Islamabad, Nov 27: Faysal Bank Limited (FBL), one of Pakistan’s leading Islamic banks, has earned two major accolades at the 10th Islamic Retail Banking Awards. The bank was recognized as the Best Islamic Retail Bank for Consumer Financing and awarded the title of Best Islamic Digital Banker in Pakistan for 2024. These prestigious awards highlight FBL’s leadership in the Islamic banking sector, underscoring its commitment to providing innovative, Shariah-compliant financial solutions that meet the evolving needs of its customers. Key Highlights: Best Islamic Retail Bank for Consumer Financing: FBL’s excellence in consumer financing has been recognized, showcasing its strength in…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Nov 27: The University of Karachi has announced a major shift in its academic structure by transitioning the associate degree (AD) programs in Arts, Science, and Commerce to a semester-based system. Previously known as B.Com, BA, and B.Sc, these programs will now follow a Biannual system, aligning with the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) recent policy to standardize the AD programs across the country. The semester system will feature exams twice a year, covering half of the syllabus each semester. Each semester will be six months long, including exams. Teaching will be conducted for five months, followed by examinations, making…
Islamabad, Nov 27: Car financing in Pakistan has seen an increase of Rs. 8 billion, reaching Rs. 236 billion by the end of October 2024, up from Rs. 228 billion in the previous month, as per data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). However, compared to October 2023, auto financing decreased by Rs. 28 billion or 10.7 percent, down from Rs. 264 billion. Despite some improvement in consumer inflation, the growth in the auto financing sector remains sluggish, primarily due to the high cost of vehicles, which continues to be a significant barrier for potential buyers. Key Trends: Personal…
Islamabad, Nov 27: Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has announced a substantial increase in hydrocarbon production from April to November 2024, signaling its ongoing efforts to ensure energy security for Pakistan. The company emphasized its strategic focus on enhancing production from mature fields through cost-effective initiatives, avoiding the need for expensive new wells. Key Achievements: Production Gains: PPL reported an increase of 17 MMscfd in natural gas, 400 barrels per day of oil/condensate, and 4 tonnes per day of LPG. Workover Success: Successful workovers on the Sui-71 and Sui-73 fields led to a rise of 8.4 MMscfd in gas output. Surface…
Islamabad, Nov 27: The conclusion of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests has brought a swift return to normalcy in Islamabad and Lahore, with key roads and motorways reopening across the region. The large-scale operation in Islamabad led to the peaceful dispersal of protesters, clearing the streets and highways that had been blocked for several days. Key Developments: Traffic Resumes: Major roads, including Jinnah Avenue, Express Highway, and Srinagar Highway, have been cleared of protest-related debris. The Express Highway, a previous hotspot for traffic jams, has also been cleared, and the M1, M2, M11, M4, M14, and M3 motorways are once…
Islamabad, Nov 27: Lahore continues to face severe air pollution, with the air quality index (AQI) improving marginally to 299 on Wednesday — just one point below the “hazardous” level. Despite this slight improvement, the situation remains dire as the city has been grappling with hazardous air quality for nearly 10 consecutive days. Lahore, home to over 14 million people, ranks as the second-most polluted major city globally, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations 44.8 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended annual guideline. Key Factors Behind the Crisis: Persistent Smog: The smog, which has blanketed much of…
Islamabad, Nov 27: Demand for Virtual Private Network (VPN) services in Pakistan has soared in recent days, more than tripling due to growing restrictions on social media platforms ahead of planned protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). According to Top10VPN, a VPN review website, there was a 102% increase in VPN usage on November 25 compared to the previous 28-day average, which escalated to a 213% spike on November 26. Key Factors Driving the Surge: Social Media Disruptions: Platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have experienced widespread disruptions. Users are turning to VPNs to bypass these restrictions, which were imposed…
Islamabad, Nov 27: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has scheduled a virtual board meeting on November 29 to address the ongoing dispute regarding the 2025 Champions Trophy, amidst tensions between India and Pakistan. The outcome of this meeting could determine whether the tournament, originally scheduled to take place in Pakistan, will be held there, adopted in a hybrid format, or moved to a neutral venue. Key Issues at Stake India’s Refusal to Travel: India has communicated its refusal to send its team to Pakistan due to security concerns. PCB’s Stance: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is firm in its position…
Islamabad, Nov 27: Oppo has unveiled its new Reno13 series in China, featuring two models—the Reno13 and Reno13 Pro—powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset and Oppo’s in-house X1 chip. These smartphones bring upgrades in performance, display, camera quality, and battery life, alongside a sleek design with IP69 ingress protection. Key Specifications Display: Reno13: 6.59-inch AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz Reno13 Pro: 6.83-inch AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz, HDR10+ Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 8350 (4 nm) Camera: Reno13: 50 MP main camera (IMX890), 8 MP ultrawide Reno13 Pro: 50 MP main, 50 MP telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom, 8 MP ultrawide Battery: Reno13: 5,600mAh, 80W…
Islamabad, Nov 27: The KSE-100 index soared by over 3,300 points during the first hour of trading, rebounding from its steepest single-day decline recorded just a day earlier. This bullish rally followed the resolution of protests in Islamabad after law enforcement dispersed crowds in the Red Zone last night. By mid-morning, the KSE-100 index climbed by 3,359 points (3.59%) to 97,969, before settling slightly at 97,845 points (3.46%). The exchange saw robust activity with 340.18 million shares traded, valued at Rs. 13.28 billion. Out of 384 companies, 320 recorded gains, 47 saw losses, and 17 remained unchanged. Top Trading Volumes…
