Author: Mawadat Fatima

Islamabad, Nov 19: Dastak Doorstep Services App Expands to 10 More Cities in Punjab, Enhancing Convenience for Residents At the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government has expanded the availability of its ‘Dastak – Doorstep Services’ app. The program now covers 32 districts, adding 10 new cities: Rahim Yar Khan, Vehari, Lodhran, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah, Rajanpur, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Gujrat, and Khushab. During a progress review in Lahore, Faisal Yousaf, Chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), stated that the initiative’s goal is to improve service delivery and provide a more efficient, citizen-focused experience through…

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Islamabad, Nov 19: The Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) and Telenor Pakistan have forged a significant partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing innovation, fostering digital inclusion, and empowering youth throughout Pakistan. The collaboration will focus on strengthening Pakistan’s technology sector by supporting local tech startups, nurturing young talent, and enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure, in line with STZA’s objectives. The MoU was signed by Mr. Aamer Saleemi, Executive Director at STZA, and Ms. Areej Khan, Chief People Officer at Telenor Pakistan, during a ceremony attended by prominent leaders from both organizations, including Khurrum Ashfaque, CEO…

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Islamabad, Nov 19: On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the importance of cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia across various sectors and expressed his satisfaction with the successful implementation of the recently signed bilateral MoUs, which secured a $2.8 billion Saudi investment in Pakistan. This discussion took place during a courtesy visit by the Deputy Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia, who is currently in Pakistan on an official visit, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office. Recalling the long-standing and brotherly ties between the two nations, Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked the Saudi leadership for their continued…

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Islamabad, Nov 19: Pakistan’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November 2024 is projected to range between 4.5% and 5.0% year-on-year (YoY), with a monthly increase of 0.4%. This brings the 5-month FY25 average inflation to 7.91%, a significant drop from 28.62% recorded during the same period in FY24. Food and Energy Contributions Food inflation for November is expected to rise by 0.2% month-on-month (MoM), driven by higher prices of eggs, Pulse Moong, tomatoes, and potatoes, with increases ranging from 5% to 35%. The housing, water, electricity, and gas segment is predicted to grow by approximately 0.11% MoM due to a…

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Islamabad, Nov 19: The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has announced updated winter schedules for educational institutions under its jurisdiction, effective from December 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025. These revised timings apply to Islamabad Model Schools/Colleges and ex-FG Colleges in both urban and rural regions. Updated Schedules Single-Shift Schools: Monday to Thursday: 8:30 am – 2:00 pm Friday: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Montessori/Prep Classes: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programs: ECE-I: 8:30 am – 11:30 am ECE-II: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm Double-Shift Schools: Morning Shift: Monday to Thursday: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm…

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Islamabad, Nov 19: A recent report highlights Google’s plans to merge Android and Chrome OS, aiming to transform Chrome OS into Android. This initiative is part of the company’s strategy to compete with Apple’s iPad. While the decision may appear surprising, it aligns with Google’s history of making bold and unconventional moves. Sources suggest that Chrome OS will fully migrate to Android, though the broader impact of this transition remains uncertain. Earlier this year, Google revealed its intention to integrate some Android features into Chrome OS. However, the latest report points to a deeper and more comprehensive merger. It is unclear…

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Islamabad, Nov 19: Pakistan Secures Bronze at WBSC Blind Baseball International Cup Historic Achievement in Sports Pakistan secured the bronze medal at the WBSC Blind Baseball International Cup, defeating host nation the United Kingdom 6-0 in the third-place playoff at Farnham Park, Slough. The Pakistani team took an early lead, racing to a 2-0 advantage after the first inning, then added 4 more runs in the third inning to dominate the hosts. Ghulam Sarwar was the standout performer for Pakistan, contributing 2 runs from 4 hits in 4 at-bats as the Short Stop. Other key contributors included Asghar Qadeer, Zahid…

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Islamabad, Nov 19: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has reached a historic achievement, as the benchmark KSE-100 Index surpassed the 95,000-point mark for the first time ever. On Monday, the KSE-100 Index surged by 878 points, hitting an all-time high of 95,874 points. This surge reflects strong investor confidence, driven by positive market sentiment and favorable economic indicators. Analysts attribute this growth to several key factors, including strong corporate earnings, foreign investment inflows, and optimism surrounding Pakistan’s economic policies. The breakthrough of the 95,000-point barrier is viewed as a major milestone in the PSX’s growth. This development further solidifies the…

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Islamabad, Nov 19: E-Processing Systems Pvt. Ltd. (EPS) has achieved a major breakthrough by obtaining a commercial license from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for its digital platform, OneZapp. As an approved Electronic Money Institute (EMI), this initiative aims to tackle financial exclusion and advance digital payment services across the country. Addressing Financial Challenges with OneZapp A significant portion of Pakistan’s population, particularly in rural and underserved areas, lacks access to formal financial services. These individuals often rely on cash-based transactions that are inefficient, risky, and costly, limiting their economic participation. OneZapp: Transforming Accessibility OneZapp is specifically designed to…

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Islamabad, Nov 19: Euronet and CMA Partner to Accelerate SBP RAAST Program Expansion Euronet Pakistan, a prominent card and payment processing company under the NASDAQ-listed Euronet Worldwide, has partnered with CMA, a Sweden-based global leader in real-time payment solutions. CMA also serves as the primary technology provider for the State Bank of Pakistan’s RAAST Instant Payment System (IPS) and RTGS program. This collaboration introduces a seamless “plug-and-play” system for RAAST and RTGS payment processing, hosted locally and backed by robust service-level agreements (SLAs). The initiative ensures exceptional scalability, reliable uptime, and optimal performance. Key Features of the Partnership Streamlined Payment…

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