Author: yasir

The Pak International Business Forum (PIBF) has rejected the proposed “smart lockdown” measures being considered by the government to conserve fuel and ease economic hardships, saying restrictions on business activity cannot provide a sustainable solution to the country’s economic challenges.PIBF Central President Dr Mushtaq Mangat and Secretary General Muhammad Ejaz Tanveer said the primary demand of the business community is an immediate and substantial reduction in the prices of petrol, diesel and electricity, as economic activity cannot be revived without lowering the cost of energy and transportation.They said high fuel and electricity prices had significantly increased the cost of production,…

ETS, a global education and talent solutions organisation and the creator of the TOEFL iBT test, hosted a TOEFL Experience Day at LAHORE on September 17, 2026. Marking ETS’s first official in-person TOEFL Experience Day in Pakistan, the programme brought together 140 participants, including English-language trainers, TOEFL preparation professionals, counsellors, educators and channel partners. Led by ETS experts and senior leaders from its South Asia team, the structured training introduced participants to the four strategic pillars of TOEFL: Fair, Agile, Smart and Tailored (FAST). The programme also provided focused guidance on the four skills assessed by the TOEFL iBT test: Reading, Writing, Speaking…

Mashreq, one of the leading financial institutions in the MENA region, has become Pakistan’s first newly launched digital bank to offer the full suite of Raast services, including Raast Person-to-Merchant (P2M) payments, enabling seamless digital transactions for both individual customers and merchants. Launched in August 2026, the new capability enables merchants to receive instant payments through Raast QR codes, while customers can conveniently scan and pay merchants through Mashreq’s digital banking channels. As part of the wider Raast ecosystem, the service also enables customers of any Raast-enabled bank to make payments to Raast-enabled merchants, supporting greater interoperability and convenience across…

Al-Ghazi Tractors Limited (AGTL) unveiled two new additions to its New Holland tractor portfolio, the NH 750, a 75 HP tractor, and the NH 85-56, an 85 HP 4WD tractor, at the Pakistan Auto Show. The new models reflect AGTL’s focus on expanding mechanization solutions for Pakistan’s evolving agricultural, commercial and construction needs, offering farmers and businesses greater versatility beyond conventional farm operations. Speaking on the occasion, Yasin Seker, Chief Executive Officer, Al-Ghazi Tractors Limited, said, “Farm mechanization is critical to improving productivity, efficiency and the timely execution of operations across Pakistan. Today, tractors are required not only for farming…

Pakistan’s rapidly expanding solar energy sector, investment opportunities in solar photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), evolving net-metering policies and the challenges facing the renewable energy industry will come under discussion at the 3rd International SolarPower Conclave & Solar Technology Excellence Awards 2026, scheduled to be held on September 24, 2026, in Lahore. Organised by Energy Update, the conclave will bring together policymakers, government representatives, energy experts, solar industry leaders, technology providers, investors, consultants and other stakeholders to discuss the changing dynamics of Pakistan’s energy sector and the growing role of solar power and energy storage in the…

Aspiring Futures hosted its 4th Annual Gala in Houston, bringing together community members, donors, and sponsors who expressed strong support for the organization’s educational mission. Prominent Pakistani celebrities Sanam Saeed, Mohib Mirza, and renowned singer Shiraz Uppal attended as special guests.Addressing the audience, Uzma Qureshi, Founder and President of Aspiring Futures, highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at providing quality education, mentorship, and a better future for deserving students in Pakistan. She emphasized the organization’s core focus on identifying talented yet underprivileged children and securing their educational prospects.Other key speakers included board member Abyar Ejaz, Judge Daniel Wong, Umair Tariq, Uzair Hassan,…

Following its first sale in Pakistan, the realme C100 Series has introduced something relatively uncommon in this price segment: an 8000mAh Titan Long-Lasting Battery built around the demands of Gen Z’s always-on lifestyle. That capacity immediately gave the lineup a strong point of differentiation and helped generate early market attention. Since then, interest has continued to build, with demand increasing and availability beginning to tighten. For Gen Z, a smartphone is expected to handle almost every part of the day — from classes and work to gaming, content creation and social life. The C100 Series brings together the features that…

TECNO has just brought the SPARK 50 Pro to Pakistan, and it’s easy to see what the phone is built to argue against: batteries that die by evening, cameras that blur every photo of a moving kid or pet, and screens that crack the first time the phone meets a tiled floor. It’s part of the brand’s “Never Miss Out” push, priced at PKR 74,999 for the 8GB+128GB version, and it’s already sitting on shelves nationwide in four colours, Ink Black, Titanium Grey, Dynamic Orange and Midnight Blue. Battery anxiety is the first thing TECNO tries to kill off. The…

Welnox, a Martin Dow Group company, announced that it has entered into a licensing partnership with Procter & Gamble (P&G) for Vicks VapoRub, with availability expected to begin in the coming weeks. This strategic partnership reinforces Martin Dow’s commitment to expand access to high-quality, reliable healthcare solutions for millions of consumers across the country. For generations, Vicks has been a trusted part of family care routines, offering comforting relief during cough and cold. Backed by over 125 years of heritage, Vicks VapoRub is formulated to help provide relief from common cold symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough, headache, body ache,…

Meezan Bank, Pakistan’s premier Islamic bank, once again partnered with The Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN), a major nationwide, non-profit healthcare system in Pakistan, to host a two-day Blood Donation Drive, reaffirming the Bank’s long-standing commitment to community healthcare. The initiative is part of a recurring series of donation drives the Bank has organized in collaboration with IHHN, reflecting a sustained institutional focus on public health rather than a one-time gesture. Employees across the Bank volunteered to donate blood, in support of patients receiving free-of-cost treatment at IHHN, one of Pakistan’s largest providers of charitable healthcare. Each donor underwent…