Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL), in collaboration with the literary and cultural organization Zawiya and the Akhuwat Foundation, hosted the launching ceremony of ‘Moloo Musalli’, a new book by renowned social worker, humanitarian, author and founder of the Akhuwat Foundation, Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib, here on Friday.

The ceremony was held at the Conference Hall of the PAL and was attended by prominent literary figures, scholars, writers and book lovers from Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Renowned poet and literary icon Iftikhar Arif presided over the event, while PAL Chairperson Dr. Najeeba Arif and eminent poet and columnist Muhammad Izhar-ul-Haq attended as chief guests.

Director General of the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, was the guest of honour.

Speaking on the occasion, noted poet Harris Khalique and literary scholar Dr. Humaira Ashfaq highlighted the literary and social significance of Moloo Musalli. They described the book as a moving portrayal of the lives of people affected by poverty, deprivation and injustice, while emphasizing its powerful message of humanity, compassion and social responsibility.

The speakers lauded Dr. Amjad Saqib’s contribution not only as a humanitarian and social reformer but also as a writer whose work reflects the struggles, resilience and dignity of marginalized communities.

They termed Moloo Musalli a valuable addition to contemporary Urdu literature, saying it promotes human values, mirrors social realities, and encourages readers to develop empathy and a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the underprivileged.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Faiz Jilani Malik and Jaleel Ahmad Malik.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday hailed the signing of nine agreements worth around US$ 440 million between Pakistani and Chinese private enterprises in the pharmaceutical sector, describing the development as a major step towards strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and advancing the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0).

Addressing the Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical Business-to-Business Conference here, the prime minister expressed confidence that the agreements would turn into practical projects, saying they would boost investment in pharmaceutical manufacturing, vaccines, research and development, and help Pakistan emerge as a regional centre for the production and export of life-saving medicines.

“I think this will ultimately result into manufacturing life saving medicines, vaccines, research and development and become a center of excellence for exporting our wonderful products to neighboring countries,” he said.

He said China had consistently stood by Pakistan during difficult times and had already invested more than US$ 30 billion under first phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), calling the new partnerships another milestone in expanding economic cooperation.

The prime minister congratulated Pakistani and Chinese entrepreneurs on the agreements and praised the efforts of Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, government institutions and business leaders for making the conference a success.

The prime minister also highlighted Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace, saying Islamabad had played an important mediating role during the recent regional crisis with the support of friendly countries, particularly China.

He appreciated the contributions of President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other Chinese leaders, while also acknowledged the efforts of Field Marshal, Syed Asim Munir, and Deputy Prime Minister, Ishaq Dar in diplomatic engagements.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to Chinese investors, he said the security of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan remained the government’s highest priority and assured them of comprehensive protection.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the sighing of agreements worth US$ 440 million between the two sides in the pharmaceutical sector.

Health Minister, Syed Mustafa Kamal said the conference was held on the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, adding that weeks of intensive meetings had paved the way for the business-to-business engagements. He said Pakistan’s ambassador in Beijing had also played an important role in facilitating the initiative.

Mustafa Kamal said Pakistan and China had enormous untapped potential for trade and investment in healthcare and other sectors. He said the government was taking measures to improve public access to quality healthcare and thanked Chinese companies for their participation and confidence in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector.

Chinese Ambassador, Jiang Zaidong said Pakistan’s large and growing population had created significant demand for healthcare, making the country’s pharmaceutical sector an attractive destination for investment and cooperation. He said the embassy had worked as a bridge between enterprises of both countries to promote business partnerships.

The ambassador welcomed Pakistan’s improving economic indicators under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership and appreciated Islamabad’s constructive role in recent regional developments.

He expressed hope that Pakistan would continue providing a stable and secure environment for Chinese enterprises and noted the prime minister’s special focus on facilitating Chinese investment.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan said Pakistan was pursuing innovation-driven industrial growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose vision emphasised implementation, technology transfer and global competitiveness.

