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Islamabad's temperature has once again plummeted to -1°C, with freezing conditions forecasted to continue throughout the week. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an advisory warning of freezing weather, along with the potential for morning frost. In the meantime, hilly areas like Leh (-13°C) and Skardu (-5°C) are also facing sub-zero temperatures. Fog is further reducing visibility across southern and upper Punjab and Sindh. #Islamabad #FreezingTemperatures #ColdWeather #PMD

The United States has enacted further sanctions on four entities associated with Pakistan's ballistic missile program. These measures, taken under Executive Order 133, target Pakistan's National Development Complex along with three other organizations: Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise. These entities were involved in acquiring and supplying materials for Pakistan's long-range missile program. #US #Pakistan #WMD #NationalSecurity

In November 2024, Pakistan recorded its highest monthly current account surplus in a decade at $729 million, marking four consecutive months of surpluses. This achievement is driven by higher workers' remittances and an improved trade balance. For the first five months of FY25, Pakistan posted a $944 million surplus, a stark contrast to the $1.676 billion deficit in FY24. Policies promoting exchange rate stability, boosted reserves, and incentivized remittance channels were pivotal in this shift. This surplus bolsters foreign exchange reserves, reduces borrowing dependency, and helps ease inflation. Experts emphasize the importance of sustained export growth and sound economic management. #PakistanEconomy #CurrentAccountSurplus #EconomicStability #TradeBalance #Remittances #FiscalGrowth

The Pakistani government has officially designated 2025 as the "Year of 5G", unveiling a comprehensive strategy to revolutionize the nation’s broadband infrastructure. The plan includes raising the average broadband speed to 50–100 Mbps, a significant leap from the current 15 Mbps, and increasing Fiber-To-The-Site (FTTS) coverage from 20% to 60%. The highly anticipated 5G spectrum auction is scheduled for April 2025, marking a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s technological advancement. Additionally, the government aims to elevate Fixed Broadband (FBB) penetration from under 2% to 20% within the next five years. Expanding the Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) network is a key part of this initiative, bridging the digital divide and paving the way for a robust 5G ecosystem. #Pakistan5G #BroadbandDevelopment #TechInfrastructure #DigitalPakistan #FutureOfTech

Pakistan's IT exports achieved a remarkable $324 million in November, reflecting a 25% year-on-year increase, though slightly down by 2% month-on-month. These exports surpassed the 12-month average of $295 million and marked the 14th consecutive month of year-on-year growth, a trend that began in October 2023. Over the first five months of FY25, IT exports soared by 33%, reaching $1.53 billion. This growth stems from an expanded client base, particularly in the GCC region, increased permissible retention limits by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and the stability of the Pakistani Rupee. The slight monthly dip is attributed to fewer working days in November. Recent measures, such as the SBP's Equity Investment Abroad (EIA) category, are expected to further enhance confidence and drive IT export growth. #PakistanIT #ITExports #ExportGrowth #TechIndustry #SBP #PakistanEconomy

Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Jameel Ahmed, revealed that Pakistan has successfully repaid a $2 billion loan over the past two years. Speaking on a television talk show, he also highlighted an increase in the country's foreign exchange reserves and projected a $700 million surplus in the current account for November 2024. In addition, the governor noted that remittances from overseas Pakistanis are expected to exceed $35 billion in the current fiscal year. His statement follows the SBP's decision to reduce the policy rate by 200 basis points, bringing it to 13%, effective December 17, 2024. The SBP also reported a decline in inflation to 4.9% year-on-year in November 2024, driven primarily by lower food inflation and the waning impact of 2023 gas tariff hikes. However, core inflation remains elevated at 9.7%. #PakistanEconomy #SBP #LoanRepayment #Inflation #Remittances #MonetaryPolicy

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority's (PTA) latest report highlights the nation's evolving digital landscape. Facebook boasts 60.4 million users (77% male, 24% female), while YouTube leads the pack with 71.7 million users (72% male, 28% female). TikTok's rapid rise has reached 54.4 million users, though a significant gender gap persists (78% male, 22% female). Meanwhile, Instagram attracts 17.3 million users, with a relatively balanced split of 64% male and 36% female. These trends showcase Pakistan's dynamic shift in digital consumption, as social media continues to shape connectivity and engagement nationwide. #SocialMedia #Pakistan #PTAReport #DigitalTrends #Facebook #YouTube #TikTok #Instagram #GenderGap

Pakistan Railways (PR) has achieved an impressive 15% growth in revenue, amassing Rs. 37.5 billion during the first five months of the current fiscal year. CEO Amir Ali Baloch emphasized the organization's efforts to expand train services and boost revenue while successfully cutting operational costs. Notably, fuel expenses were reduced by 13.57%. Despite adding more trains to its fleet, PR remains committed to reaching its ambitious revenue target of Rs. 109 billion for the fiscal year. In the previous fiscal year, PR recorded a remarkable 40% revenue growth, achieving Rs. 88 billion—an all-time high. This progress stems from enhanced operational efficiency and strategic planning. #PakistanRailways #RevenueGrowth #OperationalEfficiency #TransportSector #PR

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, during his visit to Riyadh, extended an offer to train Saudi cricketers, fostering stronger ties between the two nations through sports. In a meeting with Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation, Naqvi discussed strategies to promote cricket and develop local talent in Saudi Arabia. He invited Prince Saud to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2024 and pledged comprehensive support for establishing cricket infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. Naqvi also suggested a player exchange program and the deployment of Pakistani coaches to accelerate Saudi cricket development. Saudi officials warmly welcomed the collaboration, noting significant progress in Saudi cricket, with a growing pool of approximately 18,000 players actively engaged. #CricketDevelopment #Pakistan #SaudiArabia #SportsCollaboration #CricketExcellence

Punjab emerged as the top contender at the Quaid-e-Azam Inter-Provincial Games, clinching an impressive 131 medals and showcasing exceptional talent across various sports. This remarkable achievement highlights Punjab's commitment to nurturing athletic excellence and promoting a competitive sports culture in Pakistan. #PunjabPride #QuaidEAzamGames #SportsExcellence #AthleticAchievements #PakistanSports