Day: July 17, 2026

Islamabad: The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its bullish momentum on Thursday, gaining 2,837.78 points, a positive change of 1.62 percent, to close at 178,123.57 points against 175,285.78 points recorded on the previous trading day.

During the session, the ready market recorded a trading volume of 736.956 million shares with a traded value of Rs34.609 billion, compared to 583.805 million shares valuing Rs26.045 billion in the previous session. The market capitalization increased to Rs20.040 trillion from Rs19.783 trillion a day earlier.

Out of 496 active companies in the ready market, 342 advanced, 129 declined, and 25 remained unchanged.

Lotte Chemical led the volume chart with 70.092 million shares, followed by TPL Properties with 52.568 million shares and Ittefaq Iron Industries with 35.220 million shares.

The top gainers included Khyber Textile Mills Limited, which surged by Rs129.82 to close at Rs2,061.33, and Nestle Pakistan Limited, which gained Rs40.08 to settle at Rs7,657.58.

On the losing side, PIA Holding Company LimitedB declined by Rs520.50 to close at Rs17,773.50, while Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited fell by Rs374.00 to settle at Rs25,151.00.

In the futures (DFC) market, turnover stood at 153.002 million shares with a traded value of Rs7.259 billion, compared to 133.839 million shares worth Rs6.255 billion in the previous session.

Out of 302 futures-market companies, 274 advanced, 26 declined, and two remained unchanged.

Islamabad: Pakistan called for inclusive, human-centered, and equitable artificial intelligence governance at a high-level discussion held at the United Nations Headquarters on Thursday, jointly organised by the Permanent Missions of Pakistan and Tajikistan and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme.

The event brought together diplomats, UN officials, technology experts, academics, and youth representatives to explore how AI can advance sustainable development through innovation, inclusion, and resilience while ensuring that no country or community is left behind.

Speakers warned that unequal access to digital infrastructure, financing, technology, and skilled human resources could widen existing global inequalities, particularly for developing countries.

They stressed that AI must become a tool for shared progress by expanding access to technology, investing in capacity building, and placing young people at the centre of sustainable development efforts.

Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to prepare its youth for an AI-powered future.

He said the government has allocated Rs 40.58 billion to the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme for 2026-27, reflecting its commitment to building a skilled and digitally empowered generation.

He said more than 600,000 laptops have been distributed, while 73,000 young people have received training in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and data science.

More than 217,000 technical skills scholarships have also been awarded across 8,000 courses.

He added that the Digital Youth Hub has registered over 804,000 users, created access to 114,000 employment opportunities, and partnered with more than 3,180 organisations.

Mashhood said Pakistan’s National Artificial Intelligence Policy aims to train one million AI professionals and 10,000 AI trainers by 2030 while expanding AI education, research, and innovation across the country.

He called for stronger international cooperation to bridge the global AI divide through investments in digital infrastructure, skills development, and responsible AI practices.

Tajikistan’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Abdurahmon Abdurahmonzoda, highlighted his country’s leadership in the field of artificial intelligence.

He said Tajikistan has adopted Central Asia’s first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy until 2040, declared 2025 to 2030 as the Years of the Development of the Digital Economy and Innovation, and established the Regional Artificial Intelligence Centre to strengthen regional cooperation and digital skills development.

The discussion featured Jennifer Louie of the United Nations Development Programme, Google AI expert Hashim Syed and Youth Delegate Bisma Qamar, alongside representatives from China, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

The panel stressed that AI governance frameworks must evolve alongside technological advances to address emerging risks, including cybersecurity challenges.

The participants underscored that young people must be recognised not only as beneficiaries of technology but also as innovators, partners and decision makers.

They called for expanding initiatives such as the Digital Youth Hub, the National Youth Council, and innovation programmes to widen opportunities for young people.

In his closing remarks, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said humanity must shape the future of artificial intelligence and not the other way around.

The ambassador warned that without equitable access, AI could deepen the digital divide between developed and developing countries.

Ambassador called for greater coherence in global AI governance and outlined four priorities, including bridging the AI divide, ensuring equitable development outcomes, empowering youth as leaders of technological change, and promoting ethical, transparent, safe, and accountable AI systems.

Ambassador Asim said the collective goal must be to build strong international partnerships that ensure the benefits of artificial intelligence contribute to greater inclusion, resilience, and sustainable development for all.

Islamabad: Acting President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Tahir Ayub, on Thursday emphasized that digital commerce has emerged as one of the most powerful drivers of business growth, export diversification and global competitiveness.

He urged that Pakistani entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to embrace e-commerce platforms to access international markets and accelerate the country’s export-led economic growth.

He expressed these views while addressing a “Sellers Onboarding Session in Collaboration with Alibaba.com Pakistan” organized by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday.

Tahir Ayub said that the overwhelming response to the session reflected the growing awareness among the business community that the future of international trade lies in digital connectivity and online marketplaces.

He noted that businesses that successfully adopt digital technologies would be better positioned to compete in the rapidly evolving global economy.

He added that adopting e-commerce, investing in digital capabilities and embracing innovation would not only diversify export destinations but also enhance productivity, encourage entrepreneurship, generate employment and contribute to sustainable economic development.

He said the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been consistently working to equip its members with the knowledge, skills and market linkages required to succeed in the digital age.

