Day: July 30, 2026

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President ICCI bids farewell to Outgoing Indonesian trade Counsellor Axelsyah R. Miraza


Islamabad: The President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Sardar Tahir Mehmood, hosted a farewell reception in honour of Axelsyah R. Miraza, Economic and Trade Counsellor at the Embassy of Indonesia in Islamabad, marking the successful completion of his three-year diplomatic tenure in Pakistan.



On the occasion, President ICCI Sardar Tahir Mehmood presented a commemorative shield to Miraza in recognition of his outstanding services and valuable contribution to strengthening economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Indonesia.



The farewell ceremony was attended by prominent business leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, senior officials, and Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma, former Charg© d’Affaires and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Indonesia.



Addressing the gathering, ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood paid rich tribute to Miraza for his tireless efforts in promoting bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries.



He praised his instrumental role in bringing the business communities of Pakistan and Indonesia closer and creating new avenues for commercial engagement.



President ICCI described Miraza as a highly competent, dedicated, and approachable diplomat who performed his responsibilities with professionalism and sincerity.



Tahir noted that Miraza’s deep understanding of economic diplomacy and his constructive engagement with stakeholders had earned him widespread respect in both diplomatic and business circles.



“Mr. Miraza has made remarkable contributions towards enhancing trade relations between Pakistan and Indonesia. His commitment to promoting economic cooperation has left a lasting impact, and his efforts will continue to benefit both nations,” said Sardar Tahir Mehmood.



The ICCI President also extended his best wishes to Miraza for continued success in his diplomatic career and a prosperous future for him and his family. He added that Miraza’s strong affinity for Pakistan and his practical approach to economic diplomacy had helped create new opportunities for trade, investment, and institutional collaboration.



Business leaders attending the reception also paid glowing tribute to Miraza’s dedication and commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and fostering stronger economic partnerships between the two friendly countries.



In his remarks, Axelsyah R. Miraza thanked ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood and his team for organising the farewell reception and honoring him.



He appreciated the ICCI’s significant role in promoting trade and economic ties between Indonesia and Pakistan.



Miraza described Pakistan as a market with immense potential for Indonesian businesses. He noted that Indonesia, the largest economy in the ASEAN region and a trillion-dollar economy, could serve as a catalyst for integrating Pakistan with the vast ASEAN market.



He further stated that the current era is characterized by regional economic integration and that Pakistan and Indonesia have significant opportunities to strengthen regional connectivity through enhanced trade, investment, and economic cooperation.



The ceremony concluded with participants expressing gratitude for Miraza’s remarkable contributions and wishing him every success in his future diplomatic assignments.



The business community leaders expressed confidence that the strong foundation laid during his tenure would further deepen the longstanding friendship and economic partnership between Pakistan and Indonesia in the years to come.



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PFA inspects 83 food outlets,imposed fines


Gujrat: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Wednesday inspected 83 food outlets and imposed fines totaling Rs79,000 on five food business operators for violating food safety regulations.



According to a PFA spokesperson, notices were issued to 28 food business operators during the inspection campaign, while cases were also registered against violators.



The inspection teams discarded 100 litres of contaminated water during the operation.



The authority would continue its inspection and enforcement activities without interruption to ensure the provision of safe and quality food to the public,spokesperson concluded.



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Pakistan demands full UNSC Resolution 2803 implementation for Gaza ceasefire and Palestinian statehood


United nations: Pakistan has called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 during the quarterly debate on the Middle East, urging unhindered humanitarian aid in war-shattered Gaza, a lasting ceasefire, and a time-bound political path to Palestinian statehood.



“While the (2025) ceasefire and (US) President (Donald) Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict have provided an important opportunity to alleviate humanitarian suffering and advance a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, delays in full implementation of these efforts require urgent attention,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, told the 15-member Council.



“It is imperative to uphold the commitments reflected in the Peace Plan and Security Council resolution 2803 that endorsed it,” he said, warning that “failure to act now risks irreparably undermining the prospects for a just and lasting peace.”



