All Posts in "Pakistan"

Pakistan Cuts Development Funds to Appease IMF, Raises Inflation Concerns

Islamabad, Pakistan: In a bid to secure further financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan has decided to slash development funds. This move, while aimed at meeting fiscal targets set by the IMF, raises concerns about the impact on critical infrastructure projects and economic growth.

137 Projects Axed: Citing sources, ARY News reports that 137 development projects worth Rs. 116 billion ($630 million) have been scrapped from the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). While the government claims this is necessary to manage budget deficits, critics argue it could hinder infrastructure development and economic progress.

Financial Pressure Mounts: Pakistan’s economy has been reeling under high inflation, exceeding 20% since June 2022 and reaching a record 38% in May 2023. The central bank, while maintaining its key rate at 22%, acknowledges the need for further fiscal measures to curb inflation.

IMF Bailout and Conditions: Pakistan secured a $3 billion bailout from the IMF in July, but it came with stringent conditions, including budget revisions, foreign funding commitments, and energy price hikes. While the IMF has released $1.2 billion so far, further disbursements hinge on meeting these targets.

Foreign Reserves Climb: Despite the economic challenges, Pakistan’s foreign reserves have shown some improvement, reaching around $7 billion. This, however, remains a fraction of the 3-month import cover considered healthy for an economy.

Uncertainty and Impact: The development fund cuts raise concerns about the government’s ability to invest in critical infrastructure projects like healthcare, education, and energy. While aimed at appeasing the IMF, this decision could have long-term consequences for Pakistan’s economic growth and societal well-being.

Future Outlook: The success of Pakistan’s IMF program will depend on its ability to implement reforms while mitigating the impact on vulnerable populations. Balancing fiscal targets with development needs will be a crucial challenge for the government in the coming months.

Web Desk by — December 14, 2023 in Business
Army Chief Asim Munir Embarks on First Official US Visit

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir, departed today for an official visit to the United States. This marks his first visit to the country as COAS.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the visit in a statement, reporting that General Munir is scheduled to meet with senior U.S. military officials and government representatives.

This visit follows recent discussions between Pakistan’s top officials and the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan, Thomas West. During his visit, West emphasized the importance of addressing security threats posed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the need for continued cooperation on Afghan refugee issues.

In a tweet following his trip, West described his conversations with Pakistani officials as “productive” and expressed gratitude for the country’s commitment to tackling terrorism and protecting Afghan refugees.

General Munir’s visit to the U.S. comes amid ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and address regional security challenges. The meetings are expected to focus on topics such as counterterrorism cooperation, security in Afghanistan, and the safe return of Afghan refugees.

The outcome of the visit could have significant implications for the future of U.S.-Pakistan relations and the broader regional security landscape.

Web Desk by — December 11, 2023 in News
Unveiling POCO C65: Your Gateway to Entertainment Excellence

Lahore, Pakistan – POCO C65 is a new entry-level smartphone that packs a punch and is designed to deliver an outstanding entertainment viewing experience with enhanced features. Its display boasts an impressive 6.74-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate and enables videos and movies to burst into vibrant life with an immersive experience for exciting cinema-like viewing. The device features an octa-core high-performance processor from MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, with up to 16GB RAM by memory extension technology, and up to 1TB expandable storage. POCO C65 boasts fast and efficient performance for the task at hand, and enough storage space for all your favorite photos, music, videos, and games. POCO C65 brings a 50MP AI triple camera set-up, ideal for creating impressive photos and videos to enhance all your social media posts. With fun camera features and powerful lenses, it has an ultra-clear 50MP main camera with 10 film filters and one film frame. Level up your selfie and portrait photography with the 8MP front camera’s soft light ring for natural light effects, enhancing your photos even in dim and dark conditions.

Market Availability

POCO C65 is now available online at Mistore, Xiaomi Sale, Daraz & CoreCart.

Available in 8+256 GB. Price is 44,999.

