Author: newsdesk

  • Pakistan inks $107 million deals with Saudi Fund for hydropower projects

    Pakistan inks $107 million deals with Saudi Fund for hydropower projects

    Pakistan and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) have recently finalised significant agreements aimed at bolstering the country’s energy infrastructure.

    In a ceremonial signing event held on Friday, two pivotal loan agreements were formalised.

    The first agreement, valued at $66 million, pertains to the Shounter Hydropower Project, boasting a capacity of 48 MW.

    The second agreement, worth $41 million, is dedicated to the Jagran IV Hydropower Project, with a capacity of 22 MW.

    The signing ceremony, attended by key figures from both parties, including Sultan Bin Abdul Rehman Al Marshad, Chief Executive Officer of SFD, and Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Economic Affairs, marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.

    In a statement issued following the event, Minister Ahad Khan Cheema expressed gratitude towards the SFD delegation and commended their unwavering support in various sectors, including health, energy, infrastructure, and education, particularly amidst recent challenges such as flooding incidents.

    These collaborative efforts are geared towards tapping into Pakistan’s abundant hydropower potential, with the aim of generating an additional 70 MW of electricity to be integrated into the national grid.

    Beyond mere energy production, the projects also seek to address environmental concerns by offering an alternative to deforestation practices.

    By providing electricity as a viable substitute for wood-based energy sources, local communities, predominantly reliant on forest resources, will benefit. This initiative is expected to catalyze economic growth and uplift the socio-economic landscape of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

    Minister Ahad Khan Cheema reiterated Pakistan’s appreciation for the pivotal role played by SFD during challenging times and pledged to further strengthen bilateral relations in the future.

    In response, Sultan Bin Abdul Rehman Al Marshad reaffirmed SFD’s steadfast commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development endeavours.

  • World Bank approves $149.7 million financing for key projects in Pakistan

    World Bank approves $149.7 million financing for key projects in Pakistan

    The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has greenlit a significant sum of $149.7 million in financing for Pakistan, marking a milestone in bolstering the nation’s development efforts.

    The approval, granted on Friday, will allocate funds to support two vital projects aimed at enhancing the country’s infrastructure and digital landscape.

    According to a press statement released by the international financial institution, a substantial portion of the funding, totaling $78 million, has been earmarked for the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP).

    This initiative seeks to bolster digitally enabled public services delivery for both citizens and businesses, thereby fostering greater accessibility and efficiency.

    Simultaneously, an allocation of $71.7 million has been designated as second additional financing for the Sindh Barrages Improvement Project. This endeavor aims to fortify resilience against floods while enhancing the reliability, safety, and management of the Sindh barrages, crucial components of Pakistan’s water management infrastructure.

    Najy Benhassine, the World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, emphasised the imperative of fortifying infrastructure in the wake of catastrophic events such as the floods of 2022. He underscored the importance of bolstering barrages and their management to mitigate the impact of such disasters effectively.

    Additionally, Benhassine highlighted the significance of nurturing Pakistan’s burgeoning digital economy. He stressed that fostering connectivity and access to government and financial services is pivotal for economic and social development, particularly for marginalised groups like women and entrepreneurs.

    The Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP) aims to develop robust digital authentication and data-sharing platforms.

    These platforms will enable Pakistan to respond more effectively to shocks, deliver enhanced e-government services, and facilitate regulatory reforms to promote private participation in the sector while strengthening personal data protection and online safety.

    Moreover, the project endeavors to promote financial inclusion, particularly among women, by facilitating access to banking services and credit through smartphone applications. It also seeks to address barriers such as limited mobility and digital literacy, ensuring inclusivity in the digital realm.

    Shan Rehman, Task Team Leader for the project, emphasised the comprehensive nature of the initiative, which adopts a holistic approach to digital transformation. He emphasised the importance of inclusivity and trust in digital platforms to meet the evolving needs of the populace.

    Meanwhile, the second additional financing for the Sindh Barrages Improvement Project (SBIP) aims to complete and commission rehabilitation works for barrages, including Guddu and Sukkur. Additionally, it seeks to enhance the management of three barrages in Sindh, namely Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri.

    Francois Onimus, Task Team Leader for the SBIP, stressed the critical role of barrages in ensuring the livelihoods and climate-resilience of the Sindh Province. He highlighted the project’s focus on bolstering canal systems fed by these barrages, thereby mitigating the adverse impacts of extreme weather events.

    In essence, the approval of financing for these projects underscores the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development agenda, spanning both infrastructure and digital innovation, in its journey towards sustainable growth and resilience.

  • Want to ‘think’ of a tweet and have it posted via your thoughts? It’s happening

    Want to ‘think’ of a tweet and have it posted via your thoughts? It’s happening

    Elon Musk has announced that the first-ever Neuralink patient Noland Arbaugh has shared a post on social media using a telepathic device. Musk reposted the patient’s tweet on X.

    Noland Arbaugh wrote on ‘X’, “Twitter banned me because they thought I was a bot, @X and @elonmusk reinstated me because I am.”

    Elon Musk also shared Arbaugh’s tweet stating, “First ever post made just by thinking, using the Neuralink Telepathy device!”

    Noland Arbaugh is a man who can’t move his body from the shoulders down because of paralysis. He plays chess on a computer using only his thoughts and now posts on social media the same way. He thinks of what to say, and it appears online. He said using Neuralink feels like having “the force” from Star Wars, where people can communicate telepathically.

  • Imad Wasim takes his retirement back

    Imad Wasim takes his retirement back

    National cricketer Imad Wasim has announced on ‘X’ (Formerly Twitter) to take his retirement back Today.

