Month: July 2026

Islamabad: The government authorised utilisation of development funds amounting to Rs820. 495 billion during the fiscal year 2025-26 under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), against a total federal allocation of Rs820. 513 billion.

According to the latest Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives data, the federal PSDP allocation comprised Rs565. 13 billion for federal ministries and divisions and Rs255. 37 billion for corporations. Authorisations amounted to Rs565. 12 billion and Rs255. 37 billion, respectively, during the fiscal year.

Among the federal ministries and divisions, the highest authorisation was made for Provinces and Special Areas, amounting to Rs195. 37 billion, followed by the Water Resources Division with Rs101. 64 billion and the Cabinet Division with Rs63. 24 billion.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) was authorised Rs34. 91 billion, Federal Education and Professional Training Division Rs26. 81 billion, Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Division Rs19. 30 billion, Railways Division Rs18. 56 billion, Interior Division Rs15. 52 billion, Housing and Works Division Rs14. 24 billion, National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division Rs13. 14 billion, Revenue Division Rs12. 21 billion and Information Technology and Telecommunication Division Rs10. 12 billion.

Other notable authorisations included Rs8. 32 billion for the Defence Division, Rs5. 78 billion for the Industries and Production Division, Rs3. 33 billion each for the Information and Broadcasting Division and the Science and Technological Research Division, Rs2. 30 billion for the Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Division, Rs1. 88 billion for the Finance Division, Rs1. 63 billion for the National Food Security and Research Division, Rs1. 39 billion for the Law and Justice Division, Rs1. 22 billion for the Maritime Affairs Division, Rs1. 03 billion for the Inter-Provincial Coordination Division, Rs814. 93 million for the Defence Production Division, Rs568. 58 million for the Petroleum Division, Rs495. 36 million for the Establishment Division, Rs276. 91 million for the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) Division, Rs200. 25 million for the Board of Investment, Rs190 million for the Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Division, Rs79. 47 million for the Communications Division
(other than NHA), Rs61. 05 million for the National Heritage and Culture Division, Rs50 million for the Commerce Division, Rs49. 62 million for the Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony Division and Rs23 million for the Human Rights Division.

Among corporations, the National Highway Authority (NHA) was authorised Rs182. 23 billion, while Power Division entities (NTDC/PEPCO) received Rs73. 14 billion during FY2025-26.

Islamabad: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Mansoora on Monday, where he held a meeting with Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman to discuss the country’s overall political and security situation, regional developments, and issues affecting the public.

The meeting, held at the Jamaat-e-Islami headquarters, was attended by the party’s Acting Secretary General Nazir Ahmed Janjua and Information Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Turabi. The leaders exchanged views on national affairs and emphasized the importance of addressing public concerns through dialogue and effective governance.

During the discussion, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi highlighted the evolving regional situation and said that tensions had eased once again due to the continuous efforts of the Field Marshal. He underscored the significance of sustained efforts aimed at promoting stability and reducing regional uncertainty.

The meeting also carried a solemn tone as the Interior Minister expressed his heartfelt condolences over the demise of Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ameer-ul-Azeem. Naqvi conveyed his sympathies to Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman and the leadership and workers of the party, describing the late leader’s passing as a great loss.

The Interior Minister offered Fateha for the departed soul and prayed for eternal peace for the deceased. He also prayed that the bereaved family and members of Jamaat-e-Islami be granted patience and strength during this difficult time.

The interaction reflected a spirit of political engagement across party lines, with both sides discussing issues of national importance while also acknowledging the need for collective efforts to address public challenges and maintain stability in the country.

Islamabad: Speaker of National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Monday paid glowing tribute to Captain Raja Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, on the occasion of his 78th martyrdom anniversary, describing his supreme sacrifice as a timeless symbol of courage, patriotism and devotion to the defence of the country.

In a statement, the Speaker said Sarwar Shaheed embraced martyrdom on July 27, 1948, while defending the motherland in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the valiant officer displayed unparalleled bravery and unwavering determination in the line of duty.

Ayaz Sadiq said that Sarwar Shaheed was the first recipient of Pakistan’s highest military award, the Nishan-e-Haider, adding that his sacrifice remains a shining chapter in the glorious traditions of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

He said the sacrifices of the country’s martyrs are the guarantee of Pakistan’s freedom, sovereignty and security, and the nation will always remember its heroes with profound respect and gratitude.

The Speaker said that Captain Sarwar Shaheed’s spirit of selflessness, sense of duty, and love for the homeland continue to inspire the younger generation.

He said that the Pakistan armed forces have always rendered unparalleled sacrifices for the defence of the country, while those who laid down their lives for the nation remain the pride of the entire nation.

Ayaz Sadiq said that Pakistan stands secure and strong today because of the unmatched sacrifices of its martyrs.

The Speaker Sardar also prayed to Almighty Allah to elevate the ranks of Captain Raja Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed and grant him the highest place in eternal peace.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday chaired the maiden meeting of the Access to Finance Steering Committee and directed all stakeholders to accelerate implementation of the Prime Minister’s Access to Finance Plan 2026-2028 to improve affordable credit for key sectors of the economy.

