Pakistan’s Richest: Top 5 Billionaires

1-Shahid Khan                 

Net Worth: Approximately $8.5 billion

Source of Wealth: Owner of Flex-N-Gate (automotive parts manufacturer), Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL team), and Fulham F.C. (English football club)

Overview: Shahid Khan, a Pakistani-American businessman, moved to the United States in the 1960s. He built his fortune through Flex-N-Gate, a major automotive parts supplier. Khan expanded his investments into sports by acquiring the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham F.C.

2- Mian Muhammad Mansha

Net Worth: Approximately $5 billion

Source of Wealth: Nishat Group (textiles, banking, cement)

Overview: Mian Muhammad Mansha is the chairman and CEO of Nishat Group, one of Pakistan's largest conglomerates. His business interests span textiles, banking, and cement, contributing significantly to Pakistan's economy.

3-Anwar Pervez

Net Worth: Approximately $4 billion

Source of Wealth: Bestway Group (wholesale, cement, banking)

Overview: Sir Anwar Pervez founded Bestway Group, which began as a convenience store in London and expanded into a multinational conglomerate. The group operates in wholesale, cement manufacturing, and banking sectors.

4-Asif Ali Zardari

Net Worth: Approximately $1.8 billion

Source of Wealth: Real estate, agriculture, various business holdings

Overview: Asif Ali Zardari, former President of Pakistan and co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party, has amassed wealth through diverse business interests, including real estate and agriculture.

5-Malik Riaz Hussain

Net Worth: Approximately $1.5 billion

Source of Wealth: Bahria Town (real estate development)

 Overview: Malik Riaz Hussain is the founder of Bahria Town, one of Asia's largest private real estate development companies. His projects have transformed urban development in Pakistan.

Main Kaun Hoon: Meri Kahani

My name is Muhammad Ayyan,

 I am a student. To turn my dreams of life into reality, I embarked on a journey that blended student life with a job. This journey was not easy, but every challenge made me stronger, and every new lesson gave me the courage to move forward.

I can never forget the days when I worked for just 500 rupees a day. Being a student and managing my own expenses was a significant responsibility. Every day, I would buy the essentials, manage my meals, and fulfill my needs. But there was one more thing I did—saving. Out of those 500 rupees, I would save as much as possible. That saving was for my tuition fees. I worked hard for every single rupee and thought about how that money was bringing me closer to my dreams.

This journey wasn’t confined to my city. There came a time when I had to leave my hometown and move to a new city. Life in the new city was like entering an entirely new world—new people, new challenges, and a different lifestyle. Alongside my job, I had to arrange my own accommodation and meals. Yet, I never gave up. As a Sales Representative, I managed my expenses while relentlessly working toward my dreams.

This job didn’t just provide me with financial stability but also instilled in me a sense of self-confidence and independence. Every interaction with a customer felt like a new challenge. With each passing day, I met new people and learned something new from them. I realized that every difficulty is an opportunity in disguise.

I still remember the day I was able to pay my first semester's fees from my savings. That feeling is one of the most memorable moments of my life—it taught me that hard work always pays off.

Even today, I am chasing my dreams. I aim to achieve my goals through education, hard work, and unwavering determination. My ultimate goal is to transform myself into a person who not only makes himself proud but also becomes a source of pride for his family.

My story proves that with consistency and dedication, every challenge becomes surmountable. Every day is a new beginning, and every new beginning opens the door to new opportunities.

PTCL has stated that the internet slowdown issue will be "completely fixed in the coming days"

The telecom company announced an increased bandwidth, but Meta-related apps may experience disruptions during peak hours.

-PTCL states that the additional bandwidth has largely addressed the issue.
-Meta-related apps may face delays: PTCL.
-PTA and PTCL assure efforts for the quickest resolution.

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Malala Yousafzai to Visit Pakistan for Girls' Education Summit

 World's Youngest Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai to Visit Pakistan for International Girls' Education Conference

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, the youngest recipient of the prestigious award, is set to visit Pakistan as a special guest for a two-day international conference on girls' education in Islamabad.

Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani announced that Malala will attend the event, scheduled for January 11-12, before returning home.

The conference, titled "Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities," will address the barriers and prospects for advancing girls' education in Muslim communities worldwide. It aims to foster meaningful dialogue and develop actionable solutions to these challenges.

An official statement highlighted that the conference will serve as a platform for high-level discussions and collaborations on educational reforms.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will deliver the keynote address during the opening session, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to promoting girls' education and gender equality.

Over 150 dignitaries, including ministers, ambassadors, scholars, academics, and representatives from 44 Muslim and friendly nations, along with international organizations like UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank, are expected to attend.

The event will conclude with the signing of the Islamabad Declaration, a document outlining a unified commitment by Muslim communities to empower girls through education, paving the way for sustainable reforms and a brighter future.

During a press conference, Federal Education Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui confirmed that all provincial education ministers, as well as chief ministers, would attend. He also emphasized Pakistan's respect for Afghan traditions, adding that the Afghan government has been invited to participate. "We still face significant challenges in education and employment," Siddiqui noted.

Malala last visited Pakistan in October 2022, when she toured flood-affected areas. At the age of 15, she was targeted and shot by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for advocating girls' education, a cause she continues to champion globally.

