Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Federal Minister for national health services, regulations and coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal on Saturday stated that Pakistan offered significant investment opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector, urging Chinese companies to strengthen partnerships with Pakistani firms through the B2B investment platform.

He said these views while addressing the “Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference 2026”, adding that Pakistan’s geographical location and investment environment offered attractive opportunities for investors.

The Minister underscored that the pharmaceutical industry was directly linked to public health and would continue to remain a priority sector for the country.

He said that the investment in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry would provide access not only to the domestic market but also to regional and international markets.

Kamal expressed confidence that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) would achieve the WHO Maturity Level 3 (ML3) accreditation by April 2027 after completing the required regulatory benchmarks.

He said the milestone would significantly enhance Pakistan’s pharmaceutical regulatory system, enabling the country to export pharmaceutical products to more than 100 additional international markets.

Referring to the memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements signed during the conference, Mustafa Kamal said the government’s priority was to ensure their effective implementation.

The minister assured local and Chinese investors that the government and the Ministry of National Health Services would provide all possible facilitation, like cutting red tape, to help investment projects materialise.

Concluding his address,Kamal thanked the Chinese delegates for participating in the conference and expressed confidence that the two-day event would further strengthen Pakistan-China cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector and open new avenues for trade and investmen.

Islamabad: Federal Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSRandC), Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath stated that partnerships worth $850 million have been finalized at the B2B investment conference, called it the largest trade and strategic cooperation in the health sector in the history of Pakistan

Addressing the closing ceremony of the Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical and Healthcare B2B Investment Conference, 2026, here, he expressed confidence that these partnerships would open new avenues for the promotion of industrial cooperation, health economy and advanced medical technology under CPEC Phase II.

While focusing on the details of agreements, he highlighted that 16 trade agreements are worth more than US $600 million, including projects in cell line development, biotechnology, synthetic API manufacturing, local manufacturing of medical devices and clinical trials, while 18 memorandums of understanding are worth US $250 million.

He underscored that these investments are not just announcements but a sign of the beginning of practical projects, which will play a significant role in promoting modern medical industry and local manufacturing in Pakistan.

He thanked more than 150 industry experts from China and the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, saying that Chinese investment and technology will help make Pakistan a major hub for manufacturing and exporting medical products in the region.

He assured the investors that regulatory approvals, licensing, registration and other official steps will be completed on a priority basis under the supervision of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to ensure early implementation of the agreements.

In conclusion, he urged Pakistani industrialists to immediately start work on their projects after the conference so that this historic industrial partnership between Pakistan and China can be turned into a practical success.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal on Saturday lauded the success of “Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical and Healthcare B2B Investment Conference 2026”, expecting around $850 million in agreements, including 16 agreements and 80 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in the conference.

While talking to media on second day of the conference, he expressed confidence to revolutionize Pakistan pharma and health sector by million dollars’ investment that would not only promote local production but also create new job opportunities.

He attributed the success of conference to the visionary and patriotic leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling the effects of the conference beneficial for future generations.

“Everything was made possible due to the leadership skills and vision of Shehbaz Sharif. Now a new era has begun between Pakistan and China; its results will go down to generations,” he added.

He said the conference focused on increasing the local production, including vaccines, preparation of raw materials and medical devices that would help to reduce the import bill and enhance the foreign reserves.

At present, Pakistan imports 90 percent of the raw materials for medicines, he said.

“The cost of vaccine imports could reach $1.2 billion by 2030,” he said, adding, “to remove Pakistan from import dependence, the production of local vaccine is imperative.”

Pakistan’s first vaccine policy has been prepared and approved by the cabinet, which would pave the way to produce the vaccine locally, he said, adding that local production of raw materials will reduce the prices of medicines.

Regarding research and development in the pharma sector, he said, clinical research in the pharma sector Trials and vocational training agreements have also been signed, helping the sector to boost research and open new avenues in developing techniques, procedures and medicines to facilitate the public in controlling diseases.

Several reforms have been initiated in the health sector, he said, underscoring that 80 percent operations of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) made digital, enabling users to obtain their drug licenses by applying online from home.

“The license is issued via email within 20 days of registration on the DRAP portal,” he said.

