Author: Mawadat Fatima

Islamabad, Sep 23: In a recent interview, former President Donald Trump stated he would not run for a fourth consecutive term if he loses the upcoming November 5 election, declaring, “that will be it. ” Facing a tight race against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump acknowledged the competitive nature of the polls, particularly in battleground states. Trump has consistently claimed his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden was due to voter fraud and is currently facing multiple criminal charges related to attempts to overturn that election. He has characterized these legal challenges as politically motivated attacks. Meanwhile, Harris is…

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Islamabad, Sep 23: The Foreign Office announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from September 23 to 27. Pakistan Set to Raise Palestine, Kashmir and Islamophobia issues at UNGA During his address on September 27, he plans to highlight key issues, including Palestine, Islamophobia, and the long-standing concerns on the UN Security Council’s agenda, particularly focusing on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to represent Pakistan at the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, emphasizing Pakistan’s perspective on global…

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Islamabad, Sep 23: Islamic banking has recently outpaced the overall financial industry, demonstrating significant growth. This success is largely attributed to its ethical principles, which align with the needs of consumers seeking Sharia-compliant, interest-free banking solutions. The growth trend reflects an increasing demand for alternative financial models that prioritize ethical and sustainable practices. Experts predict that Islamic banking will continue to rise steadily, driven by consumer demand for ethical finance. Its expansion highlights the broader global appeal of Islamic financial practices and signals a shift towards more diverse and inclusive banking systems.

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Islamabad, Sep 23: WhatsApp and Instagram users in Pakistan experienced service disruptions, according to outage tracker Downdetector. Instagram users reported 86 outages within an hour, while WhatsApp disruptions began around 10:45 am. Additionally, network providers Zong and PTCL faced issues, with users struggling to send multimedia content via mobile broadband. Pakistan has seen significant internet disruptions recently, with platform X (formerly Twitter) being inaccessible for months. Digital rights experts suggest the government may be testing a firewall, although the administration denies these claims. Moreover, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) noted that ongoing internet slowdowns are linked to damage in two…

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Islamabad, Sep 23: The global shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is growing rapidly, with one in four cars sold worldwide now being electric. However, in Pakistan, purchasing any car—especially EVs—remains a challenge due to high interest rates and inflation. Despite this, the introduction of EVs is gaining momentum, with notable excitement surrounding Chinese automaker BYD’s partnership with Mega Motor Co. and the entry of Sazgar Engineering Works into the EV market. Currently, EVs in Pakistan are mostly targeted at the affluent, as limited charging infrastructure and mechanical expertise hinder widespread adoption. Changan, through its Deepal EV variants, is explicitly catering…

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Islamabad, Sep 23: Apple has officially launched pre-orders for the iPhone 16 Pro and its variants. The iPhone 16 Pro boasts a grade 5 titanium design, splash, water, and dust resistance, and comes with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR displays. Key features include a 48MP Fusion camera, powered by the A18 Pro chip, and a Private Cloud Compute for enhanced privacy. Pricing for the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 for the 128GB model, with installment plans starting at $41.62 per month over 24 months. Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI software, will be integrated into Siri and camera functionalities,…

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Islamabad, Sep 23: Pakistan earned US $286.395 million by exporting Information Technology (IT) services in July 2024, marking a 33.84% growth compared to the US $213.980 million earned in the same period last year, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Computer Services: These exports grew by 44.14%, reaching US $248.899 million, driven by: Software consultancy services up by 47.38%, from US $58.425 million to US $86.103 million. Repair and maintenance services surged by 1302.14%, from US $0.035 million to US $0.490 million. Other computer services grew by 75.14%, from US $63.453 million to US $111.131 million. Telecommunication Services:…

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Islamabad, Sep 23: Peshawar, the economic center of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is set to establish its first Expo Centre, with funding approved by the Export Development Fund (EDF) Board. This was announced during the 85th meeting of the EDF Board, chaired by Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on September 20, 2024. The Expo Centre will provide a platform for international-level exhibitions, benefiting entrepreneurs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by attracting national and international investors. Experts believe the Expo Centre will boost trade and economic growth, especially due to Peshawar’s strategic location near Central Asian countries. The facility is expected to create jobs,…

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Islamabad, Sep 23: Dr. Sarosh Lodhi, the Shaikh-ul-Jamia of NED University, clarified that the university is not responsible for the mismanagement during the MDCAT test held at NED and Dow Ojha Campus. He pointed out that while NED University provides facilities for the test, the administration, security, and overall execution are handled by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). Dr. Lodhi urged the public not to associate NED with any issues arising from the test, emphasizing the university’s strong track record of conducting its own entrance exams with discipline and organization, which has been well-documented in the media. He…

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Islamabad, Sep 22: UK Trade Commissioner for Middle East and Pakistan Oliver Christian has landed in Islamabad on his first visit to Pakistan, kicking off a three-day effort to strengthen the UK’s economic and trade links with Pakistan. During his visit, Christian will announce significant new partnerships, including a strategic Transnational Education agreement between Beaconhouse International College and the University of Essex; and collaboration between Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust at the Novacare Hospital in Islamabad. These initiatives are set to deepen the UK’s investment in Pakistan’s education and healthcare sectors. The University of Essex partnership aims to provide Pakistani students…

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