Author: Maryam Khichi

The Pakistani government has reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing the country’s agricultural exports, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif introducing a significant initiative to improve the skills of the agricultural workforce. At the second World Food and Agriculture Exhibition in Karachi, Prime Minister Sharif announced plans to send 1,000 agriculture graduates to China for advanced training. This government-funded initiative is part of broader efforts to modernize Pakistan’s agricultural sector and boost export potential. While the export of rice and other agricultural products increased by $3 billion last year, Prime Minister Sharif stressed that this growth is insufficient. He emphasized the need…

Pakistan and Turkiye reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing trade volume during a meeting between Turkiye’s Trade Minister, Prof. Dr. Omer Bolat, and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, on Thursday. Finance Minister Aurangzeb warmly welcomed Minister Bolat and his delegation, highlighting the historical and cultural ties between the two countries. He emphasized the potential for further economic collaboration and provided an update on Pakistan’s improving economic landscape, noting stable currency, increased foreign exchange reserves, and decreasing inflation rates. Minister Aurangzeb also informed the Turkish delegation about Pakistan’s recent Staff Level Agreement with…

Punjab Minister for Local Government, Zeeshan Rafique, inaugurated a digital payment system for the Municipal Corporation of Sargodha, signaling a major advancement in local governance for the province. This new digital platform will streamline the collection of municipal bills, taxes, and fees, leading to a significant boost in revenue. During the launch, Minister Rafique highlighted that the digitalization will improve financial management, reduce corruption, and enhance service delivery by eliminating the need for citizens to visit municipal offices. The primary goal of the online payment system is to make municipal services more accessible to the public. Additionally, Sargodha has been…

In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists from Khyber Medical University (KMU) and Gomal University have developed an indigenous herbal ointment, Leish-Nat Z, for the treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniosis (CL). This painful and disfiguring skin disease has seen a surge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) over recent years. The ointment, which is made from a blend of natural ingredients like Allium Sativum and Neem Tree, has shown promising results in laboratory and clinical trials. The development of Leish-Nat Z is particularly significant for KP and Baluchistan provinces, where CL is endemic, and treatment has relied heavily on international support. The new drug offers…

The Lahore Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education has announced the Class 9th exam results. A total of 287,000 candidates appeared for the exams, with 127,000 successfully passing. Unfortunately, 159,000 students did not clear the exams, resulting in an overall pass rate of 44%, which is a 6% decline from last year. In Multan, the Class 9th results show a pass percentage of 49.48%, with 69,169 out of 139,786 students passing the exams. The Faisalabad Board reported a pass rate of 48.05%, with over half of the 194,249 candidates failing to clear the exams. In Rawalpindi, the pass rate was…

The Pakistan Navy organized an event titled “A Day with Pakistan Navy” for students from various universities and colleges to provide them with insights into the functioning, organization, and defense capabilities of the Pakistan Navy. A total of 250 students, accompanied by faculty members from Lahore Garrison University and various cadet colleges, attended the event under the supervision of TABA Foundation, according to a news release from the Pakistan Navy on Thursday. During the event, Commander Central Punjab, Rear Admiral Azhar Mehmood, interacted with the students and faculty, informing them about the Pakistan Navy’s commitment to protecting the country’s maritime…

The Alhamra Arts Council organized a live painting competition to commemorate Independence Day, where artists paid tribute to the leaders of the Pakistan Movement and honored the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs through their artwork. In her remarks, Executive Director of Alhamra, Sarah Rashid, emphasized that the organization has planned a series of programs to celebrate Independence Day. The building has been adorned with the national flag in green and white, and young Pakistani artists are encouraged to reflect on the sacrifices of the martyrs through painting. “We are pleased to witness the enthusiastic participation of our youth, who have…

The Suki Kinari (SK) Hydropower Station successfully completed the Back Feeding process on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward full operation. Located on the Kunhar River in Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, northwest Pakistan, SK Hydropower Station is a flagship project under the “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)” as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The SK Hydropower Station represents the largest greenfield hydropower investment by Chinese enterprises abroad and is the most substantial hydropower station investment undertaken by Energy China. The project is being developed by China Energy Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. (Energy China), and with the…

The Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC) DIKhan has initiated a comprehensive cleanliness drive as part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s “Awami Agenda” program. Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner DIKhan, Ms. Sarah Rehman, WSSC has begun cleaning operations across six Union Councils in DIKhan city. Deputy Commissioner Rehman has instructed all relevant departments to take effective measures to ensure the full implementation of the Chief Minister’s ‘Awami Agenda’ program, aiming to enhance district development and provide maximum relief to citizens. An official from WSSC, while speaking to APP, affirmed the company’s commitment to improving the living conditions of…

Australia is intensifying its efforts to assist Pakistan in combating human trafficking through a new phase of support. The latest initiative aims to strengthen crucial systems and provide specialized training for investigators. Phase II of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Reporting Enhancement project, funded by the Australian Government, will enhance Pakistan’s fight against human trafficking. This phase includes upgrading the TIP hotline and referral system with improved infrastructure and a secure data management system. The project will also boost the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) capacity by offering targeted training, improving their ability to effectively manage trafficking cases. The project was…