Day: July 25, 2026

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Friday said Pakistan’s future economic competitiveness depends on the adoption of robotics, automation and other emerging technologies, stressing that industrial automation is no longer a choice but a necessity.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the two-day Indus RAS (Robotics and Autonomous Systems) Expo 2026 at the Pak-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad, the minister said, “If Pakistan wants to remain economically competitive, every traditional industry must move towards automation.”

She added that reducing taxes or energy costs alone would not be enough unless industries integrated robotics and automation into manufacturing, agriculture and supply chains.

Shaza said the Indus RAS (Robotics and Autonomous Systems) Expo 2026 attracted more than 20, 000 visitors, including children, students, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and technology professionals.

She said the large and diverse turnout reflected growing national interest in robotics and autonomous technologies and demonstrated Pakistan’s expanding technological capabilities.

Shaza Fatima credited the successful organisation of the expo to the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying his support for the technology sector and recognition of digital technologies as an enabler of the entire economy had helped accelerate progress in the country’s digital transformation agenda.

She thanked the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the National Technology Fund (Ignite), the National Centre for Robotics and Automation, industry partners and young innovators for making the event a success.

The minister said the global economy was rapidly transitioning from an industrial economy to a knowledge-based economy driven by artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, blockchain and robotics.

Describing robotics and autonomous systems as the practical application of advanced digital technologies, she said the Indus RAS Expo built on the momentum generated by the recently held Indus AI Week.

Shaza Fatima said the expo was not merely about entertainment through immersive experiences, simulators and Robo Wars, but about initiating a national conversation on sustainable economic growth.

She warned that countries failing to embrace automation risked losing their competitiveness, noting that fully automated “dark factories” operating without human labour had already become a reality in several parts of the world.

Addressing farmers, manufacturers, exporters and industrialists, the minister urged them to modernise production systems, improve supply chains and enhance assembly lines through robotics and automation to strengthen Pakistan’s export competitiveness.

She said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the government to expand engagement with industrial sectors through dedicated roadshows, adding that the Ministry of Industries and Production and the Ministry of Commerce were fully supporting the initiative to promote the adoption of robotics across key sectors.

Highlighting the response to the expo, the minister said organisers received more than 500 applications from robotics companies wishing to exhibit their products, although only 54 companies, including 10 startups, could be accommodated.

She said the overwhelming response indicated that Pakistan already possessed significant indigenous capability in robotics and autonomous systems.

The next step, she said, would be to connect technology companies with industry, strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, and raise awareness among young people to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

Shaza Fatima said the expo also served as a platform to bring together all stakeholders through seminars, policy dialogues, technical training sessions and plenary discussions to promote collaboration across government, academia, industry and startups.

She said the exhibition showcased a wide range of indigenous technologies, including robotic prosthetic limbs, drone-control software, autonomous systems, AI-powered chess-playing robots, satellite development kits, logistics robots, firefighting robots, search-and-rescue robots, military autonomous systems and advanced simulators.

The minister said the technologies on display demonstrated Pakistan’s growing expertise and provided confidence that the country could become a regional leader in robotics and autonomous systems.

She said the strong public response encouraged the government to organise similar events in the future and reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies across the country’s economy.

Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced two major initiatives-Elevate and Spark-along with a $20 million fund to support startups as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s innovation and technology ecosystem.

She said the prime minister had also directed the ministry to establish an Experience Centre dedicated to simulation technologies and research and development (RandD).

The minister said the centre would develop industrial simulators and provide a platform where businesses could simulate assembly lines, manufacturing processes and real estate projects before implementing automation solutions.

She said the initiative was aimed at demonstrating that automation should be regarded as an investment rather than an expense, as it offers substantial returns through improved productivity, greater competitiveness and increased business revenues.

Shaza Fatima rejected concerns that automation would lead to widespread job losses, saying technological advancement changes the nature of employment rather than eliminating it.

