TikTok in Pakistan is no longer the same so-called ‘cringe’ app it was widely perceived as a few years ago. It has now deeply pervaded other social media apps — as content creators regularly share their TikTok shenanigans on Instagram, users on Twitter (now X) often stumble across a political edit, and WhatsApp statuses are not spared of the platform’s presence either. The increase in Pakistan’s young population means that the country’s social media landscape is not only transforming rapidly but also influencing the government’s approach towards it. Over 30.5 per cent of Pakistan’s population is aged 13 to 29,…
Author: Hasnain Abid Khanzada
After trekking deeper into space than any humans in the last half-century, a pioneering private crew is set to make history with the first-ever spacewalk by non-professional astronauts. The SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission, led by fintech billionaire Jared Isaacman, had launched early Tuesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, reaching a peak altitude of 870 miles (1,400 kilometers). That’s more than three times higher than the International Space Station, in a region of space called the inner Van Allen radiation belt — a zone teeming with dangerous, high-energy particles. Now, with their Dragon spaceship’s elliptical orbit reduced to a low point…
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday assured the government’s all-out support to sportsmen to facilitate their participation in international contests and enable them to bring laurels to Pakistan. In separate meetings at the PM House on Wednesday, PM Shehbaz interacted with the Street Child Football Team, as well as office bearers and athletes from the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Federation. “Pakistan’s biggest asset is its talented youth. I wish the Pakistani players to keep bringing laurels to Pakistan globally in the international contests. You are a great asset to Pakistan. Your talent gives immense satisfaction for Pakistan’s bright…
MELBOURNE: Australian Olympic hockey player Tom Craig has been banned for 12 months, with six months suspended, after he was arrested in Paris for buying cocaine during the Games. Governing body Hockey Australia (HA) said Craig’s ban started on Monday and followed an investigation by its integrity unit into his arrest last month. “Six months of this suspension will be served fully, with the remaining six months fully suspended, contingent upon meeting conduct and behavioural requirements,” HA said in a statement. Additionally, Craig is required to complete mandatory training and education programmes, the governing body said. Though banned from competition,…
HULUNBUIR (China): In an impressive display, unbeaten Pakistan beat Japan on Wednesday to register their first victory in the Asian Champions Trophy here at the Moqi Hockey Training Base. The goals were scored by Ahmad Nadeem and Sufyan Khan while Raiki Fujishima scored the consolation goal for Japan. With this win, Pakistan got to second spot in the pool standings with five points behind India. The opening quarter witnessed Pakistan’s intent to stay ahead of Japan. Though the Greenshirts have remained unbeaten in the tournament so far with a 2-2 draw against Malaysia followed by a same-scoreline stalemate against Korea, they needed a win…
LAHORE: Though the International Cricket Council in its latest report has revealed that India’s economy got a massive boost of $1.39 billion for organising last year’s 50-over ICC World Cup, it did not share the details regarding the financial contribution of the epic match between traditional rivals India and Pakistan at the global event in Ahmedabad. “A new economic report released today by the International Cricket Council (ICC) reveals that the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023, the biggest Cricket World Cup ever, generated an incredible total economic impact of $1.39 billion (11,637 crore Indian rupees) for the economy of India,”…
KARACHI: Foreign investment in domestic bonds saw a significant outflow during the first 23 days of August, reflecting a sharp decline in investor confidence. According to State Bank data released on Wednesday, foreign investors pulled out $103.5 million from treasury bills during this period. Financial market experts attribute the outflows to the country’s heated political environment and the repeated delays in securing an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which have shattered foreign investors’ confidence. Despite efforts by high-level authorities to secure foreign investments through guarantees, investors remain uncertain about the political and economic outlook. Experts attribute high outflows…
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee of the federal cabinet on Wednesday amended the gas supply priority list by placing gas for industrial processes in the first priority, alongside the domestic and commercial sectors. The meeting, chaired by Federal Finance and Revenue Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, also decided that gas use for industries using captive power was relegated to a lower priority alongside the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) sector. He said that the decision would facilitate the industry using gas in its processes. The Ministry of Energy has submitted the summary to the ECC for a change in the gas supply priority…
KARACHI: Amid increasing pressure from the public and the business community to review power contracts to end unjustified capacity payments, an independent power producer (IPP) has announced that it is submitting proposals to the federal government to lower electricity prices and adjusting its rate of return from US dollars to the local currency. Shaharyar Chisti, chairman of Pak Asia Investment, the parent company of Liberty Power, told a press conference on Wednesday that there is a need for a collective effort to provide relief to the people by reducing electricity prices. He also asked the power plants to find a…
ISLAMABAD: In a surprise move, the Punjab government has withdrawn the much-publicised electricity subsidy for consumers in Islamabad for September. According to a statement issued by Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) on Wednesday, the Rs14 per unit subsidy in electricity bills for federal capital consumers has been suspended by the Punjab government. However, consumers in other parts of Punjab will continue to benefit from the relief until September 30, 2024. The relief package was announced in August for two months, the statement said. Apart from Azad Kashmir, Iesco’s jurisdiction includes areas from Attock to Jhelum districts in Punjab, and the federal capital. There are…
