Islamabad, Dec 4; Pakistan is likely to miss five critical targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the disbursement of the second tranche of its loan, according to sources cited by ARY News. Key concerns include the privatization of Distribution Companies (DISCOs), which is feared to remain incomplete by January. The target of maintaining foreign exchange reserves equivalent to three months of import bills by March is also at risk. Sources indicated that revenue targets may not be met by December, and both the agricultural income tax and the assets declaration program, due by January, are experiencing delays.…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Dec 4: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain has announced the approval of all Hajj 2024 applications submitted by December 3, including those under the Sponsorship Scheme, which are exempt from the lottery process. In response to concerns from applicants, the minister confirmed that all applications received by the deadline are accepted. To accommodate more applicants, the Ministry has extended the application deadline by seven days, now closing on December 10. If applications exceed the allotted quota, a lottery may be conducted, with fairness being the guiding principle. Overseas Pakistanis applying under the Sponsorship Scheme must deposit…
Islamabad, Dec 4: Pakistan will begin importing Russian crude oil at discounted rates from January 2025, following an agreement reached during the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) meeting in Moscow. Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Leghari led Pakistan’s delegation for the discussions. Under the deal, Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) will import 12 cargoes annually through a government-to-Government arrangement. Profits from the arrangement will be reinvested in upgrading the refinery under the Brownfield Policy. Payment mechanisms have been secured with the support of the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan to ensure seamless banking transactions. The meeting also addressed regional rail…
Islamabad, Dec 4: Punjab schools have resumed their standard opening time of 8:15 am, as announced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab. This decision, effective immediately, follows a noticeable improvement in the province’s air quality. Previously, school timings were delayed to 8:45 am starting November 18 to mitigate the effects of rising smog levels. With air conditions showing recovery, the EPA has restored the original schedule under the Environmental Protection Act 1997. The updated timing applies to all public and private schools in Punjab. Strict penalties, including fines, await institutions that fail to comply, according to EPA Director-General Imran…
Islamabad, Dec 4: Saudi Arabia’s flagship carrier, Saudia, has announced ambitious plans to attract 3.5 million Pakistani tourists annually by 2030 as part of its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy through tourism. The airline, which has been serving Pakistan since its inaugural Karachi flight in 1970, currently operates numerous weekly flights to major cities such as Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi. To meet this target, Saudia is expanding its fleet with 105 new aircraft and introducing an AI-powered Travel Companion platform to simplify travel planning. This tool allows users to book accommodations, transportation, and activities with verified providers seamlessly.…
Islamabad, Dec 4: Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, emphasized the pivotal role of freelancers and influencers in shaping Pakistan’s digital economy during a meeting with stakeholders on Tuesday. She praised freelancers for showcasing Pakistan as a hub of talent, innovation, and creativity on a global scale. The meeting, attended by IT Secretary Zarar Hashim Khan and representatives from the Pakistan Freelancers Association, focused on addressing challenges faced by freelancers and promoting IT industry growth. Shaza Fatima reiterated the government’s dedication to resolving these issues while equipping youth, students, and professionals with digital skills to excel…
Islamabad, Dec 4: The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, has congratulated the Pakistan Blind Cricket Team on their historic victory in the T20 World Cup 2024. The team won their first-ever WBCC Blind Cricket T20 World Cup title with a dominant ten-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the final, held in Multan on Tuesday. Naqvi expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement, praising the players for their exceptional performance and unwavering dedication. He also acknowledged the crucial role of the management team in guiding the players to success. “The players of the Blind Cricket Team delivered an…
Islamabad, Dec 4: Pakistan and France have agreed to strengthen cooperation through business-to-business engagements in sectors such as agriculture, livestock, Information Technology, skills development, and clean drinking water. This understanding was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and French President Emmanuel Macron at the One Water Summit in Riyadh. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to staying engaged on regional and global issues of mutual interest. They expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of Pakistan-France relations and discussed a wide range of topics, including political, economic, trade, investment, and cooperation within multilateral forums, particularly the United…
Islamabad, Dec 4: Pakistan’s national hockey team delivered a dominant 4-2 victory over Japan in a thrilling semi-final of the Men’s Junior Hockey Asia Cup. The match began evenly, with Pakistan taking the lead in the 27th minute through a brilliant field goal (FG) by Muhammad Zain. Japan quickly responded with a clinical strike from Yuma Fujiwara in the 30th minute, leveling the score at 1-1 by halftime. In the third quarter, both teams pushed hard, with Pakistan regaining the lead in the 38th minute via a penalty corner (PC). Japan answered back in the 41st minute, with Rakusei Yamanaka…
Islamabad, Dec 4: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squads for the highly anticipated tour of South Africa, taking place from December 10, 2024, to January 7, 2025. The tour will feature three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. Below are the details of the squads and schedule. Pakistan Squads for South Africa Tour Test Squad Shan Masood (Captain) – Top-order Batsman Saud Shakeel (Vice-Captain) – Middle-order Batsman Aamir Jamal – All-rounder Abdullah Shafique – Top-order Batsman Babar Azam – Top-order Batsman Haseebullah (WK) – Wicketkeeper Batsman Kamran Ghulam – Middle-order Batsman Khurram Shahzad – Fast Bowler Mir…
