Islamabad, Feb 17: The Pakistani rupee (PKR) closed lower against the US Dollar (USD) today after opening at 279 in the interbank market. Despite staying within the 279-281 range throughout the day, the PKR lost value, ending at 279.26 against the greenback, a decrease of 0.02 percent or five paisas. In the open market, the exchange rates were reported to be around the 279-282 range, showing stability for most of the day before closing in the red. The PKR also posted losses against most other major currencies during today’s trading session.
Author: Iqra Khan
Islamabad, Feb 17: It’s been nearly four years since Spotify first teased its HiFi streaming option back in February 2021, but the feature has yet to materialize. However, a new Bloomberg report indicates that the long-awaited rollout may finally occur by the end of 2025. Along with the promised higher-quality audio, the service will be rebranded as Spotify Music Pro, priced at an additional $6 per month on top of the existing $12 Premium plan. The price increase will likely translate to an extra £6 in the UK and AU$7 in Australia. But Spotify is not just offering lossless audio…
Islamabad, Feb 17: It’s been nearly four years since Spotify first teased its HiFi streaming option back in February 2021, but the feature has yet to materialize. However, a new Bloomberg report indicates that the long-awaited rollout may finally occur by the end of 2025. Along with the promised higher-quality audio, the service will be rebranded as Spotify Music Pro, priced at an additional $6 per month on top of the existing $12 Premium plan. The price increase will likely translate to an extra £6 in the UK and AU$7 in Australia. But Spotify is not just offering lossless audio…
Islamabad, Feb 17: A meeting of the Board of Directors of The Bank of Punjab (BOP) was held on 17th February 2025 to review and approve the Annual Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2024. Despite facing challenges on both the revenue and expenditure sides, including the implementation of IFRS-9, the debt restructuring of a large state-owned entity, a difficult interest rate environment, the MDR anomaly, and significant investments in technology andinfrastructure, the Bank posted a pre-tax profit of Rs. 24.56 billion for the year 2024. The Board also declared a cash dividend of Rs. 1.8 per…
Islamabad, Feb 17: Pakistan is making significant strides towards launching 5G technology, with Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja announcing that planning and consultations for its rollout are progressing smoothly. Speaking at a ceremony, the minister emphasized that the introduction of 5G will address existing internet connectivity issues and provide a substantial boost to economic growth. Currently, Pakistan operates on a 274 MHz spectrum, but recent developments have cleared 550 MHz from legal barriers, marking a major milestone. The passage of the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill last month is seen as a key step towards transforming…
Islamabad, Feb 17: Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, recently conducted an extensive five-day 5G training program for officials from the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) at the Jazz-NUST 5G Innovation Lab. This initiative reflects Jazz’s commitment to preparing key stakeholders for the future of connectivity, equipping them with the knowledge and expertise needed to regulate and implement emerging technologies effectively. Running from February 10 to February 14, the training covered a comprehensive range of critical 5G topics, including end-to-end (E2E) network evolution, air interface technologies, multi-frequency network optimization, radio network performance management, RAN network slicing, and real-world applications. Special focus was…
Islamabad, Feb 17: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has expanded its Point of Sales (POS) system to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in a bid to enhance financial transparency and digitize transactions. In collaboration with the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) AJK, Pakistan Revenue Automation (Pvt) Ltd. (PRAL) has successfully launched the POS system at two major locations: Khaadi and KFC in Mirpur, AJK. The inauguration ceremonies were attended by key government officials, business leaders, and PRAL representatives, marking a significant step toward economic modernization in the region. Among the notable attendees were Col (R) Waqar Noor, Senior Minister…
Islamabad, Feb 17: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has once again voiced his concerns over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection policies, questioning the inconsistencies in squad selection ahead of crucial international tournaments like the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. His remarks follow the surprise inclusion of Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, and Tayyab Tahir in Pakistan’s squad, a decision that has sparked widespread debate within cricketing circles. Speaking to Geo News, Latif revealed that he had engaged with PCB officials regarding the return of players who were previously discarded from the national setup, including Faheem Ashraf. He found it perplexing…
Islamabad, Feb 17: The Study UK Alumni Awards 2025 ceremony, held in Karachi, celebrated the remarkable achievements of UK alumni in Pakistan, recognizing their contributions in business, innovation, creativity, sustainability, and social impact. The event, organized by the British Deputy High Commission and the British Council in Pakistan, was graced by Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister of Federal Education and Professional Training, himself a UK alumnus. The prestigious awards honored Pakistani professionals who have leveraged their UK education to create a meaningful impact in their respective fields, while also strengthening ties between Pakistan and the UK. Winners were selected by…
Islamabad, Feb 16: Pakistan is set to experience cold and dry weather today, with mountainous regions bracing for intense cold conditions during nighttime, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The forecast indicates that Murree, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northwestern Balochistan may see light rain and snowfall over the mountains. Meanwhile, Islamabad and surrounding areas are expected to remain cold with partly cloudy skies.
