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Showing posts from August, 2025

PM announces 100,000 free laptops for students PM says distribution of laptops will cover all four provinces and will be based purely on merit, without any nepotism

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the distribution of 100,000 free laptops among talented students across the country on merit, during an International Youth Day event in Islamabad on Tuesday. Premier stated that the distribution of these laptops will cover all four provinces, the federal capital Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir, and will be based purely on merit, without any nepotism. He added that these laptops would be separate from the scheme for laptops through interest-based loans. Referring to Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, the prime minister mentioned that Pakistan’s victory on May 10 against a numerically larger and more boastful enemy had instilled a new vigour in the entire nation. He urged the youth to build on the spirit of this achievement and work hard to bring honour to the country. Earlier, during the ceremony, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood, said the government’s merit-based programs for youth had enabled talented and des...

PM announces 100,000 free laptops for students PM says distribution of laptops will cover all four provinces and will be based purely on merit, without any nepotism

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the distribution of 100,000 free laptops among talented students across the country on merit, during an International Youth Day event in Islamabad on Tuesday. Premier stated that the distribution of these laptops will cover all four provinces, the federal capital Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir, and will be based purely on merit, without any nepotism. He added that these laptops would be separate from the scheme for laptops through interest-based loans. Referring to Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, the prime minister mentioned that Pakistan’s victory on May 10 against a numerically larger and more boastful enemy had instilled a new vigour in the entire nation. He urged the youth to build on the spirit of this achievement and work hard to bring honour to the country. Earlier, during the ceremony, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood, said the government’s merit-based programs for youth had enabled talented and des...

Trump, Putin end short summit without ceasefire deal in Ukraine

  Warm welcome for Russia’s Putin at meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska, but no deal on ending Ukraine war. A  highly anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, has ended without a deal on ending Moscow’s war in Ukraine, but the United States president said “great progress” has been made in the talks in   Alaska . Observers say the meeting gave the Russian president a “diplomatic win” after years of being shunned by the West following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Putin was greeted with a red carpet and a warm handshake from Trump on arrival at a US airbase in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday as both leaders arrived for talks  aimed at ending the war in Ukraine . marked Putin’s first time stepping on Western soil since he ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and was notable in its welcoming atmosphere compared with the frosty reception a hostile Trump laid on for Ukrainian...

Punjab Announces Reopening of Schools and Colleges

  The Punjab government has decided to partially reopen educational institutions following consultations with all stakeholders, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat announced on Wednesday. According to the minister, classes for grades 9 and 10 , as well as Intermediate , O Level , and A Level students, will resume from August 18 in both public and private institutions. Meanwhile, classes for grades 1 to 8 will remain suspended until August 31. Punjab had earlier extended the summer vacation for all schools until August 31 due to the ongoing heatwave . However, the move faced resistance from private schools , which argued that the extended closure would disrupt the academic calendar and affect exam preparation. The All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association had criticized the Punjab government’s decision to extend summer vacations until August 31, calling it unnecessary and harmful to students’ education.

Foreign missions greet Pakistan on Independence Day

  ISLAMABAD , AUG 14: On the occasion of Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day , embassies and ambassadors from various countries extended congratulatory messages and expressed their best wishes to the nation. Iranian Embassy In a message issued from Islamabad, the Iranian Embassy paid tribute to the “noble values of this great nation,” stating it was a day to honour Pakistan’s unwavering resilience, unity, and remarkable achievements. The message conveyed congratulations to “the esteemed government of Pakistan and its honourable, brotherly, friendly and neighbouring nation.” The statement emphasised the cherished ties between Iran and Pakistan, founded on mutual respect, friendship and cooperation. The embassy expressed continued prayers for Pakistan’s prosperity, security, development and stability, and voiced hope that the enduring friendship between the two brotherly nations would deepen further. Russian Embassy A special message released by the Russian Embassy acknowledged Pakistan...

iOS 18.6 Update: Some Powerful Features That Can Instantly Transform Your iPhone Experience

