Author: Mawadat Fatima

Islamabad, Dec 27: The Pakistani rupee (PKR) gained 0.04% against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Tuesday, closing at 278.47, up by Re0.10 from the previous day’s rate of 278.57, as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Open Market Performance In the open market, the PKR showed mixed performance: Against the USD, it lost 3 paise for buying, closing at 277.82, and gained 8 paise for selling, settling at 279.51. Against the Euro, it gained 95 paise for buying and 1.37 rupees for selling, closing at 287.79 and 289.68, respectively. Marginal losses were recorded against the…

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Islamabad, Dec 27: The upcoming POCO F7 series, including the base POCO F7, POCO F7 Pro, and the new POCO F7 Ultra, is generating buzz as a worthy successor to the POCO F6. Leaks reveal impressive specifications, including the debut of the Snapdragon 8s Elite chipset and other high-performance features. POCO F7 Highlights The POCO F7 is rumored to feature the Snapdragon 8s Elite chipset, a slightly underclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, outperforming the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Paired with a 7,000mAh battery and 90W fast charging, the handset promises exceptional battery life. The 1.5K LTPS AMOLED display…

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Islamabad, Dec 27: In a significant development, China may have unveiled a sixth-generation crewed combat aircraft. Recent images depict the aircraft in daytime flight tests, accompanied by a two-seat Chengdu J-20S fighter, likely at the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) factory. Distinctive Design The standout feature is the aircraft’s tailless design and modified delta wing. Prominent chine lines and a broad nose suggest advanced stealth capabilities and potential side-by-side seating for two crew members. This configuration aligns with prior hints from satellite images in 2021, revealing China’s progression toward a tailless, diamond-shaped delta platform. This design mirrors U.S. efforts in reducing…

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Islamabad, Dec 24: Engro Fertilizers Limited (PSX: EFERT) has announced the resumption of operations at its EnVen Plant, effective today, according to a filing with the stock exchange on Tuesday. The company confirmed that the plant has successfully restarted after completing unscheduled maintenance and repair work, as per its earlier notice dated December 20, 2024. Engro Fertilizers is involved in manufacturing, purchasing, and marketing fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides, as well as providing logistics services. At the time of the filing, the company’s stock was priced at Rs. 202.4, reflecting a 0.31% increase of Rs. 0.63, with more than 711,000 shares…

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Islamabad, Dec 24: A serious security vulnerability has been identified in Microsoft’s Windows operating system, leading the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) to release a warning. The advisory highlights that this flaw could enable hackers to infiltrate systems and steal sensitive personal data, including usernames, domain credentials, and passwords, potentially allowing unauthorized access without the need to open files. The vulnerability affects various Windows versions, from Windows 7 to Windows 11. CERT has urged users to adopt strong security measures to reduce the risk. Users are advised to avoid using shared drives, shared folders, and email attachments, as these…

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Islamabad, Dec 24: Fakhar Zaman, the previously sidelined batter, emerged as the hero as Markhors secured a 29-run victory over Lions in the Qualifier of the Champions T20 Cup at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, booking their place in the final. Fakhar’s brilliant innings was complemented by a strong bowling performance from Akif Javed, which played a crucial role in the victory. Markhors will now face Stallions in the final on Wednesday. After being put to bat, Markhors faced early setbacks, losing three wickets for just 23 runs. Afaq Afridi, continuing his excellent form from his previous hat-trick performance, took two wickets…

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Islamabad, Dec 24: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is in the process of connecting Pakistan’s internet network to the 2Africa Cable, a massive subsea cable project stretching 45,000 km, the largest of its kind in the world. That the integration of Pakistan’s internet infrastructure with the new cable system is currently underway, which is expected to significantly improve internet speeds across the country. The 2Africa Cable, led by Meta (Facebook), will link Pakistan to 45,000 kilometers of internet infrastructure. The cable will connect 46 landing stations across Europe, Africa, and Asia, and is anticipated to be operational in Pakistan by…

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Islamabad, Dec 24: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is considering a proposal to raise taxes on bank profits to cover a potential Rs. 550 billion shortfalls in revenue for December. This measure could generate an additional Rs. 100 billion in revenue. According to officials, banks may receive concessions on their advance deposit ratios, either directed to the treasury or the private sector, as an incentive for accepting the higher tax burden. However, without this tax increase, it may be impossible to meet the revenue target. If approved, the proposal could be implemented within days. The FBR’s revenue shortfall for…

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Islamabad, Dec 24: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced that youth will be eligible for loans of up to Rs. 30 million for employment purposes, and 30,000 scholarships will be granted this year. Speaking at the Talented Scholarship Program’s ceremony in Islamabad, she revealed plans to increase the number of scholarships to 50,000 next year. She stated, “The future of the country is secure in the hands of our youth. Sixty percent of the scholarships have been awarded to female students, and I was proud to honor the recipients with a Guard of Honor.” Maryam Nawaz also highlighted a…

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Islamabad, Dec 24: Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) is exiting Pakistan’s oil and gas sector by selling its assets, valued at $60 million, to Pakistan Exploration (Private) Limited (PEL). This move comes amid a growing trend of foreign energy companies pulling out due to increasing challenges in the sector, according to a national daily. The decision is largely driven by the ongoing crisis in the gas sector’s circular debt, which has reached Rs. 2,700 billion, with Rs. 1,500 billion owed to both local and foreign exploration and production firms. Additionally, a 12-month delay in updating the 2012 E&P policy…

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