Tech and Telecom

The United Motor Company Pakistan has announced a huge discount on the upcoming independence anniversary of Pakistan. It is offering the buyers of the Alpha hatchback an opportunity to save Rs. 91,000 on its original Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). On 14 August, the United Alpha will be available for Rs. 1,259,000 instead of its original MSRP which is Rs. 1,350,000. The car was launched in January 2021 at the Pearl Continental hotel in Karachi as a competitor of the Suzuki Cultus and the Kia Picanto, with an initial price tag of Rs. 1,395,000 that was significantly lower than those…

The Pakistani Rupee (PKR) maintained its position from yesterday against the US Dollar (USD), gaining less than a paisa in the interbank currency market today. This week’s trajectory for the PKR has been of a loss of 45 paisas on Monday, a gain of 14 paisas on Tuesday, a loss of 16 paisas on Wednesday, another loss of eight paisas on Thursday, and a gain of 0.6 paisa on Friday. ALSO READ Rupee Weakens Against US Dollar Today (13 August), the PKR traded between Rs. 163.85 to the USD and Rs. 164.50 to the USD before closing at Rs. 164.0022…

Japanese researchers have claimed that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines produce a weak immune response among smokers, which puts them at risk of contracting the disease despite being vaccinated. These are the findings of a small-scale study in which 378 people aged between 32 and 54 years and with no underlying health conditions participated. ALSO READ PM Imran Inaugurates New NADRA Offices & Multipurpose Mobile Apps The study aimed to analyze the levels of antibodies produced by mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna three months after receiving the second dose. According to the study, older participants had lower antibody levels. After…

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the period for the exemption of withholding tax on the import of 61 items, including medical equipment and COVID-19-related goods, to 31 December 2021. It has amended the Second Schedule (Exemption Schedule) of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 through an SRO.1008(I)/2021 issued on Friday. ALSO READ FBR Increases Customs Duties of Chinese Mobile Accessories According to the amendment made in the Second Schedule of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, the provisions of Section 148 shall not apply to the import of 61 goods for the period between 20 March 2020 and 31…

Pakistan’s middle-order batsman, Fawad Alam, continued his fine form and recused Pakistan from a precarious position yet again in the first innings of the first Test match against the West Indies. Fawad, for the first time in his Test career, failed to convert his half-century into a century, scoring 56 runs in the first innings. ALSO READ Pakistan Sends Two Players Home Ahead of Test Series Against West Indies This was Fawad’s first Test half-century, having already scored 4 centuries in 12 Test matches. Three of Fawad’s centuries have been scored since his comeback to the national team in 2020.…

To facilitate companies with their statutory compliance, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has deployed an online reporting system for filing the biannual returns under Employees’ Contributory Funds (Investment in Listed Securities) Regulations, 2018. ALSO READ SBP Reserves Fall by $223 Million in One Week The development of this reporting system is part of SECP’s efforts for promoting digitalization, ease of doing business, and creating a paperless environment. The online filing mechanism will reduce the administrative burden of handling forms in SECP and help maintain a centralized database of the contributory funds. ALSO READ Assets Under Mutual Funds…

The board of directors of Meezan Bank Ltd. decided in its meeting on Thursday (12 August) to authorize the bank to exercise the call option in full with respect to their Tier II Capital Sukuk Issue. The bank submitted a notification to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) regarding this decision on Thursday. ALSO READ Meezan Bank Profit Surges Over Rs. 12 billion In H1 2021 The statement by the bank read: “In accordance with Sections 96 and 131 of the Securities Act, 2015 and Clause 5.6.1(a) of the Rule Book of the Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited, we hereby convey the…

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that England will be touring Pakistan to play a two-match T20I series prior to the T20 World Cup. The two T20Is will be played on 13 and 14 October in Rawalpindi. England will travel directly to the UAE to take part in the T20 World Cup after the conclusion of the series. ALSO READ Sikandar Raza Rates Food at Gaddafi Stadium as the Best in the World This will be England’s first tour of the country in 17 years. They previously toured Pakistan in 2005 to play a three-match Test series and a five-match…

The federal government has announced two holidays for the upcoming 9th and 10th Muharram-ul-Haram. According to a pre-decided public holidays calendar issued by the Ministry of Interior, 18 and 19 August will be observed as public holidays in connection with Ashura. ALSO READ PM Imran Inaugurates New NADRA Offices & Multipurpose Mobile Apps Meanwhile, the government of Sindh has informed religious groups to adhere to the COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) during the Muharram processions, making it mandatory to wear face masks, follow social distancing, and use sanitizers. According to the notification, only the Zakirs who have received at least…

Former South African batsman, Herschelle Gibbs, expressed his disappointment at being threatened by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over participation in the Kashmir Premier League (KPL). Gibbs said that it is ‘sad and disappointing’ that BCCI decided to go down the route and involve politics in the sport. ALSO READ Asif Ali Joins St Kitts & Nevis Patriots for CPL 2021 “It was a little sad in a lot of ways because I have worked lots of times in India and have a lot of friends there. For them to want to step in and interfere…