Author: Maryam Asrar

Caretaker IT Minister Dr. Umar Saif announces successful tech initiatives, enabling freelancers’ remittances via PayPal and paving the way for 5G in Pakistan. He urges the incoming government to sustain digital progress.

Copper exports from Pakistan to China have surged by 9%, crossing the one billion dollar mark in the first eleven months of 2023. This rise is fueled by increased Chinese investments and a rising demand for copper products, fostering economic cooperation between the two nations.

Despite a current injury, Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s top javelin thrower, remains optimistic about his Paris Olympics participation, aiming for top fitness by next month after missing the podium in Tokyo. His resilience showcases the spirit of an athlete determined to make a mark on the global stage.

Pakistan’s sesame seed exports to China soared by over 112%, reaching $250.85 million from January to November 2023, positioning the country as a key player in the global market, according to Ghulam Qadir, Commercial Counsellor at the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing. Chinese consumers are increasingly drawn to the quality and flavor of Pakistani sesame seeds, marking a significant uptrend from the $117.85 million recorded in the same period last year.

Foodpanda introduces the “Panda Mom Care Circle,” prioritizing the well-being of its team with extended maternity leave, flexible work options, and dedicated lactation rooms, showcasing a commitment beyond food delivery to create a supportive workplace for new mothers. The initiative not only celebrates parenthood with care packages and daycare facilities but also addresses emotional challenges with compassionate leave, setting a compassionate standard in the fast-paced food delivery industry.

The Pakistani rupee strengthened against the US Dollar for the third day, closing at 281.4 after gaining 27 paisas, while the State Bank of Pakistan reported a notable weekly increase of over $464 million in foreign exchange reserves. This positive trend follows a 13-day winning streak pause earlier this week.

Aamer Jamal’s historic six-wicket haul against Australia in Sydney marks him as the first bowler to claim 18 wickets in a debut series of three matches or fewer in Pakistan’s Test cricket history. His exceptional all-round performance, coupled with Pakistan’s 313-run first-innings score, gives them a 14-run lead as they aim to set a target for Australia.

The Pakistani government, through an agreement, has enabled freelancers to route remittances via PayPal, a move set to boost the country’s tech profile. Additionally, a policy allowing IT companies to retain 50% of export revenue in dollars has led to a notable 13% monthly increase in export earnings.

In the initial half of the fiscal year, our nation experienced a substantial 64% surge in revenue from agricultural and food product exports, resulting in a noteworthy reduction in the trade deficit. Key contributors to this growth included a nearly doubled income from rice exports, along with significant increases in maize and sesame seeds exports.

68 Pakistani universities, including the top-ranked Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, have earned spots in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2023, showcasing a heightened commitment to environmental sustainability. This marks an increase from 58 universities in the previous year, reflecting a growing emphasis on green initiatives in Pakistani higher education.