Tech and Telecom

The Punjab government has launched a new mobile application to facilitate citizens by letting them acquire key documents at home. The app is called “Dastak – Doorstep Services” on Google Play Store, but is being marketed as “Maryam ki Dastak”. It is yet to launch on iOS. Use The Correct App Note that there are two very similar apps on the Play Store. One is called “Dastak Facilitator” which has been sitting on the app store for over a year now and only works in Lahore (according to the reviews). That one is made by the Punjab IT Board. The…

Electricity consumers will no longer be able to pay large bills in installments following an amendment to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s (NEPRA) manual. The recent amendment to NEPRA’s consumer service manual has taken immediate effect, eliminating the option for consumers to pay their bills in installments throughout the year. Under the new amendment, consumers will only have the option to pay their electricity bills in installments once a year, which could be burdensome for many, requiring them to pay hefty bills in one go. In its directive to the electricity-providing companies, the authority stated that the new regulations…

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $250 million policy-based loan to help the Government of Pakistan drive sustainable investments in infrastructure and services through public-private partnerships (PPPs). ADB’s Promoting Sustainable Public–Private Partnerships Program supports the implementation of government policies to create an enabling environment for fiscally affordable PPPs and promote inclusive economic growth. “This program is part of our comprehensive and integrated package of public sector management support that balances the country’s fiscal consolidation and growth objectives,” said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov. “The program will help the Government of Pakistan create an…

Saudi Arabia has announced a heat advisory for pilgrims participating in this year’s Hajj, warning them to prepare for extremely high temperatures during their sacred journey. The National Meteorology Center predicts an average maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) in Makkah and Medina, which increases one and a half to two degrees above the usual norms for this period. Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a mandatory pilgrimage for all financially and physically capable Muslims. The pilgrimage spans four days and involves a series of sacred rituals in Makkah and its surroundings. This year,…

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has praised young Pakistani batter Saim Ayub over his batting style and technique, predicting a bright future for the emerging talent. Ponting’s praise comes after the left-hander’s impressive performances during the series against Australia where he impressed the Aussie legend, particularly during a Test match in Sydney. “I loved the look of Saim Ayub out here during the Australian summer. He played that Test match in Sydney and I didn’t know much about him then,” Ponting remarked. “When I’m sitting there commentating, I like to know about players and what they can do, so I…

The Competition Commission of Pakistan is holding four public hearings to gather information against alleged illegal housing schemes located in Punjab. CCP is investigating 121 housing schemes in four major cities of Punjab. These housing schemes are allegedly engaged in Deceptive Marketing Practices by falsely claiming their approvals with the Town Municipal Administrations and other concerned authorities, the commission said in a tweet on X. The distribution of false or misleading information is prohibited under Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010. Such false and misleading information harms the interests of businesses and consumers alike, it added. CCP is holding…

Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif met with Mr. Zhu Zhaojiang, founder and chairman of the Chinese company Transsion Holdings, in Shenzhen. During the meeting, interest was expressed in investment opportunities in Transsion Holdings’ mobile manufacturing unit in Pakistan and investment in four sectors in Pakistan: mobile phone production, electric bikes, modern agriculture, and fintech. On the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the government of Pakistan continues to ensure facilities for foreign investors and business personalities. He invited Transsion Holdings to produce goods locally in Pakistan and export them abroad. During the meeting, the Chairman of Transsion Holdings briefed the…

Total bank loans to the private sector clocked in at Rs. 9.27 trillion in 11 months of the current financial year 2023-24 from Rs. 9.16 trillion by the end of FY23. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), net borrowing by the private sector clocked in at Rs. 106.3 billion between July 2023 and May 24, 2024, compared to Rs. 72.2 billion reported in the same period last year, showing an increase of 47.3 percent year-on-year or Rs. 34.1 billion from last year. Conventional banking branches loaned Rs. 26 billion to the private sector from July 2023 till May…

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Bank Alfalah, one of the largest commercial banks in Pakistan, in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan, committed to planting 25,000 mangroves in 2024 along the coastline of Balochistan. This initiative is part of its pledge to plant 100,000 trees by 2030 in partnership with WWF-Pakistan. In 2023, Bank Alfalah took a significant step towards environmental sustainability with the #GreenWayForward initiative by planting 15,000 mangrove trees at the WWF Wetland Centre in Sandspit, Karachi, symbolizing its total number of employees. The ongoing initiative builds on last year’s efforts to further contribute to mangrove reforestation and enhance…

The Punjab government has allocated Rs. 4 billion for the Rawalpindi Ring Road (R3) project to settle its liabilities by the end of the fiscal year 2023-24. Commissioner Aamir Khattak stated that additional funds would be disbursed in the next fiscal year to ensure the project’s completion by December as per the stipulated timeframe. In the current fiscal year, Punjab allocated Rs. 7.8 billion for the Rawalpindi Ring Road’s construction after acquiring the land. The revised project has been approved by the Planning and Development Department. The Central Development Working Party and ECNEC are also expected to give their approvals…