Day: July 22, 2026

Islamabad: The ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the government agreed Tuesday to use additional tax revenue to invest in young generations and regional development under next year’s budget plan.

The two sides reached the agreement during a high-level consultative meeting on the 2027 budget at the National Assembly, saying the government expects a sharp increase in tax revenue thanks to record earnings by semiconductor companies.

“We are expecting an unprecedented increase in tax revenue on the back of the prolonged semiconductor boom,” Park Hong-keun, minister of planning and budget, said. “We will create a future response fund to reinvest in young generations, new growth engines, regional development and education.”

Park vowed to provide active support for the government’s recently announced the “three megaprojects” initiative envisioning large-scale investments in semiconductors, physical artificial intelligence (AI) and AI data centers.

President Lee Jae Myung earlier announced that the government wil
l draw up a record-high budget of around 800 trillion won (US$540 billion) for next year, and use additional tax revenue expected from the ongoing semiconductor boom to create the so-called future response fund to invest in future industries, policies for young generations and regional development.

Islamabad: Pakistan and Azerbaijan have reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fields of law, justice and judicial reform during a high-level meeting between Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law and Justice of Pakistan, and Mr. Farid Ahmadov, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan, held in Baku.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Executive Judicial Training Programme – “The Judicial Craft”, currently being conducted in Baku under the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed between the Ministries of Justice of Pakistan and Azerbaijan, said a press release.

The Pakistani delegation included H.E. Mr. Qasim Mohiuddin, Ambassador of Pakistan to Azerbaijan, Ms. Aisha Rasool, Senior Consultant, Ministry of Law and Justice and Project Director, International Mediation and Arbitration Centre (IMAC), and Mr. Ehsan Ullah Khan, Registrar, IMAC. The Azerbaijani delegation included senior officials of the Ministry of Justice, including Mr. Adil Abilov, Director General for International Cooperation, and Mr. Rovshan Ismayilov, Rector of the Justice Academy of Azerbaijan.

Welcoming the Pakistani delegation, Minister Farid Ahmadov underscored the historic friendship and growing strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. He appreciated the excellent cooperation established between the two Ministries of Justice and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to further expanding institutional collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Barrister Aqeel Malik conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar (N.I.), Federal Minister for Law and Justice of Pakistan, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to translating the bilateral partnership into practical cooperation that delivers lasting institutional benefits for both countries.

The two Ministers reviewed the progress achieved under the Memorandum of Cooperation and expressed satisfaction that the partnership has rapidly evolved from a framework of understanding into tangible collaboration. They noted that the successful implementation of the Advanced Treaty Practice: From Signature to Domestic Law programme in Islamabad earlier this year, followed by the commencement of the Executive Judicial Training Programme – “The Judicial Craft” in Baku, reflects the strong momentum of cooperation between the two Ministries.

The Ministers discussed opportunities to further strengthen collaboration in judicial education, institutional capacity building, legal research, legislative development, digital transformation of justice institutions, and the promotion of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration. They also emphasized the importance of sustained exchanges between judicial academies, legal experts and justice sector institutions to facilitate the sharing of comparative experiences and international best practices.

Recognizing the growing role of technology in justice delivery, both sides exchanged views on innovation in judicial administration, digital justice initiatives and the responsible use of emerging technologies to improve efficiency, accessibility and public confidence in justice systems.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared resolve of Pakistan and Azerbaijan to continue implementing the Memorandum of Cooperation through regular institutional engagement, joint programmes and high-level exchanges. Both Ministers expressed confidence that closer cooperation between the two Ministries of Justice would further strengthen the rule of law, enhance professional capacity and contribute to the continued development of modern, efficient and citizen-centric justice systems.

The Government of Pakistan greatly values its enduring friendship with the Republic of Azerbaijan and remains committed to further expanding cooperation in the justice sector, reflecting the shared vision of both brotherly nations for peace, prosperity and the rule of law.

Islamabad: The intermittent rainfall has continued in the federal capital since last evening, prompting district authorities to maintain round-the-clock monitoring of low-lying areas and drainage channels.

Officials reported that pre-monsoon preparations, including the cleaning of all major drains and the availability of dewatering pumps, helped improve water drainage during the ongoing spell of rain.

The Islamabad district administration said Assistant Commissioners and magistrates remained on alert until late at night to monitor conditions across the city. Special attention was given to low-lying areas and vulnerable points where rainwater accumulation could affect residents and traffic flow.

According to officials, extensive pre-monsoon arrangements had been completed before the start of the rainy season. These measures included the cleaning of drainage channels, inspection of water disposal systems and the deployment of equipment required for emergency response. Authorities stated that the drainage network responded effectively due to the completion of the cleaning campaign carried out in recent weeks.

The administration noted that dewatering pumps and other water-removal equipment were kept ready at key locations to address any situation arising from heavy rainfall. Field teams remained active throughout the night to ensure that drainage systems continued to function and that no major disruptions occurred.

