Tech and Telecom

Authorities in Saudi Arabia will begin enforcing a ban on working under direct sunlight for all private sector establishments from 12 PM to 3 PM, starting Saturday, June 15, 2024, until September 15, 2024. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in collaboration with the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, will implement the ban. This decision aims to ensure the safety and health of private sector workers by protecting them from potential health risks associated with extreme heat and providing a healthy and safe work environment. The initiative aligns with global occupational safety and health standards. The…

Growth of the automobile sector plunged by 37.4 percent against a contraction of 42.2 percent growth last year. Import restrictions on Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and Semi Knocked Down (SKD) automobile kits have further reduced automobile production during the review period. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2023-24, a significant decline was witnessed in LCVs, Trucks, Buses, and Jeeps & cars decreased by 60.5 percent, 44.4 percent, 40.0 percent, and 36.7 percent, respectively. The automotive industry grapples with a myriad of challenges, including a decline in demand, exacerbated by factors such as rising car prices due to inflation and currency…

Former State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) governor and ex-caretaker finance minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar has been appointed as the chairperson of Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited (PSX) Board of Directors. “Please be informed that Dr Shamshad Akhtar, an Independent Director, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited for the Board’s term of three years that commenced on April 19, 2024,” read a statement issued by the PSX on Tuesday. Dr Shamshad Akhtar served twice as the Federal Finance Minister of Pakistan (2018 and 2023- 2024) holding multiple economic portfolios in the caretaker…

Get ready to take your cricket experience to new heights with Yango and Myco’s collaboration for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024! Cricket fans, brace yourselves because this partnership is set to redefine how you enjoy the game. With just a few taps on your smartphone, Yango users can now enjoy exclusive access to live streams of every ICC T20 World Cup 2024 match, thanks to Myco. Say goodbye to the fear of missing out on those thrilling overs or game-changing moments. It’s cricket on the move, wherever life takes you. But wait, there’s more excitement in store. Myco is…

The federal government is expected to impose federal excise duty (FED) on Nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes in the Finance Bill 2024 on Wednesday (June 12). At present, there is no FED on Nicotine pouches. The rate of tax on e-cigarettes would be brought to par with the imported cigarettes. The measure is estimated to generate revenue to the tune of billions. The existing rates of the FED on cigarettes would remain unchanged. The enforcement measures to check the illicit trade of cigarettes would be intensified and fines/penalties would be considerably increased in the budget (2024-25). The government is likely to…

The Lahore High Court has instructed the immigration and passport department to finalize its consultative process and amend the rules within three months. This amendment will allow women to retain their father’s name on their computerized national identity card (CNIC) and passport, regardless of their marital status. Justice Asim Hafeez issued the order in response to a petition by Mehr Bano Langrial. She requested a declaration that a married woman has the right to keep her father’s name on her identity documents, such as the CNIC and passport, regardless of her marital status. Additional Attorney General Mirza Nasar Ahmad informed…

After only 14 years, Apple has finally introduced a native calculator app for the iPad, but at least it has a feature that stands out from your usual calculator apps. If you have an Apple Pencil, you can take advantage of the Math Notes feature, which lets you jot down complex equations and receive instant solutions. It even accommodates variables and updates the results as you modify the inputs. All these features of Math Notes are also integrated into the Notes app. On a related note, the Notes app has been enhanced with SmartScript, an innovative feature that employs machine…

The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) has removed Hafiz Muhammad Shehbaz from his position as chairman of the Islamic Studies department. This action follows serious allegations involving hate speech directed at minorities and the leak of a PhD exam paper. The decision was made during a meeting of the UET syndicate, presided over by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Nasir Hayat. The allegations were brought forward by Dr. Tanveer Qasim, a member of the same department. Dr. Qasim accused Shehbaz of delivering hate speech and leaking a PhD examination paper. Based on the evidence presented, including a video containing hate speech, the…

In a surprising twist off the cricket field, Pakistan’s middle-order batter, Umar Akmal, has turned to Twitter for a unique show of fitness. By posting shirtless photos, Umar Akmal seems to be saying, “I’m still in shape!” This bold move appears aimed at reminding the Pakistan cricket team’s management that he’s ready to step up if needed. Akmal captioned the tweet, “Attention please. This is for those who think I am not fit,” seemingly throwing shade at his doubters and the current team management. The timing of Akmal’s post is no coincidence. Pakistan’s 2024 T20 World Cup campaign has been…

The federal government plans to borrow Rs. 932 billion to finance development projects next fiscal year. The federal government will borrow Rs. 316 billion while the four provincial governments will collectively borrow Rs. 616 billion for working on development projects next fiscal year. The Sindh government will borrow Rs. 334 billion, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rs. 131 billion, and Punjab Rs. 123 billion in development funds. Meanwhile, the Government of Balochistan will borrow Rs. 29 billion. The National Economic Council (NEC) on Monday approved Rs. 1.4 trillion worth of federal Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) along with a national development budget outlay…