Month: August 2026

Islamabad: A parliamentary delegation of the Senate of Pakistan will participate in the UNITE Global Summit 2026, to be held in Manila, Philippines, from 3-4 August 2026.

The summit, convened under the theme of advancing equitable, resilient, and sustainable global health systems through parliamentary leadership and international cooperation, will bring together parliamentarians, policymakers, international organisations, and global health experts from across the world.

The Senate delegation comprises Senator Khalida Ateeb, Senator Husna Bano, Senator Rahat Jamali, Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Misbah Khar, Advisor to the Chairman, Senate, and Ms. Shahana Iftikhar, Director General.

The composition of the delegation reflects the Senate of Pakistan’s commitment to inclusive representation by ensuring meaningful participation of senators from different political parties in the Senate at international policymaking forums.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has always advocated strengthening Pakistan’s parliamentary diplomacy through active engagement in global platforms while promoting the role of women and minorities in addressing international policy challenges.

During the two-day summit, the Pakistani delegation will participate in high-level plenary sessions, parliamentary dialogues, leadership forums, policy workshops, and panel discussions focusing on innovative and sustainable health financing, universal immunisation, mental health and wellbeing, climate-resilient health systems, pandemic preparedness, digital health governance, and strengthening regional and global partnerships for public health security.

The delegation will also engage with fellow parliamentarians, government representatives, development partners, and international organizations to exchange experiences, promote evidence-based legislative approaches, and explore collaborative solutions to emerging global health challenges. Pakistan will share its parliamentary perspectives and reaffirm its commitment to advancing inclusive, people-centered health policies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The participation of the Senate delegation underscores Pakistan’s continued commitment to promoting parliamentary diplomacy and contributing constructively to international efforts aimed at building resilient, equitable, and sustainable health systems. It further reflects the Senate’s resolve to strengthen cooperation with regional and global partners in support of improved public health outcomes and sustainable development.

The UNITE Global Summit is the flagship annual event of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, serving as a premier international platform where legislators and decision-makers engage with leading experts and global institutions to shape policy responses to the world’s most pressing health challenges.

Through dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing, the Summit promotes evidence-based legislation and strengthens parliamentary leadership in advancing global health, resilience, and sustainable development.

Islamabad: The Emergency Response Committee (ERC), constituted by the prime minister, on Sunday held its 10th daily review of the country’s monsoon response, directing authorities to maintain maximum preparedness and accelerate relief and rehabilitation efforts as fresh rain is forecast for northern and central Pakistan, with isolated showers also expected in southeastern Sindh.

The committee’s 10th session, chaired by Planning Minister Prof Ahsan Iqbal through video link at the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), was attended by representatives of federal ministries, provincial governments, chief secretaries, provincial disaster management authorities and other response agencies.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) briefed participants on the latest weather outlook, casualties, infrastructure losses and ongoing rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations.

It said deputy commissioners in all vulnerable districts had already been alerted to ensure timely preparedness and emergency response.

The committee was informed that recent rains had triggered flooding in several areas and that coordinated response operations were continuing through federal, provincial and district authorities. Officials warned that rainfall is expected to continue over northern and central parts of the country in the coming days, while isolated rain is also likely in parts of southeastern Sindh.

The NDMA also updated the meeting on relief activities being carried out with the support of national and international humanitarian organisations.

The committee was told that most fatalities during the current monsoon season resulted from the collapse of unsafe structures and poorly constructed buildings, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of building safety standards and greater public awareness.

The ERC appreciated the efforts of federal ministries, provincial governments, district administrations, the armed forces, rescue services and other responding agencies.

It directed all stakeholders to strengthen coordination, sustain a high level of preparedness, expedite relief and rehabilitation work, and implement preventive measures to reduce the impact of future weather events.

Islamabad: Pakistan Customs has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional customs cooperation and promoting secure, technology-driven trade facilitation by actively participating in the 11th Policy-Level Meeting of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)-World Customs Organization (WCO) Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP/IREN) held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Pakistan’s delegation was led by Member Customs (Operations) Syed Shakeel Shah, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), accompanied by Director General Reforms and Automation, Pakistan Customs, Muhammad Imran Khan Mohmand, said a release issued here on Sunday.

The high-level meeting brought together senior customs officials from across the region to discuss measures aimed at strengthening regional cooperation for secure, seamless and technology-enabled trade.

The participants deliberated on advancing trade facilitation through mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, recognition of regulatory documents, wider adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled risk management and data analytics, and enhanced public-private partnerships to facilitate legitimate trade while combating illicit cross-border activities.

