Author: Faiza Liaquat
Lahore — The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Home Affairs has approved the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Bill 2025, proposing a near-total ban on kite flying across the province, with limited permission only on government-approved days and at designated locations under strict regulatory conditions. The approval follows the Punjab government’s decision to lift the 18-year ban on the Basant festival, which was imposed after multiple fatal incidents caused by sharp kite strings. Basant is scheduled to be celebrated again in February next year, under a tightly regulated framework. Under the proposed law, the use of metallic wire, nylon cord,…
Islamabad — Pakistani students seeking international education opportunities have received a major boost as Brunei Darussalam and Finland announce scholarship programs for the 2026 academic year. The Government of Brunei Darussalam has officially opened applications for its prestigious international scholarship program. The initiative allows students from partner countries, including Pakistan, to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Brunei. The program aims to strengthen global educational collaboration and promote cultural exchange. Interested candidates must submit their applications by February 15, 2026, through the official online portal:🔗 https://mfa.gov.bn/pages/online-bdgs.aspx The scholarship covers a range of academic disciplines and provides students with an opportunity…
Islamabad — The Pakistani rupee (PKR) extended its historic winning streak against the US Dollar (USD) on Monday, closing in green for the 60th consecutive trading day in the interbank market. The local currency settled at PKR 280.31 per dollar, registering a gain of one paisa compared to the previous session. The sustained appreciation reflects continued stability in the foreign exchange market and improved sentiment around Pakistan’s external sector management. Despite its strength against the dollar, the rupee faced pressure against several other major international currencies during the day’s trading session. Performance Against Major Currencies The PKR closed lower against…
Islamabad — Pakistan and Russia are engaged in discussions over a potential agreement in the oil sector, with talks currently underway between the energy ministries of both countries, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said in remarks to Russia’s RIA news agency. The finance minister stated that Pakistan is keen to expand cooperation with Russia in oil exploration, production, and refining, identifying these areas as key strengths of the Russian energy sector. He added that Islamabad would welcome a formal agreement to strengthen bilateral collaboration in the oil industry. The discussions come amid evolving global energy dynamics. Russia has been actively seeking…
Islamabad, December 14, 2025 : Google Developer Group (GDG) Islamabad successfully organized DevFest Islamabad 2025 at Ramada Islamabad, bringing together over 300 participants from across Pakistan. The event gathered developers, entrepreneurs, students, technology professionals, media representatives, and government officials to discuss the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Google technologies, and digital innovation in Pakistan. The conference focused on critical themes including AI trust, security, productivity, and responsible adoption, addressing key challenges and opportunities within Pakistan’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem. Government Emphasizes Collaboration and Digital Upskilling The event was attended by Mr. Zarrar Hasham Khan, Secretary IT & Telecommunication (MoITT), as…
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced major tax relief for residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) by allowing them to be included in Pakistan’s Active Taxpayers List (ATL). The move enables eligible individuals to benefit from filer tax rates on financial and business transactions carried out within Pakistan. Under a newly notified income tax amendment, the FBR will include taxpayers from AJK and GB in the Active Taxpayers List if they are already registered as active taxpayers with either the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Central Board of Revenue or the Gilgit-Baltistan Council Board of…
Pakistan has achieved a historic milestone in international martial arts as Zainab Khan secured a gold medal at the 5th Kyokushin World Karate Championship held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Her victory marks the first time a Pakistani woman has won gold in full-contact karate at a world championship level. Representing the Inam Kyokushin Karate Academy, Zainab Khan displayed exceptional strength, discipline, and confidence as she competed against top international fighters. Her commanding performance earned her the top spot on the podium, bringing immense pride to Pakistan on the global stage. The championship featured more than 750 fighters from 40 countries,…
The Government of Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed two major development programs aimed at transforming STEM education and strengthening the nursing and health workforce in Punjab. The agreements include: Speaking at the signing ceremony, Secretary Economic Affairs Division Muhammad Humair Karim appreciated ADB’s longstanding partnership and its support for Pakistan’s social development priorities. He said both programs will play a critical role in strengthening education and healthcare systems, enabling long-term, inclusive growth. Officials noted that the STEM Education Program—to be implemented between 2026 and 2030—aims to modernize learning environments, improve inclusivity, and prepare students for a…
The Punjab government has launched free Wi-Fi services in girls’ colleges across the province, following directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The initiative aims to strengthen digital learning environments and ensure students have reliable access to online academic resources. The facility has been implemented by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, which has set up secure high-speed internet coverage on campuses. Officials say the project marks a significant step toward modernizing educational infrastructure and supporting tech-enabled learning. Students and teachers have welcomed the move, noting that free Wi-Fi will greatly assist with research, assignments, communication with instructors, and participation in…
Pakistan has taken a major step into the future of mobility after engineers at the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) at NED University successfully tested the country’s first AI-powered driverless car. The autonomous vehicle completed its trial run on the university’s internal roads, attracting significant attention from students, faculty members, and visitors. The project, developed over the course of a year, involves converting a commercially imported electric vehicle into a fully autonomous system. Engineers achieved this by integrating artificial intelligence, robotics, high-resolution sensors, mapping tools, and computer vision technologies. Dr Muhammad Khurram, Director of NCAI at NED University and…
