Day: July 30, 2026

Islamabad: In a landmark move to strengthen the ease of doing business in the federal capital, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) have reached a principled agreement to establish a Business Facilitation Centre (BFC) at the CDA, offering the business community a one-window platform for faster, more efficient resolution of regulatory and administrative matters.

The breakthrough was achieved during a meeting between Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Lt. (Retd.) Sohail Ashraf, who also serves as the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, and an ICCI delegation led by President Sardar Tahir Mehmood, said a press release.

Establishment of the proposed business centre was reflecting a shared commitment to creating a more investor-friendly business environment, streamlining public services, and removing obstacles to commercial growth.

Under the proposed Business Facilitation Centre, entrepreneurs, investors and traders will be able to access multiple CDA-related services through a single platform, significantly reducing procedural delays and improving coordination with relevant departments.

In another major decision, the CDA Chairman agreed to undertake a comprehensive review of Floor Area Ratio (FAR) charges in response to concerns raised by the business community.

He assured the delegation that all legitimate issues affecting traders, developers and investors would be addressed through practical, transparent and business-friendly measures aimed at encouraging investment and accelerating commercial activity.

Reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to the private sector, the CDA Chairman said the business community is a key driver of Pakistan’s economic growth and assured that the CDA would continue to facilitate investment, promote ease of doing business, and provide every possible support for sustainable economic development.

The meeting also featured detailed discussions on a wide range of issues, including Estate Management-I (EM-I), Estate Management-II (EM-II), affectees, land-related matters, rehabilitation, the Building Control Section (BCS), the real estate sector, and other administrative challenges confronting businesses in Islamabad.

Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood said that investor confidence is built on efficient governance, predictable regulations and strong institutional cooperation.

He welcomed the establishment of the Business Facilitation Centre and the decision to review FAR charges, describing them as transformative initiatives that would substantially improve the ease of doing business, resolve longstanding concerns of the business community, and reinforce Islamabad’s position as a preferred destination for investment and enterprise.

Islamabad: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has imposed over Rs. 4.73 billion in penalties across 531 adjudication proceedings between February and June 2026.

Since the new Commissioners assumed charge in February, the SECP has stepped up its enforcement drive to strengthen compliance with corporate governance and regulatory requirements across listed and unlisted companies, financial institutions, and the insurance sector, reinforcing market integrity and protecting investors.

In the realm of listed companies, a total of 99 proceedings were concluded for various violations of the Companies Act, 2017 (the Act), and the relevant regulatory framework, resulting in the imposition of penalties exceeding Rs. 9.10 million.

Common violations included failure to hold statutory meetings on time, non-compliance with statutory disclosure and reporting requirements, breaches of corporate governance provisions, and non-compliance with financial reporting obligations.

Violations also included failure to ensure the required composition of Boards of Directors, including the appointment of independent and female directors.

These requirements are essential to protecting shareholders’ rights, particularly those of minority shareholders.

Under the capital markets regulatory framework, the SECP concluded 69 proceedings involving violations of the Securities Act, 2015, and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010.

These proceedings resulted in regulatory directions for rectification and penalties exceeding Rs. 1.61 million. The violations included non-compliance with takeover regulations, beneficial ownership disclosure requirements, and corporate governance provisions.

Similarly, effective enforcement action was taken against Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) through the conclusion of 53 proceedings, resulting in the imposition of penalties exceeding Rs. 1.47 million.

The proceedings related to violations of the applicable regulatory framework, including deficiencies in customer verification, compliance with targeted financial sanctions and other requirements under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, as well as other applicable regulatory requirements.

In the insurance sector, 25 proceedings were concluded through adjudication orders, resulting in penalties exceeding Rs. 2.11 million.

The violations mainly related to non-compliance with requirements for the timely settlement of policyholders’ claims, insurers’ solvency requirements, reinsurance arrangements, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, and other applicable regulatory requirements.

Against private and unlisted companies, 285 adjudication proceedings were concluded during the reporting period, resulting in the imposition of penalties amounting to Rs. 4.7 billion.

These included penalty orders against three companies and their directors for engaging in illegal deposit-taking activities in contravention of Section 84 of the Companies Act, 2017.

Additionally, the Commission placed special emphasis on enforcing compliance by State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2017.

In this regard, 117 adjudication orders were passed against SOEs, of which 87 resulted in the imposition of penalties, while 30 companies were issued warnings after rectifying the identified non-compliances during the adjudication proceedings.

Chairman SECP Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said, “Compliance with the law is not optional. Our enforcement actions send a clear message that violations will not be tolerated. We will continue to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance, protect investors, and ensure transparent, fair, and accountable markets.”

