GCC Unified Tourist Visa 2025: Seamless Travel Across Gulf Countries

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is preparing to revolutionize tourism in the Middle East with the launch of a Unified Tourist Visa, officially branded as “GCC Grand Tours.” The trial phase is expected to begin in late 2025, with a full rollout to follow soon after. Much like Europe’s Schengen Visa, this initiative will allow travelers to explore multiple GCC countries with just one visa.

What is the GCC Unified Tourist Visa?

The new visa will enable tourists and residents to travel freely across all six GCC member states:

• Saudi Arabia

• United Arab Emirates (UAE)

• Qatar

• Bahrain

• Kuwait

• Oman

This single-entry system eliminates the need for separate visas for each country, making Gulf tourism more accessible, cost-effective, and time-saving.

Key Benefits of the GCC Grand Tours Visa

1. Simplified Travel – Tourists can visit multiple Gulf countries on one visa.

2. Cost Savings – Reduced visa fees compared to applying separately.

3. Flexible Options – Visa validity expected to range between 30 to 90 days, with options for single-country or six-country access.

4. Boost for Residents – Millions of foreign residents living in the GCC will enjoy smoother regional mobility, with documents like the Emirates ID playing a central role.

Tourism and Economic Impact

The GCC Grand Tours Visa is designed to enhance both tourism and economic cooperation across the Gulf. It will:

• Attract international travelers to explore multiple Gulf destinations in one trip.

• Strengthen the region’s appeal as a global tourism hub.

• Support ongoing mega-projects like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives (Neom, Red Sea resorts, AlUla) and the UAE’s Etihad Rail project set to launch in 2026.

• Encourage cultural exchange, investment, and cross-border business opportunities.

Why This Matters for International Travelers

The unified visa will make it easier than ever to combine a trip to Dubai’s luxury attractions, Qatar’s cultural landmarks, and Saudi Arabia’s historic and futuristic projects in a single journey. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles and increasing accessibility, the GCC aims to become a premier multi-destination hotspot for global tourists.

Final Approval and Next Steps

According to GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi, the final approval process is underway, and digital visa applications will open soon. Once fully launched, the GCC Grand Tours Visa will mark a historic step toward regional integration, making the Gulf one of the world’s most attractive travel destinations.

SBP Introduces Two-Hour Delay on Digital Transactions to Prevent Fraud

 

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has recently introduced a two-hour delay on digital transactions. This new security measure is aimed at curbing online fraud, scams, and social engineering attacks that have been rising with the growing use of digital banking in Pakistan.

By temporarily holding funds before they are permanently credited, SBP is providing a protective buffer for both customers and banks, ensuring that suspicious activity can be detected and stopped in time.

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Why Has SBP Imposed the Two-Hour Delay?

1. Fraud Prevention
   The delay is primarily designed to fight against online fraud and scam attempts, where unsuspecting customers are tricked into transferring money to fraudsters.

2. Protective Buffer
   This two-hour hold gives both banks and customers enough time to verify the legitimacy of transactions, especially large or high-value ones. Once detected early, fraudulent transfers can be blocked before funds are released.

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What Happens During the Two-Hour Hold?

• “In-Progress” Status
  When a digital transaction is made, the funds remain in an in-progress status for two hours. They cannot be withdrawn, used for online shopping, or spent on mobile top-ups during this time.

• Customer Notifications
  Customers are informed about the delay via SMS, email, or in-app notifications, keeping them updated about their transaction status.

• Trusted Customers
  Depending on the bank’s policy, trusted customers may be exempted from this restriction, allowing them to perform immediate withdrawals or purchases.

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Key Benefits of the Two-Hour Delay

• Enhanced Security: Protects customers from falling victim to fraud and scams.

• Customer Trust: Builds confidence in Pakistan’s digital banking ecosystem.

• Proactive Protection: Gives banks time to detect malicious or suspicious transactions.

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Final Thoughts

The two-hour transaction delay by SBP is a crucial step toward strengthening digital financial security in Pakistan. While some may find the delay inconvenient, it offers an extra layer of protection that could prevent significant financial losses.

As digital banking continues to expand, such policies will play a vital role in building a safer, more secure, and fraud-resistant financial system.

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✅ If you are a digital banking user in Pakistan, stay alert, verify your transactions, and take advantage of this protective measure introduced by SBP.

SBP digital transactions, State Bank of Pakistan fraud prevention, two-hour transaction delay SBP, Pakistan online banking security, digital banking fraud prevention

Pakistan vs Afghanistan Final T20I: PAK beat AFG by 75 runs to win Tri-series in Sharjah

 

Stock ETFs and investing in Pakistan

 

What is Stock ETF?

