ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exports to regional countries declined 22 per cent in the first eight months of the current fiscal year due to the impact of Covid-19. Exports to Afghanistan, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Iran, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives fell to $1.171 billion in 8MFY21, from $1.504bn the previous year, according to the latest data compiled by the State …

10Pearls University, which organises professional development programmes and trainings, has launched an e-learning portal with more than 100 courses related to technology and management, it said in a statement. The portal, which has been launched to facilitate learning and skill development for both students and professionals, will have more than 100 courses and trainings and will host more than 60 webinars …

ISLAMABAD: The government has finalised a new policy for petroleum refining under which an incentive package will be extended for setting up of deep conversion refineries. The package will provide a 20-year tax holiday and up to nine-year cascading customs duty reduction in pricing provided the investors sign construction agreements before Dec 31, 2021. The policy framework has been finalised …

Tesla Inc customers can now buy its electric vehicles with bitcoin, its boss, Elon Musk, said on Wednesday, marking a significant step forward for the cryptocurrency’s use in commerce. “You can now buy a Tesla with bitcoin,” Musk said on Twitter, adding that the option would be available outside the United States later this year. The electric-car maker said last …

KARACHI: Exporters have halted yarn sales as the depreciating dollar slashed their profit margins, resulting in higher availability of the raw material at cheaper rates in the domestic market, sources from the value-added textile sector said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, industry sources were also hopeful that the recent initiative by Pakistan for normalisation of relations with India could pave the way …

Pakistan has recorded a 30 per cent growth in Islamic banking assets during the 2020 fiscal year. According to a report released by the State Bank of Pakistan on Wednesday, the overall deposits of the Islamic banking industry have also shown a growth of 27.8pc in 2020. This, the report said, is the highest increase in assets in a year …

Travis Barker has shared a handwritten ‘I love you’ note from his girlfriend Kourtney Kardashian amid new claims of her ex-boyfriend  Scott Disick about her. The reality star’s latest letter comes about a month after she wrote to the drummer for Blink-182, ‘To lots of fun adventures, may we destroy each other completely.’ The 45-year-old drummer has posted heartwarming love …

Wedding bells are ringing for Pakistan’s much-loved  showbiz star Saba Qamar as she has surprisingly accepted a proposal from a blogger Azeem Khan to marry him this year. It all happened when Saba shared a dazzling snap of herself on Instagram  with the caption:  ‘If it’s meant to be, it will be.’ she also added a heart emoji in the …

Turkish historical drama serial Dirilis: Ertugrul lead actors Engin Altan Duzyatan, Celal AL and Cengiz Coşkun have extended best wishes to their fans on Pakistan Day. Engin, who essays the titular role in historical drama serial Dirilis: Ertugrul, took to Instagram and felicitated the Pakistani fans. Sharing Pakistani and Turkish flags, Engin Altan wrote “Happy National day of Pakistan.” Other Turkish stars including …

American television host David Letterman is no stranger to controversies as the writer and producer has often landed in hot water over his contentious remarks. Amidst the resurfaced interview of the 73-year-old for which he is getting slammed over inappropriate behavior, his chat with Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai is now making headlines. Letterman riled up Indian fans after he tried …