Author: Faiza Liaquat
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government has unveiled a locally developed electric rickshaw as part of its ongoing KP Science Agenda, officials confirmed on Thursday. According to authorities, the electric rickshaw has been designed to reduce fuel dependency while minimizing repair and maintenance costs for drivers. Officials stated that, compared to conventional fuel-powered rickshaws, drivers operating electric rickshaws could earn up to twice as much income due to lower operational expenses. They further highlighted that the electric rickshaw produces zero air pollution, aligning with the provincial government’s broader efforts to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions. The details were shared…
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated the T-Chowk Flyover, also known as the Iqbal Chowk Flyover, along with the Islamabad Expressway Signal-Free Corridor project, marking a major step toward improving traffic flow between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the prime minister said that the team led by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had successfully completed multiple infrastructure projects to facilitate commuters and transporters using the capital’s road network. He praised the interior minister, the chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and their respective teams for completing the T-Chowk Flyover in record time. The project was…
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) is reviewing a proposed framework that could pave the way for the return of heavy bikes, including motorcycles of 600cc and above, to Pakistan’s national motorways under enhanced safety and training requirements. During the latest hearing, motorway authorities informed the court that no rider would be permitted to use motorways without completing formal training. To facilitate this, dedicated training and registration centres are being established in Islamabad and Sheikhupura. According to officials, the proposed system will require riders to undergo registration, obtain proper licensing, and complete mandatory training before being granted motorway access. The measures…
Pakistan is moving closer to launching its first-ever Panda bond, with authorities planning an inaugural issuance of $250 million in January 2026 under a wider $1 billion programme in China’s onshore capital market. Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired a review meeting at the Finance Division on Friday to assess progress on the transaction, including regulatory approvals, investor engagement, and documentation, according to an official press release. Officials from the Debt Management Office and senior Finance Division representatives informed the minister that approvals from multilateral partners have already been secured. They added that outreach to Chinese institutional investors has produced…
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday announced a comprehensive set of initiatives aimed at empowering young people across the province, declaring 2026 as the “Year of Youth” and unveiling a plan to distribute 100,000 electric bikes to students. The announcement was made during a Honhar Scholarship and Laptop Scheme ceremony held in Lodhran, underscoring the government’s commitment to extending development initiatives beyond major urban centers. Addressing the event, the chief minister revealed that the Punjab government will establish IT cities in multiple districts and set up an artificial intelligence center in Lahore to strengthen the province’s digital and…
HARIPUR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that the government will send Pakistani students abroad for specialized training in artificial intelligence (AI), with placements planned in Europe and China. The prime minister made the announcement while addressing a ceremony at the University of Haripur, where laptops were distributed under the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme. He emphasized that students from all provinces, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, will be selected strictly on merit. The ceremony was attended by government officials, youth representatives, and students, and formally marked the launch of the laptop scheme, which has already benefited more than one million students…
RAWALPINDI: Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry announced on Wednesday that the government will establish a modern hospital dedicated to serving the Christian community, providing advanced and quality healthcare facilities. The announcement was made while he was addressing a Christmas event organized by the Municipal Labour Union. Extending Christmas greetings to the Christian community, Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry emphasized that minorities are an integral part of Pakistan and enjoy equal rights as citizens. Several political and community leaders were present at the event, including former Rawalpindi mayor Sardar Naseem, MNA Malik Abrar Ahmed, MPAs Ziaullah Shah and…
KARACHI: Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) gained strong momentum on the Pakistan Stock Exchange following the execution of its offshore Assignment Agreement with Turkish Petroleum Overseas Company (TPOC), significantly strengthening investor sentiment. Under the agreement for Eastern Offshore Indus Block C, PPL transferred operatorship along with a 25 percent working interest to TPOC, while retaining a substantial 35 percent stake in the block. Notably, this transaction was the only fully concluded, asset-level agreement finalized by a local exploration and production company during the week of 1–5 December. Market analysts highlighted that the partnership brings an experienced offshore operator into a technically…
Pakistan has added another milestone to its sporting achievements as Karachi-based martial artist Wajahat Yar Khan set a new Guinness World Record by performing 126 push-ups at a 180-degree angle within one minute. The record breaks the previous benchmark held by Britain’s Alex Golding and has been officially verified and recognised by Guinness World Records. Speaking about the achievement, Wajahat Yar Khan said the record was the outcome of ten months of rigorous and disciplined training. He credited his success to consistency, perseverance, and the unwavering support of his family, particularly his parents. The martial artist revealed that the journey…
The federal government is preparing to relaunch the ‘BEEP’ messaging application for government officials across Pakistan in the coming months, with an initial rollout expected within two months. Chief Executive Officer of the National Information Technology Board (NITB), Faisal Ratyal, shared the update while briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom on Tuesday. He confirmed that the BEEP application has been locally developed and certified by all relevant government agencies, including the National Computer Emergency Response Team (NCERT). The BEEP app was originally launched in August 2023 under the tenure of former Federal Minister for Information…
