Day: July 30, 2026

Islamabad: Pakistan’s border management received a boost as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) took over new equipment and three transport vans from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under a four-year project funded by the Government of Japan.

The support includes modern systems for 21 FIA operational points, three international airports, and training programs for more than 150 FIA officers and over 200 officials and partners.

The handover ceremony was held at FIA Headquarters in Islamabad and was attended by Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Akamatsu Shuichi, IOM Pakistan Chief of Mission Mio Sato, FIA Director General Dr. Usman Anwar, and representatives of the Embassy of Japan, IOM, and FIA.

The project aims to strengthen Pakistan’s border management system, improve migration governance, and support efforts against human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants.

The equipment includes biometric devices, IT systems, surveillance tools, communication equipment, security systems, and solar-powered solutions. These resources will be used at 21 FIA locations across the country. Support was also provided to the FIA National Command and Control Centre at headquarters to improve intelligence sharing and coordination against transnational crimes, including human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and cybercrime.

Three transport vans were also handed over for deployment at Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore international airports. The vehicles will help provide safe transport and reception for returning migrants.

As part of the project, the FIA Training Academy was upgraded in March 2026 with improved IT facilities, security systems, and renovated training areas. The academy trains around 1,000 officers every year, and the new facilities are expected to strengthen future training.

The initiative also focused on capacity building. More than 150 FIA officers received training on rights-based border management, investigation methods, and document and biometric verification. A group of FIA master trainers, including women officers, was also prepared to continue training within the department.

In addition, more than 200 participants, including FIA officials, provincial police officers, and civil society representatives, attended training on identifying and assisting victims of trafficking and migrant smuggling. Women made up more than half of the participants.

FIA Director General Dr. Usman Anwar said the partnership had strengthened Pakistan’s ability to improve border management and coordinated action against transnational crime.

Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi said Japan would continue supporting border management systems that protect both national security and human dignity. IOM Pakistan Chief of Mission Mio Sato said the project had strengthened institutions and systems that would support Pakistan’s future border management needs.

The ceremony concluded with IOM and FIA thanking the Government of Japan for its continued support and reaffirming their commitment to improving migration governance in Pakistan.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister of the State of Kuwait on Wednesday co-chaired delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and reviewed the entire spectrum bilateral relations to further strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, labour, agriculture, information technology, health, mining and minerals, defence, and the broader economic partnership.

During the meeting, they agreed to further institutionalise bilateral cooperation through enhanced linkages and regular high-level exchanges, a press release issued by the Foreign Office said.

The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination and cooperation at multilateral forums on issues of mutual interest.

The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister thanked the Government and people of Pakistan for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The deputy prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s deep commitment to its longstanding brotherly relations with Kuwait and underscored desire to further expand the mutually beneficial partnership across all areas of cooperation.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest, including the situation in the Middle East and Palestine. The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.

Islamabad: OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), in collaboration with the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), has announced a two-week Future Farming Training Program aimed at enhancing agricultural capacity and promoting climate-smart farming across OIC Member and Observer States.

The hybrid training program, scheduled from October 19 to 30 will combine in-person sessions in Islamabad with online participation, bringing together agriculture professionals, researchers, students, entrepreneurs and farmers from across the OIC region.

The initiative seeks to address key challenges facing agriculture, including climate change, water scarcity, low productivity and limited adoption of modern technologies by equipping participants with advanced knowledge and practical skills in precision and digital agriculture, plant biotechnology, sustainable farming, post-harvest management and agri-value chains.

A total of 20 participants will attend the program in person, including 10 from OIC Member and Observer States and 10 from Pakistan, while up to 1,000 participants are expected to join online.

The applicants must possess at least 16 years of education (BS) in agricultural sciences or a related field, have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience, and be between 20 and 40 years of age.

The program is open to agriculturists, farmers, agribusiness professionals, students and young entrepreneurs from both the public and private sectors. Women agri-entrepreneurs and progressive farmers have been particularly encouraged to apply.

