Despite the government’s efforts to reform status of the Pakistani passport, Henley Passport Index has ranked the country’s passport as fourth weakest in the world, behind only war-torn Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. The index assesses the travel documents based on how many countries citizens can access without a visa, as well as, using information from the International Air Transport Association.
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.
Edkasa, a Lahore-based education technology startup has managed to raise pre-seed funding of $320,000 to help launch a new mobile application for exam preparation. The new app will leverage and make use of Edkasa’s existing userbase of 55,000 students and more than 40 schools throughout Pakistan which currently avail its services, according to a statement from the startup.
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.
On-campus classes for grades from nursery to eighth at all private and government schools in Covid-19 affected cities will remain suspended until April 28, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood has announced. O-level exams will also be held as per the schedule, he announced while speaking to the media after chairing a meeting of health and education ministers at the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).
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.
Pakistan’s blind cricket team defeated arch rival India in the final of a tri-nation T-20 tournament played in Dhaka and won the series. Pakistan played first and set a target of 175 runs in 15 overs, which its bowlers easily defended. Pakistan’s skipper scored 69 runs off 50 balls with the help of 7 fours and remained the top scorer.
Two young female athletes from Pakistan, Isra Waseem and Kainat Arif, lead the country to victory by bagging gold medals in the International Ju-Jitsu E-tournament. About 371 teams from 31 countries took part in the competition where the Pakistani youngsters, Waseem and Arif made their country proud in the duo beginners’ category for women. Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation (PJJF) referee Tariq Ali also appreciated the performance delivered by them.