Imran Khan Trials Under Global Parliamentary Watch: Lawyer Hints at Intrigue

Monitor Imran Khan Trials, Reveals Lawyer Yousuf Chaudhry"

- Details of the £190m and Toshakhana cases provided to the IPU.  

- Briefings on the May 9 and GHQ cases were shared.  

- UK and US lawmakers had earlier called for Khan's release.

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Devastating Earthquake Strikes Remote Tibet and Nepal, Claiming Over 95 Lives

 Damaged houses are pictured after an earthquake at a village in Shigatse, Tibet Autonomous Region, China January 7, 2025.

At least 95 people have been killed after a powerful earthquake struck a remote region of Tibet on Tuesday morning, with tremors felt across the Himalayas in neighboring Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of northern India.

The 7.1-magnitude quake struck at 9:05 a.m. local time at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and was followed by multiple aftershocks, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The energy unleashed by the tectonic movement toppled houses in remote Himalayan villages, rocked a nearby Tibetan holy city, and rattled visitors to a Mount Everest base camp.

Its epicenter, located in Tingri County high on the Tibetan plateau, was close to the border with Nepal, around 50 miles north of the world’s highest mountain.

At least 130 people were injured in the quake, local authorities said at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon. More than 1,000 houses were damaged in Tingri county, state news agency Xinhua reported.

The tremors were felt as far as Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. “It was very strong. People came running out of their houses. You could see the wires from poles shaken loose,” said Bishal Nath Upreti from the Nepal Centre for Disaster Management, a non-government organization in Kathmandu.

The region close to the epicenter is sparsely populated but small villages are nestled in isolated and often hard-to-access Himalayan valleys. About 6,900 people are estimated to live in 27 villages within a 20-km (12-mile) radius of the epicenter, according to Xinhua.

Chinese social media videos geolocated by CNN showed damaged roofs, shop fronts, and debris piling on the streets of Lhatse County, some 86 kilometers (53 miles) from the epicenter. Some cars and motorcycles parked along the road were also damaged, the footage showed.

The nearest major city to the epicenter is the holy city of Shigatse, which lies some 180 km (111 miles) away. The city is home to about 800,000 people and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the second-highest spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism, second only to the Dalai Lama.

Surveillance camera footage at a supermarket in Shigatse shared by Xinhua captured the moment the quake struck, with customers running outside as goods fell from quivering shelves. There were no immediate reports of widespread damage in the city.

UAE Extends $2 Billion Loan Payment Deadline for Pakistan

 

                                                  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Tuesday that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has agreed to extend the repayment period for a $2 billion loan due this month. This agreement offers much-needed financial relief to Pakistan and underscores the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations.

Securing external financing has been a crucial requirement for Pakistan to unlock the $7 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Last year, support from friendly countries like China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia played a pivotal role in enabling Pakistan to secure the IMF program by providing timely financial assurances. These confirmations were essential for the IMF’s fund disbursement, which was tied to debt rollover agreements from these countries.

Meeting with UAE President

During a recent personal visit to Pakistan, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“In our meeting, he agreed to roll over the $2 billion loan due this month,” said the prime minister. Additionally, PM Shehbaz requested the UAE to invest in key projects across Pakistan to further strengthen economic ties. The UAE president reaffirmed his commitment to these investments, emphasizing the enduring brotherly relationship between the two countries.

Addressing Electricity Prices with IMF

Prime Minister Shehbaz also highlighted the need to engage with the IMF to address high electricity prices in Pakistan. Under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) signed in September 2023, the IMF has mandated significant policy changes, including levying additional charges on gas supplies to industrial captive power plants (CPPs). This measure aims to eliminate disparities between grid electricity and in-house generation costs.

Pakistan must implement these structural reforms, such as gas disconnections to CPPs by January 2025, to qualify for the next $1 billion tranche in March. The government plans to review progress with the IMF in February as part of the biannual evaluation.

The prime minister reiterated the importance of reducing electricity prices to boost industrial growth, exports, and commerce. He revealed that two or three options for addressing this challenge have been finalized in consultation with provinces and allies, with a comprehensive plan to be discussed in upcoming meetings.

National Economic Transformation Plan

PM Shehbaz also mentioned the National Economic Transformation Plan 2024-29, a home-grown strategy aimed at stabilizing and growing the economy. “We need to move forward with a solid plan that ensures sustainable growth,” he added.

Federal Government Expenditure Reforms

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, addressing a press conference, discussed the government’s efforts to reduce federal expenditure through “rightsizing” initiatives.

“The federal government’s expenses, amounting to approximately Rs900 billion, are being reviewed for optimization,” he stated. He explained that the government is considering outsourcing certain operations to the private sector to ensure better allocation of resources. The reduction process involves phasing out 43 ministries and their associated departments in waves, with five to six ministries addressed in each phase.

Strategic Path Forward

The UAE’s decision to roll over the $2 billion loan and its commitment to invest in Pakistan’s key projects mark a positive step towards stabilizing the country’s economy. Combined with reforms under the National Economic Transformation Plan and support from international partners like the IMF, Pakistan aims to navigate its current economic challenges and pave the way for sustainable growth.