Islamabad, Feb 1: Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has never been one to shy away from expressing his views, and his recent comments on the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are no exception. In a candid interview, the legendary pacer offered a mix of praise and criticism, questioning some of the selections made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). One of the most debated inclusions was that of Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah, two players whose recent form has been a topic of discussion. Both have been largely absent from the national setup but were selected based…
Author: Iqra Khan
Islamabad, Feb 1: In a significant step towards promoting sustainable agriculture, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched a pioneering project to convert agricultural tube wells to solar energy. This initiative is part of the provincial government’s efforts to modernize farming practices and reduce costs for farmers. Under the first phase of the project, 8,000 tube wells across Punjab will be powered by solar energy, offering long-term financial savings to farmers. The beneficiaries were selected through a lottery system, with Muhammad Nawaz from Attock being the first winner. During the launch event, the list of eligible farmers from Narowal…
Islamabad, Feb 1: Polio remains a serious public health concern in Pakistan as poliovirus has been detected in environmental samples collected from across all four provinces, marking the first such occurrence in 2025. Sewage samples collected between January 6 and 15 tested positive for poliovirus in 26 districts. Among the affected regions, Sindh was the hardest hit, with 15 districts testing positive, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with 5 districts, and 3 districts each in Balochistan and Punjab. The presence of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in sewage is a significant concern, signaling that the virus is circulating in the…
Islamabad, Feb 1: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, visited Keele University’s Denis Coates Foundation Building and Business School on Saturday, where he explored an innovative educational model that integrates industry partnerships directly within the academic system. During his visit, Iqbal observed how the university fosters collaboration between students and industry leaders, ensuring that graduates are equipped with skills that align with market demands. This modern approach is designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, providing students with hands-on experience and mentorship from industry professionals. Speaking about the model, Iqbal emphasized that universities should…
Islamabad, Feb 1: The Punjab government has declared a public holiday across the province on February 5 to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day, honoring the ongoing struggle of the people of Kashmir. As a result, all government offices in Punjab will remain closed on this day. The Sindh government had already announced a similar holiday for February 5, with all government and semi-government offices in the province also shut for the occasion.
Islamabad, Feb 1: The Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) has announced an immediate ban on the cash disbursement of teachers’ salaries, mandating that all payments be made online or through bank accounts. This decision, confirmed in a notification issued by PEF on Saturday, is part of the government’s efforts to ensure greater transparency and efficiency in salary management. The notification emphasized that salary payment records will now be maintained through the Teachers’ Information System, aiming to streamline processes and prevent discrepancies. In addition, the PEF has warned that schools failing to comply with the new payment procedure will face severe consequences,…
Islamabad, Feb 1: Faysal Bank Limited (FBL), one of Pakistan’s leading Islamic Banks, has recently signed a strategic MoU with Pakistan State Oil (PSO) for the expansion of digital acceptance solutions at PSO fuel stations nationwide. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to advancing Pakistan’s digital financial ecosystem by streamlining transactions through cutting-edge payment solutions. The signing ceremony held at PSO House, was attended by Mr. Yousaf Hussain, Mr. S.M Taha, MD & CEO, Pakistan State Oil, along with senior executives from both organisations. To elevate customer experience, the Bank will deploy advanced POS solutions at PSO fuel stations, enabling…
Islamabad, Feb 1: WhatsApp is taking on Google Calendar with a new event scheduling feature aimed at simplifying how users organize their plans. Previously available only in group chats and communities, the feature is now being rolled out to select beta testers using the latest WhatsApp beta version on the Google Play Store. The new event feature enables users to schedule and manage events directly within their one-on-one chats, removing the need for external calendar apps. For instance, if two colleagues share a common deadline, they can easily create an event in their WhatsApp chat, and both will receive simultaneous…
Islamabad, Feb 1: The annual desilting operation at Khanpur Dam, which serves as the primary water source for Rawalpindi and Islamabad, is scheduled to take place from February 10 to February 20. As a result, both cities will experience water supply disruptions until the process concludes on February 23. Officials confirmed that the desilting is a routine maintenance procedure aimed at preventing sediment buildup and ensuring smooth water flow. The operation will cover the Khanpur Dam and extend to the Sangjani filtration plant, which will also undergo cleaning during the period.
Islamabad, Feb 1: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has reignited controversy by issuing tax notices to teachers and researchers across Pakistan, demanding full income tax payments, including backdated taxes from July 2022. This move comes after a prolonged period of inaction and has raised concerns within academic circles about the removal of a long-standing tax exemption. Previously, teachers and researchers enjoyed a 25% tax exemption, which was revoked under the Finance Act of 2022. However, this change went unnoticed by many, including FBR officials, until 2024. In response to the new tax notices, the FBR is now demanding compliance…
