Islamabad, Nov 14: Three days ago, Pakistan’s government showcased its national firewall by blocking unregistered VPNs. An IT expert revealed that the government plans to block unregistered VPNs and advised businesses to register their VPNs with PTA to avoid disruptions. The PTA held a session to introduce its new VPN registration framework, aimed at creating a “secure environment” for the IT and e-commerce sectors. The PTA also launched a new portal for VPN registration. How to Register Your VPN via PTA’s Portal Representatives from the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication (MoIT&T), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Pakistan…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Nov 14: IMF to Meet Provinces Today Over Delay in 45% Agricultural Income Tax Implementation The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission will meet with representatives from provincial governments today to assess the progress on implementing a 45 percent tax on agricultural income. This tax is a crucial condition tied to the IMF’s $7 billion loan program. However, none of the four provinces—Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Sindh, and Balochistan—managed to meet the October 31 deadline for enacting the tax. While Punjab’s cabinet has approved the bill, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has only drafted it, and Sindh and Balochistan have made no progress.…
Islamabad, Nov 14: Bank Alfalah Withdraws Offer for Samba Bank Stake Bank Alfalah Limited (PSX: BAFL) has retracted its public notice about acquiring an 84.5% stake in Samba Bank Limited (PSX: SBL), as disclosed in a filing with the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Thursday. This move follows the Saudi National Bank’s decision to halt the sale of its shareholding in Samba Bank. According to the announcement, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had previously granted Bank Alfalah in-principal approval for conducting due diligence on Samba Bank, related to its intended acquisition of the 84.51% equity stake owned by Saudi National…
Islamabad, Nov 14: The federal government has announced that the application process for Hajj 2025 under the government scheme will begin on November 18, as confirmed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Interested pilgrims can submit their applications at designated banks between November 18 and December 3. Those who already possess valid passports have an extended deadline until December 6. The payment for Hajj will be made in three installments. Applicants are required to pay an initial deposit of Rs. 200,000 when submitting their application. If selected in the draw, a second payment of Rs. 400,000 will be needed, with the…
Islamabad, Nov 14: IMF Warns Saudis May Halt $1.2 Billion Oil Facility to Pakistan Over Reko Diq Talks The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed concerns regarding Pakistan’s stalled $1.2 billion Saudi Oil Facility (SOF), warning of possible delays. Saudi Arabia might be linking this facility to negotiations over the Reko Diq mining project, a key issue that could further delay funds. Initially, Saudi Arabia pledged this support as part of a $7 billion IMF bailout package for Pakistan, but to date, the funds remain undelivered. According to recent reports, representatives from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) may visit…
Islamabad, Nov 14: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) recently uncovered widespread fraud in private housing schemes within the district. Their survey identified 52 schemes as entirely fake, 73 as non-existent, and 24 as illegal, revealing serious investor deception. The schemes misled investors with promises of high returns. In response, the RDA has given affected investors 30 days to file complaints or objections. After this period, the RDA will cancel files related to these projects, removing them from official records. RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza has also stopped approving new housing schemes in the district, signaling a strict approach to fraudulent…
Islamabad, Nov 14: Sindh Approves Pakistan’s First-Ever Education Policy for Transgender Students Pakistan has approved its first-ever “Transgender Education Policy.” The draft was led by Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah. The policy introduces a “transgender” category in school and college admission forms, alongside male and female options. It also includes a job quota for transgender individuals in teaching roles. The draft will soon be submitted for cabinet approval. According to the 2023 census, there are 20,331 transgender individuals in Pakistan, with 4,222 in Sindh. An NGO estimates the real number may be around 250,000. USAID research shows that…
Islamabad, Nov 14: Pink Buses Now Operational in Islamabad for Girls and Women The Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mohiuddin Ahmed Wani, announced a significant achievement in female transportation. He revealed that 99% of previously idle buses have been restored. These pink buses now transport 8,000 girls from rural areas to urban schools safely and conveniently. Wani also mentioned plans to request more funding for school upgrades in rural regions. The goal is to provide modern amenities and reduce the urban-rural education gap. This initiative is part of the “No Fare No Barrier” program, launched by the Prime…
Islamabad, Nov 14: The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) has announced the results for the 2nd Annual Examinations of SSC Part I and II for 2024. Students who participated in these exams can now access their results. The official announcement was made on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at exactly 12:00 noon. The SSC Part I and II exams are significant as they represent an essential academic step for students, marking their progression in education and their preparation for higher studies. These 2nd Annual Exams offer an important opportunity for students who wished to enhance their previous exam…
Islamabad, Nov 12: Schools Closed in Five Divisions Due to Smog in Punjab In response to rising air pollution, the Punjab government has decided to close educational institutions in five additional divisions due to worsening smog conditions. Schools and colleges in the Sargodha, Rawalpindi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, and Sahiwal divisions will remain closed from November 13 to 17, as per the Environmental Protection Department’s directive. This applies to all schools, academies, and tuition centers for students from nursery to grade 12. Earlier shutdowns in Gujranwala, Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad divisions continue to be enforced as part of the government’s…
