On 24th October 2024, the Embassy of Germany and the Embassy of the Netherlands, both members of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), hosted a panel discussion titled “Media Freedom and Democracy – Challenges and Opportunities”. This event brought together journalists, diplomats, and community members for an open dialogue about the crucial role of media in…
In the past year, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has reached a new and alarming intensity, prompting many observers to label Israel’s actions as a form of fascism. This characterization stems from a series of events that reveal a disturbing pattern of oppression and violence against the Palestinian people. The roots of this conflict are deep and…
DTI, a leading institution in vocational and technical education, is making significant strides in uplifting underprivileged communities by offering specialized training programs aimed at equipping individuals with essential technical skills. These initiatives are part of DTI’s broader mission to create sustainable opportunities and enhance the employability of marginalized groups across the region. Recognizing the critical…
The Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2013, was passed by the Punjab Assembly in 2013 for promoting transparency in the working of provincial authorities by securing citizens’ access to information. A 2-day seminar was concluded by the Friedrich Nauman Foundation for Freedom (FNF-Pakistan) on Sunday. The main objective of the seminar was to…
A high-level delegation from Pakistan, comprising distinguished members of the judiciary and legal fraternity, is currently in Singapore to participate in the Singapore Convention Week 2024. The delegation includes Chief Justice Sindh High Court Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir from the Islamabad High Court, Federal Secretary Law and Justice Raja Naeem Akbar Justice…
The Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar, honoured its Climate Action Fellows and showcased their groundbreaking action plans at an event in Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The top 10 plans will receive funding for implementation, a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and resilient…
The Annual Meeting of the APNS General Council held at APNS House, Karachi unanimously elected Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani as President, Sarmad Ali as Secretary General, Imtinan Shahid as Senior Vice President, Muhammad Aslam Kazi as Vice President, Syed Muhammad Munir Jilani as Joint Secretary and Shahab Zuberi as Finance Secretary of the Society. The AGM…
Since the revision of Federal Excise Duty (FED) tobacco products with an increase of more than 200% in FY 22/23, the tobacco sector has swelled to more than 63% of the total volume of cigarettes, resulting in the illicit sector outgrowing the legitimate sector, revealed the data shared by Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited (PTC)’s representatives…
Standard Chartered Bank announced the launch of the sixth edition of the Standard Chartered Karachi United Youth League, a flagship community programme aimed at promoting sports amongst children. The objective of the SC KU Youth League is to provide a platform for football teams from across the underserved areas of Karachi to come together, break…
In the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, New Zealand showcased their dominance as they convincingly defeated England by nine wickets with 82 balls remaining at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. England, opting to bat first, managed to put up a total of 282/9 in their allotted 50 overs. The inning…
The anticipation is building, the cricketing world is buzzing with excitement, and fans from all corners of the globe are gearing up for the ICC Cricket World Cup. The world’s premier one-day international cricket tournament is set to take center stage, and the big question on everyone’s minds is, “Who are the favourites to win…
Xiaomi today announces the all-new Redmi A2+, a beloved entry-level smartphone bringing the absolute price-to-performance ratio to the mass. Featuring an impressive octa-core processor, Redmi A2+ delivers all the power you need for seamless browsing and multimedia consumption. It also offers a smooth and reliable software experience, ensuring fluidity in daily use. Equipped with an…
As the month of August 2023 begins, the global smartphone brand realme gears up to kick-start the highly anticipated realme Fan Fest. The annual celebration not only marks realme’s significant accomplishments over the year but also serves as a heartfelt thank you to its dedicated fanbase for their unwavering support and loyalty. This year’s Fan…
Inflation has become a growing concern in recent times, affecting various sectors of the economy, including the food industry. One particular food item that has experienced a significant increase in price is homemade chicken biryani. As the cost of ingredients continues to rise, it begs the question: How does homemade chicken biryani prices fare against…
Fashion is not just aout what we wear, but how we wear it. Vogue, the world-renowned fashion magazine, has been a guiding force in the industry for over a century, showcasing the latest trends and styles. But beyond the pages of the magazine, Vogue has also been a platform for promoting inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability…
