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The country’s inflation trajectory has demonstrated a remarkable downward trend, with the rate plummeting to 4.9% in November 2024, marking the lowest level in six and a half years, according to recent economic data. During the first five months of the current fiscal year, the average inflation rate has dramatically decreased from 28.62% to 7.88%, indicating major macroeconomic improvements. Urban areas have particularly witnessed a substantial reduction, with the inflation rate stabilizing at 5.2%. Economists attribute this decline to strategic policy interventions and a comprehensive approach to managing consumer price pressures. Key factors contributing to this economic moderation include reduced…

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a remarkable surge on Monday as the benchmark KSE-100 Index surpassed the 115,000-point mark for the first time in history. The trading session began on a strong note, with the KSE-100 Index reaching an intraday high of 115,826.94 points before settling at 115,443 points by midday. This milestone builds on last week’s record-breaking performance, when the index closed at 114,301 points, gaining 5,247 points. According to market analysts, the surge is underpinned by robust remittance inflows, declining inflation, and expectations of monetary policy easing by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The Monetary Policy…

ISLAMABAD : A week-long nationwide anti-polio campaign formally commenced today (Monday) with an aim to administer vaccine against the crippling disease to about 44,000,000 children across the country, after the annual tally of poliovirus cases reached 63. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday announced the launch of the anti-polio drive by administering drops to children in Islamabad. Addressing the launching ceremony, he expressed the commitment to eradicate the poliovirus from Pakistan with the help of provincial governments and the international partners. Around 400,000 polio workers across 143 districts of the country will visit every household to administer polio drops to…

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have finalised all matters regarding the 2025 Champions Trophy. Sources divulged that all obstacles in the way of the tournament have been cleared, with both traditional rivals agreeing to the hybrid formula. The formation of the agreements is now in its final stages, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to make a formal announcement either today or tomorrow. An insider noted, “Both the ICC and the Indian board have accepted all of Pakistan’s terms, and now there are no complications left regarding the…

Bouncers have often left batsmen reeling, with fast bowlers delivering some of the most vicious deliveries in cricket history. Among the most unforgettable was Brett Lee’s bouncer in late 2002, which forced England’s Alex Tudor to be stretchered off the field in Perth. Tudor was struck on the helmet by a 144.1 km/h delivery, resulting in a fractured skull. Lee, known for his speed and hostility, had been wreaking havoc throughout the Ashes series, and this brutal blow ended Tudor’s tour. At No. 2 is Courtney Walsh, who terrorised batsmen with his fierce deliveries during the 1980s and 1990s. Walsh’s…

WhatsApp is introducing a new update to improve the Updates tab interface, enhancing accessibility for status and channel updates. According to WABetaInfo, the update brings quick shortcuts that simplify the process of updating statuses and channels. Users can now select and upload photos and videos directly from the interface, reducing the steps involved in choosing media from the gallery. The Meta-owned messaging app also redesigned the button for creating text-based status updates and added an option for recording and sharing voice status updates. This provides users with a quicker way to share text and voice updates without relying on the…

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has dismissed the prime minister, Akylbek Japarov, Russia’s RIA state news agency reported on Monday, citing an unidentified source in the presidential administration. There was no further detail on why Japarov, who has headed the government since 2021, might have been dismissed and who would replace him. Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous country in Central Asia and a former Soviet Republic, has gone through significant political and social instability since its independence in 1991. It’s economy depends heavily on remittances from millions of migrant labourers working in Russia, which make up a fifth of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP),…

ISLAMABAD :The 10th anniversary of the deadly attack on Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar that claimed the lives of more than 140 people, 134 of them schoolchildren, is being observed across the country today (Monday). On December 16, 2014, six terrorists affiliated with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had stormed the APS and martyred 147 students and teachers. It was the deadliest attack in the country’s history. The carnage prompted the government to declare an all-out war against the terrorist outfits. In the wake of the attack, military courts were set up for trying terrorists under amendments made to…

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s visit to China has been a major success, securing over Rs13 billion ($50 million) in investments for the province. Key agreements were signed with Chinese firms in IT, green energy, and environmental sectors. Notably, Gobi Partners announced a $50 million investment fund to support Punjab’s startups and SMEs, alongside partnerships with the Bank of Punjab for financial solutions. Solar N Plus also committed to advancing solar technology in the region. The visit highlighted Punjab’s competitive economic incentives, fostering long-term collaborations to promote sustainable development and position the province as a hub for technology and entrepreneurship.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, is entering a transformative Phase 2.0, emphasizing deeper collaboration, technological advancements, and socio-economic development. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal is leading Pakistan’s efforts to revitalize CPEC through high-level engagements in China, including the launch of CPEC Phase 2.0 at a Beijing seminar. This new phase focuses on five thematic corridors—Growth, Livelihood-Enhancing, Innovation, Green, and Regional Connectivity—aligning with Pakistan’s economic priorities and China’s vision for shared prosperity. A 27-member Pakistani delegation is undergoing specialized training in China, aimed at fostering innovation, capacity building, and sustainable development. Key goals…