He expressed confidence that Pakistan is gaining global recognition in pharma regulation, adding that Pakistan exports medicines to 52 countries at WHO Maturity Level 2 (ML2).

He maintained that DRAP would achieve WHO Maturity Level 3 (ML3) accreditation by April 2027, after which it would open the way for exports to 100 more countries.

Signing of the agreements in the pharma sector is proof of Pakistan’s business potential, highlighted by the participation of a large number of Chinese companies, the minister said.

While concluding, he expressed satisfaction over the achievement of goals in the conference and urged stakeholders to capitalise on new investment opportunities, so that the benefits of new investments and business agreements would reach the people.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik on Saturday held a meeting with key petroleum sector stakeholders on the government’s transition from weekly to daily petroleum pricing, saying the reform would promote transparency, strengthen competition and ensure fair, market-based prices for consumers.

Among others, the meeting was attended by representatives of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), the Oil Marketing Association of Pakistan (OMAP), refineries, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and senior officials of the Petroleum Division to discuss the implementation of the new pricing mechanism, a news release said.

The meeting was convened to brief industry stakeholders on the shift from weekly to daily petroleum price adjustments and obtain feedback on implementation challenges to ensure a smooth transition.

The move was widely welcomed by the industry, which described it as a positive step towards deregulating Pakistan’s petroleum sector.

The minister informed the meeting that the reform had been introduced on the directive of the prime minister and approved by the federal cabinet as part of the government’s commitment to establishing a rules-based petroleum pricing regime.

Under the new mechanism, retail petroleum prices will be determined through a transparent, formula-based system driven by market fundamentals, reducing the scope for political intervention and shielding consumers from abrupt price distortions.

Addressing the participants, Ali Pervaiz Malik said the daily pricing regime represented a fundamental shift towards a competitive, market-driven economy by ending dependence on the weekly price announcement cycle and mandatory government approval.

He said the new system would help curb market abuse and eliminate opportunities for windfall gains while ensuring greater transparency and fair pricing for consumers.

Officials told the meeting that the daily pricing mechanism formed a key component of the government’s phased deregulation strategy aimed at gradually reducing state intervention and allowing market forces to determine petroleum prices, similar to the daily movement of exchange rates.

The minister said the Petroleum Division, in consultation with OGRA and industry stakeholders, was finalising comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) to facilitate the transition.

He added that technical matters, including the Inland Freight Equalization Margin (IFEM), refinery adjustments and true-up mechanisms, were being addressed through close coordination with stakeholders.

OGRA informed the meeting that it had aligned its internal systems to implement the new regime and was upgrading its data dissemination mechanisms to publish daily petroleum price information for greater public transparency.

The meeting also reviewed operational issues relating to supply chain logistics, inventory management and the availability of real-time data.

The government assured stakeholders of its full support in addressing operational challenges and informed them that a dedicated committee had been constituted to oversee the transition and resolve implementation issues through consensus.

The minister stressed that OGRA, district administrations, oil marketing companies, dealers, OCAC and OMAP all had important roles in ensuring the success of the reform. He acknowledged that major reforms often presented implementation challenges but reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting consumers’ interests while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the petroleum sector.

Representatives of OCAC, OMAP, refineries and OMCs shared their views and highlighted operational concerns regarding the implementation of the daily pricing mechanism.

The minister assured them that all genuine issues would be addressed through continued consultation and collaborative engagement.

He directed the Petroleum Division and OGRA to hold follow-up meetings with industry representatives to further refine the pricing formula, resolve outstanding technical issues and ensure the successful rollout of the daily petroleum pricing regime.

Islamabad: Speaker of National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Saturday said the day symbolizes the Kashmiri people’s deep-rooted bond with Pakistan, reflecting their shared history, religion, culture and civilization, as well as their unwavering commitment to achieving their internationally recognized right to self-determination.

In his message on the occasion of ‘Accession to Pakistan Day, he said that the Pakistani nation will always stand shoulder to shoulder with its Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just struggle and will continue to extend wholehearted support to their legitimate aspirations.

