Day: July 16, 2026

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Ahad reviews preparations for Uzbek deputy PM’s visit, eyes five-year economic roadmap


Islamabad: Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Cheema on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review inter-ministerial preparations for the upcoming visit of Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev, aimed at further strengthening economic and trade relations between the two countries.



The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, Secretary Foreign Affairs Amna Baloch, Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul, Secretary Railways, Director General of the National Logistics Corporation (NLC), senior officials of the Ministry of Communications and representatives of other relevant ministries, a news release said.



Participants briefed the minister on progress made regarding the agenda and planned engagements during the visit, while finalizing arrangements to ensure its successful outcome.



The meeting focused on enhancing regional connectivity and trade facilitation, with officials presenting proposals to improve road and rail links, transport corridors and logistics infrastructure between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.



The proposals were aimed at increasing the efficiency and capacity of trade routes, facilitating faster and more cost-effective movement of goods, and promoting greater regional trade integration.



The meeting was informed that a Business-to-Business (B2B) Forum would be held during the visit, with participation of more than 100 Uzbek companies interested in exploring investment, trade and joint venture opportunities in Pakistan.



Officials said agriculture, pharmaceuticals, industry, transport and logistics would remain priority sectors for investment and commercial engagement, with both governments committed to promoting stronger public-private partnerships and expanding economic cooperation.



Expressing satisfaction over the preparations, Ahad Cheema said the visit would mark another important milestone in Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations.



He expressed confidence that the two sides would sign a Five-Year Roadmap for Trade and Economic Cooperation during the visit, providing a comprehensive framework to enhance bilateral trade, investment, connectivity and broader economic collaboration.



The meeting was also informed that consensus had been reached on several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements, which are expected to be signed during the visit to expand cooperation across multiple sectors and create new opportunities for mutual economic growth.



The minister directed all relevant ministries and departments to ensure close coordination and timely completion of all arrangements, stressing that the visit offered a valuable opportunity to deepen economic ties, strengthen regional connectivity, promote investment and unlock the untapped trade potential between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.



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Alhamra summer art camp draws huge response, inspires young artists


Lahore: The Lahore Arts Council (Alhamra) Summer Art Camp has emerged as a major success, attracting an overwhelming response from families and providing children with a platform to develop their artistic skills through professional training in drawing, painting and calligraphy.



Executive Director Lahore Arts Council Muhammad Nawaz Gondal visited the Alhamra Academy of Performing Arts on Wednesday to review the ongoing activities. He inspected classes, appreciated the artwork of young participants and interacted with students and faculty members. Deputy Director Administration Syed Umair Hassan, Academy In-Charge Naveen Roomi and other officers briefed him on the smooth conduct of the programme and the enthusiastic public response.



Speaking on the occasion, Nawaz Gondal said arts education played a vital role in nurturing imagination, confidence, critical thinking and appreciation for culture. He said the Summer Art Camp was providing children with a creative learning environment that met contemporary educational standards while encouraging self-expression and helping them discover their potential.



He said the extraordinary response from parents reflected growing public confidence in Alhamra’s commitment to quality arts education and reaffirmed the institution’s role in promoting creativity among the younger generation.



The Summer Art Camp will continue until August 5, after which participants will receive certificates on successful completion of the programme.



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Pakistan-China B2B Conference to drive investment, boost exports, strengthen industrial growth: Ministers


Islamabad: Federal ministers on Wednesday termed the upcoming Pakistan-China Business-to-Business (B2B) and Investment Conference a landmark initiative aimed at attracting foreign investment, enhancing bilateral economic cooperation, and accelerating Pakistan’s export-led growth strategy.



Addressing a joint press conference, Federal Minister for Board of Investment (BOI) Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan said the two-day conference, scheduled for July 17-18, will bring together around 500 Chinese investors and Pakistani businesses to explore investment opportunities, particularly in the pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors.



Speaking on the occasion, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said the conference would serve as a milestone in strengthening Pakistan-China economic ties and expanding the country’s manufacturing base to support sustainable export growth.



