Author: Faiza Liaquat

In a gesture of compassion and religious inclusivity, the Sindh Governor has unveiled a special initiative offering free Hajj and Umrah facilities for senior citizens across Pakistan. During a visit to the Sindh Government Hospital Liaquatabad (SGHL), Kamran Khan Tessori announced the groundbreaking offer, specifically targeting individuals aged 75 and above. Tessori emphasized that the government would cover all expenses associated with the sacred journeys, providing an opportunity for those who have not yet embarked on the pilgrimage in their lifetime. To ensure fair distribution, Tessori disclosed that a transparent balloting process would be implemented to select the fortunate beneficiaries.…

In a significant move towards strengthening economic ties, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has urged for closer cooperation with Saudi Arabia to foster increased investment in Pakistan. The call came during a pivotal meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who arrived in Islamabad to engage in discussions on various fronts, including strategies to navigate Pakistan’s economic challenges. Sharif’s appeal for strengthened collaboration follows his recent meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia, a longstanding ally of Pakistan and a crucial supplier of oil. During this encounter, Prince Mohammed reportedly pledged a substantial investment…

Karachi, Pakistan’s largest metropolis, is likely to see a transformational shift in its waste management operations. China State Construction, the world’s largest investment construction group, recently won the bid to carry out Karachi’s first solid waste treatment project, modern garbage transfer stations, marking a watershed moment in the city’s waste management efforts and a significant step forward in environmental protection. The project, which spans 150,000 square meters, is divided into two sections: Section 1 and Section 2, and includes the construction of solid waste transfer stations, office buildings, dormitories, roadways, steel structures, and ancillary facilities. This broad scope enables a…

The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) set a new record when it installed the world’s highest ATM. The ATM was put up at the Pakistan-China border at the Khunjerab pass, which is 15,397 feet above sea level. The bank intended to demonstrate their abilities by installing the ATM at the greatest possible altitude as part of the bank’s Green drive. The ATM is powered by solar panels and a wind turbine. It is located at the commencement of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a popular tourist destination, and visitors are often the primary users of the ATM. It is open 24…

The Punjab Government plans to expand Lahore’s metro train network with the inauguration of Blue and Purple Line Metro Train services, which will cost Rs14.5 trillion and constitute a huge investment. The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has filed proposals for both projects and is awaiting approval from the Punjab government to begin PC-1 formulation. Maryam Nawaz, Chief Minister of Punjab, and her Cabinet were briefed on project details. The Purple Line, which spans 16 kilometers and has 16 stations, seeks to serve 250,000 commuters daily, whereas the Blue Line, which spans 27 kilometers and has 28 stops, aspires to serve…

LyGenesis has developed a new experimental medicine that grows miniature livers within patients’ lymph nodes, presenting a ground-breaking approach to medical treatment. This therapy, called LYG-LIV-001, involves transferring hepatocytes from donor livers into the recipient’s lymph nodes, where they are expected to grow into fully functional liver tissue. This medication, which primarily targets end-stage liver disease (ESLD), has the potential to alleviate the current scarcity of organ donors, resulting to major advances in patient care and saving many lives. Although the trial’s conclusion is unknown, LyGenesis sees broader uses for this technique, such as producing tissues for the kidneys, thymus,…

Sales of urea, a vital ingredient for farming, are set to jump by 21% in March 2024, according to a report by JS Global released on Monday. If the estimates hold true, it means a significant increase compared to last year, with total urea sales reaching around 590,000 tons. In February 2024, sales were 543,000 tons, showing a month-on-month increase of 9%. Similarly, sales of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) are expected to rise substantially, with a 132% increase compared to last year, reaching approximately 119,000 tons in March. However, the surge in sales comes with concerns for farmers. The prices of…

In a bid to modernize the criminal justice system and tackle rising crime rates, the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has announced a series of comprehensive reforms. The reforms, aimed at leveraging technology to reduce crime, expedite trials, and enhance police performance, mark a significant step towards ensuring swift and efficient justice delivery. Key measures outlined in the reform package include categorizing crimes involving sexual assaults on children and women as non-bailable offenses, signaling the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable segments of society. In a proactive move against narcotics and organized crime, the government…

In a landmark achievement that demonstrates successful diplomatic efforts, Norway has formally removed Pakistan from its National Threat Assessment.For a long time, Pakistan, along with other countries, was consistently listed in Norway’s National Threat Assessment list.This inclusion raised concerns and presented challenges for Pakistani students and academics. Being on the list resulted in different challenges, impeding the academic and professional ambitions of people linked with Pakistan.Furthermore, Pakistan’s inclusion on the list was frequently used for negative propaganda by certain parts of the Indian media. However, Norway’s recent decision to remove Pakistan from the list is a positive step forward. It…

Pakistan’s exports of products and services to China increased by 42.02% in the first eight months of the current fiscal year (2023-24) as compared to the same time previous year, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Overall exports to China totaled USD 1.896 billion in July-February (2023-24), compared to USD 1.335 billion in July-February (2022-23), according to SBP data released in an official statement. Year on year, exports to China increased by 20.60%, rising from USD 140.166 million in February 2023 to USD 169.041 million in February 2024. Meanwhile, exports to China declined by 31.05% month on month…