Islamabad, Feb 24: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is gearing up to restart its flight operations to the United Kingdom, but the final decision hinges on approval from British authorities. A PIA spokesperson confirmed that the airline is awaiting permission from the UK government, which is expected to be decided in mid-March. If granted, flight operations could resume within 10 to 15 days, though an exact timeline remains uncertain until official clearance is received. Earlier reports suggested that PIA had planned to relaunch its UK flights on March 28, 2025. However, the final decision rests with Britain’s Department of Transport Safety,…
Author: Iqra Khan
Islamabad, Feb 24: The prolonged delay in approving the Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) framework is emerging as a potential roadblock to Pakistan’s upcoming 5G spectrum auction, raising concerns over significant revenue losses for the government. Despite being finalized by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in June 2024 after extensive stakeholder consultations, the framework has been stalled at the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom (MoITT) for several months, awaiting vetting by the Ministry of Law. Without the framework’s approval, mobile operators may be reluctant to acquire additional spectrum, as they would be unable to allocate it to MVNOs. This…
Islamabad, Feb 24: Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has reached a critical juncture following their second consecutive defeat, this time against arch-rivals India. The six-wicket loss in Dubai on Sunday has left the defending champions in a perilous position, with their semi-final hopes now dependent on a series of favorable results in the remaining Group A matches. With two defeats first against New Zealand and now against India Pakistan sits at the bottom of Group A with zero points and a poor net run rate. Their qualification chances are no longer in their control, and only a…
Islamabad, Feb 24: The federal government is in negotiations with banks to secure a Rs. 1.24 trillion loan as part of its strategy to reduce the country’s mounting circular debt, which currently stands at Rs. 2.381 trillion. With the discount rate falling from 22 percent to 12 percent, authorities aim to take advantage of the more favorable financial conditions and secure the loan at an interest rate of 6-7 percent for a seven-year period. However, banks are reportedly proposing a KIBOR+1 rate, which could impact the feasibility of the agreement. To facilitate repayment, the government plans to utilize the existing…
Islamabad, Feb 24: Pakistan has taken a significant step in its digital transformation with the successful landing of the Africa-1 submarine cable at Sea View Beach, Karachi. This milestone is expected to boost the country’s internet capacity and address persistent bandwidth and connectivity challenges. The Africa-1 submarine cable spans over 10,000 kilometers and connects Pakistan with key global regions, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, France, Kenya, and Djibouti. Developed through a consortium of major telecom players including Mobily (Saudi Arabia), e& (UAE), G42 (UAE), Telecom Egypt, Zain Oman International (ZOI), Algérie Télécom, and TeleYemen the cable will…
Islamabad, Feb 24: Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) has resumed operations after a brief shutdown for maintenance, the company informed the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday. The refinery, which temporarily halted production on February 14, 2025, has officially restarted operations as of February 23, ensuring a steady supply of petroleum products ahead of increased seasonal demand. In its regulatory filing, PRL confirmed the completion of scheduled maintenance, stating that the temporary closure was strategically planned during a period of low demand to ensure uninterrupted operations during the upcoming harvesting season. The refinery plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s energy sector,…
Islamabad, Feb 24: Pakistan has initiated crucial negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the release of $1-1.5 billion in climate financing, as the lender’s mission begins consultations with key government stakeholders. The talks, spanning over three weeks, will engage officials from the finance, planning, climate change, petroleum, and water resources ministries, along with the Federal Board of Revenue, disaster management agencies, and provincial governments. This round of discussions comes ahead of the IMF staff mission’s scheduled arrival in early to mid-March for the first biannual review of Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout program. The negotiations will focus on integrating…
Islamabad, Feb 24: Faysal Bank Limited (FBL), a leading Islamic bank in Pakistan, has taken a significant step toward promoting inclusivity by partnering with Special Olympics Pakistan (SOP) to host the first-ever Faysal Bank SOP Unified Marathon 2025 in Lahore. The event marks a major milestone in fostering greater acceptance and support for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), bringing together a diverse cross-section of society, including specially-abled individuals, celebrities, government officials, and the general public. This is the first time Special Olympics Pakistan has extended its flagship marathon to Punjab’s provincial capital, signaling a broader national commitment to inclusivity and diversity.…
Islamabad, Feb 23: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to embark on a crucial two-day visit to Azerbaijan on February 24, aiming to strengthen economic ties and explore new avenues for cooperation in energy and infrastructure development. The visit is expected to yield several high-level agreements, reflecting the growing partnership between the two nations. A key highlight of the trip will be the signing of an agreement for the establishment of a trading company that will facilitate bilateral trade, making business transactions more streamlined and efficient. In the energy sector, Pakistan State Oil and the Azerbaijan State Oil Company are…
Islamabad, Feb 23: Virat Kohli has once again rewritten the record books, becoming the fastest player to reach 14,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs) during India’s high-stakes Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan in Dubai. The milestone was achieved in the 13th over when Kohli stylishly drove Haris Rauf for a four, surpassing the previous record held by Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. Batting at No. 3 after the early dismissal of Rohit Sharma, Kohli exhibited his trademark composure and dominance, settling in quickly to take control of the innings. With Shubman Gill already putting Pakistan’s bowling attack under immense…
