Tech and Telecom

Iraqi Airways has approached the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan, seeking an increase in flight frequency during Muharram-ul-Haram due to a surge in travelers during this period. Iraqi Airways has highlighted the significant influx of zaireen traveling to Iraq during Muharram-ul-Haram to visit religious sites. The request for increased flight frequency is currently under consideration by the CAA authorities. Earlier in 2022, Pakistan and Iraq agreed to initiate a ferry service between Basra and Karachi to facilitate Pakistani zaireen (pilgrims) traveling to Iraq. This decision was made during a meeting between the former interior minister Rana Sanaullah and Iraqi…

Sindh Tourism Minister Zulfiqar Ali Shah announced on Thursday that a religious corridor similar to Kartarpur could be established on the Pakistan-India border within the province. This initiative will facilitate devotees of the Hindu and Jain faiths. Speaking at a tourism promotion event in Dubai, Sindh Tourism Minister Zulfiqar Ali Shah proposed establishing a religious corridor in Umarkot and Nagarparkar. He stated that Nagarparkar is home to several historical Jain temples. He informed attendees that numerous Hindus and Jains were eager to visit Sindh. Shah proposed that the Sindh government could start a weekly flight from India to Sukkur or…

The Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB) has asked the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to provide $758 million to pay back investors who financed power projects mostly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This was requested by Managing Director PPIB Shah Jahan Mirza in a letter to SBP Governor Jameel Ahmed a few days before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China, reported Business Recorder. The PPIB MD shared his concerns regarding Independent Power Producers (IPPs) who had complained about delays in getting the central bank’s approval to convert Pakistani Rupees to US Dollars. He said such delays are…

The federal government has prohibited telecom companies from disclosing sensitive information on lawful interceptions conducted by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and telecom operators. This decision was taken to ensure confidentiality in operations related to lawful interception. The IT & Telecom Division had first suggested this to the federal government, and now the cabinet has approved the ban, local media reported on Thursday. During a recent cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, it was emphasized that confidentiality must be maintained for all communications and information about lawful interceptions. The cabinet approved policy directives mandating that the PTA ensure no…

Ignite-National Technology Fund has opened enrollments for Batch-08 of the DigiSkills Training Program, allocating 300,000 seats on a first-come, first-served basis. Ignite urges potential trainees to enroll promptly, as seats may fill up quickly, and no additional seats will be available after the deadline. The DigiSkills Training Program (DSTP) offers 15 online courses free of charge, designed by qualified and experienced trainers. The DSTP team provides support services through official communication channels to ensure trainees receive assistance when needed. According to Ignite, since its inception in 2018, DigiSkills.pk has become Pakistan’s largest training program, offering 15 free online courses focused…

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb discussed the pressing issue of smog, attributing part of the problem to drift from India while acknowledging that a significant 70% of the issue is caused by local industries. Aurangzeb issued a stark warning about the dangers of plastic use, describing it as a “death sentence” for the environment and public health. She highlighted the widespread use of plastic in daily life and its severe consequences. To combat this, she announced a halt in plastic production in Punjab, stating that no industry is currently manufacturing plastic bags. Aurangzeb vowed strict action against violators of this…

Pakistan and China signed thirty-two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) at the Pakistan-China Business Forum held in Shenzhen, Minister for Privatization and Board of Investment Abdul Aleem Khan revealed. The Privatization Minister assured support for Chinese companies looking to do business in Pakistan. He mentioned that the private sector would have the freedom to invest in various sectors, including energy, infrastructure development, farming, engineering construction, and logistics. The minister emphasized Pakistan’s vast potential and abundant natural resources, stating that large-scale business activities would drive economic growth and create employment opportunities. Aleem Khan added that he consulted with key Chinese business groups,…

Pakistan will take on the mighty Saudi Arabia tomorrow which will be led by Roberto Mancini, the man who has 2021 Euro and 2012 Premier League titles to his name. Saudi Arabia mostly plays with a 3-1-4-2 formation where they try to suffocate the defence line with a front six most of the time. They tried the same mantra during both of their legs against Tajikistan and also against Pakistan when the two sides met in November. Saudi Arabia tries to stretch the play with their wingbacks such as Saud Abdul Hamid and Nasser Al Dawsari most of the time…

Over 20 former finance ministers and central bank governors Wednesday called the G20 to address the sovereign debt crisis unfolding in large parts of the Global South. The statement, issued by Debt Relief for Green and Inclusive Recovery (DRGR) Project, signed by 21 former Finance ministers and central bank governors highlighted that the world is falling behind on achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) recent Global Stocktake found that countries are not on track to meet Paris Agreement targets. It said that the past few years have brought…

With Riz-Bar reunited at the top of the order for Pakistan, the discussion around Pakistan’s run rate has resurfaced. However, I’d like to debunk this notion using some stats. While capitalizing on the powerplay overs is undoubtedly crucial in modern T20 cricket, considering the current playing conditions and circumstances of this World Cup, I believe Pakistan has bigger concerns to address. Since 2023, Pakistan’s powerplay run rate has been the fifth-best in the world, trailing behind powerhouses like the West Indies, South Africa, Australia, and England. These teams boast unparalleled destructive capabilities, consistently posting run rates exceeding 8.8 in the…