Islamabad, Nov 24: Foreign worker remittances are projected to reach $36 billion in the current fiscal year. During the first four months of FY2024-25 (4MFY24), remittances increased by 35% year-on-year, amounting to $11.8 billion, as based on central bank data. Topline Securities attributes this growth to robust contributions from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the UK, which saw increases of 56%, 37%, and 39%, respectively. This surge is supported by a stable Pakistani Rupee (PKR) and a rise in manpower exports over the past two to three years. Estimates suggest remittances could grow by 16% year-on-year, reaching $35-36 billion by FY25.…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Nov 24: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has initiated a second trial aimed at blocking unregistered Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) using the newly implemented national firewall. According to sources, the exercise will last two days, with a full crackdown scheduled to begin in December. PTA has set a deadline of November 30 for VPN registration, after which any unregistered VPNs will be blocked starting in December. So far, over 25,000 VPNs have been registered. The authority is working to expedite the process of VPN registration and whitelisting. Similar measures have been adopted in countries like China, Russia, Iran, Turkey,…
Islamabad, Nov 24: During the first four months of the fiscal year 2024-25 (July-October), Pakistan imported mobile phones valued at $420.799 million, reflecting a 10.46% decline compared to $469.969 million in the same period of 2023-24. In the previous fiscal year (2023-24), mobile phone imports totaled $1.898 billion, significantly higher than $570.071 million recorded in 2022-23. In rupee terms, mobile phone imports during July-October 2024 amounted to Rs. 117.017 billion, showing a 13.62% decrease from Rs. 135.468 billion during the corresponding period in 2023. However, imports surged 69.89% month-on-month (MoM) in October 2024, reaching $174.338 million compared to $102.618 million…
Islamabad, Nov 24: MUZAFFARABAD (Muhammad Aslam Mir) – E-commerce activity in Azad Jammu and Kashmir has grown rapidly, with monthly online transactions exceeding Rs2 billion. Muzaffarabad and its surrounding areas contribute over Rs500 million, showcasing the region’s expanding digital economy fueled by a young population. Residents in Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, and Rawalakot frequently purchase garments, footwear, home goods, decorative items, and carpets online. Deliveries are handled by seven private courier companies and Pakistan Post, employing nearly 1,000 riders and staff members. According to Syed Qadeer Fatemi, a seasoned courier professional with 28 years of experience, 40% of online shoppers are women,…
Islamabad, Nov 24: Maria B the giant of luxury apparels and accessories named for timeless beauty and style has come out with Maria B Winter’ Collection twenty twenty-four. New arrivals always bring tradition along with modernity, elegance along with comfort and art along with the cultural look and feel that have to be embraced by all the fashion lovers out there. Luxurious Fabrics for the Winter Chill These are clothes that should be worn in winter; therefore, Maria B Winter Collection 2024 focuses primarily on fabrics that are best suited for the season. It has everything from warm velvets to…
Islamabad, Nov 24: WhatsApp Business, part of Meta’s suite of apps, is introducing a customizable light and dark theme feature for select beta testers. This new functionality offers users more control over the app’s appearance by moving beyond the traditional green accent color. According to WABetaInfo, the updated themes include a black accent for the light mode and a white accent for the dark mode. These changes replace the previous light blue accents and are designed to differentiate WhatsApp Business from the regular WhatsApp Messenger, which retains its green branding. Additional updates include black and white icons for settings, chat…
Islamabad, Nov 24: Mobile internet services in parts of Karachi have been disrupted since last night, causing inconvenience for users. Reports indicate the suspension was imposed due to security concerns, affecting communication and online activities. A Ministry of Interior spokesperson clarified that restrictions are limited to areas facing specific risks, while services in other regions remain functional. Meanwhile, Islamabad and Rawalpindi have heightened security ahead of PTI’s planned protests. Entry points into the twin cities have been blocked at 33 locations, including Faizabad, IJP Road, and Rawat T-Chowk, causing significant disruptions to traffic flow. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reached out…
Islamabad, Nov 22: The Punjab Transport Department has introduced a significant initiative to combat air pollution in Lahore by converting old petrol motorcycles into electric bikes. Transport Secretary Ahmed Javed Qazi revealed that the government will cover half of the conversion costs for motorcycle owners. This project involves replacing traditional petrol engines with battery-powered systems, significantly reducing emissions and improving air quality. A successful trial conversion has already been completed, with old petrol bikes successfully upgraded to electric models. The initiative will officially launch after further testing, which is being conducted by the University of Engineering and Technology (UET). The…
Islamabad, Nov 22: Lahore has once again ranked as the world’s most polluted city, according to IQAir’s Air Quality Index (AQI), which recorded a score of 189. This comes after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lifted outdoor activity restrictions despite ongoing concerns over public health. Delhi (186) and Ulaanbaatar (170) followed closely behind, while other cities in the top 10 included Tashkent (160), Mumbai (152), and Dhaka (143). In Lahore, certain areas registered alarming AQI levels, such as Sunder Industrial Estate (285) and DHA Phase 8 (269). Experts warned that PM2.5 levels in the city were 21.8 times higher than…
Islamabad, Nov 22: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has instructed public sector universities in the province to adopt a contractual hiring approach for faculty and key staff positions, halting regular recruitment. A notification has been issued, emphasizing that no recruitment for non-teaching staff or key positions should occur without prior approval from the controlling authority. In addition, the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) finance director has issued a directive to 30 universities and degree-awarding institutes, mandating the creation of Pension Funds within these institutions and ensuring proper allocation of resources for the purpose. A separate letter from the Department of…