Device Specifications

SpecificationsPOCO C65
DisplaySmooth 6.74” 90Hz display
Rear Camera  50MP AI triple camera    
Front Camera 8MP front camera  
BatteryMassive 5000mAh (typ) battery
ProcessorPowerful MediaTek Helio G85    
ColorBlack

About POCO

POCO is a young independent brand born out of Xiaomi Corporation. As of now, POCO has entered 98 global markets. The POCO philosophy – “Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t” – drives the brand to focus its research and development efforts entirely on POCO fans’ requirements and feedback. This relentless pursuit of technology that its fans truly need democratizes decision-making to accelerate the company’s evolution and refresh the smartphone industry.

Web Desk by — December 8, 2023 in News
Freelancers Rejoice: Interest-Free Loans and E-Working Centers Coming Soon!

Pakistani freelancers have reason to celebrate with the recent announcement of a groundbreaking initiative by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.

The ministry declared plans to provide interest-free loans of Rs. 100,000 to freelancers for establishing e-working centers.

This initiative aims to revolutionize the freelance landscape, fostering economic growth and empowering freelancers.

The objective is to not only offer essential infrastructure but also to create an ecosystem that encourages creativity and productivity.

“It is crucial that we provide freelancers with the necessary tools and environments to thrive in the digital landscape,” stressed an official.

This move comes after earlier announcements by Caretaker Federal Minister for IT and Telecom, Dr. Umar Saif, highlighting efforts to attract global investors for startups.

Dr. Saif also revealed plans to visit Saudi Arabia and set up 5,000 joint e-working centers for freelancers.

These joint e-working centers will be established with the help of interest-free loans, facilitating freelancers and creating millions of job opportunities.

Furthermore, Dr. Saif shared positive discussions with Caretaker Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar regarding a 5-point agenda for the IT sector.

The issue of dollar retention for the IT industry was discussed in detail, and good news is expected soon in this regard.

With these exciting developments, Pakistan’s freelance community can look forward to a brighter future with increased opportunities and support.

Sajal Subhan by — December 7, 2023 in News
Children’s Festival Celebrates a Day of Fun and Joy

Karachi, Pakistan – December 3, 2023 – On Sunday, December 3rd, the Scouts Auditorium came alive with laughter and excitement as children from the MyHome Al-Mustafa orphanage gathered to enjoy the Children’s Festival. Organized by the Secretary General of Al-Mustafa Welfare Society and president of Rotary Club of Karachi Kehkashan Mr Ahmed Raza Tayyab, along with his dedicated team including Vice-President RCK Kehkashan Mr Asif Iqbal, Assistant Governor Rotary Mr Moin Khan, Dr Sarah Ahmed and Mr Khurram Qasmi, this festival aimed to bring happiness to the lives of these young children.

The Children’s Festival was a grand success, offering a multitude of activities that catered to the interests and desires of the children. One of the highlights of the event was the screening of an animated movie that had the children engrossed in a world of fantasy and imagination. The festival grounds were adorned with a wide array of food and game stalls.

The event showcased the creativity and artistic talents of the children, with face painting stations where skilled artists transformed their faces into superheroes and princesses. Moreover, a talent show was organized where the children enthusiastically showcased their skills and received certificates to acknowledge their efforts.

Credit: Rotary Club Karachi Kehkashan

Gracing the occasion were prominent social figures and rotarians, including former federal minister and chairman of Al-Mustafa – Dr Haji Muhammad Hanif Tayyab, Rotary Pakistan’s Fiscal Agent, Chairman Abdullah Builders – Mr Iqbal Qureshi, President Al-Mustafa – Dr Abdul Rahim, Past District Governors of Rotary International – Mr Aftab Imam and Mr Owais Kohari, Trustee Al-Mustafa – Mr Abdul Ghaffar Saeedi, Mr Hanif Nasir, Mr Amin Adamjee, Mr Abdul.Karim Meghani, Mr Yousuf Darbari, and many others. Their presence provided inspiration and encouragement.

As part of the festival, gift distribution allowed each child to receive a special present, filling their hearts with joy and making their day truly memorable. The Children’s Festival is a testament to the unwavering commitment of Mr Ahmed Raza Tayyab, Al-Mustafa Welfare Society, and the Rotary Club of Karachi Kehkashan to make a tangible difference in the lives of children.

