Day: July 10, 2026

Islamabad: Acting Senate Chairman Syedaal Khan Nasar on Thursday strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan, paying tribute to the security personnel and civilians who lost their lives and praising the armed forces for their swift response to the attackers.

In a statement, he expressed profound grief over the martyrdom of security personnel and innocent civilians, and prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks, the speedy recovery of the injured, and patience for the bereaved families.

“The entire nation salutes the sacrifices of its brave sons,” he said, while commending the Pakistan Armed Forces for their courage, professionalism and timely action that resulted in the killing of several terrorists.

He said the country’s armed forces remained steadfast in defending the homeland and protecting its people with unparalleled courage, determination and a spirit of sacrifice.

“The nation takes pride in its brave soldiers, whose professionalism and valour are recognised around the world,” he added.

The acting Senate chairman said terrorist elements sought to undermine Pakistan’s peace and stability to achieve their malicious objectives, but stressed that they would never succeed because of national unity, close coordination among state institutions, and the effective operations of the security forces.

He urged the public to remain patient, avoid spreading rumours, and continue extending full cooperation to state institutions in the fight against terrorism.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Thursday said Pakistan’s exports of fish and fish preparations reached a record US$568 million during fiscal year 2025-26.

In a statement, the minister said the milestone reflected the government’s commitment to strengthening the blue economy, expanding seafood exports and ensuring compliance with international food safety and quality standards.

He said frozen fish remained the leading export commodity with earnings of US$105.09m, followed by frozen squid and cuttlefish (US$103.71m), fish meal (US$83.12m), shrimps (US$62.14m), crabs (US$36.89m), sardines (US$30.62m), mackerels (US$22.67m), flat fish (US$17.24m), octopus (US$15.18m) and minced fish meat (surimi) (US$14.63m).

The minister said seafood exports were shipped mainly to China, Thailand, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Indonesia and the United States.

Junaid Chaudhry said the record performance had been achieved despite disruptions to regional trade and maritime logistics caused by the evolving situation in the Gulf region, underscoring the resilience of the fisheries sector and the commitment of exporters and regulatory institutions.

He lauded Dr Mansoor Ali Wassan and the team at the Marine Fisheries Department for their role in maintaining international standards, strengthening regulatory oversight and facilitating access to export markets.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening quality assurance systems, diversifying export destinations, promoting value addition and enhancing the global competitiveness of the fisheries industry.

“A performance review ceremony will be held soon to recognise the top 10 fisheries exporters with certificates of appreciation to be presented by the prime minister,” he added.

Junaid Chaudhry congratulated the Marine Fisheries Department, the Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association, fish processors, exporters and other stakeholders for achieving an unprecedented target.

Islamabad: Islamabad Citizen Facilitation Centre has processed thousands of public service requests in the past seven days, including the issuance of 615 international driving permits and 1,150 domicile certificates.

The figures were shared during a visit by Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Memon, who reviewed service delivery and gathered feedback directly from citizens.

According to the district administration, the Citizen Facilitation Centre continues to provide a wide range of government services under one roof, allowing residents to complete official procedures through a centralized system.

During his visit, the deputy commissioner met citizens individually and asked about their experience with the services being provided. He reviewed operational procedures and assessed the effectiveness of recent digital initiatives introduced at the centre.

Officials briefed the deputy commissioner on the centre’s performance over the last seven days. The briefing revealed that 615 international driving permits were issued during the period. In addition, 1,150 domicile certificates and 118 police character certificates were provided to applicants.

The centre also issued 418 Municipal Record Certificates (MRCs) and 63 birth certificates during the same period, reflecting continued public use of the facility for essential documentation and administrative services.

Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon said the administration is ensuring real-time monitoring of operations to improve service delivery and maintain transparency. He emphasized the importance of reducing processing times so that citizens can receive government services more quickly.

During the visit, the deputy commissioner also inspected the under-construction section of the facilitation centre. He directed officials and contractors to accelerate the pace of work to ensure the timely completion of the remaining infrastructure.

The district administration said technology is being used to improve efficiency and simplify procedures for the public. Officials noted that efforts are underway to further reduce waiting times and streamline service delivery through digital systems.

The deputy commissioner was also informed about a dedicated feedback window established at the centre. The facility allows visitors to share suggestions, concerns, and complaints directly with the administration.

Addressing citizens, Irfan Memon urged members of the public to report any problems they encounter while obtaining services. He said public feedback plays an important role in identifying gaps and improving performance.

