Day: July 15, 2026

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Tuesday, emphasized that the conferment of Civil Awards remained a transparent, fair, and strictly merit-based process, recognizing individuals who had rendered outstanding services to Pakistan.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring due recognition of deserving overseas Pakistanis for their valuable contributions to the country.

The DPM/FM chaired a meeting to review nominations for the conferment of Civil Awards, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

The meeting was attended by SAPM Tariq Bajwa, Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch, the Cabinet Secretary, and senior officials from the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development.

Islamabad: Trade between Pakistan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has exceeded US$11 billion in 2026, highlighting the steady growth in economic relations between the two sides.

The milestone reflects ASEAN’s rising significance as one of Pakistan’s leading trading partners and creates new opportunities to deepen collaboration in trade, investment, and regional economic development.

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 remained 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.

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training on Tuesday directed the relevant authorities to expedite the investigation into the alleged leakage of Cambridge A-Level examination papers and ensure that the matter is resolved before July 21.

The committee expressed concern over the issue during its meeting held on Tuesday at Parliament chaired by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt.

During the meeting, the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) informed the committee that it had shared the available evidence with Cambridge Assessment and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) for investigation and appropriate action.

The chair directed that letters be issued to the relevant authorities, urging them to expedite the investigation and ensure that the matter is resolved before July 21.

The Committee was briefed on the issue of degree attestation for graduates of unauthorized campuses of PIMSAT, the University of South Asia, Lahore, and NICE, Karachi.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) representatives informed the Committee that, out of approximately 6,000 affected students, the cases of 4,383 students had been approved for consideration for degree attestation.

It was further informed that an online facility had been introduced to facilitate the attestation process. The Chairperson directed the concerned authorities to submit, at the next meeting, a detailed report indicating the number of degrees attested through the online system.

The Committee also deliberated on the long-pending issue of non-attestation of degrees awarded by Al-Khair University.

It was also informed that the Commission had planned to conduct a test for the students before verifying their degrees; however, the test has yet to be conducted.

The Committee recommended that HEC resolve the matter by adopting the policy previously applied in the case of Global University, Lahore, and submit a comprehensive report to the Committee within 10 to 15 days.

Expressing serious concern over the prolonged delay, Chairperson Senator Bushra Anjum Butt observed that HEC had shown negligence in resolving the matter for several years.

She further remarked that it would be unreasonable to expect individuals who had completed their studies many years ago to appear in an examination at this stage.

The Committee emphasized the need for an expeditious and fair resolution of the issue to safeguard the academic and professional interests of the affected students.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) also briefed the Committee on its plagiarism policy. The Committee was informed that the permissible percentage of plagiarism varies from subject to subject; however, the maximum allowable limit is 19 percent.

HEC further informed the Committee that it uses Turnitin software to assess and detect plagiarism in academic research.

Upon the recommendations of Committee a pool of writers has been formed for the blind students to facilitate them during the examination in writing.

The Committee also discussed the registration criteria and infrastructure standards for private educational institutions.

Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan inquired about the prescribed building standards for schools and questioned whether every school was required to provide essential facilities such as playgrounds and libraries.

The Committee was informed that not all schools currently have playgrounds and laboratories.

Chairperson Senator Bushra Anjum Butt observed that many private schools were operating in residential houses and emphasized the need to review the existing registration criteria for private educational institutions.

She expressed concern that, despite charging substantial tuition fees, many private schools were failing to provide adequate educational and recreational facilities to their students.

During the briefing, the Committee was informed about the status of accommodating 10% poor students under the free education policy in private schools.

It was further informed that the Association of Private Schools had approached the High Court, which had granted interim relief by suspending the implementation of the decision.

Expressing dissatisfaction, the Chairperson observed that private schools were reluctant to accommodate underprivileged children despite their legal and social responsibility to do so.

She remarked that Pakistan has been grappling with the issue of out-of-school children for decades, yet many private schools were not complying with the government’s policy on providing free education to deserving students.

She emphasized that strict implementation of the policy was essential to ensure that every child has access to quality education.

The meeting was attended by Senators Syed Masroor Ahsan, Kamran Murtaza, Rahat Jamali and Khalida Ateeb.

Islamabad: Acting President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Tahir Ayub, has called for translating the time-tested fraternal relations between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into a vibrant economic partnership by harnessing the immense opportunities created under Saudi Vision 2030.

He said enhanced commercial diplomacy, stronger private-sector collaboration, and increased investment would open a new chapter of shared prosperity for the two brotherly nations.

He expressed these views while addressing a Business Session on “KSA Vision 2030 and Saudi-Pakistan Investment Opportunities” organized by ICCI.

Welcoming the delegation, Tahir Ayub said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy an enduring relationship founded on shared faith, mutual trust, and unwavering friendship.

He observed that Saudi Vision 2030 has emerged as one of the world’s most ambitious economic transformation programmes, creating unprecedented opportunities in infrastructure, tourism, logistics, manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, renewable energy, mining, financial services, and other high-growth sectors.

He said Pakistan offers an attractive investment destination owing to its strategic location, competitive workforce, expanding digital economy, rich natural resources, and significant potential in agriculture, mining, information technology, tourism, manufacturing, and renewable energy.

The Acting President reaffirmed ICCI’s commitment to serving as a strong bridge between the business communities of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia by facilitating business-to-business networking, identifying reliable local partners, organizing trade and investment exchanges, and supporting joint ventures.