Web Desk by — December 5, 2023 in Events
Vanessa Hudgens Sparks Marriage Rumors with Cole Tucker

The “High School Musical” Alum Was Spotted Wearing a White Dress on a Beach

Vanessa Hudgens has sparked marriage rumors after she was seen wearing a white dress on the beach, nearly ten months after announcing her engagement to baseball player Cole Tucker.

The photo was surfaced on social media app X (formerly Twitter) showing Hudgens in a white dress as she posed on the beach. While neither Hudgens nor Tucker has confirmed the news, Hudgens’ former co-star, Monique Coleman, fueled the rumors by sharing a video of a tropical setting in Tulum, Mexico, where Hudgens’ photo was taken. Coleman captioned the video, “Last morning in paradise.”

The rumors come after a source revealed that Hudgens and Tucker do not want to have a “shotgun wedding,” but they do think they need to get married soon.

“They want to get married quickly because they’re ready to start a family,” the source told Life & Style. “They joke that they don’t want to have a shotgun wedding, but if they don’t hurry, that’s exactly what it will be.”

Hudgens confirmed her engagement to Tucker earlier this year with photos of her gorgeous diamond ring. “We couldn’t be happier,” she wrote on Instagram beside pics from their engagement.

Afshan Ibrahim by — December 4, 2023 in Entertainment
Xiaomi Unveils Redmi 13C: A Powerhouse for Gen Z’s Creativity

Lahore, Pakistan – Xiaomi today announced the all-new Redmi 13C, offering outstanding entertainment and photographic experiences to satisfy the creative needs of Gen Z. Redmi 13C powers up your photographic experiences to satisfy all your social media needs with its impressive hardware and software enhancements. It features an enhanced 50MP AI triple camera and an upgraded 8MP front camera that ensures perfect portraits and selfies even in low-light conditions and delivers a remarkable 34.9% improved capture speed while using night mode, for both low-light shoots and video capture. Equipped with a powerful MediaTek Helio G85 octa-core processor, Redmi 13C delivers a smoother performance, ideal for gaming and video viewing. Expandable storage of up to 1TB and featuring a Dual SIM and a microSD slot for more versatile functionality, perfect for storing a library of movie files or favorite games. To ensure ease of viewing comfort, Redmi 13C is equipped with eye protection including an LCD display with DC dimming that effectively enhances eye care and minimizes fatigue during extended viewing sessions. The device has also received dual professional eye care certifications from TÜV, including Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free technology.

Market Availability

Redmi 13C is now available online at Mistore, Corecart, Daraz, and Xiaomi sale. It will also be available nationwide in all retail outlets.

Our Distributors are Tech Sirat, Airlink Communications, Smartlink Technologies, Core Tech, Phonezo Impex, and Burque.

Redmi 13C has 2 variants available.

Variant 4+128GB. Price is 29,999. 

Variant 6+128GB. Price is 32,999.

Device Specifications

SpecificationsRedmi 13C
Display6.74″ 90 Hz Display
Rear Camera    50MP AI Triple Camera  
Front Camera8MP camera  
Battery5000mAh (typ)
ProcessorMediaTek Helio G85 processor    
ColorMidnight Black, Navy Blue, Clover Green and Glacier White

About Xiaomi Corporation

 Xiaomi Corporation was founded in April 2010 and listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on July 9, 2018 (1810.HK). Xiaomi is a consumer electronics and smart manufacturing company with smartphones and smart hardware connected by an IoT platform at its core.

 With an equal emphasis on innovation and quality, Xiaomi continuously pursues high-quality user experience and operational efficiency. The company relentlessly builds amazing products with honest prices to let everyone in the world enjoy a better life through innovative technology.

 As of the second quarter of 2023, Xiaomi ranked among the top 3 in the global smartphone market, in terms of smartphone shipments, according to Canalys. The company has also established the world’s leading consumer AIoT (AI+IoT) platform, with 654.5 million smart devices connected to its platform, excluding smartphones, tablets and laptops, as of June 30, 2023. Xiaomi products are present in more than 100 countries and regions around the world. In August 2023, the company listed as Fortune Global 500 for the 5th consecutive year.

