Author: WebDesk

A driverless minibus designed in China is set to begin operating in Turin, Italy. Named Robobus, this autonomous vehicle was developed by Guizhou Hankaisi Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., also known as PIX Moving. The company has partnered with Italian mobility solutions provider Tecnocad to introduce this service at the Alpine city’s base. PIX Moving has secured the necessary approvals from Turin’s regulatory authorities to test and operate their autonomous vehicles on public roads. The firm, which is located in a high-tech zone in Guiyang, has successfully launched its unmanned minibuses in several countries, including Spain, Japan, the USA, and India.…

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LAHORE – Pakistani nationals planning to work in Malaysia must obtain the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) issued by NADRA. The NICOP facilitates visa-free travel back to Pakistan for dual nationals, and a passport number is mandatory for newborns applying for NICOP if born outside Pakistan. Applicants can acquire their NICOP through two primary channels: visiting a NADRA Registration Center (NRC) or applying online via the Pak-Identity website. NADRA Registration Center (NRC) At the NRC, the application process includes: Receiving a token. Having your photograph captured. Recording fingerprints and signature. Entering required data and printing the form for…

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TED University, based in Ankara, has opened its doors wider to Pakistani students by announcing significant scholarships for the Fall 2024 semester. These scholarships are available for 23 undergraduate and 17 graduate programs, as revealed during a recent Devcom-Pakistan webinar. Pakistani applicants can look forward to scholarships that vary from 25% to a full 100%, depending on their academic achievements and qualifications. Notably, these students will not need to submit GRE scores or English proficiency test results to qualify. Can Öney from the International Programmes Office at TED University highlighted the institution’s commitment to providing a nurturing educational environment, with…

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In response to Apple’s recent unveiling of the high-performance M4 chip, Qualcomm has revised its plans for the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor. Originally set to target a 4.0GHz frequency, the Snapdragon now aims for 4.26 GHz to better compete with Apple’s latest A18 and A18 Pro chips, found in newer iPhones. These Apple chips, which are essentially scaled-down versions of their M-series counterparts, have set a new benchmark in clock speed. Qualcomm’s redesign of the flagship Android processor is expected to be completed by June, with an official launch scheduled for October. This timeline allows the company sufficient…

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As Pakistan increasingly adopts Islamic banking, Bahrain-based Al Baraka Bank is planning to expand its presence in the country. The bank’s CEO in Pakistan, Muhammad Atif Hanif, announced in a recent interview that they are set to open 15 new branches across Pakistan as an initial phase of their expansion. “This is just the first year, and we anticipate much stronger growth in the coming years,” Hanif stated. Islamic banking, which adheres to Sharia law, eschews traditional interest mechanisms in favor of profit-sharing models as returns on investments. The move towards Islamic banking gained momentum after Pakistan’s Federal Shariat Court…

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According to data released by the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA), car sales in Pakistan surged by 12% month-on-month in April 2024, with a total of 10,515 units sold compared to 9,381 units in March 2024. Pak Suzuki led the increase, with sales of its Alto variant soaring by 64% month-on-month to 4,786 units in April 2024, marking the highest sales in 15 months, as reported by brokerage house Topline Securities. Year-on-year, car sales saw a remarkable 135% surge, rising from 4,483 units in April 2023. Topline Securities attributed the significant year-on-year growth to a low base from the previous…

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During a meeting at the Ministry of Finance, telecom companies reassured Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb of their commitment to block 5,000 SIMs belonging to non-filers of income tax returns every day. In collaboration with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), telecom companies have agreed to implement the blockage of 5,000 SIMs daily, as specified in Income Tax General Order No. 1 of 2024. Following the agreement, telecom operators have initiated the process of blocking SIMs in accordance with FBR’s Income Tax General Order (ITGO). Additionally, the FBR has sent notifications to 5,000 individuals, informing…

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The UK Climate Finance Accelerator Pakistan (CFA) is calling on Pakistani climate projects to apply for tailored support. Financed by the UK Government, CFA offers personalized assistance covering financial, gender equality, and social inclusion aspects. The goal is to enhance project proposals, increasing their appeal to investors for securing funding. CFA Pakistan seeks projects at least in the pre-feasibility stage, requiring a minimum investment of $4 million USD. Applications must be submitted by May 31, 2024, via the CFA Pakistan website. Support includes refining financial models, guidance on investor presentations, and integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) principles…

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Islamabad: In a significant diplomatic meeting held at the Ministry of Commerce in Islamabad, Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov, came together to discuss matters of mutual interest and trade advancement. During the discussions, Minister Jam Kamal underscored the profound historical, fraternal, religious, and strategic ties existing between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. He emphasized the critical importance of nurturing and further strengthening these relations for the benefit of both nations. Extending a warm welcome, Minister Jam Kamal greeted his counterpart from Uzbekistan, affirming Pakistan’s eagerness to enhance collaboration in various fields. In…

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday ordered an immediate release of Rs 23 billion to resolve the issues confronting the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The prime minister decided to provide funds after thoroughly examining the situation in the territory, in a special meeting chaired by him on the subject, a PM Office press release said. Different parts of the AJK witnessed protest demonstrations during the last coupe of days with the people seeking reduced electricity bills and taxes as well as subsidized wheat flour. Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, AJK cabinet members, and senior leadership…

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