The district administration stated that the Citizen Facilitation Centre will continue expanding digital services and monitoring mechanisms to improve access to government services and ensure faster processing for residents of the federal capital.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Thursday said Pakistan and Russia possess immense untapped potential in trade, energy, education and connectivity, stressing that stronger economic cooperation and improved transport links could help bilateral trade surpass the billion-dollar mark in the coming years.

Addressing a webinar titled “Pakistan-Russia: Strengthening Trade, Education and Energy Collaboration,” jointly organized by the University of World Civilizations Moscow (UWCM) and the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), the minister said Pakistan-Russia relations had gained positive momentum over the past two decades, driven by mutual trust, respect and a shared commitment to regional stability.

He said the bilateral relationship had evolved independently and was no longer shaped by geopolitical considerations, adding that both countries attached great importance to the United Nations and international law in promoting peace, security and cooperation.

Leghari said Eurasian connectivity offered significant opportunities for economic growth and common prosperity. He termed the revival of historic land routes through Central Asia and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) vital for enhancing trade between Pakistan and Russia.

The minister noted that bilateral trade stood at $243.412 million during FY2025, significantly below its potential. He said trade had exceeded $1 billion in FY2024 but later declined due to challenges related to payment mechanisms, banking channels, financing arrangements and shipping logistics.

He expressed confidence that the Programme of Economic Cooperation between Pakistan and Russia until 2030 would help strengthen economic ties and create new opportunities for businesses in both countries.

Referring to regional connectivity initiatives, Leghari said Pakistan had signed a memorandum of understanding on the Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan multimodal transport corridor and another agreement on railway cooperation with Russia in June 2024.

The establishment of a rail link would be instrumental in expanding bilateral trade and could help realize the upgradation of the Quetta-Taftan railroad, he added.

The minister said there were presently no direct flights between the two countries, both sides are considering the possibilities of early resumption, and our airlines could explore code-sharing and transit route arrangements, particularly for cargo flights.

Discussing energy cooperation, Leghari said Russia, as a major global energy producer, offered significant opportunities for collaboration with Pakistan.

He noted that Russian energy company Zarubezhneft had signed memoranda of understanding with Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in February 2025, while its operational presence in Pakistan since August 2025 marked a major step toward deeper cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

He also welcomed NOVATEK’s interest in developing cooperation with Pakistani partners in the gas sector, LNG supplies, and integrated gas projects, as well as the RusHydro Group’s interest in serving as an engineering partner for the modernization of existing hydraulic facilities and the design of new ones in Pakistan.

The minister described the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills as a flagship project reflecting the historic partnership between Pakistan and Russia, saying its successful implementation would symbolize enduring friendship and economic cooperation between the two countries.

On educational cooperation, Leghari said approximately 1,087 Pakistani students were currently studying at Russian universities and educational institutions.

He appreciated Russia’s scholarship programmes for Pakistani students and called for expanding educational opportunities, particularly in science and technology disciplines.

The minister also welcomed the signing of the Readmission Agreement between Pakistan and Russia, describing it as an important step toward strengthening people-to-people contacts. He urged both countries to work toward a more facilitative visa regime, especially for businesspersons, students and tourists.

Concluding his remarks, Leghari said the discussions had reaffirmed the growing scope of Pakistan-Russia cooperation and expressed confidence that continued dialogue would translate into tangible outcomes in trade, energy, education and connectivity.

Islamabad: Riding on strong public confidence in government-backed savings schemes, the Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) has set an ambitious savings mobilisation target of Rs1.5 trillion for the fiscal year 2026-27, aiming to further strengthen the country’s savings culture and expand financial inclusion.

The fresh target follows the successful achievement of CDNS’s annual savings mobilisation goal of Rs1.384 trillion during FY2025-26, underscoring growing investor confidence in secure and low-risk investment instruments offered by the government.

According to official sources, CDNS mobilized, Rs1.384 trillion between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, fully achieving its annual target.

The milestone reflects sustained public trust in National Savings products despite evolving economic conditions and increasing competition from other financial institutions.

The official said the directorate remains committed to encouraging household savings, widening the investor base, and providing safe investment avenues that contribute to national resource mobilisation. They noted that the institution continues to play a vital role in supporting the government’s domestic borrowing programme while promoting long-term financial planning among citizens.

As part of its strategy to diversify investment products, CDNS allocated Rs60 billion for Islamic savings instruments during FY2025-26.

The initiative aims to expand access to Shariah-compliant investment opportunities and support the continued development of Pakistan’s growing Islamic finance industry.

