Author: Faiza Liaquat
The AFC has officially designated Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad as the location for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match. Pakistan is set to face Cambodia in the opening round, with the matches scheduled for October 12 in Cambodia and October 17 in Pakistan. This marks a significant occasion as Pakistan will be hosting an international match for the first time in the past 12 years, the last being in 2011 when they hosted Bangladesh for the 2014 Qualifiers. In the preceding month, a representative from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) named Kemel Tokabaev conducted a thorough assessment of…
In a recent interview with a private news channel, Umar Saif, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecom, made a significant announcement regarding the availability of cost-effective mobile phones produced in Pakistan. Saif revealed that by the next year, people will have the option to purchase affordable locally-made mobile phones through installment plans. These made-in-Pakistan phones are expected to be much more affordable, with an estimated average cost of around 15,000 rupees. Dr. Saif highlighted that 33 local companies have collectively produced a remarkable 57 million affordable mobile phones, with 120 million already exported. Dr. Saif emphasized the…
The Commissioner of Kohat Division, Mr. Muhammad Ali Shah, launched the “Osho” initiative on October 4, 2023, with the goal of achieving a clean and green Pakistan. The initiative was inaugurated in Kohat, and it is part of a broader effort to address public grievances related to cleanliness and hygiene. The Commissioner emphasized that ensuring cleanliness and environmental sustainability has been a top priority since he took office. He commended the Deputy Commissioner of Orakzai, Mr. Muhammad Tayyab Abdullah, and his team for developing a simple yet effective Software Application-based solution to address public concerns regarding cleanliness. The “Osho” initiative…
Minister for Religious Affairs Aneeq Ahmed announced that Karachi has been incorporated into the Road to Makkah project to facilitate pilgrims’ journey. This was discussed during a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and Muslim World League Regional Director Saad bin Masood Al-Harsi, focusing on future Hajj arrangements and mutual interests. Minister Aneeq expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s ongoing cooperation and support in Hajj arrangements and highlighted improved facilities for Pakistani pilgrims. Karachi’s inclusion in the Road to Makkah project will streamline immigration and customs processes for pilgrims departing from the city, making their journey to Saudi Arabia…
The Ministry of Industries and Production in Pakistan has granted licenses to 31 companies to manufacture electric vehicles, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to combat climate change through EV adoption. Currently, six companies are involved in assembling electric two-wheelers. Pakistan’s ‘Electric Vehicle Policy 2020-25,’ approved by the federal government in 2019, offers incentives and tax exemptions to attract local manufacturing investment in electric vehicles. Pakistan aims to increase electric motorcycle and three-wheeler sales to 50% by 2030 and 90% by 2040 to address air pollution caused by over 240 million registered motorbikes in the country. The policy…
Namira Salim is poised to achieve a historic milestone as the first Pakistani to journey to the final frontier aboard a Virgin Galactic space plane today (Friday). Ahead of her departure alongside three other space travelers, she expressed her pride in representing Pakistan in space, stating, “Proud to fly the national flag high in space Insha’Allah on October 6,” on social media. The trio of passengers includes British advertising executive Trevor Beattie, American astronomy educator Ron Rosano, and Beth Moses, Virgin Galactic’s chief astronaut instructor. Virgin Galactic recently announced a one-day delay in their next space tourism mission, now scheduled…
According to international standards, Pakistan is expected to experience a substantial decline in petrol prices, estimated to be around Rs22 per litre, starting from October 16. Diesel prices are also projected to decrease by more than Rs20 per litre. When converted from the dollar rate, the current price of a barrel of oil in Pakistan is estimated to be approximately Rs26,220. This marks a significant decrease from the previous price of Rs29,898 per barrel recorded on September 15. It’s important to note that on September 30, the government took steps to reduce petrol prices by Rs8, resulting in the new…
The Pakistani rupee’s impressive performance against the US dollar has now extended to a full month, marking a significant achievement. Since September 5, the local currency has strengthened by 23.50 against the greenback in the interbank market. This positive trend can be attributed to a military-backed crackdown on currency smuggling, which has been instrumental in curbing illegal practices. As of today, the Pakistani rupee is trading at 283.60 per dollar in the interbank market, further gaining 1.8 against the US dollar. This marks a remarkable improvement compared to September 5 when it had reached 307.10 against the dollar in the…
Pakistani music producer Sharif Awan has achieved an impressive feat, securing three gold medals at the Global Music Awards (GMAs) in California for his project “Music in Covid Times.” These awards recognize outstanding talent and artistry across various music genres, including jazz, classical, fusion, folk, and contemporary music. A press release highlights that the album, produced in collaboration with the Tehzeeb Foundation, has received the highest number of GMAs in categories such as creativity/originality, best album, and best producer. The Tehzeeb Foundation’s renowned initiative, “Indus Raag — Beyond Borders,” also earned a gold medal at the GMAs in 2016 and…
Skippers of rival cricket teams are eagerly anticipating the much-awaited clash between Pakistan and India in the upcoming Cricket World Cup, set to begin on Thursday. The tournament kicks off with the reigning champions, England, facing New Zealand in what promises to be an exciting competition. The anticipation surrounding the India-Pakistan rivalry has captured the excitement of fans worldwide. Despite a rocky build-up, fans from both nations have engaged in a friendly online rivalry in the lead-up to the October 14 showdown. Australia’s skipper, Pat Cummins, expressed the global significance of an India-Pakistan match, stating, “I don’t think there’s too…
