Day: July 11, 2026

Islamabad: Renowned literary icon Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi was commemorated on his 20th death anniversary as speakers paid homage to his exceptional contributions to Urdu poetry, fiction and journalism.

While Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi is no longer among us, his words continue to speak across generations. His poetry, fiction, and essays remain as relevant today as ever, reflecting a vision of humanity, justice and hope that has stood the test of time.

According to media reports , Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi was born on November 20, 1916, in the village of Anga in present-day Khushab District. He went on to become one of the most celebrated voices in Urdu literature, earning recognition for his remarkable contributions as a poet, fiction writer, journalist, literary critic, and broadcaster.

Throughout his distinguished literary career, Qasmi authored around 50 books spanning poetry, fiction, journalism, literary criticism and the arts. His writings, rooted in humanism and social consciousness, earned him a lasting place among the leading literary figures of Pakistan.

A master of both ghazal and nazm, he produced several acclaimed poetry collections, including Jalal-o-Jamal, Shola-i-Gul, and Kisht-i-Wafa. His short stories, celebrated for their realistic portrayal of rural life and human emotions, were compiled in collections such as Chopaal, Sannata, Kapaas Ka Phool, Bagolay, Tal-o-Gharoob, Sailab-o-Gardab, Anchal, and Ghar Se Ghar Tak.

Beyond his literary achievements, Qasmi also served as a scriptwriter for Radio Pakistan, where he contributed significantly to the country’s cultural and literary programming. His lifelong dedication to literature was recognized with several prestigious honors, including the Pride of Performance, the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, and the Pakistan Academy of Letters’ Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi passed away in Lahore on July 10, 2006, at the age of 89. Two decades after his death, his poetry, fiction, and essays continue to inspire readers and writers alike, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest literary icons of the Urdu language.

Islamabad: National Disaster Management Authority’s National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) today warned that sudden glacial floods and landslides pose an immediate, high risk threat to northern Pakistan and ordered tourists and non essential travellers to avoid mountain routes from 10-14 July.

NEOC said landslide alerts cover 11-13 July while flood and river surge warnings apply across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir until July 14; authorities will carry out rapid hazard assessments and relay real time warnings to local administrations.

Officials warned that rising temperatures and ongoing heavy rain could trigger Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), debris flows, sudden river surges and rockfalls in vulnerable glacial valleys and hill torrents.

NDMA named multiple high risk zones including Badswat, Ashkoman, Hinarchi, Yasin, Khaplu, Hisper Hoper, Gultang and surrounding areas .

Authority also highlighted vulnerable roads such as Jaglot-Skardu, Hunza-Gojal and Gilgit-Ghizer, plus routes to Naltar, Bagrot and Hermosh.

The NEOC urged immediate precautions like stay away from glacial lakes, river channels and known flood paths also avoid travel on landslide prone roads and follow instructions from local authorities.

NDMA warned bank erosion and sudden debris flows could rapidly worsen conditions and instructed district administrations to mobilize emergency response teams and issue on-the-ground warnings.

For official updates and safety guidance, the public and visitors must use the Pakistan NDMA Disaster Alert app.

Islamabad: Privatization Commission (PC) Board on Friday approved the signing of the Transaction Advisory Services Agreement (TASA) with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the outsourcing of operations of Islamabad International Airport (IIAP).

The approval to this effect was granted in a meeting, which held under the chairmanship of Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatization and Chairman, Privatization Commission Muhammad Ali, said a press release issued by the Privatization Commission.

The PC Board reviewed the terms of the negotiated TASA and approved the agreement reached with ADB. The PC Board expressed confidence that ADB, with its expertise and experience, will be able to successfully complete this important transaction expeditiously while ensuring maximum competition and transparency.

Islamabad International Airport will be outsourced to a qualified private sector operator under a long-term concession framework through a competitive bidding process. The privatization is expected to enhance operational efficiency, improve passenger experience, and align airport services with international best practices.

Furthermore, the PC Board also granted approval for the appointment of BDO Ebrahim and Company, Chartered Accountants, as external auditors for the audit of three financial years from 2025-26 to 2027-28, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Board.

The PC Board resolved to continue ensuring transparency, efficiency, and the maintenance of high standards to further strengthen investor confidence in the government’s privatization program.

Islamabad: Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) Chief Traffic Officer Kainat Azhar Khan p0 visited the Faizabad checkpoint to review traffic flow and inspect arrangements aimed at easing congestion during peak hours.

An ITP official told reporter on Friday that the CTO Kainat inspected traffic management measures and reviewed the deployment of traffic personnel at the busy interchange.

