Month: July 2026

Islamabad: The Federal Directorate of Education’s (FDE) decision to open admissions for the 2026 academic session and restore several discontinued BS programmes in Federal Government colleges has been widely welcomed by teachers, who described the move as a major step towards strengthening affordable higher education in Islamabad.

FDE recently invited online applications for its 4-Year BS and 2-Year BS Lateral Entry programmes in 17 public colleges affiliated with Quaid-i-Azam University. Applications will remain open until 15 July 2026. Result-awaiting students of HSSC have also been allowed to apply for admission.

Teachers particularly appreciated the restoration of several BS programmes in boys’ colleges of the former Federal Government (Ex-FG) setup, saying the decision would significantly benefit male students of Islamabad by providing access to quality, globally competitive education at a fraction of the cost charged by many universities.

Under the new admissions plan, Islamabad Model Postgraduate College H-8 has been allowed to resume BS Geography alongside continuing BS Environmental Sciences. Similarly, Islamabad Model College for Boys (IMCB) H-9 has been permitted to restart BS Islamic Studies after a one-year gap, while IMCB F-10/4 will relaunch BS English and introduce a new BS Data Science programme in addition to its existing Statistics discipline.

A senior teacher said the initiative had been warmly received by the academic community and parents alike, as it would enable students to pursue quality higher education at public sector colleges with affordable tuition fees.

Akram Khan Khosa, President of the Federal Government College Teachers Association (FGCTA), lauded FDE’s vision of expanding BS programmes in both traditional and emerging disciplines. He said the introduction of market-oriented fields would equip graduates with skills needed for secure and rewarding careers while contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.

He also appreciated FDE for announcing admissions well ahead of the academic session, saying the timely schedule would help Islamabad’s colleges attract talented students who previously opted for universities due to delayed admissions in public colleges. Teachers expressed hope that these reforms would usher in a new era of academic excellence and strengthen the role of federal colleges in higher education.

Islamabad: Hot and humid weather is expected to prevail over most parts of the country on Thursday with chances of isolated rain-windstorms and thundershowers in Kashmir, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Punjab, eastern Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan during the evening and night, as per Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast.

According to the PMD’s latest weather forecast, Islamabad and adjoining areas are likely to remain hot and humid during the day, with partly cloudy conditions and rain accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms expected in the evening and night. The probability of rainfall in the federal capital has been estimated at 30 percent.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most districts. However, isolated rain-windstorms and thundershowers are likely during the afternoon in Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Buner, Bajaur, Waziristan and Kurram.

Punjab is expected to experience hot and very humid conditions across most districts. Isolated rain accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms is likely during the evening and night in Murree, Galiyat, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Khushab, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal and Kasur.

Sindh will remain mainly hot and humid, with very hot weather expected in the upper districts during the daytime, while partly cloudy conditions are likely in coastal areas.

In Balochistan, hot and dry weather is expected in most districts, with central parts of the province likely to remain very hot during the day. Isolated rain-windstorms and thundershowers are forecast during the evening and night in Zhob, Barkhan, Musakhel, Sibi, Kohlu, Khuzdar, Awaran and adjoining areas.

Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to witness partly cloudy weather, with rain-windstorms and thundershowers likely during the afternoon.

During the past 24 hours, hot and humid weather prevailed over most parts of the country, while isolated rain-windstorms and thundershowers occurred in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper Punjab, northeast Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The highest rainfall was recorded in Mir Khani (33 mm), followed by Hafizabad (23 mm), Babusar (22 mm), Sialkot Airport (17 mm), Chakwal (9 mm), Kotli (7 mm), Gujranwala (7 mm), Barkhan (6 mm), Zhob (4 mm), Gujrat (4 mm), Parachinar, Drosh, Sargodha and Mandi Bahauddin (3 mm each), while Sheikhupura, Hunza, Skardu and Murree received light rainfall.

The highest maximum temperatures recorded on Wednesday were 45 degrees Celsius in Turbat and Dadu, followed by 44 degrees Celsius in Sibi, Bhakkar and Khanewal.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow and grief over the passing of Comrade Shahid Usmani, the husband of Fouzia Shahid, former Secretary General of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

In a condolence message, the minister extended his heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family, stating that he was deeply saddened to hear the news of Comrade Shahid Usmani’s demise.

“The journalistic and social services of the deceased will always be remembered. Comrade Shahid Usmani dedicated his life to the struggle for principles, democratic values, and public rights,” he remarked.

He prayed to Allah Almighty to grant the departed soul an exalted place in eternal peace and to bestow courage, fortitude, and patience upon the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting at the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to assess the regulator’s performance, emphasizing regulatory reforms and measures to further improve the ease of doing business.

Appreciating the Commission’s progress, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb underscored the importance of maintaining an effective balance between facilitating businesses and ensuring a robust regulatory environment.

