Islamabad, Jan 4: India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah left the field twice during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), sparking concerns about his fitness. Bumrah’s speeds dropped significantly during a post-lunch spell, leading to his early exit. He later departed the SCG with team staff for scans, leaving fans and teammates anxious. Bumrah’s Series Performance: Matches Played: 5 Wickets Taken: 32 Key Dismissals: Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja Deliveries Bowled: 908 (2nd most in the series). Despite his injury scare, Bumrah’s contributions, including dismissing Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, have been pivotal for India…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Jan 4: The Punjab government has set January 5, 2025, as the final date for residents to register for its free solar panel program. Citizens can apply by sending their CNIC number via SMS to 8800 or using the portal at cmsolarscheme.punjab.gov.pk. Key Details: Launch Date: The program, spearheaded by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, began on December 6, 2024. Eligibility: Targets consumers using 100 to 200 units monthly. 100 units: Receive a 550-watt solar system. 200 units: Receive an 1100-watt solar system. Impact: Annual Carbon Reduction: 57,000 tons. Beneficiaries: 100,000 systems distributed in a year. Linked to CNICs for…
Islamabad, Jan 3: The stock market witnessed a volatile trading session on Friday, as investor sentiment wavered between optimism over easing inflation and concerns about rising trade deficits and tax shortfalls. The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index climbed 771.97 points, or 0.66%, to reach an intraday high of 117,891.62. However, profit-taking and cautious sentiment soon pulled the index down to an intraday low of 115,580.01, representing a decline of 1,539.64 points, or -1.31, from the previous close of 117,119.65. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the 11th Apex Committee meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) on Thursday,…
Islamabad, Jan 3: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has retracted its earlier decision to cancel the licenses of four brokerage firms. Key Developments: Licenses Restored: The affected brokerages included First National Equities Limited (FNEL), First Choice Securities Limited, Surmawala Securities (Private) Limited, and Falki Capital (Private) Limited. SECP had initially cancelled these licenses on January 1, 2025. FNEL Statement: FNEL, in its filing to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), confirmed the withdrawal of the cancellation notice. The company expressed optimism about the swift approval of its application for category conversion under existing regulations. This move underscores SECP’s…
Islamabad, Jan 3: The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) recorded a 3.97% year-on-year (YoY) increase in weekly inflation for the period ending January 2, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Key Highlights: Year-on-Year Trend: Inflation rose by 3.97% compared to the same week last year. Week-on-Week Trend: Inflation witnessed a slight decline of 0.07% compared to the previous week. Rising Prices: Sugar: Increased by Rs. 1.31/kg for the fifth consecutive week. Chicken: Up by Rs. 42.07/kg. Onions: Up by Rs. 6.37/kg. Ghee: Increased by Rs. 7.73 per 2.5kg tin. Bananas: Up by Rs. 3/dozen. Other items: Beef, pulses, and…
Islamabad, Jan 3: The Punjab government has announced a welfare initiative to shield schoolchildren from harsh winter conditions by distributing warm clothing to 21,000 students in government schools, starting January 13, as per ARY News. Key Highlights of the Initiative: Beneficiaries: 21,000 students across Lahore, Narowal, Rajanpur, and Layyah. Distributed Items: Sweaters, coats, shoes, and uniforms. Implementation: Carried out under the CM’s directives with support from the Department of Bait-ul-Mal and the Social Welfare Department. Selection process for beneficiary schools finalized. Winter Vacations Revised: Schools to reopen on January 13 after the weekend (January 11-12). Revised holiday schedule ensures a…
Islamabad, Jan 3: The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoIT&T) has embarked on a significant rightsizing initiative to streamline operations and optimize resources. This move is based on recommendations from the rightsizing committee, aiming for substantial cost savings and enhanced efficiency. Key Measures and Outcomes: Ministry of IT & Telecom: 17 positions abolished and 7 declared as “dying cadre”, ensuring annual savings of Rs. 25 million. Officer-to-staff ratio adjusted from 1.25 to 1.20. National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC): Undergoing a 50% structural reduction. Referred to P3A for consultant engagement and final decision. Ignite (National Technology Fund): Entity retained but subject…
Islamabad, Jan 3: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to announce the return of Sajid Khan to the national Test squad for the upcoming series against the West Indies. This inclusion comes as part of a strategic move to strengthen Pakistan’s spin bowling options for the home series, following his brief hiatus from the team. Key Updates: Reason for Exclusion: Sajid Khan was absent from the recent Test series in South Africa due to the pace-friendly tracks that were not conducive for spin bowling. The team opted to focus on fast bowlers given the challenging conditions. Home Advantage: With…
Islamabad, Jan 3: On Thursday, Saudi Arabia presented 100 tons of dates to Pakistan, reinforcing the enduring friendship between the two nations. The handover ceremony took place at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad, where Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and Abdullah Al-Baqami, Director of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre (KSrelief), officially handed over the consignment to Brigadier Alamgeer Ayub, Director General of the Military Wing. Key Highlights: Annual Tradition: This gesture is part of Saudi Arabia’s annual tradition of generosity toward Pakistan, led by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Strengthening Bonds: Brigadier Ayub…
Islamabad, Jan 3: The federal government has decided to postpone the privatization of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) in order to explore alternative funding options and revitalize the organization. Key Points: Focus Shift: Rather than selling shares on the stock market, the government aims to improve PNSC’s operational capacity by increasing its fleet. Current Ownership: The government holds an 87% stake in PNSC, with 10.87% owned by the public and employees’ funds. Performance Review: A recent board meeting discussed PNSC’s performance, focusing on improving its commercial viability and logistics operations. Aging Fleet Concerns: One of the major concerns is…