To reduce traffic congestion and ensure smooth movement on roads, district authorities maintained close coordination with the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP).

Officials monitored major roads and intersections and remained prepared to respond to any weather-related issues affecting commuters.

The district administration advised residents to plan their travel according to weather conditions and remain informed about rainfall forecasts before leaving their homes.

Citizens were also urged to exercise caution while travelling during periods of rain, particularly in areas where water accumulation may occur.

Authorities appealed to the public to immediately report any emergency situation, blocked drains or rain-related incidents to the relevant departments so that timely action can be taken.

The administration said monitoring activities would continue throughout the monsoon season to ensure public safety, maintain traffic flow and respond quickly to any weather-related challenges in the federal capital.

Islamabad: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), as part of its ongoing consumer awareness and tariff transparency initiatives, has further enhanced the ‘Consumer Awareness’ section of PTA’s official website to facilitate telecom consumers with improved access to tariff related information and price trends.

Under this initiative, PTA has introduced a more user-friendly and comprehensive display of tariff trends for top 15 ‘hybrid’ and ‘data only’ bundles (subscriber-wise) offered by Jazz, Ufone, Telenor and Zong along with updated tariff sheets reflecting prevailing package prices.

The information includes package-wise quarterly prices, annual increase percentages, validity, and incentives offered by operators enabling consumers to effectively compare telecom packages and make informed choices.

Consumers are encouraged to regularly visit Consumer Awareness section of PTA’s official website as well as Operators websites for updated tariffs information and price trends. PTA remains committed to safeguarding consumer interests and promoting transparency in Pakistan’s telecom sector.

Islamabad: Iranian Interior Minister Iskandar Momeni visited the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad on Tuesday as part of his official visit to Pakistan, where he paid tribute to the country’s martyrs and highlighted the enduring significance of their sacrifices.

Accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Momeni was received at the Pakistan Monument with full official protocol. A smartly turned-out contingent of the Federal Constabulary presented a guard of honour in his honour, underscoring the importance of the visit and the close ties between Pakistan and Iran.

The Iranian interior minister laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial and offered Fateha in remembrance of those who laid down their lives for the nation. He paid rich tribute to the martyrs, acknowledging their extraordinary sacrifices and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s peace and security.

During his visit, Momeni also toured the Pakistan Monument, where he was briefed on its historical background and national significance. He expressed appreciation for the monument and the Martyrs’ Memorial, describing them as enduring symbols of Pakistan’s history, resilience, and national unity. The visiting minister also viewed the panoramic landscape of Islamabad and the Margalla Hills from the Shakarparian viewpoint, admiring the capital’s natural beauty and scenic surroundings.

Inspector General of the Federal Constabulary Riaz Nazir Gara, the Deputy Inspector General of Islamabad Police, and other senior officials were present on the occasion. The visit reflected the warmth of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran and reaffirmed the two neighboring countries’ commitment to strengthening cooperation across a range of sectors, including security and regional collaboration.

Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to strengthen its regulatory mechanism for more effective oversight of electronic media and asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to take up the issue of timely payment of salaries to media workers with media organisations.

The committee, which met at the PEMRA headquarters under the chairmanship of Pullain Baloch, MNA, received a detailed briefing on the performance of the regulator and its Councils of Complaints in fulfilling their regulatory mandate.

PEMRA Chairperson and the Executive Director General (Operations) briefed the committee on the authority’s mandate, organizational structure, composition of the PEMRA Authority and the Councils of Complaints.

The committee was informed that under the PEMRA Act, the authority had been mandated to facilitate and regulate electronic media. It was told that amendments made to the Act by Parliament in 2023 empowered PEMRA to hear complaints relating to the non-payment of salaries to electronic media workers. The committee was further informed that the amendments also strengthened the authority’s regulatory mechanism.

Officials also briefed the committee on the number of pending and disposed complaints before PEMRA and the Councils of Complaints.

During the briefing, the Executive Director General (Operations) informed the committee that the Councils of Complaints at the federal and provincial levels were empowered to decide complaints lodged before them and recommend their disposal to the PEMRA Authority through punitive, corrective or other appropriate measures.

The committee was informed that the Councils of Complaints for Islamabad and Balochistan had been notified, while summaries for the constitution of the councils for Punjab and Sindh had already been submitted and were awaiting approval from the competent authority.

The committee also called for strict implementation of the code of conduct governing television dramas and advertisements, saying that broadcasts should conform to social and religious norms.

It further asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to link the clearance of dues of media outlets with the timely payment of salaries to media workers.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar; committee members Saad Waseem, Nadeem Abbas, Asia Naz Tanoli, Romina Khurshid Alam, Kiran Haider, Shaheen, Sehar Kamran, Syed Amin Ul Haque, Rana Ansar, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri (via Zoom) and Kiran Imran Dar (via Zoom); the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; the PEMRA Chairperson; and other officials of the ministry and departments under it, as well as PEMRA.