Islamabad, Nov 16: In a shocking turn of events, Paraguay secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Argentina in the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, leaving fans stunned. The match, held in Asunción, showcased Paraguay’s resilience and strategic brilliance against the reigning world champions. The game began with Paraguay taking an aggressive approach, scoring their first goal within the opening 20 minutes. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, responded swiftly with a brilliant equalizer just before halftime. The second half, however, saw Paraguay intensify their attacks, leading to a decisive goal in the 72nd minute. Despite Argentina dominating possession, their forwards failed…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
December 24, 2024: The complete Prize Bond Schedule 2024 equally has been released by the Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS), Pakistan. This schedule includes all denominations and states dates and cites for the draws to take place. Prize bonds are available in the denominations of Rs. 100, Rs. 200, Rs. 750, Rs. 1500, Rs. 7500, Rs. 15,000, Rs. 25000, Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 40000 Premium Bonds Prize bonds are issued for each denomination, and they are issued for a draw four times a year thus giving all the bond holders a chance to win some money. However, Prize bond…
Islamabad, Nov 15: No Shortage of DAP, Urea for Upcoming Rabi Season Government Assures Farmers Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain led a meeting of the Fertilizer Review Committee to assess the availability of DAP and Urea fertilizers for the upcoming Rabi season. The committee reported confidence in the current fertilizer stocks, ensuring there is no shortage of these essential inputs. A notable 44% increase in DAP demand was observed, attributed to the Punjab government’s Kisan Card initiative. Minister Hussain assured that sufficient additional stocks are available to meet farmers’ needs. He emphasized the importance of efficient DAP use during the…
Islamabad, Nov 15: New Zealand to Impose Entry Fee for Tourists Starting Next Year New Zealand is contemplating the introduction of charges for both domestic and international tourists visiting its national parks and public lands, which are home to many of the country’s most famous scenic locations. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka revealed on Friday in Wellington that the government is inviting public feedback on several proposals aimed at modernizing the management of these areas. The consultation will examine ways to regulate commercial tourism access, other business activities, and improve the protection of natural sites. Potaka mentioned that the proposal to…
Islamabad, Nov 15: PTA Raids Illegal Phone SIM Sellers in Islamabad and KP to Curb Unregistered Sales The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office in Peshawar, in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing, conducted successful raids on telecom franchisees in Barakahu, Islamabad, and Shinkiari, District Mansehra. These franchisees were found to be illegally issuing SIM cards by fraudulently acquiring fingerprints from underprivileged women in various villages of Orakzai Agency. During the Barakahu raid, authorities seized 6 BVS devices, 8 activated SIM cards, 200 suspected SIM cards, 2 computers, and digital fingerprints. Additionally, several original CNICs and…
Islamabad, Nov 15: The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) identified audit issues totaling Rs. 599.93 million within the Establishment Division, pointing to irregularities concerning employees, non-recovery of funds, and the handling of accounts with commercial banks. In the 2023-24 audit report for the federal government’s civil accounts, the AGP raised concerns about Rs. 8.66 million related to employee matters, Rs. 14.54 million regarding bank account management, Rs. 173 million on recoveries, Rs. 51.90 million on internal recoveries, and Rs. 351.73 million on other matters. The report revealed that for the fiscal year 2022-23, the Establishment Division received an allocation of Rs.…
Islamabad, Nov 15: Schools Closure Extended Amid Smog Emergency in Punjab The Punjab government has extended school closures for another week due to severe smog in Lahore and Multan, which has prompted a health emergency. Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb announced a complete lockdown over the weekend, including a ban on construction activities, and schools will remain closed while colleges and universities shift to online classes. Restaurants must close by 4 PM, although takeaway services can continue until 8 PM. The government is also implementing a range of measures, including the cancellation of hospital staff leaves and the creation of health…
Islamabad, Nov 15: HBL Chairman Mission to Empower Pakistan Through Technology and Inclusivity During a recent media event, HBL Bank Chairman Mr. Sultan Ali Allana highlighted the bank’s efforts in transforming Pakistan’s banking industry through process simplification, technological advancements, and a commitment to inclusivity. He shared how HBL has made banking more accessible in rural areas by introducing account opening forms in Urdu. He also emphasized the bank’s focus on gender equality, with 22% of employees being women, and its role in supporting over 300,000 farmers. Additionally, Mr. Allana pointed out HBL’s international recognition for its innovative banking practices. Mr.…
Islamabad, Nov 15: Etihad Airways reported a net profit of Dh1.4 billion (U.S. $368 million) for the first nine months of 2024, a significant increase from Dh814 million (U.S. $222 million) during the same period in 2023, according to its financial results as of September 30, 2024. The airline’s total revenue rose 21% to Dh18.4 billion (U.S. $5.0 billion), compared to Dh15.1 billion (U.S. $4.1 billion) in the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by a strong summer performance and substantial expansion in the cargo business, especially in the third quarter. Passenger revenue grew by 21% to Dh15.2 billion…
Islamabad, Nov 15: Motorways to Get Electronic Toll Plazas Soon, Revolutionizing Travel Efficiency To streamline road travel and reduce congestion, the National Highway Authority (NHA) is considering the implementation of electronic toll plazas on major highways. Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, proposed replacing traditional toll booths with automated systems that allow vehicles to pass without stopping. The new system, which uses electronic tags for toll collection, is expected to drastically reduce wait times at toll points, offering a quicker, smoother travel experience. By eliminating cash transactions and long queues, the electronic toll plazas will enhance travel efficiency, particularly…
