SMEDA offers 70% grant for certifications

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has launched a 70% matching grant under its SME Certification and International Accreditation Grant Programme to help businesses obtain internationally recognised certifications and improve export competitiveness. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the programme has gained traction as entrepreneurs from several parts of the country have […]

Geopolitics of Epstein Files

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel and the subsequent announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israel and India intend to establish a new regional strategic alliance to counter “radical” Muslims corroborates recent revelations from the Epstein Files regarding the close nexus between India and Israel. In the wake of the controversy created […]

Rs200b uplift package unveiled for Hazara

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting with parliamentarians from Hazara Division at Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, unveiling ambitious development initiatives aimed at accelerating progress in the region and addressing long-standing public needs. The session, attended by the Speaker of the Assembly along with elected members of the National and […]

Pakistan warns ‘immediate, severe’ response following Afghan Taliban’s unprovoked firing at border

Security forces responded immediately to stop unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Tuesday amid intense friction between the two countries, according to the prime minister’s spokesperson. “The Afghan Taliban regime initiated unprovoked firing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border in Torkham and Tirah sub-sectors. Pakistan’s security forces responded immediately and effectively, silencing […]

UK govt backs releasing documents tied to ‘rude’ ex-prince Andrew

The UK government said on Tuesday it supported the release of documents on ex-prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s past role as a trade envoy, hours after a veteran politician was quizzed by police in the widening Jeffrey Epstein scandal. US authorities last month published millions of files related to late sex offender Epstein, containing revelations which have […]