Islamabad: The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained under selling pressure on Wednesday, losing 1,580.90 points, a negative change of 0.89 percent, to close at 176,042.99 points against 177,623.88 points recorded in the previous trading session.

The ready market witnessed a trading volume of 574.076 million shares, compared to 958.014 million shares traded on Tuesday, while the traded value declined to Rs25.369 billion from Rs41.566 billion. Market capitalisation also fell to Rs19.778 trillion from Rs19.951 trillion recorded a day earlier.

Out of 495 companies that traded in the ready market, 129 posted gains, 330 suffered losses, while 36 remained unchanged, reflecting a predominantly bearish trend across the market.

Cnergyico PK led the volume chart with 58.656 million shares, followed by Siddiqsons Tin with 50.224 million shares and WorldCall Telecom with 48.952 million shares.

Among the top gainers, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited surged by Rs177.08 to close at Rs25,480.00, while Khyber Textile Mills Limited advanced by Rs90.12 to settle at Rs2,088.41.

On the losing side, PIA Holding Company LimitedB declined by Rs495.32 to close at Rs17,674.68, while Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited fell by Rs133.71 to Rs1,203.44.

In the futures (DFC) market, turnover stood at 400.821 million shares with a traded value of Rs18.079 billion, compared with 510.216 million shares worth Rs21.937 billion in the previous session.

Of the 304 companies traded in the futures market, 37 advanced, 266 declined and one remained unchanged.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah will participate in the two-day Turkish Festival, being held in Chicago on August 1-2 under the auspices of the Zakat Foundation of America.

The festival will bring together members of the Turkish, Pakistani, Arab and wider Muslim communities, providing a platform for dialogue on issues of shared social and humanitarian importance.

During the festival, the federal minister will address an international session titled “Poverty: A Global Threat.”

He will highlight Pakistan’s efforts in poverty alleviation, outline the government’s social protection initiatives, and discuss the role of the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety in supporting vulnerable communities.

He will also share Pakistan’s experience and recommendations for addressing poverty through international cooperation.

On the second day of the festival, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah will participate in a special session on the life and teachings of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi His remarks will focus on Rumi’s enduring message of love, peace, spirituality and humanity, while highlighting the shared cultural and spiritual heritage between Pakistan and Trkiye.

As part of the programme, the federal minister will visit the headquarters of the Zakat Foundation of America, where he is scheduled to meet the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Halil Demir. He will also interact with members of the Pakistani-American community.

During the visit, he will be briefed on the Foundation’s humanitarian and development initiatives in Pakistan and its global relief efforts, with discussions focusing on opportunities for continued cooperation in poverty alleviation and social welfare.

Islamabad: Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE), Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Wednesday announced the results of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Part I and Part II First Annual Examination 2026, with an overall pass percentage of 59.77 per cent in SSC-I and 91.33 per cent in SSC-II.

The results were officially declared during a ceremony attended by Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training as the chief guest alongwith academicians, position holders, their parents, principals and Board officials.

The Board Chairman Prof Dr Ikram Ali Malik briefed participants on the key features of the examination and the Board’s performance.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui congratulated the successful candidates and urged them to continue striving for excellence and contribute to the country’s progress through hard work and dedication.

According to the Board, overall 150,077 including regular and Ex/private candidates were enrolled in SSC-I, of whom 88,646 passed, resulting in an overall pass percentage of 59.77.

Whereas overall 141,653 candidates appeared in SSC-II of whom 128,070 passed the exam with percentage stands at 91.33.

The FBISE said the results are available on its official website, through SMS and have also been communicated to candidates through SMS.

Islamabad: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan and Member of the National Assembly Farooq Sattar on Wednesday discussed measures to promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with a focus on boosting industrial productivity, employment and sustainable economic growth.

During a meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on strengthening the MSME sector through policy support, enhanced industrial competitiveness and entrepreneurship, a news release said.

Haroon Akhtar Khan said the MSME sector was the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, playing a pivotal role in employment generation, industrial development, entrepreneurship and export growth.

He said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, was implementing comprehensive reforms and policy measures to promote MSMEs and create a business-friendly environment across the country.

The SAPM said a stronger MSME sector would generate more employment opportunities, increase exports and enhance industrial production, thereby contributing to long-term economic prosperity.

He said the government remained committed to facilitating the business community, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises, through business-friendly policies, improved access to finance, adoption of modern technologies and enhanced institutional support.

Haroon Akhtar Khan said empowering MSMEs was among the government’s key priorities, adding that a vibrant MSME sector was essential for sustainable economic growth, industrial competitiveness and inclusive national development.

Farooq Sattar appreciated the government’s initiatives to promote the MSME sector and assured his full support for policies aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship, industrial development and economic growth in the country.