Author: Faiza Liaquat
Pakistan is on the verge of a major leap in space and Earth observation capabilities as SUPARCO (Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission) prepares to launch its newest Remote Sensing Satellite on 31 July 2025 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) in China. This satellite represents a crucial advancement in Pakistan’s space infrastructure. Designed to enhance Earth observation, it will play a transformative role across sectors such as: With this addition, Pakistan strengthens its space fleet, which already includes PRSS-1 (2018) and EO-1 (2025), aligning with the National Space Policy and SUPARCO’s Vision 2047. The goal is clear: establish…
In a stunning display of grit, talent, and pure synergy, 4Thrives Esports made headlines by dominating the PUBG Mobile Super League (PMSL) Central & South Asia (CSA) Spring 2025 group stage. The newly-formed Pakistani squad, founded in late 2024, amassed a tournament-best 111 points, including an extraordinary 46 placement points, in just 12 matches — earning them a whopping $77,000 and a direct ticket to the Grand Finals. Held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from June 12 to 18, the PMSL CSA featured 20 top-tier teams battling through intense rounds of calibration and survival. But it was 4Thrives who consistently outplayed the…
Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited (HCAR) has delivered a remarkable financial performance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (1QMY26), posting a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs. 828 million—an impressive 310 percent year-on-year increase compared to Rs. 202.6 million in the same period last year. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of Rs. 5.80. Net sales climbed to Rs. 26.46 billion from Rs. 15.97 billion in 1QMY25, marking a 66 percent year-on-year jump, driven by a fivefold increase in unit sales. Honda sold 5,682 units this quarter, including 5,154 units of Civic and City models and 366…
The Punjab Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP), in its 10th meeting for the fiscal year 2025–26, approved seven forward-looking development schemes and one position paper, allocating a total budget of Rs16.8 billion. Chaired by Dr. Naeem Rauf, Chairman of the Planning & Development Board Punjab, the meeting focused on projects that address sustainable agriculture, afforestation, cultural preservation, public service modernization, and innovation. The largest allocation, Rs7.82 billion, has been set aside for the Chief Minister’s Program for Water Efficient Agriculture—aimed at promoting smart irrigation techniques to address water scarcity in the province. A major afforestation initiative worth Rs2.84 billion will…
In a major step toward aligning Pakistan’s corporate ecosystem with global sustainability standards, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) have launched the ESG Pakistan Project—a transformative three-year initiative. Officially inaugurated through an awareness workshop in Islamabad, the project brought together stakeholders from capital markets, the corporate sector, and professional institutions. SECP Chairperson Akif Saeed underscored the pressing relevance of sustainability for the financial sector, highlighting the need for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) integration, especially for a climate-vulnerable country like Pakistan. Saeed emphasized that the global shift toward sustainable finance is irreversible…
Pakistan’s long-awaited Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy is on the verge of official approval, announced Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja at a recent seminar at Quaid-i-Azam University. Finalized after a year of consultations with domestic and international experts, the policy focuses on six core areas: innovation, awareness, infrastructure, AI ethics and safety, sectoral transformation, and global cooperation. Reaffirming the government’s strong commitment, the minister emphasized the urgency of putting the policy into action. She invited all stakeholders academia, industry, tech experts, and civil society to contribute actively to refining and implementing the framework. Feedback is welcomed…
Punjab has secured a major infrastructure win with federal approval for the expansion and extension of the Lahore‑Sialkot Motorway. Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan endorsed the project, marking it as a landmark stride toward smarter, faster travel across the province. The approved plan will expand the existing four‑lane motorway to six lanes, addressing escalating traffic volumes and enhancing commuter safety. In a transformative move, the route will extend beyond Sialkot toward Kharian and ultimately Islamabad. This new link is poised to bypass the congested Lahore‑Islamabad M‑2 corridor, carving out a fresh high‑speed artery across the region. Shorter Journeys, Greater…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has inaugurated ‘Police Station on Wheels’, a mobile unit offering direct access to FIR registration, public services, and driving licenses—especially for senior citizens. The mobile police unit is part of the wider Safe City Project, which now uses over 3,200 surveillance cameras, AI-powered facial recognition, and emergency monitoring across the capital. This innovation aims to make policing more citizen-friendly, secure, and efficient. The PM also visited Islamabad’s Online Women Police Station, Taxi Verification System, and Hunch Lab, and awarded laptops to youth working on critical digital cases. A major leap towards digital policing and community safety!
Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry has achieved a major milestone, recording 34% growth in exports during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. With total exports reaching $457 million, this marks the highest growth in two decades, positioning the sector as one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing export categories. Compared to last year’s $341 million, this surge is the strongest since 2009. The broader category of therapeutic goods — including pharmaceuticals, surgicals, medical devices, food supplements, and nutraceuticals — also posted impressive figures, with total exports valued at $909 million, just shy of the billion-dollar mark. The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA) credited this…
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a landmark Rs20 billion solar energy initiative to power 130,000 households across the province, offering a sustainable solution to chronic load-shedding and energy poverty. In the first phase, 32,500 households were selected through electronic balloting to receive free solar systems, including panels, batteries, fans, and lights. The initiative, inaugurated by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, received 2.5 million applications, reflecting massive public demand. The project prioritizes widows, transgender persons, and low-income families, with half of the recipients receiving systems for free, while others will benefit from subsidized solar units via easy installments. Critics have…