Day: August 2, 2026

Islamabad: Pakistan, on Saturday, welcomed the positive developments under the Board of Peace towards the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan.

‘Pakistan also appreciates the mediating countries, including the United States of America, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye, for their sustained efforts and expects that these developments will result in the full implementation of all commitments under the Gaza Peace Plan, ‘ Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, said in a press release.

The spokesperson said Pakistan trusts that these efforts will contribute to the realisation of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination through a credible, time-bound political process, consistent with international law, international legitimacy, and the relevant United Nations resolutions.

This process should culminate in the establishment of an independent, sovereign, contiguous, and viable State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its Capital, it was added.

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday paid tribute to security forces for successful intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan.

In a statement, he said the killing of five terrorists of Indian sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij, in the military operation is a manifestation of the courage and determination of the security forces.

The President lauded Major Hafiz Ihsan Elahi, who was martyred during the operation, and said that the nation will always remember the sacrifices of its brave sons.

“Major Hafiz Ihsan Elahi Shaheed set a high example of duty, courage and leadership by sacrificing his life in the defence of the homeland. The great sacrifices of the martyrs further strengthen the national resolve to defend Pakistan, ” he added.

Islamabad: The federal government’s Emergency Response Committee (ERC) on Saturday held its ninth daily review meeting at the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) in Islamabad to assess the country’s preparedness, rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts, with Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal directing all agencies to maintain a high state of readiness and speed up assistance to affected communities.

The meeting, chaired via video link by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was attended by Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Masood Malik, Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Punjab Health and Emergency Services Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, chief secretaries, NDMA chairman, senior federal and provincial officials, and disaster management authorities.

The NDMA briefed the committee on the latest monsoon situation, including casualties, damage to infrastructure, ongoing rescue and relief operations, and rehabilitation efforts in affected areas.

The committee was also informed about the flood situation triggered by Friday’s heavy rains in different parts of the country and the response by federal, provincial and district authorities to protect vulnerable communities and ensure timely emergency assistance.

Officials presented the latest hydrological outlook, warning that further rainfall is expected in northern and central Pakistan, while isolated to scattered showers are also likely in southeastern Sindh, raising the risk of additional flooding.

The NDMA also updated participants on humanitarian assistance being coordinated with national and international partners to support relief operations in flood hit areas.

The committee reviewed the response of federal ministries, provincial governments and district administrations, appreciated rescue and restoration efforts, and stressed the need for continued coordination among all stakeholders to deal with any emerging emergency.

Concluding the meeting, Prof Ahsan Iqbal directed all concerned departments to sustain operational momentum, strengthen coordination, maintain proactive preparedness, and accelerate relief and rehabilitation work wherever needed.

Islamabad: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has reduced the mandatory parking requirement for high-rise commercial buildings, allowing one parking space for every 1, 000 square feet of covered area instead of the previous standard of one space per 750 square feet.

The decision was approved at the 10th CDA Board meeting of 2026, chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Sohail Ashraf at the CDA headquarters on Saturday.

According to the authority, the revised regulation brings Islamabad’s parking standards in line with those followed by regulatory bodies in other cities and is aimed at facilitating commercial construction and investment.

The board was informed that the previous requirement had posed challenges for builders and developers, who in some cases were required to excavate up to six basement levels to meet parking requirements, creating structural and safety concerns.

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with the business community, builders and developers, had repeatedly sought a revision of the rule.

The new parking standard takes immediate effect and will also apply to commercial plots to be offered in the CDA’s open auction scheduled for Aug 4-6, as well as future commercial plot auctions.

The authority said the auction terms and conditions would be amended accordingly. The CDA said the revised policy would simplify the approval of commercial building plans and help boost construction activity in the federal capital.

Chairman Sohail Ashraf said the authority would continue introducing facilitative measures to promote planned urban development, investment and construction in Islamabad.

Islamabad: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi emphasized that pensionary benefits must be processed and provided to retiring officers at the time of their retirement so that they receive their lawful entitlements without delay or inconvenience.

Chief Justice made these remarks during a farewell ceremony held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan in honour of Mr. Hifz ur Rehman, Senior Assistant Registrar, on his retirement from service. Chief Justice presented the retiring officer with a cheque representing his pensionary benefits and directed the Establishment Branch to ensure the timely completion of all pension-related formalities.

The direction reflects the Supreme Court’s commitment to employee welfare, administrative efficiency, and a responsive institutional culture in which retiring officials are treated with dignity, and their post-retirement benefits are secured promptly.

The ceremony was attended by the Registrar, Supreme Court of Pakistan, along with officers and colleagues of the Court, who acknowledged Mr. Hifz ur Rehman’s services and dedication. They also conveyed their best wishes to the retiring officer for his health, happiness, and a fulfilling post-retirement life.

Islamabad: Pakistan has launched the UN Women Gender-Responsive AI School Pakistan, a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting the ethical, inclusive and gender-responsive use of artificial intelligence (AI).

The initiative was launched by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) in collaboration with UN Women Pakistan, with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). It is designed to build AI capacity among policymakers, government officials, parliamentarians, UN agencies, academia, civil society organizations, businesses and community leaders.

The AI School combines theoretical knowledge with practical training, offering courses on AI fundamentals, ethical and gender-responsive AI, AI governance, prompt engineering, AI agents, public administration and the application of AI for inclusive development.

Training activities began ahead of the official launch, with tailored sessions for government officials, parliamentarians, UN personnel, academics and civil society representatives to strengthen responsible AI expertise across sectors.

Pakistan has also become the first country in South Asia to host the complete national Training of Trainers (ToT) track under the UN Women AI School.

Since 2024, the regional initiative has trained more than 5, 000 policymakers, UN officials, civil society members and young innovators across Asia and the Pacific.

UN Women Pakistan Country Representative Jamshed M. Kazi said Pakistan is the first country in the region to introduce national AI training pathways spanning the executive, legislative and judicial branches, while also engaging civil society and the private sector.

The initiative seeks to address the limited integration of gender considerations in AI policymaking. According to UN Women, only a small fraction of national AI policies worldwide explicitly address gender issues. The AI School aims to promote gender equality, inclusion and greater participation of women and girls in Pakistan’s digital transformation.

Pakistan’s National AI Policy also emphasizes incorporating a gender perspective into AI development and expanding digital skills programs for marginalized women and persons with disabilities.

During the launch ceremony, MoITT and UN Women Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to institutionalize the AI School and ensure its long-term implementation under national ownership.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said AI is reshaping every sector, and Pakistan is committed to ensuring women and girls have equal opportunities to participate and lead in the country’s digital economy.

KOICA Pakistan Deputy Country Director Sodam Baek said the initiative will strengthen digital skills, encourage the responsible use of AI and expand opportunities for women and girls across Pakistan.