Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima, said the year 2025 marked a decisive shift in Pakistan’s digital journey, anchored by the passage of the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025 and the creation of new national digital institutions.

In a year-end message, the minister highlighted governance reforms as a major achievement, noting that the e-Office system achieved 100% adoption in 38 of 39 federal divisions, cutting file processing time from 25 days to four and potentially saving Rs9.5 billion annually.

On service delivery, the minister cited the success of Islamabad’s ParkApp, which crossed 1.37 million users and generated Rs22.86 billion in revenue, and the National Job Portal, which registered over 510,000 CVs and advertised more than 33,000 federal jobs.

In healthcare, the “One Patient, One ID” initiative at PIMS expanded daily OPD capacity by 3,000 patients while reducing laboratory reporting times by several hours.

Connectivity and infrastructure development remained central to the digital agenda, she said, noting that Pakistan crossed 200 million telecom subscribers, mobile broadband penetration reached 60%, and over 31 million mobile phones were assembled locally.

Three new submarine cables landed during the year, while a fibre-optic backbone from Karachi to China and Central Asia positioned Pakistan as a regional data transit hub. The country also rose 14 places in the UN E-Government Development Index.

The minister said policy reforms, including right-of-way changes, 5G spectrum finalisation and expanded rural connectivity projects, laid the groundwork for the next decade.

Shaza added that Pakistan approved its first National AI Policy, launched a national semiconductor programme, expanded digital skills training for over 920,000 learners, and grew IT exports to $3.8 billion, while narrowing the gender gap in mobile internet access.

“2025 was the year of foundations,” she said, adding that 2026 would focus on scale and leadership.

Kate Beckinsale spoke candidly about the toll grief has taken on her health addressing recent comments about her weight loss.

The Underworld star took to Instagram to explain that the deaths of her mother, Judy Loe, in July 2025, and her stepfather, Roy Battersby, in early 2024, have left her struggling with appetite and energy.

“I think it’s shock and trauma,” Beckinsale said in a reel clarifying that her experience is not about willpower or anorexia but about her body “closing down” in response to loss.

Pearl Harbour alum described how watching loved ones suffer at the end of their lives has made eating feel impossible.

She added that she sometimes wonders if survivor’s guilt plays a role.

Despite online criticism, Beckinsale chose compassion over confrontation.

“It just wouldn’t cross my mind to make nasty remarks about someone’s appearance,” she wrote noting that kindness was a value instilled in her by her parents.

Her tribute to her mother, who died of cancer at 78, was especially poignant.

Loe was described by Beckinsale as “the compass of my life, the love of my life, my dearest friend.”

The English actress praised her mother’s bravery, forgiveness, and belief in the good in people noting that the world feels “dim without her.”

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban welcomed the new year oceans apart as the actress had flown to her home country with their daughters for the holidays and the singer performed a live show.

The 58-year-old country star belted out his hits – Straight Line, New Radicals, and You Get What You Give, during Big Bash on Wednesday, December 31, in Nashville where the estranged couple used to live before their divorce filing.

The Fighter hitmaker appeared energised during the show hosted by comedian Bert Kreischer, which aired on live television as he sang the poignant verses of his song.

The live performance came after the Babygirl star, 58, and Urban marked three months to their split due to “irreconcilable differences.”

The couple’s marriage came to an end after 20 years and Kidman reportedly felt blindsided by the separation and didn’t want their family to break apart.

An insider close to the Nine Perfect Stranger told Us Weekly at the time, “This wasn’t Nicole’s decision, and she is devastated. Her trust was lost, and it was too far gone. Nicole had been trying to get them to work on their marriage and did not want this to get out to the public. She didn’t tell many friends what was really going on with them and was holding this in for months.”