Author: Maryam Khichi

Pakistan’s cement exports experienced a significant increase of 40.36% during the fiscal year 2023-24 compared to the previous year. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported that cement exports amounted to $266.516 million from July 2023 to June 2024, up from $189.876 million in the corresponding period of 2022-23. In terms of quantity, cement exports surged by 66.85%, rising from 4,247,470 metric tons to 7,087,401 metric tons. On a year-on-year basis, June 2024 saw a 39.58% increase in cement exports, reaching $29.719 million compared to $21.292 million in June 2023. However, on a month-on-month basis, cement exports in June 2024…

The Egyptian Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan, discussed the establishment of an educational institute in Punjab affiliated with Al-Azhar University during a meeting with Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister, Chaudhry Salik Hussain. The two officials also discussed enhancing the role of mosques as centers for religious, spiritual, and social guidance. Both countries, which have maintained cordial relations since Pakistan’s independence, aim to strengthen ties in various areas, including religious education. The ambassador mentioned plans to set up an institution in Punjab linked with the prestigious Al-Azhar University, and noted that 11 Egyptian professors are already teaching at the…

Three foreign mountaineers were rescued by the Pakistan Army on Wednesday after being stranded while attempting to scale K2, the world’s second-highest peak. The climbers, from the Netherlands, Singapore, and Ecuador, aimed to conquer the peak known as Savage Mountain due to its challenging ascent and high fatality rate. One mountaineer recounted, “I came to Pakistan to climb K2 but fell from the glacier and injured my arm. I was rescued by a Pakistan Army helicopter.” Another climber shared her experience, “I reached K2 base camp but fell ill due to bad weather conditions. I had a severe cough and…

Pakistan has called upon the international community to support collaborative efforts for the conservation of the Markhor, an animal crucial to the ecosystem. Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, highlighted the Markhor’s significance as Pakistan’s national animal at a side event focused on conservation strategies. The event was convened by the Tajikistan Mission to the UN in collaboration with UNEP and IUCN. Ambassador Akram noted that Markhors provide substantial opportunities to enhance the economy, promote conservation, and encourage sustainable tourism. While the global population of Markhors is declining, with fewer than 6,000 mature individuals remaining, Pakistan’s proactive…

The Punjab government is gearing up to establish its first specialized cancer hospital, named the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital. The initial phase will feature 150 beds, including 100 for adults and 50 for children, with dedicated chemotherapy facilities. This phase, covering 333 kanals, is projected to cost Rs. 3.26 billion. The Infrastructure Development and Economic Planning (IDEP) will manage the project and has invited applications from private contractors for construction. Recently, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif laid the foundation stone for the Jinnah Medical Complex in Islamabad, which will include advanced facilities for treating complex conditions such as lung, heart, kidney…

For the first time in Pakistan’s history, female volleyball players will represent a foreign club. Captain Azra Farooq and vice-captain Muqadas Bukhari of the Pakistan women’s volleyball team have signed up to play in the Women’s Volleyball League in the Maldives. They will participate in the MZC Ladies Cup, which starts on July 25. The Maldivian club Al Fawz has contracted both players for one month. Azra Farooq expressed that this is a historic moment for the Pakistan women’s volleyball team as it marks the first time that players have been included in an international tournament outside the country.

Pakistan Railways has ramped up efforts to reclaim approximately 13,972 acres of land, valued at billions of rupees, from illegal occupation by private individuals and various government departments nationwide. According to an official from the Ministry, 5,809 acres are illegally occupied in Punjab, 1,181 acres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 5,948 acres in Sindh, and 1,034 acres in Balochistan. The encroached land includes commercial, residential, agricultural properties, and areas occupied by various persons or departments. Details reveal that 769 acres are commercial, 3,309 residential, 5,512 agricultural, and 4,382 under the occupation of different individuals or departments across all provinces. To counter this,…

The Punjab Arts Council (PAC) Sargodha Division is organizing a two-day digital art exhibition by the esteemed digital artist Syed Shahriyar Shah. Titled ‘Digital Illustrations,’ the exhibition will take place at the PAC Art Gallery on July 25 and 26, from 10 AM to 4 PM. The event will be inaugurated by Commissioner Sargodha, Muhammad Ajmal Bhatti. Entry is free for everyone.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has set an ambitious goal to increase Pakistan’s annual exports to $60 billion within three years, directing the Ministry of Commerce and relevant agencies to implement practical measures to achieve this target. Chairing the National Export Development Board meeting in Islamabad, the premier stated, “Alhamdulillah, our exports exceeded $30 billion last fiscal year, and IT exports surpassed $3.2 billion, which is a positive sign thanks to government policies.” During the meeting, Shehbaz instructed that the issues highlighted by exporters should be resolved within the next two weeks, with a report to be submitted, emphasizing, “I will…

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has approved a 25% salary increase for its public sector employees, effective from July 1, 2024. The provincial Finance Department issued a notification confirming the decision, which was approved by the provincial cabinet through a circulation summary. The raise will be provided through an ad hoc relief allowance. Employees in grades 1 to 16 will receive a 25% increase in their basic pay, while officers in grades 17 to 22 will receive a 20% increase. Initially, the K-P budget had allocated a 10% salary increase. However, following adjustments similar to those in other provinces and at…