Islamabad, Mar 28, 2025: In a groundbreaking effort to enhance regional stock market collaboration, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has officially signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). This agreement, finalized today in Colombo, seeks to create a unified platform for advancing technological capabilities, exchanging expertise, developing financial products, and strengthening regulatory cooperation. The initiative is set to improve investor protection and deepen ties between the three markets. The signing ceremony saw the presence of prominent officials from all three exchanges, including Farrukh H. Sabzwari, Managing Director and…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Mar 28, 2025: Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has suggested that Pakistan may issue Panda Bonds in Chinese Yuan this year to tap into China’s extensive and liquid financial markets, according to APP. During an interview with Chinese media outlets, including CGTN English and China Daily, Aurangzeb stated that while Pakistan has previously floated bonds in US dollars and Euros, it is now strategically positioning itself to benefit from China’s robust capital market. The introduction of Panda Bonds is expected to enhance Pakistan’s financial connectivity with China and further underscore Beijing’s pivotal role in Pakistan’s ongoing digital transformation. Expressing…
Islamabad, Mar 27, 2025: Google has resolved a major security loophole in its Chrome browser for Windows, which was actively leveraged by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to users’ devices. This flaw, cataloged as CVE-2025-2783, was first detected earlier this month by cybersecurity experts at Kaspersky. Researchers linked the breach to a sophisticated phishing scheme dubbed “Operation ForumTroll.” On Tuesday, Google acknowledged that this vulnerability had already been exploited in real-world attacks before they could deploy a fix, categorizing it as a zero-day exploit. The company has since rolled out a security update to neutralize the threat, urging users to…
Islamabad, Mar 27, 2025; The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has sounded the alarm over an anticipated rise in temperatures nationwide, forecasting an increase of 3°C to 5°C above the usual levels in the coming months. Drastic Drop in Rainfall & Water Scarcity During a recent press briefing, Chief Meteorologist Muhammad Afzal disclosed that winter precipitation was 42% below average. The province-wise deficit stands at 63% in Sindh, 53% in Balochistan, and 41% in Punjab. This significant decline has severely impacted water reserves, leaving dams and reservoirs at dangerously low levels. As a result, concerns are growing over water availability for…
Islamabad, Mar 27, 2025: The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has formally requested detailed records of PhD scholarship defaulters who traveled abroad but did not honor their commitments. Additionally, the committee has instructed authorities to provide explanations for the termination of Fulbright scholarships within a week. The meeting, led by Junaid Akbar Khan at Parliament House, included participation from PAC members, the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the Auditor General of Pakistan, and vice-chancellors from various universities. The session primarily examined the HEC’s audit reports for the fiscal year 2023-24, exposing financial discrepancies and governance concerns. During the…
Islamabad, Mar 27, 2025: Armaghan Qureshi, the main suspect in the Mustafa Amir homicide case, orchestrated large-scale phishing scams through his unauthorized call center, accumulating an illicit fortune of Rs17 billion over three years, as revealed by officials during a National Assembly committee session on Wednesday. The second gathering of the Sub-Committee of the NA’s Standing Committee on Interior convened at the Central Police Office (CPO), presided over by MNA Abdul Qadir Patel. Among those present were committee members MNAs Syed Rafiullah, Nabeel Gabol, and Khawaja Izharul Hassan, along with Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, senior city police…
Islamabad, Mar 27, 2025: Pakistan’s energy sector has received a substantial boost with the discovery of multiple natural gas reserves, made possible through the proactive efforts of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has successfully unearthed fresh gas reserves in the Attock district of Punjab. With an estimated output of 13.95 million cubic feet per day, this breakthrough is expected to significantly contribute to fulfilling the nation’s rising energy needs. Simultaneously, Mari Energies Limited has made two major gas discoveries in the Waziristan block of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This milestone marks a crucial…
Islamabad, Mar 27, 2025: The Punjab School Education Department has officially released a notification regarding the modification of school hours, which will be enforced following the Eidul Fitr holidays. Updated School Timings As per the revised schedule, effective from April 7 until October 15, school timings will be as follows: Single-shift schools: Classes will begin at 8:00 AM and conclude at 1:30 PM. However, on Fridays, schools will close at 12:00 PM. Double-shift schools: The morning shift will operate from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, with Friday sessions ending at 12:00 PM. The afternoon shift will commence at 1:00 PM…
Islamabad, Mar 27, 2025: The yields on Treasury Bills (T-Bills) saw an increase of up to 34 basis points (bps) in the latest auction held on Wednesday. As per the figures shared by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the government secured Rs. 640 billion against a projected target of Rs. 650 billion, with maturities totaling Rs. 412 billion. The auction saw strong participation, with bids amounting to Rs. 1,085 billion. The official statistics reveal that the cut-off yield for the 3-month T-Bills climbed by 19 bps to reach 12.01 percent, while the yield for the 1-month paper surged by…
Islamabad, Mar 27, 2025: After an extended delay of four months, Apple has finally secured approval to bring its iPhone 16 series back to the Indonesian market. The tech giant has confirmed that sales will officially commence on April 11, featuring the full lineup, including the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, and the newly introduced iPhone 16e. According to Reuters, Apple’s final investment pledge amounts to $300 million, a substantial drop from the previously projected $1 billion. It remains uncertain whether this investment will expand in the future or if Apple has successfully renegotiated a more…
