Islamabad, Mar 20, 2025: To curb the spread of the poliovirus, the Punjab Anti-Polio Program has launched a targeted vaccination drive for children traveling during Eid. This strategic initiative aims to ensure that every child entering the province receives life-saving polio drops at key transit points. According to an official spokesperson, polio vaccination teams will be stationed at 13 major districts across Punjab. These teams will operate at critical locations, including bus terminals, railway stations, hospitals, and shopping centers, making the vaccination process easily accessible for families on the move.
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Mar 20, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, where discussions are underway regarding the commencement of the Saudi Oil Facility. This initiative is set to begin disbursing $100 million per month starting in March 2025, amounting to a total of $1.2 billion over a 12-month period, concluding in February 2026. In terms of foreign inflows, the Pakistani government has secured $1 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). However, this amount is not included in the data shared by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD). For…
Islamabad, Mar 20, 2025: The Pakistani government has agreed to a major economic reform under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, committing to a substantial reduction in import tariffs over the next five years. This move aims to liberalize the economy, particularly in the automobile and minerals sectors, by lowering the effective average import tariff from 10.6% to 7.1%. Economic Liberalization and IMF Agreement Pakistan’s decision to reduce tariffs aligns with the IMF’s demand for a more open economy. The agreement brings the country closer to securing a crucial Staff-Level Agreement, which is a key step toward obtaining the next…
Islamabad, Mar 20, 2025: Gold prices in Pakistan fluctuate based on global market trends and economic factors. As of March 20, 2025, the gold rates are as follows: 1 Tola Gold: Rs. 319,700 10 Gram Gold: Rs. 274,100 1 Gram Gold: Rs. 27,410 1 Ounce Gold: Rs. 776,871 These prices reflect the latest trading values of 24K gold in the market. Gold Prices in Pakistan for Different Purities Gold Type 24K Gold 22K Gold 21K Gold 18K Gold Per Tola Rs. 319,700 Rs. 293,058 Rs. 279,737 Rs. 239,775 Per 10 Gram Rs. 274,100 Rs. 251,258 Rs. 239,837 Rs. 205,575 Per…
Islamabad, Mar 18, 2025: The Punjab government has launched the Aghosh program, a major initiative aimed at improving maternal and child health among underprivileged families. The scheme provides phased financial assistance of up to Rs23,000 to pregnant and lactating women, as well as mothers of children up to two years of age, across 13 districts in the province. The program, announced under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, seeks to promote safe pregnancies, encourage hospital-based deliveries, and ensure timely vaccinations for newborns. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Aghosh program, including eligibility criteria, registration steps, and financial assistance details. Objectives of Punjab…
Islamabad, Mar 18, 2025: Gold prices have reached unprecedented levels, with MCX gold surpassing Rs 89,000 per 10 grams and international prices breaking past $3,000 per ounce. This surge has been fueled by escalating trade tensions, inflation concerns, and growing global uncertainties, prompting investors to seek refuge in the precious metal. Why Are Gold Prices Rising? Experts attribute the gold rally to ongoing geopolitical risks and economic instability. Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst at LKP Securities, noted that gold prices skyrocketed on MCX as Comex gold crossed the $3,000 mark. The rise is largely driven by persistent US tariffs, particularly…
Islamabad, Mar 18, 2025: The Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) has officially prohibited the use of mobile phones in college classrooms across the province. This ban applies to both students and teachers to ensure a more focused and disciplined academic setting. According to an official notification, the excessive use of mobile phones during lectures has been disrupting the learning process. Authorities observed that students frequently engage in social media and other non-academic activities, leading to decreased concentration. Additionally, teachers’ phone usage has also been identified as a cause of classroom distractions. To enforce the ban, district college directors have been…
Islamabad, Mar 18, 2025: Pakistan’s information technology (IT) sector continues its upward trajectory, with exports reaching an all-time high of $305 million in February 2025. This marks a substantial 19% increase compared to February 2024, demonstrating the industry’s resilience and expansion. However, the month-on-month comparison shows a slight 3% dip from January 2025, largely due to the shorter duration of February. Despite this, the sector has sustained year-on-year growth for 17 consecutive months since October 2023, reflecting the consistent global demand for Pakistani IT services. From July 2024 to February 2025, IT exports have surged to $2.48 billion, registering an…
Islamabad, Mar 18, 2025: A groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) tool is revolutionizing liver cancer treatment by accurately predicting the risk of recurrence. Developed by a team of Chinese researchers, this innovative system boasts an impressive 82.2% accuracy rate in forecasting whether the disease will return after surgery. Liver cancer remains a major global health concern, ranking third in cancer-related deaths, with recurrence rates as high as 70%. The research, led by Sun Cheng at the University of Science and Technology of China, introduced a scoring model called TIMES. This advanced tool evaluates the likelihood of relapse by analyzing the spatial…
Islamabad, Mar 18, 2025: The University of Health Sciences (UHS) Syndicate, in its 85th meeting on Monday, introduced revised academic policies for medical and dental students. Led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ahsan Waheed Rathore, the meeting approved stricter attendance and passing criteria in line with the latest directives from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC). These updated regulations will be implemented from the 2024-25 academic session. As per the new policy, students must maintain a minimum of 90% attendance to be eligible for annual exams. Additionally, the passing percentage for professional examinations has been raised to 70%. This…
