Urbanisation is the process of people moving from rural ar­eas to cities, posing a global chal­lenge. In the 1950s, 70% of peo­ple lived in rural areas, but this has changed due to factors like in­dustrialization and globalisation. Pakistan is the 6th most urbanised country, with 34% living in urban areas. For an area to be declared urban, it needs municipal facilities, hospi­tals, corporations, schools, and col­leges, with a minimum population of 5,000. In essence, urbanisation involves people moving from rural to ur­ban areas for improved econom­ic opportunities or education.

In a significant development, the Afghanistan interim government has apprehended three commanders and 16 foot soldiers associated with the Malakand Division chapter of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The move comes as Pakistan intensifies its pressure on the Afghan Taliban to take decisive action against the TTP, a group implicated in a spate of recent terrorist activities in Pakistan. Authorities revealed that the Bannu attack was carried out by an Afghan national, marking the latest in a series of attacks in Pakistan since the return of the Afghan Taliban to power in August 2021. Since the return of the Taliban to power in August 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a concerning surge in terrorist attacks. Statistics reveal a 60 per cent increase in overall attacks, with suicide attacks rising dramatically by 500 per cent.

National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf highlighted on Tuesday the pressing need for transparent polls to shape the fate of the country. Speaking in Pattoki to the media, Ashraf shared his perspective, affirming, “It seems that general elections are on the horizon. The PPP stands out as the most popular party, championing the narrative of ‘Vote say izzat lo,’ while the PML-N echoes the sentiment with ‘Vote Ko Izzat Do. During a press conference in Islamabad, PPP leader Faisal Karim Kundi remarked, “Once again, there seems to be a selection process within the PTI. The PTI has garnered support from a former PPP leader, Barrister Gohar Ali, who contested the 2018 elections under the PPP banner.”

FILE - Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis (13) looks for a receiver as Miami linebacker K.J. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley, File)Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis is The Associated Press offensive player of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson is the unanimous choice as the league’s top defensive player for the 2023 season. Travis’ selection in voting by 14 media members who cover the conference headlined a haul of honors for the fourth-ranked Seminoles. AdvertisementTravis was a second-team pick at quarterback last year behind North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, who was the offensive player of the year. Travis — who accounted for 27 touchdowns — was joined by Wilson, North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton and Virginia receiver Malik Washington as unanimous first-team picks.

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson (36) skates past St. Louis Blues players after they celebrate their 2-1 overtime win in an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)Pavel Buchnevich scored 38 seconds into overtime and the St. Louis Blues beat the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 on Monday night. Alexey Toropchenko scored in regulation for the Blues and Jordan Binnington made 33 saves. Advertisement“We feel real good when we score first, that’s for sure,” Blues coach Craig Berube said. But when we have the lead we play confident.”Jack Eichel scored for the Golden Knights while Logan Thompson made 25 saves.

In the 29th minute Florida State drew first blood. Florida State loves goals more than the Cookie Monster loves chocolate chips. We have said all along that Florida State was never going to be beaten if they play their A game. On October 19th against Pitt, Florida State went to the locker room down 1-0. Florida State has the best roster in soccer and it isn’t close.

Armed men are on watch at a makeshift camp in the Kuki stronghold of Churachandpur district, in India's troubled Manipur state. PHOTO: AFPAt least 13 people were killed in a gunfight between two unknown militant groups in India's restive Manipur state on Monday, a police official said, seven months after ethnic clashes in the border state killed at least 180 people. Their bodies, with multiple bullet wounds, were found in a village in Manipur's Tengnoupal district where the official said a "massive" gunfight was reported. No weapons were found near the bodies, the senior police official told Reuters by phone from state capital Imphal, requesting anonymity. "It could be possible the weapons were looted after they were killed," the official said, adding that they could not immediately identify the dead or the militant groups.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his populist rhetoric have led his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party to decisive electoral triumphs in recent state elections. The BJP held Madhya Pradesh with a resounding win, while also taking control of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Congress got a big win in Telangana, beating a regional party that has won every election since the state was created in 2014. Put another way, the BJP took home thumping wins in all three states in which it was considered competitive. This does not augur well for India which, under Modi, has steadily drifted into the realm of “electoral autocracy” with its secular and democratic credentials repeatedly called into question.

