The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) kept Pakistan on its grey list despite it meeting 26 of the 27 conditions. However, it was given a new six-point action plan. The decision was announced following the close of the FATF’s five-day virtual plenary meeting, which was presided over by Germany’s Marcus Pleyer.
Pakistan’s federal capital Islamabad and Karachi were ranked among the world’s cheapest cities for expatriates in 2021. Islamabad is ranked the eleventh cheapest city worldwide, while Karachi has been ranked the ninth cheapest city. Moreover, the 27th annual Cost of Living Survey of Mercer, an American asset management firm, evaluated data from 209 major cities across five continents.
Pakistan’s government is examining new plans to turn Kotli Sattian into a tourist destination. The Kotli Sattian may be offered to tourists as an alternative to Murree. The provincial government is identifying various tourism sites in the region. Moreover, this project includes the construction of a tourism highway connecting Lower Topa, Murree, with Chowk Pindori via Bostanabad.
Pakistan’s Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) has received an ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’ from the IAEA and the FAO. The Team Achievement Award was given to a group of four PAEC scientists working in the same area. Additionally, three other research groups at PAEC were awarded the Young Scientist Award.
Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the allocation of Rs300 million to establish three joint border markets in Balochistan. A technical supplemental grant of Rs300 million from the Ministry of Railways’ budget has been approved by Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin. In addition, the Commerce Division will establish joint border markets with Iran and Afghanistan.
Facebook is expanding its SheMeansBusiness initiative to the Pakistani market in order to boost financial inclusion and resiliency for women-led businesses. The new component of Small and Medium Enterprise Activity (SMEA), “Business Resilience through Financial Education (BRFE)” aims to enhance women-owned small businesses’ resilience and sustainability. SheMeansBusiness is active in 21 countries around the world, including Pakistan.
Sajid Ali Sadpara said on Thursday that he and his team would be heading to the summer summit of K2 in search of the body of Ali Sadpara. Sajid Sadpara is planning to film a documentary about Ali Sadpara and John Snorri. Sajid Sadpara plans to go to K2 and see what happened to his father and John Snorri there.
A statement released by Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on Tuesday warned of damages if examinations were not conducted and said that exams must take place at any cost. He said in the Parliament that over Rs 100 billion has been set aside for the Higher Education Commission (HEC). However, the PTI government has allocated Rs 25 billion for university development.
Pakistan’s Telecommunication Authority recently removed 9.8 million videos from TikTok, which had immoral content. A further consequence of this was the blocking of nearly 720,000 accounts. The Chief Justice, Mr. Qaiser Rashid Khan, appointed a focal person for Pakistan in response to the immoral content that comes in and out of Pakistan.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications is evaluating seven bands for 5G services in Pakistan. “Digital Pakistan”, the country’s goal, will be achieved faster through the introduction of 5G services by December 2022, according to a ministry representative. Additionally, the launch will provide new investment opportunities and accelerate the process.