Author: Maryam Khichi
Pakistan’s economy has demonstrated significant improvement in the fiscal year 2024, with various key indicators reflecting a positive trend toward recovery. Exports increased to $30.645 billion, up from $26.8 billion in 2022, while imports decreased to $54.734 billion from $58.9 billion in 2022, signaling a favorable trade balance. The agricultural sector experienced notable growth, with production rising from 4.40% in 2022 to 6.25% in 2024. Foreign exchange reserves also saw a substantial increase, reaching $14.7 billion compared to $10.9 billion in 2022. Key crops, including cotton, rice, and wheat, showed higher yields, and tractor sales surged by 47%. The government…
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Rabia Shafiq, and her team engaged in a fruitful discussion with a delegation from the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) to further enhance the economic partnership between the two nations. During the meeting, the SBF delegation was briefed on the current state of economic relations between Singapore and Pakistan, highlighting the growth potential across various sectors. The discussions focused on increasing trade in goods and services, with both sides exchanging ideas on untapped opportunities and strategies to boost bilateral trade. High Commissioner Rabia Shafiq underscored the significance of the Singapore Business Federation’s role in fostering economic…
The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training has introduced the Pink Bus Service in Islamabad, specifically designed to facilitate female students and teachers. The program will deploy 20 pink buses, providing free transportation services across designated routes within the capital. The routes for the Pink Bus Service include: These buses, characterized by their distinctive pink design, will operate in both rural and urban areas of Islamabad. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education and the district administration to address the transportation challenges faced by female students and teachers. The service aims to enhance access to…
Zindigi, powered by JS Bank, has introduced Zindigi Pay, Pakistan’s most accessible contactless payment solution. Unlike other payment systems in the country, Zindigi Pay is designed to be inclusive, allowing all digital wallets, not just Zindigi’s, to participate. This makes it the preferred payment solution for both individuals and businesses. With Zindigi Pay, customers can make payments not only at retail outlets but also transfer money to others using the same touchless method. The service leverages the State Bank’s Raast QR system, eliminating the need for additional hardware like special cases or NFC-enabled devices. Essentially, your phone becomes a POS…
Google hosted Think Apps 2024 in Lahore, bringing together nearly 350 of Pakistan’s top developers along with global and regional industry leaders. Building on the success of last year’s event, this year’s gathering, the largest of its kind, focused on empowering developers to leverage AI for innovation, growth, and sustainability in Pakistan’s burgeoning app industry. According to Access Partnership’s Economic Impact Report, Pakistan could see a $6.6 billion annual revenue increase by 2030 through digital exports, with the gaming and app industry highlighted as a key growth sector. Pakistan’s gaming and app industry has shown remarkable growth, with a 32%…
The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training is spearheading innovation in governance by leveraging public-private partnerships to realize its vision of providing quality education for all. In a transparent and competitive process, Teach For Pakistan, a national nonprofit, was selected as a key partner to introduce global best practices in teacher recruitment, training, monitoring, and evaluation. This collaboration is set to revolutionize public education by deploying 120 highly qualified fellows from top universities to 23 rural schools. The ministry emphasized that this partnership proves exceptional results can be achieved within the current public education framework when priorities are aligned…
Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has announced the discovery of gas condensate reserves at the Baloch-2 well, located in Sindh’s Sanghar district. The discovery was made by the Sinjhoro block joint venture, comprising OGDCL as the operator with a 76% working interest, along with Orient Petroleum (19%) and Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL) (5%). The Baloch-2 well, spudded on February 24, 2024, reached a depth of 3,920 meters in the Sembar Formation, yielding 6.8 million standard cubic feet of gas per day and 388 barrels of condensate per day. This discovery highlights the untapped potential of the Sembar…
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has vowed to provide affordable electricity to vulnerable segments of society. Acknowledging the widespread struggle with high power bills, CM Murad announced plans to reduce electricity costs and distribute 200,000 solar panels across Sindh. Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari responded to Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s recent remarks, emphasizing that Punjab has two key projects underway. She assured that relief from electricity bills will precede the solar program’s implementation, calling for informed discourse among leaders.
The federal capital is on the path to being transformed into a “Model Digital City,” bringing residents a host of technological advancements aimed at improving daily life. As part of this initiative, 150 app-based services will be introduced to enhance convenience and accessibility for residents. Key features of this digital transformation include the implementation of e-parking systems, which will streamline parking management and reduce congestion in the city. Additionally, the city will see an increase in AI-integrated smart cameras, designed to monitor street crime, enhance security, and improve traffic management. The success and experience gained from this project in the…
In accordance with special directives from the President of Pakistan, the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, Pakistan Television Corporation, and the Punjab Auqaf Department are collaborating to organize the annual provincial Naat competition. According to a handout, the event will be held on August 31st at 9 a.m. at the Gol Chowk mosque in Sargodha. The competition is open to students aged 15 to 25 from schools and colleges. Participants are required to bring a certificate from their educational institution, a birth certificate, and two recent passport-sized photographs for registration.