Author: Mawadat Fatima

Islamabad, Sep 24: Sindh’s provincial government is embarking on a major digital transformation under the leadership of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. In a recent session on e-governance, Shah directed all government departments to transition to digital systems. The initiative aims to streamline operations, increase transparency, and improve accountability across various sectors. The IT secretary presented plans for a comprehensive e-system that will encompass not only central government departments but also District Commissioner (DC) offices throughout the province. A pilot project at the DC office in Sukkur has already begun, and its success is being closely monitored for wider implementation.…

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Islamabad, Sep 24: China unveiled some of its boldest economic measures in years on Tuesday to combat challenges like the ongoing property sector debt crisis, deflationary pressures, and high youth unemployment. The country’s post-pandemic recovery has been slower than expected, and the government’s five percent growth target for 2024 is seen by many analysts as optimistic given these headwinds. Central bank chief Pan Gongsheng announced a series of rate cuts aimed at boosting consumption and investment. These include a cut to the reserve requirement ratio (RRR), which will inject about 1 trillion yuan ($141.7 billion) into the financial market, and…

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Islamabad, Sep 24: After a brief decline, gold prices in Pakistan surged again on Tuesday, reaching a new all-time high, following international market trends. The All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA) reported an increase of Rs1,100 per tola, bringing the price to Rs273,000. Similarly, 10 grams of 24-karat gold rose by Rs943, settling at Rs234,053. This surge comes after Saturday’s record high of Rs272,500 per tola. Internationally, gold prices also rose, with the global rate reaching $2,628 per ounce, up by $11. Silver prices, however, remained unchanged at Rs2,950 per tola.

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Islamabad, Sep 24: Medical university students in Islamabad staged a protest against the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MD CAT), claiming that the exam included over 20 questions outside the prescribed syllabus. The protesters raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the assessment process, arguing that these out-of-syllabus questions negatively affected their performance. They called on educational authorities to take immediate action to rectify the issue and ensure that future MD CAT exams strictly follow the syllabus guidelines. The students demanded a review of the exam and a fair opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge without being penalized by…

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Islamabad, Sep 24: The recent admission drive for government schools, from Class I to Class IX, has seen disappointing results, with only one new student enrolling in Rawalpindi during the first three days of the campaign, which started on August 15. This highlights a growing crisis in public education across Punjab. In response to concerns over the declining enrollment numbers, 17 headmasters and headmistresses from divisions such as Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Bahawal have been suspended for allegedly falsifying admission records. Legal action is being pursued under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline, and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, and these officials…

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Islamabad, Sep 24: In a significant move to enhance social protection for residents, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has decided to incorporate life insurance into the Sehat Card Plus program. This decision was made during a recent meeting aimed at improving the healthcare initiative, which included key officials such as Health Advisor Ahtisham Ali and Finance Advisor Muzzamil Aslam, alongside representatives from the Health Department and the State Life Insurance Corporation. Key Highlights from the Meeting Inclusion of Life Insurance: The Chief Minister announced the integration of life insurance into the Sehat Card Plus program, which aims to provide residents…

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Islamabad, Sep 24: The National Computer Emergency Response Team (nCERT) has issued a cyber security advisory regarding a phishing email attack that impersonates the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), specifically targeting government organizations. Overview of the Phishing Attack The advisory describes a sophisticated phishing campaign designed to steal sensitive personal and financial information from victims. Phishing emails, disguised as legitimate communications from NADRA, mislead recipients into providing personal data, such as banking card details and CNIC numbers, by falsely claiming to offer tax refunds. Methodology of the Attack Investigations show that the attackers utilize advanced social engineering techniques, referencing…

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Islamabad, Sep 24: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing to announce its squad for the upcoming Test series against England. Reports suggest that three to four players from the squad that recently faced Bangladesh in a 2-0 whitewash at home may be dropped. Shan Masood is expected to remain captain for the series. Head coach Jason Gillespie, who recently led a connection camp focused on team unity and performance enhancement, is actively participating in the selection process. Currently in Faisalabad with selection committee members Mohammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq, he is evaluating player performances during the ongoing Champions Cup.…

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Islamabad, Sep 24: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has urged significant amendments to the Insurance Ordinance, 2000, to enable private companies to compete with the National Insurance Company Ltd. (NICL) in the public property insurance market. This change aims to create a more equitable market environment, potentially leading to reduced costs for the public sector. In its recommendations to the government, the CCP proposed transitioning the Pakistani insurance market to an Insurance Guarantee Scheme (IGS), which is successfully operational in several other countries. This shift is expected to alleviate the government’s fiscal burden while promoting efficiency and innovation within…

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Islamabad, Sep 24: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced the probable for the SAFF Women’s Championship 2024, set to take place in Nepal from October 17 to 30. The Pakistan Women’s National Team will begin their training camp in Islamabad on October 1 in preparation for the tournament. The women in green have been drawn into Group A alongside arch-rivals India and Bangladesh. Pakistan will kick off its campaign against India on October 17, followed by a group-stage match against Bangladesh on October 20. Here is the probable Pakistan players announced by the PFF for the SAFF Women’s Championship…

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