Day: July 20, 2026

Islamabad: WAPDA athletes shine in 10th South Asian Karate Championship, as they won six medals in the event for Pakistan.

The 5-day Championship was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 15 to July 19, according to a message received here.

Mir Hamza Kasi won Gold Medal in Under-21 Category and Bronze Medal in the Senior -75 Kg Category. Mir Wais Khan secured Silver Medal in -61Kg Category. Representing Pakistan, WAPDA women athletes also excelled in the Championship, as Hafiza Iqra Munawar bagged Bronze Medal in -45 Kg Category; Rabia Farooq won Bronze Medal in -50 Kg Category and Laiba Zia secured Bronze Medal in -55 Kg Category.

Meanwhile, WAPDA Sports Board has congratulated WAPDA athletes on their brilliant performance, bringing laurels to Pakistan.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Minister of Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Felix Plasencia, Sunday, exchanged views on the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Venezuela and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties.

They discussed opportunities to expand cooperation across a broad range of sectors, including trade, investment, business, agriculture, IT, and other areas of mutual interest.

Both sides underscored the considerable potential for enhancing economic collaboration and fostering stronger people-to-people contacts for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

The DPM/FM received a call from the newly appointed minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

The DPM/FM emphasized the importance of sustained high-level engagement to reinvigorate bilateral relations and further deepen cooperation.

Both sides appreciated the continued close coordination between Pakistan and Venezuela at multilateral forums on issues of common interest.

The DPM/FM extended his warm congratulations to Minister Plasencia on his appointment and conveyed Pakistan’s heartfelt condolences over the devastating earthquakes that recently struck Venezuela.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Government and the people of Venezuela during this difficult time and expressed confidence in their resilience and recovery.

Minister Plasencia thanked the DPM/FM for Pakistan’s message of sympathy and solidarity.

He also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support and humanitarian solidarity with the victims of the natural disasters, underscoring the importance of mutual support in times of need.

He further acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting dialogue and de-escalation in the regional situation involving the United States and Iran and commended its commitment to peace and diplomacy.

They agreed to remain in close contact and to meet at the earliest appropriate opportunity.

Islamabad: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has secured 17-year rigorous imprisonment for five convicted officials in the Rs104.75 million IESCO bribery case, with a special court also ordering confiscation of the recovered amount in favour of the national exchequer.

An FIA official told reporter on Sunday that the case originated from a successful raid conducted by the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad on August 30, 2024, during which three IESCO Divisional Accounts Officers and two audit officers were arrested red-handed.

The official said Rs104.75 million was recovered from the accused, which was allegedly being paid as a bribe to external audit officers in return for preparing favourable audit reports covering the period from 2019 to 2024.

Following the raid, FIR No. 153/2024 was registered under Sections 161, 162, 163 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

On July 17, 2026, Special Judge Central Rawalpindi Abdul Rehman Muhammad Arif, after concluding the trial, sentenced Zeeshan Ali Akbar, Nazar Hussain, Ishtiaq Ahmed, Jahangir Ahmed and Saqib Zaheer to 17 years’ rigorous imprisonment each.

The court also ordered that the recovered Rs104.75 million be confiscated and deposited into the Government of Pakistan’s treasury.

The official said the conviction was made possible through the professional investigation and effective prosecution carried out by the FIA team. Assistant Director Zohaib Niazi, who investigated the case, and Assistant Director Salahuddin, who represented the prosecution, played a pivotal role in securing the landmark conviction.

Islamabad: Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Qazi Ali Raza chaired an important meeting to review crime prevention measures, operational performance and policing strategies across the federal capital.

An official told reporter on Sunday that the meeting was attended by zonal Superintendents of Police (SPs), Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) and Station House Officers (SHOs) from across the district.

The meeting reviewed the performance of police officers, progress in the arrest of suspects involved in heinous crimes, proclaimed offenders and habitual criminals, besides discussing an effective strategy to curb criminal activities.

SSP Qazi also reviewed service delivery at police stations under the SIPS protocol and issued necessary directions to further strengthen modern policing standards and improve public service.

Addressing the participants, Qazi directed the officers to further intensify intelligence-based and targeted operations against criminal elements and ensure the arrest of proclaimed offenders and habitual criminals without delay.

He stressed that the protection of citizens’ lives and property must remain the top priority of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police and instructed officers to utilize all available resources to promote effective crime prevention and community-oriented policing.

The SSP Qazi said operational vigilance, professional investigations and proactive policing were essential to maintaining law and order and ensuring a safe and secure environment for the residents of the federal capital.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Sunday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people, saying the country was incomplete without Kashmir.

In her message on Youm-e-Ilhaq-e-Kashmir, the minister paid tribute to the people of Kashmir for their steadfast struggle.

She said the Kashmir dispute must be resolved in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue to extend its moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people.

Shaza Fatima said the determination of the Kashmiri people remained unwavering despite Indian atrocities.

Islamabad: Art Fusion by Mishal, in collaboration with Chaaye Khana (Park Road, Islamabad), has hosted a special art workshop for art enthusiasts and invited some talented orphans from Noreen Zindagi Welfare Trust.

The initiative aimed to provide the artists from all age group with a platform to express their creativity within a warm, welcoming, and inspiring environment.

The event brought together everyone from diverse backgrounds, offering them the chance to explore painting, learn new artistic techniques, and showcase their imagination through vibrant, colorful artworks.

According to the organizers, the workshop was designed to nurture creativity, build self-confidence, and provide participants with a joyful and meaningful learning experience. They emphasized that such activities play a vital role in promoting the arts, encouraging young talent, and supporting emerging artists in the community.

Participants and attendees highly praised Chaaye Khana Park Road for its ongoing commitment to promoting cultural activities and providing an ideal venue for creative expression. The management and staff were also commended for their exceptional hospitality, professionalism, and wholehearted support, which ensured the smooth and successful execution of the event.

Mishal Mughal, the event’s organizer and moderator, expressed hope that similar painting workshops and art exhibitions would become regular fixtures. “Cultivating artistic talent and strengthening appreciation for the arts within the community requires continuous effort,” Mishal remarked.

“This initiative ensures that those orphan children enjoy the same creative opportunities as their peers, making the event both inclusive and enriching,” she stated.

Representatives of the Noreen Zindagi Welfare Trust extended their gratitude to Chaaye Khana Park Road for sponsoring the event and to Art Fusion by Mishal for organizing the workshop.

They noted that the initiative not only brought smiles to the children’s faces but also encouraged healthy self-expression and created lasting memories for every participant.

The organizers concluded by describing the workshop as a wholesome, memorable success that highlighted the profound impact of community collaboration in nurturing children’s creativity and elevating art and culture in the federal capital.