Through strategic collaborations, awareness programmes and capacity-building initiatives, ICCI is helping businesses adapt to emerging global trade trends and capitalize on new opportunities created by digital commerce.

Representatives of Alibaba.com Pakistan Muhammad Sadiq, Khawaja Arsalan, and Muhammad Maaz digitally highlighted the growing significance of digital B2B e-commerce platforms in today’s global trading environment.

They provided participants with a comprehensive overview of Alibaba.com’s ecosystem, explained the seller onboarding process, and shared practical insights on creating a strong digital presence, reaching international buyers, generating export leads, and building sustainable global business through the platform.

Reaffirming ICCI’s commitment to promoting exports and digital transformation, ICCI Vice President Irfan Chaudhry said that the Chamber would continue collaborating with leading national and international organizations to facilitate businesses, strengthen Pakistan’s export ecosystem and create new avenues for economic growth.

Islamabad: The Federal Constitutional Court Pakistan (FCCP), has dismissed an appeal filed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government against the Peshawar High Court’s ruling that barred the assignment of the additional charge of Sub-Registrar to Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars and Qanoongos, holding that appointments to the post could only be made in accordance with the relevant service rules.

A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan and Justice Syed Arshad Hussain Shah announced the reserved judgment, authored by Justice Shah, on an appeal filed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Revenue.

The court ruled that following the amendment to the relevant rules through a notification issued on January 23, 2020, the posts of Sub-Registrar could only be filled through promotion from among Head Registration Moharrirs on the basis of seniority and fitness. After the amendment, there was no legal provision allowing officers from any other cadre to be appointed or assigned the additional charge of Sub-Registrar.

The judgment held that the Inspector General Registration had acted in clear violation of the rules by assigning the additional charge of Sub-Registrar to Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars and Qanoongos. Consequently, such appointments had no legal validity.

The court also rejected the government’s contention that under Section 6 of the Registration Act, 1908, the government could appoint any person as Sub-Registrar. It observed that not every administrative action taken in the name of the government constituted a decision of the government. Such decisions must receive approval from the provincial cabinet. In the present case, the appointments were made by the Inspector General Registration without cabinet approval and therefore could not be treated as appointments made by the government.

The Federal Constitutional Court further held that rules framed under a statute constitute subordinate legislation and were binding on the government as well as all relevant authorities. The government could not act in violation of the very rules it has framed.

Rejecting the objection regarding Article 212 of the Constitution, the court observed that the case did not involve an individual employee’s service grievance but concerned the enforcement of mandatory statutory rules and the legality of administrative actions taken in violation of those rules. Therefore, the Peshawar High Court had full jurisdiction under Article 199 of the Constitution to hear the matter.

The court concluded that the Peshawar High Court’s judgment was comprehensive, legally sound and fully supported by the record. Finding no merit in the appeal, it dismissed the case as well as the application seeking leave to appeal.

Islamabad: Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and Air University Islamabad on Thursday jointly launched a four-month Professional Diploma in Public Procurement and Contract Management as part of its ongoing efforts to professionalize Pakistan’s public procurement system and build a skilled workforce capable of ensuring transparency, efficiency and value for money in the use of public resources.

PPRA Managing Director Hasnat Ahmed Qureshi attended the launching ceremony, held here at the Air University, as a guest of honor, a news release said.

The event was attended by Director Centre for Professional Development (CPD), Air University, Air Commodore (Retd.) Zaheer Mirza and PPRA Senior Specialist (Training and Capacity Building) Atique Sultan Raja, besides participants from various government organizations, public sector entities and the private sector.

Speaking on the occasion, MD PPRA Hasnat Ahmed Qureshi, highlighted the strategic importance of public procurement in national development and good governance.

He noted that public procurement accounts for a significant share of government expenditure and directly impacts the

quality, cost, and timely delivery of public services and development projects. Qureshi highlighted that capacity building is a key pillar of PPRA’s reform agenda.

To date, he said, PPRA has trained more than 15,000 procurement professionals, government officials, and vendors, including 7,491 since the launch of the e-Pak Acquisition and Disposal System (EPADS) in 2023.

He informed that PPRA has established partnerships with leading universities, including the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Air University, and COMSATS University, to introduce structured education in public procurement, procurement regulation, contract management, and procurement governance.

In collaboration with NUST, he said, PPRA has successfully completed two four-month diploma programmes, graduating around 150 professionals, while the newly launched diploma at Air University has enrolled more than 40 participants.

Qureshi further said that PPRA is working closely with universities and higher education institutions to integrate procurement studies into undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, enabling future lawyers, engineers, managers, accountants, economists, and public administrators to graduate with a strong understanding of procurement governance.

Speaking on the occasion, Director CPD of Air University, Air Commodore (Retd.) Zaheer Mirza welcomed the participants and appreciated the collaboration with PPRA.

He said the diploma program reflects Air University’s commitment to professional education by providing practical and industry-relevant learning opportunities for working professionals.

Islamabad: Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday lauded renowned scholar, author and columnist Dr Farooq Adil for his outstanding literary and intellectual contributions, particularly his efforts to promote closer cultural and people-to-people relations between Pakistan and Trkiye.

The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with Dr Farooq Adil here at the Prime Minister’s Office, a PM Office news release said.

Dr Farooq Adil presented his travelogue titled “Shakh-e-Zareen ke Dayen Bayen” (On Both Sides of the Golden Branch) to the prime minister.