Islamabad, Mar 22, 2025: The Solar Association has strongly opposed the government’s recent decision to reduce net metering rates, calling it a severe blow to the renewable energy sector. Addressing the media, Chairman Adil Mahmood criticized the authorities for backtracking on their commitments to promoting solar energy, which could discourage future investments. Mahmood highlighted that high-ranking official, including the President and Prime Minister, had previously encouraged citizens to adopt solar power. However, the sudden reduction in net metering rates contradicts those assurances. “For years, the government urged people to switch to solar energy. Now, they charge Rs. 54 per unit…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Mar 22, 2025: A special committee of the National Assembly, focused on integrating women into the national mainstream, convened under the leadership of Nafisa Shah. A key decision from the meeting was to distribute laptops to students enrolled at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and Virtual University, aiming to enhance digital accessibility in education. During the session, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed provided insights into the progress of higher education in Pakistan. He highlighted that when HEC was founded in 2002, female students accounted for 37% of university enrollments. Today, this number has risen…
Islamabad, Mar 22, 2025: The Saudi Riyal (SAR) experienced a slight appreciation against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) in the open market, reaching Rs74.71. The selling rate also edged up to Rs75.11, as per the latest data from the Forex Association of Pakistan. As the official currency of Saudi Riyal to PKR often denoted as SR, is further divided into 100 halalas. It remains a key currency for Pakistani expatriates, given the significant remittances sent from the Kingdom. In a major diplomatic engagement, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of defense and…
Islamabad, Mar 22, 2025: Flights at Heathrow Airport have gradually resumed following a major fire at a power substation, which led to severe disruptions and a temporary shutdown of one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs. The sudden closure stranded thousands of passengers, causing global travel delays and significant financial losses for airlines. Widespread Disruptions After Power Failure The fire, which broke out late Thursday near the airport, triggered a critical power failure, bringing flight operations to a standstill. Heathrow’s emergency response teams worked tirelessly to restore power, allowing limited flights to operate on Friday to reposition aircraft and crew.…
Islamabad, Mar 22, 2025: Federal Minister for Commerce, Mr. Jam Kamal Khan, recently chaired a key meeting at the Ministry of Commerce, accompanied by Special Secretary Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Mangnejo and Director General (Textile) Mr. Mudassar Raza Siddiqi. The session focused on evaluating Pakistan’s textile and apparel industry and devising strategies to further enhance its export performance. During the briefing, Mr. Siddiqi highlighted that the textile and apparel sector, a crucial pillar of Pakistan’s economy, has shown remarkable resilience amid economic uncertainties. The industry recorded an impressive 9.3% growth in the first eight months of the current fiscal year 2024-25,…
Islamabad, Mar 22, 2025: Karachi is set to experience scorching temperatures over the weekend, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicting highs exceeding 37°C on Saturday and Sunday. The rising heat is expected to make outdoor conditions challenging for residents. Temperature Trends and Weather Conditions On Friday, Karachi recorded a maximum temperature of 36.9°C, with intense sunlight intensifying the heat. The minimum temperature in the early morning stood at 21.1°C. Low wind speeds during the afternoon further contributed to the sweltering conditions. According to the PMD’s Early Warning Center, the warm spell is likely to persist, as dry northwesterly winds…
Islamabad, Mar 22, 2025: The Sindh government has officially declared public holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr 2025, granting three days off from Monday, March 31, to Wednesday, April 2. A notification issued by the Services, General Administration, and Coordination Department of Sindh confirmed the holiday schedule, aligning with the federal government’s decision to facilitate nationwide Eid celebrations. Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 Moon Sighting and Expected Date Muslims will likely celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 on Monday, March 31, after completing 29 days of Ramadan. However, the final date depends on the sighting of the Shawwal moon. The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council expects the new moon to be…
Islamabad, Mar 22, 2025: Verizon has expanded its satellite communication services, introducing a new non-emergency texting feature for select smartphones. Previously, satellite messaging was limited to emergency use, but now users of the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 can send texts even when traditional cellular networks are unavailable. Rollout and Availability The new feature is gradually rolling out, with full deployment expected within two weeks. Verizon customers using the Pixel 9 or Galaxy S25 will receive a software update enabling satellite texting. Once installed, these devices can send and receive messages without relying on standard cell towers, making…
Islamabad, Mar 22, 2025: In a special Eid-ul-Fitr gesture, Pakistan Railways has announced a 20% discount on train fares, offering relief to passengers traveling for the festive season. This initiative aims to make rail travel more affordable and encourage people to opt for trains during the holiday rush. Discount Details and Eligibility As per the official notification, the fare reduction will apply to all mail, express, and intercity trains for the first three days of Eid. Passengers who book their tickets in advance can also avail of this discount, making it a great opportunity for those planning ahead.
Islamabad, Mar 22, 2025: Vivo continues to expand its Y-Series lineup with the launch of the Vivo Y19e, a budget-friendly smartphone designed for everyday users. Following the success of the Y19 (2019) and Y19s (2024), this latest model brings a well-balanced combination of performance, display quality, and battery life at an affordable price point. Vivo Y19e: Specifications & Features Display & Design: 6.74-inch HD+ LCD screen with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate Slim and stylish design available in Majestic Green and Titanium Silver Performance & Software: Powered by the Unisoc T7225 processor for efficient multitasking Runs on Android 14 with…