“Machines will not take people’s jobs. The opportunities will belong to those who have the skills to build, operate and work alongside these technologies, ” she said.

She urged students and young people to pursue careers in emerging disciplines such as mechatronics, mathematics and electrical engineering, saying Pakistan urgently needed a skilled workforce capable of supporting the country’s transition towards an innovation-driven economy.

The minister said developing a critical mass of professionals with expertise in robotics, automation and advanced technologies was essential to creating the “Jobs of the Future” and ensuring long-term economic growth.

Shaza Fatima thanked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Prime Minister’s Office, media organisations, digital influencers, organisers and all participating teams for supporting the successful conduct of the expo.

She also expressed appreciation to the thousands of young participants and visitors whose enthusiasm and active participation contributed to the success of the event

Islamabad: Rice exports from the country during the financial year ended on June 30, 2026 were recorded at $2.291 billion as compared to the imports of $3.353 billion of the corresponding period of the last year.

During the period from July-June 2025-26, over 4.292 million metric tons of rice were exported as compared to the exports of 3.353 million tons of the same period of the last year.

Meanwhile, 794, 638 metric tons of basmati rice valued at $843.002 million were also exported as compared to the exports of 808, 069 metric tons worth of $830.570 million of the same period of the last year.

Food commodities worth $5.017 billion were exported during the financial year ended on June 30, 2026, as compared to the exports of $7.116 billion of the corresponding period of the last year, according to the data of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

During the period from July-June, 2025-26, the food group exports from the country decreased by 29.49 percent as compared to the exports of the same period of the last year.

Over 215, 170 metric tons of fish and fish products worth of $482.017 million, 533, 382 metric tons of fruit $308.130 million and 594, 104 metric tons of vegetables worth of $162.770 million were exported during the period July-June, 2026 as compared to the exports of the same period of the last year.

The country also earned $142.527 million by exporting about 46, 669 metric tons of tobacco, and $260.519 million by exporting about 243, 019 metric tons of oilseeds and nuts, respectively.

During the last financial year, about 114, 046 metric tons of meat and meat preparations worth of $530.245 million were also exported, as against the exports of 114, 157 metric tons valued at $495.109 million of the same period of the financial year 2024-25.

On the other hand, the food group imports into the country during the last financial year grew by 11.66 percent as different food commodities worth of $9.150 billion were imported as compared to the imports of $8.195 billion of the year 2024-25.

Islamabad: The Forum of Information Group Secretaries (FIGS) on Friday welcomed the government’s decision to create new posts in the Information Group, saying the move would remove a long-standing hurdle in the promotion of officers and strengthen the government’s strategic communication capacity.

In a statement, the forum thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar for taking a personal interest in resolving the long-pending issue of career progression within the Information Group.

The forum said the approval of additional posts would ease promotion bottlenecks that had affected officers for years and improve their motivation and professional commitment.

It said Information Group officers served as the government’s communication cadre, responsible for disseminating official policies and programmes, promoting public awareness, countering misinformation and disinformation, projecting Pakistan’s image domestically and internationally, and ensuring the timely dissemination of credible information.

The forum observed that strengthening the institutional capacity of the Information Group had become increasingly important amid the rapidly evolving global media environment, marked by digital communication, social media and information warfare.

It added that a professionally motivated Information Group was essential for effectively communicating government policies, safeguarding Pakistan’s national narrative and enhancing the country’s international image.

Forum Chairman Syed Anwar Mahmood described the creation of the new posts as a “momentous and far-reaching decision”, saying it recognised the contribution of Information Group officers to national communication, strategic communication, narrative building and public diplomacy.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Friday paid tribute to the security forces for their successful operation under Operation Al-Azm in the Khad Kocha area of Mastung district, where four Khawarij terrorists were killed.

In a statement, the minister said the successful elimination of the terrorists as a reflection of the security forces’ professionalism, courage and effective operational strategy.

He said the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan’s brave security personnel for the country’s peace and security were a source of pride for the entire nation.

