Day: July 11, 2026

Islamabad: The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on Friday approved financing of $375.9 million for Pakistan’s Grid Stability Enhancement Project, the first phase of a 10-year programme aimed at modernizing the country’s electricity transmission network, reducing power outages and accelerating clean energy integration.

The project would be implemented under the Boosting Energy Security through Transmission in Pakistan (BEST-PAK) Multiphase Programmatic Approach and is designed to strengthen the national power transmission system while supporting Pakistan’s transition to a more reliable, efficient and sustainable electricity sector, a news release said.

World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Bolormaa Amgaabazar said Pakistan’s energy challenges were closely linked to its broader economic stability, adding that investment in advanced transmission technologies would help reduce electricity costs, improve grid reliability and enable greater integration of renewable energy.

She said the project would lay the foundation for a more resilient power sector that better serves households, businesses and industries while supporting the country’s economic growth.

Pakistan’s transmission network has long faced grid instability and bottlenecks that have constrained reliable electricity supply and limited the utilization of renewable energy resources, resulting in frequent outages, higher costs and reduced economic productivity.

Under the project, advanced grid-stabilizing equipment, including Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOMs), will be installed at three major 500-kilovolt substations, while fixed reactors and capacitor banks will be deployed across 26 substations to improve electricity flow and system stability.

The upgrades are expected to enable the transmission of 640 megawatts of currently curtailed wind power, allowing the full utilization of 1,840 MW of wind generation capacity in southern Pakistan.

The project would also facilitate the integration of about 491 MW of planned private sector-led renewable energy projects.

According to the World Bank, these improvements would contribute to Pakistan’s target of achieving a 60 percent share of renewable energy in its electricity mix by 2030 under its Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement.

Over its 25-year operational life, the project is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 832,500 tonnes annually, amounting to more than 20.8 million tonnes cumulatively.

World Bank Lead Energy Specialist Waleed Saleh Alsuraih said a modern and reliable transmission network was essential for Pakistan’s energy future, adding that the project would pave the way for large-scale clean energy deployment, improved energy security and a commercially oriented transmission sector while creating conditions for greater private investment.

The initiative also supports the government’s ongoing reforms in the transmission sector by assisting the restructuring of the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) into specialized successor entities to strengthen governance, accountability, operational efficiency and long-term financial sustainability.

Recognizing Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate-related risks, including floods and extreme heat, the project incorporates climate-resilient infrastructure standards.

New installations would be built on elevated platforms to reduce flood risks, while key equipment will be designed to operate at temperatures of up to 55 degrees Celsius, ensuring reliable performance during heatwaves and monsoon seasons.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to multilateralism and reiterated its strong and unwavering support for the central role of the United Nations in global affairs.

The prime minister, in a meeting with candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations Macky Sall, who called on him here, expressed the hope that the incoming UN leadership would continue to advance the three pillars of the United Nations-peace and security, development, and human rights-in a balanced and effective manner.

While welcoming Macky Sall, he reiterated Pakistan’s abiding commitment to upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, ensuring the faithful implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions, and promoting respect for international law and international treaties as the foundation for global peace, security, and prosperity.

Macky Sall expressed his deep appreciation for Pakistan’s longstanding contributions to the United Nations and commended the country’s leadership for playing a constructive role in ongoing international peace efforts.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Board of Investment (BOI), Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Regulatory Reforms (CCoRR) to review regulatory challenges and propose reforms in the dairy and beverage sector.

The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, along with senior officials from BOI and relevant federal and provincial departments, as well as key private sector stakeholders, said a release issued here on Friday.

The meeting followed deliberations from the previous session, which focused on the fisheries sector, while today’s agenda centered on the dairy and beverage sector-one of Pakistan’s most critical economic segments.

The sector contributes approximately 14.04% to the national GDP and supports the livelihoods of nearly 8 million rural families. Pakistan ranks as the 4th largest dairy producer globally.

The reforms team presented a comprehensive regulatory mapping, identifying 40 regulatory requirements across 25 departments, including 17 federal requirements (9 departments), 17 provincial requirements (10 departments), and 4 requirements at the local government level.

Significant structural inefficiencies were highlighted, particularly in Sindh, where establishing a food processing unit requires 235 documents, with 57% duplication and an estimated processing time of 2040 days. The reforms team proposed eliminating 5 regulations, simplifying 9, digitizing and streamlining 18, and retaining 8.

Implementation of these reforms is expected to reduce documentation requirements from 235 to 83, generate economic savings of Rs. 58.4 billion, and reduce processing time to 634 days.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh emphasized that the ultimate objective of these reforms is to enhance investment in Pakistan and promote ease of doing business. He noted that while regulatory domains are largely provincial, collective efforts are required to remove barriers.

He expressed concern over resistance from provinces and stressed the need for greater representation and input from provincial governments and private sector stakeholders.

SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan highlighted that excessive and overlapping regulations are a major impediment to foreign direct investment (FDI). He remarked that provinces should compete to facilitate businesses; however, the current trend reflects an increase in regulatory burdens. He emphasized the need for a shift in mindset to prioritize economic growth.

Dr. Zeelaf Munir, Chairperson of the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), cited the example of neighboring India, where provinces compete to offer minimal regulations to attract investment through a single regulatory authority. She also pointed out that despite being the 4th largest dairy producer, Pakistan has limited exports to major markets such as the European Union.

