Day: July 12, 2026

Islamabad: Acting President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Tahir Ayub, on Saturday called for a comprehensive national strategy to transform Pakistan’s rapidly growing population into a productive economic force through sustained investments in education, healthcare, skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment generation.

He said that with prudent planning and human capital development, Pakistan’s youthful population could become the country’s greatest competitive advantage, driving industrial growth, innovation, exports, and long-term economic prosperity.

He expressed these views while talking to different delegations of business leaders on the occasion of World Population Day on Saturday, observing that the day served as an important reminder of the need to strike a balance between population growth and sustainable economic development.

He emphasized that the true strength of a nation lied not merely in the size of its population, but in its ability to educate, empower, and productively engage its people in nation-building.

Tahir Ayub said that Pakistan was blessed with one of the largest youth populations in the region, presenting a historic demographic opportunity that could accelerate economic transformation if supported by forward-looking policies.

However, he cautioned that without timely investments in quality education, vocational and technical training, healthcare, digital literacy, and decent employment opportunities, the demographic advantage could turn into a significant socio-economic challenge.

The ICCI Acting President observed that the private sector has a pivotal role to play in creating employment opportunities, promoting entrepreneurship, investing in workforce development, and supporting innovation.

He urged the government to strengthen collaboration with the business community, academia, and development partners to equip young people with market-driven skills and prepare them for the evolving demands of the global economy.

He further emphasized that policy consistency, economic stability, and a business-friendly environment are indispensable for attracting investment and generating employment on the scale required to absorb Pakistan’s expanding workforce.

He called for greater investment in industrialization, technology, SMEs, and export-oriented sectors to create sustainable livelihoods and improve living standards.

Speaking on the occasion, ICCI Vice President Mohammad Irfan Chaudhry stressed that empowering youth through technical education, vocational training, digital skills, and entrepreneurship is essential for enhancing productivity and reducing unemployment.

He added that a vibrant SME sector, supported by enabling government policies and easier access to finance, can play a transformative role in creating jobs and ensuring inclusive economic growth.

Islamabad: Secretary, Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Muhammad Aslam Ghauri, on Saturday highlighted that population dynamics are closely linked with health, education, economic development, and social well-being.

In his message on the occasion of World Population Day on 11 th July, 2026, he underlined that realizing the aspirations of young people requires not only investments in their education and skills but also ensuring access to quality healthcare services, informed choices, and opportunities that enable them to contribute meaningfully to society.

This Day provides an important opportunity to reflect on the collective responsibility of ensuring that every individual, particularly young people, women, and children, has the opportunity to lead a healthy, productive, and dignified life, he said.This year’s theme, “Realizing the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People – Today and for the Future,” underscores the need to place people at the center of development and to create an enabling environment where future generations can thrive, he added.

This Ministry remains committed to strengthening the country’s health system and supporting national efforts aimed at improving the well-being of families and communities, he said.

He added that in close collaboration with provincial and regional governments, the Ministry continues to facilitate policy implementation, strengthen institutional coordination, and promote evidence-based approaches that improve access to essential health services across the country.

The Secretary focused that effective partnerships are central to achieving these objectives. The Ministry values its collaboration with provincial health and population departments, development partners, United Nations, agencies, non-governmental organizations, international non-governmental organizations, professional bodies, academia, and the private sector.

Through coordinated action, we can ensure that national priorities are translated into practical interventions that reach communities and improve people’s lives, he said.

Special attention must be given to the health and empowerment of women and adolescents. When women are healthy, educated, and empowered, families prosper and communities become more resilient, Aslam said.

Similarly, when young people are equipped with knowledge, opportunities, and support, they become agents of positive change and contribute to national development, he added

As the federal coordinating body for health, the Ministry will continue to promote collaboration,strengthen health systems, support innovation, and facilitate the implementation of policies and programmes that improve health outcomes and advance sustainable development, he added.

On this World Population Day, I urge all stakeholders to continue working together in fostering a healthier, more informed, and more prosperous society. Through partnership, commitment, and collective action, we can create a future where the hopes and aspirations of every young person are realized and where every family has the opportunity to flourish.

