Month: July 2026

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Khalid Hussain Magsi on Wednesday underscored the need to strengthen regional scientific cooperation among the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states.

Chairing the sixth Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) here, the minister termed science, technology and innovation as essential pillars for sustainable development and economic prosperity

Welcoming the delegates attending in person and virtually, he said that it was an honour for Pakistan to host the meeting.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the ECOSF as an effective regional platform for scientific research, innovation, knowledge exchange and capacity building.

The meeting was attended by Iran’s Minister for Science, Research and Technology Hossein Simayi Saraf, Federal Secretary for Science and Technology Shahid Iqbal Baloch, ECO Secretary General Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan, ECOSF President Professor Syed Kamal Tayebi, Executive Director Ghulam Muhammad Memon, senior government officials and distinguished delegates from ECO member states.

Addressing the participants, Magsi said the meeting reflected the shared commitment of ECO member countries to further strengthen regional scientific collaboration and promote science, technology and innovation as key drivers of sustainable development and economic growth.

He said the ECO region possessed immense potential due to its youthful population, abundant natural resources, strong academic traditions and rapidly growing technological capabilities. However, he noted that common challenges, including climate change, water and food security, energy transition, public health, the digital divide and youth unemployment, required collective regional action rather than isolated national efforts.

The minister stressed that investment in scientific research, STEM education, innovation ecosystems and emerging technologies was indispensable for enhancing regional economic competitiveness, industrial development and long-term prosperity.

He appreciated the ECOSF’s contributions to capacity building, STEM education, scientific networking, technical advisory services and regional partnerships.

He also paid tribute to the Foundation’s leadership and Secretariat for pursuing its objectives despite financial and institutional challenges. Iran’s Minister for Science, Research and Technology, Hossein Simayi Saraf also highlighted the importance of enhancing scientific cooperation among ECO member states.

He said collaboration in science, technology and innovation would play a vital role in achieving sustainable development and shared prosperity across the region. Reaffirming Iran’s full support for the ECO Science Foundation, the Iranian minister said his country would play its part in addressing the Foundation’s financial challenges and work with other member states to strengthen the institution and ensure its financial sustainability.

Magsi urged all ECO member states to expedite the ratification of the ECOSF Charter and its Additional Protocol. He also called on the countries that had ratified the Charter to ensure timely financial contributions to safeguard the Foundation’s long-term sustainability and enable it to continue implementing impactful regional programmes in science, technology and innovation.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment as the host country of the ECO Science Foundation, the minister urged the Foundation to design result-oriented and demand-driven programmes aligned with the needs of member states to further advance regional scientific cooperation.

Magsi expressed confidence that a stronger and more vibrant ECOSF would play a pivotal role in promoting scientific collaboration, innovation and sustainable economic development across the ECO region.

He wished the meeting every success and expressed hope that its outcomes would further strengthen the Foundation as a dynamic and effective institution serving all member states.

Islamabad: Iranian Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, accompanied by a high-level delegation, visited Pakistan’s National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and emergency preparedness.

The Iranian delegation included Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, along with other senior officials. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also accompanied the visiting delegation during the tour.

Chairman NDMA, Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, welcomed the delegation and briefed them on Pakistan’s state-of-the-art disaster management framework, highlighting the country’s advanced early warning systems, emergency response mechanisms, and strategies for mitigating the impact of natural disasters.

The delegation received a comprehensive presentation on the operational capabilities of the National Emergencies Operation Center, its integrated early warning infrastructure, and the efficient utilization of national resources during emergencies. Officials also outlined Pakistan’s disaster preparedness strategy and shared details of anticipated natural hazards and climate-related risks expected to affect Pakistan and neighboring countries during 2026.

Addressing the delegation, Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration and the exchange of knowledge and best practices between Pakistan and Iran, noting that regional cooperation was essential for effectively responding to increasingly frequent and severe climate-induced disasters.

The Iranian delegation expressed admiration for Pakistan’s National Emergencies Operation Center and praised the NDMA’s modern disaster management architecture. Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, commended Pakistan’s remarkable progress in disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and emergency response, describing the country’s achievements as an important model for the region.

He said Iran was keen to benefit from Pakistan’s experience in developing early warning systems, proactive disaster management strategies, institutional coordination, and the application of advanced technologies in disaster risk management. He added that closer cooperation and the exchange of expertise between Pakistan and Iran would significantly strengthen the collective resilience and disaster response capacity of both countries and the wider region.

The Iranian minister also reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to expanding institutional cooperation with Pakistan to address the growing challenges posed by natural disasters and climate change. He described the NDMA’s technology-driven disaster risk reduction model as exemplary and worthy of emulation.

