Islamabad, Feb 24: Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has drawn sharp criticism from former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who has called for a serious review of the team’s strategy in major tournaments. Expressing frustration over yet another poor showing, Inzamam pointed to Pakistan’s repeated failures under pressure in recent ICC events, including the Asia Cup, World Cup, and T20 World Cup.“We are not even standing anywhere. The moment there’s a little pressure, we completely collapse,” he said in a social media video. The former chief selector also criticized the selection committee, particularly for not including a backup spinner…
Author: Iqra Khan
Islamabad, Feb 24: Tremors were felt in Mingora city and surrounding areas of Swat on Monday, triggering panic among residents. According to the Seismological Center, the earthquake had a magnitude of 4.2 on the Richter scale, with a depth of 140 kilometers. The epicenter was located at the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. This comes just days after tremors were recorded in Buner and other areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. That earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.1, had its epicenter in Swat.No casualties or damages have been reported so far.
Islamabad, Feb 24: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has intensified its crackdown on the production of adulterated milk, sealing two milk collection centers in Burewala. Acting on the directives of PFA Director General Muhammad Asim Javed, food safety teams raided locations on Masoom Shah Road and Habib Colony. During the operation, authorities confiscated 55 kg of dry powder, 90 kg of banaspati ghee, two mixing machines, and 12 empty drums. Additionally, 30 liters of a toxic, milk-like liquid intended for market supply were disposed of on the spot. DG Muhammad Asim Javed stated that the seized materials were being used…
Islamabad, Feb 24: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has urged the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and regulators to approach cryptocurrency with an open mind. Speaking at the Pakistan Banking Summit 2025 in Karachi, he emphasized the need for proactive policymaking as digital assets gain traction in informal markets. He noted that emerging economies are leveraging AI and digital assets to enhance financial inclusion. While acknowledging that cryptocurrency regulation falls under SBP’s jurisdiction, he stressed the importance of staying ahead of regulatory challenges. Aurangzeb also highlighted Pakistan’s progress in digital banking, emphasizing efforts to reduce cash dependency through POS machines and…
Islamabad, Feb 24: The artificial increase in the price of goods and services in Pakistan, and lack of quality goods, is largely the result of business cartelization in the markets. Cartels are formed when suppliers in a market coordinate or enter into agreements to fix prices for goods and services and control the supply, all for unjustifiable gains and illicit profit, which is an illegal practice. To ensure the provision of better-quality goods and services at fair prices to consumers, it is essential that all suppliers in the market compete with each other by offering better services and products at…
Islamabad, Feb 24: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has begun issuing licenses to Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers under the Class License for the Provision of Data Services. As part of this initiative, PTA has approved two companies for VPN service licenses, allowing businesses to use VPNs legally while ensuring data security, privacy, and regulatory compliance. This move aims to promote transparency and support organizations in meeting their secure connectivity needs. PTA encourages VPN service providers to apply for a Class License through its official eServices portal at https://eservices.pta.gov.pk.
Islamabad, Feb 24: The All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (APPDA) has strongly opposed the government’s plan to deregulate oil prices, warning of a nationwide strike if the policy is implemented. APPDA spokesperson Hassan Shah expressed concerns that deregulation would disrupt the supply chain and create a monopoly by a multinational oil company, making it difficult for local refineries to compete. He pointed to past deregulation of lubricants and high-octane blending components (HOBC), which resulted in an oligopoly rather than benefiting consumers. Shah also cautioned that deregulation could lead to inflation, rupee depreciation, and further economic instability. He emphasized that Pakistan…
Islamabad, Feb 24: This two-day meeting for the Networking of Water Centers of Excellence in OIC Member States marks a significant step toward collective action for sustainable water management. Organized by OIC-COMSTECH and the OIC General Secretariat, in collaboration with the Hisaar Foundation, SESRIC, and INWADARM, the initiative seeks to strengthen research, knowledge sharing, and coordinated policy efforts among member states. The initiative aligns with Resolution No. 1/4-ICWM/2018 from the 4th Islamic Conference of Ministers Responsible for Water in Cairo and builds on the recommendations of the 2nd OIC Water Council meeting in 2019. Key speakers at the meeting emphasized…
Islamabad, Feb 24: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the Chief Minister Transplant Program, a historic initiative aimed at providing free organ transplants to those in need. The program, the most extensive of its kind in Pakistan’s history, covers liver, kidney, bone marrow, and cornea transplants, along with cochlear implants for children with hearing impairments. Designed to benefit underprivileged patients, the initiative ensures that life-saving procedures are accessible without financial burden, as the government will fully fund all transplant costs. Eligible individuals can register through the Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority, streamlining the process for those in need…
Islamabad, Feb 24: Google has quietly unveiled the pricing for Veo 2, its latest AI-powered video generation model, setting the cost at 50 cents per second of generated footage. This translates to $30 per minute or $1,800 for a full hour of AI-created content. The announcement comes as the tech giant continues to refine its AI video capabilities, offering a new tool for creators seeking high-quality, AI-driven visuals. Jon Barron, a researcher at Google DeepMind, provided a striking comparison to traditional filmmaking costs, highlighting that Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame had a production budget of $356 million averaging around $32,000 per second…
