Day: July 18, 2026

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Friday announced the arrival of M.V. Grande Shanghai, carrying more than 2,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in Pakistan’s first-ever Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) shipment.

In a statement, the minister said the 220-metre RoRo vessel had successfully berthed at the Karachi Gateway Terminal Multipurpose Limited (KGTML) terminal of Karachi Port Trust (KPT), describing the development as a significant milestone for Pakistan’s maritime and logistics sectors.

He said the vessel’s arrival followed his approval of RoRo shipments of electric vehicles during a meeting of a committee on maritime issues held last month.

The minister said the successful handling of the vessel reflected the growing capability of port infrastructure to accommodate specialised cargo operations in line with international standards.

He noted that the country’s first RoRo shipment of electric vehicles also highlighted Pakistan’s gradual integration into the global clea
n mobility and sustainable transport supply chain.

Explaining the significance of RoRo operations, Junaid Chaudhry said that unlike conventional cargo vessels, RoRo ships are purpose-built to transport wheeled cargo, allowing vehicles to be driven directly on and off the vessel. The system, he added, significantly reduces cargo handling time, enhances operational safety and improves overall efficiency at ports.

He said the successful berthing of M.V. Grande Shanghai demonstrated Karachi Port Trust’s commitment to modernising port operations and facilitating trade through efficient, technology-driven logistics.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening the maritime sector and enhancing Pakistan’s connectivity with global shipping networks.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal, on Friday termed the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business (B2B) Investment Conference a “game changer” for the country’s pharmaceutical industry, noting agreements worth around $100 million were expected to be signed during the event.

Addressing a joint press conference with the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, the minister said the conference marked a significant milestone for Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector.

He said the B2B conference covered all six segments of the pharmaceutical industry and brought together 170 delegations representing different categories of the sector.

The minister underscored that the initiative was in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of expanding Pakistan’s pharmaceutical exports and integrating the country into new international markets.

While talking about preparations of the conference, Mustafa Kamal said extensive consultations had been held over the past six weeks between Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), and other stakeholders to ensure the conference’s success.

He appreciated Haroon Akhtar Khan for holding dozens of meetings during the past six weeks and said every aspect of the conference had been planned through close coordination between the Ministry of Health, DRAP and other relevant institutions.

The minister also acknowledged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for translating all documentary material into Chinese language to facilitate engagement with Chinese participants.

Describing the conference as a landmark initiative, Mustafa Kamal said it had projected Pakistan’s potential and positive image before the international business community.

He said technology transfer through enhanced Pakistan-China cooperation would enable the country to access new global pharmaceutical markets while creating employment opportunities and strengthening the local industry.

Mustafa Kamal thanked all stakeholders whose collective efforts made the conference possible and expressed confidence that it would open a new chapter of cooperation between Pakistan and China in the pharmaceutical sector.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari on Friday directed that meetings of the Data Governance Council be held on a regular basis to review progress on key initiatives and maintain implementation momentum.

Chairing the inaugural meeting of the Pakistan’s first-ever Public Sector Data Governance Council, the minister reviewed measures to strengthen data governance and improve data management across the power sector.

During the meeting, the minister was briefed on the proposed institutional structure of the Council. He directed that the appointment of the Executive Director be completed at the earliest so that the Council can begin functioning at full capacity.

He further instructed the formation of an Executive Working Committee to support the implementation of the Council’s decisions and monitor progress on ongoing work.

The minister said reliable and integrated data was indispensable for effective decision-making in the power sector, adding that the Data Governance Council will help to establish uniform data standards and improve data management practices across the sector, contributing to greater transparency and accountability.

He added that better use of data will improve the performance of the power sector, support more efficient use of resources, and strengthen planning and decision-making.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting digital governance and data-driven decision-making, saying these efforts will help build a more efficient and better-managed power sector.