Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Deputy Chairman of the Senate, Syedaal Khan Nasir, has said that the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are built on a solid foundation of faith, mutual trust, and shared progress.

Addressing the Saudi Company Formation and Business Expansion Summit 2026, organized by Al Raee Group in Islamabad, he said Saudi Vision 2030 has opened new avenues for global investment and private sector growth, offering immense opportunities for the Pakistani business community.

Congratulating Al Raee Group and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on organizing the timely summit, the Deputy Chairman Senate described the event as a significant initiative to strengthen economic connectivity and add a new dimension to bilateral trade and investment.

He assured participants that the Senate of Pakistan and the government would continue to extend all possible support to initiatives that promote economic growth, employment, and technology transfer.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of Al Raee Group Bilal M. Zubair welcomed the distinguished guests and highlighted Saudi Arabia’s business-friendly policies.

He said that under Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom offers 100% foreign ownership, simplified banking procedures, and has removed the minimum capital requirement for various business activities, creating an ideal corporate environment.

He explained that any Pakistani private limited company or partnership firm that has been operating for at least one year can seamlessly expand into the rapidly growing Saudi economy by submitting key documents, including the Certificate of Incorporation and an audited financial report.

President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Atif Ikram Sheikh, stressed the need to strengthen private-sector linkages and lauded Al Raee Group’s constructive role in serving as an effective bridge for Pak-Saudi trade relations.

The summit was attended by foreign diplomats, leading investors, and senior corporate executives representing national and international companies.

A major highlight of the summit was the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Al Raee Group and representatives of 12 prominent

Pakistani companies from various sectors.

Under the agreements, these companies will establish operations and undertake large-scale investments in Saudi Arabia.

The summit marked a significant milestone in bilateral investment cooperation and laid a strong foundation for a long-term, resilient economic partnership between the two brotherly nations.

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Chief Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Inspector General of Islamabad Police and other respondents to submit their reports and para-wise comments within seven days in a case concerning the operation of shisha cafes and the reported increase in HIV cases in the federal capital.

Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar issued a two-page written order on a petition filed by citizen Abdul Jabbar.

According to the order, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that a large number of shisha cafes were operating within Islamabad, with some functioning after obtaining no-objection certificates (NOCs) while others were operating without the required approvals.

The counsel further argued that shisha cafes were contributing to the spread of HIV and other diseases and alleged that the relevant authorities had failed to take action against establishments violating the applicable rules and regulations.

Issuing notices to the respondents, the court directed the Chief Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Inspector General of Police and other concerned authorities to file their reports and para-wise comments within seven days.

The court also ordered the Deputy Commissioner and the Inspector General of Islamabad Police to appear in person at the next hearing.

The written order further directed that a copy of the petition be provided to the law officer, who was instructed to ensure compliance with the court’s directions and assist the court during the next hearing.

The case was adjourned until September 9.

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.