Day: July 15, 2026

Islamabad: Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Tuesday released 268,800 cusecs of water from various rim stations with an inflow of 340,200 cusecs.

According to the data released by IRSA, the water level in the River Indus at Tarbela Dam stood at 1501.53 feet, which was 99.53 feet higher than the dead level of 1402.00 feet. Water inflow and outflow in the dam were recorded as 213,600 cusecs and 157,600 cusecs, respectively.

The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1172.40 feet, which was 122.40 feet higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet. The inflow and outflow of water were recorded as 56,900 cusecs and 27,600 cusecs, respectively.

The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa, Guddu and Sukkur was recorded as 213,200, 179,800, 139,300, and 67,700 cusecs, respectively. Similarly, from River Kabul, a total of 42,300 cusecs of water was released at Nowshera, and 27,600 cusecs were released from River Chenab at Marala.

Islamabad: The Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSCandRD) has issued more than 505 variety names for the enlistment of new crop varieties, a significant step aimed at increasing the production and availability of certified, high-yielding seeds across the country.

The initiative was part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the national seed system, promote agricultural productivity, and ensure farmers have access to quality seed of improved crop varieties, said an official of FSCandDA.

Talking to reporter on Tuesday, the official said that the department received 289 challans under the account head C03139 for the enlistment of new varieties. In addition, the department’s Central Seed Testing Laboratory tested 267 seed lots covering a wide range of crops, including cereals, fodders, pulses, vegetables, and oilseeds, to ensure compliance with prescribed quality standards.

The department also updated and circulated the National Register of Enlisted Varieties, which now contains 7,814 entries, he said adding that the updated register serves as an important reference document for seed producers, researchers, regulatory authorities, and farmers, facilitating the availability and commercialization of approved crop varieties while strengthening quality assurance mechanisms in the seed sector.

He further informed that 221 seed lots and samples were tested for various quality parameters, including vegetables, pulses, cereals, fodders, grasses, pistachio, and oilseed crops. These laboratory evaluations focused on seed purity, germination, and other quality characteristics essential for maintaining national and international seed standards.

The department also introduced several technical improvements in seed testing procedures. Specialized protocols were optimized for ferula, chilgoza, and pistachio seeds to improve the accuracy of purity and germination assessments, he added.

In another notable achievement, he said that the commercial samples of card-embedded seeds and seed tapes were tested for the first time, reflecting the department’s efforts to accommodate emerging seed technologies and innovative planting materials.

On the human resource development front, the FSCandRD organized training and capacity-building programmes for 213 agriculture students, providing practical exposure to seed certification, testing methodologies, varietal registration procedures, and quality control systems.

Furthermore, the department conducted 215 Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) trials on different crop varieties, he said adding that these trials were a prerequisite for the registration and protection of new plant varieties.

Islamabad: The 10th Space Summer School (SSS-2026) kicked off at the Institute of Space Technology (IST) today, bringing together more than 70 students from over 30 schools across Pakistan for a week-long programme aimed at promoting space science, technology and innovation among young learners.

Organized by the Space Education Research Lab (SERL) under the National Center of GIS and Space Applications (NCGSA), the programme is designed for students from Grades 6 to 12 and seeks to cultivate scientific curiosity, critical thinking and practical STEM skills through expert lectures, laboratory sessions, interactive demonstrations and hands-on engineering activities.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Chairman of the National Center of GIS and Space Applications (NCGSA) and Programme Director of the Space Summer School, Dr. Najam Abbas Naqvi, emphasized the importance of introducing space science and emerging technologies at the school level. He said empowering young learners through quality STEM education is essential for developing the scientific talent needed to drive Pakistan’s future space ambitions and technological progress.

He said initiatives such as the Space Summer School not only inspire curiosity but also equip students with the knowledge, skills and innovative mindset required to address national and global challenges through space science and technology.

The academic programme is structured around five thematic pathways-Astronomy and Astrophysics, Earth and Atmosphere, Aviation, Rocketry, and Satellite Technology-offering participants a comprehensive introduction to modern space sciences and their practical applications.

During the five-day programme, students will attend lectures on the creation of the Universe and the Solar System, telescopy and astronomical observations, solar observation, astronomical instruments, radio astronomy, Earth observation from space, solar physics, satellite imagery, climate science, principles of flight, helicopter aerodynamics, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), RC aircraft design and flight, life in space, planetary habitability, principles of rocketry, satellite technology, satellite navigation, AI-driven urban aerial mobility and AI-based satellite tasking.

