Author: Faiza Liaquat
The National Assembly has officially passed the Finance Bill 2025, approving a federal budget of Rs17.573 trillion for the fiscal year 2025–26. Presented by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, the budget outlines the government’s economic direction, focusing on fiscal discipline, development spending, and relief for low- and middle-income groups. All opposition amendments were rejected, while the Pakistan Peoples Party supported the bill after the government accommodated key recommendations, including increased funding for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and tax relief for salaried individuals. The budget sets a GDP growth target of 4.2%, inflation at 7.5%, and a fiscal deficit…
In a major step toward improving road safety in Pakistan, the Sindh Police Driving School has officially opened at the Police Training College, Saeedabad, Karachi. The initiative aims to professionally train citizens in operating cars, motorcycles, and both light and heavy vehicles. Launched as a pilot project, the school reflects the police department’s commitment to reducing traffic accidents by encouraging responsible, skill-based driving. Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon inspected the facility and announced plans to expand the program to Hyderabad, Larkana, and Khairpur. “Safe driving is our target,” said IG Memon, emphasizing that well-trained drivers are key to accident prevention.…
Lyari — often hailed as the heart of Pakistani football — is about to make international headlines. For the first time ever, the Lyari Football Academy will compete in the Norway Cup, the world’s largest youth football tournament, held annually in Oslo. The tournament kicks off on July 26, and young players from Lyari will be standing shoulder to shoulder with youth teams from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas — many hailing from nations with robust footballing legacies. This historic moment is more than just a game. It’s a symbol of how talent, passion, and resilience can break boundaries.…
In a groundbreaking development for Pakistan’s meat export industry, The Organic Meat Company Limited (TOMCL) has become the first Pakistani company to export beef casings to Europe. This remarkable achievement highlights the company’s commitment to global standards and its ambition to expand into high-demand international markets. In a statement filed with the Pakistan Stock Exchange, TOMCL announced this milestone as a major leap in its journey of product diversification and global expansion. The move is expected to not only strengthen Pakistan’s presence in international food trade but also create new export avenues for the country’s halal meat sector. Beef casings,…
The Pakistan Army is once again stepping up to empower women by officially launching the registration process for Lady Cadet Course 27 (LCC-27). This is more than just an opportunity—it’s a powerful chance for passionate, qualified women to take their place in uniform and serve the country as commissioned Captains. If you’re a Pakistani female citizen under 28 years old (as of November 1, 2025), and you hold a relevant degree in fields like Engineering, IT, Architecture, Geography, or Veterinary Medicine, this could be your calling. The army is actively recruiting for several specialized corps: from the Corps of Engineers…
In a compassionate move, the Punjab Police has approved a healthcare support package worth Rs3.45 million to assist serving and retired personnel with serious medical conditions. This relief initiative, sanctioned by the Inspector General of Punjab Police upon the Medical Financial Assistance Committee’s recommendation, reflects the department’s commitment to the well-being of its force and their families. Among the recipients, Retired Constable Muhammad Iqbal and Traffic Warden Farhan Parvez were each granted Rs1 million for critical liver and kidney treatments. Additional support includes Rs500,000 for Constable Ziaullah’s surgery, Rs250,000 for Head Constable Irfan Shahid battling cancer, and Rs200,000 for Sub-Inspector…
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has projected a historic Rs. 2.4 trillion profit for the year 2025, marking the highest-ever financial forecast by the country’s central bank. This announcement signals renewed confidence in Pakistan’s economic recovery and the effectiveness of ongoing monetary and fiscal reforms. SBP attributes this expected growth to better management of foreign reserves, stable currency performance, and increased income from domestic operations such as investments in government securities and foreign exchange. The positive forecast also comes on the back of rising remittances and an expanding digital banking sector. Such a robust profit projection not only boosts…
The Chief Minister of Punjab has launched a major educational initiative that will see 112,000 laptops distributed to deserving students across the province. This forward-thinking program aims to bridge the digital divide and empower youth by ensuring access to essential tech tools for academic and professional growth. Through this scheme, students from public universities, colleges, and vocational institutions will be selected based on merit. The initiative supports online learning, research, freelancing, and skill development, offering a level playing field for students from underprivileged backgrounds. With rising global demand for digital skills, providing laptops to students is a critical investment in…
In a thrilling semifinal clash in Kuching, Malaysia, Pakistan’s squash duo Noor Zaman and Nasir Iqbal battled back to defeat Malaysia’s Syafiq Kamal and Duncan Lee 2-1 and book their place in the Asian Doubles Squash Championship Final. After dropping the first game 10-11 in a tightly contested battle, the Pakistani pair regrouped with smart tactical changes and relentless pressure. Their efforts paid off with back-to-back 11-9 victories in the remaining two games — showcasing grit, experience, and chemistry on court. Now, Pakistan prepares to face their biggest rivals — India — in a highly anticipated final on Thursday. India’s…
In a major step toward promoting women’s economic empowerment, the Government of Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $350 million loan agreement under Subprogram-II of the Women Inclusive Finance Sector Development Program. This initiative is designed to break barriers in women’s access to finance, support entrepreneurship, and foster inclusive workplaces. The package includes a $300 million policy-based loan for regulatory and institutional reforms, along with a $50 million Financial Intermediary Loan (FIL) to boost financial access for women entrepreneurs. The State Bank of Pakistan also signed a related agreement, reaffirming the government’s commitment to financial inclusion.…