Press Releases

Leading the charge in customer advocacy, Zong 4G has partnered with NayaPay Pvt. Limited to enable its customers to make digital payments for its services. The two organizations signed an agreement to that effect in Karachi. This collaboration will facilitate customers to purchase Zong 4G’s mobile services directly through the NayaPay app. Customers can top-up their mobile balance, subscribe to prepaid bundles and recharge their Zong broadband devices using their NayaPay E-money account to complete the transaction. As an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), NayaPay will enable users to open E-money accounts and make digital payments to each other and businesses conveniently. With this collaboration, both Zong 4G and NayaPay have taken a step towards digital financial inclusion for the socioeconomic development of the country. Commenting on the partnership, Zong 4G’s official spokesperson, said: “With the surge in the demand for digital financial services, the partnership addresses th..

In the wake of COVID-19 and its unprecedented effect on global stock markets, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), in consultation with market stakeholders and market infrastructure institutions, has decided that for the April 2020 contract, a short sale in 36 specific shares of the futures market shall be subject to an uptick rule. This will ensure the provision of a required prior notice period to the market and retain liquidity in the rollover week. The uptick rule means that the shares of that relevant scrip have to be sold at a price higher than the last trade not lower. Further, to support the mutual fund industry, the maximum period of borrowing by mutual funds for redemption purposes will be extended from existing 90 days to 360 days. Moreover, the commission has allowed relaxing deposit requirements against the base minimum capital of TREC holders. The requirement to perform biometric verification at the time of opening of the account is eased and the..

Pakistan reported its first two coronavirus deaths on March 18 Both deaths were reported from KP within hours Number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan has risen to 301 Sindh has been affected the most with 208 confirmed cases so far Punjab has reported 33, Baluchistan 23, KP 19, AJK/GB 16, and Islamabad 2 cases Center and provinces continue to announce measures to curb the spread Pakistan reported its first two coronavirus deaths on March 18, both in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The first person who succumbed to the deadly disease was a 50-year-old man who had returned from Saudi Arabia and was being treated at Mardan Medical Complex (MMC). The second death followed within hours where a 36-year-old man from Hangu being treated at Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital lost his fight against the virus. Meanwhile, confirmations of more positive cases continued to flood in throughout the day from all parts of the country. Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) also reported its first positive case, a 45-ye..

WhatsApp has announced the launch of two initiatives in support of the global fight against the Coronavirus pandemic: the global launch of the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub in partnership with the World Health Organization and UNDP as well as a $1 million donation to the Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). The WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub launches today at whatsapp.com/coronavirus to provide simple, actionable guidance for health workers, educators, community leaders, nonprofits, local governments and local businesses that rely on WhatsApp to communicate. The site also offers general tips and resources for users around the world to reduce the spread of rumors and connect with accurate health information. ALSO READ WhatsApp is Bringing Self Destructing Messages Soon While people need to spend time apart, WhatsApp will continue to provide a simple, reliable, and secure way for people to communicate. These recommendations provide quick guidan..

The Ministry of Planning cleared an amount of $238 million from World Bank funding and endorsed another $350 million dollar funding offered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in support for the COVID-19 emergency response and to address the socio-economic disruption associated with it. A special meeting of Concept Clearance Committee / CDWP was held on Wednesday under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan. Member Social Sector Dr. Shabnum Sarfraz, Member Private Sector Asim Saeed, DG Health Dr. Safi, Country Director, World Bank, Illango Patchamuthu, ADB Country Director Xiaohong Yang and representatives from EAD, Finance and health ministry were also present in the meeting. Project concept titled “Pakistan National Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19” was presented and was subsequently approved. The emergency project focus on taking measures through additional resources for strengthening the integrated disease surveillanc..