Day: July 10, 2026

Islamabad: PML-N leader Ali Gohar Baloch Thursday called on PTI leadership to adopt a mature political approach and focus on using Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s resources for the welfare of the people rather than pursuing political conflicts and personal interests.

While speaking exclusively to PTV News, Gohar Baloch said that the resources and authority of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly should be utilized for the betterment and progress of the province instead of focusing on political criticism and personal agendas.

He said PTI leadership should focus on improving governance, addressing public issues and using provincial resources for the welfare of the people rather than criticizing other provinces.

Gohar stressed the need for practical steps to improve the living conditions of citizens and ensure development across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Ali Gohar Baloch emphasized that attention should be given to making Peshawar a safe city, improving healthcare and education facilities, establishing modern forensic laboratories and adopting an effective strategy to counter terrorism and maintain peace in the province.

The PML-N leader also criticized PTI founder, alleging corruption during his tenure and said that PTI leadership should move beyond personal interests and focus on the national interest and welfare of the people.

He urged political leaders to demonstrate seriousness, responsibility and political maturity by prioritizing public service, development, and stability over political disputes and personal agendas.

Concluding his remarks, Ali Gohar Baloch said that the progress of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa requires a mature and serious political approach, with all stakeholders working together for the betterment of the province and its people.

Islamabad: The Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs) on Thursday excluded the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) from the list of State-Owned Enterprises, and directed the Petroleum Division to revise its proposal seeking exemption for certain energy sector SOEs from international financial reporting standards.

The decisions were taken in the CCoSOEs meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, according to press release issued by finance ministry.

According to details, the Committee considered two summaries submitted by the Petroleum Division relating to the constitution of the Boards of Directors of Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Saindak Metals Limited (SML).

Following deliberations, the Committee emphasized that the composition of the Boards of State-Owned Enterprises should remain fully aligned with the principles of good governance and the provisions of the State-Owned Enterprises (Ownership and Management) Act and Policy, including the principle of limiting representation from the sponsoring Ministry/Division to one ex officio Director on each Board.

The Committee approved a summary submitted by the Ministry of Industries and Production regarding the categorisation of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and excluded SMEDA from the list of State-Owned Enterprises in view of its statutory and non-commercial nature.

The Committee also considered a summary submitted by the Petroleum Division seeking exemption for specified energy sector State-Owned Enterprises from the applicability of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS-14 and IFRS-9).

The Committee deferred the proposal and instructed the Petroleum Division to undertake further deliberations with the Finance Division and the Law and Justice Division and submit a revised proposal for consideration.

The Committee further approved a summary submitted by the Maritime Affairs Division regarding the appointment of an Independent Director on the Board of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) against a vacant position.

The meeting was attended by the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, who participated virtually, along with federal secretaries and senior officials from the relevant ministries, divisions and regulatory authorities.

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued notices to mobile phone companies and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on a public interest petition highlighting poor mobile network services within the premises of superior and district courts.

Chief Justice, Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar issued the order on a petition filed by Judicial Activism, represented by Advocate Azhar Siddique.

The court observed that weak or non-existent mobile signals in court premises cause significant difficulties for lawyers and litigants, hindering urgent communication during court proceedings .

The petition argues that poor connectivity not only disrupts access to online legal information but also slows down judicial work, causing unnecessary delays in the dispensation of justice . The court deemed the points raised in the petition as substantive and worthy of consideration.

Notices were issued to the Secretary Interior, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, PTA, and all mobile phone companies, directing them to submit their reports and para-wise comments on the matter.

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court has sought a response from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on a petition filed by Christian sanitation workers challenging their routine summoning to work on Sundays, which they observe as their day of worship.

Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas heard the petition filed by Ilyas Masih and others. Advocate Yasir Mahmood Chaudhry, representing the petitioners, argued that the CDA’s Sanitation Department has been summoning Christian sanitary workers on Sundays for a long time, depriving them of attending church and performing their religious duties.

The counsel submitted that this practice is in violation of Article 20 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion, as well as Article 25 on equality of citizens and Article 36 on the protection of minority rights.

The court issued notices to the CDA and other respondents, directing them to submit a detailed response with para-wise comments on the next hearing. The hearing has been adjourned for a later date.

Islamabad: Federal Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi met United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the regional situation and a range of international issues.

During the meeting, Pakistan’s mediation efforts aimed at ending conflicts in West Asia, as well as the United Nations’ peacekeeping initiatives, with particular emphasis on Pakistan’s longstanding and invaluable contributions to UN peacekeeping operations were also also focused. The UN Secretary-General appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace, said a news release issued here.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that despite numerous challenges, Pakistan had acted responsibly to promote regional peace and stability and safeguard human lives under the leadership of the Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He further stated that realistic mandates and adequate resources were essential for the success of all UN peacekeeping missions.

The UN Secretary-General thanked Pakistan for its longstanding commitment and valuable contributions to United Nations peacekeeping efforts in support of global peace and security.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed gratitude to overseas Pakistanis for sending higher remittances during the fiscal year 2025-26 than the previous year.

The prime minister, in a statement, thanked the patriotic overseas Pakistanis for sending $41.6 billion in remittances during the fiscal year 2025-26.

He said that the 8.6 percent increase in remittances reflected the trust of overseas Pakistanis in the government policies.

Calling the overseas Pakistanis a valuable asset, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that he, along with the entire nation, was proud of them, and assured that steps for their welfare were among the government’s priorities.