Representatives from FPCCI Karachi endorsed the importance of the dairy sector and supported the reform agenda. Dr. Shehzad Amin, a dairy expert from FPCCI, highlighted that despite excessive regulations, product quality remains questionable.

He noted that Pakistan produces approximately 72 billion litres of milk annually, yet 40% of children under five suffer from stunted growth. He emphasized the absence of a safe milk law and supported reforms focused on quality assurance rather than excessive compliance.

Several key regulatory issues were discussed where consensus with departments remains pending. These included Sindh Food Authority’s food business licensing and product registration requirements. The reforms team proposed eliminating certain requirements or extending renewal periods from annual to three or five years.

The Committee was informed by Additional Secretary BOI, Zulfiqar Ali that the matter of harmonizing food standards has already been taken up at the Council of Common Interests (CCI). The CCI had mandated provinces to adopt national standards set by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to ensure uniformity; however, implementation remains pending. Both the Federal Minister and SAPM emphasized the need for immediate enforcement of the CCI decision.

Discussions also covered regulatory issues related to boiler and vessel permits, where concerns were raised regarding revenue dependence. The leadership reiterated that the primary objective of regulation should be facilitation rather than revenue generation, which can instead be achieved through increased business activity.

Reforms related to the Sindh Building Control Authority were also reviewed, including completion certificates and building plan approvals. The reforms team proposed integration with the Sindh Business One Stop Shop (SBOSS), introduction of time-bound approvals (e.g., within two weeks), and improved tracking systems.

SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan stressed the importance of accountability in certifications, particularly in safety incidents such as fires.

Additional areas discussed included environmental approvals, labour and HR department processes, warehouse registration, and supply chain regulations. The reforms team proposed digitization, elimination of annual renewals, and better inter-departmental coordination.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the urgent need for digitization, harmonization across federal and provincial levels, and improved data sharing mechanisms. Both Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh and SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan underscored that increasing investment and facilitating businesses must remain the central focus of all regulatory frameworks.

The Board of Investment reaffirmed its commitment to advancing regulatory reforms aimed at improving Pakistan’s business environment and attracting both domestic and foreign investment.

Islamabad: Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mehak Fatima conducted a visit to various areas of the City Zone to review night patrolling and inspect security arrangements aimed at strengthening public safety.

An official told reporter on Friday that the ASP inspected police patrols and assessed security measures in different parts of the City Zone to ensure an effective policing presence during nighttime.

Mehak directed police officers to further enhance patrolling, maintain a visible presence in sensitive areas and remain vigilant to prevent criminal activities.

She also instructed officers to ensure prompt response to any emergency situation and strengthen preventive policing measures to provide a safe and secure environment for citizens.

The ASP emphasized that Islamabad Police would continue proactive night patrolling and operational vigilance to safeguard the lives and property of residents across the federal capital, the official added.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday emphasized the importance of ensuring balanced progress across the United Nations’ three core pillars: peace and security, development, and human rights.

During a meeting with Rebeca Grynspan, a candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, at the Prime Minister’s House, he stressed the need to establish effective mechanisms for the faithful implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and to uphold international law and treaties in order to promote global peace, security, and prosperity.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to multilateralism and reiterated the country’s unwavering resolve to uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

He particularly emphasized the need to accelerate the implementation of the global development agenda and strengthen international cooperation to address the pressing challenges facing developing countries.

Rebeca Grynspan appreciated Pakistan’s longstanding and valuable contributions to the United Nations and commended the country’s constructive role in recent regional peace efforts.

Islamabad: The Supreme Court has ruled that heads of educational institutions are legally bound to provide a harassment-free working environment for female teachers and must take immediate and effective action on complaints of workplace harassment, warning that failure to do so may render them accountable for administrative negligence.

According to the detailed judgment, a two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali allowed the appeals filed by the Punjab government and Shazia Iqbal, setting aside the Punjab Service Tribunal’s order that had reduced the penalty of forfeiture of five years’ past service to one year. The Court restored the original departmental punishment of forfeiture of five years’ past service.

The Court observed that a departmental inquiry had established that Shazia Iqbal, Headmistress of the Government Special Education Centre in Faisalabad, failed to take effective action despite receiving complaints that a speech therapist posted at the institution had been harassing female teachers. She was found to have neglected her supervisory and administrative responsibilities.

The inquiry also found that she had unlawfully allowed the employee to reside on the institution’s premises, causing financial loss to the public exchequer.

The Supreme Court held that the departmental inquiry had been conducted in accordance with the law. Female teachers testified before the inquiry, the accused was given full opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses, and their testimony remained unrebutted. The Court observed that extending undue leniency in such serious misconduct cases would be inconsistent with the interests of justice.

The judgment stated that educational institutions are not merely places of learning but are also obligated to provide a safe and dignified environment for female employees and all staff members. It emphasized that when the head of an institution remains silent in the face of harassment complaints, it undermines victims’ confidence and creates an unsafe educational environment.

The Court further stressed that every educational institution should have a clear anti-harassment policy, an effective complaint mechanism, impartial inquiry committees, and safeguards to protect complainants against retaliation.

Referring to the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, the International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 190, and international judicial precedents, the Supreme Court held that all institutions have a responsibility to adopt and enforce a zero-tolerance policy against workplace harassment.