Islamabad, Sep 19: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has provided Rs23 million to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to support the national team’s expenses for the recently concluded **Asian Champions Trophy** in China. This aid is crucial for covering the federation’s financial obligations and ensuring the team’s competitiveness. Prior to their departure, the PHF struggled with a severe funding shortage, leading them to secure loans to cover participation costs. The PSB’s recent disbursement fulfills a prior commitment to reimburse these expenses. Over the past six months, the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and the PSB have allocated a total of…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Sep 19: Redmi, Xiaomi’s sub-brand, has officially teased the launch of its upcoming Redmi Note 14 series with a cryptic message, “See you next week,” on its Weibo page. While the exact release date is yet to be confirmed, the announcement hints at two new smartphone models with enhanced features like improved shock resistance, waterproofing, and extended software support, reflecting a growing industry focus on long-term update commitments. Leaked images showcase devices with a unique squircle camera island containing three lenses and an LED flash. These visuals suggest the introduction of a Redmi Note 14 and a Redmi Note…
Islamabad, Sep 19: Xiaomi has climbed to the second position in global smartphone sales for August 2024, overtaking Apple, which now ranks third, while Samsung continues to hold the top spot, according to Counterpoint Research. This shift in the market comes despite Xiaomi’s shipments remaining flat for the month. Apple’s decline is largely seasonal, as consumers typically hold off on purchases in anticipation of the next iPhone launch, in this case, the iPhone 16 series. This temporary dip in shipments has allowed Xiaomi to surpass Apple in sell-through volumes. Xiaomi’s growth has been steady throughout 2024, with a notable 22%…
Islamabad, Sep 19: Car financing in Pakistan has continued its downward trend for the 26th consecutive month, showing an 18.3 percent year-on-year (YoY) drop to Rs. 227 billion by the end of August 2024, down from Rs. 278 billion in the same period last year, according to data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). This reflects a roughly Rs. 700 million declines compared to July 2024, highlighting the stagnation in the auto sector despite improvements in consumer inflation and adjustments to the central bank’s lending rate. In contrast, personal loans on credit cards surged 24.5 percent YoY to Rs.…
Islamabad, Sep 19: The government of Pakistan is set to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), filling a leadership gap that has persisted since August 2022. A panel of three top candidates has been submitted for final approval following a detailed selection process. The position was re-advertised on April 7, 2024, and attracted 234 applications. After a thorough evaluation, 16 candidates were initially shortlisted, with six eventually presented to the PSEB Board of Directors for final review during a meeting on June 3, 2024. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT)…
Islamabad, Sep 19: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has received 1.772 million income tax returns for the tax year 2024 as of September 17, 2024. This marks a significant increase of 844,748 returns compared to the 928,049 returns filed during the same period in FY2023. In addition to the rise in filings, the FBR collected Rs. 17.2 million in admitted tax through these returns, a sharp increase from the Rs. 3.875 million collected last year. This surge in tax revenue is attributed to the withdrawal of exemptions and the elimination of minimum tax requirements, leading to a higher comparable…
Islamabad, Sep 19: Cotton arrivals in Pakistan have dropped to a 40-year low as of September 15, 2024, plummeting by 64%, according to the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA). This year, only 1.434 million bales have been reported compared to 3.933 million bales during the same period in 2023. The past two weeks saw just 0.208 million bales arriving—a steep 77% decline from last year’s 0.892 million bales. Punjab’s output has been particularly hard-hit, with only 0.538 million bales reported, compared to 1.544 million bales in 2023. Sindh performed relatively better, recording 0.895 million bales, which was 66% more than…
Islamabad, Sep 19: Tax cases amounting to Rs. 3.76 trillion are currently pending across various judicial platforms, including the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Appellate Tribunals, according to sources from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). This backlog has significantly hampered the FBR’s ability to recover these funds, with the volume of unresolved cases steadily increasing over recent years. In Appellate Tribunals alone, pending cases have surged from Rs. 1.46 trillion to Rs. 2.235 trillion. As of June 2024, Rs. 105 billion remains tied up in 3,450 cases pending before the Supreme Court. Other courts are also dealing with a…
Islamabad, Sep 19: The Sindh government has unveiled plans for an online auction of special vehicle number plates, with the goal of raising funds to build homes for flood victims. Excise Minister Sharjeel Memon announced that the auction would feature three premium categories—platinum, gold, and silver—during a meeting held on Wednesday. A dedicated online portal will allow individuals to bid for these exclusive number plates. The Sindh Excise Department expects significant interest in the auction, which will take place within a limited time window. In addition, the department plans to launch a reselling portal for those interested in trading their…
Islamabad, Sep 19: Long before smartphones ruled communication, pager device were vital tools for staying connected, especially for professionals in high-stakes environments. While they may seem outdated now, real-life stories: when pager device saved the day remind us of their critical role in life-saving situations. One such instance occurred in the 1980s during a severe snowstorm that knocked out power and phone lines in a rural town. While traditional communication methods failed, rescue teams used pagers to coordinate efforts and save stranded families. This is just one example of how pagers proved essential in emergencies. In another case, a pager…