Pakistan

National Digital Wallet plan shelved | The Express Tribune

Published

3 مہینے ago

جون 22, 2024

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ISLAMABAD:

The government has shelved the plan of setting up a digital rewards platform of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), called the National Digital Wallet, to promote a cashless economy in the country.

Sources told The Express Tribune that the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication informed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a recent meeting that the proposal was not feasible and therefore it could not be pursued.

Earlier, the plan was also submitted to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for seeking its consent. The investment body had directed the IT ministry to work out the feasibility of the plan.

Sources said that the IT ministry revealed in a high-level meeting, chaired by the prime minister, that the proposal seemed unfeasible which was why the ministry did not want to pursue it.

Following that argument, the government shelved the National Digital Wallet plan, which was meant to nurture a cashless economy.

Under the proposed plan, 1% of electricity, gas and fuel bills were to be linked to digital rewards. The plan was to be implemented in line with the guidelines to be developed in consultation with all stakeholders.

After getting the nod from relevant stakeholders, the IT ministry was required to submit a summary to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) as well as the cabinet for formal approval.

According to the ministry’s recommendations submitted to the SIFC earlier, NADRA was supposed to partner with an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) for launching the digital wallet.

The ministry had planned to issue policy directives to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for linking airtime credit (easy load) with digital rewards under the digital wallet.

According to the proposals, 10% of every airtime credit of Rs1,000, ie, Rs100, was to be loaded on the digital wallet.

As part of the IT ministry’s initial recommendations, the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) was supposed to link 1% of electricity bills to the digital wallet rewards.

Similarly, the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) was to connect 1% of fuel payments to the digital rewards. It was also required to link 1% of gas bills.

Digital wallet balance was to be made available via OpenAI for fintech apps and services.

The SIFC has played an important role in the timely approval of policies and projects proposed by the IT ministry.

Already, the government has facilitated IT companies by allowing them to keep up to 50% of dollar proceeds in their accounts, which resulted in record IT exports in December 2023.

A world-class training programme has also been launched for 200,000 IT graduates from universities.

In an effort to provide facilities to freelancers under one roof, the government has set up 10,000 e-employment centres. The IT minister believes one million freelancers working in these centres can ramp up IT exports to $10 billion annually.

Now, the PML-N government is working on different initiatives to boost digitalisation in the country. But it has come in for a lot of flak for shutting down Twitter in Pakistan.

In the recent budget, the government has also imposed taxes on mobile handsets, drawing sharp criticism from telecom companies which said the government was pushing the country into dark ages.

Related Topics:digital Express National Pakistan plan PM shelved Tribune wallet

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Pakistan

Honda CD70 Dream Latest Price, Installment Plans – Sep 2024 Update – Pakistan Observer

Published

16 گھنٹے ago

ستمبر 20, 2024

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Honda remains leader in bikes market, with its top-selling units like CD 70, and that’s without making any major changes as the entry-level bikes look almost same for a long time. As the CD-70 remains its most selling model, bikes like the CD-70 Dream and Pridor are considered a niche products.

Despite failing to achieve top sales, CD 70 Dream is still in the market, featuring air-cooled, 4-stroke engine that delivers smooth performance and impressive fuel economy, often averaging around 60-70 km/l, making it ideal for daily commuting.

The bike looks better with stylish and modern design with attractive graphics, as compared to simple CD70. People also like its comfort as built quality remains optimum, comparing to other players.

Its pricing makes it accessible to a wide audience, including students and working professionals, solidifying its status as a favorite among motorcycle enthusiasts in Pakistan.

As bikes prices remain out of hands, people are having hard time to upgrade their ride while companies also face low sales.

Honda CD 70 Dream Price

The price of Honda CD70 Dream is Rs168,900 in September 2024.

Honda CD 70 Dream Installments

Installment Plans	Monthly Payments
3 months	Rs56,300
6 months	Rs28,300
9 months	Rs21,890
12 months	Rs17,200
24 months	Rs10,170
36 months	Rs7,800

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Check Property Ownership in Lahore, other Punjab cities Online – Pakistan Observer

Published

17 گھنٹے ago

ستمبر 20, 2024

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If you live in Lahore or any other city in Punjab; you might have faced difficulties in getting land record in previous years, but now the government made the land verification process smooth with digitization.

To curb the menace of land mafia and to help residents of Punjab, the government rolled out a systematic process and also eased the process of property transfers and real estate transactions.

A new verification system is Live by provincial authorities to check the legitimacy of properties available for purchase or investment across the region of 110 million people.

The relevant authority in this regard is Punjab Land Record Authority which oversees management and maintenance of land records. You can get different services, including ability to search for and view land records, as well as request copies of documents.

Check Property Ownership Online 2024

Here’s Step by Step Guide To Check property ownership

Step 1: Please visit PLRA portal at Punjab-zameen.gov.pk.

Step 2: Find ‘Property Registration,’ on home and click on https://rodportal.punjab-zameen.gov.pk/.

Step 3: It will ask you to select your district and service center.

Step 4: You can search by different options including Bahi number, ID card, registration number, or by person name.

Step 5: After entering details, please advance to ‘Search’ to get the land ownership.

With latest updates, you can check data on number of property transfers in last 36 months.

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Pakistan

Suzuki Bolan discontinued in Pakistan after 36 years; Here’s replacement for ‘Carry Dabba’ – Pakistan Observer

Published

18 گھنٹے ago

ستمبر 20, 2024

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LAHORE – Finally, it’s time to say goodbye to the iconic Suzuki Bolan as Pak Suzuki pulled plugs to replace the minivan with another model. Over the last 3.5 decades, Suzuki Bolan enjoyed decent sales and was valued for its flexibility, serving a multi-passenger vehicle and for commercial purposes.

Amid shift in auto landscape in Pakistan, Bolan becomes latest drive to be discontinued after Suzuki Mehran, which you can still spot.

Pictures of Suzuki Bolan’s last batch surfaced online, and Pakistanis hit nostalgia as many grew up in this vehicle. The final chassis number marked as 01151691. The country’s oldest automaker and maker of Bolan also confirmed discontinuation of the 800cc Carry Dabba.

The company decided to replace Bolan for its outdated design and lack of safety features. Amid its low sales, consumer demand for a modern replacement like Changan Karvaan increased.

Suzuki Every to Replace Bolan

Suzuki earlier mentioned that Every will replace Bolan, and one of its recent model was unveiled at a recent auto show.

The launch of Every models faced delays due to import challenges and it is expected to launch in mid October.

Suzuki Bolan Price in Pakistan

Pakistan

Gold prices reach historic high in Pakistan – Pakistan Observer

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19 گھنٹے ago

ستمبر 20, 2024

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