The Etihad Group recently organized a 2nd Balloting and Early Possession Event for its Etihad Town Phase 2 project (Technically Approved as Arcos Housing Scheme), one of the most prestigious real estate developments in the region. The event took place on Saturday (May 27), and provided an unforgettable evening filled with excitement, esteemed guests, and…
TPL Insurance Limited, a leading non-life insurance provider in Pakistan, today announced its Board of Directors’ approval of a draft Scheme of Arrangement under Section 279 to Section 282 and Section 285 of the Companies Act, 2017. The scheme outlines the acquisition of the assets and liabilities of the Pakistani Branch of New Hampshire Insurance…
Telenor Microfinance Bank (TMB), operator of Pakistan’s leading digital financial services platform, easypaisa, has reported its financial results for Q1 2023, showcasing a strong performance despite challenging economic conditions. TMB’s unaudited financial statements indicate a significant increase in its revenue, with the bank achieving Positive EBTDA during the quarter and Profit after tax for the…
Research conducted by Gallup Pakistan and PRIDE, using data from the Labour Force Survey 2020-21, shows that the overall unemployment rate of youth in Punjab is 6.69%. The overall unemployment rate in the Punjab province is 6.69%, with the unemployment rate of females being substantially higher than males (8.32% vs. 6.06%) and that of urban…
Emaan Islamic Banking, a division of Silk Bank Limited, and TPL Insurance Limited – Window Takaful Operation, have announced the launch of their latest offering, the Emaan All-in-One Account. The account is tailored to cater to the needs of new-to-bank customers and existing Emaan account holders. The Emaan All-in-One Account is the ultimate power bundle…
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a press release predicting rain, dust storms, thunderstorms, and even hailstorms in the upper and central parts of the country from the upcoming weekend. The weather system is expected to be triggered by a westerly wave that is set to enter the upper parts of the country on April…
Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Pakistan Arab Refinery Company (PARCO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for collaboration and joint venture opportunities in the energy sector, including oil and gas infrastructure projects. The MOU aims to diversify business activities, enhance shareholder value, and ensure long-term sustainability. Representatives of both companies signed…
The Etihad Group recently celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony of a mosque in its latest project Etihad Town Phase II. The ceremony was attended by the Etihad Group’s sponsors including Mr. Raheel Munir, Mr. Faisal Khokhar, Mr. Nabeel Khokhar & Mr. Sohail Munir, along with the company’s senior management, and their strategic sales partners and clients….
Hamza Yousaf has been elected as the new leader of the Scottish National Party, replacing Nicola Sturgeon as the First Minister of Scotland. At just 37 years old, he is the youngest person and the first Muslim to lead Scotland. His victory marks a significant moment in Scottish history and is particularly poignant for Yousaf…
The PPP, MQM, and P have been vocal in their criticism of the census conducted in Pakistan. They have accused the government of manipulating the census data to undercount their respective constituencies. According to them, the census results do not reflect the true population and demographic distribution of the country, which could have significant implications…
A ceremony is being organized in Lahore on February 12 to pay tribute to the late noted industrialist of Pakistan, SM Muneer, for showing unwavering lifelong commitment to several noble charitable causes in the country. The non-profit, Green Crescent Trust (GCT), and noted businessman and APTMA Patron-in-Chief, Dr Gohar Ejaz, have joined hands to jointly…
Descon Oxychem Limited (DOL) — a leader in Hydrogen-Peroxide (HP) market of Pakistan — which prides itself with a strong commitment for health, safety and environmental-sustainability, achieved the milestone of completing ‘9 million safe man-hours’, spread over its 14 years of operations. Commenting on this remarkable success, the Vice-Chairman of Descon, Faisal Dawood said, “I…
Globe Residency REIT (GRR) was listed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange today by Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited at a Gong Ceremony, making it Pakistan’s first listed Developmental Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). Minister for Finance, Senator Ishaq Dar was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Arif Habib, Chairman, Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management…
In response to the current security situation in Islamabad, the city’s police department has announced a special security plan. Temporary check posts have been set up at 25 locations throughout the city, and entrances to the red zone will be monitored by Safe City cameras. The video footage of metro service passengers will also be…
EVER since its inception in 1947, Pakistani masses are told that ‘state is in turmoil and we are passing through a critical stage of our history’. This statement holds true even today, as the country continues to struggle with political instability and turmoil. The root cause of this instability is the lack of consensus among…