The visit concluded with both countries underscoring the importance of sustained collaboration in disaster management, early warning systems, capacity building, and the exchange of technical expertise. NDMA reiterated its commitment to further strengthening Pakistan’s national resilience and disaster preparedness through innovation, advanced technology, and enhanced international partnerships.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister (DPM/FM), Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Vijitha Herath, on Wednesday appreciated the positive momentum in institutional engagements, growing economic and trade cooperation, and the successful visit of the Pakistan cricket team to Sri Lanka.

The two Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the close and friendly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in trade, economic connectivity, defence, and people-to-people exchanges, a DPM’s Office news release said.

During a meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum 2026 in Manila, both sides also agreed on the importance of sustained high-level exchanges in further strengthening bilateral ties.

Exchanging views on regional and international issues, Foreign Minister Herath appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting dialogue and peace. Both sides expressed hope that recent regional tensions would be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, contributing to lasting peace and stability in the region.

Islamabad: The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) turned around to bearish trend on Wednesday, losing 1,703.64 points, a negative change of 0.97 percent, to close at 174,429.93 points against 176,133.57 points recorded on the previous trading day.

During the session, the ready market recorded a trading volume of 695.697 million shares with a traded value of Rs25.404 billion, compared to 1.003 billion shares valuing Rs35.702 billion in the previous session. The market capitalization stood at Rs19.626 trillion, down from Rs19.790 trillion a day earlier.

Out of 493 active companies in the ready market, 108 advanced, 353 declined, and 32 remained unchanged.

Trust Brokerage led the volume chart with 134.167 million shares, followed by Cnergyico PK with 99.431 million shares and TPL Properties with 49.826 million shares.

The top gainers included The Thal Industries Corporation Limited, which surged by Rs95.31 to close at Rs1,048.37, and PIA Holding Company LimitedB, which gained Rs92.67 to settle at Rs17,600.00.

On the losing side, Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited declined by Rs151.59 to close at Rs1,364.30, while Siemens (Pakistan) Engineering fell by Rs60.44 to settle at Rs1,473.55. In the futures (DFC) market, turnover stood at 171.452 million shares with a traded value of Rs7.169 billion, compared to 245.295 million shares worth Rs9.808 billion in the previous session. Out of 305 futures-market companies, 33 advanced, 270 declined, and 2 remained unchanged.

Islamabad: The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has clarified that young people’s interest in the Central Superior Services (CSS) remains strong, with registrations for the CSS Screening Test (MPT) 2025 reaching the highest level in the past five years.

According to the spokesperson of FPSC 64,081 candidates have registered for the CSS Screening Test (MPT) 2025, reflecting an increase of about 3.8% compared to 2022.

The commission strongly rejected recent media reports claiming a decline in youth interest in the civil services as unfounded and inaccurate.

The commission said the Screening Test (MPT) is the most reliable indicator of interest in the civil services, as every candidate is required to qualify this mandatory stage before appearing in the written examination.

The spokesperson said the media report ignored key facts and registration data related to the screening test, adding that the figures cited for 2022 were also inaccurate.

The commission further said the report failed to mention Special CSS 2023, under which 141 candidates from women, minority and underdeveloped areas were appointed to the civil service as part of a special initiative by the federal government.

The spokesperson said the available and authentic data clearly shows that joining the civil service remains a cherished aspiration and a top priority for Pakistan’s talented youth.

The commission added that it remains available to provide information and assistance to facilitate accurate and fact-based reporting in the future.

Islamabad: Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lt Gen (R) Nazir Ahmad Butt, met Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman), Naveed Kamran Baloch here on Wednesday, where the two sides discussed ways to strengthen institutional cooperation, enhance transparency and accountability, and promote good governance through closer coordination between their organisations.

During the meeting, both officials exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, with particular focus on improving collaboration in addressing public grievances, strengthening oversight mechanisms and reinforcing accountability across public sector institutions.

Baloch briefed the NAB chairman on the role and performance of the Wafaqi Mohtasib, highlighting its contribution to providing speedy and free redressal of complaints related to maladministration in federal government entities.

He said the institution resolved more than 2,50,000 public complaints during 2025 and expected the number of complaints handled this year to rise to between 270,000 and 275,000.

The Federal Ombudsman noted that the forum had emerged as a fast, accessible and reliable mechanism for citizens seeking relief against maladministration, supported by an extensive network of regional offices across the country.

Mr Baloch reiterated the institution’s commitment to ensuring prompt resolution of public grievances and improving service delivery standards within federal government organisations.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen (R) Nazir Ahmad Butt said there was significant potential for mutually beneficial cooperation between NAB and the Wafaqi Mohtasib in advancing the shared objectives of transparency, accountability and effective governance.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing their resolve to enhance institutional coordination and explore avenues for greater collaboration in the public interest.