By Zahoor Ahmed December 6 is the national day of the Republic of Finland. On this day, Finns everywhere fly their blue and white flag and bake delicious cakes with blue and white icing. Traditionally, Finnish families light two candles in each window of their homes to signify offering hospitality to wanderers. While Finland has a harsh climate and small population of 5.5 million, the country is one of the most advanced nations in the world primarily on account of its achievements in the fields of education and innovation. Today, it has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy with one of the highest per capita output and standard of living in the EU. Finland also ranked at the top of the UN's annual World Happin...
December 15, 2021 at 7:39 am | Economic Affairs
Dr. Muhammad Hameed The history of Buddhism in Pakistan can be traced back to the middle of the third century BCE when Asoka, (Ashoka), the famous king of the Mauryan dynasty founded by Chandragupta Maurya, accepted Buddhism after the Kalanga war. Philosophy the religion by which winning hearts through respect instead of bloodshed/war influence Asoka to such an extent that he decided to change his faith and converted to Buddhism. This was the first time when Buddhism got the royal patronage when Asoka declared it as “State religion” due to which eco of the faith spread throughout his empire. Many practical steps were taken to spread the philosophy, teachings, and ethics of the religion. Missionaries were sent to all parts of the ...
December 15, 2021 at 7:25 am | Economic Affairs
Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha (6th-5th century BC), but this faith could hardly receive popular recognition and could truly spread in the lifetime of its founder beyond the boundaries of Magadha and Benaris or the eastern India, where he preached his doctrine for decades. Buddha is a historical personage, who lived between ca. 563 and 483/478 BC or thereabout. Dharmarajika Stupa, Taxila Valley Accurate information about Siddhartha Gautama Sakyamuni, the Sakya prince in the Nepalese Terai is shrouded by the legends recorded by his followers after centuries of his demis. He attained enlightenment to become Buddha (the enlightened one) and discovered a way to salvation, which he taught to his followers. Bhamala S...
December 15, 2021 at 7:09 am | Economic Affairs
Pakistan has a long history of close relations with China. The relations have been cemented rock solid with the passage of time, especially with the start of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan has a long history of close relations with China. The relations have been cemented rock solid with the passage of time, especially with the start of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Pakistan’s friendship with China is usually boasted as higher than mountains and deeper than oceans and it has been proved as such in the 70 years of historical relations. One of the big push boosting our relations, besides CPEC, has been trade pact with China popularly called as Pak-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which has gained a h...
December 14, 2021 at 4:51 pm | Economic Affairs
Diabetes mellitus has appeared to be one of the main public health challenges to high, middle, and low-income economies. In 2019 DM care market reached 69.7 billion and likely to increase by 4.5% by 2025. Assessing the situation in global setting, North America and Asia-Pacific region are the two-region accounted for major market share for the DM care products. Two main countries in Asia-Pacific region i.e. China and India are observed an increasing demand for diabetes drugs. The number of diabetic patients in China has passed 110 million and the nation with highest number of diabetic patients. Addressing the situation in Pakistani setting which is in the neighbors of China and being the partner of the one road one belt initi...
December 14, 2021 at 4:39 pm | Economic Affairs
The increasing threat of bioterrorism or mutated/evolved, highly contagious and transmissible germs (viruses, bacteria, fungi or protozoans) in the world, has caused many countries to start diverting research funds to tackle this new world scenario. By Nasir Jalal (Ph.D.) With the COVID-19 outbreak, an existential threat has been realized and thus awareness and preparedness for containing or tackling highly infectious agents (biohazardous agents) is now forming a cornerstone of national defense of many Countries. Preparedness to deal with such future threats, requires research investment into specialized technologies which should remove dependence on technologies stemming from developed Countries. The reason for this argument is t...
December 14, 2021 at 4:31 pm | Economic Affairs
The Board of Directors of MCB Bank Limited in its meeting under the Chairmanship of Mian Mohammad Mansha, on October 27, 2021, reviewed the performance of the Bank and approved the condensed interim financial statements for the nine months period ended September 30, 2021. The Board of Directors has declared 3rd interim cash dividend of Rs. 4.5 per share i.e. 45% bringing the total cash dividend for the year ending 2021 to 140%, continuing with its highest dividend payout trend. During the nine months period ended September 30, 2021, MCB Bank Limited reported Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 38.27 billion and Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 22.56 billion. Earnings’ Per Share (EPS) stood at Rs. 19.03 against an EPS of Rs. 19.35 reported in ...
December 14, 2021 at 4:23 pm | Economic Affairs
The UN aggregates that approximately one billion people do not get enough to eat on a regular basis. About 16.6% of the world’s population is undernourished and almost 1 in 10 people in the world falls ill as a result of eating contaminated food and 500,000 die every year. By Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi In this age of technology and space exploration when some nations are spending billions and reaching for the Moon, the Mars and the vast unknown beyond in search of places habitable for humans, millions of humans are dying of food shortage on the only known habitable planet that we know of to date, our mother earth. The UN aggregates that approximately one billion people do not get enough to eat on a regular basis. The world produ...
December 14, 2021 at 4:20 pm | Economic Affairs
China has contributed to international affairs, and global issues, especially raising voices for weaker and naïve nations. China stood for oppressed and condemned the aggressors, and opposes hegemony of any country or nation. By Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan People of Pakistan congratulate our Chinese brothers and sisters on the occasion of marking the 50 years of China joining the United Nations (UN). Recognizing the importance of China and the role of China in the UN, we praise and admire the contribution of China to the UN. China has contributed to international affairs, and global issues, especially raising voices for weaker and naïve nations. China stood for oppressed and condemned the aggressors, and opposes hegemony of any...
December 14, 2021 at 4:11 pm | Economic Affairs
There have been many knowledge streams such as Taoism that have added to the development of philosophical thoughts in China, but Confucian thinking with its emphasis upon public service and self-discipline continues to guide the official and individual behavior. By Ahmad Farooq Lord Curzon once said “China is a university from where scholar doesn’t get a degree,” but is enlightened with knowledge and wisdom gathered over thousands of years. Homosapiens, since their very genesis who remained in a continuous struggle for splendour and sublimity, have contested with the intimidating forces of nature and starting from cave-dwellings and hand-made clay and wooden instruments, have carved out great civilizations and cultures. ...
December 14, 2021 at 4:01 pm | Economic Affairs
Pakistan Rupee Exchange Rate