Author: Faiza Liaquat
Islamabad, Pakistan — Google Developer Groups (GDG) Islamabad is gearing up for one of its most impactful DevFest seasons yet, with plans to upskill more than 700 developers across Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The 2025 edition focuses strongly on practical learning in AI, cloud technologies, and modern app development, combining a series of hands-on workshops with an upcoming flagship DevFest conference. Two-Phase DevFest Structure for Maximum Impact DevFest 2025 in Islamabad is structured into two key phases designed to maximize community reach and learning depth: This staged approach allows participants to first gain technical depth in focused workshop environments before engaging…
The Sindh government has initiated a new phase of recruitment to provide jobs to the children of provincial employees who passed away while still in service, following recent directives from the superior judiciary. The move comes after the Supreme Court ordered the reinstatement of the death quota policy, which had earlier been discontinued by the provincial government. The policy reserves certain government posts for the dependents of public servants who die during service, with the aim of supporting families that suddenly lose their main source of income. In compliance with the court’s instructions, the Services, General Administration and Coordination Department…
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated a dedicated Free Meal Program for Special Students, signaling a major step toward inclusive education and social protection in the province. Calling special children “our heroes,” the chief minister highlighted their unique abilities and reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to meeting their educational and developmental needs. She announced that Centres of Excellence for special children have been completed in 28 districts, with a plan to rebuild all 303 existing special education institutions across Punjab. Maryam Nawaz also revealed that CCTV-monitored buses will be provided to all special education schools, with the first batch of 60…
The Punjab government has formally launched its Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar housing scheme, marking a major milestone in efforts to provide free residential plots to homeless and low-income families across the province. The initiative officially began on Wednesday with the completion of the project’s first digital ballot, which generated the initial list of successful beneficiaries. Following the ballot, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif personally called several winners to congratulate them. She spoke with Rukhsana Bibi from Attock, informing her that she had secured a residential plot under the scheme. The Chief Minister also contacted Mero Mai from Mandi Yazman and…
Inspector General Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan South has announced the establishment of a special scholarship fund for outstanding students during his visit to Turbat Law College, marking a significant step toward supporting legal education and youth development in the region. During the visit, the IG held an exclusive interactive session with faculty members and students. The conversation focused on the role of young people in Balochistan’s future, with students confidently stating that they are “not a lost generation, but the generation the province has long awaited.” Students also demonstrated their professional potential by staging a mock court proceeding, showcasing their…
Pakistan is set to launch its first-ever Asan Khidmat Center in Islamabad by January 2026, marking a major step toward modernizing public service delivery and digital governance in the country. According to official sources, more than 60% of development work on the project has already been completed. The initiative is being led by the Ministry of IT and Telecom (MoITT) as part of its broader agenda to digitize government processes and make citizen services more accessible, efficient, and transparent. The Asan Khidmat Center is inspired by Azerbaijan’s successful, citizen-centric service delivery model. Earlier this year, Pakistan signed a Memorandum of…
The Organic Meat Company Limited (TOMCL) has secured a significant $5.2 million export order from Saudi Arabia’s Al Abeer Cold Store Trading Company for private-label frozen meat products. According to a notice sent to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the agreement was finalized on the sidelines of the FoodAg Exhibition in Karachi. Under the contract, TOMCL will supply frozen raw meat products that will be marketed under Al Abeer’s own brand in the Saudi market. Shipments are expected to commence once all contractual and regulatory requirements are fulfilled, with the total order to be executed over a period of 12…
The Punjab Masstransit Authority (PMA) has announced key details of the upcoming Murree Glass Train, an eco-friendly electric monorail project aimed at transforming travel between Islamabad and the popular hill station. According to PMA, the glass-walled train will operate from Lake View Park in Islamabad to a terminal near the Murree bus stand. The full journey is expected to take around 40 minutes, offering a faster, more comfortable, and environmentally friendly alternative to the often congested Murree Road. The monorail system will feature four stations along the route: To cater to different passenger segments, PMA has introduced two fare categories…
The Punjab government has announced a new initiative to promote Punjabi language, literature, and polite conversation in public schools across the province. Under the initiative, officials have directed schools to encourage students to use respectful and courteous words in Punjabi, such as “Tusi” (you) and “Assi” (we), instead of informal or offensive expressions. The move is aimed at strengthening cultural identity while fostering a culture of respect and good manners among students. The program also places a strong emphasis on regional diversity within the province. Schools in southern and northern Punjab have been instructed to promote Saraiki and Pothohari languages…
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional $48 million in financing to accelerate crucial water resource projects in Balochistan, reinforcing efforts to tackle the province’s chronic water scarcity and complete delayed infrastructure works. The support comes at a critical time, as Pakistan’s largest province by area continues to face worsening drought cycles, declining groundwater levels, and mounting climate-related pressures. The new funds will help ensure that stalled components of the Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project can now move forward. According to ADB, the financing will allow for: The bank noted that these interventions are essential to improving…