The 27-kilometer route will connect Valencia Town to Babu Sabu Chowk, passing through key areas such as Johar Town, Faisal Town, Garden Town, Kalma Chowk, Gulberg Main Boulevard, Jail Road, Ferozepur Road, and Allama Iqbal Town. This metro line is expected to accommodate over 250,000 daily passengers, significantly easing…
Islamabad, Feb 22: Chairman CDA, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, met with horticulture experts from Baku on Saturday at the CDA Headquarters. The meeting was attended by the Member Admin and Member Environment. During the briefing, the Baku experts provided a detailed update on the beautification initiatives undertaken so far. They apprised Chairman CDA that the renovation and beautifcation work on Srinagar Highway, Melody Market, and Saidpur Village was progressing rapidly. Chairman CDA, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, emphasized that trees suitable for the local environment and climate should be prioritized in beautification efforts. He instructed that aesthetically pleasing soft landscaping be carried out…
Islamabad, Feb 22: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the acquisition of assets of M/s Hotel Margala Private Limited by M/s Nishat Hotels and Properties Limited. Under the Sale and Purchase Agreement, Nishat Hotels and Properties Limited will acquire the assets of Hotel Margala, including leasehold rights to its plot on Srinagar Highway, the entire built-up structure of the motel, fittings and fixtures, utility connections, associated deposits, and all movable property on the premises. As part of its competition assessment, the CCP examined potential concerns related to market dominance and the impact on competition following the merger. The…
Islamabad, Feb 21: Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to digital transformation at the 4th General Assembly of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), held at the Dead Sea, Jordan. The country’s delegation, led by Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, engaged in high-level discussions aimed at accelerating Pakistan’s digital agenda and fostering global collaborations. During the event, Minister Khawaja announced that Pakistan will host its first-ever Digital Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Summit on April 29-30, 2025, in Islamabad. Co-organized by the Government of Pakistan, the DCO, and the World Economic Forum (WEF), the summit is designed to…