The committee, constituted to provide strategic oversight of the Prime Minister’s Access to Finance Plan, reviewed measures aimed at expanding affordable financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), agriculture, information technology (IT), exports, renewable energy and housing, a news release said.

The meeting received a comprehensive presentation on the proposed governance structure, targeted outcomes and implementation workstreams designed to expand access to finance, strengthen financial inclusion and enhance affordable lending for priority sectors.

Members were also briefed on progress made by the SME Finance Sub-Committee and reviewed the implementation status of the government’s flagship financing initiatives, including Zarkhez-e (Asaan Zarai Qarza), the Apna Ghar Scheme and the Pakistan Accelerated Vehicle Electrification (PAVE) initiative, which promotes affordable electric bikes and e-rickshaws.

The committee discussed a proposed three-tier governance framework comprising monthly progress updates to the Prime Minister, fortnightly strategic oversight by the Steering Committee chaired by the finance minister, and weekly meetings of sector-specific sub-committees.

Participants also reviewed a reporting framework featuring Resolution Target Dates (RTDs), a structured escalation mechanism and periodic reporting to strengthen accountability and monitor progress across all implementation workstreams.

The finance minister also stressed the need for an effective progress-monitoring dashboard.

Addressing the meeting, Senator Aurangzeb said the Steering Committee would serve as the central platform for strategic oversight, policy coordination and progress monitoring, enabling timely decision-making, addressing cross-cutting challenges and fostering closer collaboration among regulators, financial institutions and implementing agencies.

He said the committee should remain focused on delivering measurable outcomes while providing an effective mechanism to resolve policy and operational issues affecting access to finance.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of flagship financing programmes, particularly Zarkhez-e (Asaan Zarai Qarza), focusing on application processing, approvals and loan disbursements by participating banks.

Participants were also updated on the Apna Ghar Scheme and the PAVE initiative, including application volumes, approvals, disbursements and operational challenges requiring continued engagement with participating institutions.

The committee further discussed national targets for SME financing, including increasing outstanding SME credit, expanding the share of SME lending in the banking sector and significantly increasing the number of active SME borrowers through a results-oriented monitoring framework.

Members were also briefed on ongoing reforms, including SME credit scoring, development of an Open Banking Framework and SME Digital Portal, integration with credit bureaus and measures to strengthen financing across key value chains.

The finance minister said the success of the Access to Finance Plan would depend on disciplined implementation, clear accountability and sustained institutional coordination.

He emphasised adherence to agreed timelines, stronger inter-agency collaboration and regular monitoring through data-driven performance indicators, adding that the Steering Committee would play a pivotal role in sustaining reform momentum, removing implementation bottlenecks and advancing the plan’s objectives.

The meeting was attended by Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal, the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the Chairman of the Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA), the Chief Executive Officer of Karandaaz Pakistan, and senior representatives of the Finance Division, the State Bank of Pakistan and the SECP.

Islamabad: Punjab will train at least 10, 000 teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and green skills under a $100 million Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded programme aimed at strengthening secondary education in the province.

According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the Responsive, Ready and Resilient STEM Secondary Education in Punjab programme will run until June 2030.

It aims to improve access to quality STEM education, particularly for girls, while upgrading school infrastructure, laboratories and teacher training.

The programme targets an increase of at least 50, 000 students in Grades 9 and 10 in participating schools, with girls accounting for at least half of the additional enrolment.

It also plans to construct or renovate multipurpose STEM laboratories in at least 2, 300 schools and equip them with modern software and laboratory equipment.

According to the documents, the programme will deliver gender-sensitive and inclusive STEM and green skills training to at least 10, 000 teachers.

It will also establish STEM and green skills clubs expected to benefit at least 40, 000 girls in programme-supported schools.

The initiative further includes strengthening school leadership, outsourcing laboratory management in at least 100 participating schools to private-sector partners, and improving learning outcomes for Grade 10 science students.

The STEM programme is intended to strengthen science education and equip students with practical knowledge and skills needed for future education and employment opportunities.

Islamabad: Dar-ul-Madina International University (DMIU) will host its ‘Poster Presentation and Innovation Gala 2026’ on July 28 at the university’s Seminar Hall, where students from various disciplines will present research projects, innovative ideas and practical solutions to real-world challenges before a panel of leading academics, researchers and education experts from across Pakistan.

The event, scheduled from 2: 00 p. m to 5:00 p. m, aims to provide students with a platform to showcase their research work, creativity and problem-solving abilities through poster presentations and innovation projects.

Prominent professors, researchers and educationists from different universities will serve as experts and examiners.

They will assess the presentations and offer professional feedback, academic guidance and recommendations to help students strengthen their research and analytical skills.

University officials said the initiative reflects DMIU’s commitment to promoting research, innovation, critical thinking and practical education while encouraging students to engage in academic dialogue and collaborative learning.

Faculty members, students, educationists and guests from various universities are expected to attend the event.

Representatives of print, electronic and digital media will also cover the gala to highlight the research achievements and creative contributions of participating students.