Islamabad, Nov 11: TSMC Suspends Chip Supply to Chinese Companies Amid Huawei Controversy, Impact on Tech Supply Chain Intensifies. The U.S. Department of Commerce has instructed TSMC to halt the supply of advanced chips to Chinese clients. This directive comes after a TSMC chip was found within a Huawei processor, which has been restricted for years. Authorities are looking into whether third-party companies are supplying prohibited chips to Huawei, which has been subject to ongoing U.S. trade limitations. For many years, the U.S. government has prohibited Huawei from directly acquiring advanced chips from TSMC. However, recent discoveries indicate that a…
Author: Iqra Khan
Islamabad, Nov 11: SIFC Proposes High-Rise Buildings to Replace Government Housing in Islamabad, A Vision for Urban Transformation. The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) aims to replace the existing single-storey government residences in Islamabad with high-rise structures to generate significant revenue. They have identified specific areas like sectors F-6, G-6, and G-7, where extensive state-owned land is currently occupied by single-storey homes allotted to federal secretaries and other officials, according to a report by Dawn. A recent analysis conducted by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) found that in the G-6/1 sub-sector, 86 acres are being underutilized for government…
Islamabad, Nov 11: Grok AI Chatbot on X Set to Become Free for All Users, New Access Opportunity Unveiled. The social networking platform X, previously known as Twitter, might be making its Grok chatbot available for free to all users. Grok AI is essentially a competitor to ChatGPT on X, developed by Elon Musk’s AI enterprise, xAI. Until recently, it was available only to premium subscribers who paid for the service. Over the weekend, enthusiastic users and diligent app researchers started to notice indications that a free version of Grok is becoming available in select areas, representing a notable increase…
Islamabad, Nov 11: MDCAT Retake Date Announced, Key Details for Aspiring Medical Students. The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Sukkur has advised the Sindh Health Department to schedule the Medical & Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) for December 1. Preparations for the examination are in progress, with specialists hired to create a question database. The health department, through the provincial advocate general, has presented a report to the Sindh High Court detailing its agreement with IBA Sukkur and the revised deadline for the test. The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) has appointed Imdad Khushak, its Controller of Examinations, as…
Islamabad, Nov 9: Pakistan Showcases Rich Cultural Heritage at Lok Mela 2024, Highlights Director. The Director of the Pakistan National Museum and Focal Person, Anwaar ul Haq, announced on Saturday that this year’s Lok Mela features over 500 talented artisans from various regions of Pakistan, showcasing their remarkable craftsmanship and preserving the nation’s traditional arts and crafts. In an exclusive interview with Radio Pakistan, the Director shared that the annual Mela has gained an international aspect, with numerous diplomatic missions taking part in the International Culture Pavilion. The food and cultural dances from different provinces at Lok Mela 2024 are…
Islamabad, Nov 9: Pakistan Unveils ‘Climaventures’ Initiative with $50 Million Investment to Drive Climate Innovation. Pakistan made a notable advancement in climate resilience and innovation with the introduction of Climaventures, a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP). Launched in Islamabad, this innovative $50 million Investment project aims to draw private investment into climate initiatives, representing the first of its nature in Pakistan. The event attracted a varied audience, including government representatives, international dignitaries, and prominent members from organizations such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the World Bank. Collaborating with…
Islamabad, Nov 9: Government Sets New Lost Passport Fee Structure, Charges Up to Rs. 356,000 for Reissuance. The Pakistani federal government has unveiled a new Lost Passport Fee schedule, with individuals facing charges of up to Rs. 356,000 for misplacing their travel documents. For a 5-year, 36-page e-passport, the standard fee is established at Rs. 3,000, while the expedited fee is priced at Rs. 15,000.Regarding the 75-page e-passport with a ten-year validity, the regular fee stands at Rs. 15,500, and the urgent fee amounts to Rs. 27,000. In the case of Machine-Readable Passports (MRPs), a 36-page passport valid for five…
Islamabad, Nov 9: Pakistan Railways Launches Special Trains for Sikh Pilgrims Ahead of Religious Festivities. Pakistan Railways has proclaimed the launch of two special trains to assist the Sikh community in their annual pilgrimage. The first special train is scheduled to leave Karachi on November 12 at 10:30 p.m., with a shuttle from Larkana joining at midnight to connect at Rohri station.The second special train is set to depart from Nankana Sahib on November 16 at 4 PM, with a return shuttle from Rohri to Larkana to accommodate the pilgrims’ needs. These services provide accessible travel for Sikh pilgrims attending…
Islamabad, Nov 9: Motorway Police Issues Urgent Smog Alert for Commuters as Air Quality Worsens. A travel warning was issued by motorway authorities on Saturday, advising drivers to take extra precautions due to dangerous conditions, with a recommendation for citizens to delay non-essential travel until further notice as the fog and smog situation evolves. The motorway police spokesperson, speaking to a private news channel, encouraged citizens to check traffic updates prior to starting their journeys and to follow official social media accounts for real-time information. They also mentioned that emergency services are on high alert and collaborating closely with law…
Islamabad, Nov 9: FAO Supports Sustainable Farming Initiatives to Boost Food Security in Pakistan, Says Country Representative. As Pakistan grapples with increasing food security challenges, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is enhancing its support for local governments through initiatives that concentrate on sustainable agriculture. In an exclusive interview with APP, FAO Country Representative Florence Rolle explained that through diverse programs, the FAO seeks to enhance productivity, improve nutrition, and create resilient food systems that provide Pakistanis with not only enough calories but also healthier food options. The strategy of the FAO for assisting Pakistan revolves…
