As scorching temperatures persist across nearly 26 districts of Pakistan since May 21, the Ministry of Climate Change cautioned on Thursday that the current heatwave, slated to last until May 30, is just the initial onslaught, with two more waves anticipated in June. Blaming unsustainable environmental practices and deforestation for the extreme conditions, Romina Khurshid Alam, the PM’s coordinator on climate change, urged federal and provincial departments to mobilize resources to safeguard citizens, particularly vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. Referring to data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Alam highlighted that temperatures in most regions are currently 5 to…
Author: WebDesk
President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree authorizing Russia to seize the assets of U.S. companies and individuals in retaliation for the seizure of Russian assets in the United States. The decree was published on the Russian government’s legal portal on Thursday, coinciding with a meeting of top finance officials from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations. These officials are discussing the fate of Russian assets frozen in Western countries. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Ukraine and its allies sought to access $260 billion from Russia’s frozen assets abroad. However, European leaders encountered legal and…
In a significant stride toward bolstering economic ties, Park Kijun, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Pakistan, met with Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan to discuss and formulate strategies aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment. During the meeting, Minister Khan provided an overview of the government’s proactive measures aimed at stabilizing the economy, asserting that these initiatives are rendering Pakistan increasingly appealing to foreign investors. Ambassador Kijun expressed keen interest in fostering close collaboration with Pakistan to augment trade volumes and identify new business prospects. In turn, Minister Khan assured the ambassador of the government’s…
The Punjab Government will furnish updated housing scheme information to the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to aid its inquiry into deceptive marketing practices. This decision emerged from a meeting chaired by Secretary Housing, Urban Development & Public Health Engineering Department, Capt. (Retd.) Asad Ullah Khan. Attendees included CCP Member Saeed Ahmad Nawaz, Secretary LG&CD Shakeel Ahmad Mian, DG Lahore Development Authority Tahir Farooq, and senior officials from LG&CD and CCP. The CCP Member outlined actions against illegal housing schemes, seeking data and support for public hearings, which the Punjab officials agreed to provide, along with both basic and detailed…
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Finance Aftab Alam presented the annual budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, amounting to Rs. 1,754 billion, showcasing a surplus of Rs. 100 billion. In a surprising move, the KP assembly unveiled its budget prior to the federal budget announcement, expected on June 7. During the budget speech in the assembly, Minister Alam disclosed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government anticipates expenses of Rs. 1,654 billion for the fiscal year. He emphasized that the budget, guided by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s directives, prioritizes social protection, peace, employment opportunities, and economic development. Notable proposals include a 10…
A sports extravaganza spanning three days is currently in full swing at the Police Training College in Chuhng, Lahore. This event has been orchestrated in accordance with the instructions of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar. The gala encompasses various sports including cricket, badminton, and others, engaging police athletes from different ranges and districts. DIG Mehboob Aslam Lilla, Commandant of Chung College Lahore, commended the spirited involvement of police athletes in this sporting event.
Exciting developments for international students and professionals seeking permits in Sweden! The Swedish Migration Agency has launched a pilot program enabling applicants from 23 countries to forego embassy visits and verify their passports digitally. This innovative approach simplifies the application process, removing the need for potentially costly and time-consuming trips to a Swedish embassy for passport verification. How Digital Passport Verification Works Digital passport verification allows individuals to confirm their identity by scanning their passport and using facial recognition technology via a mobile app. This eliminates the necessity for in-person verification at embassies, making visa, permit, and other official documentation…
The Federal Government has announced plans to set up a nationwide online education portal for students. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (IT and Telecom) to take the lead in its development. The objective is to provide students with access to educational materials and a virtual learning platform. This project is a joint endeavor between the Ministry of IT and Telecom and the Federal Ministry of Education. The online portal is expected to be operational within a month, with the Ministry of IT formally notifying the Federal Ministry of Education about the progress.
Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, chaired the 49th Universal Service Fund (USF) Policy Committee meeting at the Ministry of IT. Secretary IT, Captain (Retd) Muhammad Mahmood, was also present. The meeting approved releasing Rs. 4.7 billion for ongoing USF projects, which include 23 4G and 10 Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) projects. Additionally, Minister Shaza Fatima led the 43rd Ignite Policy Committee meeting, approving Rs. 318.88 million for Ignite’s projects. She emphasized timely project completion during the session.
In Beijing, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has introduced a 20% discount for Pakistani students traveling from China to Pakistan. Additionally, the national carrier has raised the baggage allowance to 60 kilograms, as confirmed by an airline official speaking to APP on Thursday. Currently, PIA operates one weekly flight on the Islamabad-Beijing-Islamabad route every Sunday. This discount is particularly beneficial for students planning to return to Pakistan for summer holidays or upon completion of their educational programs. Ali Imran, a Pakistani researcher, expressed that numerous Pakistani students are studying in various Chinese cities. The discount and increased baggage allowance provided by…