Month: August 2026

Islamabad: Following monsoon rains in the federal capital, the district administration launched a citywide response to address flooding in low-lying areas.

Acting on the directions of Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Yousaf, Assistant Commissioners remained in the field while drainage operations continued across residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and major roads.

Authorities reported that flooding in affected areas had been brought under control and traffic flow had been restored on all roads. The Islamabad district administration remained on high alert after monsoon rainfall triggered water accumulation in several low-lying parts of the city.

Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Yousaf supervised the situation through real-time monitoring of drainage operations and coordinated field activities with Assistant Commissioners and sanitation teams.

According to the administration, drainage work was carried out in various sectors and vulnerable locations where rainwater had collected. Teams worked continuously to remove standing water and prevent disruptions to daily movement. Officials said the situation in low-lying areas was brought under control after timely intervention by field staff.

Traffic movement, which had been affected in some locations due to water accumulation, was restored after drainage operations cleared roads and key routes. Additional sanitation workers were deployed in response to complaints regarding standing water in different parts of the city.

Sahibzada Yousaf said drainage activities were continuing across Islamabad to ensure that rainwater was removed from all affected areas. He added that preparations for the monsoon season had been completed before the arrival of heavy rains, including the cleaning of storm drains and waterways across the capital.

The ADC General stated that special monitoring teams had been formed to keep a close watch on drains during rainfall and respond quickly to any blockage or overflow. These teams remained active throughout the rain spell and coordinated with field officers to address emerging issues.

Officials further said Assistant Commissioners were present on the ground alongside sanitation staff to oversee operations and ensure uninterrupted drainage work. Monitoring of residential areas, business centers, and major roads was continuing to prevent further water accumulation and maintain normal traffic flow.

The district administration said all available resources would remain deployed during the monsoon season to respond to weather-related challenges and keep public services functioning without interruption.

Islamabad: Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), successfully concluded a five-day National Training Course (NTC) on Conducting Computer Security Inspections for Nuclear Facilities at PNRA.

The course, held from July 27-31, was organized by PNRA’s National Institute of Safety and Security (NISAS), as an IAEA Collaborating Centre.

It brought together national regulatory staff and security inspectors responsible for safeguarding the digital systems of Pakistan’s operational nuclear facilities, strengthening participants’ understanding of computer security methodologies, sharpening their ability to assess compliance, conduct security audits, and identify potential vulnerabilities in line with IAEA’s Nuclear Security Series guidance.

The course was led by three distinguished international experts; Mr. Louis Ebiotuno Tabai of the IAEA, Mr. Jeong Ho Lee of the Republic of Korea, and Mr. Ricardo Paulino Marques of Brazil, who provided participants with practical knowledge and global perspectives on computer security inspections.

“Computer security is one of the important aspects of regulatory oversight of safety and security of nuclear installations. This training has contributed in further enhancing our inspector’s ability to stay ahead in ensuring computer security against evolving threats. This is of course a reflection of partnership with IAEA to further strengthen regulatory oversight of facilities and activities’ said Chairman PNRA, Mr. Zia Hussain Shah, during his concluding remarks.

While speaking at the closing ceremony, the IAEA representative Mr. Louis Ebiotuno Tabai, acknowledged Pakistan’s continued collaboration with the Agency and emphasized the importance of building national expertise to address evolving computer security challenges in the nuclear sector.

The successful conclusion of the course marks another milestone in the longstanding cooperation between PNRA and the IAEA in building national regulatory capacity.

The knowledge and practical experience gained during the programme will further strengthen Pakistan’s capability to effectively oversee computer security at nuclear facilities in accordance with internationally recognized practices.

Islamabad: National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan held the closing ceremony of the National Faculty Development Program (NFDP) Cohort-IX for Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs (IPFP) Fellows, marking the successful completion of the professional development programme at HEC Secretariat, Islamabad.

Chairman HEC, Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, graced the ceremony as the Chief Guest and awarded certificates to the participants in recognition of their successful completion of the three-week professional development programme.

In his address, the Chairman congratulated the IPFP Fellows on successfully completed the programme and encouraged them to pursue academic excellence with professionalism, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to learning. He emphasized that Pakistan’s higher education institutions require competent, innovative, and ethically grounded faculty members who can inspire students, advance high-quality research, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s socio-economic development.

He underscored the need to further strengthen and transform the IPFP initiative into a sustainable model that places greater emphasis on entrepreneurship. Reaffirming the significance of the teaching profession, he described it as one of the noblest callings, urging the fellows to uphold the highest standards of academic and professional excellence throughout their careers.

Earlier, in her welcome remarks, Dr. Noor Amna Malik, Managing Director, NAHE congratulated the fellows on successfully completed the training programme and urged them to translate the knowledge, innovative teaching methodologies, and professional competencies acquired during the programme into effective classroom practice and academic excellence.

She reaffirmed NAHE’s commitment to equipping future faculty members with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to meet the evolving demands of higher education through high-quality professional development initiatives.

During the ceremony, Dr. Muneer Ahmed, Director, NAHE, administered the professional oath to the IPFP Fellows, reaffirming their commitment to academic integrity, ethical conduct, excellence in teaching and research, lifelong learning, and dedicated service to advancing Pakistan’s higher education sector.

