Islamabad, Dec 16: Monday marks the 10th anniversary of the Army Public School (APS) attack, a tragic event that stands as one of Pakistan’s darkest moments. On December 16, 2014, six militants from the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban stormed APS, claiming the lives of 132 students and 17 staff members. This devastating attack left families shattered and reignited the nation’s determination to fight terrorism, resulting in the launch of the National Action Plan to address militancy in tribal areas. A decade later, the sorrow remains deeply felt as families of the victims come together to honor their loved ones, visiting their homes…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Dec 15: The Punjab Investment conference was held in Shanghai on December 12, 2024. At the conference, significant milestones were achieved to propel Punjab towards greater economic prosperity. This landmark event was hosted by Gobi Partners, a leading venture capital firm. The conference showcased Punjab’s commitment to fostering innovation, sustainable development, and global collaboration. Gobi fund announcement A major announcement was made with the unveiling of a dedicated 50 million USD investment fund by Gobi Partners. This fund, the first of its kind for Punjab, is aimed at supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a particular focus on tech-enabled startups…
Islamabad, Dec 15: Reeza Hendricks’ debut T20I century propelled South Africa to their first T20I bilateral series victory since August 2022, as the Proteas secured a 7-wicket win over Pakistan in the second match at SuperSport Park. South Africa was under pressure after Pakistan set a challenging target of 206/5. With David Miller absent, the team looked to find a player to step up and fill the void, and Hendricks delivered. His powerful batting performance led to Rob Walter’s first T20I series win since taking over as the white-ball coach in March 2023. After being asked to field first, the…
Islamabad, Dec 15: Dolmen Group: Pakistan’s largest operator of shopping malls and the first company in South Asia to operate REITS is excited to announce the grand opening of its largest mall to date in Lahore. Located in the prestigious Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase 6, this state-of-the-art development is set to transform the retail landscape of the region and provide a world-class shopping experience for local and international visitors alike. Set to become a shopping destination unlike any other in the country, Dolmen Mall Lahore has the biggest Gross Leasable Area (GLA), making it the largest mall in the…
Islamabad, Dec 15: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has shut down a sugar mill in Sindh after identifying issues with its track-and-trace system and the “hopper solution” used for monitoring sugar production. According to reports, the automated system on one production line failed to function properly, leading to its closure. While the “hopper solution” aims to ensure precise sugar output tracking, it remains unclear if the track-and-trace system malfunctioned or if operations at the mill have resumed. During the crushing season, the FBR has stationed Inland Revenue (IR) officers at sugar mills across the country under Section 40B of…
Islamabad, Dec15: Pakistan is currently grappling with a cold wave, but oranges, the hallmark fruit of winter, remain conspicuously absent from markets. Experts link this scarcity to climate change, which has drastically reduced citrus production, slashed exports and limiting choices for local consumers. This year, kinnow production is projected to drop by 35%, attributed to smog and fog, while the delayed onset of cold weather has negatively affected the quality and taste of oranges, diminishing their market appeal. Agricultural specialists highlighted that the 60-year-old citrus variety cultivated in Pakistan is ill-equipped to withstand modern diseases and extreme weather, resulting in…
Islamabad, Dec 15: The Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) has introduced the Africa-FINGERS project, an innovative effort aimed at tackling the rising dementia crisis in Africa. Supported by the UK’s Medical Research Council (MRC) and the FINGERS Brain Health Institute, the project focuses on creating culturally appropriate and sustainable methods to prevent cognitive decline across the continent. Experts forecast a surge in dementia cases in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2050, emphasizing the critical need for preventive strategies. The Africa-FINGERS project targets modifiable lifestyle factors, including diet, physical activity, mental stimulation, social engagement, stress management, and management of chronic…
Islamabad, Dec 15: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to resume flights to the United States after a seven-year suspension, marking a milestone for the country’s aviation sector, ARY News reports. Resumption of US Flights The suspension, which began in 2017, halted six weekly flights to the US, including four to New York and two to Chicago. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pakistan to resolve pending financial obligations. Pakistan expects to make the payments soon, and the FAA delegation plans to visit the country by February or March. DG CAA Nadir…
Islamabad, Dec 15: WhatsApp is gearing up for a significant upgrade in its video calling capabilities, adding features that could position it as a strong competitor to platforms like Zoom. Meta has announced three key updates, including screen sharing with audio, support for up to 32 participants in video calls, and enhancements to audio and video quality. New Features and Enhancements Screen Sharing with Audio WhatsApp will now allow users to share their screens along with audio, making it ideal for collaborative activities like watching videos or delivering presentations. However, it remains to be seen how the feature will address…
Islamabad, Dec 15: The Punjab government is set to launch a Rs7 billion e-transport system in the garrison city by the end of this month. Under this project, 102 electric buses will operate on 10 newly established routes, spanning 86 kilometers, connecting various key locations, including the airport, railway station, metro bus stations, general bus stand, Islamabad, and other city areas. The buses are expected to be operational by the end of 2025. According to officials, the first phase of the project involves constructing a bus depot at Siham on Peshawar Road. The depot, covering 28 kanals near Pirwadhai Morr,…