He urged the private sectors of both countries to transform today’s dialogue into practical business partnerships that contribute to sustainable economic growth.

Speaking on the occasion, Bilal Mohammad Zubair, Chairman of Al Raee Group, highlighted the Group’s role as one of Saudi Arabia’s leading business setup and investment facilitation firms, providing comprehensive solutions for international investors seeking to establish and expand their businesses in the Kingdom.

He said the Group offers end-to-end services including company formation, investment licensing, commercial registration, regulatory compliance, PRO and government liaison services, corporate structuring, banking facilitation, accounting and tax advisory, office setup, and business consultancy.

He said Al Raee Group is committed to helping Pakistani entrepreneurs, exporters, manufacturers, and investors successfully enter the Saudi market by providing professional guidance and seamless facilitation in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.

Ms. Zohra Hotiana, Country Head of Al Raee Group Pakistan, said the establishment of the Group’s Pakistan office reflects its commitment to building a strong institutional bridge between the business communities of the two countries.

She said the office will serve as a dedicated platform for Pakistani businesses by providing market-entry support, investment advisory, business matchmaking, regulatory guidance, and corporate facilitation services.

In his vote of thanks, Vice President Irfan Chaudhry said that Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry is committed to working closely with Al Raee Group and the Saudi partners to facilitate business-to-business collaboration, promote investment, and create new opportunities for our entrepreneurs.

Islamabad: Islamabad High Court has approved the merger of Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited with Pakistan Telecommunication Mobile Limited (Ufone), ruling that the proposed scheme complies with legal requirements and is not against the public interest.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro announced the verdict, stating that all assets, properties, rights and liabilities of Telenor Pakistan would stand transferred to Pakistan Telecommunication Mobile Limited upon the merger.

The court further ruled that Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited would be deemed dissolved without any further legal proceedings following completion of the merger.

The judgment directed the petitioner to submit a certified copy of the court order to the Registrar of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). It also instructed the registrar to take all necessary steps for implementation of the merger scheme in accordance with the law.

The court ordered the petitioner to ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory and financial requirements for the implementation of the scheme.

In its detailed order, the court observed that its role in sanctioning the arrangement was supervisory in nature and limited to determining whether the statutory requirements had been fulfilled.

After examining the proposed scheme and the record, the court held that the conditions laid down under the Companies Act, 2017 had been satisfied and found the merger to be fair, lawful and not contrary to the public interest. It accordingly sanctioned the merger under the relevant provisions of the Companies Act, 2017.

Islamabad: Chairman Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, on Tuesday underscored the vital role of overseas Pakistanis in promoting investment, strengthening economic diplomacy and enhancing Pakistan’s global image, saying the country’s diaspora served not only as ambassadors of Pakistan but also as a bridge connecting international markets, innovation, technology and investment opportunities.

He expressed these views while addressing a distinguished delegation of the New York Chamber of Small Business Corp., USA, led by its Founder President Syed Alamdar Hussain Shah, along with prominent businessmen from the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Pakistan, during a formal luncheon hosted in their honour at the Senate of Pakistan.

Welcoming the delegation, the Chairman Senate said their visit reflected a shared commitment to expanding economic cooperation, fostering stronger partnerships and creating new avenues for investment between Pakistan and overseas Pakistani entrepreneurs.

He appreciated the delegation’s proactive engagement with lawmakers, government institutions and the local business community, describing it as a positive step towards deepening economic collaboration.

The Chairman Senate expressed gratitude for the citation presented to him on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day. He said he accepted the honour with humility, considering it not as personal recognition but as a tribute to Pakistan, its democratic institutions and the millions of overseas Pakistanis whose integrity, professionalism and hard work continue to strengthen the country’s reputation around the world.

Highlighting the importance of trust in economic relations, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said investment and trade reinforce confidence between nations.

He remarked that when businesses prosper together, stronger and more enduring international partnerships emerge, adding that the delegation’s visit symbolized confidence in Pakistan’s economic future.

The Chairman Senate said Pakistan offers immense investment potential owing to its young population, expanding digital economy, strategic geographical location and abundant natural resources.

He said the government’s ongoing reforms to improve the ease of doing business, coupled with the work of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), have significantly enhanced coordination and facilitation for investors.

Emphasizing the role of Parliament in economic development, he said the Senate remains committed to promoting legislation and policies that encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and job creation.

He said stable democratic institutions, effective legislation and strong parliamentary oversight are essential for building investor confidence and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani expressed the hope that the interaction would mark the beginning of an enduring institutional relationship between the Senate of Pakistan and overseas Pakistani business organizations.

He stressed that such engagement should evolve into a continuous dialogue, enabling lawmakers to better understand the aspirations of the global Pakistani community while benefiting from their expertise and international experience.

The Chairman Senate said every successful nation draws strength from its diaspora, adding that overseas Pakistanis are playing an instrumental role in building bridges between Pakistan and global markets.

He called upon the business community to transform goodwill into investment, investment into opportunity, and opportunity into shared prosperity for Pakistan.

The Chairman Senate wished the visiting delegation a productive stay in Pakistan and expressed confidence that their efforts would contribute significantly to strengthening economic cooperation, expanding bilateral business linkages and reinforcing the enduring bonds between Pakistan and overseas Pakistani entrepreneurs.