Day: July 15, 2026

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday sought responses from the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Director General of Immigration and Passports on a petition filed by former federal minister Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind challenging restrictions on his foreign travel.

Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas heard the petition and issued notices to the respondents, directing them to submit their replies.

Counsel for the petitioner argued that Rind was a law-abiding citizen who had previously served as a member of the National Assembly and a federal minister. The lawyer told the court that his client arrived at Islamabad International Airport on May 13, to travel abroad but was stopped by immigration authorities, who informed him that his name had been placed on a travel restriction list.

The petitioner requested the court to direct the authorities to remove his name from the list and allow him to travel abroad.

After issuing notices to the respondents, the court adjourned further proceedings.

Islamabad: Director Information Technology (IT) Atif Abbas chaired a meeting with the Safe City technical team to review progress on assigned tasks and assess the performance of officers.

An official told reporter on Tuesday that the meeting focused on evaluating the implementation status of tasks assigned to the technical team.

Atif reviewed the performance reports of officers and directed them to further improve efficiency and the quality of their work.

The director emphasized timely completion of assignments and instructed the team to maintain high professional standards in the execution of technical responsibilities.

He also stressed the importance of effective coordination and optimum utilization of technology to further strengthen Safe City’s operational capabilities.

Islamabad: The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), under the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), successfully concluded the National Tour Guide Training Program 2026 with a certificate distribution ceremony held at PTDC head office.

The certificates of participation were awarded by Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, Secretary, Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), and Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana, Managing Director, PTDC, in recognition of their successful completion of the two weeks’ intensive foundation tour guides training program. 19 young participants from different cities of Pakistan participated in this training program.

In his address, the Secretary IPC appreciated the participants’ dedication and emphasized the vital role of qualified tour guides in promoting Pakistan’s tourism potential, preserving its rich cultural heritage, and enhancing visitors’ experiences.

He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening tourism through capacity-building initiatives.

Managing Director PTDC congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to serve as professional ambassadors of Pakistan by delivering authentic, responsible and high-quality tourism experiences. He highlighted PTDC’s continued commitment to developing a skilled tourism workforce through partnerships with leading industry stakeholders.

He also thanks all the partner organizations including COTHM, STFP, PATO and Alpine Club of Pakistan and all the resource persons for their efforts to make this program a big success.

The training program combined classroom learning with practical field exposure visits, equipping participants with professional tour guiding techniques, destination interpretation skills, visitor management, communication, first aid awareness and hands-on experience through field visits to major tourism and heritage sites.

PTDC extends its sincere appreciation to all partner organizations, instructors, and participants for contributing to the successful completion of this important national initiative.

Islamabad: The Supreme Court has ruled that proceedings under Section 32 of the Customs Act, 1969 cannot be initiated unless the Customs Department establishes deliberate misdeclaration, false documentation or fraud. The Court further held that where a dispute relates merely to the interpretation of law, a show-cause notice issued after the prescribed limitation period is legally ineffective.

According to detailed written judgments, a three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb decided two separate customs-related cases.

In the first case, the Directorate of Post Clearance Audit, Customs House Lahore, had challenged a Lahore High Court judgment. The Customs Department alleged that duty and tax had been evaded through the import of silk fabric between 2010 and 2012.

The Supreme Court, however, held that merely establishing that the declared value of imported goods was lower than that of other consignments was insufficient to invoke Section 32 of the Customs Act. The Court observed that the department had failed to prove that the importer had intentionally made a false declaration, submitted false statements or relied on forged documents.

The Court held that the findings of the Customs Appellate Tribunal and the Lahore High Court were based on evidence and were in accordance with law. As no legal or judicial error had been identified in those findings, the Court dismissed the Customs Department’s appeal.

In the second case, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) challenged a judgment of the Sindh High Court relating to customs duty exemption on the supply of high-speed diesel to Pakistan Navy vessels and the limitation period for issuing a show-cause notice.

The Supreme Court observed that the show-cause notice issued to PSO contained no allegation of fraud, forgery, concealment of facts or deliberate misrepresentation. Instead, the dispute related solely to the legal interpretation of Section 106 of the Customs Act and was therefore governed by Section 32(3) of the Act.

The Court held that under the law applicable in 1999, a show-cause notice in such cases had to be issued within six months. However, the notice served on PSO was issued approximately two and a half years later, rendering it time-barred and legally ineffective.

Allowing PSO’s appeal, the Supreme Court set aside the judgments of the Sindh High Court, the Customs Appellate Tribunal and the original adjudication order. It also declared the show-cause notice dated June 26, 2002, to be without legal effect and struck it down.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Mustafa Kamal, on Tuesday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting organizations working for public welfare and the healthcare sector.

“Fully supporting organizations that work for public welfare in the health sector is a priority for the government,” he said.

He made these remarks during a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the ChildLife Foundation.

During meeting the minister was briefed regarding ChildLife Foundation’s work in child health, emergency services, and the provision of medical facilities.

Mustafa Kamal appreciated the services rendered by the ChildLife Foundation, describing its contribution to ensure quality and timely medical care for children is commendable.

“We are taking concrete steps to ensure the provision of superior and quality medical facilities to citizens,” he added.

Islamabad: The Board of Directors of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) on Tuesday confirmed Nadeem Khan as the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Nadeem Khan initially assumed charge as PTCL’s Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis for 14 days, effective July 2, 2026. His confirmation by the Board formalises his appointment as the company’s permanent Chief Executive Officer, said a news release.

Nadeem Khan brings more than two decades of experience with PTCL and Ufone. Before joining the PTCL Group, he spent over seven years in international assignments with Millicom International Cellular.

He joined Ufone as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2003 and served in the role for a decade.

In 2017, he was appointed Group Chief Financial Officer of PTCL and Ufone, where he oversaw the company’s financial strategy during a period of significant transformation, including the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan. He also serves on the Board of U Microfinance Bank.

Nadeem Khan is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). He also serves as a member of the Accounting Standards Board of ICAP.

As Chief Executive Officer, he will lead PTCL’s efforts to expand and modernise its wireline network, with a strong focus on fiberization, the rollout of next-generation digital services across the country, and strengthening the company’s leadership in the business-to-business (B2B) segment.

As Pakistan’s largest integrated ICT company, PTCL continues to invest in broadband, fibre infrastructure, data centres and submarine cable systems to strengthen its position as the backbone of the country’s digital economy.