Islamabad, Nov 20: Electricity Distribution Companies Incur Rs. 239 Billion Loss in 3 Months, Impacting National Power Sector Electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) reported a loss of Rs. 239 billion during the first quarter of the 2024-25 fiscal year, a decrease of Rs. 69 billion from Rs. 308 billion during the same period last year, according to the Power Division. This improvement is attributed to higher collection rates, which rose to 91 percent in the first quarter, compared to 84 percent in FY24. However, DISCOs still incurred a total loss of Rs. 591 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal year, primarily due…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Nov 20: Google has introduced a new memory feature for its Gemini chatbot, akin to OpenAI’s update for ChatGPT in February. This new functionality, launched today, allows Gemini to remember users’ preferences and interests, enabling it to provide more accurate and personalized responses. According to Google’s official notes, the memory feature will help Gemini offer more relevant answers tailored to each individual user. Users can input the information they want Gemini to remember through regular conversations or a specific “Saved Info” page. On this page, users can manage their saved data by viewing, editing, or deleting it. Additionally, the…
Islamabad, Nov 20: A report by Fredrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) suggests that applying tax rates on agricultural income similar to those imposed on other sectors could generate Rs. 65 billion annually for Pakistan. With IMF conditions urging action, provinces are moving toward implementing Agricultural Income Tax (AIT). Punjab Assembly has passed the AIT bill, while other provinces—Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan—still need legislative approval. The report also reveals a significant Rs. 1.2 trillion tax compliance gaps in the corporate sector, particularly in industries like tobacco, real estate, automobiles, tea, and pharmaceuticals, with an estimated Rs. 310 billion in tax evasion…
Islamabad, Nov 20: The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has extended the deadline for installing bidirectional green meters for solar energy systems, marking the third time this has been delayed. Consumers now have until November 30 to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for meter procurement. The delay was caused by LESCO’s failure to acquire the necessary smart meters on time, which are vital for accurate tracking of electricity use in solar systems. Initially, LESCO had set a deadline of November 15, but with the new extension, consumers have until the end of the month to apply for NOCs. After November…
Islamabad, Nov 20: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has introduced the Honhaar Scholarship Program, valued at Rs. 130 billion, to support higher education in the province. According to the Punjab Higher Education Department, over 68,000 students from 65 universities, 359 colleges, and 12 medical colleges have already applied. CM Maryam Nawaz commended the program as a significant step forward in enhancing higher education. Eligibility for the Honhaar Scholarship: Domicile: Must be a resident of Punjab. Age Limit: Applicants must be under 22 years old by the closing date. Enrollment: Must be enrolled in eligible disciplines for the fall 2024 session,…
Islamabad, Nov 20: Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, proposed a twin-city partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Interior Minister, Dr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood. The proposal, aimed at enhancing bilateral ties, received positive feedback from the Saudi minister, according to Express News. Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmed Al-Maliki also participated in the discussion, which focused on mutual interests and collaborative opportunities, including joint training for paramilitary forces and police exchanges. Both parties agreed to implement the twin-city initiative and discussed measures to combat human trafficking, particularly addressing criminal networks sending beggars to Saudi…
Islamabad, Nov 20: Rawalpindi Bans Land Transactions Outside Urban Areas Effective Immediately The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), under the guidance of Director General (DG) Kinza Murtaza, has prohibited land transactions and purchases in agricultural areas outside Rawalpindi’s peri-urban boundaries. This measure aims to safeguard the city’s crucial green zones, which are vital for its ecological and environmental well-being. In accordance with DG RDA’s directives, Additional Director General Awais Manzoor Tarar has formally requested the Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi to take immediate steps to suspend land transfers in specific district areas. The initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to balance…
Islamabad, Nov 20: Customs Enforcement Karachi has escalated its efforts against smuggling, confiscating heavy bikes and vehicles worth Rs. 440.51 million, including some with official government number plates. A dedicated team, led by Additional Collector Baasit Hussain, Deputy Collector ASO Syed Muhammad Raza Naqvi, and SPS Car Squad’s Azhar Malik, carried out the operations. Based on credible intelligence, the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), in coordination with an intelligence agency, conducted raids in Saddar and DHA Phase-I, Karachi. These actions resulted in the recovery of 37 pre-owned sports bikes valued at Rs. 107.6 million. Another successful raid in Malir Cantt, Karachi, uncovered…
Islamabad, Nov 20: Asus ROG Phone 9 series is also looking to capture the market of gaming smartphones as it now has a better cooling system and better optimizing capabilities. Asus has always been on the cutting edge of delivering highly capable gaming devices and it is no different here with the ROG Phone 9 series. As demand rises for long-duration gaming, the ROG Phone 9 emphasizes the need for refined and optimized performance and heat management Key Features of the ROG Phone 9 Series Advanced Cooling System The ultimate innovation of the ROG Phone 9 series is that it…
Islamabad, Nov 20: Dubai luxury real estate market continues to thrive, surpassing expectations of a slowdown. Experts are growing increasingly confident that the current cycle may not be a fleeting bubble but a long-term trend. According to Faisal Durrani, Partner and Head of Research at Knight Frank, the real estate market is driven by “genuine end users” rather than speculative investors. Over the past 18-24 months, Dubai has solidified its position as the global leader in $10 million-plus home sales, with high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) particularly drawn to luxury beachfront villas. Knight Frank’s latest Destination Dubai report revealed that in the…
