Day: July 26, 2026

Islamabad: Pakistan has completed a six-year rice productivity enhancement project in Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, introducing modern farm machinery, water-saving technologies and improved rice varieties to help narrow the gap between actual and potential yields.

According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the government adopted an integrated approach focused on modern technology, research and development, improved access to quality inputs and farmer capacity building. The measures were taken under the mega PSDP project titled ‘Productivity Enhancement of Rice’ for the period 2019-2025.

The key interventions under the project included promoting farm mechanisation through laser land levellers, mechanical rice transplanters and combine harvesters. These were provided on a 50% cost-sharing basis to encourage farmers to adopt modern rice production methods and improve field efficiency.

According to the document, smart agriculture practices were promoted under the rice productivity programme. These included precision farming, Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to improve crop management and enhance productivity.

The programme also promoted the development and introduction of high-yielding, disease-resistant and climate-resilient rice varieties through advanced research initiatives aimed at improving productivity and resilience.

Water management was another major area of intervention. Improved water-use practices were promoted through alternate wetting and drying, drip irrigation and solarisation of tube wells. These measures are important for improving production efficiency, especially in a crop where water management plays a central role.

The government also focused on the development and introduction of high-yielding, disease-resistant and climate-resilient rice varieties through advanced research initiatives.

The project also strengthened international collaboration, with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and China supporting technology transfer and the adoption of modern rice production practices in Pakistan.

Islamabad: A Pakistani business delegation led by Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, Patron-in-Chief of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry and CEO of D. Watson Group, visited the Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency of Uzbekistan to explore opportunities for cooperation in pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, healthcare services, research and investment.

Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan also attended the meeting, demonstrating the commitment of both sides to strengthening private-sector engagement and expanding economic relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, said a release issued on Saturday.

Welcoming the delegation, Mirjalal, Chief Specialist at the Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency,

informed the delegation that Uzbekistan’s market for medicines and medical devices was valued at approximately US$2. 5 billion and said the country was working to strengthen its position as a major pharmaceutical manufacturing and investment hub in Central Asia.

He said the pharmaceutical sector had a portfolio of 32 investment projects and assured Pakistani companies interested in establishing manufacturing facilities or entering into joint ventures of the Agency’s full facilitation and support.

Mirjalal further stated that, 58 medicine-manufacturing companies in Uzbekistan held national Good Manufacturing Practice certificates, while pharmaceutical products produced in the country were being supplied to 55 international markets.

He also briefed the delegation on Uzbekistan’s investment policies, including the general corporate income-tax rate of 15 percent and the incentives available to qualifying investors in specialised pharmaceutical economic zones.

He highlighted the government’s efforts to develop modern research and manufacturing infrastructure, promote technology transfer, attract foreign investment and strengthen cooperation with international pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare institutions.

Speaking on the occasion, Saidnazirkhanov Saidkamil, Director of the Department of Foreign Economic Activity at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, welcomed the Pakistani delegation and said Pakistan and Uzbekistan enjoyed close and strategic relations.

He said the Chamber regularly facilitated Pakistani business delegations and helped connect them with relevant companies, government institutions and business organisations in Uzbekistan.

He described pharmaceuticals as one of the most promising areas of bilateral cooperation and said Uzbekistan could become an important market and investment destination for Pakistani pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Saidnazirkhanov assured the delegation that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan was ready to assist Pakistani companies in identifying suitable local partners, establishing commercial contacts and benefiting from the facilities available in the country’s free economic and specialised pharmaceutical zones.

He said there was considerable potential for cooperation in medicines, medical equipment and supplies, including injection needles and other healthcare products.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said Pakistan had a well-developed pharmaceutical industry with significant capacity to meet Uzbekistan’s growing demand for quality medicines, medical supplies and healthcare products.

He said Uzbekistan offered strong potential for Pakistani investors due to its expanding domestic market, strategic location in Central Asia, investor-friendly policies and increasing focus on local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

He expressed interest in exploring investment opportunities, joint ventures and the establishment of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in collaboration with Uzbek business partners.

He emphasised the need to establish institutional linkages between the Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and relevant pharmaceutical associations, chambers and companies in Pakistan.

He said regular exchange of business delegations, market information and investment proposals would help transform the strong political relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan into mutually beneficial economic and commercial partnerships.

