Skyrocketing shop rents in major Pakistani shopping malls is forcing menswear apparel businesses to operate online and reduce number of shops. The rent of shops in big shopping malls in Pakistan was higher than the rent charged in US. A shop measuring 1,000 square metres anywhere in North America could be rented for $5,000 per month but in Pakistan rent is much higher.
The Environment Protection Department (EPD) of Punjab has directed that brick kilns using “old technology” in the province be closed immediately. The brick kilns will be closed in select cities from November 20 till December 20. The notification, however, stated that brick kilns using “zig-zag technology”, a design change that makes more efficient use of fuel, would be allowed to operate.
National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has decided to reserve every Friday for women. Each Friday, NADRA officials will only issue CNIC cards to women.The people have appreciated NADRA’s initiative with Some saying that this empowers women in the country. Others suggest that women will more actively participate in the electoral process because of this measure.
A video has recently surfaced on social media, where a chicken supplier was seen readying a pickup full of dead chicken for delivery. When asked he clearly mentioned that he will be delivering the chicken to “Bao Jee Murgh Pulao at Khanna Pul” Islamabad. An inquiry has been initiated after the release of video to ascertain the authenticity and food samples have been taken for testing by Deputy Director of ICT Food department.
The federal government is setting up a new force to put an end to cross-border smuggling incidents as it has caused a significant loss to the national exchequer over the years. Under the Border Monitoring Initiative (BMI), more than 2,000 officials will be inducted into the security forces and strict action will be taken against relevant authorities indulged in such activities.
The federal government has started the process of identifying retired federal government employees in attempt to keep track of pensioners. Pensioners’ Identity Card forms and proformas, devised by the Accountant General Pakistan Revenue (AGPR), have been forwarded to all government departments and will be available online to facilitate the employees in distant areas and also to eliminate fake pensioners.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal while speaking to a local news channel revealed that Pakistan has received three times more foreign exchange this financial year by exporting defence related products. “More than $200 million (Rs31 billion) has been earned by defence production’s export and this amount would increase in coming years”, she informed at the sidelines of the Dubai airshow.
After British royal couple, Queen Maxima of Netherlands will be visiting Pakistan next month. The Queen is expected to meet President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan, as well as State Bank Governor Reza Baqir, Adviser to PM on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and NADRA Chairman Usman Mubin. She will discuss progress of financial services to improve economic situation of Pakistan.
Pakistan on Monday conducted a successful training launch of a surface to surface ballistic missile Shaheen-I, a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated. The launch was conducted as part of a training exercise “aimed at testing the operational readiness of Army Strategic Forces Command”. The Shaheen-I missile is capable of delivering all types of warheads up to a range of 650 kilometres.
Officials in Lahore have decided to use artificial rain to decrease the smog level in the provincial capital. Commissioner Lahore Division Asif Bilal Lodhi has said that the idea will be executed if smog levels go out of control. Lodhi says there will be no compromise on people’s health and urged the traffic police, transport, and agriculture departments, to take concrete measures.