Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: The twelfth meeting of the Heads of Border Services of the Competent Authorities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States was held here on Friday under the chairmanship of Pakistan.

The meeting was attended by the heads and representatives of the border services of the competent authorities of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), a Ministry of Foreign Affairs news release said.

The meeting was held in a constructive and cordial atmosphere, where the participants exchanged information and assessments regarding the situation along the international borders of the SCO Member States, as well as trends and forecasts relating to its development.

During the meeting, the participants discussed and approved the results of the Joint Border Operation ‘Solidarity-2025’, conducted by the border services of the competent authorities of the SCO Member States, considered and approved the plan for the preparation and conduct of the Joint Border Operation ‘Solidarity-2026’, approved the Work Plan of the Group of Experts of the Border Services of the Competent Authorities of the SCO Member States for 2027, supported the proposal of the Republic of Tajikistan to host the Joint Border Operation ‘Solidarity-2027’ in 2027 and discussed proposals regarding the venue and timing of the next meeting of the Heads of Border Services of the Competent Authorities of the SCO Member States.

The participants noted that the exchange of views and the development of common positions on countering emerging challenges and threats along the borders of the SCO Member States would contribute to further strengthening cooperation among their border services, while enhancing security and mutual trust along their shared borders.

Islamabad: The Chess Federation of Pakistan concluded the 34th National Men’s Chess Championship and the 10th National Women’s Chess Championship at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.

Zaman Sohaib of the Higher Education Commission and Punjab’s Fariha Siddiq won the national titles after outperforming 250 players from across Pakistan in the country’s premier chess competition.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry attended the closing ceremony as Chief Guest and distributed prizes among the winners, while senior parliamentarians, government officials and sports leaders participated as Guests of Honour.

Zaman Sohaib secured the men’s national title with five points, while Punjab’s M Zarwais Shabkhez finished second with 4.5 points. AR Akhtar of the Higher Education Commission claimed third place on tie break after also scoring 4.5 points.

Fariha Siddiq remained unbeaten throughout the women’s championship to claim the national title with 10.5 points. Zainubia Wasif finished runner up with nine points, while Javeria secured third place with eight points.

The championship showcased some of Pakistan’s finest chess talent and highlighted the growing popularity of the sport across the country.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said Pakistan’s stature at the international level was steadily rising and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting sports, nurturing talent and creating opportunities for young athletes.

He lauded Chess Federation of Pakistan President Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi for his contributions to Pakistani sports and expressed confidence that the federation would further strengthen chess in the country under his leadership.

Federal Secretary for Inter Provincial Coordination Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani congratulated the Chess Federation of Pakistan on successfully organising the championship and assured continued government support for the promotion of chess in Pakistan.

The Guests of Honour included Federal Secretary for Inter Provincial Coordination Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, Member of the National Assembly, President of the Young Parliamentarians Forum and Chairperson of the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, Senator Nuzhat Sadiq, Member of the National Assembly and Parliamentary Secretary for National Heritage and Culture Farah Naz Akbar, Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar, Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal Khan, Chess Federation of Pakistan President Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi, Vice President Rehan Azam and President of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Afzal Butt.

Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar announced a cash award of Rs100,000 for specially abled player Saeeba Shah and Rs25,000 for the oldest participant of the championship.

Senator Nuzhat Sadiq said empowering young talent in line with the Prime Minister’s vision was the need of the hour and expressed confidence that the Chess Federation would create greater opportunities for aspiring players.

MNA Farah Naz Akbar described the championship as an important milestone for the promotion of chess in Pakistan.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, trophies, medals, certificates and prize cheques were distributed among the winners.

Chess Federation of Pakistan President Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi thanked the distinguished guests, players, officials, media representatives and organisers and reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to holding more national and international chess events in the future.

Islamabad: President of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) Abdul Aleem Khan has vehemently condemned the armed attack on the election convoy of IPP Azad Kashmir President, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas.

According to reports, miscreants associated with the Action Committee opened fire on the election convoy at Tain Dalkot in Azad Kashmir, said a press release issued on Friday.

Expressing deep grief and sorrow over the incident, Abdul Aleem Khan extended his heartfelt condolences on the martyrdom of a security guard who lost his life in the line of duty during the firing. He also expressed intense concern for former advisor Sardar Imtiaz Shaheen and another security guard who sustained injuries during the attack.

“This attack by malicious elements is an extremely cowardly act,” stated the IPP President. “There is absolutely no room for violence in democratic politics.”

Abdul Aleem Khan assured the grieving families that the party stands firmly by them in this tragic hour. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of our martyred guard and with those who were injured.

Islamabad: The Federal Constitutional Court has ruled that every dispute regarding appointments in public universities could not be treated as a constitutional case.

The court emphasized that unsuccessful candidates could not invoke constitutional jurisdiction simply by alleging a lack of transparency or procedural violations.

In its detailed written judgment released on Friday, the court overturned the decision of the Sindh High Court and restored the decisions of the Karachi University’s selection committee and syndicate regarding the appointment of professors.

The Federal Constitutional Court stated in its verdict that constitutional jurisdiction could only be exercised when the legality of the recruitment process was fundamentally compromised.

Intervening in every matter to conduct a judicial review would effectively turn courts into appellate forums for appointments, which was contrary to Article 199 of the Constitution.

The court further observed that acting as an appellate forum for educational institutions was inconsistent with the autonomy granted to universities. Public universities were expected to complete the recruitment process in a fair and transparent manner, strictly in accordance with their respective statutes and regulations.

The case originated when Dr. Feroz Alam Jafri challenged, in Sindh High Court, the recruitment process for professors at the University of Karachi. The High Court had nullified the appointments, noting that a member of the selection committee was also a candidate for a position. However, the Federal Constitutional Court set aside the High Court’s ruling, upholding the original decisions made by the university’s selection committee and syndicate.

Islamabad: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman on Friday paid tribute to the security forces for killing 24 terrorists during an operation in Bannu, praising their courage and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation.

In a statement, she said the brave personnel fighting against terrorism were the pride of the entire nation and had rendered remarkable sacrifices for the country’s peace and security.

Sherry Rehman said the people of Pakistan stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in the fight against terrorism and would not hesitate to make any sacrifice for its complete eradication.

She reaffirmed that there was no place for terrorists on Pakistan’s soil, adding that their complete elimination was a national resolve.

The PPP leader said the war against terrorism would continue until the menace was completely eradicated, expressing confidence that the nation and the security forces would work together to establish lasting peace across the country.

Islamabad: Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Friday released 265,800 cusecs of water from various rim stations with an inflow of 288,500 cusecs.

According to the data released by IRSA, the water level in the River Indus at Tarbela Dam stood at 1505.11 feet, which was 103.11 feet higher than the dead level of 1402.00 feet. Water inflow and outflow in the dam were recorded as 182,200 cusecs and 162,100 cusecs, respectively.

The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1173.30 feet, which was 123.30 feet higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet. The inflow and outflow of water were recorded as 22,600 cusecs and 20,000 cusecs, respectively.

The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa, Guddu and Sukkur was recorded as 203,300, 182,500, 128,700, and 63,200 cusecs, respectively. Similarly, from River Kabul, a total of 31,700 cusecs of water was released at Nowshera, and 22,700 cusecs were released from River Chenab at Marala.