Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has appointed its first woman chief economist in the Planning and Development Department, with Mahnaz Faheem promoted from BS-19 to BS-20. The appointment, approved by Selection Board-I chaired by the chief secretary, marks a historic step in women’s representation in senior economic policy roles in the region.

Most fixed broadband operators in Pakistan met regulatory quality standards in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting generally stable internet service across major cities, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has issued its astronomical forecast for the start of Shaaban 1447 AH, indicating that the crescent moon is most likely to be sighted on the evening of January 20, 2026, while visibility on January 19 is expected to be very difficult.

The Senate raised concerns over the excessive and unsupervised use of social media by young children. Senator Falak Naz brought attention to the growing exposure of minors to digital platforms without proper monitoring, highlighting the potential social and psychological risks.

The Sindh government has announced a public holiday on January 17 for schools to observe Shab-e-Meraj. According to a notification from the Sindh Education and Literacy Department, all public and private educational institutions across the province, including Karachi, will remain closed on this day.

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has launched a development initiative worth over Rs. 700 million to rehabilitate the city’s Old City, with Mayor Murtaza Wahab laying the foundation stone on Sunday. The projects aim to improve roads, upgrade sewerage systems, and enhance public facilities in key commercial areas, with a target completion date of June 30 for the main works.

The Punjab government has announced that starting February 1, citizens will be able to access 210 services from 15 departments through the e-Biz Portal, enabling online access without visiting government offices. This initiative is part of the chief minister’s digital governance plan, which aims to expand the portal to 310 services by March, providing broader access to public services through a

Ignite, the National Technology Fund operating under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, has invited Pakistani tech startups to apply for the Prime Minister’s Cloud Program for Startups, a national initiative focused on accelerating startup growth through cloud adoption and cost optimization. The program aims to support startups by reducing infrastructure expenses while enabling them to

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has dismissed reports suggesting that internet services across Pakistan will face disruption or slowdown on January 15. PTA officials confirmed that claims circulating on social media regarding nationwide connectivity issues are false, and internet services across the country remain stable with no interruptions reported.

The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has announced a power suspension schedule for Thursday across multiple areas within its jurisdiction due to routine maintenance and development work. Electricity will be unavailable from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm in areas under Islamabad Circle, including Kund Rajgan, Scheme-II, King Hammad, and Chatta Bakhtawar feeders, as well as several feeders in