A Stock ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a type of investment fund that trades on the stock exchange, just like a regular company’s share.

It is a basket of stocks bundled together, and when you buy one unit of the ETF, you are indirectly investing in all the stocks included in that basket.

Here’s how it works in simple terms:

• 📊 Structure: An ETF tracks an index, sector, or theme. For example, an ETF might track the S&P 500, meaning it holds shares of the 500 biggest U.S. companies.

• 💰 Trading: You can buy and sell ETF units throughout the day on the stock exchange, just like normal shares.

• ⚖️ Diversification: Instead of buying shares of 30 different companies one by one, you can buy 1 ETF that covers all of them. This reduces risk.

• 💸 Cost: ETFs usually have lower fees compared to mutual funds.

• 📈 Types:

  • Index ETFs (track an index like S&P 500, KSE-100 in Pakistan, etc.)

  • Sector ETFs (focus on technology, healthcare, energy, etc.)

  • Thematic ETFs (like clean energy, AI, halal stocks, etc.)

👉 Example:
If you buy a Technology ETF, you’re not just buying Apple’s stock—you’re also getting exposure to Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and other tech companies in one go.

What is Mutul Fund?

A Mutual Fund is an investment vehicle that pools money from many investors to invest in stocks, bonds, or other securities. Instead of buying individual stocks or bonds yourself, you let professional fund managers handle the investments for you.

Here’s a clear breakdown:

Key Features of a Mutual Fund

1. Pooled Investment: Your money combines with other investors’ money to form a big fund.

2. Professional Management: Fund managers decide which assets to buy or sell according to the fund’s objectives.

3. Diversification: Because the fund invests in many assets, your risk is spread out.

4. Unit System: When you invest, you buy “units” of the mutual fund. The value of each unit is called Net Asset Value (NAV), which changes daily based on market performance.

5. Types of Mutual Funds:

   • Equity Funds: Invest mostly in stocks (higher risk, higher potential return).

   • Debt Funds: Invest in bonds and fixed-income securities (lower risk, stable returns).

   • Balanced/Hybrid Funds: Mix of stocks and bonds for moderate risk.

   • Money Market Funds: Invest in short-term, low-risk instruments (very safe, low returns).

How It Works

1. You invest in the fund by buying units.

2. The fund manager invests your money according to the fund’s strategy.

3. You earn returns through capital appreciation (increase in unit price) and/or dividends.

4. You can redeem (sell) your units back to the fund company at the current NAV.

Simple Example:
If you invest $1,000 in an equity mutual fund, your money will be spread across many companies’ stocks. If the stocks grow, your NAV increases, and you earn a profit.

ETF vs. Mutual Fund

Feature	ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund)	Mutual Fund
Trading	Bought and sold on the stock exchange, like a stock (price changes all day).	Bought/sold through the fund company or broker, usually at day’s end (price fixed once daily).
Cost	Usually lower fees (expense ratio) and no “load” charges.	Often higher fees (management charges, sometimes entry/exit loads).
Minimum Investment	You can buy just 1 share/unit.	Many funds have a minimum investment (e.g., $500, $1,000, or more).
Transparency	ETF holdings are disclosed daily, so you know exactly what’s inside.	Mutual funds disclose holdings only quarterly or monthly.
Flexibility	You can use stock market features: stop-loss, margin trading, options.	Not as flexible—just buy and redeem units directly.
Tax Efficiency	Generally more tax-efficient, due to how they are structured.	Less tax-efficient, because fund managers buy and sell more often.

👉 Simple way to remember:

• ETF = Like buying a basket of stocks on the stock market, cheap and flexible.

• Mutual Fund = Like giving your money to a manager who invests for you, but with higher costs and less control.

Best ETF in Pakistan

As of September 2025, the Meezan Pakistan Exchange Traded Fund (MZNPETF) stands out as one of the top-performing stock ETFs in Pakistan.

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📊 Key Highlights of MZNPETF

• Current NAV: PKR 19.07

• 1-Year Return: +60.41%

• YTD Return: +19.45%

• Expense Ratio: 0.95%

• Dividend Yield: Approximately 11.74%

• Dividend History: Increased from PKR 1.00 to PKR 2.25 per unit over the past year, reflecting a 55.56% growth. TradingView

MZNPETF is a Shariah-compliant ETF that tracks the Meezan Pakistan Index, which comprises Shariah-compliant equity securities selected based on market capitalization and traded value. Pakistan Stock Exchange

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🆚 Other Notable ETFs in Pakistan

ETF Name	NAV (PKR)	1-Year Return	Expense Ratio	Notes
Meezan Pakistan ETF (MZNPETF)	19.07	+60.41%	0.95%	High dividend yield; Shariah-compliant
UBL Pakistan Enterprise ETF	34.96	Data not available	Data not available	Excludes oil & gas sector; aims for long-term capital appreciation Individual
NBP Pakistan Growth ETF	27.12	Data not available	Data not available	Data not available
NIT Pakistan Gateway ETF	32.43	Data not available	Data not available	Data not available

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✅ Why Consider MZNPETF?

