Pakistani actor Sajal Aly is set to be honored with the prestigious Tamgha-e-Imtiaz at the Governor House in Punjab, Lahore, on Pakistan Day, March 23. This esteemed award, one of the highest civilian honors in Pakistan, is reserved for individuals who have made remarkable contributions to their respective fields, bringing honor to the nation.

Recognized for her versatile performances and impactful roles on screen, Sajal has earned widespread acclaim for her talent and dedication to the art of acting. Throughout her career, she has delivered compelling portrayals and captivating storylines, earning her a special place in the hearts of audiences.

The upcoming ceremony holds particular significance as it not only celebrates Sajal’s remarkable achievements but also underscores the importance of recognizing excellence and talent within the Pakistani entertainment industry. Expected to be attended by prominent figures from the entertainment sector, government officials, and dignitaries, the event promises to be a landmark occasion for both the superstar and her supporters, honoring her outstanding contributions to Pakistani cinema and television.

The recent surge in gold prices in Pakistan, marking a substantial increase of Rs. 4600, has caught the attention of investors, consumers, and analysts alike. This notable uptick reflects a multitude of factors influencing the global gold market, including fluctuations in currency values, geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, and shifts in investor sentiment. In Pakistan, where gold holds significant cultural and economic importance, such movements in prices can have far-reaching implications across various sectors. Investors may view gold as a safe-haven asset amidst uncertain economic conditions, leading to increased demand and subsequent price hikes. Consumers, on the other hand, may reassess their purchasing decisions, considering the impact of higher gold prices on jewelry purchases and other related expenses. Analysts closely monitor these developments, examining the underlying drivers behind the price movements and their potential implications for the broader economy. The Rs. 4600 hike underscores the dynamic nature of the gold market and highlights the need for stakeholders to remain vigilant and adaptable in response to evolving market conditions.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has announced the closure of hiking trails 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 from March 19 to March 23, between 5 am and 5 pm, due to Parade preparations for March 23 (Parade Day). This closure aims to facilitate the Parade arrangements and ensure public safety during this period. The CDA urges the public to cooperate and avoid inconvenience, with access to these trails set to resume after Parade Day. In other news, China’s Ministry of National Defense spokesperson revealed that the Chinese armed forces will take part in Pakistan’s National Day military parade on March 23. A contingent from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Guard of Honor has been invited by Pakistan to participate in the event. This participation highlights the strong bilateral relations between China and Pakistan.

Pakistan has been placed 108th out of 143 countries in the latest World Happiness Report by the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Solutions Network, released on the International Day of Happiness. Despite surpassing neighboring rivals India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, Pakistan has experienced a decline in its ranking, slipping from 103rd position in the previous report. The ranking is based on various factors including health, life expectancy, freedom, and corruption perception. Finland secures the top position in the list, while Afghanistan finds itself at the bottom. Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden follow closely behind. Notably, the United States and Germany have fallen out of the top 20, now ranking 23rd and 24th respectively. The top 10 happiest countries in the report include Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Australia, showcasing a diverse range of nations with high levels of well-being and contentment among their citizens.

Led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government has launched a new housing initiative aimed at providing affordable accommodation for low-income individuals. With plans to construct 100,000 houses across the province, this scheme underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the housing needs of marginalized communities. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has emphasized the importance of selecting suitable sites, particularly in major cities like Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sargodha, and Rawalpindi, ensuring accessibility for residents. This initiative reflects a significant investment in Punjab’s social infrastructure and is expected to positively impact a substantial portion of the population, reaffirming the government’s dedication to promoting homeownership among low-income earners.

Before its official opening in 2010, the Burj Khalifa was named the Burj Dubai, a skyscraper located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Standing as the tallest building globally, it reaches a total height of 829.8 meters, with its roof height measuring 828 meters. Since its unveiling in 2009, the Burj Khalifa has held the prestigious title of the world’s tallest building and structure, surpassing Taipei 101. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims worldwide observe fasting, prayer, and community gatherings. However, due to its immense height, occupants on the Burj Khalifa’s upper floors must wait longer to break their fast than those on lower levels, as the sun sets later at higher elevations. This unique aspect of the building’s architecture adds a distinctive element to the Ramadan experience for its residents and visitors.

Finland has maintained its position as the world’s happiest country for the seventh consecutive year, leading the list in the latest World Happiness Report. Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden also secured spots among the top 10 happiest nations. Meanwhile, Afghanistan remained at the bottom of the list due to ongoing humanitarian crises. The United States and Germany, though not in the top 20, ranked 23rd and 24th, respectively. Costa Rica and Kuwait made significant strides, breaking into the top 20, ranking 12th and 13th. Notably, the report observed that none of the world’s largest countries were among the happiest nations, with only the Netherlands and Australia having populations exceeding 15 million in the top 10. Moreover, the report highlighted significant shifts in happiness levels since 2006-10, with Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Jordan experiencing declines, while Eastern European nations such as Serbia, Bulgaria, and Latvia reported increases. The rankings are based on individuals’ self-assessed life satisfaction and various factors including GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption levels.

