Islamabad, Nov 19: Google has unveiled its Best of 2024 awards, showcasing the top apps, games, and books of the year. These awards celebrate creativity and the skilled community of developers behind innovative products. Whether you’re searching for productivity tools, engaging games, or must-read books, this list offers excellent suggestions. Top Apps of 2024 Best App: Partiful took the crown as the Best App of 2024 for simplifying event planning. It allows users to organize events, send invitations, and manage RSVPs effortlessly. Best Multi-Device App: Max (formerly known as HBO Max) earned the award for its versatility across devices and…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Nov 19: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has engaged National Economic Research Associates Inc. (NERA) for consultancy services on the ‘Release of IMT Spectrum for the Improvement of Next-Generation Mobile Broadband Services in Pakistan,’ signing a contract on November 5, 2024. Stakeholder consultations have begun, and NERA will advise the government on key aspects of the upcoming spectrum release, including proposed reforms, spectrum valuation, and auction design. The process is expected to conclude by April 2025. NERA, a U.S.-based international consultancy firm, accepted the letter of intent (LOI) for providing consultancy services for the 5G spectrum auction in Pakistan.…
Islamabad, Nov 19: The 12th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2024 began today at the Karachi Expo Centre, spotlighting Pakistan’s progress in defense technology. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif officially inaugurated the four-day event, organized by the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), which runs from November 19 to 22. A major highlight of the exhibition is the introduction of the Shahpar-III drone, a cutting-edge unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed entirely in Pakistan. Capable of staying in the air for up to 30 hours and carrying a payload of 1,650 kilograms, the Shahpar-III is equipped…
Islamabad, Nov 19: The KSE-100 index demonstrated exceptional bullish momentum, soaring to an all-time high of 96,036. The market opened on a positive note, buoyed by expectations of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) falling within the 4.5% to 5.0% YoY range. Notably, this marks the first time in 78 months that inflation is anticipated to drop below 5%. The index eventually settled at 95,856, posting an impressive gain of 860 points or 0.91%. SYS (8.59%) from the technology sector drew considerable investor interest after the announcement that OneZapp, a subsidiary of Systems Ltd., had officially secured approval from the State…
Islamabad, Nov 19: At a seminar organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), experts emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive and sustainable tobacco taxation policy to reduce consumption and improve public health in Pakistan. The seminar, titled “Taxing Tobacco: A Path to Reducing Consumption and Saving Lives”, called for stronger measures to address the gaps in the current taxation system. Speakers highlighted the weaknesses in Pakistan’s existing tobacco tax system, particularly its two-tier structure, which allows the tobacco industry to undermine tax increases by preemptively raising prices. This manipulation dilutes the intended health benefits of tobacco taxes. Additionally,…
Islamabad, Nov 19: A prominent cybersecurity company has reported a 63% rise in spyware attacks in Pakistan during the first ten months of 2024. At the recent Cyber Threat Intelligence Summit in Islamabad, Kaspersky provided an in-depth analysis of the growing cyber threat landscape globally, with a particular emphasis on Pakistan. According to data from Kaspersky’s Security Network, both financial malware and spyware attacks have increased, posing serious risks to the country’s digital infrastructure. Ransomware continues to be one of the most significant threats. This type of malware locks or encrypts data, demanding payment for its release. These attacks can…
Islamabad, Nov 19: Dastak Doorstep Services App Expands to 10 More Cities in Punjab, Enhancing Convenience for Residents At the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government has expanded the availability of its ‘Dastak – Doorstep Services’ app. The program now covers 32 districts, adding 10 new cities: Rahim Yar Khan, Vehari, Lodhran, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah, Rajanpur, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Gujrat, and Khushab. During a progress review in Lahore, Faisal Yousaf, Chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), stated that the initiative’s goal is to improve service delivery and provide a more efficient, citizen-focused experience through…
Islamabad, Nov 19: The Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) and Telenor Pakistan have forged a significant partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing innovation, fostering digital inclusion, and empowering youth throughout Pakistan. The collaboration will focus on strengthening Pakistan’s technology sector by supporting local tech startups, nurturing young talent, and enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure, in line with STZA’s objectives. The MoU was signed by Mr. Aamer Saleemi, Executive Director at STZA, and Ms. Areej Khan, Chief People Officer at Telenor Pakistan, during a ceremony attended by prominent leaders from both organizations, including Khurrum Ashfaque, CEO…
Islamabad, Nov 19: On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the importance of cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia across various sectors and expressed his satisfaction with the successful implementation of the recently signed bilateral MoUs, which secured a $2.8 billion Saudi investment in Pakistan. This discussion took place during a courtesy visit by the Deputy Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia, who is currently in Pakistan on an official visit, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office. Recalling the long-standing and brotherly ties between the two nations, Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked the Saudi leadership for their continued…
Islamabad, Nov 19: Pakistan’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November 2024 is projected to range between 4.5% and 5.0% year-on-year (YoY), with a monthly increase of 0.4%. This brings the 5-month FY25 average inflation to 7.91%, a significant drop from 28.62% recorded during the same period in FY24. Food and Energy Contributions Food inflation for November is expected to rise by 0.2% month-on-month (MoM), driven by higher prices of eggs, Pulse Moong, tomatoes, and potatoes, with increases ranging from 5% to 35%. The housing, water, electricity, and gas segment is predicted to grow by approximately 0.11% MoM due to a…
