The government has officially shut down the Utility Stores Corporation as of August 31, after years of significant financial losses. At the same time, it has approved a Rs 28 billion package to support the corporation’s employees. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that the Utility Stores Corporation, established in 1971, had played an important role in the country’s economy but had continued to suffer heavy losses despite multiple attempts at reform. He revealed that the corporation had been incurring a monthly loss of Rs 600 million, which forced the government…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
For the first time in its history, Pakistan has repaid Rs 2.6 trillion in loans ahead of schedule. Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Shehzad announced that the Finance Ministry repaid Rs 1.633 trillion to the State Bank in just 59 days. This repayment included Rs 500 billion in June and Rs 1.133 trillion in August. Shehzad added that an additional Rs 1 trillion borrowed from the commercial market was also cleared in the first half of 2025, bringing the total loan repayment to Rs 2.6 trillion in less than a year. According to Shehzad, this early repayment has strengthened…
The country’s sports goods exports reached a 32-month high in July, driven by a sharp rise in shipments of footballs and sports gloves. According to documents, the total value of sports goods exported in July was $38.9 million, the highest level since October 2022. The data shows a 32.50% increase in exports of sports items compared to previous months. The last significant growth in this sector was recorded in October 2022, when exports rose by 35.52%. In contrast, the same category had seen a 22.86% decline in April of this year. More specifically, football exports rose by 44.70% in July,…
When included in a healthy and balanced diet, almond milk may offer several nutritional benefits, especially when you choose the unsweetened variety. A Source of Antioxidants Almond milk is a notable source of vitamin E, a fat-soluble nutrient with antioxidant properties. A single cup of almond milk provides about 8.1 milligrams of vitamin E, which is roughly half of the recommended daily amount. Vitamin E supports immune function, helps with metabolic activity, and may contribute to cardiovascular health. Supports Weight Management With only around 37 calories per one-cup serving, unsweetened almond milk is a low-calorie beverage.…
Your neck may be telling you more about your health than you realize. Health experts warn that neck circumference is linked to serious conditions like heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea—even in people with a normal BMI. For years, doctors primarily relied on Body Mass Index (BMI) to assess health risks. Now, researchers suggest that neck thickness may be a stronger indicator of hidden fat deposits in the upper body. Unlike visible fat, this type of fat surrounds vital organs, releasing fatty acids that can disrupt cholesterol, blood sugar regulation, and heart rate. Health Risks Linked to…
In a major move to curb online offenses, the government has decided to bring cybercrimes under the scope of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA). According to a notification, the powers of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) have been expanded. This will enable it to take action against cyber terrorism, electronic fraud, child pornography, online grooming, and the misuse of identity data. Spreading false or misleading information on social media will also now be a punishable offense under the AMLA. Officials stated that income generated through disinformation campaigns on digital platforms will be investigated under the same law. The…
Egyptian authorities have been rounding up teenage TikTok influencers with millions of followers, detaining dozens in recent weeks on a range of charges, from violating family values to money laundering. Critics argue this escalation is part of a broader state effort to police speech and codify conduct. In a country where traditional media is largely controlled by the state, social media has long served as one of the few alternative platforms for expression. Many of the young people being targeted today were just children when social media was used to mobilize the 2011 protests that toppled long-serving president Hosni Mubarak.…
TikTok is expanding beyond video entertainment by introducing new messaging tools. Users will now be able to send 60-second voice notes and share up to nine images or videos at once in one-on-one and group chats. This update marks a significant step for TikTok as it positions itself as a full-fledged social network, not just a video-sharing platform. With the addition of voice notes and photo sharing, the app is aligning its messaging experience with competitors like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Apple’s Messages. According to TikTok, the features will be rolling out globally over the next few weeks. Details of…
The number of social media users in Pakistan has surpassed 516.1 million, reflecting the country’s rapidly growing digital environment. According to a report from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Facebook remains the most widely used platform, while X (formerly Twitter) is at the bottom of the list. The Rise of Social Media in Pakistan The PTA report highlights that social media usage in Pakistan is continuing to grow at a fast pace. From entertainment to communication, millions of Pakistanis are turning to digital platforms to stay connected and informed. Facebook Leads the Way: With 101.6 million users, Facebook is the…
Gamers love compact retro consoles, but you don’t need to spend a lot on a Raspberry Pi or handheld device. With just a USB flash drive, a gamepad, and free software, you can build a fully portable gaming console that works on almost any PC. Here’s how to do it. Install Batocera OS on Your USB Drive Batocera is a free, open-source operating system designed for retro gaming emulation. Here’s the process: Download Batocera (Windows x64 version) from its official website. Use BalenaEtcher to flash Batocera onto your USB drive. Once flashing is complete, ignore any pop-up windows. Boot From…