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is the unanimous pick as Associated Press Southeastern Conference offensive player of the year, while Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson is defensive player of the year. Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz won coach of the year honors Monday after leading the ninth-ranked Tigers into the Cotton Bowl against No. He also has two interceptions and returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown against Chattanooga. Other unanimous first-team picks include LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, Missouri running back Cody Schrader, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers and Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran. The AP All-SEC teams were voted on by a panel of 14 sportswriters and broadcasters covering the league.

ISLAMABAD-The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce was informed on Monday that debt payment by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan to various government entities, including the payment of commercial bank loans and their markup has surged to Rs259.3 billion. The Senate committee discussed a Private Member’s Bill titled the Imports and Exports (Control) Amendment Bill, 2023. Furthermore, the Senate committee discussed the duty-free import of cars up to 1350cc for disabled persons. The committee chairman recommended the ministry to devise an export strategy for the oranges largely produce in the Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In attendance were Deputy Chairman Senate Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Senator Fida Muhammad, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Senator Danesh Kumar, Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan, Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir, Special Secretary Commerce Sarah Saeed, Chairman TCP Syed Rafeo Bashir Shah and other senior officials of relevant departments.

One such example is the Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust (KORT) Educational and Residential Complex. KORT has just caught the spotlight around the world by winning the prestigious Zayed Sustainability Award at the Global Climate Conference, COP28. Specially dedicated to the orphans of the 2005 massive earthquake in the country, KORT is the largest orphanage in South Asia, and now the Top Global School in South Asia as well. KORT is a powerful case of people-led initiatives and the impact the non-profit sector can generate. Zayed Sustainability Award is the legacy of UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Finding the pathway to Pakistan’s prosperity demands a multi-directional approach and given our policy complexities and constraints, economists alone cannot undertake this job. At the 3rd Pakistan Prosperity Forum organised by PRIME, an environment was created to discuss pathways to Pakistan’s prosperity and in this article, I will share key takeaways from this exercise. There are various indicators to look at to assess whether public debt is sustainable or not. Read IMF sees $8b dip in debt in two yearsAs an expense item, debt servicing has grown faster than any other item over the last few years. While it is the mandate of the government, it must be accompanied with a serious discussion on tax reforms.

photo: fileGlobal recession is the most feared villain in the fairy tale of global economy and finance. I personally think that the fear of recession is even more harmful than the actual recession as imagination is always more hurtful than reality. This is just a symptom; the underlying effects are also reflating in economic models of global economic players. Another contributor to this gloomy story of global recession is the lacklustre economic activity in China. Data of the US job market is very resilient with unemployment rate expected to tick marginally up from 3.6% to 3.9% by 2025.

With his considerable experience in film and television, Munawar brings a touch of elegance and artistry to the Sparx Neo11 campaign. With the Sparx Neo11, it feels like holding a piece of futuristic art in your hands. It’s not just a phone; it’s a companion for the creative, the bold, and the innovative," says Sheheryar Munawar. Sparx smartphones are synonymous with innovative marketing strategies, and the Sparx Neo11 campaign with Sheheryar Munawar is no exception. Sparx Neo11 takes the smartphone market by storm with its impressive features, elegant design, and backing from prominent figures like Sheheryar Munawar.

"If Johnny Depp is your idol, you should reassess your whole life, Ranveer, please," said one X user. Another said, "Separating art from the artist doesn’t work and especially not for a violent scumbag like Johnny Depp. if johnny depp is your idol you should reassess your whole life ranveer PLEASE https://t.co/vIP7k41mYX — s (@yoongienthusias) December 1, 2023separating art from the artist doesn’t work and especially not for a violent scumbag like johnny depp. Another remarked, "No but I genuinely don’t understand why Ranveer is getting the hate for appreciating Johnny Depp 'the actor.' Why are ppl after ranveer singh just bcz he had lil moment with Johnny depp?