Islamabad, Sep 26: Vivo has expanded its V40 series with the launch of two new models in Indonesia: the V40 Lite 4G and V40 Lite 5G. These new additions complement the recently unveiled V40e, enhancing Vivo’s mid-range smartphone offerings. Key Features and Specifications Both the V40 Lite 4G and 5G share similar designs and core specifications, with the main differences lying in their chipsets and memory configurations: Processor and RAM: V40 Lite 4G: Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 685 processor, featuring 8 GB of RAM. V40 Lite 5G: Equipped with the more advanced Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chip, offering up to…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Sep 26: The government has significantly decreased the profit rates on various national savings certificates and schemes by up to 375 basis points (bps). This adjustment affects several popular savings instruments, including: Bahbood Savings Certificates (BSC) Defence Savings Certificates (DSC) Pensioner Benefit Account (PBA) Regular Income Certificates (RIC) Shuhada Family Welfare Account (SFWA) Special Savings Certificates (SSC) Key Changes in Profit Rates: The Regular Income Certificate (RIC) rate has been reduced by 180 bps to 12.72%. The Special Savings Certificate (SSC) rate has been cut by 310 bps to 12.10%. The rates for BSC, PBA, and SFWA are now…
Islamabad, Sep 26: Attock Petroleum Limited (PSX: APL) is making significant strides in the electric vehicle (EV) market by establishing EV charging facilities across its retail outlets. In its annual report for the financial year 2023-24, the company emphasized that this expansion of the EV charging network will not only help combat climate change but also support green business initiatives by reducing its overall carbon footprint. APL is focusing on expanding its DC Fast Electric Vehicle Charging network, particularly at motorway service areas, which will enhance accessibility for EV users. The company has already installed and commissioned an EV charger…
Islamabad, Sep 26: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to present his plans for increased U.S. support to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris during his visit to the White House on Thursday. This visit comes amidst a backdrop of rising tensions related to the U.S. presidential election, particularly regarding the role of former President Donald Trump, who has recently criticized Zelensky and questioned the rationale behind continued U.S. financial support for Ukraine. Zelensky’s meeting with Biden is expected to include the announcement of a surge in U.S. security assistance, although it remains unclear if he will secure…
Islamabad, Sep 26: A recent United Nations report highlights an alarming increase in the demand for cooling systems in developing countries, which could exacerbate climate change if sustainable solutions are not prioritized. By 2050, air conditioning, refrigeration, and refrigerated transport demand is projected to increase seven-fold in Africa and four-fold in Asia, according to the UN Environment Agency (UNEP) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). IFC head Makhtar Diop emphasized that developing nations are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of rising temperatures and urgently require effective cooling solutions. The surge in demand is driven by factors such as rising…
Islamabad, Sep 26: Following the board meeting, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has disbursed the first tranche of $1 billion to Pakistan, part of a larger $7 billion loan under the Extended Fund Facility, which spans 37 months. The IMF’s official statement highlighted that Pakistan’s economic growth rate has reached 2.4%, primarily driven by increased agricultural activities. However, the country continues to grapple with significant challenges, including a difficult business climate, weak governance, and a limited tax base. The IMF noted that over the past year, Pakistan has implemented continuous policies under the Stand-By Arrangement to restore economic stability. The…
Islamabad, Sep 26: The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has expedited the process of selecting a new Director General (DG) for the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), submitting a summary of three candidates to the federal cabinet for approval. Secretary MoST, Sajid Baloch, informed the Senate Committee on Science and Technology that the long-awaited appointment is expected soon, following Federal Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui’s directive for its swift resolution before his departure to the U.S. The candidates—Dr. H.U. Khan, Muhammad Farooq, and Zain ul Abidin—were shortlisted on September 20, 2024, after a fourth round of interviews…
Islamabad, Sep 26: Indus Motor Company Limited (PSX: INDU) has announced a temporary suspension of its production operations from September 26 to September 30, 2024, due to ongoing supply chain issues. The company is facing a shortage of raw materials and components necessary for vehicle production, which has led to inventory constraints. In a stock filing on Thursday, INDU stated that the supply chain challenges have made it difficult to meet production requirements, prompting the temporary shutdown of its manufacturing plant. Indus Motor Company, a joint venture between House of Habib companies, Toyota Motor Corporation, and Toyota Tsusho Corporation, is…
Islamabad, Sep 26: Pakistan’s red-ball coach, Jason Gillespie, has emphasized the need for fresh talent to gradually replace aging veterans like Sarfaraz Ahmed in the national squad. During a commentary session at the Champions One-Day Cup, Gillespie praised Sarfaraz for his dedication and leadership but acknowledged that age is catching up with the former captain. “Sarfaraz has been a wonderful servant and has captained the country very well,” Gillespie said, while noting, “Saifi isn’t getting any younger. At some point, we’re going to need to start exploring and offering opportunities to other players.” Gillespie also pointed to the need for…
Islamabad, Sep 26: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has firmly announced that the deadline for filing income tax returns will not be extended beyond September 30, 2024. Dr. Hamid Ateeq Sarwar, FBR Member Inland Revenue (Policy), reiterated that the government has no plans to introduce new taxation measures or a mini budget in October 2024. During a Senate Standing Committee on Finance meeting, Dr. Sarwar clarified that the focus will be on enforcement actions targeting non-filers and those involved in under-declaration or mis-declaration in tax returns. He emphasized that 6 million returns have already been filed for the 2023…