Airblue, a prominent airline in Pakistan, has announced multiple job openings across various departments. This presents exciting opportunities for individuals seeking employment in the aviation industry. With its commitment to excellence in service, Airblue aims to attract talented professionals to join its team. Interested candidates are encouraged to explore the available positions and apply according to their qualifications and expertise. Working with Airblue offers the chance to contribute to the growth and success of one of Pakistan’s leading airlines while pursuing a rewarding career in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), textile product exports from Pakistan amounted to $11,145.661 million during the initial eight months of the current fiscal year (2023-24). This represents a slight decrease of 0.65 percent compared to the earnings of $11,218.644 million during the same period of the previous fiscal year (2022-23). Among the textile commodities, several experienced positive trade growth. For example, exports of raw cotton surged by 353.78 percent, rising from $12.286 million last year to $55.752 million this year. Similarly, cotton yarn exports increased by 48.18 percent, from $505.015 million to $748.307 million, while towel exports grew by 3.64 percent, from $666.497 million to $690.745 million. Bed wear exports also saw a rise of 2.08 percent, climbing from $1,834.903 million to $1,873.008 million. However, some textile products faced a decline in exports. Cotton cloth exports decreased by 8.71 percent, dropping from $1,380.075 million to $1,259.897 million, and cotton carded or combed exports decreased by 32.55 percent, from $0.970 million to $0.654 million. Other products experiencing negative growth include yarn other than cotton yarn (down 18.06 percent), knitwear (down 5.69 percent), tents, canvas, and tarpaulin (down 10.72 percent), and ready-made garments (down 2.99 percent). These figures depict fluctuations in Pakistan’s textile export industry, indicating various factors influencing trade dynamics in the sector.

Archer Aviation and Falcon Aviation have announced a groundbreaking collaboration to introduce flying taxi commutes between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, boasting travel times as short as 30 minutes. The partnership unveils plans for cutting-edge vertiport infrastructure at strategic locations in both cities, including Falcon Heliport at Atlantis, the Palm in Dubai, and the Marina Mall heliport in Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in the launch of Archer’s Midnight flying car service in the UAE and the MENA region, slated for as early as 2025. The flying taxis will predominantly operate over water, providing passengers with breathtaking views of both cities while significantly reducing travel time compared to traditional ground transportation methods. Adam Goldstein, the founder and CEO of Archer, expressed enthusiasm about teaming up with established operators like Falcon Aviation and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to introduce urban air mobility to the region. Falcon Aviation CEO Captain Ramandeep Oberoi echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their track record of delivering top-notch transportation solutions. This venture follows a memorandum of understanding signed last year, where Falcon Aviation committed to operating numerous Archer Midnight flying cars. It also aligns seamlessly with Archer’s strategic expansion plans, with the UAE poised to become its premier international launch market.

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, has unveiled ambitious plans to organize a staggering 9,000 matches over the next four months. Speaking at a press conference held at the National Stadium Karachi, Naqvi highlighted the board’s commitment to boosting domestic cricket, stating, “Last year, we arranged 2,700 domestic matches, and our goal is to increase this number to 9,000 matches within the next four months. The promotion of school cricket remains one of our top priorities.”

Regarding the Champions Trophy 2025, Naqvi expressed unwavering confidence in Pakistan’s readiness to host the prestigious event. He affirmed, “The Champions Trophy 2025 will take place in Pakistan, and we are fully equipped for it. We pray to Allah that this event proceeds as planned in Pakistan. We have no intention of holding the Trophy in any other country or under a hybrid model.”

Naqvi also outlined plans to import soil from England and Australia to prepare pitches for the upcoming matches, underlining the PCB’s commitment to ensuring top-quality playing surfaces.

Addressing queries about the national cricket team’s captaincy, Naqvi emphasized the autonomy of the selection committee in making such decisions. He stressed the importance of empowering the selection committee to uphold accountability and prevent interference in their duties.

During a recent cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a significant decision was made by him and members of the federal cabinet to voluntarily waive their salaries and perks. This move reflects the government’s commitment to promoting austerity measures and responsible financial management. The decision was taken alongside discussions on various agenda items, including a briefing on the Staff Level Agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the establishment of the PIA Holding Company, as outlined in a press release from the PM Office. Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb provided a comprehensive briefing to the cabinet members regarding the Staff Level Agreement with the IMF, stressing its potential to positively impact the national economy and bolster investor confidence. This demonstration of financial restraint and dedication to fiscal responsibility by the prime minister and his cabinet sets a commendable example for governmental officials and underscores their commitment to addressing economic challenges effectively.