Pakistani mobile operator Ufone 4G has started transforming its flagship joint shops nationwide into Digital Lifestyle Experience Shops, aimed at delivering an end-to-end digital lifestyle experience to its customers. The joint shops are being equipped to provide a comprehensive suite of world-class services, including a wide range of handsets, internet devices, repair & and maintenance, exclusive discount & value-added offers and more to help customers to fulfil their diverse digital needs conveniently under one roof.… Continue
The government handed the petition to protect disability rights
The Government of Pakistan has received a petition with thousands of signatures calling for action to protect disability rights ahead of a major UN summit on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) this month. The petition was handed to Rafiullah Kakar, Member Social Sector, Planning Commission by Munazza Gillani, Country Director Sightsavers.… Continue
The SSGC’s operation grift intensifies the crackdown against gas thieves.
Sui Southern Gas Company has intensified its operations against the nuisance of gas theft, one of the main causes behind the Company’s UFG or line losses, through its raids on domestic, commercial and industrial customers regularly.
Since its inception in 2017, under the banner of ‘Operation Grift’, SSGC’s Security Services and Counter Gas Theft Operations (SS &CGTO) Department has conducted 2,073 counter gas theft operations against industrial, commercial, domestic to commercial and bulk domestic registered customers and has carried out 4,173 direct theft operations against industrial and commercial unregistered consumers.… Continue
Pakistan mixed key economic indicators for August 2023
Pakistan recorded its Current Account Deficit (CAD) of US$160mn in Aug 2023 vs US$775mn in Jul-2023, which is better than estimates. This takes 2MFY24 CAD to US$935mn against a CAD of US$2,035mn in 2MFY23.
Remittances up 3% MoM to US$2.1bn in Aug-2023.… Continue
Mastercard’s strategic partnership with Delivery Hero
Mastercard’s strategic partnership with Delivery Hero, the world’s leading local delivery platform, continues to fuel the growth of e-commerce in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Since announcing a large-scale collaboration aimed at digitalising Delivery Hero’s payment chain in 2020, the two companies have seen more than double the number of transactions through its platforms.… Continue
MEBL announces the establishment of an Exchange Company
MEBL intends to establish an Exchange Company
MEBL, in a notice today, has announced its intent to establish an Exchange Company, a strategic move influenced by recent structural reforms implemented by the State Bank of Pakistan, we believe. MEBL’s Board made this decision of Directors and is subject to regulatory approval.… Continue
The crackdown on the sugar and dollar mafia is commendable.
On Friday, Dr Hanif Mughal, Senior Vice President of Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW), said that the crackdown against the sugar and dollar mafia is highly laudable. He said actions are being taken against sugar hoarders and smugglers, wholesalers and distributors are continuously monitored, but sugar mills are not being raided.… Continue
Exports and remittances are decreasing; business costs should be reduced: Mian Zahid Hussain.
Chairman of National Business Group Pakistan, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, All Karachi Industrial Alliance, and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain said on Friday that the country is facing serious economic, political, and environmental crises. Authorities are trying to manage problems temporarily with some success, but he said serious matters should not be taken lightly.… Continue
Strategic partnership in foodpanda and Atlas Honda Ltd
In a strategic partnership with Atlas Honda Ltd for Riders, foodpanda hosted a Motorcycle Simulator Demo and Road Safety Session at its Karachi office. This 
initiative aimed to bolster safety awareness among delivery riders, actively working to reduce accidents during duty, and promote a seamless traffic experience for all road users.… Continue
Standard Chartered enters into an agreement with the Kashf Foundation
Standard Chartered Bank has entered into a distribution agreement with Kashf Foundation. Through this arrangement, Standard Chartered will be offering Kashf Gender Bonds to the Bank’s non-individual business banking clients. This distribution arrangement of the Kashf Gender Bond is a significant step towards the Government’s agenda of economic empowerment and financial inclusion of women in Pakistan.… Continue
Experts organized a dialogue to address SDGs challenges and opportunities
“Growth is important, but it must be sustainable and inclusive” says Ali Kemal, Chief SDGs, Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiative. He expressed his views during his speech at the National People’s Assembly that was organized by Awaz Foundation Pakistan, GCAP and Pakistan Development Alliance.… Continue
U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission reaffirms commitment to Green Shipping in Pakistan
Today, in Karachi, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Government of Pakistan and the port and shipping industry to develop a national action. This plan will encourage more sustainable shipping practices to prevent global climate change and enhance Pakistan’s trade competitiveness.… Continue
SBP’s reserves decreased by US$ 140 million to US$ 7,638.9 million
The total liquid foreign reserves held by the country stood at US$ 13,079.1 million as of 08-Sep-2023. The break-up of the foreign reserves position is as under:
