Day: July 23, 2026

Islamabad: Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lt Gen (R) Nazir Ahmad Butt, met Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman), Naveed Kamran Baloch here on Wednesday, where the two sides discussed ways to strengthen institutional cooperation, enhance transparency and accountability, and promote good governance through closer coordination between their organisations.

During the meeting, both officials exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, with particular focus on improving collaboration in addressing public grievances, strengthening oversight mechanisms and reinforcing accountability across public sector institutions.

Baloch briefed the NAB chairman on the role and performance of the Wafaqi Mohtasib, highlighting its contribution to providing speedy and free redressal of complaints related to maladministration in federal government entities.

He said the institution resolved more than 2,50,000 public complaints during 2025 and expected the number of complaints handled this year to rise to between 270,000 and 275,000.

The Federal Ombudsman noted that the forum had emerged as a fast, accessible and reliable mechanism for citizens seeking relief against maladministration, supported by an extensive network of regional offices across the country.

Mr Baloch reiterated the institution’s commitment to ensuring prompt resolution of public grievances and improving service delivery standards within federal government organisations.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen (R) Nazir Ahmad Butt said there was significant potential for mutually beneficial cooperation between NAB and the Wafaqi Mohtasib in advancing the shared objectives of transparency, accountability and effective governance.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing their resolve to enhance institutional coordination and explore avenues for greater collaboration in the public interest.

Islamabad: Literary and cultural organisation Zawiya and the Allama Iqbal Council jointly organised the launch ceremony of three books authored by renowned former Inspector General of Police (IGP), civil servant, scholar and columnist Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema at the Islamabad Club on Wednesday.

The books launched included Cheema’s autobiography, Jehad-e-Musalsal, along with Afkar-e-Taza and Aur Samajhta Hoon Jise Haq.

The ceremony was presided over by eminent poet and literary figure Iftikhar Arif, while Chairperson of the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL), Dr Najeeba Arif, attended as the chief guest.The event was moderated by Mehboob Zafar and attended by writers, intellectuals, civil servants, literary enthusiasts and members of civil society.

Speaking on the occasion, prominent novelist and scholar Hameed Shahid described Jehad-e-Musalsal as much more than a personal memoir, saying it presents a broader reflection on society alongside the author’s life journey.

He noted that Cheema had candidly narrated both his successes and failures, reflecting his honesty, moral character and unwavering principles.

He said the book’s uniqueness lies in its emphasis on life’s trials rather than achievements alone, adding that it conveys an important message: the true strength of the police does not lie in weapons but in the trust and confidence of the public.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Najeeba Arif congratulated Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema on the publication of his books and praised his lifelong commitment to integrity and public service.

She said Afkar-e-Taza, a collection of columns, provides thoughtful insights into Pakistan’s social and political history, while Jehad-e-Musalsal offers an engaging account of the author’s distinguished career and his unwavering honesty, fairness and professionalism as a police officer.

She expressed the hope that the country would produce more officers of such integrity and character.In his remarks, Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema thanked the distinguished guests and participants for attending the ceremony and for their generous appreciation of his work.

He said he had always strived to write with honesty and sincerity, adding that his objective was to promote positive values, an organised society and a truly democratic and prosperous Pakistan.Presiding over the event, Iftikhar Arif described Jehad-e-Musalsal as an authentic, engaging and inspiring autobiography. Recalling his long association with the author, he said he had never heard anything negative about Cheema.

He praised Cheema’s honesty, patriotism and dedication to duty, saying he remained deeply committed to the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Pakistan.

Referring to Afkar-e-Taza, he noted that the collection reflects the author’s intellectual depth and profound admiration for the philosophy and poetry of Allama Iqbal.Civil servant and columnist Qurat-ul-Ain Haider, Admiral Zakaullah and other speakers also paid tribute to Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema’s distinguished contributions to public service, literature and intellectual discourse.

They highlighted the significance of his newly launched books and appreciated his commitment to promoting ethical values, patriotism and good governance through his writings.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan invited Samsung to transform Pakistan into a regional manufacturing, refurbishment and export hub for mobile phones, assuring the company that the government would facilitate them in promoting exports, value addition and industrial investment.

The Minister extended the invitation during a meeting with a delegation led by the Country Head of Samsung Pakistan at the Ministry of Commerce. Senior officials of the Ministry were also present, said a release issued here on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Jam Kamal Khan encouraged Samsung to look beyond Pakistan’s domestic market and export Pakistan-manufactured smartphones to emerging markets, particularly to Africa and other regions. He said Pakistan should leverage its growing manufacturing base to become part of global supply chains rather than serving only local demand.

