Pakistan Navy holds annual fleet efficiency competition parade at Karachi

Pakistan Navy

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy held its Fleet Annual Efficiency Competition Parade on Friday at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi, with the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Naveed Ashraf serving as the chief guest. The event marked the conclusion of a successful and operationally accomplished year for the Pakistan Navy Fleet, which includes … Read more

Maulana Fazlur Rehman urges dialogue for strengthening democracy

Maulana Fazlur Rehman

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman emphasized on Friday that dialogue among political parties is a critical component of the democratic process. He warned that avoiding or refusing negotiations could harm democratic principles. The Maulana expressed these views during a meeting with Senator Irfan Siddiqui, spokesperson for the government’s negotiation committee and a … Read more

Pakistan achieves FY2024-25 tax target set by IMF

IMF rejects tax relief on foreign investment projects

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has successfully met the primary tax targets outlined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Friday. The country achieved a tax-to-GDP ratio of 10.8%, surpassing the IMF’s target of 10.6% for the current fiscal year, a development that paves the way for Islamabad to secure the second tranche of the loan program. Finance … Read more

Gold Rate in Pakistan on Jan 3 up by Rs2,200 to Rs276,900/Tola

Gold prices in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The price of 24-karat gold saw an increase of Rs2,200 per tola, reaching Rs276,900 on Friday, compared to Rs274,700 recorded on the previous trading day, according to the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association. Similarly, the price of 10 grams of 24-karat gold rose by Rs1,886 to Rs237,397 from Rs235,511, while the rate for 10 … Read more

US Dollar Rate in Pakistan on Jan 3 down by 0.08 Paisa to Rs278.56

US Dollar Rate in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani rupee gained strength against the US dollar on Friday, appreciating by 0.08 paisa in the interbank market and closing at Rs278.56, compared to the previous day’s rate of Rs278.64. According to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of the US dollar in the open market stood at … Read more

Cement sales in Pakistan drop in December 2024

Cement sales in Pakistan

LAHORE: Local cement dispatches recorded a 4.76% decline in December 2024, standing at 3.37 million tons compared to 3.539 million tons during the same month of the last fiscal year. However, cement exports surged by 49.35%, rising to 783,550 tons from 524,656 tons in the same month last year. According to the All Pakistan Cement … Read more

SBP foreign reserves drop by $143 million

State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign reserves increase by $28 million

KARACHI: Pakistan’s liquid foreign reserves were reported at $16,408.7 million as of December 27, 2024, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday. Out of this total, the central bank’s reserves amounted to $11,710.5 million, while commercial banks held net foreign reserves of $4,698.2 million. The SBP’s reserves saw a … Read more

Apple agrees to pay $95 million over Siri lawsuit

Apple

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million in cash to settle a proposed class action lawsuit claiming its Siri voice assistant violated users’ privacy. The preliminary settlement was filed on Tuesday in the federal court of Oakland, California, and awaits approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. The lawsuit arose from complaints that Apple recorded … Read more

Apple offers big discounts on iPhone 16 Series

Apple

Due to growing competition from local smartphone brands like Huawei in China, Apple has significantly reduced the margin of success for its iPhone sales in the region. In response, the tech giant is offering substantial discounts on the iPhone 16 series, with savings of up to 500 yuan ($68.50). The discount promotion will run from … Read more

Vehicle tax payment deadline extended to January 15

Vehicle tax deadline

The Islamabad Excise and Taxation Department has announced an extension for vehicle token tax payments, giving vehicle owners until January 15, 2025, to settle their dues without facing penalties. This decision provides an additional 15 days for citizens to complete their payments and avoid late charges. The department has warned that failure to pay the … Read more

Samsung to showcase advanced monitor lineup at CES 2025

Samsung

Samsung has confirmed the launch of its latest monitors, including the Odyssey OLED G8, Odyssey 3D, and more, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas. The event begins on January 7, with Samsung introducing five innovative models. Lineup of Samsung Monitors at CES 2025 The series features cutting-edge technology for both gaming … Read more

Saudi Arabia Gifts 100 Tons of Dates to Pakistan as a Symbol of Solidarity

Saudi Arabia

On Thursday, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia presented 100 tons of dates to Pakistan, reflecting the goodwill and enduring bond between the two nations. The consignment was officially handed over during a ceremony at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad. Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and Abdullah Al-Baqami, Director of the King … Read more

South Africa make three changes ahead of second Pakistan Test

South Africa

CAPE TOWN: Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced its Playing XI on Thursday for the second Test against Pakistan, which will commence on January 3 at Newlands. The Proteas enter the match with a 1-0 lead in the two-match series after securing a nail-biting two-wicket victory in the first Test at Centurion. The win also confirmed … Read more

US Dollar Rate in Pakistan on Jan 2 up by 0.09 Paisa to Rs278.64

Pakistani rupee drops 06 paisa against US dollar

The Pakistani rupee depreciated slightly by 0.09 paisa against the US dollar in interbank trading on Thursday, closing at Rs278.64 compared to the previous day’s rate of Rs278.55. According to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the dollar’s buying and selling rates in the open market were recorded at Rs278.20 and Rs279.70, respectively. The Euro … Read more