The programme also includes a wide range of practical learning activities, including solar observation, RC aircraft design and flight, Aqua Rocket design, development and launch, CanSat design, development and launch, and a screening of Jahan Aur Bhi Hain, Pakistan’s first space-themed telefilm.

Participants will also visit the IST Astronomical Observatory and the Propulsion Engineering, Research and Launch Laboratory (PEARL) to gain firsthand exposure to advanced space research and engineering facilities.

Since its launch in 2017, the Space Summer School has grown into one of Pakistan’s leading space education initiatives. Over the past decade, it has conducted 59 programme days, engaged more than 2,750 students from over 546 schools and colleges, delivered 173 interactive teaching hours and 117 learning hours, organized 94 space-based STEM activities comprising 195 hands-on activity hours, and brought together more than 228 national and international experts.

The initiative also contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Quality Education (SDG 4), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life on Land (SDG 15), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17), by promoting STEM education, technological innovation, environmental awareness and collaboration among academia, industry, government organizations and international experts.

Islamabad: Pakistan has retired more than Rs4.7 trillion worth of public debt before maturity through proactive liability management operations, marking the largest and most sustained early debt retirement programme in the country’s history, Adviser to the Finance Minister, Khurram Schehzad said Tuesday.

The latest Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs) buyback of Rs279 billion (around $1 billion) had taken the cumulative early debt retirement to Rs4.722 trillion (about $17 billion), Khurram Schehzad wrote on his social media account X.

He said the government retired Rs2.9 trillion in debt before maturity during FY2025-26, representing a 62 percent increase over the Rs1.8 trillion retired in FY2024-25, with 51 percent comprising central bank debt and 49 percent market debt.

He said, the active liability management strategy has helped reduce refinancing and rollover risks, lower debt servicing costs, improve liquidity and cash flow management, and strengthen investor confidence and fiscal resilience.

Schehzad said the average debt maturity had improved from 2.7 years in FY2023-24 to more than 3.8 years in FY2025-26, while the debt-to-GDP ratio declined from 75 percent in FY2022-23 to an estimated 68.5 percent in FY2025-26. He added that reliance on central bank financing had also reduced significantly.

He said the debt management strategy formed part of broader fiscal reforms aimed at strengthening macroeconomic stability alongside moderate inflation, improved fiscal and external balances, and enhanced public financial management.

The adviser said Pakistan was transitioning from conventional borrowing to proactive balance-sheet management, reducing rollover risks and shifting towards longer-term debt sustainability to ensure lower financing costs and stronger public finances.

Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the unsatisfactory state of internet services in the country, observing that poor connectivity is affecting not only remote areas but also major cities, including Karachi.

The committee, chaired by Syed Amin Ul Haque, noted that users frequently experience slow internet speeds and repeated call connection failures despite multiple attempts.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the committee that the country’s total available spectrum previously stood at 274 MHz but increased to 754 MHz following the 5G spectrum auction, significantly enhancing network capacity.

The committee was informed that the increase in spectrum is expected to provide considerable relief to consumers and that internet services across the country would gradually improve in the coming months.

PTA Chairman Maj. Gen ® Hafeez Ur Rehnan further informed the committee that, under the first phase of the 5G rollout, telecom operators have launched 5G services in 22 cities.

He said no new infrastructure has yet been deployed, adding that 5G services have so far been enabled using the existing mobile towers and network infrastructure.

He added that new 5G infrastructure would be deployed gradually in subsequent phases, which would further improve the quality and speed of internet services across the country over the next six to eight months.

The committee observed that one of the major challenges affecting the quality of mobile and broadband services is the shortage of electricity for telecommunications infrastructure.

It noted that prolonged power outages adversely affect the performance of mobile towers, resulting in poor internet connectivity and disruptions to mobile services.

In response, the PTA chairman informed the committee that in some areas, load shedding of up to 10 hours a day significantly affects telecom services.

He said the matter had been taken up with the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) and the relevant power distribution companies (DISCOs), which have been engaged to address the issue.

He further said the Prime Minister has constituted a high-level committee to devise a sustainable solution for ensuring an uninterrupted power supply to telecom towers so that reliable telecommunication services can be provided to the public.

The committee proposed the use of alternative energy sources, particularly wind energy, to power telecom infrastructure, noting that Pakistan possesses a significant wind corridor with considerable potential.

It also recommended that the ministry direct telecom operators to gradually install renewable energy systems, including wind and solar power, at telecom sites.

