Minister for Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan presented a five-year plan (2024-29) in the National Assembly on Thursday to privatise 24 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in three phases, as reported by The News. The detailed plan, which included a full list of the entities slated for sale, was provided in a written reply to MNA Ramesh Lal. The first phase of the plan targets the privatisation of 10 major public entities, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Roosevelt Hotel, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL), and several electricity supply companies such as Iesco, Fesco, and Gepco. The second phase, spanning one to three years,…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
The GSMA has called on the Pakistani government to take concrete actions to boost telecom investment and expand digital access. During a press conference at the “Digital Nation Conference” in Islamabad, GSMA Asia-Pacific Head, Julian Gorman, described the absence of Federal Minister for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima, as “regrettable” and stated he would contact her directly. Gorman acknowledged Pakistan’s growing role in the global IT sector, particularly crediting its freelancers, but pointed out that the country’s mobile broadband coverage remains the lowest in the region. He emphasized that despite strong local demand, spectrum availability continues to lag behind. Gorman stressed…
OpenAI has officially launched GPT-5, its most advanced language model to date, with the biggest surprise being its free availability to all ChatGPT users. Unveiled in a livestream by CEO Sam Altman, GPT-5 represents a significant leap in AI capabilities. The new model features enhanced reasoning, lower hallucination rates, improved memory, real-world integrations, and deeper personalization. This launch positions ChatGPT to become more than just a chatbot, evolving into a true digital assistant that can adapt to a user’s style, handle tasks, and understand context with unprecedented depth. GPT-5: A New Era of “Agent-Like” Reasoning Beyond being just faster or…
In a significant policy reversal, Lebanon’s cabinet has approved the “objectives” of a US proposal aimed at placing all weapons under state control. The plan, which includes the disarmament of Hezbollah by the end of the year, has been met with sharp opposition from the Iran-backed group. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed the decision following a cabinet session, noting that the ministers agreed on the principle of centralizing arms control with the state. However, a final timeline for implementation was not yet approved. The US proposal also seeks to end Israeli military operations on Lebanese territory, a complex issue given…
A series of violent killings targeting Indian-origin businessmen in Canada has prompted urgent calls for the federal government to designate the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization. These demands are being made amidst allegations that the group is operating with support from Indian intelligence services. On May 14, 2025, 51-year-old Harjit Singh Dhadda was shot and killed outside his office in Mississauga, Ontario. Hours later, a Facebook post claimed responsibility for the murder on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, an Indian-origin syndicate accused of orchestrating a growing wave of violence across Canada. Dhadda’s killing was followed by two…
Israel’s security cabinet has approved a contentious plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to militarily occupy Gaza City, a move that has drawn sharp international criticism and heightened fears of a humanitarian disaster in the blockaded Palestinian territory. In a statement released early Friday, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed the cabinet’s endorsement of Netanyahu’s proposal to “defeat Hamas.” The plan instructs the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare for full military control of Gaza City while a simultaneous effort to provide humanitarian aid to civilians outside the active combat zones is promised. The proposal still requires a final approval…
President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that a meeting between Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not a necessary condition for his upcoming summit with the Russian leader. This move signals a significant shift from previous White House messaging and sets the stage for high-stakes talks aimed at bringing an end to the Ukraine war. The announcement came just hours after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had indicated that Trump wanted to meet with both leaders to work toward a resolution. “President Trump would like to meet with both… because he wants this brutal war to end,”…
A train derailment in southern Iran on Friday morning resulted in injuries to at least 30 passengers. The incident took place on the Kerman–Zarand railway line, where a swift emergency response was initiated to ensure the safe evacuation of all individuals on board. Babak Mahmoudi, the head of the Red Crescent Society’s Relief and Rescue Organization, confirmed the accident occurred in Iran’s Kerman province. Speaking to Mehr news agency, he stated that 30 people were injured during the incident. The public relations office of the Iranian national railway informed Tasnim news agency that all passengers were safely removed from the…
Cricket legend Wasim Akram has called for the return of Babar Azam to Pakistan’s T20 squad, emphasizing the need for a seasoned player in the batting lineup for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Babar’s last T20 International for Pakistan was against South Africa in December 2024, after which he was dropped from the squad following a series of disappointing performances and a low strike rate. In a recent interview with a local sports platform, Akram expressed his strong support for the senior batsman’s inclusion. “If I had the authority, I would definitely include Babar Azam in the national T20 team,”…
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provisionally suspended right-handed batsman Haider Ali following a criminal investigation by Greater Manchester Police. The board confirmed the decision on Thursday. According to the PCB, the investigation is related to an incident that allegedly occurred during the Pakistan Shaheens’ recent tour of England. The board stated that, in line with its duty of care, it has ensured that Ali has access to the necessary legal support to protect his rights throughout the investigation. The PCB emphasized its respect for legal procedures in the UK and said it will not interfere with the ongoing process.…
