The popular instant messaging service WhatsApp has finally started testing a dedicated app version for the Apple Watch, addressing a long-standing request from users. According to a report by WABetaInfo, this new app will provide several key features directly on the user’s wrist. Apple Watch users will be able to view their chat list, see messages and media, and send new messages without having to wait for a notification. Additionally, the app supports sending emoji reactions, recording and sending audio messages, and dictating replies using voice input. However, the report highlights one major limitation: the app is not standalone.…
Author: Web Desk
Nationwide smart metering reforms have been initiated across Pakistan in a major move to modernize the country’s power sector. The Power Division has confirmed its decision to install modern smart meters in all power distribution companies (DISCOs). According to a spokesperson for the Power Division, this step is crucial for “restoring consumer confidence in the system.” It is expected that smart metering will “bring accuracy to the billing process,” eliminating common complaints. The spokesperson noted that out of approximately 38 million consumers in the country, 80% are single-phase users. In a significant development, the cost of a smart meter has…
New York: A neuroscience company has introduced a unique solution for people struggling with smartphone addiction, one that relies on weight rather than new technology. The company has developed a phone case that it claims can reduce a user’s screen time by almost half. The case’s defining feature isn’t its design, but its weight. According to foreign media, the case weighs a massive 2.7 kilograms (6 pounds) and is deliberately made to be heavy and uncomfortable. While most companies focus on creating light, slim, and stylish cases, this company took the opposite approach, introducing one of the world’s heaviest. The…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s total government debt has exceeded a staggering 84 trillion (84,000 billion) rupees, presenting a severe challenge to the nation’s economic health, the Ministry of Finance revealed in a comprehensive new report. Most alarmingly, the report shows that the debt pile grew by 10 trillion (10,000 billion) rupees in the last year alone. The report, prepared under an IMF framework, also identifies critical risks and challenges. The ministry clearly states that an “economic slowdown” is the single biggest threat to the country’s debt sustainability. Furthermore, any volatility in interest rates or the exchange rate could sharply increase this…
Islamabad: The government of Pakistan has once again increased the prices of petroleum products, placing an additional burden on the public. The new prices are effective immediately from November 1, 2025. According to a notification from the Finance Division, the decision was made based on the recommendations of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and relevant ministries. These new prices will remain in effect for the next 15 days. As per the announcement, the price of petrol has been increased by 2.43 rupees per liter. Its new price is now 265.45 rupees per liter, up from its previous…
Pakistan’s gold market experienced extreme volatility throughout October 2025, culminating in a massive price increase of 17,384 rupees per tola for the month. The All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Association released the monthly data, which shocked both investors and consumers. According to the association’s report, the price for 10 grams of gold also saw a significant jump, rising by 10,904 rupees over the course of the month. This domestic price surge directly mirrored the trend in the international market, where the per-ounce price of gold increased by 163 US dollars. The month concluded with a final sharp spike on October…
In a highly significant development for Pakistan’s energy future, the Petroleum Division has announced that successful bids for offshore oil and gas exploration have been received for the first time in two decades. According to a statement issued from Islamabad, this breakthrough is expected to open new doors for the nation’s economy. The initial phase of these licenses is projected to bring in an investment of approximately 80 million US dollars. The statement further highlighted that this investment is likely to increase to one billion US dollars during the drilling phase, marking a massive economic win for Pakistan. Successful bids…
Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has reported a significant 17.6% increase in income tax return filers for the year 2025, a sign seen as growing public confidence in the economic system. According to a statement from the FBR, a total of 5.9 million (59 lakh) tax returns were filed by the October 31, 2025 deadline. This is a substantial jump from the 5 million (50 lakh) returns filed during the same period last year. The data also revealed an 18.6% increase in the number of individuals who not only filed but also paid their taxes with their returns,…
Experts at an international psychiatric conference in Karachi have revealed shocking figures about Pakistan’s escalating mental health crisis. They warned that one in every three Pakistanis (34% of the population) suffers from some form of mental illness, a rate significantly higher than the global average of one in five. The conference highlighted the severe human cost of this crisis. It was revealed that last year, approximately 1,000 people died by suicide due to various mental pressures, and a staggering 10% of the population is struggling with drug addiction. Professor Muhammad Iqbal Afridi, the conference’s scientific committee chair, noted that…
The relationship between obesity and mental health is a complex and deeply personal subject. Recent research confirms that obesity is not just a physical health issue; it significantly impacts a person’s mental and emotional well-being. The most prominent connection is seen with depression and anxiety. When an individual feels dissatisfied with their physical appearance or faces intense social pressure, their mental peace is severely affected. In society, obesity is often viewed negatively, and individuals may face ridicule or stigma. This can lead to profound feelings of inferiority, low self-esteem, and social isolation. This distress often triggers a dangerous “vicious cycle.”…
