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The World Bank has approved an additional $108 million in financing for Pakistan, aiming to bolster infrastructure and resilience in rural and tourism sectors. According to a statement issued by the international lender, $78 million has been allocated for the Punjab Rural Accessibility Project, which seeks to enhance road connectivity, improve access to markets, and create better employment opportunities for rural populations. The remaining $30 million has been earmarked for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development Project. The World Bank said the funding would support initiatives to strengthen climate and natural resilience, while also boosting eco-tourism and community-led development in…

Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has released the results of the CSS 2024 written examination. Out of 23,100 applicants, 15,602 candidates appeared for the exam, and only 395 have successfully passed, reflecting a pass percentage of 2.53 percent.​ The successful candidates will now proceed to the next stages, which include psychological assessments, medical evaluations, and final interviews. The CSS examination is considered a gateway to Pakistan’s civil services, demanding not only academic excellence but also mental resilience, strategic thinking, and perseverance. The low pass rate once again highlights the intense level of preparation and determination required to succeed.​ Read the…

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is continuing its consultation process to appoint a new head coach for the national cricket team, with the official announcement expected after May 4, sources revealed. According to sources, Mike Hesson of New Zealand has emerged as a strong contender for the role. Hesson, who is currently the head coach of Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), is being considered for the position specifically to lead Pakistan’s white-ball (limited-overs) teams. The PCB is currently awaiting the application deadline to be closed before making the final decision. The new head coach’s first assignment is likely…

Hajj operation in Pakistan has officially begun, with the national flag carrier’s first flight transporting 442 pilgrims from Islamabad to Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. According to a spokesperson for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the first Hajj flight from Quetta is scheduled to depart at 10 AM, carrying 170 pilgrims. Meanwhile, the first Hajj flight from Lahore will take off at 10 PM, transporting 323 pilgrims to Madinah. In the first phase of the Hajj operation, all special flights will head to Madinah. In the second phase, the flights will depart for Jeddah. Special “Road to Makkah”…

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is scheduled to meet on May 9 to discuss Pakistan’s economic arrangements, including a staff-level agreement for a new $1.3 billion climate resilience loan and the first review of the country’s ongoing $7 billion bailout programme. The board’s discussions will cover two significant aspects: the first review under Pakistan’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and a request for an arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). This comes after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s recent visit to Washington, where he expressed optimism regarding the board’s approval in early May. Approval from the IMF…

The Employees Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) has announced an increase in the minimum pension, a move aimed at benefiting pensioners across the country. The increase, effective from January 1, 2025, will see the minimum pension rise from Rs10,000 to Rs11,500. Pensions above Rs10,000 will also see an increment of 15%. The decision was made following a briefing held on Monday under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Salik Hussain. T he meeting reviewed EOBI’s performance for the fiscal year 2024-25, where it was revealed that the institution earned an income of Rs 116 billion, marking a 40%…

Pakistan continues to face a relentless heatwave with scorching temperatures reaching alarming levels in several regions. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the hot and humid weather is expected to persist until April 30, causing considerable concern for residents and authorities alike. Recent reports indicate that temperatures have surged to an extreme 51 degrees Celsius in cities such as Larkana, Dadu, and Turbat. Lahore is not far behind, with highs of 42 degrees Celsius, while Karachi’s mercury has hit 37 degrees Celsius. As the heatwave intensifies, the Met Office has issued warnings for widespread hot weather conditions, particularly in…

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has won Canada’s national election, sealing a remarkable political comeback in a contest dominated by renewed tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump. Final results on Monday night confirmed that the Liberals secured the most seats in the 343-member parliament, national broadcasters CBC and CTV News reported. However, it remained unclear whether Mr Carney would be able to form a majority government or would need support from smaller parties to govern. The victory marks a stunning turnaround for the Liberals, who earlier this year had been trailing the Conservative Party, led by…

The federal government has intensified its diplomatic efforts to safeguard Pakistani exports from facing additional US tariffs, deciding to dispatch a high-level delegation to Washington within the next 24 hours, sources confirmed on Monday. The delegation, to be led by Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, will engage in crucial negotiations with the Trump administration to prevent the imposition of a proposed 29% tariff on Pakistani products. Key officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, and Foreign Office will accompany the minister to support the discussions. Sources revealed that Pakistan is seeking to address the $3 billion…

Amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, the National Computer Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has issued a high-priority advisory warning of an increased risk of cyberattacks targeting Pakistan’s critical infrastructure and government institutions. According to the advisory, hackers could exploit the current geopolitical instability in South Asia and Central Asia to launch sophisticated cyberattacks. Potential targets include government departments, defence installations, financial institutions, and media organizations. The advisory highlights that attackers may deploy methods such as spear-phishing campaigns, malware infections, and the use of deepfakes to breach systems, steal sensitive and confidential information, and disrupt essential services. “The possibility…