Month: July 2026

Islamabad: Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani Monday paid tribute to Havaldar Lalak Jan Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider) on the occasion of his 27th martyrdom anniversary, describing him as a shining symbol of courage, patriotism, and unwavering devotion to the defence of the motherland.

The acting president said Havaldar Lalak Jan Shaheed displayed extraordinary bravery and steadfast determination during the Kargil conflict, defending Pakistan’s frontiers with exceptional gallantry until he embraced martyrdom on July 7, 1999, a Presidency’s news release said.

He said the martyr’s supreme sacrifice remains a source of inspiration for future generations and reflects the highest traditions of service and sacrifice.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said the nation salutes its martyrs and their families, whose sacrifices have strengthened Pakistan’s sovereignty, unity, and national resolve.

He prayed that Almighty Allah may elevate the ranks of Havaldar Lalak Jan Shaheed in Jannah and bless Pakistan with lasting peace, stability, and prosperity.

Islamabad: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has announced special facilitation measures to support the conversion of Associations of Persons (AOPs) in the steel sector into companies.

On the directions of Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu has established a dedicated facilitation desk to assist steel sector businesses and ensure smooth and timely processing of their conversion and incorporation applications, said a press release issued by the SECP on Monday.

Through the Finance Act, 2026, the federal government has introduced amendments in the Second Schedule of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, making incorporation as a company a requirement for steel sector businesses to avail certain tax incentives.

As a result, steel mills operating as unincorporated entities, including AOPs, will face a higher tax incidence compared to SECP-registered companies, which will benefit from the preferential tax treatment provided under the revised framework.

Following these amendments, the Pakistan Association of Large Steel Producers (PALSP) approached SECP seeking guidance and facilitation for the conversion of steel sector AOPs into companies.

Company incorporation with SECP is a fully digital, simple and hassle-free process. It involves four easy steps: user registration, name reservation, submission of a digitally signed incorporation application, and payment of the prescribed fee. Subject to complete documentation, a company can be incorporated within four hours.

SECP incorporates over 3,500 companies on average every month, reflecting the efficiency of its digital corporate registry.

To further facilitate the steel sector, SECP, in coordination with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), will conduct an awareness webinar on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, to guide businesses regarding the conversion process.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Monday met with Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha on the sidelines of the ‘AI for Good’ Summit.

During the meeting, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to enhance cooperation in the fields of information technology and digital technologies.

Shaza Fatima said that as technology becomes increasingly central to the global economy, cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia continues to grow stronger, according to a news release.

“Our partnership with Saudi Arabia in the IT sector continues to strengthen,” she added.

Islamabad: The First Pakistan-Russia International Student Research Conference (2025-2026) was jointly successfully organized online by the Department of IR, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST), Islamabad, Financial University Mascow under the Government of the Russian Federation and the Consortium for Asia Pacific and Eurasian Studies (CAPES).

The conference started with an inaugural session, where Vice Chancellor of FUUAST, Prof. Dr Zabta Khan Shinwari, congratulated both universities and appreciated the efforts of the Department of IR FUUAST for building strong international academic and research linkages.

He said that it is a matter of pride that FUUAST students are presenting their research at an international conference. He appreciated the students for their hard work and encouraged them to continue contributing to research and knowledge. He added that the university will continue to support students and promote quality research while strengthening Pakistan’s academic image at the international level.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Daria Osinina, Deputy Dean of the Financial University, thanked FUUAST and CAPES for organizing this important academic event. She said that Pakistan and Russia have great potential to work together in research and higher education.

She highlighted that media, culture, environment, and international relations are important areas where both countries can build strong academic partnerships.

Conference Co Coordinator and Head of the Department of IR, Dr Faisal Javaid, thanked all participants, faculty members, Supervisors, students, CAPES and the administration of the Financial University for their support. He said that the Department of IR FUUAST will continue arranging such international academic activities to provide students and faculty with more opportunities for research, learning and global collaboration.