Ayaz Sadiq said that on July 19, 1947, through a resolution passed at the historic session of the All-Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference in Srinagar, the resolve to accede to Pakistan was formally expressed, and it is in commemoration of this momentous occasion that ‘Accession to Pakistan Day’ is observed every year.

He said that this historic resolution was a true reflection of the collective sentiments of the Muslims of the subcontinent, the Two-Nation Theory, and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, and it came to occupy the status of a landmark milestone in the history of the Kashmir cause.

Ayaz Sadiq said that the dispute of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is a longstanding issue inextricably linked to lasting peace and stability in South Asia, whose just and durable resolution in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people is an absolute necessity.

He said that the international community must take effective cognizance of the grave human rights violations in IIOJK and play its due role in ensuring that the Kashmiri people are accorded their fundamental right to self-determination.

Ayaz Sadiq said that the Parliament of Pakistan has always stood united in its support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.

In this context, the Parliament has passed several unanimous resolutions against human rights violations in IIOJK, drawing the attention of the international community to this longstanding dispute, and will continue to raise the Kashmiri people’s voice effectively on every national, regional and international forum.

He said that the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir is playing an active role in highlighting the Kashmir issue effectively at national and international levels and conveying the voice of the Kashmiri people to the global community.

Ayaz Sadiq reiterated the resolve that Pakistan will continue its political, diplomatic, and moral support for the Kashmiri people at every level. He said that the sacrifices rendered by the Kashmiri people for freedom, justice, and the right to self-determination will never go in vain.

On this occasion, Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah said that ‘Accession to Pakistan Day’ is a symbol of the strong historical bonds, mutual trust and shared values between the Kashmiri people and the Pakistani nation.

He said that the Kashmiri people have rendered unparalleled sacrifices for freedom and the right to self-determination over the past several decades, and the entire nation salutes them.

He said that the Parliament of Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the Kashmiri people and will continue its political, diplomatic and moral support until the attainment of their just rights.

Islamabad: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued nationwide alerts for flash floods, urban flooding and landslides from July 18 to 23 in several parts of the country, including Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Islamabad and north eastern Balochistan.

Authority urges citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and take precautionary measures, according to an advisory issued by its National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) on Saturday.

The NEOC said the prevailing weather conditions are in line with its earlier forecast and it is continuously monitoring potential hazards while ensuring the timely dissemination of information to all relevant authorities.

Heavy rainfall may trigger flash floods in local streams, seasonal waterways and mountainous regions. Medium to high level flooding is expected in rivers and streams across Gilgit Baltistan.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper and central districts face the risk of flash floods and surging flows in hill torrents and seasonal streams.

The NDMA has also issued a landslide alert for Azad Jammu and Kashmir from July 19 to 24.

Continuous rainfall may trigger landslides in Neelum, Haveli, Poonch, Muzaffarabad and Bagh districts. Moderate risks also exist in the hilly areas of Kotli, Sudhnoti, Mirpur and Bhimber.

Roads in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Kahuta and Bhimber may be affected by falling debris and landslides, disrupting traffic movement.

The authority warned that water levels may rise significantly in the Neelum, Jhelum and Poonch rivers and their tributaries in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Separately, NDMA has issued flood alerts for Punjab and north eastern Balochistan from July 17 to 23.

Heavy rains may cause flash floods in seasonal streams and hill torrents across both regions.

Seasonal waterways in Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Murree and Galliyat are likely to experience high flows. In Balochistan, Zhob, Sherani, Musakhel, Loralai, Harnai, Sibi, Kohlu and Jaffarabad districts may also be affected.

The NDMA warned of rising water levels in the Chenab and Ravi rivers and their tributaries, advising residents living in low lying areas to remain vigilant.

Urban flood alerts have also been issued for July 18 to 23 in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad and Sheikhupura due to the forecast of heavy rainfall.

Low lying areas in Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan and Charsadda may also face inundation.

The NDMA has directed all relevant authorities to keep emergency machinery and rescue teams on high alert and ensure preparedness for any emergency situation.

Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers, seasonal streams, flooded roads and vulnerable mountain slopes.

Tourists are urged to exercise extreme caution when travelling through landslide prone areas.

The NDMA has urged the public to use the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert App for timely weather updates and safety advisories.