Hanif Abbasi reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering support for the armed forces, saying that the people of Pakistan would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the security forces until terrorism was completely eradicated.

The minister further said that the nefarious designs of Khawarij and other anti-state elements would never be allowed to succeed, adding that the writ of the state would be maintained at all costs.

He reiterated that the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism remained firm and that the security forces would continue to receive the full support of the nation in their mission to ensure lasting peace and stability across the country.

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday reserved its verdict on the maintainability of petitions filed by Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha seeking suspension of their sentences in the controversial tweets case, as well as on a miscellaneous application filed by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) raising objections to the petitions.

Justice Muhammad Azam Khan heard the case.

During the hearing, counsel for the NCCIA argued that the sentence suspension petitions had been filed prematurely and requested the court to first decide the agency’s miscellaneous application challenging their maintainability.

“If the other miscellaneous application is heard first, our application will become ineffective, ” the NCCIA counsel submitted.

Counsel for the petitioners, Faisal Siddiqui, told the court that he was ready to argue the maintainability issue immediately. “They are seeking dismissal of the sentence suspension petitions. Both matters may be heard together, ” he argued.

Justice Azam Khan, however, advised Siddiqui to take sufficient time to prepare, observing that it would be in the best interest of his clients’ legal rights. Siddiqui responded that he was prepared to proceed and was willing to waive any such right.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its verdict on the question of maintainability.

Justice Azam Khan observed that the court would first pass an order on the prosecution’s application regarding the maintainability of the petitions before proceeding further in the case.

Islamabad: Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday underscored the need for national unity, inclusive development, and sustained security efforts to ensure lasting peace and prosperity in Balochistan.

Addressing participants of the National Workshop Balochistan at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the chairman senate welcomed the participants on behalf of the President Asif Ali Zardari and said the workshop had, since 2016, served as an important platform bringing together parliamentarians, bureaucrats, civil society members, academics, youth, and media representatives from across the country.

He described the initiative as a bridge connecting provinces, perspectives, and ideas to collectively address national challenges.

Emphasizing Balochistan’s strategic importance, the senate chairman said the province was central to Pakistan’s economic future and national security owing to its vast coastline along the Arabian Sea, rich mineral resources, and geographic location linking South Asia with Central Asia and the Middle East.

Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned recent terrorist attacks by the Indian-backed proxies and militant groups for attempting to destabilize Pakistan. He said terrorists had shifted their focus from military targets to civilians in an act of desperation.

Paying tribute to the armed forces, Frontier Corps, police, and other law enforcement agencies, Mr. Gilani praised their professionalism and sacrifices in combating terrorism. He reiterated that the entire nation stood firmly behind the country’s security institutions and honoured those who had laid down their lives in the line of duty.

However, he stressed that military action alone could not guarantee sustainable peace. “The people of Balochistan, particularly its youth, must remain at the centre of the province’s future. Their participation, ownership, and trust are essential for lasting peace and meaningful development, ” he said.

Recalling his tenure as prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani highlighted measures taken to address Balochistan’s longstanding concerns. These included the unanimous approval of the Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan Package, implementation of the Seventh National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, settlement of outstanding gas development surcharges and royalties, introduction of special quotas for Baloch youth in federal institutions and the armed forces, and efforts aimed at political dialogue and reconciliation.

He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to protecting provincial rights, strengthening the federation, and ensuring equitable development across the country. “Development without security is hollow, security without unity is fragile, and unity without understanding is impossible, ” he remarked.

The senate chairman encouraged them to act as ambassadors of national cohesion by promoting constitutional values, respecting diversity, and strengthening democratic institutions. He said prosperity remained the most sustainable path to peace, noting that education, employment, and improved infrastructure were key to preventing extremism and building resilient communities.

He also expressed confidence in the participants’ ability to contribute positively to Pakistan’s future. He urged them to carry forward a deeper understanding of Balochistan’s challenges and opportunities and to work collectively for a united, peaceful, and prosperous Pakistan.