• Strong Performance: Consistent high returns over the past year.

• Attractive Dividends: Substantial dividend payouts with a growing trend.

• Shariah Compliance: Aligns with Islamic investment principles.

• Transparency: Regular updates and disclosures from Al Meezan Investment Management Limited.

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🔍 Final Thoughts

For investors seeking a Shariah-compliant, high-performing ETF in Pakistan, MZNPETF is a compelling choice. Its strong returns, attractive dividends, and adherence to Islamic investment principles make it a standout option in the market.

Investment platforms

In Pakistan, you can invest in stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds through licensed investment platforms connected with the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Here are the main options:

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🏦 1. Stock Brokerage Firms (PSX Members)

These are the main platforms where you can open a trading account to buy/sell stocks and ETFs.
Some of the well-known brokers include:

• AKD Securities

• Arif Habib Limited (AHL)

• JS Global

• MRA Securities

• Al Meezan Investment (for Shariah-compliant funds & ETFs)

• UBL Funds (for ETFs and mutual funds)

✅ What you get:

• Online trading apps & portals

• Access to ETFs (like MZNPETF, UBL ETF, NBP ETF)

• Direct stock trading

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📱 2. Mobile Apps / Online Trading Platforms

Some brokers provide modern apps to make investing easier:

• PSX Digital App (official app by Pakistan Stock Exchange; connects you to brokers)

• UBL Funds App (for ETFs & mutual funds)

• Al Meezan App (for Meezan ETF & mutual funds)

• AHL Net (Arif Habib’s online platform)

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🏢 3. Asset Management Companies (AMCs)

If you don’t want to trade directly on PSX, you can invest in ETFs and mutual funds via AMCs:

• Al Meezan Investment Management Ltd. (Shariah-compliant leader)

• UBL Fund Managers

• National Investment Trust (NIT)

• NBP Funds (National Bank of Pakistan)

✅ They let you invest without having to manage a stock brokerage account.

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🌍 4. International Platforms

(For Pakistanis with Roshan Digital Accounts – RDA)
Through Roshan Equity Investment (REI), overseas Pakistanis can invest directly in PSX-listed stocks and ETFs using banks like:

• HBL

• UBL

• Meezan Bank

• Standard Chartered

• Alfalah

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📝 Requirements to Start

1. CNIC / NICOP

2. Bank Account in Pakistan (or RDA for overseas)

3. Account Opening Form (with your chosen broker or AMC)

4. KYC Verification

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👉 If you’re just starting, the easiest route is:

• Open an account with Al Meezan (for Shariah ETFs like MZNPETF) or UBL Funds.

• Or download the PSX Digital App and register through a recommended broker.

Gmail's New Power Features: How to Master Your Inbox and Unsubscribe with Ease

Are you tired of constantly deleting promotional emails and newsletters you never read? Your inbox is about to get a major upgrade! Gmail has rolled out two powerful new features to help you take back control of your inbox, making it easier than ever to manage subscriptions and declutter your digital life.

The Two-Pronged Approach to a Tidy Inbox

Gmail is tackling email overload with a two-part solution:

1. The Prominent "Unsubscribe" Button: No more hunting for tiny, hidden links at the bottom of an email. Gmail now provides a prominent "Unsubscribe" button right at the top of promotional emails, next to the sender's email address. Clicking this button either instantly unsubscribes you or takes you to a dedicated page to confirm your request, saving you time and frustration.

2. The New "Manage Subscriptions" Dashboard: The real game-changer is a new "Manage subscriptions" tab now visible in your left-hand menu (next to your inbox, sent, and drafts folders). This consolidated dashboard provides a single, organized view of all your mailing lists. From here, you can easily see all your subscriptions and unsubscribe from multiple lists at once.

How It Works

• For individual emails: When you open an email from a mailing list, simply look for the "Unsubscribe" button in the email's header. It's a quick, one-click solution to remove a single sender.

• For bulk cleanups: To tackle multiple lists, navigate to the new "Manage subscriptions" tab. This centralized hub lets you review and unsubscribe from all your mailing lists in one place, making a major inbox cleanup a breeze.

