Islamabad, Nov 15: Pakistan’s Top 8 Most Polluted Cities Ranked. According to a recent survey on air quality, Multan has an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 810, making it the most polluted city in Pakistan. With an AQI of 732, Lahore comes in second, making Punjab’s cities among the most polluted in the nation. Residents are at considerable risk for health problems due to the “hazardous” air quality indicated by this high AQI rating. Peshawar (242 AQI), Islamabad (256 AQI), and Rawalpindi (278 AQI) are other cities that are also experiencing poor air quality. The largest city in Pakistan,…
Author: Iqra Khan
Islamabad, Nov 15: IMF Highlights Pakistan’s Pressing Fiscal Constraints Amid Economic Challenges. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Pakistan’s finances are tight. The public debt-to-GDP ratio has increased dramatically in recent years, increasing by about 16 percentage points of GDP between FY17 and FY23, according to the Fund’s most recent Technical Assistance Report for Pakistan. A number of factors contributed to this, including lower-than-expected GDP growth, rupee depreciation, the high cost of responding to pandemics and natural disasters, underperforming State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), and general difficulties in achieving planned fiscal consolidation. Meanwhile, since FY17, the amount of budget money used for…
Islamabad, Nov 15: Telenor Pakistan CEO Inspires NUST Graduates to Prioritize Resilience and Drive Innovation. In recognition of the efforts and achievements of the graduating class of 2024, Khurrum Ashfaque, CEO of Telenor Pakistan, gave a keynote address at the 15th convocation of NUST Business School. Speaking to the audience, Khurrum praised the graduates as “torchbearers of a legacy that continues to shine brightly,” congratulating them on achieving this significant milestone and recognizing NUST’s historic reputation for excellence. Khurrum encouraged the graduates to confidently take advantage of the chances and challenges of the future, stressing that those who tackle the…
Islamabad, Nov 15: IMF Calls for Expanded Workforce in Finance Division to Strengthen Budget Preparation. In order to support budget preparation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised Pakistan to increase forecast cycles and align them with the budget, as well as to improve the Finance Division’s ability to lead and coordinate macro-fiscal projections. The Fund’s technical assistance report also suggested actions to reduce dual (“recurrent/capital”) budgeting, including more guidance and binding ceilings in the Budget Call Circular, and implementing a strategic phase to the budget process in accordance with the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA) 2019 and the accompanying…
Islamabad, Nov 15: HEC and British Council Launch Phase-II of Pak-UK Education Gateway Initiative. Phase-II of the Pak-UK Education Gateway was launched Thursday at the HEC Secretariat by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and the British Council. The main guest at the event was Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives. In addition, Vice-Chancellors and representatives from the British Council and HEC were present, including Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training; Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed; Mr. Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council; Mr. Andrew Dalgleish,…
Islamabad, Nov 15: Champions Trophy Arrives in Pakistan Ahead of Anticipated Tournament Tour. As the country gets ready to host the renowned competition in 2025, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has brought the Champions Trophy to Islamabad, ushering in a new era in Pakistani cricket history. On November 16, this shining trophy, which has made its place in cricket history, will embark on its eagerly awaited tour, with the picturesque Skardu Valley serving as the first of many stops around Pakistan. After that, the trophy will go to some of the most famous towns in the country, including the ones…
Islamabad, Nov 15: Punjab Assembly Approves Landmark Bill to Tax Agricultural Income. The Punjab Agricultural Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2024 was approved by the Punjab Assembly on Thursday. In order to enforce a larger tax structure on agricultural revenue, the legislation establishes a new taxation regime on agricultural income, including income from animals. Higher-earning farmers will pay taxes under the measure, and those who fail to pay taxes will be penalized 0.1 percent of their entire income each day. While some claim that the bill ignored farmers’ concerns, others describe it as a vital change for the agriculture sector. A…
Islamabad, Nov 15: Resident Evil 2 Remake Arrives on iPhones Next Month, Bringing Console Horror to Mobile on December 10th. Capcom’s popular game Resident Evil 2 will be available for iPhone and iPad. One of the most recognizable names in the world and Capcom’s best-selling Resident Evil game to date is this one. To play it, though, you’ll need a more recent Apple product, such an iPhone 16 or a Mac with an M1 chip. Before purchasing the complete game, you may test out a free demo. The game can be purchased once and played on several devices because it…
Islamabad, Nov 15: Yamaha Bikes Now Offered on Interest-Free Installments for Easier Access. The Aasan Instalment Plan from Standard Chartered may be exactly what you need if you’ve been thinking about purchasing a Yamaha motorcycle but are concerned about the initial outlay. With this plan, you may buy a Yamaha motorcycle and pay for it over the course of up to 12 months in monthly installments with no markup. You can select from a range of Yamaha motorcycles and pay for them over a 12-month period with the Aasan Instalment Plan, all without incurring additional fees on your monthly payments.…
Islamabad, Nov 14: Punjab Unveils New Farming Internship Program to Boost Agricultural Skills. By providing hands-on training in shrimp farming, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has started an internship program aimed at empowering recent graduates in the fields of zoology, aquaculture, and fisheries. Located in the Fisheries Department’s shrimp farm in Muzaffargarh, this six-month internship will give participants practical experience in addition to a monthly salary of 50,000 rupees. In addition to giving graduates useful skills, the program seeks to increase Pakistan’s foreign exchange profits and satisfy the rising demand for shrimp worldwide. Maryam Nawaz highlighted shrimp farming’s economic potential,…
