Islamabad, Nov 19: The Punjab government has introduced new safety measures for reopening schools, prioritizing public health amidst concerns over air pollution. Schools outside Lahore and Multan will reopen tomorrow, starting classes no earlier than 8:45 AM. Students, teachers, and staff must wear masks, and school administrations must enforce this rule. Authorities have suspended outdoor activities and sports, and they will stagger break times by grade to reduce traffic congestion. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb explained that these steps are crucial for protecting public health, noting that improved wind conditions have reduced smog in the province. Following directives from Chief Minister…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Nov 18: As Canada faces challenges linked to its growing population, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed recent updates to the country’s immigration policies. Acknowledging that the government “could have acted quicker,” Trudeau described the new immigration strategy as “straightforward and simple.” His remarks were made in a seven-minute YouTube video released on Sunday, which included a series of headlines highlighting issues within Canada’s immigration system. Reflecting on the past, Trudeau stated, “When the post-pandemic economic boom slowed, and businesses no longer needed additional labor, we could have acted faster to close the taps.” Trudeau also acknowledged that increased immigration…
Islamabad, Nov 18: Govt Requests World Bank to Restructure $200 Million Punjab Project The government has approached the World Bank to restructure the Punjab Human Capital Investment Project (PHCIP), which is valued at $200 million, to address delays caused by COVID-related school and Basic Health Unit (BHU) closures. Official documents indicate that the government has proposed extending the IDA credit closing date from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2026, to allow time for the project to recover. While most physical targets are on track, the extension would enhance the quality of outcomes, including completing the first 1,000 days for…
Islamabad, Nov 18: In October 2024, Pakistan’s IT exports reached US$ 330 million, marking a 39 percent increase year-over-year (YoY) and a 13 percent rise month-over-month (MoM). This performance exceeded the 12-month average of US$ 287 million, continuing the trend of YoY growth for the 13th consecutive month since October 2023. For the first four months of FY25, IT exports amounted to approximately US$ 1.21 billion, reflecting a 35 percent YoY increase. The growth is attributed to several factors, including the expansion of IT export companies’ client bases, particularly in the GCC region, the State Bank of Pakistan’s relaxation of retention…
Islamabad, Nov 18: Darren Watkins Jr., widely recognized as IShowSpeed, has revealed an ambitious plan to compete in the 100-meter sprint at the 2028 Olympics . The 19-year-old YouTube sensation, known for his energetic persona and sports activities, shared this goal with his vast online following, hinting at a potential transition from internet stardom to the elite world of athletics. This announcement comes after IShowSpeed participated in a thrilling 50-meter race against Noah Lyles, the current Olympic 100-meter champion. Although Lyles easily claimed victory, IShowSpeed impressed many with his burst of speed and determination, earning praise from fans and spectators alike.…
Islamabad, Nov 18: Punjab Reopens Schools After Air Quality Improves The Punjab government has confirmed that educational institutions in the Rawalpindi Division will reopen tomorrow. According to Geo News, schools across Rawalpindi Division and its neighboring districts will resume their regular schedules, following the issuance of an official notification. The notification highlights that schools in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, and Chakwal will resume operations due to favorable weather conditions and a significant reduction in smog levels. Previously, the Punjab government had ordered the closure of schools from November 17 to November 24 in response to the adverse weather conditions.
Islamabad, Nov 18: Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan Down by 18% in October 2024, Reflecting Economic Slowdown Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country amounted to $133 million in October 2024, reflecting an 18 percent decrease compared to $163 million in the same month last year. In October 2024, foreign direct investment inflows reached $240.4 million, a 19 percent increase from $202.6 million in October 2023. However, outflows for the same month surged by 173 percent, reaching $107.2 million compared to $39.2 million in October 2023. During the first four months of fiscal year 2025 (4MFY25), net FDI inflows rose…
Islamabad, Nov 18: Pakistan’s Exchange Rate Jumps in October 2024 Pakistan’s Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) increased to 100.8 in October 2024, as per data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday. This represents a slight rise from the REER of 98.64 recorded in September 2024. A REER above 100 signifies a decrease in trade competitiveness, meaning that exports become more expensive while imports become cheaper. Conversely, a REER below 100 indicates that the country’s exports are more competitive on the international market.
Islamabad, Nov 18: Pakistan’s Current Account Surplus Hits $349 Million in October 2024 Pakistan’s current account recorded a surplus of $349 million in October 2024, marking its third consecutive monthly surplus. This contrasts with a deficit of $287 million in October 2023, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday. The current account surplus in the first four months of the fiscal year (4MFY25) stands at $218 million, a significant turnaround from the $1.528 billion deficit during the same period last year. The surplus is largely driven by a 7% month-on-month (MoM) growth in remittances…
Islamabad, Nov 18: The Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have made a significant decision to update the SAP (Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing) system to improve tax adjustments for salaried workers and pensioners. This update is designed to address issues with excessive tax deductions and eliminate the lengthy refund process. The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) previously recommended modifying the SAP system to facilitate smoother tax adjustments and credits for salaried individuals. The AGPR has expressed its general agreement with this proposal and will discuss the details in an upcoming internal meeting. The…