The official said traffic diversions are being implemented daily from 7: 00 a.m. to 10: 00 a.m. to facilitate the smooth movement of vehicles from Rawalpindi’s Murree Road towards the Islamabad Expressway during morning rush hours.

Kainat directed traffic officers to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow on the Expressway and effectively manage congestion to minimize inconvenience for commuters.

The CTO Kainat emphasized that Islamabad Traffic Police remained committed to providing safe, efficient and hassle-free travel facilities through proactive traffic management and timely deployment of officers at key traffic points across the federal capital, the official added.

Islamabad: Minister (Trade and Investment) at the Embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh, Dr. Shagufta Zareen, on Friday said the Pakistan Mango Festival in Jeddah and Al Khobar would help promote Pakistani mangoes, strengthen their market presence and introduce the country’s premium fruit to new consumers across Saudi Arabia.

While speaking exclusively to PTV News, Minister Dr. Shagufta Zareen, appreciated the efforts of both governments for organizing the first-ever Pakistan Mango Festival in Saudi Arabia, adding, landmark event represents a significant achievement in enhancing the visibility of Pakistani mangoes and creating fresh opportunities for their growth in the Saudi marketplace.

She noted that visitors and consumers appreciated the rich flavor of Pakistani mangoes, describing the positive response as a reflection of Pakistan’s strong agricultural reputation, adding, promoting the country’s signature fruit would further enhance trade ties and strengthen Pakistan’s presence in international markets.

Dr. Shagufta Zareen highlighted that Pakistan holds a prominent position among the world’s major mango producers, offering a diverse range of high-quality varieties.

She emphasized that Saudi Arabia is a key destination for Pakistan’s fresh fruit exports, especially mangoes, as the two countries enjoy strong trade links and growing consumer interest in Pakistani agricultural products.

Minister said increasing access to the Saudi market would further benefit farmers, exporters and businesses associated with the horticulture sector.

The minister stated that the mango festival is part of Pakistan’s wider economic outreach efforts aimed at promoting agricultural exports, connecting local producers with international buyers and exploring new commercial avenues. The initiative reflects the commitment of both countries to deepen economic cooperation and enhance trade relations.

She added that such promotional events provide a valuable platform to showcase Pakistan’s agricultural excellence, build stronger partnerships with Saudi importers and retailers and create long-term prospects for expanding Pakistan’s share in global fruit markets.

She concluded that Pakistan values its historic relationship with Saudi Arabia and continues to prioritize initiatives aimed at strengthening commerce, investment and people-to-people connections between the two countries.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Friday said providing basic healthcare facilities at people’s doorsteps was the government’s foremost priority.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of a digitalised health centre in Phulgran, he said nearly 50 per cent of Islamabad’s population lived in rural areas.

Patients from these areas had to travel to major hospitals in the city for treatment, while Islamabad’s hospitals also catered to patients from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Jhelum, Murree and Kotli Sattian.

He said the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) previously received around 400 to 500 patients daily, but the number had now increased to between 8,000 and 10,000 patients a day.

The minister said the federal government had allocated Rs 1,163 billion for the health sector.

He added that Islamabad had 22 Basic Health Units (BHUs), many of which were not fully functional, adding that making these facilities operational was the need of the hour.

He said Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal was doing commendable work to improve the health sector.

“If the commitment he has expressed is implemented, we will be able to provide healthcare services to our population at less than half the current cost without any difficulty,” he said.

Dr Tariq said Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif believed the country’s challenges could be overcome through reforms and effective policymaking, adding that providing quality healthcare was one of the government’s fundamental responsibilities.

Recalling an official visit to the United States in 2009, he said he had witnessed robotic surgery at a hospital.

He added that technology had advanced to the point where doctors could now perform surgeries while sitting in another country.

Describing the establishment of the digitalised health unit in Phulgran as a welcome initiative, he said there was a need to create public awareness about this model Basic Health Unit.

He added that women from the area, particularly mothers and sisters, would be able to visit the facility to receive quality medical treatment.

The minister said modern warfare had become a battle of intellect and technology.

Referring to the recent conflict with India, he said Pakistan had demonstrated the effective use of technology without crossing the border and had achieved remarkable success.

He added that nations investing in technology were advancing faster than others.

He announced that telemedicine facilities would be introduced in all Basic Health Units across Islamabad.

He said the government’s priority was to ensure Pakistan excelled in every sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

Dr Tariq further said Pakistan’s diplomacy, under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, was being appreciated around the world.

He said the situation in Balochistan was no longer a struggle for rights but a proxy war imposed by India. He added that the entire nation was determined to play its role in ensuring peace and prosperity in Pakistan. He said more than 40 security personnel had laid down their lives in the line of duty.