Senior official recalled that in the preceding fiscal year, FY2024-25, the directorate had fixed an overall savings target of Rs1.65 trillion, including Rs170 billion earmarked for Islamic finance products, reflecting its commitment to broadening financial inclusion and offering diversified investment options.

The directorate has demonstrated consistent growth in savings mobilisation over the past several years. During FY2023-24, CDNS surpassed its annual target by collecting, Rs1.742 trillion against a target of Rs1.7 trillion. It also successfully achieved its Rs1.6 trillion* savings target in FY2022-23.

Similarly, in FY2021-22, the organisation’s initial savings target of Rs1.3 trillion was revised upward to Rs1.4 trillion in view of improved market conditions and stronger-than-expected resource mobilisation.

Official attributed the directorate’s sustained performance to a combination of institutional reforms, improved operational efficiency, digital transformation, and customer-focused initiatives that have enhanced accessibility and service delivery across the National Savings network.

He expressed optimism that the Rs1.5 trillion target for FY2026-27 would further reinforce the culture of savings, strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, and contribute to the country’s broader economic stability by encouraging greater public participation in secure and reliable investment schemes.

Islamabad: The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), in collaboration with United Nations agencies, has extended the Benazir Nashonuma Programme for another three years to protect an additional 3.3 million children and women from malnutrition across Pakistan.

The three-year extension was jointly announced by BISP, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), reaffirming their commitment to improving maternal and child nutrition and reducing malnutrition among vulnerable communities across the country.

Integrated into BISP, the Benazir Nashonuma Programme delivers nutrition and health services to the most vulnerable pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under the age of two through a nationwide network of 578 facilitation centres and 224 nutrition stabilization centres. Since its launch in 2020, the programme has reached 4.7 million people.

With this extension, its total reach is expected to increase to eight million people.

“The Benazir Nashonuma Programme is a powerful demonstration that when social protection is combined with nutrition, healthcare and strong partnerships, we can transform the lives of mothers and children,’ said Senator Rubina Khalid chairperson BISP. ‘Benazir Nashonuma carries forward the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who dreamed of a Pakistan where no mother or child would be left behind because of poverty. I feel proud to play a role in turning that vision into reality”.

“Today’s signing of BNP 3.0 is not merely the continuation of a programme, it is a renewed national commitment to giving every child a healthier start in life and every mother the opportunity to build a better future for her family. Together with our development partners, we will continue to expand this impact so that no deserving woman or child is left behind’, she added.

The partnership aimed to consolidate a science-based initiative that has achieved some of the strongest results ever documented globally for a nutrition programme. Children enrolled in the programme were 22 percent less likely to be stunted at 6 months of age.

In Pakistan, four in every ten children under five are stunted as a result of chronic malnutrition, equivalent to 10 million children, while wasting stands at 17.7 percent, affecting 5 million children and contributing to an estimated annual economic loss of USD 17 billion.

The Benazir Nashonuma Programme addresses these challenges by embedding nutrition services within Pakistan’s national social protection system. Evidence generated also found improved maternal nutrition and child survival, increased uptake of antenatal care, healthier pregnancy weight gain, and improved birth outcomes.

‘The results of the Benazir Nashonuma Programme are extremely promising for the prevention of child malnutrition,’ said Anita Hirsch, WFP Representative and Country Director in Pakistan. ‘Building on this success, the three-year extension will allow WFP to continue supporting the Government of Pakistan and BISP in reaching more mothers and children with the nutrition services they need, and consolidating the positive results we have seen so far.’

‘We commend the Government of Pakistan for its strong leadership and continued commitment to advancing nutrition-responsive social protection through the Benazir Nashonuma Programme,’ said Sharmeela Rassool, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Pakistan. ‘Together with WFP and WHO, UNICEF is proud to support the Government in improving nutrition outcomes for the most vulnerable mothers, adolescent girls and children. Building on this strong partnership, we will continue working together to strengthen systems, expand equitable access to and demand for high-impact nutrition interventions, and empower communities with essential care practices. Investing in nutrition is ultimately an investment in Pakistan’s future, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to survive, grow and thrive’.

‘The positive results achieved by the Benazir Nashonuma Programme prove the power of integrated whole-of-government and science-based approaches across health, nutrition, social protection, WASH, food systems, and education,’ said WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng. ‘WHO stands ready to work with Pakistan and partners to use science to protect every child and every mother regardless of economic and social status, no matter where they live or who they are’.

Through this renewed partnership, the Government of Pakistan, BISP, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO will continue working together to strengthen nutrition and health services, protect the most vulnerable women and children, and build a healthier, more resilient future for Pakistan.