 Xiaomi is a constituent of the Hang Seng Index, Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, Hang Seng TECH Index and Hang Seng China 50 Index.

Web Desk by — December 1, 2023 in News
Former Cricketer Basit Ali Believes Pakistan Can Conquer Australia

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his confidence in Pakistan’s ability to defeat Australia in the upcoming three-match Test series, despite Pakistan’s poor historical record in Australia.

“Playing in Australia is not as difficult as it is often portrayed to be,” Ali stated on the ARY News show Sports Room. He urged the Pakistani players to adopt a fearless and winning mindset, similar to India’s approach, to secure victory.

Ali praised the Pakistani team’s top-order batsmen, highlighting their consistent performances in Test cricket over the past year. He also expressed optimism about Babar Azam’s performance, predicting that the former captain will thrive at number four without the pressure of captaincy.

Regarding the pitches, Ali noted that Australian tracks have become less bouncy in recent years, with conditions in Sydney and Melbourne resembling those in Asia. He believes that these conditions will favor Pakistan’s spinners and give them a good chance of winning in those cities.

Ali’s comments have injected a dose of optimism into the Pakistani camp ahead of the crucial Test series. Pakistan will undoubtedly look to break their losing streak in Australia and make a bold statement with a series victory.

Afshan Ibrahim by — December 1, 2023 in Cricket
PIA’s Bank Accounts Unblocked After Settling Tax Dues with FBR

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has unblocked the bank accounts of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) after the national carrier assured the tax collection body of clearing all pending dues, ARY News reported.

The FBR had blocked PIA’s bank accounts over non-payment of taxes amid an “all-important” audit from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). However, the accounts were unblocked after PIA submitted written assurance to the FBR that it would clear all pending dues.

This is a significant development for PIA, which has been grappling with a severe financial crisis in recent years. The airline has been struggling to pay its debts and has been forced to cut back on flights. The unblocking of its bank accounts will provide PIA with much-needed liquidity and will help it to resume normal operations.

The news of the unblocking of PIA’s bank accounts comes as a delegation from the European Commission and EASA is currently in Pakistan to assess the country’s aviation safety standards. There is hope that the delegation’s visit will lead to the lifting of the ban on PIA flights to Europe, which was imposed in 2020 following a plane crash in Karachi.

The lifting of the ban would be a major boost for PIA, as it would allow the airline to resume flights to some of its most lucrative destinations. It would also help to restore confidence in the airline and could lead to an increase in passenger numbers.

Overall, the unblocking of PIA’s bank accounts is a positive development for the airline and for the Pakistani aviation industry. It is a sign that the airline is making progress in addressing its financial problems and that it is committed to improving its safety standards.

Sajal Subhan by — November 30, 2023 in News
Pakistan’s Caretaker PM Calls for Improved Taxation System for Economic Growth

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has emphasized the importance of improving Pakistan’s taxation system to stimulate economic growth. He believes that the private sector should be the primary driver of wealth creation, while the government focuses on policymaking and taxation.

Kakar also highlighted the need for responsible government spending of tax revenue. He visited the PTV headquarters on the occasion of the institution’s 59th anniversary and commended its role in promoting Pakistan’s soft image and identity globally.

Addressing Balochistan’s natural resources, Kakar stated that most valuable minerals, such as gold and copper, remain untapped. He noted that the issue of mineral resource exploration and exploitation had been resolved following the 18th amendment, allowing for a 50:50 division between the province and the federation.

The prime minister emphasized that the timing for mineral exploration is opportune, as Pakistan was previously unprepared due to capacity, financial, and technical expertise limitations.

Regarding his future plans, Kakar expressed openness to contributing in the parliament after the caretaker setup concludes. He indicated that he enjoyed serving as a parliamentarian more than in an executive role.

Kakar praised PTV’s legacy of producing exceptional dramas, music, and informative programs. He suggested that PTV effectively document and present the region’s ancient civilization, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of poetry, music, dance, and renowned figures like Khushahl Khan Khattak, Shah Latif Bhttai, Bullhay Shah, and Waris Shah.

Web Desk by — November 27, 2023 in News