In a major development, the World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic, saying it is not a word to use lightly or carelessly.
Speaking at a press conference, Tedros Adhanom said that WHO was ‘deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and the alarming levels of inaction’.
“In the past two weeks, the number of cases of COVID-19 outside China has increased 13-fold, and the number of affected countries has tripled,” he added. So far, there are 118,000 cases reported in 114 countries while 4,291 people have lost their lives. Thousands more are fighting for their lives in hospitals, Tedros informed.
The WHO chief warned that in the days and weeks ahead, the number of cases, deaths, and affected countries were expected to climb even higher.
Pandemic ‘Not a Word to Use Lightly’
Tedros stressed that Pandemic was not a word to use lightly or carelessly. “It’s a word that if misused can cause unreasonable fear or unjustified acceptance that the figh..
Category: News
Another World-Class English Commentator Joins PSL
After Alan Wilkins, there has been another great addition to the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Famous English commentator, Michael Atherton, has joined the PSL and he will be in Pakistan for a limited time before he heads to Sri Lanka.
Atherton, who is known for his spot-on analysis and an iconic voice, landed in Pakistan on Tuesday to film for a documentary for Sky.
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PSL’s official Twitter handle shared the news with the fans earlier today:
Atherton, who is a former England player, is making his PSL debut and is one of the most loved cricket commentators in the world alongside Nasser Hussain and Ian Smith.
It remains to be seen whether we will be able to hear him commentate today as chances of play look bleak due to inclement weather in Lahore.
Apple Cancels iPhone 9 & iPad Pro Launch Event
Apple has been planning to announce several major devices at its upcoming event including the affordable iPhone 2 SE, a new generation of the Pro line of iPads, and a handful of other devices. Unfortunately, none of these announcements will take place anytime soon as the event has been canceled in fear of the coronavirus outbreak.
The decision comes as a result of the Santa Clara County temporarily banning mass gatherings in the area due to the increasing numbers of coronavirus cases in the region.
Apple has reportedly considered changing locations or hosting an online-only event, but it is still unclear what the future holds. It is also uncertain whether the devices will be launched in the coming weeks or not.
Reports claim that the outbreak has also effected the iPhone 2 SE’s production and supply which could push back the device’s launch to June or delay it even further depending on the situation.
Additionally, rumors claim that the outbreak will also delay all iPhone 12 models ..
You Can Now Pay Traffic E-Challans Using Internet Banking
Recently, there was news that the Islamabad Traffic Police was introducing the option to pay traffic violation tickets online and now this option is available in Punjab.
The public can now pay E-challans through Bank Alfalah’s internet banking.
As per the details available, this option has been introduced by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA). Now, people can use this option and pay their fines on the spot by following the steps listed below:
Log on to Bank Alfalah Internet Banking Click on the ‘Services’ tab and go to the ‘Payments’ section In this section, go to ‘Others’ and click GOPB By entering your details here, e-challan payment can be made conveniently It is important to point out that this option is only available in Punjab for now. This option will help facilitate the general public as they won’t have to stand in line at the bank or run from post to post to get their license back. This will also help reduce the burden on the system.
What do you think? Let us know in ..
Airport Official Who Asked for a Bribe from Dennis Cricket Gets Arrested
The airport authorities have arrested an official of Lahore airport for demanding a bribe from the Australian sports journalist, Dennis Freedman.
The development came just days after Dennis posted a video about the incident on social media and how he was given a privileged treatment at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport in return for money.
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The viral video came into Prime Minister Imran Khan’s notice and he ordered the secretary aviation division to take immediate action.
Even though Freedman did not mention the person’s name to save him from any official action, the authorities have used CCTV footage to find out who he was.
The official identified as Imran Muzaffar, CIP Lounge officer, has been arrested under corruption charges. He will also remain suspended from the post until the inquiry against him is finalized.
Here is Dennis’s video:
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PM Imran Launches ‘Data4Pakistan’ Portal to Alleviate Poverty
Prime Minister Imran Khan has formally launched a-first-of-its kind Ehsaas District Development Portal called ‘Data4Pakistan‘ that aims to alleviate widespread poverty and discrepancy in development across Pakistan.