Tuesday’s meeting was organized by the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Council’s president for the month of July.



It took place amid mounting regional tensions as the US-Iran war continues and a rising number of Israeli attacks are threatening Gaza’s fragile October ceasefire that ended two years of war with Hamas in which tens of thousands of Palestinians men, women and children were killed.



The Pakistani envoy expressed “grave concern” over continued Israeli settlement expansion, the establishment of new settlement outposts, and increased incidents of settler violence that alter the demographic and geographic character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.



In this context, Ambassador Asim Ahmad cited the so- called ‘Crimson Thread’ project, a planned 500-kilometere network of walls and military roads bisecting the Jordan valley, as these efforts to isolate Palestinian communities and sever the Jordan Valley from the rest of the West Bank undermine the viability and territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian State.



The ceasefire and the implementation of elements of the Peace Plan have yielded some improvements in Gaza, but 59 percent of the population still faces crisis-level food insecurity, he said, pointing out that over 1,100 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire. “That calls into question the full and faithful implementation of the Plan,” the Pakistani envoy stressed.



“Nearly two million people remain confined to just 30 percent of Gaza’s territory, enduring catastrophic living conditions,” he told the Council, noting reports of a massive earthen barrier being constructed across Gaza that entrenches Israeli occupation and control over nearly 70 percent of the territory.



In this regard, Ambassador Asim Ahmad demanded an immediate halt to all settlement activities and reject any attempts at annexation, forced displacement, or alteration of the demographic and geographic character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions.



He also called for ensuring international protection for the Palestinian people, as also urged by Palestinian President Mehmood Abbas in his recent letter, and hold accountable those responsible for crimes and violations committed against civilians, and securing the immediate, unconditional release of withheld Palestinian revenues, to enable the Palestinian Authority to continue delivering essential public services



“The only credible path to a just and lasting peace is the establishment of an independent, sovereign, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.”



In the broader context, he said, Pakistan continues to follow with deep concern the recent developments that are further escalating regional tensions, and reiterates its strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all brotherly countries in the region, and urges all sides to exercise restraint, take immediate steps towards de-escalation and uphold respective commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.



On its part, he said Pakistan remains committed to providing all support towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region through dialogue and diplomacy.



In Lebanon, the Pakistani envoy said, the full implementation of Resolution 1701 remains essential for achieving lasting peace and stability. Pakistan, he said, appreciates the diplomatic efforts led by the U.S. to consolidate the cessation of hostilities and advance a durable peace in Lebanon.



Pakistan, he said, supports a Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process for comprehensive and lasting peace in Yemen, and condemns attacks against Saudi Arabia and all attacks against commercial shipping, which threaten global trade and regional security.



“Pakistan is deeply concerned over attempts to drag the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into the conflict in the Middle East and reiterates its unwavering support for the security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity of the brotherly Kingdom.”



Briefing the Council, Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said that the situation in the West Bank was “rapidly deteriorating, with escalation increasingly likely unless immediate steps are taken to reverse course.



‘The Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and Security Council resolution 2803 (2025) must be implemented in full,’ he stressed.



In Gaza, Alakbarov, described progress in clearing solid waste from key areas and coordinating the entry of sanitation equipment and supplies ‘highly insufficient’ given the immense needs.



Among them, he pointed to displacement, overcrowded living conditions, widespread destruction and near-daily casualties caused by Israeli military operations.



‘Human dignity should not be conditional,’ Alakbarov insisted.



He called for accelerating the transition to early recovery by restoring livelihoods, rehabilitating essential infrastructure, providing dignified shelter and supporting Palestinian institutions.



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KP police announces major reshuffle of senior officers


Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Department has announced a reshuffle involving senior officers, with several key appointments and transfers aimed at improving administrative and training affairs within the force.



Under the new postings, BS-20 officer Shaukat Abbas has been appointed as Commandant of Police Training College (PTC) Hangu.