During the conference, nine student research teams from Pakistan and Russia presented their research papers on trade and political relations, cultural diplomacy, media patriotism, artificial intelligence, climate security and socio-economic connectivity.

The research projects were supervised by Dr Sikander Ali Zarren, Dr Taimur Khan, Dr Gul-i- Ayesha Bhatti, Dr Sundas Khizar, Dr Stepan Vasilenko, Dr Oleg Novikov, Dr Veronika Usacheva and Dr Ivan Pyatibratov from both countries.

The reviewers appreciated the quality of the research and said that these papers are valuable contributions to the growing body of knowledge. They noted that the findings can help researchers, policymakers and academic institutions better understand Pakistan-Russia cooperation in trade, culture, media and international relations, while opening new opportunities for future joint research.

The conference was moderated by Dr Sundas Khizar and Dr Stepan Vasilenko in two academic sessions. The event concluded with a vote of thanks, appreciation for all participants, and a commitment from both sides to continue academic collaboration and strengthen research partnerships between Pakistan and Russia.

The research presented represents the outcome of six months of collaborative work that began in February 2026, involving faculty supervisors and students from both universities. As part of this academic collaboration, the two universities will jointly publish a research book, in which each completed research paper will be included as a separate chapter.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON, Engineer Amir Muqam, expressed profound grief and sorrow over the death of the elder sister of his coordinator and Chairman of the PML-N Azad Jammu and Kashmir Contact Committee, Sardar Tariq Mahmood, offering condolences to the bereaved family and praying for the departed soul.

In a condolence message, the minister prayed for the eternal peace of the deceased, her elevated ranks in the hereafter, and strength and patience for the grieving family.

He said he stood in solidarity with Sardar Tariq Mahmood and his family during this difficult time and shared in their sorrow.

Engineer Amir Muqam prayed that Allah Almighty may grant the deceased a place in his eternal mercy and bless the bereaved family with courage to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude.

The federal minister also offered Fateha and prayed for the deceased’s forgiveness and everlasting peace.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed Pakistani embassies abroad to intensify efforts to identify and secure employment opportunities for the country’s workforce, emphasizing the government’s commitment to expanding overseas job prospects for skilled and qualified Pakistanis.

Chairing a review meeting on youth employment, the prime minister said Pakistan’s workforce possessed immense potential and stressed the need to strengthen international outreach to connect skilled workers with global labour markets.

He instructed embassies to actively collect and share information on available jobs and required qualifications in host countries.

The prime minister directed the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme to ensure that the workforce, particularly young people, received vocational skills training along with foreign language courses and internationally recognized certifications.

The prime minister pointed out that Pakistan’s workforce was highly capable and that the government was taking every possible step to provide education and training that meet international standards and improve global employability.

The prime minister emphasized that all relevant institutions should strengthen cooperation with other countries to align Pakistani certifications with international standards.

He also directed that language training, along with certification, be ensured for countries where employment opportunities existed for skilled Pakistani workers.

The prime minister instructed that a report be presented on the performance of technical and vocational training institutes operating under NAVTTC, as well as on the establishment of Country of Destination Centers.

During the meeting, participants were given a detailed briefing on employment opportunities for the workforce, particularly young people.

The meeting was informed that more than 800,000 young people had already registered on the Digital Youth Hub and that the employment opportunities were available abroad in sectors including construction, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, transportation, biotechnology, manufacturing, shipbuilding, information technology, engineering, nursing, pharmaceuticals, and food production.

The meeting told that training programs were currently underway to prepare Pakistanis for employment in these sectors.

Pakistani embassies will provide information on overseas job opportunities and the qualifications required for them through the Digital Youth Hub portal, the prime minister was informed.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Dr. Musadik Malik, Attaullah Tarar, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Chairman NAVTTC Raja Qamar ul Islam, Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, and other senior government officials.