    Imad Wasim wrote , “I am happy to announce that pursuant to meeting PCB officials, I have reconsidered my retirement and am delighted to declare my availability for Pakistan cricket in T20i format leading up to ICC T20i World Cup 2024.”

    “I would like to thank the PCB for reposing trust in me and I would give my very best to bring laurels to my country. Pakistan comes first!”

    Imad quit his international career in November last year.

  • Punjab to start admissions of first, third year before matric or inter results

    Punjab to start admissions of first, third year before matric or inter results

    In a first, Punjab government has issued instructions to open admissions in first year and third year before matric and inter results are issued.

    Regular notification for opening admissions in 11th and 13th has also been issued in Punjab before the results. According to the notification, the purpose of opening the admissions before the results is to attract bright minds to government colleges, as per Geo News.

    The notification states that admission in first year will be based on the results of ninth class, while admission in third year will be based on the results of the first year.

  • Why did Mahmood Aslam reject the role of Nauman Ijaz’s father?

    Why did Mahmood Aslam reject the role of Nauman Ijaz’s father?

    Veteran actor Mahmood Aslam has shared that he was asked to play Nauman Ijaz’s father, but he turned it down.
    Recently, Aslam participated in a ‘Life Green Hai’ show Ramazan transmission in which he discussed contemporary dramas and raised objections to the casting of actors.
    The host asked the actor, “How do you feel when you’re asked to play the dad of actors who are just a few years younger than you?”
    Aslam said, “I was recently offered the role of Nauman Ijaz’s father, even though he’s just a bit younger than me. So, I refused to take that part.”
    At the same time, he said to Nadia Khan in a humorous manner, “Look Nadia, please take a stand on these kinds of roles.”

  • Man assaults sister-in-law, nieces with shovel

    Man assaults sister-in-law, nieces with shovel

    A Rawalpindi native, identified as Riaz Shah tortured his widow sister-in-law and her daughters along with other accomplices by attacking them with shovels. The incident occured in Sher Zaman Colony of the Garrison City.

    SSP Operations Kamran Asghar has that the suspect Riaz Shah is the brother-in-law of the victim. A house dispute erupted between the two parties when the suspect asked for a share while the house is in the name of the late husband of the victim, reports Geo News.

    Riaz Shah has been arrested and a case has been registered.

    Taking notice of the incident, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has asked for immediate action against the accused. While seeking a report from police authorities, she has said that violence against women is not going to be tolerated.

    SSP Operations Kamran Asghar and other police officers also visited the house of the victim’s family and inquired about their well-being. They sought information about the incident and assured them of cooperation.

  • Mahira Khan wants trolls to reflect in light of Kate Middleton’s cancer

    Mahira Khan wants trolls to reflect in light of Kate Middleton’s cancer

    The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, shared on Friday evening that she is battling cancer and receiving chemotherapy. The announcement came after many rumors circulated on social media about her health and whereabouts. Kate, 42, had not been seen in public since Christmas. However, a video surfaced this week showing her with her husband, Prince William, walking near their Windsor home. This sparked discussions among celebrities, many of whom criticized the digital speculation surrounding Kate’s absence.

    Some famous people criticized the rumors and asked for kindness.
    Actress Mahira Khan took to social media to write, “I wonder how people feel when they sit and type crap about public personalities. When they spend days believing their own ridiculous conspiracy theories, talking smack and being mean. Life is the same for all. Painful and terrible at times. Be kinder than you feel. You have absolutely no idea what someone is dealing with.”

  • Former chairman PCB Shahryar Khan passed away

    Former chairman PCB Shahryar Khan passed away

    Former Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shahryar Khan has been passed away.

    According to family sources, he was ill for a long time and died today in Lahore in the age of 89 years. Shahryar Khan will be cremated in Karachi, his dead body will be taken to Karachi today.

    Shahryar Khan was the Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board twice. He was a former diplomat and he also held the post of Foreign Secretary.

    Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi expressed his grief over the death of former PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan and expressed his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family.

  • Shahid Afridi has called Imran Riaz Khan a ‘troll’

    Shahid Afridi has called Imran Riaz Khan a ‘troll’

    Former cricket captain Shahid Khan Afridi has called YouTuber Imran Riaz Khan a “troll”.

    Imran Riaz had criticized Afridi in the context of the current political situation, on which the former all-rounder lashed out at him.

    Shahid Afridi wrote on X (formerly Twitter) “In the cycle of likes, retweets, views, etc., it has become very difficult to differentiate between truth and lies and the difference between a journalist and a troll is that a journalist does research.”

    He wrote, “Slander is the easiest thing, I still stand by my word that Imran bhai (Imran Khan) was my role model after seeing whom I started cricket otherwise I would not have become a cricketer. Because of lies and propaganda my position will change and neither will serve Tehreek-e-Insaaf or Imran Khan.”

    Earlier, journalist Imran Riaz Khan had said in his tweet, “Shahid Afridi congratulated those who stole the country’s mandate. When Afridi started openly criticizing Pakistan’s greatest public leader, people’s patience ran out.”

    “In Pakistan, there are many stars like Shahid Afridi, inferior to him and better than him, who are still connecting themselves with the people in different ways, all of them have their own political thoughts, none of them have won the hearts of the people. Shahid Afridi’s eyes are probably focused on another target.”

    He said, “Risking honor to get positions does not beautify a hero. If he had to speak, Shahid Afridi should have spoken against oppression so that the people who loved him would repay their love. However, Lala always kept the tradition of getting himself out by playing the wrong shot, Afridi once again made the wrong shot selection.”

    Shahid Afridi addressed the fake accounts and post makers in a statement in the past and said, “You should invest your energies in something positive that would be beneficial for yourself if not for anyone else. If I have to talk or make a statement, I have the media and my X (formerly Twitter) handle.”