LAHORE: The World Bank has approved $150 million in funding to enhance education facilities in Punjab, Pakistan, aiming to benefit five million children currently out of school. A spokesperson for the World Bank noted that the funds will specifically address the needs of the seven million children in Punjab who lack access to education. By improving educational infrastructure and resources, the World Bank aims to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children in the province. This development comes on the heels of the World Bank’s recent approval of a $1 billion loan for the Dasu Dam project. The Dasu Dam…
Author: Sajjad Ali
Sajjad Ali
Sajjad Ali is ‘Online Web Editor of Khyber News. He is a journalist by profession and working in field for the last ten years. Previously he worked for national media organizations including ‘The Nation’ Daily Pakistan Today, Khyber News. He also worked in media development sector. He can be reached at sajjad.sovereign@gmail.com
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The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved a significant increase in the basic electricity tariff, raising it by Rs 5.72 per unit for the fiscal year 2024-25. This proposal has been sent to the federal government for final approval. Starting from July 1, 2024, the average basic electricity tariff will increase from Rs 29.78 to Rs 35.50 per unit. The final decision on the implementation of this tariff hike will be made by the federal cabinet. In contrast, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a reduction in electricity prices for industries and exports by Rs 10.69 per unit.…
ISLAMABAD: In a major relief, the federal government has announced a massive reduction in prices of petroleum products. The Ministry of Finance issued a notification reducing petrol and diesel prices by Rs 10.20 per liter and Rs 2.33 per liter respectively for the second half of June 2024. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement, had announced the reduction. The decision comes amidst declining international prices for petroleum products. According to the update shared by the Prime Minister’s Office, petrol prices have been adjusted downwards by Rs 10.20 per liter, while the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) sees a…
FLORIDA: In a disappointing turn of events, Pakistan has been officially knocked out of the T20 World Cup after the USA vs Ireland match was called off due to continuous rain in Florida on Friday. With the playing conditions rendered unplayable by a wet outfield and persistent rain, both teams were awarded one point each. This propelled the co-hosts to 5 points, securing the second spot on the points table and making history by progressing to the Super Eight stage in their debut appearance in the T20 World Cup. The USA now joins India in the Super 8s. Even if…
SAHIWAL: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif conducted a four-hour-long inquiry at Sahiwal Teaching Hospital following the tragic deaths of 11 children, ordering the suspension and arrest of the hospital’s Principal, Medical Superintendent (MS), Additional Medical Superintendent (AMS), and Admin Officer. The Chief Minister reprimanded health department officials, emphasizing the need for accountability and urging them to empathize with the grieving parents of the deceased children. Investigations revealed that the hospital’s fire extinguishers had expired in April and were not replaced despite notifications, with local media reporting that the extinguishers were treated as decorative items and not utilized in emergencies.…
RAWALPINDI: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed Khan has urged the judiciary to uphold justice fearlessly to reinforce public trust on judiciary. “Interference in the judiciary will have to be fought with faith that it will come to an end,” said the LHC chief justice while addressing the opening ceremony of the judicial complex e-courts in Rawalpindi. He emphasized that such interference would soon be eradicated and called on everyone to work together to eliminate interference from the judiciary. “Establishment interference in the judiciary is a misfortune for the country,” he stated during the inauguration of e-court and…
ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and with support from the Green Climate Fund, has launched the “Glacial Lake Outburst Floods” (GLOFs) project. This initiative aims to mitigate climate vulnerabilities in the valleys of Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Pakistan, which hosts over 13,032 glaciers across the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Himalayan mountain ranges, boasts the largest reservoir of glaciers outside the polar regions. However, significant climate changes are causing these glaciers and surrounding habitats to face severe challenges, with reports indicating that 10,000 glaciers are…
ISLAMABAD: A top UN official warned on Thursday that approximately 200,000 people in Pakistan might be impacted by the upcoming monsoon season, anticipated to bring higher-than-usual rainfall. The United Nations, in collaboration with local authorities, has developed a contingency plan, allocating $40 million for potential emergencies, according to Mohamed Yahya, the newly appointed Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan. Yahya informed journalists in Islamabad that Pakistani weather forecasters predict above-normal rainfall in the coming weeks. However, he emphasized that the rains would not match the severity of the 2022 floods, which claimed 1,739 lives, destroyed 2 million homes, and…
Child labour in Afghanistan has surged dramatically since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, according to a recent report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Released on June 12 to mark World Day Against Child Labour, the report paints a grim picture of the escalating crisis affecting the nation’s children. The UN report indicates that 19 percent of Afghan children are now engaged in labour, the highest rate globally. This troubling statistic reflects the compounded effects of poor governance, ongoing conflict, and widespread poverty under Taliban rule. Save the Children has noted a…
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the export of 150,000 metric tons of sugar. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The ECC emphasized that the export would be halted if domestic prices increase. Additionally, the committee sanctioned various financial allocations to address several pressing needs. This includes Rs 127 million to cover outstanding customs duties, Rs 29 million for expenses at the President’s House, Rs 5.4 billion for the Ministry of Health, and Rs 4.92 billion for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Significant funds were also allocated to clear arrears and support various projects.…
