Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from August, 2025

NADRA Issues Advisory to Avoid Delays in CNIC Collection

  The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has advised citizens to collect their Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) promptly after issuance. NADRA warned that identity cards remaining uncollected for more than three months are disposed of in accordance with policy. Citizens who fail to collect their CNICs must submit a new application and pay the prescribed fee to have the card reissued. Authorities urged applicants to collect their CNICs from the NADRA office as soon as the processing period is complete to avoid inconvenience. In a related advisory, NADRA also asked citizens to cancel the CNICs of deceased family members. The authority advised families to visit the nearest NADRA centre or use the Pak ID mobile app to update their family records

Pakistan’s Aviation Sector Gets a Major Boost: UAE Partnership for Islamabad Airport

Alhamdulillah, Pakistan has taken a bold and strategic step that could transform our aviation landscape forever. The federal government’s recent decision to partner with the United Arab Emirates for the operations of Islamabad International Airport marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey toward modernization and international competitiveness. This isn’t just another business deal – it’s a testament to Pakistan’s commitment to progress and excellence. Why This Partnership Makes Perfect Sense Let’s be honest with ourselves. Since its inauguration in 2018, Islamabad International Airport has struggled to meet the expectations of both domestic and international travelers. We’ve all heard the complaints – delays, inadequate facilities, and operational challenges that have tarnished our aviation reputation. But instead of dwelling on past shortcomings, our government has chosen the path of wisdom: seeking expertise from those who have mastered the art of airport management. The UAE’s ...

More than 1 mln people evacuated from Pakistan's Punjab due to floods

  Pakistan 's eastern towns of Chiniot and Hafizabad face a risk of catastrophic floods if an irrigation barrage crumbles on a major river upstream after heavy rains swelled it beyond capacity, officials warned on Thursday. Nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan are battling torrential monsoon rains that have unleashed flash floods , swelled rivers and filled dams, with 60 deaths this month in Indian Kashmir , and Pakistan's toll at 805 since late June. Any  flooding blamed on India stands to inflame relations between the archfoes, embroiled in a tense stand-off since a brief conflict in May that was their worst fighting in decades. The waters of the Chenab river in Pakistan's sprawling province of Punjab threatened to burst through a 3,300-foot (1,000-m) concrete barrage at Qadirabad that regulates flows, siphoning them into a canal irrigation network. "It is a crisis situation," said a technical expert at the National Disaster Management Authority ...

Sialkot shuts down after record 405mm rainfall

  Sialkot city witnessed an extraordinary 405 millimeters of rain within just 24 hours, breaking a 49-year-old record and forcing authorities to declare a public holiday today. Officials confirmed that routine life came to a complete standstill as torrential downpours inundated streets, disrupted transport, and left thousands of residents stranded in waterlogged areas across the district. Furthermore, the heavy rain surpassed the previous record of 339.7 millimeters set in August 1976, making it one of the heaviest downpours in the city’s history. Authorities immediately responded by issuing warnings and urging residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. The intensity of rainfall has raised fears of further damage, especially in low-lying neighborhoods vulnerable to rapid flooding. At the same time, dozens of villages in Gujrat faced the threat of flooding as water levels at Head Marala Barrage rose alarmingly. Officials reported that while the barrage’s storage capacity...

The Pixel 10 Pro XL is better than Samsung and Apple in two ways

  new  Pixel 10  is undoubtedly the highlight of Google’s latest  Pixel 10 lineup this year, owing to its major improvements in performance, battery, charging, and camera.  The new 5x telephoto lens marks the first of its kind for the base Pixel , and it means that an $800 Google phone ostensibly delivers the same great Pixel experience as the flagship  Pixel 10 Pro  series. Yet, this overlooks just how good Google’s Pro lineup is.  The Pixel 10 Pro XL features a 5,200 mAh battery, which is the largest in a regular Pixel phone, taking the top crown from the 5,100 mAh battery in the affordable Pixel 9a.  Meanwhile, its chief rivals have smaller batteries; the  Galaxy S25 Ultra  measures 5,000 mAh, while the  iPhone 16 Pro Max  has a 4,685 mAh battery, although Apple’s software optimizations ensure the actual battery life belies its hardware capacity.  Pixel 10 Pro XL battery marks a small increase over the 5,060 mAh ...

India ‘alerts’ Pakistan of potential major flood under IWT

  Under the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty, India has formally contacted Pakistan regarding a potential major flood risk, ARY News reported on Monday, quoting official sources. According to government sources, India reached out to Pakistan concerning flood-related developments in accordance with the treaty. New Delhi specifically warned Islamabad about the possibility of severe flooding in the Tawi River near Jammu. It is noteworthy that India had previously announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Despite this, the Indian High Commission in Islamabad notified Pakistani authorities of the potential flood threat. Sources further stated that New Delhi made the official contact on the morning of August 24 at 10:00 AM, providing Pakistan with advance warning of a possible flood situation. Earlier this year, in April, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and ordered all Pakistani nationals residing in India to leave the country within 48 hours. During a press ...

Ishaq Dar first foreign minister in 13 years to officially visit Dhaka

  D eputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Dhaka on Saturday for an official two-day trip, marking the first state visit by a foreign minister to Bangladesh in 13 years, the Foreign Office (FO) said. Ever since a popular uprising in Bangladesh saw Sheikh Hasina ’s government being  toppled  in August of last year, there has been a thaw in ties between Islamabad and Dhaka, with  trade  and  bilateral relations  seeing a marked improvement. According to a  press release  by the FO, Dar arrived in Dhaka today “on a landmark official visit from August 23-24” on the invitation of Bangladesh’s government. was received by Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Ambassador Asad Alam Siam , High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh Imran Haider , High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan Muhammad Iqbal Khan and officials of the Pakistan High Commission, it said. The press release added, “During the visit, the deputy prime minister will hold important m...

Karachi schools, colleges to remain closed

Karachi, nearby areas expected to experience thunder and lightning with heavy rainfall likely Following days of heavy rains in the city, confusion continues over the reopening of schools as most private institutions have shifted to online classes, while the Sindh Education Department remains undecided about reopening government schools on Friday. Private schools move to online learning Several private schools across Karachi have announced that they will conduct online classes on Friday instead of resuming on-campus learning. Administrators say the decision was taken in light of flooded streets, damaged infrastructure, and safety concerns for students and staff. Moreover, academic activities at Jinnah Sindh Medical University will also remain suspended on Friday. All classes have been shifted online, a university spokesperson said.  Govt schools await final decision The Sindh Education Department is facing a dilemma over whether to reopen government schools on Friday. The department...

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...