“The primary focus of the conference is to attract investment in pharmaceuticals and other high-potential sectors of the economy. Manufacturing-led growth remains the government’s top priority, alongside the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” he said.



The minister said the government is implementing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of promoting industrial and agricultural development through manufacturing and SMEs, adding that financial support and liquidity facilities are being extended to the sector to encourage business expansion and job creation.



Highlighting improvements in the country’s economic indicators, Sheikh said Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have increased to $18 billion, compared to around $4 billion when the current government assumed office.



He added that the government, through the Board of Investment (BOI) and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), is providing incentives and facilitation to both local and foreign investors, including access to land in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) at competitive rates.



He noted that several investment agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have already been signed to promote foreign direct investment.



Speaking at the press conference, SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan said the Pakistan-China B2B and Investment Conference would act as a catalyst for expanding manufacturing capacity and increasing exports.



He revealed that seven international companies are ready to establish manufacturing operations in Pakistan, including vaccine production facilities, describing it as a historic development for the country’s pharmaceutical industry.



Haroon Akhtar said Pakistan’s efforts to maintain regional peace would help create a conducive environment for economic growth and investment.



He further said the participation of approximately 500 Chinese investors is expected to result in business agreements and MoUs with Pakistani companies, enhancing industrial competitiveness and opening new avenues for bilateral trade.



The SAPM added that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) are working with us jointly to promote investment and support the country’s export-led economic agenda.



The Pakistan-China Business-to-Business and Investment Conference is expected to provide a major platform for fostering strategic partnerships, encouraging technology transfer, and attracting investment across key sectors of Pakistan’s economy.



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HomeNet Pakistan hosts consultation on fair wages, labour rights


Lahore: Trade unions and labour rights organizations have agreed to launch a coordinated advocacy campaign seeking an immediate increase in Punjab’s minimum wage and the notification of minimum wages for home-based workers under the Punjab Home-Based Workers Act, 2023.



The decision was made during a trade union consultation organized by HomeNet Pakistan (HNP) in collaboration with the Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA) at the HNP office here on Wednesday.



According to a press release, the consultation brought together prominent labour leaders, advocates and representatives of trade unions to formulate a joint strategy for advancing fair wages and strengthening labour protections in the province.



The participants included HomeNet Pakistan Executive Director Ume Laila Azhar, Hanif Ramay, Zafar Malik, Niaz Khan, Sajid Ali, Attia Hanif and Fiaza Khan.



The participants expressed concern over the delay in announcing a revised minimum wage despite the continued rise in the cost of living. They emphasized that minimum wages for home-based workers should be notified without further delay in accordance with the Punjab Home-Based Workers Act, 2023. The meeting also reviewed various provisions of the proposed Labour Code 2026 and agreed on a unified position to safeguard workers’ rights, promote decent work and strengthen collective bargaining.



The consultation concluded with consensus on a joint advocacy plan involving engagement with the Punjab Minimum Wage Board, relevant government departments, media, civil society organizations and labour groups to build support for equitable wage policies and improved labour standards.



Speaking on the occasion, HomeNet Pakistan Executive Director Ume Laila Azhar said a timely revision of the minimum wage, coupled with the implementation of minimum wages for home-based workers, was essential to protect vulnerable workers from rising living costs and ensure the enforcement of their legal rights.



She said HomeNet Pakistan would continue working closely with trade unions and development partners to advance social justice, promote decent work and support inclusive labour policies across Punjab.



The consultation repeated the collective commitment of trade unions and labour rights organizations to work together for equitable wages, stronger labour protections and meaningful social dialogue aimed at improving the welfare of workers throughout the province.



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Pak-China collaboration in traditional Chinese medicine to strengthen healthcare cooperation


Lahore: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) presents significant opportunities for strengthening healthcare cooperation, scientific research, and pharmaceutical innovation between Pakistan and China.



Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) Commercial Ambassador Adeel Munawar stated this in a meeting held here at PCJCCI Secretariat on Wednesday.



He highlighted that establishment of Sino-Pakistan Cooperation Center on Traditional Chinese Medicine (SPCCTCM) at Hunan University of Medicine in Huaihua, China, and the University of Karachi reflects the growing collaboration between the two countries in the fields of medical sciences, research, education, and public health.



