Author: Maryam Khichi

On Friday, the Pakistani rupee appreciated by 07 paisa against the US dollar in interbank trading, closing at Rs 278.33 compared to the previous day’s closing of Rs 278.40. According to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the open market buying and selling rates of the dollar were Rs 278.50 and Rs 280.15, respectively. The Euro increased by 04 paisa to close at Rs 302.05 from the previous day’s Rs 302.01, as per the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The Japanese yen decreased by 02 paisa, closing at Rs 1.80. The British Pound saw a drop of 86 paisa, trading…

Under the auspices of the Institute of Urbanism (IoU) and the School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF), a sixteen-member delegation, comprising journalists, administrators, faculty, and students from COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) and Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU), visited Chicago on Thursday with the support of the American Embassy Islamabad. The visit aimed to strengthen international partnerships for the exchange of knowledge and the promotion of youth-led green initiatives. Organized under the initiative titled Green Urban Development (GUD), the nine-day exchange visit was facilitated by the Steans Center and the Eagan Office at DePaul University, Chicago. During the visit, the delegation held several high-level…

The Pakistan embassy in Paris hosted a meet and greet event on Friday with the athletes representing Pakistan at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Rana Sanaullah Khan, who will represent the Government of Pakistan at the Olympics Opening Ceremony, was the Chief Guest of the event. Members of the Pakistani diaspora, media, and other friends attended the event, eagerly mingling with the members of the Pakistan Olympic contingent, including Javelin Thrower Arshad Nadeem, swimmers Jehanara Nabi and M. Ahmed Durrani, and sprinter Faiqa Riaz.

Pakistan has made a remarkable mark at the 11th SeongNam Open International Taekwondo Championship held in Korea from July 20 to 21, 2024. The Pakistani taekwondo team brought home one Gold and two Bronze medals, showcasing their exceptional skills on the international stage, according to a press release. Zena Sheraz achieved a standout performance by winning the Gold medal in the Female Individual Recognised Poomsae category. Her victory was complemented by Naila, who secured a Bronze medal in the same category, underscoring the strength of Pakistan’s female taekwondo practitioners. In the Male Freestyle Individual Poomsae category, Ameer Hamza earned a…

The Punjab government has introduced a new plot allotment scheme to reward officers in the Civil Service, Provincial Management Service (PMS), and Police Service. Plots of two kanals, one kanal, and 10 marlas will be offered near the Kala Khatai Road Interchange. The scheme allocates 30% of the plots to the new plot allotment scheme introduced for Punjab Bureaucracy and PMS officers, 10% to police officers, and 30% to X-cadre employees. Plots are priced at Rs 800,000 per marla, with payment options available over eight years. Officers in grades 21-22 are eligible to apply for two-kanal plots. The Planning and…

In the vibrant city of Multan, a remarkable young innovator is spearheading an initiative that promises to revolutionize Pakistan’s approach to plastic waste management. Faced with the daunting challenge of managing the country’s 3.3 million tonnes of plastic waste produced annually, this visionary is transforming discarded plastic into durable, eco-friendly bricks. The initiative addresses a significant environmental issue by repurposing plastic waste that typically ends up in landfills or pollutes water bodies. By converting this waste into bricks, the project offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional building materials. These innovative bricks are not only environmentally friendly but also…

Imaad Khan, a skilled football player and sports club owner, has made history by becoming the first Pakistani to secure a master’s degree in football coaching and management from the prestigious Real Madrid Graduate School. Khan, who has been passionate about football since the age of ten, was part of Pakistan’s national team during their 2016 tour of Sri Lanka. He runs a sports club and football academy in Islamabad. In 2022, Khan enrolled for his master’s degree, having been accepted to the Real Madrid Graduate School in 2016 but unable to attend due to financial constraints. He was later…

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that 27 acres of land in Chak No. 534 GB in Faisalabad have been reclaimed from illegal occupants. An official nursery has been established on five acres of the retrieved land, and a plantation initiative has been launched on the remaining 22 acres to provide a permanent solution to smog. Minister Aurangzeb emphasized that, following Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s directive, the Forest Department is developing a forest to benefit the livestock and ecosystem. She highlighted that planting new forests will play a crucial role in mitigating smog and air pollution. She also praised…

Pakistan’s exports to seven regional countries saw a 20% increase during the fiscal year 2023-24 compared to the same period last year. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), exports to regional countries, including Afghanistan, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and the Maldives, totaled $4,334.467 million, which constitutes 13.94% of Pakistan’s overall exports of $31,090.229 million for the fiscal year 2023-24. China led the list of export destinations among neighboring countries, followed by Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Pakistan also conducted trade with Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and the Maldives. Exports to China increased by 33.64% to $2,707.225 million from…

Pakistan Railways is set to convert the power network of all its stations, including major railway stations, offices, workshops, and factories, to solar energy in a phased approach. This initiative is expected to yield substantial savings for the department, amounting to billions of rupees. An official from the Ministry of Railways said that the initial phase of this project is projected to save Rs. 1.8 billion for the department. In the first phase, Pakistan Railways plans to transition approximately 99 formations, which include major railway stations, nine divisional headquarters, and other key offices, to solar energy. Subsequent phases will incorporate…