The Minister also appreciated the proposal of Samsung establishing certified mobile phone refurbishment facilities in Pakistan. He said a regulated refurbishment ecosystem would not only strengthen local industry but could also create export opportunities for professionally refurbished devices while generating employment and promoting technical expertise.

The Samsung delegation briefed the Minister on the progress of Pakistan’s mobile phone manufacturing sector and

highlighted the company’s investment in local assembly. The delegation highlighted changes in the taxation structure and the narrowing of the tariff differential between Semi Knocked Down (SKD) and Completely Built Unit (CBU) of mobile phones which had significantly reduced the competitiveness of locally manufactured mobile phones.

They requested the government to maintain a reasonable tariff differential to encourage continued investment and local manufacturing.

The delegation also expressed concerns over the commercial import of used mobile phones, stating that it undermines domestic manufacturing despite Pakistan having sufficient production capacity. It proposed replacing commercial imports of used phones with certified refurbished phones under which original equipment manufacturers would establish authorized refurbishment facilities in Pakistan, enabling consumers to purchase quality-assured devices backed by warranties.

Responding to the proposals, Jam Kamal Khan said Pakistan’s mobile phone industry had made significant progress over the past few years and future policy should focus on genuine manufacturing, higher local value addition, technology transfer and export growth. He observed that the country now possesses sufficient manufacturing capacity and that industrial policies should encourage investment rather than dependence on imported used products.

The Minister acknowledged the industry’s concerns regarding taxation and said these would be examined within the broader fiscal framework. He emphasized, however, that any incentives should be linked with investment, localization, exports and value addition.

Jam Kamal Khan further directed the industry to submit detailed proposals on certified refurbishment, export potential, investment commitments and international best practices to support the formulation of the revised Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy.

He stressed that any decision regarding commercial imports of used mobile phones should be evidence-based, phased and supported by the availability of certified locally refurbished alternatives to safeguard consumer interests.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to industrial development, the Minister said Pakistan offers significant opportunities for global technology companies and expressed confidence that stronger collaboration with leading manufacturers such as Samsung would contribute to investment, employment generation and increased exports.

Islamabad: The Ministry of Human Rights on Wednesday formally launched the National Action Plan for Human Rights 2026, describing it as a comprehensive framework aimed at translating constitutional guarantees into practical and measurable actions for the protection and promotion of human rights across the country.

Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik inaugurates the National Action Plan.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the framework would help transform constitutional safeguards into effective and actionable measures.

He said the plan would promote and protect human rights while enabling Pakistan to fulfil its international human rights commitments.

Secretary Ministry of Human Rights Abdul Khaliq Sheikh said the action plan comprised six thematic areas and 86 practical measures designed to strengthen the country’s human rights framework.

He said the plan placed special emphasis on legal reforms, protection of vulnerable groups, human rights awareness and institutional capacity building.

It also incorporated emerging issues such as digital rights, prisoners’ rights and the human rights dimensions of climate change.

Representatives of the European Union described the National Action Plan for Human Rights 2026 as an important step towards ensuring effective implementation and accountability in the country’s human rights agenda.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting the Government of Pakistan in implementing the National Action Plan.

The ministry said the National Action Plan would serve as a guiding framework for promoting human rights through effective coordination among federal and provincial institutions, ensuring a more coherent and inclusive approach to protecting fundamental rights across Pakistan.

Islamabad: Pakistan Single Window (PSW) has officially launched its Mobile App as part of its continued commitment to enhancing digital access to cross-border trade facilitation services.

The application is now available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, extending the reach of the PSW platform by enabling the trading community to access essential trade services through a convenient and secure mobile experience, said press release here Wednesday.

Designed to complement PSW’s existing digital ecosystem, the Mobile App provides importers, exporters and customs clearing agents with a flexible and user-friendly platform to stay connected with their trade activities anytime, anywhere.

Users can conveniently monitor declaration progress, track regulatory compliance activities, and receive real-time updates on customs clearance directly from their smartphones.

Beyond status tracking, the application provides visibility into regulatory and financial certificates while enabling users to perform a range of time-sensitive actions and initiate system-based requests.

These include declaration cancellation, dray-off requests, provincial cess exemption/waiver requests, bank guarantee release requests, and other operational services. The app also offers integrated payment management capabilities, allowing users to generate Payment Slip IDs (PSIDs), view paid and pending PSIDs, access payment details, and make payments through their linked Personal Deposit (PD) accounts.

