Author: i2wtc

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the formation of three specialized committees – the Digital Payments Innovation and Adoption Committee, the Digital Public Infrastructure Committee, and the Government Payments Committee – to promote cashless economy across the country. These special sub-committees will present recommendations to facilitate payments between citizens and businesses, raise awareness about digital systems, activate the Pakistan Digital Authority, formulate a national digital master plan, and streamline transactions between the government and the private sector. The premier was chairing a high-level meeting focused on promoting a cashless economy in Pakistan. He emphasized the importance of making…

LAHORE: Pakistan stormed into the final of the AVC Nations Cup with a commanding straight-sets victory over Qatar in Manama, Bahrain on Monday, according to a press release issued by the Pakistan Volleyball Federation. The 3-0 win (25-22, 25-22, 25-21) not only ensured Pakistan’s place in the title clash but also served as sweet revenge for their loss to the same opponents in the final of the AVC Challenge Cup last year. Despite a spirited effort from Qatar in all three sets, the Pakistan team held firm throughout, showcasing superior cohesion and attacking prowess. Murad Jahan, Usman Faryad Ali, Murad…

China’s State Council Information Office holds a press conference on plans for marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)Major General Wu Zeke, deputy director of the Leading Group Office of Military Parade and deputy director general of the Operation Bureau of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, speaks at a press conference held by China’s State Council Information Office on plans for marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese…

ISLAMABAD: A constitutional bench (CB) of the Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the federation on a petition filed against induction of officers from armed forces in the civil bureaucracy without any written examination. A five-member CB led by Justice Aminuddin Khan took up a petition filed through Ali Azeem Afridi. During the hearing the lawyer contended that civilian candidates desirous of joining the Central Superior Services (CSS) are mandated to sit a written exam as well as an interview. However, officers from armed forces are exempted from the written exam. When Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, a member of…

LAHORE: Pakistan hockey captain Ammad Butt has called the silver medal in the FIH Nations Cup — following a 6–2 loss to New Zealand in the June 21 final in Kuala Lumpur — a promising step forward for national hockey. The tournament, held at the National Hockey Stadium, saw Pakistan reach their first major final in 11 years, a revival since their last appearance in the 2014 Champions Trophy final in Bhubaneswar. “It’s been 11 years since we played a final on the big stage,” Ammad said at Allama Iqbal International Airport on Sunday night, after returning from Malaysia. “While…

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Beijing on Tuesday.Xi congratulated Wong on his second term in office. Noting that this year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, Xi highlighted that the two sides have consistently upheld mutual understanding and respect, which has provided a solid foundation for the stable…

Listen to article Despite US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, both Israeli and Iranian officials have yet to confirm any formal agreement. Despite an Iranian official confirming that Tehran had agreed to a ceasefire, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denied that any formal truce has been agreed. Speaking to local media, he said Tehran would halt its attacks only if Israel ends its “illegal aggression” by 4 a.m. local time (00:30 GMT). As of now, Israel has not publicly commented on the reported ceasefire. While Trump called for an end to the “12-day war,” Iranian…

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) walks past Bundeswehr soldiers with military honors in front of the Federal Chancellery before welcoming the Prime Minister of Denmark.Bernd von Jutrczenka | Picture Alliance | Getty ImagesTax hikes and soaring debt might be Germany’s new reality, as NATO allies are set to soon face a higher defense spending target.The country in 2024 spent around 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, coming in at over 90 billion euros ($104 billion), according to a NATO estimate. While that expenditure is in line with the existing NATO target, it falls short of the 5%…

Illustration of the national flag of the People’s Republic of China and a mining site. Craig Hastings | Moment | Getty ImagesBeijing has been stepping up controls on rare earth exports, triggering global shortages and exposing industries’ dependence on Chinese supply chains. However, over recent years, China itself has become reliant on rare earth supplies from an unexpected source: the relatively small and war-torn economy of Myanmar. While China is the world’s top producer of rare earths, it still imports raw materials containing the coveted metals from abroad.Myanmar accounted for about 57% of China’s total rare earth imports last year, Gracelin Baskaran,…

Listen to article Gilgit-Baltistan’s government has presented a provincial budget of Rs148.63 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26, including a deficit of Rs6 billion, Express News reported. During the assembly session on Monday, Finance Minister Engineer Muhammad Ismail tabled the budget, which proposes a 10 per cent salary increase for government employees. The budget allocates Rs8.82 billion for non-development expenses, while Rs3.7 billion is earmarked for development projects. Additionally, Rs1.1 billion has been proposed for federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects, with Rs400 million specifically set aside for the Prime Minister’s programme under PSDP. The government has set a non-tax revenue…