- Foreign reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan: US$ 7,638.9 million
- Net foreign reserves held by commercial banks : US$ 5,440.2 million
- Total liquid foreign reserves : US$ 13,079.1 million
During the week ended on 08-Sep-2023, SBP’s reserves decreased by US$ 140 million to US$ 7,638.9 million on account of debt repayments.… Continue
Malnutrition early in life sets the stage for poor growth and death: AKU researchers find
Study finds that better nutrition during pregnancy and childbearing years is critical in protecting children in their most vulnerable first 1,000 days. Malnutrition affects babies much earlier than thought, and more nutritional support is needed for mothers-to-be and their newborns to prevent disease, impaired cognition and death, according to new findings by Prof Zulfiqar Bhutta, founding director of the Institute for Global Health and Development and the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health (COE-WCH) at the Aga Khan University.… Continue
Sindh Excise, Taxation, & Narcotics Control Department joins PSW
Pakistan Single Window (PSW) and the Sindh Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control (ET&NC) Department have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) following the integration of the Sindh ET&NC Department with the PSW. Sindh ET&NC services such as collection of the Sindh Infrastructure Development Cess (SIDC), submission of applications/requests for SIDC exemption/waiver, recording of Bank Guarantees and their release thereof, can now all be availed through the PSW system.… Continue
Raids and FIRs continue against gas thieves: SSGC.
Gas Utility Court, District East Karachi, convicted Abdullah after payment of Rs. 527,300/- to SSGC as the quantum of loss and fine of Rs. 10,000/-. FIR was lodged in SSGC Police Station for direct commercial use of gas through the service line for running a tandoor.… Continue
SBP decided to maintain the policy rate at 22%.
At its meeting today, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to maintain the policy rate at 22 percent. This decision takes into account the latest inflation outturn reflecting the continuing declining trend in inflation from its peak of 38 percent in May to 27.4 percent in August 2023.… Continue
Gender Equality is a fundamental human right: EFP
Majyd Aziz, Former President, the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP), has said that Gender Equality is a fundamental human right and essential for promoting equitable, inclusive, and sustainable economic development. He pointed out that in Pakistan, women’s participation and contribution to economic development is far less when compared to other regional countries and is mainly due to women’s lack of access to education, training, and economic opportunities.… Continue
120 MMCFD short supplies from 2 Gas Fields badly hit SSGC’s system
Sui Southern Gas Company has said today that since early morning today (Thursday), the gas utility has been facing tough challenges, as two of the gas fields from which SSGC purchases the natural gas are providing accumulative short supplies of 120 mmcfd.… Continue
Dubai’s Iconic Hatta sign breaks Guinness World Record.
From the world’s highest observation deck to the world’s largest mall, the largest picture frame and much more, Dubai has no shortage of Guinness World Records. And the glittering city has bagged yet another, with the iconic Hatta sign winning the title of ‘The Tallest Landmark Sign’ in September 2023.… Continue
COAS lauded for stabilising the currency, lowering sugar price
Saifuddin Sheikh, Executive Director of Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW), said on Thursday that all the credit goes to the Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir for the continuous increase in the value of the rupee and the decrease in the price of sugar.… Continue
PSA lauds govt vision to maintain current Net Metering rate
Pakistan Solar Association (PSA) has expressed gratitude to the caretaker government for its decision to maintain the current Net Metering rate for solar energy users, as Minister for Energy Muhammad Ali announced. PSA Chairman Amir Chaudhry commended the government’s commitment to sustainability and the environment, emphasising that this decision would foster the adoption of solar energy and contribute to a cleaner, greener Pakistan.… Continue
Oil price and interest rate Hike to trigger inflation
On Thursday, former Vice President of FPCCI Atif Ikram Sheikh said inflation has increased a lot. At the same time, the purchasing power of the people has become the lowest compared to other countries in the region. In these circumstances, the wage increase has become inevitable to enable the masses to bring food to the table, he said.… Continue
ACF Animal Rescue responds to false accusations
Ayesha Chundrigar, the founder of ACF Animal Rescue has issued an official statement in response to the false, libelous, and defamatory statements published by Sadia Ghori against ACF Animal Rescue despite her bogus case being disposed off in the court (Judgement attached) due to a concealment of material facts and no law broken.… Continue
Jazz categorically refutes SNGPL’s false claims of gas theft.
In response to the recent baseless allegations of gas theft by Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL), Jazz, Pakistan’s largest digital operator, has served the gas company with a Rs 10 billion defamation notice. Categorically refuting SNGPL’s false claims of gas theft at a Karak (KP) site, the telecom company has served a legal notice to SNGPL.… Continue