He said the prime minister’s recent visit to China had opened a new chapter in bilateral economic cooperation and created fresh opportunities for industrial collaboration.

Haroon Akhtar said pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and vaccine manufacturing had been identified as national industrial priorities, supported by reforms aimed at reducing bureaucracy and improving the investment climate. He invited Chinese companies to partner with Pakistan in research, manufacturing and exports, saying the two countries could jointly serve regional and international markets through deeper industrial cooperation.

Islamabad: Speaker of National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has paid rich tribute to the Security Forces for successfully carrying out an Intelligence-Based Operation (IBO) in Bannu, during which 24 terrorists belonging to Fitna Al Khawarij were exterminated.

Ayaz Sadiq commended the security forces for their exceptional professionalism, courage and unwavering commitment in thwarting the nefarious designs of the Indian proxy terrorist group, Fitna Al Khawarij.

He said that the timely and effective operations conducted against Indian-sponsored terrorists reflect the high level of professionalism, preparedness and resolve of Pakistan’s Security Forces.

Ayaz Sadiq said that the successful operation is a manifestation of the nation’s firm resolve to eradicate the menace of terrorism.

He emphasized that Pakistan’s security forces have consistently demonstrated extraordinary courage, professional excellence and an unflinching commitment to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and security.

Reaffirming the nation’s collective resolve against terrorism, Ayaz Sadiq said that the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its brave forces in the fight against the scourge of terrorism.

He said that the sacrifices rendered by the martyrs in defence of the homeland are a source of immense pride for the nation and will always be remembered with the highest respect and gratitude.

Ayaz Sadiq further said that every conspiracy aimed at undermining Pakistan’s peace and stability will be decisively defeated.

He expressed confidence that under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, security forces will continue their operations until the complete elimination of terrorism, ensuring lasting peace, stability and security.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb here on Friday chaired a meeting to review the implementation roadmap and operational readiness of the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) National Faceless Centre, a key initiative under the new Tax Operating Model aimed at establishing a technology-enabled, centralized, and transparent framework for tax administration.

The meeting received a detailed briefing on the implementation roadmap, including the establishment of the Project Management Unit (PMU), governance arrangements, technology development, operational preparedness, and the phased rollout strategy.

Participants also outlined the key milestones identified for the pre-pilot, pilot, and implementation phases to ensure timely execution of the project, said a press release issued by finance ministry.

Aurangzeb appreciated the progress made in establishing the Project Management Unit and emphasized that effective coordination between operational and technology teams would be critical for successful implementation.

He noted that the National Faceless Centre represents an important reform initiative to modernize tax administration through greater digitalization, standardization, and transparency.

The meeting reviewed the governance framework supporting the new operating model, including institutional arrangements for project oversight, risk management, and implementation monitoring.

Participants also briefed the meeting on the development of the risk engine and the progress made in defining rules-based case selection for the faceless system.

The finance minister emphasized the importance of a carefully designed pilot phase to validate the new operating model before its nationwide rollout.

He underscored the need to ensure operational readiness, identify implementation challenges at an early stage, and incorporate lessons learned to support a smooth transition to the new system.

Participants also discussed progress on technology development, business requirements, digital infrastructure, and system integration required for the National Faceless Centre. The meeting was informed that an agile implementation approach is being adopted to enable continuous collaboration between business and technology teams throughout the development process.

Recognizing the importance of protecting digital infrastructure, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized that information security and data governance should remain integral to the implementation process.

He underscored the need for continued investment in cybersecurity capabilities and secure digital infrastructure to safeguard taxpayer information and support the long-term sustainability of the new operating model.

The finance minister also called for regular progress reviews to closely monitor implementation milestones, address emerging challenges in a timely manner, and ensure that the project remains on schedule.

He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting the successful implementation of this important tax administration reform.