Selected participants from OIC Member and Observer States will receive support covering air travel, visa fees, accommodation and meals.

The participants who successfully complete the training and final assessment will be awarded certificates.

The program will be organized with the support of leading Pakistani institutions, including Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, National Agricultural Research Centre, Allama Iqbal Open University, National University of Sciences and Technology and Quaid-i-Azam University.

The last date for submission of applications is August 20, 2026. The applicants can access the web link

https://comstech.org/oic-comstech-future-farming-training-program-for-oic-member-states-2-weeks/ for further information.

Islamabad: The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, through its National Curriculum Council Wing (NCCW), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pakistan and ACT International, today launched the Grade IV Digital Life Skills-Based Education (LSBE) Learning Management System (LMS) Pilot in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), marking a significant step towards integrating digital innovation into school education and promoting essential life skills among young learners.

The launch ceremony was held at Islamabad College for Boys, G-6/3, and was attended by senior government officials, representatives of UNFPA Pakistan, development partners, education experts, school leaders, and teachers. Federal Secretary, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Mr. Nadeem Mahbub, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Addressing the ceremony, the Federal Secretary reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to modernising the education sector through innovation and technology. He stated that quality education should not only focus on academic excellence but also equip children with practical life skills, including critical thinking, effective communication, problem-solving, and informed decision-making, enabling them to become responsible and productive citizens. He described the digitisation of the Grade IV LSBE curriculum as an important milestone in preparing children for the opportunities and challenges of the twenty-first century.

The Digital LSBE Learning Management System provides an interactive, age-appropriate, and gender-sensitive curriculum for Grade IV students while equipping teachers with modern digital teaching resources. The three-month pilot will be implemented in twenty schools across Islamabad Capital Territory, including eight schools under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and twelve schools under the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA). The initiative will assess the effectiveness of the digital platform, with findings expected to guide future policy decisions and support its phased expansion to additional grades and schools across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Gulnara Kadyrkulova, Deputy Representative of UNFPA Pakistan, reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to supporting adolescents and young people through quality Life Skills-Based Education. She noted that the programme equips children with the knowledge, values, and practical skills needed to make informed decisions while fostering confidence, empathy, effective communication, and respect for diversity. She added that the digital platform would further strengthen inclusive, learner-centred education and improve access to quality learning resources for both teachers and students.

The Grade IV Digital LSBE LMS Pilot reflects the strong partnership between the Government of Pakistan, UNFPA Pakistan, and ACT International and reaffirms their shared commitment to advancing inclusive, innovative, and future-ready education for every child.

Islamabad: Chairperson of the Peace and Culture Organization and wife of incarcerated Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik, Mushaal Hussein Mullick on Wednesday called on the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government and protesting groups to immediately begin meaningful negotiations to resolve the ongoing political crisis, restore public confidence and ease tensions that have disrupted daily life, business, tourism and transport across the region for more than a month.

In a statement on the situation in AJK, Ms Malik urged both sides to demonstrate flexibility and responsibility, warning that the prevailing atmosphere of mistrust had left citizens anxious and damaged the region’s image at a critical time.

She said tensions in AJK should be defused through dialogue and consensus, stressing that confidence building measures were essential for restoring normalcy and stability.

Describing AJK as the base camp of the Kashmir freedom movement, she said all stakeholders must reflect on their responsibilities and act in the broader interests of the Kashmiri cause.

Ms Malik said the developments in AJK were drawing international attention, adding that members of the Kashmiri diaspora around the world were deeply concerned about the situation.

She noted that transport services, tourism activities and business operations had been severely affected during the prolonged unrest, creating hardships for ordinary citizens and hurting the local economy.

“Our shoulders carry the responsibility of the blood of millions of martyrs of occupied Kashmir,” she said, emphasizing that the ultimate objective remained the liberation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir from Indian rule.

She appealed to the government and protesters to prioritize dialogue over confrontation and work together to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the crisis.