Saturday, December 13th, 2025
PM Shehbaz says economy out of woods, terms all indicators ‘wonderful’
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday launched the National Regulatory Reforms, saying Pakistan had come out of severe economic difficulties due to the untiring efforts of the incumbent government and its economic team, with key economic indicators showing strong improvement. Addressing the launch ceremony, he called the regulatory reforms a “quantum jump,” saying the framework would facilitate business, industry, agriculture, and foreign direct investment from Europe, the Far East, and the Middle East, while also reducing wastage of time and resources that had fueled corruption and nepotism. He commendedRead More
Pakistan Army clinch top spot in 35th National Games final rankings
KARACHI, DEC 13: Pakistan Army secured the top position in the medal table of the 35th National Games on Saturday, showcasing strong performance across both individual and team events. The 35th National Games concluded with a closing ceremony in Karachi, with Pakistan Army emerging as the highest medal-winning contingent. Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir attended as the chief guest, alongside PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. According to the final medal standings shared by the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), Pakistan Army reignedRead More
Police detain organiser of Messi visit after Indian fans rip up seats
KOLKATA, DEC 13: Lionel Messi’s tour of India kicked off chaotically on Saturday as fans threw objects, ripped up seats and invaded the pitch at Kolkata’s Salt Lake stadium after the Argentine soccer great made only a brief appearance at a ticketed event. Satadru Dutta, the event’s chief organiser, has been detained by police, said Rajeev Kumar, director general of West Bengal police. Messi was scheduled for a 45-minute visit to the stadium, but his appearance lasted just 20 minutes. Tickets for the event were priced from around 3,500 rupeesRead More
HEC launches nationwide quality review of MS/MPhil & PhD Programmes
ISLAMABAD, DEC 13 /DNA/ – The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has initiated a comprehensive quality review of graduate programmes, particularly MS/MPhil and PhD degrees, offered by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country. The decision follows concerns during a comprehensive presentation by the Quality Assurance Agency to the Executive Director HEC regarding academic rigour and implementation standards of graduate education, especially in cases where PhD programmes are being conducted in part-time formats without meeting essential quality benchmarks. Despite the introduction of the highly flexible Graduate Education Policy (GEP-2023) and HEC’s extensive outreach sessions including orientation, and capacity-building workshops, conductedRead More
HEC, British Council expand partnership for scholarships, research grants
ISLAMABAD, DEC 13 /DNA/ – The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and British Council have launched the £10 million second phase of Pak-UK Education Gateway partnership. The Gateway will help the UK’s world class institutions work with their Pakistani counterparts on shared challenges from climate change to mobility and growth. A launch ceremony was organised at the HEC Secretariat, which also celebrated the achievements of Phase-I of Pak-UK Education Gateway partnership. Phase-II will open up numerous opportunities, and further strengthen the bilateral collaborative relationship. It will result in increased funding forRead More
UK Development Minister meets PM Shehbaz
ISLAMABAD, DEC 13 /DNA/ – The Right Honourable Baroness Jenny Chapman, UK’s Minister of State for International Development and Africa, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad today. Baroness Chapman is currently on an official visit to Pakistan.The Prime Minister and Baroness Chapman exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, including development cooperation, climate resilience, economic engagement and broader regional issues. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to further deepening cooperation in these key areas. The Prime Minister underscored that Pakistan and the United Kingdom enjoy a longstandingRead More