He emphasized that technological advancements should be accompanied by comprehensive process re-engineering to simplify regulatory procedures, enhance service delivery, and improve the overall ease of doing business while reducing cost of doing business.

The Finance Minister also encouraged the Commission to institutionalize regular engagement with businesses, investors, and other stakeholders through focused consultations to obtain practical feedback and ensure that regulatory reforms remain responsive to the needs of market participants.

Earlier, Chairman SECP, Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, along with the Commissioners and senior officers, gave a detailed presentation on the Commission’s performance and key reform initiatives undertaken during the period from January 2026 to June 30, 2026.

The Finance Minister was briefed on SECP’s initiatives to promote investment, strengthen capital markets, improve corporate governance, facilitate ease of doing business, and modernize the regulatory framework through digital transformation and process improvements.

Progress on legislative reforms, investor facilitation, and enforcement measures was also reviewed.

During the presentation, the meeting was informed that over 18,000 new companies had been registered during the review period, alongside significant progress in post-incorporation services, licensing, and digital regulatory processes.

The Commission also highlighted ongoing work on an artificial intelligence-based company registration system, transforming regional SECP offices into Business Facilitation Centres, development of a Central UBO Registry Portal, and digitization of shareholding records of unlisted companies.

Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb appreciated the Commission’s enforcement and compliance efforts, particularly the action taken against state-owned enterprises for regulatory non-compliance.

He emphasized that regulatory standards be applied fairly and consistently across both public and private sector entities to strengthen corporate governance and reinforce market discipline.

The meeting also reviewed measures to deepen Pakistan’s capital markets and broaden investor participation.

The Finance Minister was informed that 10 Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) had been approved during the review period, with a number of IPOs in the pipeline. Progress was also shared on simplifying investor onboarding, enhancing digital investment platforms, increasing the investment limit under the Sahulat Account and Sehl Account, and strengthening coordination with financial institutions to facilitate greater participation in the capital market.

The SECP further briefed the meeting on reforms in the insurance and non-bank financial sectors, including initiatives to expand insurance coverage, promote Islamic finance and Takaful, facilitate housing finance and women’s entrepreneurship, and strengthen financial inclusion through innovative digital products.

The Finance Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting reforms that promote investment, strengthen capital markets, facilitate business activity, and contribute to the sustainable development of Pakistan’s corporate and financial sectors.

Islamabad: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, on Wednesday inaugurated new headquarters of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) in Islamabad, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen institutional support for Pakistan’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production, Saif Anjum, Chief Executive Officer SMEDA, Nadia J. Seth, members of the SMEDA Board of Directors, and senior officials of the Ministry, said a press release.

Speaking on the occasion, Haroon Akhtar Khan said that, under the directions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, SMEDA’s headquarters have, for the first time, been established and made fully operational in Islamabad to enhance coordination, policy implementation and service delivery for the SME sector.

He stated that, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision, SMEDA has been entrusted with expanded responsibilities to facilitate micro, small and medium enterprises, strengthen entrepreneurship and accelerate private sector-led economic growth.

Haroon Akhtar Khan emphasized that SMEs constitute the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and remain central to the Government’s strategy for sustainable economic development. He said the Government is undertaking comprehensive measures to empower SMEs, improve ease of doing business and create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs across the country.

He noted that facilitating businesses, increasing productivity and encouraging investment are among the Government’s foremost priorities. He added that special emphasis is being placed on supporting young entrepreneurs by providing them with opportunities to establish and expand their businesses.

The Special Assistant further highlighted that women’s economic empowerment is an integral part of the Government’s economic agenda. Greater participation of women entrepreneurs, he said, will contribute significantly to economic growth, innovation and inclusive national development.

Haroon Akhtar Khan said that the growth of SMEs will generate employment opportunities, enhance local manufacturing, strengthen exports and contribute to Pakistan’s long-term industrial and economic prosperity.

He also underlined the importance of providing SMEs with access to modern technology, skills development programmes and financial facilities, enabling them to compete effectively in domestic and international markets.

He reaffirmed that creating a business-friendly environment remains a key objective of the Government’s reform agenda. Strengthening SMEDA’s institutional capacity, he said, will enable the Authority to provide more efficient, coordinated and accessible services to entrepreneurs across Pakistan.

Strong SMEs are the foundation of a strong Pakistan, he said and reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting entrepreneurship, supporting innovation, encouraging self-reliance and building a vibrant SME sector capable of driving industrial growth, expanding exports and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja met with Cambodia’s Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Chea Vandeth, on Wednesday.

During the meeting, held on the third day of Geneva Digital Week, Pakistan and Cambodia agreed to strengthen cooperation in the digital sector.

The two ministers held detailed discussions on advancing the digital transformation goals of both countries.

Pakistan and Cambodia also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting digital infrastructure and technological collaboration.

Pakistan’s IT sector received recognition at the global forum, with the country making a strong representation at Geneva Digital Week.