Zafar Bakhtawari, Secretary General of the United Business Group-FPCCI, said closer cooperation between the private sectors of Pakistan and Uzbekistan was essential for increasing bilateral trade and investment in pharmaceuticals and other priority sectors. He proposed that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan establish formal cooperation with leading chambers of commerce and industry in Pakistan.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ (CFM) Meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic, provided an opportunity not only to underscore Pakistan’s historic ties with the SCO Member States but also to reaffirm its readiness to assume the Chair of the SCO for 2026-27 and to promote the SCO agenda for socio-economic cooperation for mutual benefit.

During his participation from July 23-24, both the formal meetings and informal interactions with the Heads of Delegation of the SCO Member States were useful in highlighting Pakistan’s priorities for making SCO mechanisms more effective in advancing shared regional prosperity and economic goals, the Foreign Office Spokesperson, Saturday, said in a press release.

On the sidelines of the SCO CFM Meeting, in addition to productive and detailed discussions with the host Foreign Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister engaged extensively and exchanged in-depth views on bilateral relations and the regional situation with the Foreign Ministers of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi; the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi; the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yermek Kosherbayev; the Republic of Belarus, Maxim Ryzhenkov; the Republic of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin; and the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov.

During his visit, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister attended an informal dinner at the Cultural Center ‘Nomad’, hosted by the Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Zheenbek Moldokanovich Kulubaev, in honour of the visiting dignitaries.

The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister also called on the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov, at the State Residence of the President in Cholpon-Ata, along with the Heads of Delegation of the SCO Member States.

Conveying the greetings of Pakistan’s leadership, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan’s desire to work closely with the Kyrgyz side to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across diverse fields.

Leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO CFM Meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister delivered Pakistan’s national statement, reiterating the country’s unwavering commitment to the SCO Charter, as well as the ‘Shanghai Spirit’, which stood for mutual trust, mutual respect, shared prosperity and development.

He warned against confrontational geopolitics and the use of aggression as an instrument of policy.

In his statement, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister highlighted Pakistan’s efforts that led to the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)’ for bringing peace to the Middle East.

He underscored the importance of enhancing connectivity, transport links, poverty alleviation, as well as practical cooperation among the SCO Member States to achieve the Organisation’s objectives.

He highly praised the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which complements the SCO’s vision of regional connectivity and economic integration.

The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to assume the Chair of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) in September this year and to host the CHS Summit in 2027. He invited all SCO Member States to Pakistan for the CHS Summit next year.

During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister attended the official reception hosted by Foreign Minister Kulubaev in honour of the Foreign Ministers of the SCO Member States.

Islamabad: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has praised security forces for carrying out successful intelligence-based operations against militants in Balochistan under Operation Al-Azm, commending their professionalism and effectiveness in counterterrorism efforts.

In a statement, Naqvi said security forces are conducting effective operations against militants across Balochistan as part of Operation Al-Azm.

He specifically lauded the successful operation against militants in the Khad Kocha area of Mastung district.

The interior minister commended the professionalism of the security forces, noting that 13 militants had been killed in operations conducted under Operation Al-Azm so far. He described the forces’ actions against the militant group as commendable and reaffirmed the government’s support for ongoing counter terrorism efforts.

Naqvi said operations by security forces would continue until terrorism is eliminated from Balo

Islamabad: Under the tripartite agreement among the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Foreign language courses were introduced in colleges under FDE as part of the Prime Minister’s (PM) Initiative.

Following the successful completion of the Russian Language Course at Islamabad Model College for Boys, I-8/3, ten students and two teachers departed for Moscow on the invitation of the Government of the Russian Federation for a two-week educational exposure visit.

This achievement reflects the Government’s commitment to equipping young people with foreign-language proficiency, international exposure and skills aligned with emerging educational and employment opportunities.

The Ministry appreciates the valuable contribution and continued support of FDE, NAVTTC, NUML and the Government of the Russian Federation in making this initiative successful.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Saturday, departed Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic, for Islamabad after successfully concluding his visits to Manila, Philippines, for the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial meeting and to Kyrgyz Republic to participate in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting.

At the airport, the DPM/FM was seen off by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Kairat Erkinovich Tursunkulov, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Kyrgyz Republic Altamash Wazir and officials of the Embassy of Pakistan in Bishkek, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.