Islamabad, Dec 27: Pakistan has achieved a significant milestone, emerging as the third-largest sesame exporter globally, with exports exceeding $1 billion annually, as announced by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain. Key Highlights: Remarkable Growth: Sesame sector growth: 455% in five years. Annual production: 1.119 million tons. Export volume: 0.760 million tons. Revenue: $1.073 billion, reflecting a 366% surge. National Oilseeds Enhancement Program (NOEP): The inclusion of sesame in NOEP was pivotal to this success. The minister urged advancements in processing technology, value addition, and global market exploration to sustain growth. Pakistan-Turkiye Agricultural Cooperation Pakistan…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Dec 27: According to Karachi traffic police data, citizens paid a staggering Rs. 850 million in fines in 2024 for violations of traffic laws. A total of 11.57 lac challans were issued during the year. Breakdown of Major Offenses and Penalties: Number Plate Violations: 2.21 lac challans issued. Fines totaled Rs. 11.93 crore. Signal Violations: 1.96 lac challans issued. Penalties amounted to Rs. 12.49 crore. Overloading: 2 lac challans issued. Fines reached Rs. 10.31 crore. No-Parking Violations: 1.30 lac challans issued. Fines totaled Rs. 11.57 crore. One-Way and Wrong-Way Driving: 91,000 challans issued. Penalties amounted to Rs. 2.02 crore.…
Islamabad, Dec 27: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced revised collateral and eligibility criteria for its Monetary Policy Lending Operations and Mudarabah-Based Financing Facilities, effective July 2025. These measures aim to strengthen risk mitigation strategies. Key Highlights of the New Framework: A. Collateral Requirements Haircuts on Securities: The market value of government securities will be discounted using specified haircuts based on duration and volatility. Formula: Post Haircut Price=Market Price× (1−Applicable text {Post Haircut Price} = \text {Market Price} \times (1 – \text {Applicable Haircut}) Post Haircut Price=Market Price× (1−Applicable Haircut) Floating Rate Instruments: Quarterly Coupons: Haircuts for up to a 3-month…
Islamabad, Dec 27: A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) and the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Wednesday to launch the “Green and Clean Islamabad” initiative. The project aims to address environmental pollution in Islamabad while promoting public awareness about eco-friendly practices. Key Points of the Initiative: Environmental Actions: The ITP will take strict measures against vehicles contributing to pollution. Awareness Campaigns: ITP will organize tree-planting activities and other awareness programs with support from the local business community. Special Squads: ITP will deploy patrol squads to monitor key areas of the city,…
Islamabad, Dec 27: Google has launched its Roman Urdu to Urdu feature on Gboard, enhancing user experience on both Android and iOS platforms. This feature allows real-time conversion of Roman Urdu into Urdu script and also supports other regional languages, including Sindhi, Punjabi, and Kashmiri. Key Features of Gboard’s Roman Urdu to Urdu: Real-Time Conversion: Converts Roman Urdu to Urdu accurately. Multi-Language Support: Extends conversion to Sindhi, Punjabi, and Kashmiri scripts. Cross-App Functionality: Works seamlessly across apps, including text messaging. How to Access the Feature: Install Gboard: Download it from Google Play or the App Store. Set Up Keyboard: Enable…
Islamabad, Dec 27: In a monumental step towards educational equity, Khan Academy has launched Khan Academy Pakistan (KAP), an initiative designed to deliver accessible, high-quality education powered by AI. The project was unveiled at an event at the Marriott Hotel, featuring Khanmigo, an AI-powered personalized learning tool tailored for Pakistan. Key Features of Khan Academy Pakistan: Localized Curriculum: Aligned with Pakistan’s national standards and available in Urdu and regional languages. Teacher Empowerment: Tools and training to enhance classroom teaching. Focus on Low-Income & Public Schools: Prioritizing outreach to underserved communities. Khanmigo: Transformative AI in Education Khanmigo offers students personalized learning…
Islamabad, Dec 27: NASA’s Parker Solar Probe achieved a groundbreaking milestone on December 24, 2024, by coming within 3.8 million miles of the Sun, setting a record for the closest distance any spacecraft has traveled to the star. This historic event occurred during Parker’s 22nd close approach, surpassing its previous record of 4.51 million miles (7.26 million km). Key Highlights: Speed Record: Parker zipped past the Sun at a staggering 430,000 mph, making it the fastest human-made object. Heat Resistance: The probe’s carbon composite heat shield keeps its internal temperature at an average of 85°F (29.4°C), even in extreme solar…
Islamabad, Dec 27: Dubai’s benchmark stock index surged 0.6% to 5,112 on Thursday, reaching its highest level in over a decade. Key contributors included Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, up 1.5%, and Emaar Development, advancing 2%. Shuaa Capital led the rally, climbing 5.4% following the restructuring of 208 million dirhams ($56.64 million) in debt facilities. Key Insights: Annual Performance: Dubai’s index is set to achieve a 25.9% gain for the year, marking its best performance since 2021. Economic Position: Dubai’s diversified economy and strong fundamentals are fueling optimism for further growth and increased IPO activities in 2025, noted XTB MENA’s…
Islamabad, Dec 27: Inflation is an economic reality that affects people across the globe, and Pakistan is no exception. The rising cost of goods and services influences everyday spending habits, reshaping the way households allocate their budgets. Rising Prices: A Strain on Household Budgets Inflation leads to increased prices for essential commodities, including food, utilities, and transportation. Households in Pakistan face a tough challenge in balancing their expenses, as salaries often do not rise proportionately to inflation rates. Food and Grocery Costs: The cost of staples like wheat, rice, and vegetables has skyrocketed, leading families to prioritize essential items over…
Islamabad, Dec 27: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has announced a comprehensive cash award policy for medal-winning athletes, offering significant prize money for performances across international and national events. Key Highlights of the New Policy: Olympic Games: Gold: Rs10 million Silver: Rs7.5 million Bronze: Rs5 million Asian Games: Gold: Rs7.5 million Silver: Rs5 million Bronze: Rs3 million Commonwealth & Islamic Solidarity Games: Gold: Rs5 million Silver: Rs3 million Bronze: Rs2 million Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games: Gold: Rs2 million Silver: Rs1 million Bronze: Rs0.5 million South Asian Games: Gold: Rs1 million Silver: Rs0.75 million Bronze: Rs0.5 million Paralympic Games:…
