Author: Mawadat Fatima

Islamabad, Dec 16: The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) has proposed that by 2030, 10% of all vehicles in Pakistan should be electric (EVs). As part of its recommendations for the upcoming Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, PIDE has introduced a comprehensive framework titled ‘Future on Wheels’ to support a robust EV policy, following the Prime Minister’s call for one. These suggestions are based on PIDE’s recent publications on the country’s automobile industry, including ‘Driving Backwards: What is Wrong with Pakistan’s Automobile Industry?’ and ‘Wheels of Change: Tracing Pakistan’s Automotive Evolution through Political Economy and Technology Acquisition. ’ The framework…

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Islamabad, Dec 16: Fly Jinnah, Pakistan’s most budget-friendly airline, has expanded its fleet with the addition of a new aircraft that landed in Karachi. According to the airline’s management, the plane arrived at Karachi Airport on Sunday night and is now part of Fly Jinnah’s growing fleet, which now consists of six aircraft. The new addition will be used on both domestic and international routes.

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Islamabbad, Dec 16: Agro Processors & Atmospheric Gases Ltd (APAG), a prominent player in Pakistan’s edible oil industry, has proudly secured the internationally acclaimed FSSC 22000 certification. This achievement positions APAG as one of the first companies in Pakistan’s edible oil sector to earn this prestigious recognition, highlighting its dedication to maintaining superior food safety and quality standards. Ahmad Ghulamhussain, CEO of APAG, expressed, “Earning the FSSC 22000 certification is a significant achievement for APAG and a moment of pride for Pakistan. It allows us to showcase the country’s potential by providing world-class, high-quality products globally. At APAG, we are…

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Islamabad, Dec 16: The Ministry of Economic Affairs has denied claims that the World Bank (WB) canceled a loan exceeding $500 million for Pakistan, describing the report as a “misrepresentation of facts,” Business Recorder reported on Saturday. The initial report, published on Friday, alleged that the World Bank canceled the loan due to Pakistan’s failure to meet key conditions on time. In response, the ministry clarified in a statement that the loan in question was “never approved by the WB Board or signed by the government,” and the article was released without consulting the Ministry of Energy or the Ministry…

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Islamabad, Dec 16: Infinix, a leading smartphone brand in Pakistan, has claimed the top position in Google’s 2024 search trends for the tech category, reaffirming its status as the most searched smartphone brand in the country. With three entries in the top 10, this accomplishment reflects the brand’s strong popularity and dedication to providing innovative technology for young users. The recognition highlights Infinix’s consistent efforts to introduce advanced solutions throughout the year. Key searches included the Infinix NOTE 30, NOTE 40, and HOT 50 Pro. The NOTE series has become synonymous with groundbreaking charging technology, setting new standards in the…

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Islamabad, Dec 16: Fast bowler Muhammad Irfan has officially announced his retirement from international cricket. During his career, Irfan represented Pakistan in four Test matches, 60 ODIs, and 22 T20Is, taking 10 wickets in Tests, 83 in ODIs, and 16 in T20Is. The 42-year-old is now the third Pakistani cricketer to retire from international cricket within the last 36 hours. Irfan has been an active participant in domestic cricket, recently playing for Khan Research Laboratories in the President’s Cup. Known for his towering height and ability to generate extreme pace, Irfan often posed a challenge to top batting line-ups. However,…

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Islamabad, Dec 16: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Atta Ullah Tarar, called for the establishment of an ethical framework on Friday to ensure the “fair and sustainable” use of artificial intelligence (AI) and mitigate the risks associated with disinformation. During the fourth International Strategic Communication Forum in Istanbul, Tarar participated in a panel discussion titled “AI in National Strategy: Governmental Perspectives on Digital Transformation and Strategic Communication.” He highlighted the dual nature of AI, acknowledging its opportunities while addressing potential misuse. “AI must be integrated in a way that upholds truth, promotes social justice, aligns with ethical principles,…

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Islamabad, Dec 16: Expressing sorrow over the tragic deaths of Pakistani nationals attempting to illegally migrate to Europe by boat, Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday to launch nationwide operations against human smuggling networks. Naqvi highlighted the devastating impact of such mafias on families and stressed the need to eradicate them. Acting on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s orders, a committee led by the additional secretary of the Ministry of Interior has been formed to investigate the incident, with a report expected within five days. At least five migrants drowned when their wooden…

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Islamabad, Dec 16: The Rs200 prize bond draw (No. 100) is set to take place on December 16, 2024, in Sialkot. Participants in this draw have the opportunity to win attractive cash rewards. The first prize of Rs750,000 will go to one lucky winner, while multiple participants will claim the second prize of Rs250,000 each. Additionally, several winners will share the third prize of Rs1,250 each. Earlier today, the Rs40,000 prize bond draw (No. 31) was held at the Muzaffarabad office of the National Savings Division. The event awarded significant prizes, including the top prize of Rs80,000,000, won by bond…

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Islamabad, Dec 16: Information Minister Ataullah Tarar on Sunday expressed gratitude to his Lebanese counterpart for ensuring the safe evacuation of hundreds of Pakistani nationals from Syria this week, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to deepening relations with Lebanon. Over 1,300 Pakistanis had been stranded in Syria since last week after opposition forces seized Damascus, prompting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia. Following the crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif contacted his Lebanese counterpart to coordinate the evacuation. As a result, more than 300 stranded Pakistanis were flown to Islamabad via a chartered flight from Beirut on Friday. “The Federal Minister…

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