The federal government has deferred approval of Rs192 billion worth of Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway project due to proposed changes in its financing model. The project now seeks Rs76 billion from the budget compared to the original plan of constructing the road with private sector funding. The project was initially expected to be completed at a cost of Rs165 billion, which has now increased to Rs191.5 billion.
Pakistan saw an increase of 26% in remittances, with a record run of above $2 billion in remittances for the 10th consecutive month in March, the State Bank of Pakistan said Monday. Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) continued to maintain the top spots as key contributors of remittances to Pakistan for the fiscal year 2021, central bank data showed.
Pakistan is set to become the world’s 23rd biggest economy by 2040 based on its predicted gross domestic product (GDP) rank which currently sits at 39th position, according to a United States intelligence report. The assessment was included in this year’s Global Trends report by US National Intelligence Council (NIC). The NIC is issued every four years.
PTI lawmaker and Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice Barrister Maleeka Bokhari has been selected as the World Economic Forum (WEF) ‘Young Global Leader’ for five years. Bokhari is the only representative from Pakistan, chosen as a Young Global Leader this year. She currently serves as Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Law and Justice in Pakistan and is responsible for legislative business in parliament.
Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said that the government plans to open registration for Covid-19 vaccination for all citizens after Eid. While speaking to senior journalists, Umar said so far 14,000 people had received vaccination through the private sector, while 1.1 million were inoculated as part of the government campaign.
Visually impaired Pakistani student, Khansa Maria, will be pursuing a Masters in evidence-based policy intervention and social evaluation at the Oxford University next fall, as Pakistan’s 2021 Rhodes Scholar-elect. Khansa currently attends Georgetown’s Qatar campus where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s in foreign service, with a concentration in culture and politics. Owing to her visual impairment, Khansa had to face many struggles while studying in Pakistan.
Pakistan is mulling over administering a third dose of the two-dose Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine to some of its elderly citizens, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health, Dr. Faisal Sultan, has disclosed. The moves come after UAE started administering a third of Sinopharm’s vaccine last month after initial and booster doses did not develop the required level of immunity among some elderly individuals.
Social media is brimming wit the soothing images of snow-covered Deosai shared by Prime Minister Imran Khan this morning. The premier shared the breathtaking pictures on Twitter, saying that this is Deosai plains’ first ever winter ski traverse. At an average elevation of 4,114 metres (13,497 ft) above sea level in Gilgit-Baltistan, Deosai plateaus are considered the second-highest plateaus in the world.
The government is considering the possibility of giving two years visa extension to Chinese nationals working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects. The government may approve a general two-year extension, a senior government official. Another option that is being considered is to link the visa period with the completion date of the multibillion-dollar project, which could end the requirement of seeking an extension.
The local administration in Swat has decided to shut down Pakistan’s most loved Malam Jabba ski resort after orders by the Peshawar High Court. The court had barred the administration from charging Rs300 entry fee at the resort. Following the orders of the PHC, the Swat authorities shut down the tourist’s spot and issued instructions for the travellers to avoid visiting the place.