ISLAMABAD: The federal government has intensified efforts to provide relief to the people of Pakistan during the holy month of Ramadan, directing all provinces to ensure the provision of sugar at Rs130 per kg. Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain instructed the chief secretaries of all provinces to establish sugar stalls at the municipal council level and ensure uninterrupted supply of the commodity at the government-set price. These directives were issued while he chaired a meeting of the Sugar Advisory Board in Islamabad, according to a press release issued on Friday. Tanveer emphasized that the Pakistan Sugar Mills…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Thursday approved income tax exemptions for the International Cricket Council (ICC) in connection with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The ECC reviewed a summary presented by the Revenue Division, stating that these exemptions align with international best practices for hosting global sporting events. The meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee was chaired by Finance and Revenue Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb at the Finance Division in Islamabad. It was attended by Petroleum Minister Musadik Masood Malik, Industries and Production Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR),…
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported on Thursday that the country’s foreign exchange reserves increased by $35 million during the week ending February 14, reaching $11.20 billion. However, Pakistan continues to face pressure due to its external financing needs. The central bank stated that the country’s total liquid foreign reserves stood at $15.95 billion during the period under review. However, it did not specify the source of these inflows. Meanwhile, commercial banks’ dollar reserves amounted to $4.75 billion. Earlier, during the week ending February 7, SBP’s forex reserves had decreased by $252 million, bringing the total down to $11.17…
Expressing concerns over the disproportionate tax burden in Pakistan, Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Thursday that artificial intelligence would be used to enhance tax collection. Speaking at the “Retail Reimagined: Innovate, Collaborate & Thrive” conference, organised by the Pakistan Retail Business Council (PRBC), the minister stated that while Pakistan’s retail sector contributes 19% to the GDP, it pays only 1% in taxes, raising concerns over its limited contribution to the national exchequer. He stressed that the excessive tax burden on manufacturing, services, and salaried individuals is unsustainable. The minister emphasized the need to bring other sectors, including…
Elon Musk’s internet company, Starlink, has officially become Nigeria’s second-largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) by subscriber numbers as of Q3 2024. This information was revealed in the latest report from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Starlink’s active customer base reached 65,564 by the end of the third quarter, surpassing FiberOne, which previously held the second position. Starlink’s customer count surged by 41,667 from 23,897 in December 2023, making it the third-largest ISP at the time. Meanwhile, Spectranet retained the top spot with 105,441 active customers by the end of Q3 2024 but lost over 8,000 subscribers compared to 113,869 in…
The National Seismological Centre in Islamabad has launched an advanced satellite system to monitor earthquakes and issue early warnings, aiming to enhance disaster preparedness in Pakistan. According to experts, this innovative system will continuously track seismic activity and provide real-time data on unusual movements within the Earth’s crust. This enables authorities to take timely preventive measures, helping to protect lives and minimize property damage. A spokesperson for the seismological centre highlighted that integrating this cutting-edge technology will significantly improve Pakistan’s ability to handle natural disasters effectively. With early warnings and precise monitoring, the country will be better equipped to respond…
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has successfully linked Pakistan to the Africa-1 submarine cable, marking a major milestone in enhancing the country’s digital and telecom infrastructure. This high-capacity cable system, designed to handle massive data transfers, has been connected to PTCL’s exchange in Karachi, ensuring faster and more reliable international connectivity. PTCL has officially joined the Africa-1 Cable System Consortium, aimed at improving Pakistan’s access to global digital hubs and fortifying its telecommunication network. Spanning 10,000 kilometers, the Africa-1 cable integrates cutting-edge digital technologies and will connect Pakistan to key locations such as: Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates Egypt Sudan…
Infinix has officially confirmed that the Note 50 series will launch on March 3, 2025. This upcoming smartphone lineup will succeed the Infinix Note 40 series, which debuted almost a year ago. A teaser shared by the company shows a glimpse of the rear camera module, hinting at a refreshed design. The smartphones will feature artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, marking a major upgrade from their predecessors. While Infinix hasn’t revealed the total number of models in the series, a listing on Indonesia’s SDPPI certification website has confirmed at least one model—the Infinix Note 50 Pro (model number X6855). This suggests…
The United States has reportedly considered cutting Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service as leverage in negotiations over Ukraine’s valuable critical mineral resources. According to sources familiar with the situation, this issue arose after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected an initial proposal from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Starlink’s Role in Ukraine’s War Effort Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has been essential for Ukraine’s communication infrastructure, especially for military operations. Since the Russian invasion began in 2022, Starlink terminals have helped maintain communications, particularly in battlefield coordination and drone operations. Analysts suggest losing access could severely impact Ukraine’s…
On a day when Pakistan desperately needed momentum, they found themselves stuck in a web of dot balls, unable to break free from the relentless pressure of India’s disciplined bowling attack. In the first 26 overs, Pakistan played an astonishing 100 dot balls, highlighting the precision and fielding brilliance of India’s bowlers. From the outset, Indian bowlers controlled the game, denying Pakistan’s batters any easy scoring opportunities. Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Harshit Rana kept the batters guessing with their variations, while the pacers maintained tight lines. Mohammad Rizwan, usually known for his fluent scoring, found himself restricted, with his…
