Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is set to embark on a five-day official trip to China from June 4th to 8th, 2024, upon the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The itinerary includes visits to Xi’an, Shenzhen, and Beijing, as announced by Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during her weekly press briefing. In Beijing, Shehbaz Sharif will engage in talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, alongside meetings with Chairman Zhao Leji of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and other key government officials. A significant aspect of the visit will…
Author: WebDesk
In Istanbul, China has announced a three-year action plan aimed at enhancing standards in emerging technologies, notably artificial intelligence (AI). Jointly issued by the Central Cyberspace Affair Commission, State Administration for Market Regulation, and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the plan was unveiled on Wednesday. As outlined in the official statement, the plan entails a comprehensive standardization process encompassing various domains such as generative AI, blockchain, cloud computing, quantum information, brain-computer interfaces, next-generation internet, and the metaverse. The objective of this standardization initiative is to facilitate technological and economic advancement while bolstering China’s international influence. The statement emphasizes the…
The US State Department has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with Pakistan on counterterrorism efforts. During a press briefing in Washington, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel stated that the US has maintained regular communication with Pakistani leaders regarding counterterrorism matters. In response to a question about the sacrifice of Pakistani soldiers in operations along the Afghan border, Patel emphasized that discussions on regional security, including through high-level and working-level engagements, will persist. The query arose following Pakistan Army’s intelligence-based operations (IBOs) against terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in the martyrdom of five soldiers. Patel also underscored the strong…
Iran has commenced the registration process for candidates vying to participate in the presidential election slated for June 28. This election follows the tragic helicopter crash earlier this month, which claimed the life of President Ebrahim Raisi. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi announced a five-day registration window, to be followed by a week-long evaluation period for applications. All candidates must receive approval from the 12-member Guardian Council. Originally scheduled for 2025, the presidential election was rescheduled due to Raisi’s untimely passing on May 19. Raisi, who had emerged victorious in the 2021 presidential election, was among the casualties of the crash,…
Pakistan’s real estate sector confronts significant obstacles in property leasing and mortgage systems, hampering investment and impeding sustainable growth. Adnan Ahmed, a real estate consultant at AH Group of Companies, highlighted the challenges facing Pakistan’s property sector, including inflationary pressures leading to a decline in real property values. He noted the underdevelopment of mortgage financing, characterized by high interest rates and stringent collateral requirements, which limit access to housing finance, especially for middle and lower-income groups. Ahmed stressed the need for urgent economic reforms to stabilize the market and restore investor confidence in Pakistan’s real estate sector, aligning it with…
In Rawalpindi, on Friday, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, met with Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) to discuss matters of mutual interest, particularly regional peace and stability. General Munir reiterated Pakistan’s enduring fraternal relations with Azerbaijan and reaffirmed the nation’s steadfast commitment to providing comprehensive assistance and cooperation in defense and security matters. He commended the professionalism and valor of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. In response, Minister Bayramov expressed sincere gratitude for Pakistan’s unwavering support to Azerbaijan and acknowledged the country’s pivotal role in maintaining regional stability.
In Karachi, the persistent heat coincides with partly cloudy conditions. As reported by the Meteorological Department, Karachi’s minimum temperature stands at 29 degrees Celsius, with the mercury forecasted to reach 39 degrees Celsius today. Meteorologists note light southwest winds in the city, with humidity at 75 percent. The forecast indicates hot and humid conditions over the next 24 hours. Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz predicts a decrease in heat intensity starting June 2, with temperatures expected to range between 34 to 36 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, interior Sindh continues to grapple with an intense heat wave. Dadu registered the highest temperature at…
Being assisted by his relatives, 32-year-old Muhammad Jan, visibly weak, was transported in a private ambulance to Peshawar, the nearest major city. Doctors had advised urgent medical attention for his severe malaria. Dr. Anthony Alamzeb Feroz, the Public Health Coordinator for Peshawar District, described Jan’s condition upon arrival on May 9, 2024, noting symptoms typical of malaria infection and its life-threatening complications. The burden of malaria in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province escalated significantly in the past year, according to Dr. Irshad Roghani, Director of Public Health for the region. The number of cases surged from 150,000 in 2022 to 500,000…
In Khadoor Sahib, a Sikh separatist leader currently in jail is running for India’s general election and garnering significant support, according to his campaign managers. This development is causing concern for the government in New Delhi, which has been vigilant in suppressing any resurgence of Sikh militancy. Amritpal Singh, aged 31, is incarcerated in a high-security prison in Assam, far from his electoral constituency of Khadoor Sahib in Punjab. Despite his imprisonment, Singh’s campaign is gaining traction, evident from posters portraying him adorned with swords and bulletproof vests throughout Punjab’s villages and towns. Singh’s arrest last year stemmed from a…
On Friday, May 31, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) announced that a total of 21,870 retailers had been registered under the Tajir Dost Scheme as of May 30. According to FBR data, 17,569 retailers enrolled through the Tajir Dost scheme, while 4,301 registered through other means. The data further indicated that 5,512 retailers from Karachi, 6,706 from Lahore, and 1,927 from Islamabad registered under the scheme. Additionally, 2,742 traders from Rawalpindi, 1,857 from Peshawar, 1,226 from Quetta, and 1,900 from other cities were also registered.