Such measures, it observed, would reduce dependence on diesel, help prevent fuel theft, encourage private-sector investment and promote a more sustainable and resilient telecommunications infrastructure.

The committee also sought a briefing on taxes imposed on imported mobile phones.

During the briefing, the PTA chairman informed the committee that around 92 percent of smartphones currently in use in Pakistan are manufactured or assembled locally, while only 8 percent are imported, primarily Apple iPhones and Google Pixel devices.

He said most other smartphone brands are assembled in Pakistan and are therefore not subject to import duties, while taxes are applicable only to imported devices.

The committee directed the ministry to encourage Apple and other leading global smartphone manufacturers to establish manufacturing or assembly facilities in Pakistan.

It observed that such initiatives would make smartphones more affordable, promote domestic investment, create employment opportunities and contribute to economic growth.

The PTA chairman clarified that taxes on imported mobile phones are not collected by the PTA.

Instead, he said, the taxes are deposited with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Once the applicable taxes are paid, the PTA registers and whitelists the device through its Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS), enabling its lawful use in Pakistan.

The committee also took up the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, for consideration.

During the deliberations, members belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) expressed reservations, saying the proposed amendments had not yet been discussed by the party’s Parliamentary Legislative Committee.

The committee observed that it has consistently upheld democratic norms by ensuring legislation is enacted through broad-based consultation, consensus-building and the inclusion of all political stakeholders.

However, it noted that no meaningful consultative process had so far been undertaken with the relevant political parties and stakeholders regarding the bill.

Accordingly, the committee decided to defer the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, until its next meeting and directed that consultations with all relevant political parties and stakeholders be completed before the bill is resubmitted for further consideration and recommendations.

Islamabad: Bilateral trade between Pakistan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has surpassed US$11 billion in 2026, underscoring the growing importance of Southeast Asia as one of Pakistan’s key trading partners and offering fresh opportunities for expanding economic cooperation.

According to official figures, Pakistan exported goods worth around US$3 billion to ASEAN member states during 2026, while imports from the regional bloc stood at approximately US$7 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of nearly US$4 billion.

ASEAN has emerged as one of Pakistan’s most significant regional markets, driven by rising demand for textiles, agricultural products, leather goods, seafood, chemicals, and industrial raw materials. Pakistan, in turn, imports machinery, palm oil, electronic equipment, chemicals, and manufactured goods from ASEAN economies, particularly Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Thailand remains one of Pakistan’s major trading partners within ASEAN. Pakistan’s exports to Thailand were valued at US$ 251.28 million, while imports reached US$845.44 million, resulting in a bilateral trade deficit of US$594.16 million.

Seafood accounted for more than 34 percent of Pakistan’s exports to Thailand, reflecting the country’s competitive advantage in marine products.

Trade experts believe Pakistan possesses significant potential to enhance exports to ASEAN by diversifying its export basket beyond traditional textile products.

Sectors such as information technology, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, processed foods, sports goods, and halal products offer considerable opportunities for future growth.

Improved regional connectivity, trade facilitation measures, and stronger business-to-business collaboration are expected to further strengthen commercial ties.

The Ministry of Commerce is implementing the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (2025-30), aimed at enhancing export competitiveness, diversifying export markets, and integrating Pakistan more effectively into regional and global value chains through improved market access, digital trade initiatives, and export promotion measures.

Economists believe narrowing the trade gap with ASEAN will require greater industrial productivity, increased value-added exports, and stronger investment partnerships with Southeast Asian economies.

Pakistan’s strategic location and expanding manufacturing base provide a strong foundation for attracting investment and integrating into evolving regional supply chains.

Talking to reporter on Tuesday, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Atif Ikram Sheikh, said Pakistan and ASEAN possess enormous potential to expand bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation.

He emphasized that product diversification and enhance the competitions of Pakistan’s industrial sector are essential to reducing the trade deficit with ASEAN while creating new opportunities in innovation-driven and high-value industries.

President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Usman Shaukat, said ASEAN countries remain among Pakistan’s largest trading partners and that the chamber would continue to facilitate stronger business linkages with the region.

He stressed that the private sector must take a leading role in strengthening Pakistan-ASEAN economic relations through increased trade, investment, joint ventures, and greater participation in regional value chains.

With bilateral trade now exceeding US$11 billion in 2026, policymakers and business leaders believe deeper engagement with ASEAN will play a pivotal role in boosting Pakistan’s exports, attracting foreign investment, and accelerating sustainable economic growth.