Day: July 28, 2026

Islamabad: Punjab will train at least 10, 000 teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and green skills under a $100 million Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded programme aimed at strengthening secondary education in the province.

According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the Responsive, Ready and Resilient STEM Secondary Education in Punjab programme will run until June 2030.

It aims to improve access to quality STEM education, particularly for girls, while upgrading school infrastructure, laboratories and teacher training.

The programme targets an increase of at least 50, 000 students in Grades 9 and 10 in participating schools, with girls accounting for at least half of the additional enrolment.

It also plans to construct or renovate multipurpose STEM laboratories in at least 2, 300 schools and equip them with modern software and laboratory equipment.

According to the documents, the programme will deliver gender-sensitive and inclusive STEM and green skills training to at least 10, 000 teachers.

It will also establish STEM and green skills clubs expected to benefit at least 40, 000 girls in programme-supported schools.

The initiative further includes strengthening school leadership, outsourcing laboratory management in at least 100 participating schools to private-sector partners, and improving learning outcomes for Grade 10 science students.

The STEM programme is intended to strengthen science education and equip students with practical knowledge and skills needed for future education and employment opportunities.

Islamabad: Dar-ul-Madina International University (DMIU) will host its ‘Poster Presentation and Innovation Gala 2026’ on July 28 at the university’s Seminar Hall, where students from various disciplines will present research projects, innovative ideas and practical solutions to real-world challenges before a panel of leading academics, researchers and education experts from across Pakistan.

The event, scheduled from 2: 00 p. m to 5:00 p. m, aims to provide students with a platform to showcase their research work, creativity and problem-solving abilities through poster presentations and innovation projects.

Prominent professors, researchers and educationists from different universities will serve as experts and examiners.

They will assess the presentations and offer professional feedback, academic guidance and recommendations to help students strengthen their research and analytical skills.

University officials said the initiative reflects DMIU’s commitment to promoting research, innovation, critical thinking and practical education while encouraging students to engage in academic dialogue and collaborative learning.

Faculty members, students, educationists and guests from various universities are expected to attend the event.

Representatives of print, electronic and digital media will also cover the gala to highlight the research achievements and creative contributions of participating students.

Islamabad: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday granted the Federal Police a further seven-day physical remand of suspect Saad Abbasi in the murder case of Pakistan Air Force Group Captain, (Shaheed) Asim Tariq.

ATC Judge, Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the case after the expiry of the suspect’s previous seven-day physical remand.

During the hearing, Prosecutor Raja Naveed Hussain Kiani requested a further 15-day physical remand, informing the court that the pistol allegedly used in the murder had been recovered.

He submitted that the suspect had concealed the weapon after the incident and that investigators still needed to recover his mobile phone and complete further investigation. After hearing the arguments, the court reserved its decision on the remand request.

Later, the court granted a further seven-day physical remand of the accused and handed him over to the Federal Police. The court directed the investigating authorities to produce the suspect again on August 3.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday held an interactive session with participants of the URAAN Overseas Pakistanis Summer Scholars Programme, a six-week internship initiative organized by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives.

The programme brings together overseas Pakistani students and young scholars from leading international universities, providing them an opportunity to engage with public institutions and contribute their education, research, and international exposure towards Pakistan’s development and prosperity, said a release issued here on Monday.

Welcoming the participants to the Finance Division, the Finance Minister appreciated the initiative for strengthening engagement with Pakistan’s young global talent. He encouraged the scholars to remain connected with the country and leverage their knowledge, innovation, and international experience to contribute towards Pakistan’s long-term economic development.

During the interaction, the Finance Minister shared an overview of Pakistan’s economic outlook and the Government’s reform agenda. He highlighted the progress made over the past two and a half years in strengthening macroeconomic stability and noted that the Government’s focus is now on achieving sustainable economic growth through higher exports, increased investment, fiscal discipline, and continued structural reforms. He emphasized that creating an enabling environment for private sector-led growth remains central to the Government’s economic strategy.

The Finance Minister also highlighted recent improvements in Pakistan’s sovereign credit profile and shared the Government’s efforts to strengthen engagement with international capital markets.

He referred to Pakistan’s successful return to global capital markets, including the inaugural Panda Bond issuance, and outlined ongoing initiatives to diversify financing sources through innovative financial instruments. He also noted that these developments reflect growing international confidence in Pakistan’s economic direction and reform agenda.

