Author: Admin

LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced a ban on the procurement of petrol and diesel vehicles across all provincial departments, allowing only electric and hybrid vehicles as part of its efforts to reduce emissions and promote clean transportation. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, who said the decision reflected the government’s commitment to environmental protection and green energy. Vehicles used for field duties, however, have been exempted from the restriction. Mr Zaman said a comprehensive Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy for Punjab is expected to…

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KARACHI: Despite reservations expressed by officials of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), Mayor Murtaza Wahab has reiterated his resolve to eventually dismantle the city’s decades-old water tanker and hydrant system, saying the existing arrangement has fostered inequality in water distribution. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after inaugurating the Jehangir Road rehabilitation project, the mayor—who also chairs the KWSC board—said tanker services have long filled gaps in areas not served by the piped water network. However, he argued that the system benefits select groups while unfairly holding the city…

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WASHINGTON: The United States has announced the suspension of immigrant visa processing for Pakistan and 74 other countries, effective January 21, citing concerns that immigrants from these nations may rely on public welfare programmes. In a statement, the US State Department said the suspension will remain in force until authorities are satisfied that new immigrants will not become a burden on American taxpayers. Officials described the move as part of the administration’s broader “America First” policy framework. “We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no…

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ISLAMABAD: Geo-economic confrontation has emerged as the most significant global risk for 2026, followed by interstate conflict, extreme weather, societal polarisation, and misinformation and disinformation, according to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Report 2026, released on Wednesday. The report warns that the global multilateral system is under mounting strain as declining trust, reduced transparency, weakening respect for the rule of law, and rising protectionism threaten international relations, trade, and investment, increasing the likelihood of conflict. Geo-economic confrontation topped the near-term risk rankings, with 18 per cent of respondents…

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KARACHI: Pakistan will require an estimated $565.7 billion in investment to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0 climate commitments by 2035, according to stakeholders at a recent business forum. The NDC targets include a 17 per cent unconditional and 33 per cent conditional reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 30 per cent increase in electric vehicle adoption, and a transition to 60 per cent renewable energy in the national energy mix. Achieving these ambitious goals will depend largely on mobilising green-aligned investments, making policy frameworks such as the Pakistan…

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