Day: July 28, 2026

Islamabad: Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, visited Lahore on Monday to offer his heartfelt condolences to Syed Almdar Hussain Shah, President of the New York Chamber of Small Business Corporation, USA, and Syed Amjad Hussain Shah, a distinguished Overseas Pakistani American, on the sad demise of their beloved mother.

The Chairman Senate expressed profound sorrow over the bereavement and prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and bless the bereaved family with patience and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Among those present on the occasion were Shehzad Malik, Amjad Javed Saleemi, Syed Musa Kazim Bukhari, Dr. Rafi Gilani, Chaudhry Nisar, Naheed Baig Advocate, Safdar Ali, Hassan Shehzad Malik, Motasim Malik, Dr. Hammad Khan, and Shehla Kalachi.

On the occasion, Syed Almdar Hussain Shah, President of the New York Chamber of Small Business Corporation, USA, expressed his sincere gratitude to Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani for personally visiting the family and extending his condolences and prayers during this difficult time.

Islamabad: The Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST) has announced that its Convocation 2026 will be held in October to honour graduating students from its Islamabad and Karachi campuses.

Announcing the convocation in a statement, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Zabta Khan Shinwari said the event was being organised with the support of Allied Bank Limited (ABL), one of the major sponsors. He thanked the bank for its valuable support and also acknowledged the contribution of Saeed Allahwala, saying their encouragement and cooperation helped make the event possible.

Professor Shinwari said the upcoming ceremonies would mark the university’s 4th and 5th convocations in the last two years, including the third convocation in Karachi and the second in the capital. He described the achievement as the successful revival of the university’s convocation tradition after a gap of nearly 15 years.

He said the restoration of regular convocations reflected the university’s commitment to recognising students’ academic achievements and strengthening its academic traditions.

Prof. Dr Shinwari also appreciated the efforts of faculty members, administrative staff, University Media team, volunteers and everyone involved in organising the event, saying the success of the convocation was the result of collective dedication and teamwork.

Congratulating the graduating students, he said the convocation would celebrate their hard work and achievements and mark the beginning of a new chapter in their professional and personal lives.

Islamabad: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday invited Chinese investors to invest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, assuring them of full support and security for investment projects in the province.

The invitation came during a meeting with a high-level delegation of Tabani Group and Shandong Hi-Speed Group, led by Hamza Tabani, Sitara-e-Imtiaz and Chairman of Tabani Group.

The meeting discussed investment opportunities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in infrastructure, energy, minerals and other sectors, besides ways to enhance economic cooperation.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Kundi said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was an ideal destination for investment due to its abundant natural resources, vast mineral reserves, hydropower potential and strategic geographical location.

He invited domestic and foreign investors, particularly Chinese companies, to undertake investment projects in the province, assuring them that the federal government and security institutions would provide all possible support and protection to facilitate a secure investment environment.

The Governor said China was Pakistan’s longstanding and trusted friend, adding that Chinese companies were already making significant investments in hydropower projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said the recent meeting between the Chinese Ambassador and the parliamentary leadership of all political parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, reflected a broad political consensus on promoting Chinese investment and ensuring the security of Chinese-funded projects.

Governor Kundi expressed hope that Chinese investors would also explore opportunities in the province’s mines and minerals sector, saying investment in the industry would accelerate industrial growth and create employment opportunities.

He said the provincial government would extend full cooperation to investors and ensure effective security arrangements for their projects.

The delegation expressed keen interest in investment opportunities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said it was evaluating prospects for investment in various sectors across the province.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui received Congressman Michael James Baumgartner, U. S. Representative for Washington’s 5th Congressional District, and Congressman Ryan Keith Zinke, U. S. Representative for Montana’s 1st Congressional District and former U. S. Secretary of the Interior, for a bilateral meeting.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, the Chairman of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), Mr. Qamar-ul-Islam Raja, the Secretary of the Ministry, and senior officials of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, said a press release on Monday.

The two sides discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the field of cybersecurity education and capacity building.

The Federal Minister highlighted the importance of developing specialised cybersecurity courses and certification programmes to equip students and professionals with the knowledge and skills required to address emerging digital security challenges. Both sides also expressed interest in promoting partnerships between Pakistani and United States universities and institutions for curriculum development, faculty collaboration, research, and knowledge sharing in cybersecurity and other emerging technologies.

Federal Minister warmly welcomed the visiting United States Congressional Delegation to Pakistan and expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the United States.