Islamabad: Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, called for an inclusive and equitable Artificial Intelligence ecosystem at a United Nations Development Programme event in New York. He urged the global community to harness emerging technologies to advance sustainable development, innovation, and youth empowerment, ensuring that no young person is left behind in the digital age.

Addressing global policymakers, development experts and youth leaders, Rana Mashhood said Artificial Intelligence must serve as a bridge to opportunity rather than a source of inequality, according to a press release received here on Friday.

He stressed that equitable access to emerging technologies has become imperative for building resilient and inclusive societies.

Highlighting Pakistan’s demographic strength, he said nearly 70% of the country’s population is under the age of 30, representing a powerful force for innovation, entrepreneurship and national development.

Chief PMYP noted that Pakistan’s youth are not merely beneficiaries of technological change but are poised to become its architects, provided they are equipped with the right skills, opportunities and platforms.

The PMYP chairman highlighted the Government of Pakistan’s investments in youth centred initiatives aimed at preparing the next generation for the digital economy.

These include digital skills training programmes, technical and vocational education, Artificial Intelligence capacity building and the Digital Youth Hub.

He said empowering young people with future ready skills was central to achieving sustainable development goals and unlocking Pakistan’s economic potential in an increasingly technology driven world.

Rana Mashhood reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering innovation led growth and building an inclusive digital future where every young person has the opportunity to learn, lead and contribute meaningfully at both the national and global levels.

Islamabad: As temperatures continue to soar during the peak summer season, people across Pakistan are increasingly turning to traditional beverages to stay cool and hydrated.

Among them, Sardai remains one of the most popular and refreshing drinks, offering relief from the scorching heat while providing a rich blend of nutrients.

Prepared from a mixture of almonds, pistachios, melon seeds, fennel seeds, poppy seeds, black pepper, cardamom, rose petals and milk, Sardai has been a cherished part of South Asian culinary traditions for generations. Served chilled, it is especially popular during the hottest months of the year and on festive occasions.

Street vendors, beverage shops and dry fruit stores across the country witness a significant increase in Sardai sales during heatwaves. In Islamabad, long queues can be seen at well-known stalls serving freshly prepared Sardai, reflecting its enduring popularity despite the widespread availability of carbonated soft drinks and energy beverages.

The ready-to-make Sardai mix is also witnessing growing demand in the federal capital. Dry fruit shops are reporting increased sales of the traditional blend, while online stores are making it more accessible to consumers seeking a convenient way to prepare the drink at home.

Ahmad, a shopkeeper at Aabpara Market, told reporter that social media has played a major role in boosting Sardai’s popularity, with many people opting for ready-made mixes available in the market.

“People are becoming more health-conscious and prefer Sardai because it is packed with nutritious ingredients while providing a natural cooling effect. It has become one of the most sought-after drinks during the summer season,” he said.

He added that the rising demand has made Sardai a profitable seasonal business and encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to consider selling the traditional beverage during the peak summer months.

Ayesha, a nutrition expert at a private hospital in Blue Area, said Sardai provided instant energy while helping the body remain hydrated. She explained that the nuts and seeds used in its preparation are rich in healthy fats, protein, vitamins and essential minerals, while fennel and cardamom are known for their cooling and digestive properties. The drink also contains natural antioxidants that contribute to overall health and well-being.

However, she advised moderation, noting that Sardai was often prepared with sugar and full-fat milk, which may increase calorie intake, particularly for people with diabetes or those trying to manage their weight.

She recommended preparing the drink with less sugar and low-fat milk to make it a healthier option without compromising its nutritional value.

Beyond its refreshing taste, Sardai represented Pakistan’s rich culinary heritage. Unlike artificially flavoured beverages, it was prepared from natural ingredients and continues to be valued for both its nutritional benefits and cultural significance.

As climate change contributed to longer and more intense summers, health experts advise people to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and consuming natural beverages such as Sardai alongside seasonal fruits. Combined with a balanced diet and proper precautions against heat exposure, this traditional drink remains a wholesome and refreshing way to beat the summer heat.

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