Pakistan jumps 27 places in ITU’s ICT index

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recorded a significant improvement in the International Telecommunication Union’s ICT Development Index 2026, jumping 27 places with a 20% increase in its score, according to an official statement issued on Friday. According to the latest data, Pakistan’s ICT Development Index score increased from 56.4 in 2025 to 67.7 in 2026, showing a…

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Farah Khan, Murali Sharma recall ‘Main Hoon Na’ stunt incident

Indian filmmaker Farah Khan visited actors Ashwini Kalsekar and Murali Sharma for a vlog, where a casual cooking session turned into a walk down memory lane, bringing early 2000s cinema nostalgia and highlighting the chaotic reality of filming pre-CGI action sequences. The conversation centred around Farah’s 2004 blockbuster directorial debut, Main Hoon Na, which starred Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen,…

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Jamaat-ul-Ahrar’s reported third split from TTP raises over internal divisions questions

Reported split raises questions over whether it reflects routine restructuring or deeper divisions within the TTP A photo of a TTP member. PHOTO: FILE PESHAWAR: Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), widely regarded as one of the most influential and lethal factions within the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — second only to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group — has reportedly…

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UK-China fund eyes tech parks

Delegation shows interest in Silicon Village, Pakistan Steel Mills during BOI meeting ISLAMABAD: A UK-China fund has shown interest in establishing technology parks in Pakistan and investing in Pakistan Steel Mills, as the Board of Investment (BOI) held a high-level meeting with a delegation led by David Dai, Executive Director of Sino British Regional Development…

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UK, Italy and Japan seal $6.1 billion deal for next-generation fighter jet

British government hails agreement as ‘key milestone’ in developing combat aircraft slated to enter service in 2035 The United Kingdom, Italy and Japan signed a £4.6 billion ($6.1 billion) contract to advance the development of a next-generation stealth fighter jet. The deal marked “a key milestone” for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which aimed to produce…

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Tanveer voices concern over high trade deficit

Though Pakistan and Uzbekistan enjoy historical, cultural and brotherly ties, the volume of bilateral trade remains far below the true potential. Trade between the two sides reached only $143 million in FY25. photo:file LAHORE: SM Tanveer, the FPCCI leader and Patron-in-Chief of the United Business Group (UBG), has expressed deep concern over the surge in…

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New Zealand edge France 34-32

CHRISTCHURCH: Cam Roigard and Will Jordan scored twice each as New Zealand held on to edge an under-strength France 34-32 in a nine-try thriller in Christchurch on Saturday to open the inaugural Nations Championship. It was the All Blacks’ first Test under new coach Dave Rennie and he saw France, who scored four tries, run…

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Govt expands ‘Apna Ghar’ scheme by allowing NBFCs to offer housing loans

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launches “Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme”. PHOTO: RADIOPAK The government approved the inclusion of lending Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) in the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Programme, a move aimed at expanding access to affordable housing finance, particularly for underserved and unbanked segments of the population, the Securities and Exchange Commission of…

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SBP sees 4% growth despite export lag

Calls urgent presser while FinMin courts S&P, $5.2b export gap exposes weaknesses KARACHI: When you have absolutely good news one day and absolutely bad news the other, it indicates a problem with economic fundamentals. State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad called an urgent press conference on Friday to share the positive outlook, projecting…

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