The Government of Pakistan reaffirmed that its relationship with the United States remains an important pillar of its foreign policy and noted with satisfaction that bilateral relations continue to move on a positive trajectory.

Both sides underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement to maintain this momentum and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, energy, minerals, health, education, and agriculture. Federal Minister also welcomed the resumption of Congressional Delegation (CODEL) visits and expressed the hope that such exchanges would become a regular feature of bilateral engagement.

The meeting highlighted the importance of educational cooperation as a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. The Federal Minister appreciated the continued success of the Fulbright Program and other United States-sponsored academic exchange initiatives, which remain fully funded, merit-based, and accessible to students and scholars across Pakistan through the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP). He encouraged wider participation from all provinces and academic disciplines, particularly in the fields of energy, water, agriculture, health, education, and climate-related studies.

It was noted that more than 44, 000 Pakistanis have benefited from United States Government exchange programmes, reflecting a significant investment in human capital and people-to-people ties. The Federal Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding and expanding academic collaboration with the United States through stronger partnerships between universities and research institutions.

The two sides discussed opportunities to establish joint research centres, dual-degree programmes, faculty exchanges, and collaborative initiatives in public health, climate resilience, water management, food security, and teacher education, while fully respecting the legal and regulatory frameworks of both countries. They also exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in science, technology, and innovation to address shared challenges and promote sustainable development.

Recognising the growing emphasis on critical technology security and evolving immigration and visa policies, the Federal Minister observed that United States universities and industries continue to value international STEM talent. He reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to serve as a reliable partner in information technology and innovation by promoting collaboration between Pakistani technology companies, universities, and their United States counterparts in information technology, financial technology, and agricultural technology.

The meeting also explored opportunities for targeted mobility programmes, short-term research exchanges, virtual laboratories, and joint innovation incubators to promote research, entrepreneurship, and skills development. Both sides acknowledged that education, scholarships, and innovation remain among the most effective avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation and fostering mutual understanding.

The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training reaffirmed its commitment to expanding educational cooperation with the United States and expressed confidence that sustained collaboration in education, research, innovation, and emerging technologies would further strengthen the longstanding partnership between the two countries.

Islamabad: In a historic first, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has launched a comprehensive 16-page multi-year Hajj Policy and Plan covering 2027 to 2030. Designed to bring long-term stability and cost efficiency to Hajj operations, the strategy relies on securing three- to four-year contracts in Saudi Arabia for air travel, accommodation, transport, catering, and baggage management.

Under this new framework, 60% of the overall quota is designated for the Government Scheme while 40% goes to private operators. Additionally, all paper cash transactions have been eliminated, routing all financial operations exclusively through the State Bank of Pakistan and integrated digital portals.

To help citizens plan their pilgrimage without stress, the ministry is introducing a multi-year registration list alongside a “Hajj Savings Scheme. ” By depositing 10% of the estimated total cost, applicants can lock in a priority spot on a first-come, first-served basis for their intended travel year.

Government pilgrims will have the choice between a 38-to-42-day standard long package and a 20-to-25-day short package. Maintaining financial transparency, any operational surplus left at the conclusion of the season will be refunded directly back to the pilgrims.

Major social and regulatory reforms form a central pillar of the new policy. Women are now permitted to perform Hajj without a male guardian (Mahram), provided they submit an official undertaking. Meanwhile, strict anti-monopoly measures have been established for private operators to dismantle industry cartels; buying, selling, or sub-letting Hajj quotas is strictly banned.

Private companies must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), process all data through the official Private Hajj Management Portal, and maintain specified capital reserves along with a 5% performance guarantee to secure a three-year license. Any operator failing to meet a minimum quota of 2, 000 pilgrims will be deactivated, losing half its security deposit while its pilgrims are reassigned.

Pilgrim welfare, safety, and operational readiness are also heavily prioritized in the four-part plan. Mandatory training will cover rituals, Saudi laws, health hygiene, and relevant mobile applications, while welfare assistants (Moawineen) will be recruited purely on merit according to guidelines set by the Cabinet Committee on Private Hajj Policy.

Financial protection is integrated through the Takaful-based Hujjaj Muhafiz Scheme, funded by a non-refundable PKR 1, 000 fee, offering PKR 2 million to the families of pilgrims who pass away during Hajj and PKR 250, 000 for emergency medical evacuations. Finally, an Emergency Response Team under the Director-General of Hajj has been formed to handle crisis situations, and the Federal Minister retains the authority to adapt policies as required by changing Saudi directives.