Month: July 2026

Karachi: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Wednesday, announced plans to convene the National Conference on Pakistan Economy for discussing economic challenges, policy initiatives and key reforms and to chart a future strategy.

The central bank also invited researchers, academics, and policymakers to submit their high-quality original research papers for the National Conference on Economy, scheduled to be held on December 18, 2026, a SBP spokesperson informed.

The conference will bring together researchers from academia, policymakers, market practitioners and opinion leaders to present and discuss the contemporary issues faced by Pakistan’s economy.

The conference will also serve as a platform to promote and showcase research aligned with the SBP’s Research Agenda 2026-2029, he said, adding that the themes of the conference included monetary policy transmission amid supply shocks and structural shifts, evaluating the role of capital inflows and export competitiveness for external sector sustainability.

The one-day conference will explore how policymaking in Pakistan must adapt to meet the emerging challenges when the recurring global shocks are affecting the commodity and energy markets and price stability, amplifying the vulnerabilities for economies like Pakistan.

The conference is aimed at bringing together researchers, experts, policymakers, and thought leaders to discuss the policy prescriptions and necessary actionable reforms and to chart a strategy for the future.

The interested researchers may submit abstracts of their original research and case studies, in accordance with the SBP’s research agenda themes, by August 20, 2026 to [email protected] while the last date for submission of full-length papers is fixed at September 30, 2026.

A committee of experts will evaluate the submitted papers and accepted papers will be presented in dedicated sessions of the conference, complemented by keynote addresses and policy roundtables participated by the renowned subject experts.

Karachi: First Lady Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari, MNA, was briefed on the vision and implementation roadmap for the proposed Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Comprehensive Stroke Center on Wednesday by Dr. Syed Fazal Zaidi, Professor of Neurology at the University of Toledo, internationally renowned vascular and interventional neurologist and Founding Director of the JPMC Comprehensive Stroke Program, along with Mushtaq Chapra, Chairman of the Patient Aid Foundation.

During the briefing, Dr. Zaidi highlighted the growing burden of stroke in Sindh, noting that the province, with a population of over 55 million, records an estimated 500 stroke cases every day, including around 50 patients with severe strokes requiring highly specialised care. He emphasised the urgent need to strengthen the public healthcare system by establishing a Comprehensive Stroke Center capable of providing timely, life-saving treatment.

The First Lady was informed that while NICVD and SICVD provide valuable care for patients with ischemic stroke, Sindh currently lacks a Comprehensive Stroke Center capable of managing the full spectrum of stroke care, including both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, complex neurovascular emergencies, advanced neuro-interventional procedures, neurocritical care and specialised rehabilitation.

Dr. Zaidi said the initiative is being led through the Pakistan Stroke Initiative, a US-based non-profit organisation established to advance stroke care in Pakistan, in partnership with the Patient Aid Foundation, JPMC and the Government of Sindh.

The partnership aims to establish Sindh’s first public-sector Comprehensive Stroke Center, which will provide advanced stroke care, specialist training and research while serving as the hub of a province-wide tele-stroke network.

Mushtaq Chapra reaffirmed the Patient Aid Foundation’s longstanding commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s public healthcare system through strategic philanthropic partnerships and supporting the development of world-class medical infrastructure at JPMC to ensure equitable access to advanced healthcare services.

The delegation also shared its long-term vision of developing Pakistan’s first public-sector Comprehensive Stroke Network over the next three to five years by training stroke neurologists and neuro-interventional specialists, expanding regional stroke services, strengthening emergency referral pathways, standardising stroke care protocols and connecting district hospitals through an integrated tele-stroke network.

First Lady appreciated the collaborative efforts of the Pakistan Stroke Initiative, the Patient Aid Foundation and JPMC to improve stroke care in Pakistan. She acknowledged the importance of strengthening specialised stroke services and expressed her full support for initiatives aimed at reducing preventable deaths and lifelong disability caused by stroke, noting that such efforts would help save lives and improve patient outcomes.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advancing the JPMC Comprehensive Stroke Center as a landmark public-sector healthcare initiative that will complement existing services, strengthen Sindh’s stroke care system and expand access to high-quality specialised stroke care for the people of Sindh and Pakistan.

Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, was also present during the briefing.

Karachi: Pakistan Meteorological Department, Wednesday, forecast mainly hot and humid weather in most districts of Sindh during the next 24 hours while partly cloudy weather conditions with chances of light rain in coastal areas.

Weather remained mainly hot and humid over most districts of the province while partly cloudy in coastal areas on Wednesday.

The highest maximum temperature in the province was recorded as 42 C in Dadu. The maximum temperature in Sukkur and Moen jo Daro was recorded as 41 C, Nawabshah 40 C, Hyderabad Airport 37 C, Mithi 36 C, and in Thatta and

Karachi 34 C.

Karachi: National Inter-Departmental Netball Championship will begin from August 1, at PSB Coaching Center, Karachi.

President, Pakistan Netball Federation, Sameen Malik said that preparations for the championship are in full swing and four men’s and women’s teams are participating in the championship including teams from Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Police and Elite Academy.

The draw will be announced on July 30, and the championship will continue till August 2 and prizes will be distributed among the winning players at the end of the championship.

Karachi: Senior police officers of Sindh and Balochistan on Wednesday agreed to enhance inter-provincial cooperation, intelligence sharing and capacity building to strengthen efforts against crime and maintain law and order.

The understanding was reached during a coordination meeting attended by Additional Inspector General of Police – Karachi Azad Khan, Additional IGP Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), DIGP South, DIGP West and other senior officers of Sindh Police, said a news release.

The Balochistan Police delegation included DIGP Khuzdar, SSP CTD, officers of the Special Branch and other senior officials.

The meeting reviewed the overall law and order and security situation, the possible movement of criminal elements and measures to improve coordination between the two provincial police forces.

The participants agreed to enhance intelligence sharing, undertake joint initiatives and further strengthen camera surveillance at entry and exit points between the two provinces.

Sindh Police also offered full support for the capacity building of Balochistan Police by providing training facilities, technical assistance and support in resolving technical issues.

The meeting further agreed to strengthen cooperation between the Special Branches and Counter-Terrorism Departments of Sindh and Balochistan through greater information sharing, joint training and improved operational coordination.

At the conclusion of the meeting, officers from both sides exchanged commemorative shields as a gesture of mutual cooperation.