He will oversee matters related to professional training and capacity building of police personnel at the institution.



Meanwhile, BS-20 officer Sher Akbar has been transferred from the position of DIG Welfare and assigned new responsibilities.



He has also been given the additional charge of Director General Coordination Unit.



In another development, BS-20 officer Rizwan Manzoor has been relieved of his duties as Commandant PTC Hangu and directed to report to the Central Police Office (CPO) Peshawar for attending the 125th National Management Course (NMC).



The latest changes are part of routine administrative adjustments within the KP Police aimed at ensuring effective management and strengthening institutional capacity.



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Ayaz pays tribute to security forces for eliminating 32 terrorists in KP, Balochistan


Islamabad: Speaker of National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Wednesday paid tribute to the security forces for successfully eliminating 32 terrorists during intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.



In a statement, the Speaker commended the professionalism, courage and unwavering commitment of the security forces, saying they had foiled the nefarious designs of terrorists through timely and effective action.



He said the successful operations against terrorism reflected the bravery of the armed forces and the nation’s unflinching resolve to eradicate the menace of terrorism.



The minister reaffirmed that the entire nation would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with its security forces until terrorism was completely eliminated.



Ayaz Sadiq said terrorists would never succeed in achieving their malicious objectives, adding that the sacrifices rendered by the martyrs in the fight against terrorism were a source of immense pride for the entire nation.



He said the sacrifices of the security forces remained a guarantee of Pakistan’s peace, security and stability, adding that the country’s brave personnel had consistently thwarted the hostile designs of enemies and terrorist elements on every front.



The Speaker said the nation was proud of the professionalism, courage and sacrifices of its security forces, whose unwavering dedication continued to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and ensure lasting peace.



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Documented tobacco sector paid Rs41bn more in taxes after enforcement drive: FTT


Islamabad: The documented tobacco sector contributed an additional Rs41 billion in taxes during fiscal year 2025-26, bringing total collections to Rs357 billion, following intensified enforcement against illegal cigarette manufacturing and smuggling, Fair Trade in Tobacco (FTT) said on Wednesday.



The FTT, an industry body, said the increase in tax receipts reflected stronger enforcement by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other authorities against tax evasion and the sale of unstamped cigarette products, a news release said.



FTT Chairman Muhammad Amin said the documented tobacco sector contributed Rs357 billion in federal excise duty (FED), general sales tax (GST) and income tax during FY2025-26, compared with Rs315 billion in the previous fiscal year.



According to figures released by the organization, collections from FED and GST alone increased to Rs329 billion from Rs284 billion a year earlier.



The organization said Pakistan Tobacco Company paid Rs260.7 billion in taxes during FY2025-26, up from Rs222 billion in the previous year, while Philip Morris Pakistan contributed about Rs52.2 billion.



Amin attributed the increase in revenue to enforcement measures, including the deployment of officials at Green Leaf Threshing Units, implementation of advance tax requirements, action against undeclared production and provincial operations targeting unstamped cigarette packs.



He said enforcement efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been particularly significant, claiming that a substantial share of Pakistan’s illegal cigarette manufacturing and tobacco diversion was concentrated in the province.



Despite the improvement in tax collections, FTT estimated that illegal and smuggled cigarettes continued to account for a significant portion of the domestic market, resulting in annual revenue losses of around Rs400 billion.



Amin also urged the authorities to examine financial flows linked to cross-border cigarette smuggling, saying undocumented transactions could have implications beyond tax evasion.



The organization called on the government to sustain its enforcement campaign and priorities bringing illegal manufacturers, distributors and retailers into the tax net instead of increasing the tax burden on compliant companies.



Amin said stricter monitoring of tobacco-processing facilities, manufacturing units, transport routes, warehouses and retail outlets, coupled with coordinated action by provincial governments and the FBR, could increase tobacco-sector tax revenues to between Rs575 billion and Rs600 billion in the coming years.