Why These Features Are a Must-Use

• Saves Time: The prominent "Unsubscribe" button eliminates the need to search for hidden links. The new dashboard makes bulk unsubscribing a quick, efficient process.

• Reduces Clutter: A cleaner inbox means less distraction and more focus on what's important. These tools help you effortlessly achieve a state of "Inbox Zero."

• Improves Security: By providing a safe, verified button, this feature reduces the risk of accidentally clicking on sketchy, unverified unsubscribe links that could lead to phishing scams or malware.

Get Started Today

The new "Manage Subscription" features are simple yet effective tools for anyone looking to declutter their digital life. Take control of your inbox today and start unsubscribing from those lists you no longer need. A tidier inbox is just a few clicks away!

Boost Your Productivity: AI Tools to Conquer Your Digital Struggles

 

Tired of spending endless hours on tasks that drain your energy and stifle your creativity? In today's fast-paced digital world, it can feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to manage everything, from crafting engaging social media content to perfecting professional presentations. But what if there was a way to delegate those mundane, time-consuming tasks to an intelligent assistant?

​Enter the world of Artificial Intelligence. AI isn't just for sci-fi movies anymore; it's a practical, accessible solution for everyday digital dilemmas. We've compiled a list of incredible AI tools that can revolutionize your workflow, save you precious time, and help you achieve professional-grade results without the headache.

​Video Creation Woes? No More!

​Problem: I don't like creating videos

Solution: Syllaby.io

​Video content is king, but the thought of scripting, filming, and editing can be daunting. Syllaby.io helps you effortlessly generate video scripts and ideas, making video creation a breeze even for the camera-shy.

​Unleash Your Inner Photo Editor (Without the Learning Curve)

​Problem: I don’t know how to edit photos

Solution: Gemini.google.com

​Gone are the days of complex photo editing software. Gemini by Google can help you refine your images with intuitive AI-powered tools, making professional-looking photos accessible to everyone.

​Never Run Out of Viral Ideas Again

​Problem: I can’t come up with viral post ideas

Solution: Threadmaster.ai

​Struggling to brainstorm content that resonates? Threadmaster.ai is your secret weapon for generating engaging and viral-worthy post ideas, ensuring your content always stands out.

​Dominate Search Engines with AI

​Problem: I struggle to rank on Google

Solution: Ranked.ai

​SEO can feel like a mystical art. Ranked.ai takes the guesswork out of search engine optimization, using AI to help your content climb the Google ranks and get noticed by your target audience.

​Cold Emails, Warm Leads (Effortlessly)

​Problem: I hate writing cold emails

Solution: Instantly.ai

​Cold outreach doesn't have to be a chore. Instantly.ai leverages AI to craft compelling cold emails that grab attention and convert leads, saving you time and boosting your conversion rates.

​Professional Headshots in a Snap

​Problem: I need a professional headshot but don’t have one

Solution: FastPhoto.io

​A great headshot makes a strong first impression. FastPhoto.io uses AI to generate professional headshots from your existing photos, giving you a polished look without the need for a studio session.

​Presentations, Perfected and Automated

​Problem: I waste hours formatting presentations

Solution: SlidesAI.io

​Say goodbye to endless hours spent tweaking presentation slides. SlidesAI.io automates the design and formatting process, allowing you to create stunning presentations in minutes, not hours.

​Your Brand, Your AI Avatar

​Problem: I want to create an AI avatar for my brand

Solution: Heygen.com

​Elevate your brand with a personalized AI avatar. Heygen.com empowers you to create custom AI-driven avatars that can represent your brand in videos, presentations, and more, adding a unique and modern touch.

​Short Video Editing, Supercharged

​Problem: I spend too much time editing short videos

Solution: Submagic.co

​Short-form video is a powerful marketing tool, but editing can be time-consuming. Submagic.co uses AI to streamline the editing process for short videos, adding captions, effects, and music with ease.

​Code Like a Pro (Without Learning to Code)

​Problem: I don’t know how to code

Solution: Manus.im

​The barrier to entry for coding is dissolving. Manus.im allows you to build applications and automate tasks using AI, even if you have no coding experience, opening up a world of possibilities.

​Embrace the AI Revolution

​These tools are just the tip of the iceberg. By integrating AI into your daily workflow, you can overcome common digital challenges, reclaim your time, and focus on what you do best. Stop struggling and start leveraging the power of AI today!

6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts different Parts of Pakistan

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck at 00:18 PST on Monday, 1 September 2025, with a depth of 15 km and epicenter located at latitude 34.82 N and longitude 70.74 E.

According to seismological reports, tremors were strongly felt in Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Hangu, Malakand, Swat, Chitral, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. So far, no immediate reports of casualties or damages have been received.