Islamabad: More than 1,400 Pakistani medical graduates have secured placements in U.S. residency programmes this year, reflecting the growing global competitiveness of Pakistan’s medical education system.

These graduates have secured placements following reforms introduced by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMandDC).

The PMandDC said the increasing success of Pakistani graduates in international licensing examinations and residency pathways, particularly in the United States, demonstrated the positive impact of strengthened academic standards, updated curricula, competency-based education, and improved regulatory policies.

According to the council, the number of Pakistani graduates entering U.S. residency programmes has increased significantly compared to previous years, highlighting improved preparedness, clinical competence, and confidence among young doctors.

PMandDC said its ongoing reforms have focused on quality assurance, enhanced clinical training, and alignment of medical education with international standards, enabling graduates to compete successfully in highly competitive global healthcare systems.

The council noted that Pakistani medical graduates are increasingly emerging among the leading groups of international medical graduates, with their growing representation reflecting rising international recognition of Pakistan’s medical education standards.

PMandDC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj said the achievements of Pakistani doctors were a matter of national pride and reflected the collective efforts of students, teachers, medical institutions, and the council’s education reforms.

“Every graduate who succeeds internationally represents the dedication of our students, the commitment of our institutions, and the reforms aimed at improving the quality of medical education in Pakistan,” he said.

He reaffirmed PMandDC’s commitment to further strengthening medical education standards, supporting institutions, and creating greater opportunities for Pakistani doctors to excel in international healthcare systems.

The council said the growing international success of Pakistani graduates marked a significant milestone for the country’s medical community and underscored Pakistan’s increasing contribution to the global healthcare workforce.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Saturday, underscored the significance of Pakistan-UK bilateral relations.

The DPM/FM directed the High Commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom to redouble efforts to further deepen and broaden the partnership between the two countries across political, economic, and people-to-people domains.

Tipu Usman Chaudhry, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan to the United Kingdom, called on the DPM/FM, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

The DPM/FM further highlighted that the UK was home to one of the largest, most dynamic, and vibrant Pakistani diasporas in the world.

He emphasized that extending proactive consular services and welfare support to the overseas Pakistani community must remain a top priority for the High Commission.

The DPM/FM also appreciated Usman’s valuable contributions as Chief of Protocol at the Ministry and wished him success in his new assignment.

Islamabad: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Saturday issued a flood and landslide alert ahead of a fresh spell of monsoon rains expected to affect large parts of the country from July 10 to 13, advising residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel to mountainous areas and follow safety instructions.

Through special awareness messages and coordination with media channels, NDMA officials urged the public to remain alert and take precautionary measures during the ongoing monsoon spell. The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of NDMA warned of possible flash floods, landslides and overflowing streams in northern regions due to expected heavy rainfall.

The NDMA stated that northern areas would remain at risk of landslides from July 11 to 13, while flood threats in high-altitude regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir could persist from July 10 to 14. The authority cautioned that rising temperatures along with heavy rainfall may accelerate glacial melting, increasing the possibility of debris flows, flash floods and overflowing water channels.

The authority identified several vulnerable locations, including parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Murree, Mansehra and Abbottabad. It also highlighted risks along the Karakoram Highway, Jaglot-Skardu Road, Hunza-Gojal Road, as well as areas such as Ghizer, Naltar, Bagrote and Haramosh due to possible landslides and rockfalls.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast strong winds, thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in parts of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Most districts of Punjab are also expected to receive intermittent rainfall on Saturday, bringing a slight drop in temperatures, while humid conditions may continue.

The PDMA has also alerted risky district administrations to remain prepared and adopt precautionary measures against possible rain-related incidents. WASA has also mobilized teams across Lahore for timely drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas. Authorities warned that intense rainfall could lead to urban flooding, rising water levels in rivers and streams, and landslides in mountainous regions.

Islamabad: The negotiations on the Pakistan-United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade were held in Washington, D.C. with a view to its early conclusion.

‘The talks were conducted in a cordial atmosphere, with both sides ironing out differences and building convergence, with a view to the early conclusion of the Agreement,’ Tahir Andrabi, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul, who led the Pakistan delegation, characterised the talks as positive and appreciated the significant progress made during the negotiations.