The participating customs administrations agreed to establish dedicated technical working groups to prepare draft protocols in priority areas, paving the way for greater digital integration, improved regulatory cooperation and more efficient regional trade and transit.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Pakistan delegation held a bilateral meeting with the First Deputy Chairman of the Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan to review progress under existing customs cooperation mechanisms and discuss expanding collaboration in strategic areas, including National Targeting Centres, transit cargo tracking, AI and machine learning-based risk management, customs digitalization, intelligence-led enforcement and enhanced exchange of customs information.

During the meeting, Syed Shakeel Shah highlighted that Uzbekistan is the first country with which Pakistan has established advance customs information exchange through the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) for both imports and exports, marking a significant milestone in digital customs cooperation.

Building on this achievement, both sides agreed to explore extending the existing digital connectivity to include transit trade information.

The initiative is expected to improve the quality and timeliness of customs data exchange, strengthen border controls, reduce clearance times and facilitate faster, more secure and seamless regional trade and transit.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral customs cooperation through enhanced digital connectivity, coordinated border management, exchange of best practices and adoption of modern customs technologies. These measures are expected to enhance supply chain security, facilitate legitimate trade and contribute to greater regional economic integration.

Pakistan Customs reiterated its resolve to leverage innovation, digital transformation and international cooperation to build a modern customs administration that enhances trade competitiveness while ensuring effective enforcement and robust border security.

Islamabad: Member of the National Assembly and President of the Women Wing of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Islamabad, Farah Naz Akbar, on Sunday visited polling stations established at G-6 and G-9 in Islamabad during the elections for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) refugee seats.

During her visit, she met voters, party workers stationed at election camps, and reviewed the polling arrangements.

She appreciated the enthusiasm of voters and commended party workers for their efforts in facilitating the electoral process.

Farah Naz Akbar urged voters to exercise their democratic right peacefully and responsibly, stressing that public participation is essential for strengthening democratic institutions.

A large number of PML-N office-bearers, women from different walks of life, and party supporters accompanied her during the visit and expressed confidence in the party’s performance in the elections.

Islamabad: Security forces have continued a series of intelligence-based operations under Operation 11 Garaj across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past two months, targeting militant hideouts and facilitators, according to security sources.

The latest operation was carried out in the Shakro area of Bajaur, where security forces effectively engaged and destroyed militant hideouts based on intelligence information, the security sources said.

They added that several militants were killed and injured during the successful operations in Bajaur. Security forces also apprehended facilitators and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition during the ongoing campaign.

According to the sources, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) being used by the militants were also located and destroyed during Operation 11 Garaj.

The operations are being conducted with the support of ground forces and quadcopter surveillance, forcing militants to flee populated areas while enhancing the effectiveness of the intelligence-based campaign, the sources said.

They further stated that every effort was being made to ensure the safety of civilians and protect life and property, with operations being conducted in a manner aimed at preventing harm to the local population.

Security sources reaffirmed that the security forces remain committed to continuing operations without interruption until terrorism is completely eradicated and lasting peace is restored in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Islamabad: Strong, empowered and representative local government institutions are essential for addressing the everyday challenges faced by citizens and ensuring effective, transparent and accountable governance said Syed Kausar Abbas, Executive Director of the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO).

He stated that local governments are the cornerstone of democratic governance and serve as the first point of contact for citizens seeking solutions to issues relating to municipal services, healthcare, education, sanitation, infrastructure and local development. When elected local representatives are empowered with adequate constitutional authority, administrative autonomy and financial resources, they can respond more effectively to the needs and priorities of their communities.

Syed Kausar Abbas emphasized that an effective local government system strengthens transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and inclusive development. He noted that meaningful representation of women, youth, minorities, and marginalized communities in local governments is essential to ensure that public policies reflect the aspirations of all segments of society.

He called upon the federal and all provincial governments to immediately announce local government elections across the country and ensure that these elections are held in a free, fair, and timely manner. He further urged all provincial governments to enact and implement strong, empowered and autonomous local government laws that provide elected local government representatives with meaningful administrative, legislative and financial authority instead of limiting their role through excessive bureaucratic control.

‘Pakistan cannot achieve inclusive development, responsive governance, and sustainable democracy without vibrant and empowered local governments. Delaying local government elections weakens democratic institutions and deprives citizens of their constitutional right to local representation. The federal and provincial governments must immediately announce local government elections and introduce robust local government laws that genuinely empower elected representatives to resolve the issues of common people at their doorstep, ‘ said Syed Kausar Abbas.

He added that empowered local governments would improve public service delivery, strengthen accountability, promote participatory governance and accelerate socio-economic development while enhancing trust between citizens and state institutions.

SSDO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting democratic governance, decentralization, institutional reforms and citizen participation through evidence-based research, policy advocacy, and engagement with public institutions to strengthen local governance across Pakistan.