Islamabad: The Emergency Response Committee (ERC), constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Friday held its eighth consecutive session to assess the nationwide monsoon situation, review ongoing rescue and relief operations, and strengthen preparedness measures as fresh rainfall is forecast across northern and central Pakistan.

The meeting, held at the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) at NDMA headquarters, was chaired via video link by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo attended the session at NEOC, while Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Punjab Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique, provincial chief secretaries, NDMA chairman, senior federal officials, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) and other response agencies’ officials joined physically and virtually.

NDMA officials briefed the committee on the latest monsoon situation, including human and infrastructure losses, ongoing rescue and relief efforts, and rehabilitation work in affected areas.

The committee was informed that rainfall was expected in northern and central parts of the country, while isolated to scattered showers were also likely in southeastern Sindh, raising concerns over further weather-related emergencies.

The National Emergencies Operations Centre also presented an updated hydrological outlook and highlighted potential hazards associated with the continuing monsoon spell.

Participants were briefed on relief operations being carried out in coordination with national and international humanitarian partners to support communities affected by heavy rains and flooding.

The committee was further informed that population growth, changing agricultural patterns, climate variability and rising temperatures were placing increasing pressure on Pakistan’s water resources, underscoring the need for improved water management and climate resilience.

Reviewing response measures undertaken by federal ministries, provincial governments and district administrations, the committee acknowledged the efforts of emergency responders in protecting communities, restoring essential services and delivering relief assistance.

Emphasising the need for continued vigilance, the committee reiterated the importance of close coordination among all stakeholders to ensure a swift response to any emerging situation.

Ahsan Iqbal directed all concerned departments to maintain the current operational tempo, strengthen coordination mechanisms, continue proactive preparedness measures and accelerate relief and rehabilitation activities in rain-affected areas.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Engineer Amir Muqam on Friday ordered an immediate rescue operation after contact was lost with a 10 member international mountaineering team following an avalanche near Broad Peak (8,047 metres) in Gilgit-Baltistan, directing all relevant authorities to coordinate with the Pakistan Army to locate and assist the climbers.

Taking notice of reports received from the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) and the district administration of Shigar, the minister instructed all concerned departments to remain on high alert and accelerate search and rescue efforts.

Mr Muqam said every available resource should be utilised to ensure the safety of the missing climbers, who were part of an international expedition led by renowned mountaineer Nirmal “Nims” Purja.

According to initial reports, the team includes Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi from Hunza as well as mountaineers from Nepal, the United States, Oman, China and other countries.

Expressing deep concern over the incident, the minister prayed for the safety of the climbers and directed rescue teams to keep the government informed of developments on a real time basis.

Broad Peak, located in the Karakoram range of Gilgit-Baltistan, is the world’s 12th highest mountain and attracts climbers from across the globe during the summer climbing season.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the condition or exact whereabouts of the missing expedition members.

Islamabad: The Board of Directors of the Institute of Financial Markets of Pakistan (IFMP) has approved the relocation of the Institute’s head office to Islamabad as part of a major strategic transformation.

The move is aimed at for making IFMP the country’s premier institution for financial market education, continues professional training, and capacity building. The Institute will, however, maintain a regional office in Karachi, said a press releas issued by the SECP on Friday.

The Board unanimously elected Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), as Chairperson of the IFMP Board, while Muhammad Ali Farid Khawaja, Commissioner, Securities Market Division (SMD), SECP, joined the Board as SECP’s nominee member.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Mubbashar Sadiq, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), IFMP; Jawad Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX); Shariq Jaffrani, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Central Depository Company (CDC); Dr. Ahmed Junaid, Dean, Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL); Shahrukh Usmani, Company Secretary, IFMP; and Mr. Ahmad Javed, Manager Finance, IFMP.

Addressing the meeting, Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said that with 64-67% of Pakistan’s population under 30, the country has immense potential to expand financial inclusion, retail investment, entrepreneurship, and employment.

He said SECP has set a target of increasing Pakistan’s capital market investor base from around 500,000 to 2.5 million, emphasizing that financial literacy and skills development will be fundamental to achieving this objective.

He said IFMP will lead a nationwide financial literacy initiative by taking financial education to schools, universities, and professional communities across Pakistan.

The Institute will equip youth and professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in the formal financial sector, strengthen investor confidence, and impart professional courses to develop qualified human capital for the capital market and insurance industries.

Commissioner SECP Mr. Muhammad Ali Farid Khawaja said the Pakistan Stock Exchange must expand its reach across Pakistan, noting that a growing number of new investors are emerging from Punjab and other regions of the country.

He said IFMP will significantly expand its mandate by introducing free online financial literacy courses, continuous professional development programmes, certification courses for capital market and insurance intermediaries, and specialized industry training to build a skilled financial services workforce.

The Board also placed on record its appreciation for the valuable contributions of outgoing SECP nominee directors Mr. Osman Syed and Dr. Yasir Mahmood, and acknowledged the dedicated leadership of Mr. Shoaib Javed Hussain during his tenure as Chairperson of the IFMP Board.