Islamabad, Feb 25: Qatar has signed a five-year agreement with U.S.-based artificial intelligence company Scale AI to integrate AI-driven tools into its government operations, aiming to enhance efficiency and innovation in public services. The deal, announced by Qatar’s communications and information technology ministry, will focus on deploying AI-powered predictive analytics, automation, and advanced data analysis to streamline various governmental functions. Trevor Thompson, Scale AI’s global head of growth, emphasized the significance of the partnership, describing it as a potential model for other governments looking to leverage AI for public sector improvements. While the financial details of the agreement remain undisclosed,…
Author: Iqra Khan
Islamabad, Feb 25: The Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) has secured Rs850 billion in fresh bonds, achieving 51.52% of its annual target for the ongoing fiscal year as of February 20, 2025. With an ambitious goal of Rs1.65 trillion for FY 2024-25, the directorate aims to strengthen Pakistan’s savings culture and enhance financial inclusion. In addition to conventional savings instruments, CDNS has set a dedicated investment target of Rs170 billion for Islamic finance in the current fiscal year. This aligns with the growing demand for Shariah-compliant financial products and reflects the government’s commitment to fostering growth in the Islamic…
Islamabad, Feb 25: Elon Musk’s Starlink is facing mounting competition as China-backed SpaceSail accelerates its satellite broadband expansion, aiming to launch 15,000 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites by 2030. The Shanghai municipal government-controlled company plans to deploy 648 satellites this year, marking China’s first significant push into the global satellite internet market. Expanding its international footprint, SpaceSail has already secured agreements in Brazil and Kazakhstan, signaling China’s growing influence in space-based digital connectivity. The company is part of a broader Chinese initiative, with Beijing planning to launch a total of 43,000 LEO satellites in the coming years to rival Starlink’s dominance.…
Islamabad, Feb 24: Gold prices in Pakistan surged on Monday, with 24-karat gold per tola witnessing an increase of Rs. 1,500, reaching Rs. 309,500 compared to Rs. 308,000 on the previous trading day, according to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewelers Association. The price of 10 grams of 24-karat gold also climbed by Rs. 1,286, settling at Rs. 265,346 from its previous rate of Rs. 264,060. Similarly, 22-karat gold saw an increase of Rs. 1,179 per 10 grams, now priced at Rs. 243,242 from Rs. 242,063. Silver prices also experienced an upward trend, with per tola silver rising by…
Islamabad, Feb 24: A recent controversy surrounding xAI’s chatbot, Grok, has sparked concerns over potential biases and unauthorized modifications, particularly regarding its responses about Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The issue surfaced when users noticed that Grok had briefly stopped acknowledging sources that claimed Musk and Trump spread misinformation, leading to widespread speculation about external influence on the AI’s responses. The situation was addressed by xAI’s head of engineering, Igor Babuschkin, who revealed that the modification was made by a former OpenAI employee now working at xAI. This individual had altered Grok’s system prompt its foundational instruction…
Islamabad, Feb 24: The Pakistani rupee continued its losing streak against the US dollar for the second consecutive day, closing in the red as the week came to an end. The currency opened trade at 280 in the interbank market and remained largely range-bound between 279 and 281 throughout the session before settling at 279.66. Despite minor fluctuations, the rupee remained bearish against the greenback, reflecting ongoing pressures in the currency market. Meanwhile, open market rates across various exchange counters hovered between 280 and 282, signaling slight volatility. On a day-on-day basis, the PKR depreciated by 0.03 percent, shedding nine…
Islamabad, Feb 24: Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirmed the government’s commitment to structural reforms, emphasizing the need for an export-driven economy to ensure sustainable growth. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Pakistan Banking Summit 2025, he stressed that all sectors must contribute toward strengthening Pakistan’s economic resilience. The summit, organized by the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA), aims to foster industry collaboration and enhance integration into the global financial system. Aurangzeb highlighted the government’s tough but necessary economic decisions, which have led to significant macroeconomic improvements, including a stabilized current account, reduced inflation, and a bullish stock market.…
Islamabad, Feb 24: This visit marks a significant step in Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations, especially in the areas of trade, investment, and strategic cooperation. A $2 billion investment commitment signals growing economic ties between the two nations, with a focus on energy, infrastructure, and connectivity. Azerbaijan’s support on Kashmir and Pakistan’s endorsement of Azerbaijan’s position on Karabakh reaffirm the strong diplomatic and strategic alignment between the two countries. The signing of agreements and MoUs further strengthens bilateral collaboration across various sectors. With President Ilham Aliyev’s planned visit to Islamabad in April 2025, Pakistan can expect further developments in economic partnerships and trade…
Islamabad, Feb 24: BISE Lahore Announces Revised Exam Timings for Matric Examinations The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore has announced revised timings for the upcoming matric examinations, ensuring a smoother examination process for students. New Exam Schedule: Morning shift: 9:00 AM Afternoon shift: 2:00 PM Friday second shift: 2:30 PM The adjustment aims to streamline examination procedures while accommodating students’ needs during the academic season.
Islamabad, Feb 24: Pakistan delivered a commanding performance at the South Asian Athletics Federation (SAAF) Cross Country Championships 2025, securing double gold in the senior 10km and junior 8km team events at Fatima Jinnah Park, Islamabad. The host nation dominated the senior 10km race, finishing ahead of Sri Lanka (silver) and Bangladesh (bronze). In the junior 8km event, Pakistan once again topped the podium, with Sri Lanka securing second place and Nepal taking bronze. The championship witnessed participation from high-profile dignitaries, including ambassadors from Sri Lanka and Nepal and senior diplomats from the Maldives and Sri Lanka. This was Pakistan’s…
