Author: Mawadat Fatima

Islamabad, Dec 20: The University of Peshawar has announced that its winter vacation will be observed from December 23 to January 4. According to an official notification, all academic departments, institutes, and affiliated colleges will be closed during this period. However, the university emphasized that the schedule for exams, tests, and interviews will remain unaffected and will proceed as originally planned. Students and staff are advised to fulfill their pre-scheduled academic commitments despite the holiday break. In a similar announcement, Punjab University stated that its teaching departments, institutes, centers, constituent colleges, and schools will be closed from Monday, December 23,…

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Islamabad, Dec 20: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has unveiled Sector C-14, a new residential area located at the foot of the Margalla Hills in Islamabad. This sector offers a mix of modern living and natural beauty, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a premium lifestyle. According to the CDA, Sector C-14 is conveniently located just 10 minutes from Islamabad International Airport and the motorway, ensuring easy accessibility for residents. The project promises a combination of advanced infrastructure and scenic views. The CDA has provided the following payment plan details for 500-square-yard plots: Total Cost: Rs. 60 million…

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Islamabad, Dec 20: Islamabad recorded a minimum temperature of 0°C today, marking a sharp decline as a cold wave tightened its hold across the country. Other regions have also experienced significant drops in temperature, as reported by the Meteorological Department. Here are the minimum temperatures recorded in various areas: Skardu and Leh: The coldest, at -12°C. Gilgit: A low of -8°C. Quetta and Astore: Both saw -6°C. Other Cities: Peshawar experienced sub-zero temperatures, at -1°C. Lahore and Faisalabad remained a bit warmer, with 4°C, while Multan recorded 5°C. Karachi had a relatively mild minimum temperature of 12°C. Murree saw the…

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Islamabad, Dec 20: Pakistan has made a notable presence in the recently released UI Green Metric World University Rankings 2024, with 84 universities making it to the global list. However, the country’s top-ranked university is placed at 155th, and only three institutions have managed to secure a spot in the top 200 globally. The 15th edition of the rankings evaluates universities based on their sustainability performance and includes 1,477 institutions from 95 countries, underscoring the global commitment to sustainable development. What sets the UI GreenMetric Rankings apart is their focus on assessing the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of universities.…

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Islamabad, Dec 20: Deforestation and climate change are some of the most Emergent Environmental issues facing Pakistan in the contemporary world. Though, it is crucial to understand that each an every person can do something in order to minimize these problems in day-to-day practice. Through the protection and availability of ecological products and practicing sustainable consumption habits Pakistan is equally one of the countries that has potential to address these global issues. 1. Plant Trees and Support Reforestation Projects Forests are the breath givers of the world. They reduce the uptake of carbon dioxide, maintain quality air and support life…

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Islamabad, Dec 20: The year 2024 has set records for new vehicle launches, featuring diverse releases from brands like BYD, Deepal, GUGO, and Honri. Anticipation is high for additional debuts in 2025. Recent insights highlight the following cars expected to hit the Pakistani market next year. Anticipated Car Launches in 2025 Here’s an overview of vehicles the local automotive industry eagerly awaits in 2025. Hyundai Tucson 4th Generation The Hyundai Tucson 4th Generation is set to arrive in Pakistan in 2025, showcasing a sleek modern design and enhanced features. While it’s unclear if the model will be CKD or CBU,…

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Islamabad, Dec 20: The repatriation of profits and dividends by foreign investors rose sharply by 112% to $1.129 billion in the first five months of FY25, compared to $523 million during the same period in FY24, marking a $597 million increase, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Of these outflows, $1.074 billion was attributed to returns on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), reflecting a 118% rise from $492 million in the corresponding period of FY24. Additionally, $54 million was repatriated as returns on Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI), up from $41 million last year. In November 2024 alone, $322 million…

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Islamabad, Dec 20; The government, citing select datasets, asserted on Wednesday the success of its policies in achieving macroeconomic stability and approved approximately Rs44 billion in supplementary grants, including funds for advertising these achievements. In a rare move, the initial segment of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting was broadcast live, where Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb highlighted key accomplishments. He cited a $944 million current account surplus in the first five months, a 35% rise in remittances, 33% growth in technology exports, and a 31% increase in Roshan Digital Account deposits. The minister also noted a 900-basis point drop in…

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Islamabad, Dec 20: OpenAI has introduced new ways to interact with its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, through a free phone service in the United States and global integration with WhatsApp. As part of its “12 Days of Christmas” updates, OpenAI announced a simplified way for users to engage with AI technology. In the US, users can call ChatGPT by dialing 1-800-CHATGPT, a free service with a monthly limit of 15 minutes per phone number. For international users, OpenAI has integrated ChatGPT with WhatsApp, enabling interaction via messages sent to 1-800-242-8478. OpenAI’s Chief Product Officer, Kevin Weil, described the feature as a…

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Islamabad, Dec 20: The country’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves rose by $32 million last week. As per the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) weekly report, total liquid foreign exchange reserves reached $16.633 billion on December 13, 2024, compared to $16.601 billion on December 6, 2024. During this period, SBP’s reserves grew by $31 million, totaling $12.082 billion. Meanwhile, net foreign exchange reserves held by commercial banks saw a slight increase of $1.1 million, amounting to $4.551 billion by the end of the week. Remittances saw a 5.0 per cent decline MoM but increased by 29 per cent year-on-year, reaching…

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