Author: Faiza Liaquat
Pakistan’s national Tekken team will face Saudi Arabia in a 7v7 offline nation battle in Riyadh. With Arslan Ash expected to lead, the match showcases Pakistan’s growing global presence in competitive Esports and fighting games. Pakistan’s national Tekken team is set to face Saudi Arabia in a 7v7 offline nation battle a prestigious event highlighting the country’s growth in global Esports and fighting game dominance. Leading the squad is expected to be Arslan Ash, a multiple-time EVO champion and a global icon in the Tekken scene. Saudi Arabia, now a recognized Esports powerhouse, boasts world-class talent and state-supported infrastructure. This…
The KSE-100 Index posted a 60.15% return in FY25, outpacing gold, T-Bills, and all other asset classes. Experts cite improved liquidity, rate cuts, and sectoral growth as key drivers behind Pakistan’s top-performing investment avenue. Pakistan’s KSE-100 Index closed the fiscal year 2025 as the best-performing asset class, boasting an impressive return of 60.15%. The rally surpassed gold (45%) and other traditional investment avenues such as treasury bills (21.4%) and bank deposits (12.6%). According to Arif Habib Limited, the market’s stellar performance was driven by aggressive monetary easing, improved liquidity, and revaluation of undervalued sectors. These trends renewed investor interest and…
The Punjab government has launched a real-time GPS-based inspection system to bring transparency to school monitoring practices across the province. The Punjab GPS School Inspections initiative is designed to combat fake or desk-based inspection reports and ensure that all Monitoring and Evaluation Assistants (MEAs) are physically present during school visits. To enable this system, the Program Monitoring and Implementation Unit (PMIU) signed an agreement with a private telecom provider to supply MEAs with free internet-enabled SIM cards. These allow the system to capture live GPS data, ensuring that each visit is tracked and verifiable. Authorities have warned of strict disciplinary…
Pakistan is making a landmark move in the world of digital finance with the launch of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) a newly approved body designed to regulate the country’s fast-expanding crypto economy. Home to over 40 million users and an estimated $300 billion in annual informal crypto transactions, Pakistan is finally putting formal structures in place to manage this digital gold rush. PVARA will serve as an autonomous regulator, tasked with licensing crypto exchanges, monitoring activity, setting technical standards, and aligning with global compliance norms such as FATF, IMF, and World Bank guidelines. The government believes this…
In a positive diplomatic development, Sweden has resumed visa services in Islamabad, allowing Pakistani citizens to apply for short-term Schengen visas for travel up to 90 days. The move follows successful bilateral talks between officials from both countries, held in Stockholm on July 2. Starting July 7, Pakistanis can once again apply directly for Swedish visas without having to travel abroad for processing. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decision as a sign of stronger mutual ties and enhanced cooperation. This restoration is expected to facilitate easier travel, bolster cultural exchange, and pave the way for more robust connections…
In a thrilling development for fans of Esports, Pakistan and India are set to reignite their long-standing rivalry at the PUBG Mobile World Cup 2025, marking their first official showdown in nearly six years. The highly anticipated clash will unfold later this month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Esports World Cup, one of the biggest gaming events on the global calendar. Pakistan earned its ticket to the tournament by placing third in the PMSL Central and South Asia Spring 2025 event held in Almaty, an achievement that saw them rise above tough regional competition. Representing the country…
At the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif put forward Pakistan’s regional vision focused on trade expansion, climate resilience, and connectivity through cross-border infrastructure. He stressed the urgency of joint efforts for sustainable development, calling on ECO nations to collaborate on low-emission transport corridors and a regional carbon market to unlock climate financing. During his address, the Prime Minister reminded attendees that Pakistan remains among the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change, recalling the devastating 2022 floods that displaced over 33 million people. He emphasized that regional unity and financial cooperation…
In a groundbreaking move to improve transparency and infrastructure, the Punjab government has begun digitizing all fruit and vegetable markets across the province. Spearheaded under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the initiative seeks to modernize operations, curb price manipulation, and ensure real-time price updates for consumers. The Kacha Market in Lahore has been selected as the pilot site for this transformation, with a clear deadline to turn it into a model facility by November. As part of this overhaul, Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) will now manage sanitation, while market fee collections have been outsourced, significantly increasing revenue…
The Government of Pakistan has greenlit a major AI development initiative with an approved budget of Rs 534.6 million, marking a significant step under the Digital Pakistan vision. Spearheaded by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, the project focuses on expanding AI infrastructure, skills, and innovation across the country. The initiative will train 20,000 students in artificial intelligence, offer advanced training to 500 professionals, and support 150 AI startups through grants and incubation. Additionally, two AI hubs will be established, alongside 3,000 workshops and national awareness sessions to increase public engagement and understanding of AI technologies. Seven National Incubation Centers…
In a powerful show of compassion and innovation, Pakistani health-tech startup Bioniks has extended a lifeline of hope to Gaza by delivering 3D-printed prosthetic arms to two young girls who lost their limbs in airstrikes. Eight-year-old Sidra Al Bordeeni and three-year-old Habebat Allah are now able to smile, play, and even hug their families again — thanks to 3D-modeled prosthetics created in Karachi and delivered to a Jordan refugee camp by Bioniks CEO Anas Niaz. What makes this mission extraordinary is Bioniks’ remote-fitting technology, which enables precise, affordable prosthetics to be custom-designed through a smartphone app, without requiring in-person scans.…