Author: yasir

During the visit of Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Bilal Azhar Kayani to the Chamber, the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) elaborated its key tax recommendations for the Federal Budget 2026–27, developed through extensive member consultations. Dr. Najeeb Memon, Director General, Tax Policy Office (TPO), also participated virtually. The engagement formed part of the Ministry of Finance’s ongoing budget formulation process and the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue’s consultations with industry stakeholders. The Minister of State welcomed input from foreign investors and highlighted the importance of sustained stakeholder engagement to support growth, broaden the…

Lahore witnessed a powerful show of unity as over 1500 participants gathered at Park Avenue for the inaugural Run for Inclusion (R4I) – the city’s first-ever night run dedicated to advancing awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). More than just a sporting event, Run for Inclusion brought together families, corporate teams, fitness communities, and advocates in a shared commitment to build a more accessible and inclusive society. Participants took part in 1KM, 5KM, and 10KM categories, with the 1KM unified walk emerging as a defining moment, symbolizing collective participation in celebration of neurodivergent and neurotypical communities. “This platform is about…

The official launching ceremony of Modern Premier League (MPL) Season 3 was successfully held at the Al Kawthar University Auditorium, Karachi, bringing together leading hospitals, healthcare professionals, organizers, sponsors, and members of the media in a vibrant celebration of sportsmanship, unity, and professional collaboration. In his welcome address, Mr. Taleeque ul Karim, Sports Manager of the The Modern Hospital warmly received participating hospital teams and distinguished guests while highlighting the vision and objectives of MPL Season 3 as a platform promoting teamwork, wellness, and inter-hospital engagement through healthy sporting competition. He also acknowledged the valuable contributions of sponsors and supporting…

IBA hosted its first Psychology Conference today, organized by the School of Economics and Social Sciences (IBA-SESS). The three-day conference is themed, ‘Rediscovering the Roots and Intersectionality of Psychology’. It includes panel discussions, interactive workshops by professionals and student research displays – curated to explore the depth of psychology and its various branches like clinical, counseling, educational, forensic, organizational, health and wellness and more. This is exemplified in the metaphor that adorns this conference: the Angan or Courtyard, a common part of South Asian homes where different voices come together to share dialogue. The first day commenced with an opening…

National Bank of Pakistan has formally announced that legendary cricketer Shahid Afridi has joined NBP as a Sports Consultant. The appointment marks a significant step in strengthening the Bank’s long-standing commitment to the development of sports in Pakistan. Renowned for his remarkable achievements, Shahid Afridi held the record for the fastest One Day International (ODI) century for 17 years, a testament to his exceptional talent and impact on the game. On the occasion, Mr. Rehmat Ali Hasnie, President of NBP, along with senior executives, warmly welcomed Shahid Afridi to the organization. In his remarks, Mr. Rehmat Ali Hasnie said, “We…

BingX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3-AI company, has announced the launch of SpaceX Pre-IPO perpetual futures, alongside the introduction of the SpaceX Xpool Airdrop campaign. This dual initiative enables users to gain exposure to one of the most closely watched private companies while earning rewards through participation SPACEX (VNTL) perpetual futures officially launched on April 14, 2026, and quickly gained strong traction among users, with SPACEX (PreStocks) launching on April 16, 2026. Within the first 24 hours of its launch, SpaceX (VNTL) rose to the third-largest new TradFi asset on the platform by trading volume. BingX is also introducing…

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are emerging as the preferred entry point for electrified mobility in Pakistan and other emerging markets, as infrastructure and cost constraints slow the adoption of fully electric vehicles (EVs), according to industry data and recent market activity. The trend comes amid a broader global shift led by China, which has overtaken Japan and Germany to become the world’s largest car exporter, driven largely by new energy vehicles, including EVs and hybrid variants. In Pakistan, early indicators suggest consumer demand is tilting toward PHEVs, with Chery Master Pakistan reporting over 2,000 bookings for its plug-in hybrid…

itel Energy, a leading pioneer in residential and commercial energy storage solutions, today announced its return as a Diamond Sponsor for the Lahore Solar Expo 2026. From April 17th to 19th at the Expo Center Lahore, the company will unveil a historic fusion of high-fashion and advanced engineering, headlined by the launch of the AI-integrated Sparta Series and a first-of-its-kind “Phygital Walk.” As Pakistan targets a 60% share of clean energy by 2030, itel Energy is bridging the gap between hardware and lifestyle. The exhibition, located in Hall 2 (Booths C-2: 7-10 & 17-20), will move beyond traditional product displays…

Pakistan’s first-ever Sovereign Hybrid Sukuk marks a transformative step in the evolution of the country’s Islamic financial landscape, addressing long-standing structural challenges faced by Islamic banks, particularly the limited availability of scalable and Shariah-compliant investment avenues. The Sukuk was structured with the support of State Bank of Pakistan – Islamic Finance Development Department (SBP-IFDD) and a consortium of Islamic financial institutions acting as Joint Financial Advisors, including Meezan Bank Limited, Bank Alfalah Limited (Islamic Banking), Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Limited, Bank Islami Pakistan Limited and Standard Chartered Bank (Islamic banking). As the country’s first and largest Islamic bank and one…

IPAK Group has delivered a strong performance for the nine months ended 31 March 2026, with consolidated net profit increasing significantly to PKR 2.36 billion compared to PKR 749 million in the corresponding period last year, translating into earnings per share (EPS) of PKR 3.50. This performance reflects improved operating dynamics, higher capacity utilization across subsidiaries, and continued cost discipline across the Group. Group’s consolidated sales increased by 16.8% to PKR 30.43 billion (2025: PKR 26.06 billion), supported by improving demand conditions and the strength of the Group’s integrated manufacturing platform across BOPP, BOPET, and CPP film segments. Exports remained…