Islamabad, Dec 1: Internet users across major cities, including Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, are facing severe disruptions, with slow speeds affecting daily activities. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are particularly impacted, leaving many unable to upload or download media. Impact on Citizens Freelancers, business owners, and students are bearing the brunt of these issues. Entrepreneurs report being unable to manage online communications, while students retaking the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) face difficulties accessing the Sindh Testing Service website for admit slips. Government’s Stance Minister of State for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima, attributed some disruptions to…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Dec 1: The much-anticipated T20I series between Zimbabwe and Pakistan kicks off on December 1, 2024, at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, with action starting at 4:00 PM PST / 1:00 PM local. Pakistan, fresh off a 2-1 ODI series victory, looks to maintain its dominance, while Zimbabwe seeks redemption on home turf. Head-to-Head: T20I Rivalry Pakistan leads the T20I head-to-head with an impressive 16-2 record in 18 matches. However, Zimbabwe’s stunning one-run victory during the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup serves as a reminder of their potential to upset. Key Updates Zimbabwe: Star all-rounder Sikandar Raza will captain…
Islamabad, Dec 1: US President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on BRICS nations if they continue efforts to move away from trading in the US dollar. Trump’s statement, made on his platform Truth Social, emphasized that creating a new BRICS currency or alternative to the dollar would lead to “significant economic consequences.” In his post, Trump warned that nations attempting to bypass the dollar would lose access to the US economy, underscoring the dollar’s role as irreplaceable in global trade. This comes as BRICS—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—expands to include nations like…
Islamabad, Dec 1: The 9th Pakistan Banking Awards, held on November 29, 2024, in Karachi, brought together industry leaders to celebrate excellence in Pakistan’s banking sector. Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Jameel Ahmad, emphasized the need for banks to foster innovation, financial inclusion, and customer-focused solutions. Ahmad highlighted five priorities for banks: redesigning business models, leveraging technology, improving financial literacy, collaborating with FinTech’s, and enhancing customer service. He praised the banking sector’s resilience and significant contributions to economic stability. Recognitions at the Event The awards acknowledged top-performing banks in various categories. Highlights include: Meezan Bank Limited: Best…
Islamabad, Dec 1: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and the aviation sector have endured financial losses exceeding Rs. 450 billion over the past 4.5 years, attributed to European travel restrictions. PIA alone accounted for Rs. 220 billion, while the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) noted industry-wide losses of approximately Rs. 250 billion. Restoration of EU Routes Brings Hope The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recently lifted PIA’s suspension, allowing flights to resume in the EU. CAA Director General Nadir Shafi Dar confirmed the issuance of Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization to Airblue. Efforts are underway to restore UK routes and improve PIA’s…
Islamabad, Dec 1: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reported provisional revenue collection of Rs. 837 billion for November 2024, falling short of its Rs. 1,003 billion targets by Rs. 166 billion. Final figures are expected to show a slight increase upon compilation. Five-Month Revenue Shortfall From July to November 2024, the FBR collected Rs. 4,277 billion against a target of Rs. 4,639 billion, reflecting a cumulative shortfall of Rs. 362 billion for the first five months of the fiscal year 2024-25. This shortfall underscores challenges in achieving revenue targets amid economic pressures.
Islamabad, Dec 1: Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering Pakistan’s youth by emphasizing the significance of skill-based education. He shared insights on how the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Program (PMYSDP) is set to help young people achieve global recognition. A Vision for Global Recognition During an exclusive interview with PTV News, Rana Mashhood stated that the PMYSDP is designed to equip youth with both conventional and high-tech, market-driven skills. The goal is to align their abilities with international standards, enhancing career prospects and contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth.…
Islamabad, Dec 1: Vivo has launched its S20 series smartphones in China, consisting of the vivo S20 and the more advanced vivo S20 Pro. The key differences between the two models include their chipsets, camera configurations, and battery capacities. Design and Display Both the vivo S20 and S20 Pro feature 6.67-inch AMOLED displays with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The peak brightness is an impressive 4500 nits for excellent outdoor visibility. The S20 has a flat display, while the S20 Pro comes with a premium quad-curved panel. Both models are equipped with in-display optical fingerprint scanners. Internals…
Islamabad, Dec 1: The unavailability of 140 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, a critical frequency for the launch of 5G, has emerged as the primary concern in the ongoing spectrum auction process for Pakistan, according to the National Economic Research Associates Inc (NERA), a U.S.-based consultancy hired by the government. NERA also pointed out issues surrounding the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited’s (PTCL) acquisition of Telenor Pakistan, urging the need to resolve these matters before the auction rules are finalized to enhance market competition. Key Spectrum Issues and Recommendations At a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue,…
Islamabad, Dec 1: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Sunday that it would not enforce a ban on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) following a legal review. The review determined that existing laws do not provide a legal basis for blocking the service. Despite a previously set deadline of November 30 for VPN registration, unregistered VPNs will not face immediate action. Registration remains open, with future decisions pending instructions from the Ministry of Interior. Legal Insights on the Decision The PTA’s earlier plans to ban unregistered VPNs were driven by concerns from the Interior Ministry, citing misuse for illegal activities.…