Adeel Munawar said that such centers serve as a comprehensive platform for joint research and development of herbal medicines, health and nutritional products, academic exchanges, medical treatment, industrial collaboration, and capacity building. He noted that initiative would encourage knowledge transfer and create new opportunities for researchers, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare professionals, and academic institutions in both countries.



He stated that Traditional Chinese Medicine gained global recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic, when China shared treatment protocols, herbal formulations, and clinical expertise with numerous countries, including Pakistan. This cooperation demonstrated the importance of international collaboration in addressing public health challenges and advancing medical research.



Adeel Munawar further stated that SPCCTCM will bring together leading experts from Pakistan and China to undertake collaborative research in medicinal plant cultivation, botanical identification, phytochemistry, quality assurance, efficacy and safety evaluation, clinical research, and the development of innovative herbal medicines.



The center will also facilitate the registration and commercialization of herbal products in both countries, paving the way for increased bilateral investment in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.



He added that Pakistan possesses enormous potential in medicinal plant cultivation and herbal medicine production, while China’s advanced expertise in Traditional Chinese Medicine offers valuable opportunities for technology transfer, research collaboration, and industrial development. By combining their respective strengths, both countries can develop internationally competitive herbal healthcare products and contribute to improving public health.



Adeel Munawar was confident that Sino-Pakistan Cooperation Center on Traditional Chinese Medicine would become a flagship platform for scientific cooperation under the Pakistan-China strategic partnership. He said the initiative would deepen people-to-people connectivity, strengthen bilateral healthcare systems, promote innovation in traditional medicine, and further reinforce the enduring friendship between the two iron brother nations.



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Government committed to facilitating investors through One-Window services: BOI


Islamabad: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), in collaboration with the Board of Investment (BOI), organized an awareness session on the Business Facilitation Centre (BFC), established here by the BOI.



The event was aimed at to familiarize the business community with the government’s flagship one-window initiative designed to simplify investment procedures, improve inter-agency coordination and enhance Pakistan’s ease of doing business.



Addressing the session as the chief guest, Additional Secretary and Executive Director General, Board of Investment, Zulfiqar Ali, described the Business Facilitation Centre as a landmark initiative aimed at creating a more investor-friendly business environment in Pakistan.



He said the Centre has been designed to provide investors and entrepreneurs with seamless access to a broad range of government services through a single platform, eliminating the need to approach multiple departments separately.



He said the BFC offered comprehensive facilitation in company registration, business incorporation, investment approvals, licensing, regulatory compliance, documentation, tax guidance and coordination with relevant government agencies.



By integrating these services under one roof, he noted, the Centre would reduce procedural delays, enhance transparency, improve institutional coordination and strengthen investor confidence.



Zulfiqar Ali reaffirmed the Board of Investment’s commitment to providing an efficient and responsive facilitation mechanism for both domestic and foreign investors.



He urged the business community to fully utilize the Business Facilitation Centre and its digital platform to expedite business operations and capitalize on emerging investment opportunities in Pakistan.



Earlier, welcoming the guests and participants, Acting President ICCI Tahir Ayub said the private sector requires efficient, transparent and accessible public services to remain competitive in today’s rapidly evolving business environment.



He observed that initiatives such as the Business Facilitation Centre were not merely administrative reforms but strategic interventions that would help transform Pakistan into a more competitive and investment-friendly economy.



He expressed confidence that the Business Facilitation Centre would play a pivotal role in improving Pakistan’s ease of doing business, attracting greater domestic and foreign investment and strengthening the country’s economic competitiveness.



A comprehensive technical presentation was delivered by Sabih-ul-Hussain Warsi, Manager, Business Facilitation Centre, Board of Investment, who gave a detailed briefing about the BFC as well as the milestones achieved by the initiative.



ICCI Vice President, Irfan Chaudhry reaffirmed ICCI’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with government institutions to promote investor facilitation, improve the ease of doing business and foster sustainable economic growth.