Month: July 2026

Islamabad: Pakistan and Bulgaria on Tuesday held the sixth round of Bilateral Political Consultations where the two sides reviewed the full range of bilateral relations.

The Pakistan delegation was led by Ambassador Ayesha Ali, Additional Secretary (Europe) while the Bulgarian side was headed by H.E. Ambassador Petko Doykov, Director General for Bilateral Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs news release said.

The two sides discussed ways to expand political engagement and cooperation in trade, investment, defence, parliamentary exchanges, culture, education, ICT and people-to-people contacts. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments and cooperation at multilateral forums.

Both sides agreed to hold the next round of Consultations in Sofia, Bulgaria at mutually agreed dates.

The Head of Bulgarian delegation Ambassador Doykov also called on the Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch. The Foreign Secretary shared Pakistan’s perspective on key regional developments, including Pakistan’s mediation role in the US-Iran conflict.

Islamabad: Acting Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan Nasar has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Engineer Hazrat Umar Nasar, a young engineer from District Loralai, on successfully completing his MPhil degree with distinction from a prestigious university in Russia.

He also expressed his best wishes for his continued success and a bright future.

In his congratulatory message, the Acting Chairman Senate said that Engineer Hazrat Umar Nasar’s remarkable academic achievement is a matter of great pride not only for his family, Loralai, and Balochistan, but for the entire nation.

He stated that talented young Pakistanis, through their dedication, hard work, and academic excellence, are projecting a positive image of Pakistan at the international level and serving as an inspiration for other young people.

Syedaal Khan Nasar particularly appreciated Engineer Hazrat Umar Nasar’s decision to dedicate his achievement to his hometown of Loralai, describing it as a reflection of his deep love and commitment to his roots.

He remarked that such devotion to one’s homeland is the foundation of national progress.

He further observed that the success of a young man from a relatively underdeveloped region like Loralai at a world-class university demonstrates that Pakistan, especially Balochistan, is rich in talented and capable youth.

He emphasized that Pakistan has no shortage of talent, adding that the country’s youth need access to quality education, modern facilities, and meaningful opportunities to fully realize their potential.

He reaffirmed that investing in the education and capacity-building of young people is essential for securing Pakistan’s prosperous future.

The Acting Chairman Senate prayed that Almighty Allah grants Engineer Hazrat Umar Nasar continued success, enables him to serve Loralai, Balochistan, and Pakistan through his knowledge and expertise, and blesses him with many more achievements that bring further honor to the country.

Islamabad: The federal government has extended the contract appointment of Brigadier (Retd) Muzaffar Ali Ranjha as the Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission (PMIC) for a further period of two years in recognition of his outstanding performance.

A formal notification to this effect has been issued by the Establishment Division. According to the official notification, the two-year extension of Brigadier (Retd) Muzaffar Ali Ranjha’s contract as PMIC Chairman, operating under the Prime Minister’s Office, was being effected from July 1, under the same terms and conditions, and would remain effective until further orders.

Under his capable leadership, the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission has put forward numerous key and concrete recommendations during his tenure aimed at enhancing the efficiency of federal institutions and resolving long-standing challenges recommedations that were currently being actively implemented by the federal government. Furthermore, the Commission closely evaluated various ongoing developmental and public-welfare projects, alongside other critical operational matters, and submitted multiple comprehensive evaluation reports directly to the Prime Minister.

Recognizing the Commission’s stellar performance, commitment to transparency, and driven by a resolve to further strengthen the monitoring framework across all federal bodies, the federal government formally approved the extension of his tenure.

Islamabad: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the proposed subscription of additional ordinary shares of Loads Limited by Treet Corporation Limited following a Phase-I review conducted under the Competition Act, 2010.

Treet Corporation Limited submitted a pre-merger application to the Commission under Section 11 of the Competition Act, 2010, seeking approval to subscribe to additional ordinary shares of Loads Limited through a rights issue.

Treet Corporation Limited is a public listed company engaged in the manufacturing and sale of razors and razor blades, while its subsidiaries operate in diverse sectors including batteries, corrugated boxes, soaps, medicinal concentrates, electric bikes, rickshaws and workforce solutions. Loads Limited is also a public listed company and is engaged in the manufacturing and sale of radiators, exhaust systems and metal sheet components for Pakistan’s automotive industry.

During its review, the Commission identified the relevant product markets as exhaust systems, radiators, and metal sheet components, with the relevant geographic market being Pakistan.

The Commission observed that Treet Corporation and Loads Limited are already associated undertakings, with common management representation. The proposed transaction involves Treet increasing its shareholding in Loads Limited through a rights issue and represents a purely equity investment between associated undertakings.

