Author: Maryam Khichi

Pakistan and Azerbaijan have agreed to boost their bilateral investment to up to $2 billion in mutually beneficial sectors. During a joint press conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced discussions about an initial $2 billion investment in various cooperative projects. The leaders witnessed the signing of several agreements and MoUs across diverse fields. PM Shehbaz expressed hope that by his visit to Azerbaijan in November 2024, both nations would be ready to sign agreements worth $2 billion, with the potential for further increases in the future. “In our detailed talks today, we have agreed to…

FIFA has once again embraced Pakistani music, this time celebrating French footballer Kylian Mbappe. Last month, the international football association marked Argentine footballer Lionel Messi’s birthday with Arif Lohar’s 2023 hit “Aa.” Now, they have featured the viral song “Blockbuster” in a video celebrating the 25-year-old footballer’s entry onto the field. In a recent TikTok post, FIFA compiled Mbappe’s on-field highlights with the catchy Punjabi song “Blockbuster,” composed and written by Pakistani artists Zulfikar Jabbar Khan (Xulfi), Umair Butt, Faris Shafi, and Shamroz Butt, playing in the background. The post was captioned: “Mbappe’s ‘BLOCKBUSTER’ entry.” The song, which has an…

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Pakistan for a two-day official visit from July 11-12, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly welcomed the visiting dignitary upon his arrival. A 21-gun salute marked President Aliyev’s arrival, and two children in traditional attire presented him with bouquets. During the visit, President Aliyev will meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Asif Ali Zardari. The two sides will engage in comprehensive discussions on mutual interests to further enhance bilateral cooperation, with several agreements and MoUs expected to be signed. “The visit of the Azeri President reflects…

The king of fruits became the topic of discussion as people from around the globe gathered for one evening in Dubai over the weekend. The event, hosted by the Pakistan Association Dubai in the UAE, drew thousands from various cultures and countries, all united by their love for Pakistani mangoes. True to its name, ‘Connecting Hearts – the Mangolicious Way,’ the two-day Pakistan Mango Festival has been a major attraction not only for the Pakistani diaspora in Dubai but also for other expats eager to sample the diverse varieties of this fruit, often hard to find in local markets. The…

The Finance Division has issued a notification regarding salary increases for government employees in the fiscal year 2024-25. According to an office memorandum, the President has approved an Adhoc Relief Allowance 2024 for all federal government personnel, including armed forces, civil armed forces, and civilians paid from defence estimates. This allowance applies to contingent paid staff and contract employees under standard contract terms. Under this allowance, salaries for Grade 1 to 16 employees will rise by 25% of their current basic pay, while Grade 17 to 22 employees will receive a 20% increase in their current basic pay. The allowance…

In a proactive move aimed at uplifting the labor force, the Punjab government has issued a significant notification to raise the minimum monthly wage for workers and laborers to 37,000 rupees. This decision, directed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, marks a substantial increase from the previous minimum of 32,000 rupees for unskilled laborers. The government’s directive underscores its commitment to ensuring fair compensation and improving the livelihoods of daily wage workers across the province. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of implementing this wage increase in alignment with the current budgetary provisions. She stressed that it is the…

Four Pakistani students clinched gold and bronze medals at an international chef competition held in Malaysia. Aisha Ali, Sehrish Ayub, and Irum Sheikh, students of the Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (PITHAM), participated in the Battle of Chefs 2024, where they excelled. Aisha Ali achieved gold in the seafood category, while Sehrish Ayub secured gold in the Chicken Main Course. Irum Sheikh earned a bronze medal in the Roasted Chicken Free Style category, alongside Fatima Sistan, who also won bronze. During their visit, the students met with Sindh Minister for Tourism and Culture Zulfiqar Ali Shah, who commended…

The Pakistan government has officially notified an increase in salaries and pensions for employees in line with the Budget 2024-25. According to a statement from the Finance Division, adhoc relief allowances for government employees up to grade-16 will be raised by 25%. Employees in grades 17 to 22 will receive a 20% increase in their adhoc relief allowances. Additionally, pensions for federal employees will see a 15% hike as proposed in the budget. The Finance Division emphasized that these adjustments apply universally to all federal government personnel, including armed forces, civil armed forces, and civilian employees funded through defence estimates.…

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has announced plans to install electronic gates at various airports across the country to streamline immigration processes for travelers. According to a statement released, the PCCA spokesperson highlighted that these e-gates will expedite clearance procedures to meet international standards. Initially, the installation will commence at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, and Islamabad International Airport. Passengers will scan their passports at these e-gates, aiming to reduce waiting times and enhance overall travel convenience. The PCAA has invited bids from technology firms for the installation, with submissions due by August 13. Furthermore,…

Asadullah Bazai, a former national shooting champion and veteran hunter, has embarked on a mission to save the rare Sulaiman markhor, a straight-horned goat native to Pakistan that was once on the brink of extinction due to extensive hunting and poaching. Since 2002, Bazai, 55, and his team have dedicated significant time and resources to preserving this rare species in Balochistan. The Sulaiman markhor, a sub-species of Pakistan’s national animal, is endemic to Asia. In Balochistan, its major habitats include the mountainous regions of Torghar and Takatu, with smaller populations in Ziarat, Sherani, and Zhob districts. Bazai, a father of…