Author: Faiza Liaquat
According to Bloomberg, Pakistan must negotiate a trade pact with India, even though persuading Indian businesses to do so could be difficult. Ishaq Dar, the finance minister, highlighted the government’s careful evaluation of trade issues with India, pointing out possible advantages. Normalizing commercial ties might result in a large increase in Pakistan’s exports, which the World Bank estimates to be 80 percent of the country’s total value of 6.9 trillion rupees, or nearly $25 billion. The difference in the two countries’ economies, nevertheless, poses a challenge. India’s stable economy can be reluctant to welcome other developing nations into its markets…
This update comes after nearly a year of testing, initially observed by beta testers, demonstrating the app’s commitment to adhering to Google’s Material Design guidelines, as reported by WABetaInfo. Although WhatsApp introduced and then removed the modification in June and September of 2023, it has now been reintroduced and recently gained attention once again. Unlike previous tests that impacted specific handsets, the recent testing conducted last week involved linked Android phones that were previously unaffected. The redesigned tab bar, located at the bottom of the screen, now features four tabs: Chats, Updates, Communities, and Calls. This marks a departure from…
In Islamabad, the government is preparing to establish a specialized Mines and Minerals Division, signaling a concerted push to expedite mining endeavors and bolster Pakistan’s economic growth. Balochistan, abundant in mineral resources, is currently witnessing concerted efforts to expedite mining operations following an out-of-court settlement with a foreign firm regarding the Reko Diq copper and gold mining project. The CEO of Barrick Gold, based in Toronto, Canada, has been actively engaged, particularly since Shehbaz Sharif assumed office as the Prime Minister. A recent meeting between the Prime Minister and the CEO in Lahore saw assurances from the government regarding robust…
The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) has undertaken significant strides to ensure access to learning materials for all children, regardless of their location. Recognizing the complexities of the modern world, which include issues like climate change, food security, pandemics, and natural disasters, the need for an education system that equips youth with not only fundamental knowledge but also the ability to apply it in diverse and challenging scenarios has become paramount. Recent challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the devastating floods of September 2022 in Pakistan have highlighted the fragility of existing education systems and underscored…
The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), in partnership with five private tour operator businesses, enthusiastically represented Pakistan and its tourism potential at the MATTA, Malaysia Tourism Fair 2024. The Pakistan pavilion at MATTA was inaugurated by Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Malaysia, Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, according to a news release released here. The national MATTA expo is held twice a year in Kuala Lumpur, from March 22nd to 24th, and attracts over 180,000 visitors. Aftab ur Rehman Rana, Managing Director of PTDC, stated in his statement, “We are happy to represent Pakistan at the MATTA, Malaysia Tourism Fair 2024. This…
The Pakistan Cricket Board has reduced its hunt for a new head coach to Luke Ronchi, a former Australian and New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter. A PCB source claimed on Wednesday that “extensive discussions” had taken place with Ronchi, 42, who has previously managed Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League.”With no high-profile coach showing interest in working for the PCB as most of them are already committed with different leagues or have reservations working in Pakistan cricket, the search has come down to Ronchi,” a person familiar with the matter said. He stated that the contract with Ronchi should be concluded…
Azerbaijan Airlines, widely referred to as AZAL, has announced intentions to launch direct flights to Karachi, Pakistan, beginning next month. A first flight is tentatively scheduled for April 18, and the news underscores the carrier’s commitment to improving connectivity between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in order to make it easier for passengers to travel.Karachi will become the third Pakistani city to benefit from direct AZAL flights, enhancing travel possibilities and strengthening links between the two countries, AZAL stated. The debut flight from Baku to Karachi is slated for April 18, with services operating twice a week, offering travelers with greater accessibility…
The Pakistan Stock Exchange set a new milestone on Thursday, crossing the psychological barrier of 67,000 points. The index began the day at its highest-ever closing point of 66,547.78 points, achieved on Wednesday. The index maintained its pace into Thursday, shooting up 698.24 points to an intraday high of 67,246.02 points by noon. The index steadied before completing the day 103.9 points lower, at 67,142.12 points. This is the exchange’s highest-ever closing price. The index is gained 61% since July 2023, and 12% in the last three months. Continuing the positive momentum from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, economic…
Suzuki Motor Corporation and SkyDrive Inc. have joined forces to begin manufacturing flying cars at a Suzuki-owned factory in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.These flying cars, also known as eVTOLs, are electric and self-driving, with the goal of revolutionizing urban transportation. The agreement, which began in June 2023, involves the production of the SkyDrive (SD-05 type) model by SkyDrive’s subsidiary Sky Works Inc.An eVTOL, or electric vertical take-off and landing flying car, is a tiny, three-seater drone that performs similarly to a helicopter. It is capable of vertical takeoff and landing and includes autonomous functionalities such as Autopilot. According to…
According to a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) spokesman, students flying to China for academic purposes will receive a 20% discount on their ticket.In order to make travel to China easier for students, the PIA first offered 22% fare discounts for students in December of last year, according to Xinhua News Agency.A customer service representative at the PIA’s official helpline stated that students can receive a discount on a normal ticket from Islamabad to Beijing, which costs 272,000 Pakistani rupees (about 1,044 US dollars).According to the spokesman, the PIA presently operates flights to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Beijing Capital International…