In a move attributed to inflation, the federal government has raised electricity prices once again, hitting the public with an additional financial strain. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) announced an increase of Rs3.25 per unit in electricity rates. Reports indicate that NEPRA has forwarded the decision to raise electricity prices to the federal government. This price hike is expected to impose an additional burden of Rs46 billion on consumers. It’s worth noting that NEPRA had previously reserved its decision on May 30 regarding a request from the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) to raise electricity prices by Rs3.49…
Author: WebDesk
Today marks the culmination of India’s seven-phase elections, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluding a two-day meditation and awaiting the results of the exit polls later in the evening. Opposition parties are optimistic about their chances of victory in this election. During election speeches in Bihar and Punjab, Prime Minister Modi expressed his concern over his opponents before retreating to seclusion in southern India. Exit polls are expected to be released after the final voting machines are sealed on June 4th. However, it will take several days for Modi to either claim victory or officially confirm the unexpected results. While…
Atif Ikram Sheikh, Chairman of the Capital Area of Pakistan Business Forum (PBF), has urged the federal government to formally announce the establishment of a new industrial zone in Islamabad to bolster the industrial sector and attract investment. Speaking at a meeting with members of the Islamabad Industrial Association on Saturday, Atif Ikram, who also serves as the President of FPCCI, highlighted the rapid expansion of Islamabad over the past 15 years. He emphasized that the existing industrial areas, particularly sectors I-9 and I-10, have reached their capacity, leaving no room for the establishment of new industrial units. Ikram underscored…
The Department of Meteorology has forecasted rain accompanied by wind and thunder in various parts of the country. Most areas of the country will experience hot weather, while the southern regions will endure very hot conditions with dusty winds and thunderstorms. Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, North-East Punjab, the Potohar region, and Islamabad are expected to witness scattered thundershowers along with wind and squalls. Islamabad and its surrounding areas are likely to be partly cloudy, windy, and gusty, with isolated thundershowers. The majority of Punjab’s districts are experiencing hot weather, with the southern districts facing extremely hot conditions and the…
In recent years, a surge in extreme weather events worldwide has highlighted the worsening impact of climate change. In July 2022, the United Kingdom witnessed temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for the first time. Similarly, a small town in northwest China recorded a historic high of 52 degrees Celsius last year. Sicily, Italy, also experienced a record-breaking temperature of 48.8 degrees Celsius in 2021, marking the highest ever recorded in Europe. On May 29th, parts of Delhi reported temperatures reaching 52.9 degrees Celsius, marking India’s highest recorded temperature. Another concerning incident occurred in Iran last year when the heat index…
The Azad Kashmir Education Department has declared the onset of summer vacations for both schools and colleges. According to the department’s notification, all public and private educational institutions in Azad Kashmir will close their doors from June 10 until August 13. It has been specified that classes will resume on August 14. Additionally, educational institutions overseen by the Higher Education Department will host ceremonies in honor of Independence Day on August 14. Earlier, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan had already announced their summer breaks for schools and colleges. Punjab’s vacation period commenced earlier than planned due to extreme heat.…
Islamabad: Pakistan and Kuwait have inked a US$ 25 million loan agreement during the 5th session of the Pakistan-Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) held in Kuwait. The key outcomes of the session, as per a press release issued on Friday, included finalizing the loan agreement for the Mohmand Dam, scheduled to be signed on June 3. Additionally, assurances of support from the Kuwait Fund were received for engaging the Arab Coordination Group in financing the Diamer Bhasha Dam. Convened from May 28th to May 30th, 2024, in Kuwait, the 5th Session of the Pakistan-Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission marked a significant…
President of the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Mian Rashid Iqbal, presented a series of recommendations during an extensive interactive session at the MCCI. He believes these suggestions could significantly boost the national economy by billions of dollars. The session, part of a nationwide consultative process, aimed to lay the groundwork for a long-term export-oriented national industrial policy. Usman Khan, a Professor from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), attended the session as a revenue mobilization consultant from the Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC). He was tasked with noting industry leaders’ suggestions for inclusion in his final report,…
The World Health Organization (WHO) hosted an event on Friday to express gratitude to Japan for its assistance in Pakistan through the successful “Rebuilding Together” project, which revitalized healthcare infrastructure in flood-affected areas. Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Ambassador Wada Mitsuhiro, along with other dignitaries, gathered to celebrate the project’s completion, as per a news release. The severe monsoon rains that hit Pakistan between mid-July and mid-August 2022 caused unprecedented flooding, affecting millions of lives in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh provinces. Over 600,000 people were displaced, 1.9 million homes were damaged, and significant agricultural losses were incurred. The healthcare…
In Beijing, on May 31st, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized the significance of Pakistan’s multi-functional communication satellite project, viewing it as a testament to the robust strategic partnership between China and Pakistan. The successful launch of Pakistan’s satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on May 30th was met with sincere congratulations from China, as stated in a written response to a query from APP. Mao Ning expressed China’s readiness to collaborate closely with Pakistan, aligning with the shared vision of the two leaders to advance practical cooperation across various domains, including space. This collaboration aims to strengthen…