The launch ceremony, which was organized at Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad, was attended by cabinet members, federal secretaries, and members of civil society.
Data4Pakistan portal is a joint initiative of the Federal Government and the World Bank.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has collected the data from 2004-2018 for different development indicators for the portal.
Addressing the launch ceremony, PM Khan said that the incumbent government is dedicated to bringing down the poverty levels as Pakistan can never prosperous without uplifting the poor and downtrodden segment of the country.
Data4Pakistan will allow the government to spend development funds according to the need of people and in a transparent manner, stated PM Khan.
Data4Pakistan portal would h..
Pak Suzuki Announces Special Discount Offer on Alto 660cc for a Limited Time
In the past few months, we have seen local car makers offer various limited-time special deals as they look to improve struggling sales.
Toyota Indus offered free registration on the purchase of its Corolla XLi or GLi amongst other deals while last month, Pak Suzuki offered free registration for the WagonR.
Now, Suzuki is offering its Alto 660CC with free registration for the month of March to attract new customers.
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FAW Announces Big Discount After Reaching New Milestone in Pakistan
The company has decided to offer this promotion to celebrate that it has sold more than 29,000 units of the new Alto 660CC less than a year after it was launched. The company has said that this is its way of appreciating its loyal customers.
The offer is interesting because it is being announced in the form of a celebration as compared to other promotions we have seen in the past.
Toyota offered such offers in a bid to boost sales and sell-off its inventory as it plans to launch the Yaris, ..
Pakistan to Cut Import Duty to Make Exports More Competitive
Pakistan is planning to remove duties on many raw materials used by exporters, reported Bloomberg.
This was revealed by Abdul Razak Dawood, commerce and investment adviser to Pakistan’s prime minister in an interview with Bloomberg.
This will make them more regionally competitive and help the economy escape a recurring boom-bust cycle.
Razzaq told Bloomberg that duties on imported raw materials, which were removed on more than 1,600 products last year, will be further reduced or eliminated in this year’s budget. He’s “very hopeful” the government can continue supplying discounted energy to export-based factories.
The report further stated that shipments from the South Asian nation have been sluggish– ranging between $20 billion-$25 billion per year — over the past ten years or so, a time when other developing economies like Vietnam and Bangladesh have seen their export sectors thrive.
However, the devaluation and import-duty cuts have improved Pakistan’s competitiveness, with expo..
Relive David Wiese Winning Sixes for Qalandars From PSL 2019 & 2020
When it comes to finishing off an encounter in style, very few can match David Wiese’s heroics for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
David Wiese, the South African all-rounder, perhaps likes to deal only in sixes that is why he has not just once but twice ended a PSL match in such an emphatic manner.
In last year’s PSL, the 34-year old led Qalandars’ to a memorable victory over Multan Sultans as he cleared the ropes on the last ball.
This time around, Wiese’s winning shot has lightened up the Qalandars chances to progress through the group stages for the first time.
Wiese’s Last Ball 6 in PSL 2019 Lahore Qalandars required 3 off the last ball when Multan Sultans’ bowler Dan Christian bowled in the slot and got punished by David Wiese.
However, Wiese’s efforts were not enough to send Lahore Qalandars to the playoffs of the PSL 2019.
Relive the memorable moment from PSL 2019.
Wiese’s Historic 6 in PSL 2020 Lahore Qalandars needed 5 off 2 deliveries during last n..
Infinix to Boost Phone Production in Pakistan to 13 Million Units
Infinix has become the first smartphone brand manufacturing in Pakistan.
Minister of Economic Affairs, Hammad Azhar on Wednesday met with CEO of Transsion Tecno smartphone assembly plant in Pakistan. The minister highlighted that the company started producing 3 million handsets/annum recently and is taking it up to 13 million within a year with more investment.
He further stated that the company will now be focusing on exports as their plant in Pakistan is the most efficient out of all owned by Transsion Group outside of China. Within the next 3 years, they have targeted to localize production of 49% of handset parts, which has huge export potential. For comparison, Vietnam exports $37 billion of handsets annually. Infinix is currently the largest mobile phone production and assembly company in Pakistan. The existing factory produces 3 million units per year. All the local products selling in the country are being manufactured in the factories that are churning out smartphones, table..