Highlighting the Government’s efforts to position Pakistan for the digital economy, the Finance Minister briefed the participants on the establishment of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) to provide a modern regulatory framework for digital assets. He emphasized that the initiative would promote responsible innovation, strengthen regulatory oversight, and enable Pakistan to capitalize on emerging opportunities in digital finance.

Finance Minister further outlined the Government’s measures to improve the business environment by reducing the cost of doing business through rationalized taxation, affordable financing, competitive energy pricing, and reforms aimed at strengthening export competitiveness. He underscored the importance of productivity, innovation, and export diversification to enhance Pakistan’s competitiveness and support sustainable economic growth.

During an interactive question-and-answer session, participants exchanged views with the Finance Minister on a range of issues, including economic reforms, export promotion, climate finance, and investment opportunities.

Finance Minister encouraged the scholars to apply their education, research, and international exposure in contributing to Pakistan’s economic transformation and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to creating opportunities for young professionals to play a meaningful role in the country’s future.

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday paid tribute to Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, on his 78th martyrdom anniversary, commending his sacrifice, unwavering bravery, and selfless devotion to the motherland.

In their separately issued statements, the president and the prime minister expressed homage on behalf of the entire nation, highlighting that the martyr set an everlasting benchmark of duty, valor, and patriotism by rendering his life for the freedom of Kashmir during the First Kashmir War on July 27, 1948.

Highlighting his distinction as Pakistan’s first Nishan-e-Haider recipient, they said that his unique honor and unforgettable sacrifice for the nation would endure forever.

President Zardari said that the Captain Sarwar Shaheed’s ultimate sacrifice for Kashmir’s liberation remained a timeless symbol of bravery, duty, and patriotism.

He emphasized that the brave officer created a legacy that coming generations would always recall with deep respect and pride. The martyrs who laid down their lives for the defense of Pakistan remain a precious national asset, he added.

He said that the martyr etched his name in history through exceptional devotion to duty, courage, valor, and professional strategy and that brave soldiers like him were the pride of the nation and the guarantee of Pakistan’s invincible defense.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said that through his steadfastness and bravery, Captain Sarwar Shaheed demonstrated that the entire nation stood as an iron wall when it comes to defending the motherland. His patriotic spirit, sense of duty, and timeless sacrifice on the battlefield will continue to serve as a guiding light for future generations, he added.

Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed that the nation remained immensely proud of Captain Sarwar Shaheed and all the martyrs who laid down their lives in defense of Pakistan.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Mustafa Kamal, visited the near completion 200-bed New Emergency Center at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where he was briefed by the hospital administration on the project’s progress, available medical facilities, and various stages of completion.

During the briefing, officials informed the Minister that the state-of-the-art emergency facility is in its final phase of becoming operational. The Minister directed the concerned authorities to ensure that all cleaning, finishing, and technical work is completed in accordance with the highest quality standards.

Highlighting the increasing patient load at PIMS, Mustafa Kamal emphasized that the early operationalization of the new emergency center is an urgent necessity. He instructed the relevant authorities to expedite the completion of the project and make the facility available to the public at the earliest. He also directed that the process for completing the project’s PC-4 documentation be accelerated to avoid any delays.

The Minister was informed that the new emergency center will feature a 30-bed Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), a 10-bed Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), two state-of-the-art operation theatres, and two minor operation theatres, significantly enhancing the hospital’s emergency and critical care capacity.

Speaking on the occasion, Mustafa Kamal stated that the Government is taking practical steps to ensure the provision of timely, high-quality emergency healthcare services to the public. He said the establishment of this modern emergency center at PIMS would mark a significant milestone in strengthening Pakistan’s public healthcare system and improving emergency medical services.

Later, the Federal Health Minister also visited the Pediatric Emergency Center established at PIMS with the support of the ChildLife Foundation, where he reviewed the healthcare services being provided to children.

The Minister reaffirmed that providing children with timely, high-quality, and safe healthcare services remains one of the Government’s highest priorities. He stressed that no negligence or shortcomings in pediatric healthcare would be tolerated and assured that every possible resource would be utilized to provide children with the best available medical treatment.

Mustafa Kamal further reiterated the Ministry of National Health Services’ commitment to improving the performance of public sector hospitals and ensuring better healthcare services for all citizens.