Category: Featured

Government readies ‘BEEP’ app to replace WhatsApp for official use

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ISLAMABAD: Taking inspiration from the Chinese ‘WeChat’ platform, Pakistan will launch its ‘BEEP’ app for government officials in the coming months. “The app is almost ready for rollout, and the project will meet its deadline of June 30, 2026,” the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT & Telecom was informed on Tuesday. Committee Chairman Syed Aminul Haque asked National Information Technology Board (NITB) Chief Executive Faisal Ratyal to ensure the timely rollout of BEEP. The committee was informed that the application had been developed locally and certified by all relevant…

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Smart electricity metre prices drop nearly 40%

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Energy Minister Awais Leghari said that the prices of smart electricity metres have fallen by around 40 per cent, a move he said would lead to massive national savings. In a statement, the minister said that the reduction in prices would result in annual savings of up to Rs150 billion at the national level, following timely and effective measures taken to strengthen transparency and competition in the procurement process. Leghari said that improved transparency and the adoption of international competitive standards had helped electricity distribution companies procure smart metres at…

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Power consumers may get Rs0.71 per unit relief in January bills

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ISLAMABAD: Power consumers may enjoy a relief in their upcoming electricity bills following a reduction of up to Rs0.71 per unit in tariff on account of fuel adjustment charges for November 2025. The expected relief, which will materialise in the bills issued for January 2026, comes after the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) formally petitioned the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), stating that distribution companies were prepared to refund Rs0.7182 per unit to consumers due to what it described as overcharging during November. In its petition submitted on behalf…

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TTAP courts JUI-F, JI and QWP as political tensions rise

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ISLAMABAD: Leaders of an opposition parties’ alliance — the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) — on Tuesday met with leaders of three political parties — the JUI-F, the JI and the QWP — to invite them to their upcoming National Consultative Conference scheduled for December 20-21. In an emergency meeting called on December 10 in the wake of a police action on PTI founder Imran Khan’s family members outside Adiala Jail, the TTAP had decided to organize a conference in order to discuss the political climate, constitutional matters, and restrictions imposed…

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Seasonal influenza situation under control: minister

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LAHORE: Punjab Specialised Healthcare Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said the situation regarding seasonal influenza is under control across the province. He was chairing a meeting regarding the prevention of seasonal influenza. The participants emphasised the need to ensure the use of masks and awareness to prevent seasonal influenza. The minister said awareness workshops should also be organised in hospitals. Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Secretary Azmat Mahmood Khan said the tertiary care hospitals had been directed to continuously report influenza cases along with effective surveillance and monitoring regarding seasonal…

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Sindh Cabinet approves Rs5.8b package covering transport, police, welfare

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KARACHI: The Sindh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, on Tuesday approved a wide-ranging financial, administrative and development package covering public transport, policing, wheat pricing relief, public-private partnerships, internal audit reforms, social protection and IT infrastructure. The meeting at the CM House was attended by provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah and other senior officials. The cabinet also ratified the minutes of the Cabinet Committee on Finance. Among key approvals, the cabinet sanctioned Rs964.4 million for the purchase and operation of public transport…

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Petr Macinka Takes Office as Minister of Foreign Affairs

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On Monday, December 15, 2025, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš introduced the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Petr Macinka, to office. On this occasion, the new head of Czech diplomacy met with his predecessor Jan Lipavský, laid flowers at the statue of Edvard Beneš and the bust of Jan Masaryk, and got acquainted with the ministry’s leadership. He also presented his main priorities for the department. “My priorities will include relations with our neighbors and a more confident stance in representing national interests in Brussels,” said the new minister, Petr Macinka.…

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Smart meters become cheaper as bulk procurement reshapes power sector

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ISLAMABAD: Owing to consistent efforts and timely actions by the Power Division to promote transparency and competition, the prices of smart meters for power distribution companies have been reduced by up to 40%. “This reduction will result in estimated annual savings of Rs150 billion at the national level,” said Federal Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Leghari. The federal minister made these remarks on Monday after a report on smart meters was presented. He stated that the adoption of transparent and internationally competitive procurement processes had reduced the price of a…

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Gold, silver prices rise on global gains

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KARACHI: Gold prices in Pakistan rose on Monday, tracking gains in the international market, where spot gold hovered near a seven-week high, supported by a softer dollar and expectations of US interest rate cuts ahead of key economic data. In the domestic market, gold per tola surged to Rs454,862, gaining Rs2,600 during the day. Similarly, 10-gram gold was sold at Rs389,970, up Rs2,229, according to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association. On Saturday, the gold price per tola had closed at Rs452,262 following a decline of Rs2,000. Meanwhile, silver…

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