Tech and Telecom

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has agreed to fund the ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ program, which aims to provide financial assistance to individuals owning up to 5-marla plots to build houses. This initiative is designed to support low-income families in achieving home ownership. Additionally, the Punjab government aims to make the entire province a ‘safe city’ by installing CCTV cameras in all urban areas. The Chief Minister underscored the importance of security and modern infrastructure in fostering a safe and conducive environment for economic activities. The cabinet also approved measures to reduce financial liabilities and boost economic efficiency. These include retiring wheat…

The Punjab government has unveiled a comprehensive budget of Rs42.5 billion for the school education department for the fiscal year 2024-25. This significant allocation is aimed at improving the quality of education through a variety of development programs and initiatives. A key focus of the budget is on the completion of ongoing development projects, with Rs 6.87 billion dedicated to ensuring their timely conclusion. An additional Rs 2.6 million has been allocated for the upgradation of schools across Punjab. To address student nutrition, the Chief Minister has set aside Rs 500 million for a school food program. This initiative aims…

In an ambitious collaboration to revolutionize the fintech landscape, Digitt+, Pakistan’s first agri fintech and an electronic money institute, has teamed up with Covalent, the pioneers in SAAS/PAAS and a joint venture between Access Group and TPS, to launch “Zariya”. This new platform is tailored to empower startups and fintechs with advanced Banking as a Service (BAAS) solutions. Zariya is set to redefine market standards by offering a comprehensive tech stack on a flexible pay-as-you-grow model, ensuring the quickest time to market in the region. Its robust suite includes white-labeled mobile apps, digital onboarding, digital wallets, card issuing, and an…

On the directions of Chairman Chaudhry Muhammad Ali Randhawa, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has established a 24/7 Control Room at CDA Headquarters in Islamabad. This facility includes two designated telephone lines to facilitate the general public and ensure the proper execution of civic services related to water supply, sanitation, street lights, road maintenance, city sewerage, and the environment during the Eid holidays from June 17 to 19, 2024. The Sanitation Directorate has set up a separate Control Room specifically for the disposal and removal of animal waste. Complaints related to animal waste will be redirected to this specialized unit…

The federal budget 2024-25 will likely support Pakistan’s ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new Extended Fund Facility (EFF) that will be crucial for the government to unlock financing from IMF and other bilateral and multilateral partners to meet its external financing needs, Moody’s Ratings said on Friday. But the agency cautioned that a resurgence of social tensions on the back of the high cost of living (which may increase because of higher taxes and future adjustments to energy tariffs) could weigh on reform implementation. “Moreover, risks that the coalition government may not have a sufficiently…

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue reviewed the Finance Bill 2024 under the chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandviwala today. Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana informed the committee that businesses refusing to accept credit or debit card payments will face strict actions, including sealing the premises based on three daily complaints or five weekly complaints from customers. Senator Sherry Rehman raised concerns about the difficulties faced by consumers due to POS system failures, recounting instances where credit card payments were not accepted. She emphasized that in other countries, such as the UK, even small purchases…

As the world celebrates the 20th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day, Pakistan’s largest telecommunication and ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) perpetuates its compassionate legacy of saving lives and ensuring steady blood supply at hospitals and blood banks through its annual blood donation drive. This year, PTCL Group joined forces with Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) for the drive, held at the Ufone Tower in Islamabad. PTCL & Ufone 4G management and employees, participated in the drive with remarkable enthusiasm and conviction in the significance of their contributions. The campaign is held every year under PTCL…

The budget for the National Assembly has been increased by Rs. 4 billion for the next fiscal year. The proposed budget allocation for the National Assembly is Rs. 12.7 billion. In the current financial year, the budget for the National Assembly was over Rs. 8.3 billion. The new proposal includes Rs. 7.71 billion for employee-related expenses and Rs. 4.14 billion for operating expenses. Also, funds in the region of Rs. 75 billion have been allocated for parliamentarians’ schemes. Elsewhere, the federal government has proposed to increase the pensions of government employees by 15 percent. The government is also considering a…

Gross foreign exchange inflows through the Roshan Digital Accounts (RDAs) stood at $224 million in May 2024, compared to $171 million in the previous month. Net inflows ($215 million) recorded in May 2024 are the highest in over two years, according to Arif Habib Limited. Overall RDA funds received to date increased to $8.05 billion by the end of May 2024, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Till the end of May, $1.596 billion have been repatriated with $5.07 billion utilized locally. The net repatriable liability was at $1.39 billion. In May, funds of $9 million were repatriated.…

Former Pakistan cricketer Azhar Ali has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate the final three Group A matches scheduled to be held in Florida due to severe weather and flood warnings in the state. As the teams prepare to compete for a spot in the Super 8s, Ali has raised concerns about the viability of hosting the matches under poor weather conditions. “Viewing the circumstances in Florida, it is looking like the matches won’t take place. ICC must take action, knowing many matches will get affected and shift to another venue,” Ali emphasized. He suggested that the…