Author: Faiza Liaquat
In a bold step toward combating pollution and promoting sustainable practices, the Punjab government has launched the Green Credit Program, offering Rs100,000 in cash rewards to motorcyclists who convert their petrol bikes into electric vehicles (EVs). Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced the initiative on Monday, stating that it aims to promote environmentally responsible behavior while creating a greener Punjab. The program not only supports EV adoption but also rewards citizens for planting trees and using energy-saving LED lights in their homes. Citizens can register on the official Green Credit Program website, where they can participate in eco-friendly activities and…
In a historic first, Pakistan has won a Gold Medal at the prestigious International Biology Olympiad (IBO) held in the Philippines from July 20–27, 2025. Abdul Raffay Paracha, a student of Siddique Public School, brought home the nation’s first-ever IBO Gold, marking a proud moment for Pakistan’s scientific and academic community. This achievement was part of the Pakistan Gold Medal International Science Olympiad campaign, a collaborative initiative of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and PIEAS, executed under the STEM Careers Programme. The national team was mentored by Dr. Asma Imran and Dr. Asma Rehman from NIBGE, a PIEAS and PAEC…
The Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway (M-6) is finally moving toward full-scale development, as construction on all five sections is expected to begin simultaneously within the current financial year, according to National Highways Authority (NHA) Chairman Muhammad Shehryar Sultan. Speaking before the Senate Standing Committee on Communications, Sultan clarified that the Rs15 billion allocated in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) is meant for project oversight and supervision, rather than physical construction. Full-scale building activity is projected to begin by March or April 2026, once final negotiations with multilateral investors are concluded. The 306-kilometre M-6 motorway has a revised estimated cost of Rs363.70…
The Punjab Traffic Police has issued over 4.87 million driving licenses in the last seven months, reflecting a significant surge in public registrations. A spokesperson from the Punjab Police confirmed the data, which also shows extensive enforcement actions across the province. During the same period, the traffic department issued more than 7.3 million challans, collecting a total of Rs. 4.52 billion in fines for various traffic violations. In parallel, authorities launched a crackdown on environmentally harmful vehicles. Over 250,000 smoke-emitting vehicles were fined, with 22,276 impounded and 214 fitness certificates cancelled, as part of a broader push to tackle air…
In response to the federal government’s ban on overland travel to Iraq and Iran for Arbaeen 2025, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a special flight operation for pilgrims. The outbound flights to Najaf will run from August 8 to 11, with return flights scheduled between August 18 and 23. The move follows a high-level security decision led by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan government, and law enforcement agencies. The restriction, according to officials, is aimed at ensuring public safety and national security during the pilgrimage season. With road routes closed,…
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have reaffirmed their commitment to raise bilateral trade to USD 100 million, aiming to reverse the steep decline from USD 11.2M in 2022–23 to just USD 5.18M in 2024–25. Power Minister Awais Leghari stressed deeper cooperation in trade, energy, mining, tourism, education, and digital connectivity during the 5th session of the Inter-Governmental Commission. Both sides discussed key MoUs in halal trade, higher medical education, agriculture, and IT. Access to Kyrgyzstan’s At-Bashi Logistics Centre, interest in Pakistan’s mining sector, and a data-sharing agreement between customs were highlighted as major steps. Future projects include joint vaccine production, enhanced transport…
The National College of Arts (NCA) has officially opened admissions for its 2025 academic session, inviting applications across both its Lahore and Rawalpindi campuses. The last date to apply is August 12, 2025. Students can apply under several categories, including open merit, self-finance, self-support, and reserved quotas, including the foreign quota. The Lahore campus is offering undergraduate programs in Architecture, Fine Arts, and a variety of Design disciplines such as Visual Communication, Textile, Fashion, Product, and Ceramic Design. It is also accepting applications for Musicology, Film & Television, Multimedia Art, and Cultural Studies. Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi campus is offering degree…
Pakistan’s AI frontier is rapidly advancing — and leading the charge is the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) at UET Peshawar. Since its establishment in 2018 under the Higher Education Commission and Planning Commission, NCAI has become a national hub for AI-driven innovation, now focused on early disaster warning systems and urban security tools. Predictive AI for Disaster Response NCAI has built AI-powered early warning systems that forecast floods, earthquakes, and landslides by analyzing environmental patterns. These predictive models, built in collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, are currently being integrated for full deployment.…
In a progressive move toward sustainable public transport, the Punjab government is set to launch an electric green bus service in the Sargodha division on August 14. The initiative is part of broader efforts to introduce eco-friendly and inclusive urban mobility solutions across the province. According to Khalid Mahmood, Secretary of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), a total of 48 electric buses will begin operating in the first phase. The distribution includes 12 buses for Khushab, and 6 each for Mianwali and Bhakkar. The service comes with a major inclusion feature: free travel will be offered to senior citizens, students,…
Karachi is taking a major step toward improving urban mobility with the approval of a Rs. 1.4 billion flyover project on Azeempura Road, aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and creating smoother connectivity across the city. The project, approved by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) during a meeting chaired by Mayor Murtaza Wahab, will connect two of the city’s busiest arteries: Shahrah-i-Bhutto and Sharae Faisal. The 500-metre-long structure is designed to serve as a signal-free corridor, significantly easing the travel experience — especially for those commuting toward Jinnah International Airport. In addition to providing an alternate route during ongoing development along…