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ADB suggests steps to make schools climate resilient

A new report from the Asian Development Bank has stressed the need for adapting schools to the impacts of climate change since extreme weather is significantly increasing school closures and affecting learning outcomes and household incomes over the long-term. The report, ‘Climate Change and Education Playbook’, referred the 2022 floods in Pakistan which damaged some 17,000 schools, disrupting

ECC approves winter power package to spur demand

The Eco­nomic Coordination Com­m­i­ttee (ECC) on Tuesday formally approved subsidy-neutral discounted electricity rates for incremental consumption during the winter months (December to February) to stimulate power usage amid high tariffs and economic downturn. The initiative — which applies to residential, commercial and industrial consumers — is expected to increase consumption by up to 16 pe

NA panel questions PTCL authority to sell assets

The National Assembly Standing Committee on IT & Telecom questioned the authority of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) to sell its properties since the board of directors was not the owner of the company. The committee meeting in the Parliament House sought answers to several queries from the state-owned largest telecom company, including the board’s powers under the sale purcha

Corporates dole out Rs24bn for social causes

Pakistan’s corporate sector donated about Rs23.65 billion for various social sector causes in 2023, up 41 per cent over Rs16.76bn in 2022, according to the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP). In its latest Corporate Philanthropy Report, the PCP said the Public Listed Companies (PLCs) contributed the largest share of Rs17.69bn while Public Public Unlisted Companies (PUCs) and Private Ltd Com

IT firms, ISPs advise govt against ban on VPNs

Internet service providers (ISPs) and software houses have warned that restrictions on the internet and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) would become an “existential threat” and alienate segments of society. The statements have criticised the purge on VPNs — used by businesses and individuals — and the decision to ban unregistered proxies by the end of this month. Shahzad Arshad, the chairman