The competition assessment found that the transaction would not alter the market shares of the parties or affect competition in the relevant markets. The Commission further concluded that the proposed subscription would neither create barriers to market entry nor significantly enhance the market power of the merger parties. Consequently, the transaction is not likely to result in any adverse effects on competition or lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the relevant market.

Accordingly, the Commission concluded that the proposed transaction does not create or strengthen a dominant position within the meaning of the Competition Act, 2010 and authorized the transaction under Section 31(1)(d)(i) of the Act.

The approval reflects the CCP’s continued commitment to facilitating legitimate corporate restructuring and investment through timely merger reviews while ensuring that market competition, efficiency and consumer welfare remain protected.

Islamabad: Uzbekistan and Belarus have taken another significant step toward strengthening their economic partnership by advancing a series of trade, investment, and agricultural cooperation initiatives during the Belagro-2026 International Agricultural Exhibition and Fair held in Minsk from June 1-6 2026.

The visit of the official Uzbek delegation underscored both countries’ commitment to expanding bilateral trade, boosting agricultural exports, attracting investment, and developing long-term partnerships in the agri-food sector, said a release issued by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad here on Tuesday.

At the exhibition, the National Pavilion of Uzbekistan, organized by UZAGROSTAR HOLDING, showcased a diverse selection of fresh and processed agricultural products, highlighting the country’s growing export potential.

The pavilion attracted high-level visitors, including Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Belarus, Rahmatulla Nazarov and Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Yuriy Shuleyko, who discussed opportunities to increase the presence of Uzbek agricultural products in the Belarusian market.

The exhibition also provided a platform for productive meetings with Belarusian retail chains, importers, and wholesale market operators. Discussions focused on expanding direct business-to-business cooperation, increasing the volume and variety of Uzbek agricultural exports, and establishing long-term supply agreements.

One of the key meetings was held with the management of the Noviy Lebyajiy wholesale market in the Minsk district, where both sides explored plans to facilitate regular exports of Uzbek fruits, vegetables, and processed food products while creating dedicated trading spaces for Uzbek producers.

Cooperation in the livestock sector also gained fresh momentum. Uzbekistan signed a cooperation agreement with the Belarusian organization Belplemjivobyedineniye to supply high-yield pedigree cattle to entrepreneurs in the Samarkand region. The initiative is expected to support breeding programs and improve livestock productivity in Uzbekistan.

To strengthen logistics cooperation, the Uzbek delegation visited the Ozerco-Logistik trade and logistics center in the Minsk district. The visit offered valuable insights into Belarus’s modern logistics infrastructure, including digital cargo management systems, customs procedures, and international freight distribution practices that could help improve Uzbekistan’s export logistics.

Investment cooperation reached a new milestone with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MARAQAND MEAT LLC of Uzbekistan and the Mogilev Regional Executive Committee. The agreement outlines plans to establish a modern livestock production complex in Belarus and creates a framework for future joint investment projects in the agro-industrial sector.

The delegation also toured advanced agricultural enterprises in Belarus’s Vitebsk region, where experts exchanged experience in intensive livestock farming, farm management, feed production, digital agriculture, and sustainable agricultural development.

The visit concluded with several agreements aimed at expanding exports of Uzbek agricultural products to Belarus, strengthening partnerships between exporters and importers, improving logistics networks, importing pedigree livestock, and launching new joint investment projects.

The outcomes of Belagro-2026 reaffirm the growing strategic importance of Uzbekistan-Belarus economic cooperation and highlight the agricultural sector as one of the most promising areas for long-term bilateral partnership.

Islamabad: A late-night operation, led by the Assistant Commissioner Shalimar, resulted in the sealing of four shisha cafes in the capital.

The action was taken against one cafe in F-10 operating without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and three cafes in E-11 whose NOCs had expired.

According to the district administration, the operation was carried out as part of ongoing inspections to ensure that businesses comply with legal requirements and regulatory approvals.

During the inspection, officials found that one cafe in Sector F-10 was operating without obtaining the required NOC from the relevant authorities.

In a separate action in Sector E-11, three shisha cafes were found to be operating with expired NOCs. As a result, all three establishments were sealed on the spot for failing to meet the required legal conditions.

Officials said the operation was conducted during late-night hours to check business activities and verify compliance with administrative regulations. The district administration stated that commercial establishments were required to maintain valid permits and approvals to continue operations.

The administration said monitoring and inspection activities would continue across different sectors of the federal capital. Businesses found operating without valid permissions or in violation of official regulations might face legal action, including sealing of premises and other penalties under the law.

The Assistant Commissioner Shalimar directed inspection teams to continue checking commercial outlets and ensure that all businesses followed the rules set by the authorities. Officials also urged business owners to renew expired documents and obtained the necessary approvals before operating.

The district administration reiterated its commitment to enforcing regulations and maintaining compliance across the capital. It added that similar inspections would continue in various sectors to identify and address violations.