  Apple’s latest iOS 18.6 update, officially released on July 29, 2025, isn’t just about bug fixes—it’s a significant quality-of-life upgrade for iPhone users worldwide. Packed with personalization tools, smarter notifications, and enhanced privacy features, this release empowers users to make their devices truly their own. Here’s everything you need to know about the most impactful changes in iOS 18.6 and why they matter. How iOS 18.6 Changes the Way You Use Your iPhone The new iOS 18.6 delivers a blend of customization, intelligence, and security. For the first time, you can fully tailor your lock screen buttons, filter notifications using  Apple Intelligence, position apps anywhere on your home screen, and hide sensitive apps behind biometric authentication. These are not minor tweaks—they’re everyday usability improvements designed to make your iPhone feel faster, cleaner, and more secure. According to multiple tech analysts, these settings bring the iPhone experience clos...

Islamabad declares August 13 as public holiday

  "Local Holiday" directives to be implemented within revenue limits of ICT, states notification A local holiday will be observed in Islamabad on Wednesday (tomorrow), the federal capital's authorities announced on Tuesday ahead of the much-anticipated Independence Day celebrations . "It is notified that August 13, 2025 (Wednesday), is hereby observed as Local Holiday within the revenue limits of the Islamabad Capital Territory except the offices of essential services in Islamabad including MCI , CDA , ICT Administration , ICT Police , IESCO , SNGPL and Hospitals," read the notification shared by Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon in a post on X. The announcement comes as preparations are in full swing across the country to celebrate the 78th Independence Day and victory in Marka-e-Haq (the battle of truth) — the title given to the recent armed conflict between Pakistan and neighbouring India. Last week, the federal capital's district admin...

Malik Riaz calls for ‘truce’ amid Bahria Town’s legal woes

  Property tycoon Malik Riaz on Tuesday called for “dialogue and a dignified solution” amidst Bahria Town ’s legal troubles. His appeal comes as the Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its  verdict  on petitions against the proposed auction of Bahria Town properties. The assets were attached in connection with a plea bargain agreement reached in the £190 million case. The development adds on to the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) previous actions against Riaz, who owns Bahria Town and is an  absconder  in the Al-Qadir Trust case. NAB had said last month that the tycoon and his son Ali Riaz had  entered into a plea bargain  in the 190 million pounds case, but failed to pay the agreed amount. As a result, NAB had sought details of several properties, which were to be auctioned to recover the amount under Sec­tion 33E of NAB Ordinance, 1999 . In 2019, the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom had agreed to a settlement worth £190 mill...

Six MPAs arrested as PTI launches nationwide protest for Imran Khan

  Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ( PTI ) began mobilizing across the country on Tuesday to mark two years since former Prime Minister Imran Khan ’s imprisonment. The party called for protests demanding his immediate release, sparking a strong response from authorities. Security was tightened, especially around Adiala Jail , where Imran Khan remains detained. In Lahore , six PTI members of the Punjab Assembly were arrested, with another detained as police continued a crackdown on the party’s leadership. The authorities reportedly detained over 300 PTI workers in Lahore and conducted raids at the homes of several party leaders. These actions intensified tensions as protests gained momentum across different regions. Large crowds gathered in Lahore under the leadership of PTI’s Shaukat Basra , marching through the city while chanting pro-Imran slogans and waving party flags. Similarly, in Okara , PTI leader Mehr Abdul Sattar led a motorcycle rally where protesters demanded...

China bans cryptocurrency: Fact vs fiction

  China’s ban on cryptocurrency is an issue based on facts and fiction L News about a complete ban on cryptocurrency in China is circulating on social media and crypto websites . The reports are merely based on rumours and are completely false. Chinese authorities have not responded to the alleged new restrictions.  A cryptocurrency policy was established by China in 2021 that remains in effect. This crypto policy prohibits: • Financial institutions to engage in any sort of crypto engagement . Crypto trading   • Mining of cryptocurrency Despite this ban from legal authorities, individuals are still allowed to own cryptocurrencies . The rumours stated that the new restriction began in 2025, but there is no official response from the Chinese government. Credible sources confirmed that there is no new policy or law regarding a complete crypto ban.  Chinese government is planning to launch a yuan-backed stablecoin, a step towards government-based digital currencie...