Author: Faiza Liaquat

The Pakistani government is set to roll out “Beep Pakistan,” a communication application designed for federal officials and employees. The app will initially be limited to government communications but may eventually be opened to broader public use. Shaza Fatima Khwaja, the state minister for information technology and telecommunication, mentioned that the app is undergoing trial runs within her ministry and will be launched soon among other government departments. When the app was first revealed in August 2023 by then-Minister of IT Syed Aminul Haque, it was described as Pakistan’s alternative to WhatsApp. However, the government is now distancing itself from…

In a remarkable achievement, Sultana Nasab from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, successfully summited K2, the world’s second-highest mountain, on Monday morning. Sultana, from Upper Hunza Gojal, became the only female member of the first women’s expedition team to reach the summit, inspiring the nation with her determination and resilience. The expedition, led by Sirbaz Khan, included seven other climbers who also reached the summit. Senior Journalist Abdul Rehman Bukhari highlighted Sultana’s accomplishment as a historic moment for Pakistan, showcasing the country’s potential in producing world-class mountaineers and serving as a source of pride and inspiration for aspiring female climbers. Bukhari added that…

Pakistani students won three Bronze medals at the 54th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) in Isfahan, Iran, from July 21-28, 2024. Talha Ashraf (Nixor College, Karachi), Huzaifa Altamash (Lahore Grammar School, Lahore), and Muhammad Salman Tarar (The Science School, Islamabad) earned Bronze medals, while Muhammad Saad Bilal (Siddeeq Public School, Rawalpindi) received an Honorable Mention. The team, sponsored by the STEM Careers program (a collaboration between HEC and PIEAS), was trained at PIEAS by Dr. Muhammad Irfan and Prof. Dr. Aman-ur-Rehman. The team was led by Prof. Dr. Najeeb-ur-Rehman and Dr. Rahmat Ullah from COMSATS, Islamabad. This marks the first time…

Pakistan secured a decisive win against India in the Asian Under-18 Volleyball Championship in Bahrain on Monday. This 3-0 victory marks their second win in two days, making Pakistan strong contenders for the quarter-finals. Following their exciting win over Korea, Pakistan dominated India with set scores of 25-20, 29-27, and 25-15. Coach Saeed Ahmad praised the team’s outstanding performance, highlighting their superior play in smashing, blocking, and defense.

Laiba Farooq, a sixth-grade student with a passion for architecture and archaeology, was thrilled after visiting the historic Sethi House on Monday. Renowned for its stunning woodwork and exquisite architectural design, the Sethi House left Laiba and her sister, Aleena Farooq, in awe as they explored the landmark in Peshawar’s Mohalla Sethiyan near Ghanta Ghar. Built in 1886 by Sethi Karim Bakhash, the Sethi House features an impressive wooden gate, a grand courtyard, and a captivating water fountain. Construction began in 1835 during the colonial era, taking nearly 49 years to complete. The house, a blend of Muslim and vernacular…

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a joint meeting of the Agriculture and Irrigation departments, has decided to support small and medium-level farmers and landholders. The Agriculture Department will provide agricultural equipment, machinery, tubewells, solar systems, and smart irrigation systems at subsidized rates. The meeting, held at the CM House, included Minister P&D Nasir Shah, Minister Irrigation Jam Khan Shoro, Minister Agriculture Sardar Mohammad Bux Mahar, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, SMBR Baqaullah Unar, Secretary Agriculture Rafiq Buriro, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, and other relevant officers. CM Murad Ali Shah emphasized the importance of…

Inspector General of the National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP), Salman Chaudhry, announced the launch of Radio FM 95 transmissions in three major cities: Nowshera in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sargodha in Punjab, and Jamshoro in Sindh. This initiative marks a significant milestone in promoting road safety education among commuters on national highways. Since its inception, Radio FM 95 has been broadcasting informative and engaging content, including road safety tips, traffic updates, and awareness campaigns, reaching a vast audience across these regions. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with commuters valuing the station’s informative and entertaining content. IG NHMP Salman Chaudhry attributed…

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a bullish trend on Monday, with the KSE-100 Index climbing nearly 800 points in anticipation of the upcoming monetary policy announcement. The market maintained a positive momentum throughout the session, driven by expectations of a policy rate cut. At the close, the benchmark index settled at 78,827.74, up by 798.23 points or 1.02%. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced a reduction in the key policy rate by 100 basis points to 19.5%, citing a decline in inflation. In its post-market report, Ismail Iqbal Securities highlighted the positive…

The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and UNICEF, in collaboration with UNFPA and UN Women, have initiated a nationwide communication campaign named “BOLO” (Speak Up) to eliminate child marriage in Pakistan. The campaign’s goal is to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of child marriage and advocate for legal amendments and their enforcement. NCSW Chairperson Nilofar Bakhtiar stressed the importance of joint efforts from the government, NGOs, civil society, media, and other stakeholders to tackle this issue. She noted the ongoing national campaign aimed at building consensus and gathering current data. The Child Marriage Restraint Act is…

On Monday, Pakistan’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating (IDR) was upgraded from CCC to CCC+ by the Credit Rating Agency Fitch. This positive development reflects an improvement in the country’s economic outlook. The upgrade is seen as a significant milestone, highlighting the effectiveness of recent economic policies and reforms. The rating boost acknowledges the country’s efforts to stabilize its economy and enhance its financial standing on the global stage. The positive shift in Pakistan’s credit rating is expected to bolster investor confidence and support economic growth. It underscores the impact of ongoing economic reforms and the country’s commitment to…