By providing single-point mobile access to critical trade information and transaction updates, the PSW Mobile App reduces dependence on desktop-based operations and empowers business executives, logistics managers and supply chain teams to oversee trade activities without geographical or workplace constraints.

Ready access to trade-related information enables stakeholders to respond promptly to regulatory requirements, complete pending actions in a timely manner, and improve operational planning, ultimately contributing to faster clearance of import consignments and export shipments.

The application also strengthens engagement between PSW and the trading community by providing built-in channels for customer support.

Users can conveniently lodge complaints, submit feedback, and directly contact the PSW Call Centre through the app, ensuring quicker resolution of operational issues and improved service delivery.

The launch of the PSW Mobile App marks another important milestone in Pakistan’s digital trade transformation journey. By extending trade facilitation services to mobile devices, PSW is equipping businesses with greater flexibility, transparency and operational efficiency while further strengthening the country’s unified digital trade ecosystem that seamlessly connects regulatory authorities with the private sector.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal has announced a major breakthrough for Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector following the successful Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical Business-to-Business (B2B) Conference held, here on 17-18 July.

Addressing a press conference, the Minister said the conference marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to transform Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry into a globally competitive sector, attract foreign investment, strengthen local manufacturing, and reduce dependence on imported pharmaceutical products.

“The purpose of sharing this success is to present a positive image of Pakistan to our people and the world. While challenges exist, it is equally important to highlight our achievements that restore confidence in Pakistan’s economy and its investment potential,” the Minister said.

The two-day conference brought together 240 Chinese delegates representing 140 leading Chinese pharmaceutical companies and 430 Pakistani delegates from 210 local companies, making it one of the largest Pakistan-China engagements ever held exclusively for the pharmaceutical sector.

To maximize business outcomes, the Ministry of National Health Services facilitated six weeks of virtual business matchmaking before the conference, ensuring participating companies entered the event with well-developed business discussions rather than first-time introductions.

As a result, the conference generated 340 bilateral business meetings, culminating in:

22 commercial agreements worth US$629.5 million, 84 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with an estimated value of approximately US$800 million, many of which are expected to mature into formal investment agreements.

The signed agreements span six strategic sub-sectors critical to the future of Pakistan’s healthcare industry: active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) – 2 agreements

Local Vaccine Production – 8 agreements

Clinical Trials – 2 agreements

Generic Formulations and Injectables – 2 agreements, Medical Devices Manufacturing – 8 agreements

The Minister emphasized that the government’s objective extends beyond signing MoUs, focusing instead on legally binding commercial agreements that lead to tangible investments, technology transfer, industrial growth, and employment generation.

Highlighting the government’s broader pharmaceutical reforms, the Minister noted that Pakistan has, for the first time, developed and approved a National Local Vaccine Production Policy, creating the policy framework necessary for domestic vaccine manufacturing. Currently, Pakistan administers 13 vaccines under its national immunization programme, all of which are imported. The new policy aims to establish local production capacity, improve health security, and reduce import dependence.

The Minister also identified several strategic priorities being pursued jointly with Chinese partners, including:

Development of Pakistan’s clinical trials ecosystem;

Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbal medicines;

Local manufacturing and export of medical devices;

Establishment of vocational and technical training programmes for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology workforce; and

Indigenous production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), as Pakistan currently imports approximately 95% of the raw materials used to manufacture medicines despite producing nearly 85% of its pharmaceutical products locally.

The Minister observed that healthcare is a permanent and growing global industry, and with Pakistan’s population exceeding 250 million, strengthening domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing has become both an economic and strategic necessity.

He further highlighted the government’s regulatory reforms, particularly within the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), where approximately 85% of regulatory processes have now been digitized. The reforms have substantially reduced processing times, enhanced transparency, minimized human intervention, and improved ease of doing business.

As an example, the Minister noted that the registration of medical devices, which previously required years to complete, can now be processed entirely online, with approvals being issued within 20 days, significantly improving investor confidence.

The Minister acknowledged the collective efforts of the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing, led by Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, the Ministry of National Health Services, DRAP, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the Board of Investment (BOI), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Islamabad Police, law enforcement agencies, and all public officials whose coordinated efforts ensured the successful organization of the conference.

He also appreciated the active participation of the Pakistani pharmaceutical industry and Chinese business partners, whose collaboration translated business dialogue into concrete investment commitments.

Concluding the press conference, the Minister described the conference as the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership between Pakistan and China in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the signed agreements are implemented expeditiously and translated into operational projects that strengthen Pakistan’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, create employment opportunities, increase exports, and contribute to national economic growth.