Author: Faiza Liaquat
The National College of Arts (NCA) has officially opened admissions for its 2025 academic session, inviting applications across both its Lahore and Rawalpindi campuses. The last date to apply is August 12, 2025. Students can apply under several categories, including open merit, self-finance, self-support, and reserved quotas, including the foreign quota. The Lahore campus is offering undergraduate programs in Architecture, Fine Arts, and a variety of Design disciplines such as Visual Communication, Textile, Fashion, Product, and Ceramic Design. It is also accepting applications for Musicology, Film & Television, Multimedia Art, and Cultural Studies. Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi campus is offering degree…
In a stunning display of grit, talent, and pure synergy, 4Thrives Esports made headlines by dominating the PUBG Mobile Super League (PMSL) Central & South Asia (CSA) Spring 2025 group stage. The newly-formed Pakistani squad, founded in late 2024, amassed a tournament-best 111 points, including an extraordinary 46 placement points, in just 12 matches — earning them a whopping $77,000 and a direct ticket to the Grand Finals. Held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from June 12 to 18, the PMSL CSA featured 20 top-tier teams battling through intense rounds of calibration and survival. But it was 4Thrives who consistently outplayed the…
Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited (HCAR) has delivered a remarkable financial performance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (1QMY26), posting a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs. 828 million—an impressive 310 percent year-on-year increase compared to Rs. 202.6 million in the same period last year. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of Rs. 5.80. Net sales climbed to Rs. 26.46 billion from Rs. 15.97 billion in 1QMY25, marking a 66 percent year-on-year jump, driven by a fivefold increase in unit sales. Honda sold 5,682 units this quarter, including 5,154 units of Civic and City models and 366…
The Punjab Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP), in its 10th meeting for the fiscal year 2025–26, approved seven forward-looking development schemes and one position paper, allocating a total budget of Rs16.8 billion. Chaired by Dr. Naeem Rauf, Chairman of the Planning & Development Board Punjab, the meeting focused on projects that address sustainable agriculture, afforestation, cultural preservation, public service modernization, and innovation. The largest allocation, Rs7.82 billion, has been set aside for the Chief Minister’s Program for Water Efficient Agriculture—aimed at promoting smart irrigation techniques to address water scarcity in the province. A major afforestation initiative worth Rs2.84 billion will…
In a major step toward aligning Pakistan’s corporate ecosystem with global sustainability standards, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) have launched the ESG Pakistan Project—a transformative three-year initiative. Officially inaugurated through an awareness workshop in Islamabad, the project brought together stakeholders from capital markets, the corporate sector, and professional institutions. SECP Chairperson Akif Saeed underscored the pressing relevance of sustainability for the financial sector, highlighting the need for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) integration, especially for a climate-vulnerable country like Pakistan. Saeed emphasized that the global shift toward sustainable finance is irreversible…
Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry has achieved a major milestone, recording 34% growth in exports during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. With total exports reaching $457 million, this marks the highest growth in two decades, positioning the sector as one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing export categories. Compared to last year’s $341 million, this surge is the strongest since 2009. The broader category of therapeutic goods — including pharmaceuticals, surgicals, medical devices, food supplements, and nutraceuticals — also posted impressive figures, with total exports valued at $909 million, just shy of the billion-dollar mark. The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA) credited this…
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Vietnam has surged to $850 million in 2024, up from $750 million in 2023, with both nations aiming to cross the $1 billion mark soon. According to Vietnam’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Pham Anh Tuan, the long-term goal is to reach $10 billion in trade, supported by complementary economies and increasing cooperation. Pakistan’s key exports to Vietnam include cereals, cotton, leather, meat, and pharmaceuticals. In return, Vietnam exports electronics, coffee, and synthetic materials to Pakistan. The balance reflects a healthy, mutually beneficial trade relationship. The 5th Pakistan-Vietnam Joint Trade Committee meeting, held in Hanoi on July…
In a significant development for public sector employees, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has approved a 30% increase in the Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA) for all regular government employees from Basic Pay Scale (BPS) 1 to 22. According to a notification issued by the AJK Finance Department, the revised allowance will take effect from July 1, 2025, with the enhanced salaries to be disbursed starting August 2025. The increase will be based on the basic pay as of June 30, 2022. However, those appointed after July 1, 2022, will receive the benefit under the 2017 pay scale, ensuring…
Pakistan’s victorious U-16 volleyball team, fresh off a historic win at the Asian Championship, is being formally recognized and rewarded for its exceptional performance. The Punjab Sports Department has announced one-year scholarships and a monthly stipend of Rs70,000 for players placed in the Platinum category, acknowledging their dedication, skill, and triumph on the continental stage. The announcement came from DG Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry, who praised the players’ discipline and composure in securing a landmark victory over Iran in the final. He reaffirmed the department’s commitment to promoting youth sports and developing Pakistan’s next generation of champions. In addition,…
Pakistan has recorded a remarkable 84% surge in rice exports to China during the first half of 2025, signaling strong trade momentum and deepening economic ties between the two nations. Trade Data Shows Strong Growth in Semi-Wholly Milled and Broken Rice According to data released by the China General Administration of Customs, Pakistan’s exports of semi-wholly milled rice (commodity code 10063020) amounted to $29.53 million, with a volume of over 66.9 million kilograms from January to June 2025. This marks a sharp rise from $5.23 million during the same period in 2024. In total, rice exports — including premium and…