China unveils CR450, World’s Fastest Train achieving 450 km/h

China

China has officially introduced the CR450, claiming the title of the fastest train globally. The high-speed train, revealed on December 29, 2024, in Beijing, achieved a record test speed of 450 km/h, surpassing its predecessor, the CR400. Although its operational speed is expected to be 400 km/h, the CR450 signifies a breakthrough in rail technology, … Read more

Senate Committee urges PTA to lower mobile taxes amidst 5G rollout plans

Senate Committee

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology has called on the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to work towards reducing mobile phone taxes, aiming to make devices more affordable for the public. Acknowledging that tax adjustments fall under the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) jurisdiction, the committee emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to provide financial … Read more

Atlas Honda CG125 introduces stunning blue color option

Atlas Honda CG125

Atlas Honda has introduced its iconic CG125 motorcycle in a striking blue color in Pakistan, marking a stylish addition to its lineup. Renowned for its power, sleek design, and cutting-edge engineering, the CG125 remains a symbol of excellence for riders seeking performance and reliability. The new blue variant combines bold aesthetics with modern sophistication, capturing … Read more

ICC Test Rankings: Saud Shakeel rises, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan suffer decline

ICC Test Rankings

DUBAI: The latest ICC Test Batting Rankings saw a significant shift as Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan experienced a decline, while Saud Shakeel rose sharply on the list. Pakistan recently faced a thrilling two-wicket loss in the first Test of the series against South Africa, which impacted the rankings. Saud Shakeel, despite an early … Read more

Pakistan’s Trade Deficit Hits New High in December 2024

Pakistan Trade

Pakistan’s Trade Deficit Increases in 2024. Trade deficit widened by 35% YoY to $2.444 billion in December 2024. Monthly trade deficit increased by 47% from $1.667 billion in November 2024 to $2.444 billion in December 2024. Pakistan’s trade deficit widened by 35% year-on-year (YoY) in December 2024, reaching $2.444 billion compared to $1.813 billion in … Read more

iPhone 17 Series expected to launch with 120Hz display

iPhone 17 Series

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 series is set to bring a significant upgrade to its display technology. Reports suggest that both the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Air (which is expected to replace the Plus variant) will finally feature a 120Hz refresh rate. Currently, the standard iPhone models come with a 60Hz refresh rate, while … Read more

Peshawar and Sialkot to compete for Quaid Trophy Title from Thursday

Peshawar

Karachi: The 68th edition of Pakistan’s premier first-class cricket tournament, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, will reach its climax with a five-day final between Sialkot Region and Peshawar Region, set to take place from 2 to 6 January at the UBL Sports Complex in Karachi. After an extensive season involving 45 group-stage matches and three triangular stage … Read more

WhatsApp ends support for these mobile phones starting January 2025

WhatsApp introduces new exciting features

Meta-owned WhatsApp has announced its decision to stop supporting several older smartphone models from January 1, 2025. The move is part of the platform’s effort to adapt to newer technologies and enhance its services globally, including in Pakistan. Devices operating on outdated systems that are no longer eligible for updates will lose access to the … Read more

Champions Trophy 2025: Shadab, Fakhar, Imam expected to return

Champions Trophy 2025

KARACHI: The ninth edition of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy, also known as the Mini World Cup, is set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025. The event will be hosted jointly by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As teams begin to announce their squads for the prestigious … Read more

Gold Rate in Pakistan on Jan 1 Increases to Rs273,600 Per Tola

Gold rate in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The price of 24-karat gold rose by Rs.1,000, reaching Rs.273,600 per tola on Wednesday, compared to Rs.272,600 on the previous trading day, according to the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association. The rate for 10 grams of 24-karat gold increased by Rs.857 to Rs.234,568 from Rs.233,711, while the price for 10 grams of 22-karat gold … Read more

SpaceX’s final 2024 mission begins with first rocket launch

SpaceX

SpaceX kicked off its countdown to the New Year with the launch of the first of three planned rockets to conclude 2024. A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 satellites took off on Saturday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch, which took place at 8:48 PM from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E), … Read more

President Zardari visits Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar

President Zardari

Sehwan: President Asif Ali Zardari visited the revered shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan Sharif on Sunday. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and other members of the Pakistan Peoples Party’s local leadership accompanied him. During his visit, President Zardari offered Fateha and laid a floral wreath at the shrine, a gesture … Read more

Petrol prices likely to increase on New Year’s Eve

Petrol prices

ISLAMABAD: Speculation is rife regarding potential changes to petroleum prices in Pakistan, with the government anticipated to announce adjustments on December 31. According to sources, diesel prices may see an increase of over Rs4 per litre, while kerosene oil could rise by Rs1 per litre. However, reports suggest that petrol prices are expected to remain … Read more