Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police, continuing their “Weapon-Free Islamabad” campaign, arrested an alleged arms dealer and recovered a large cache of illegal weapons during a targeted operation in the jurisdiction of Noon Police Station.

An official told reporter on Thursday that the arrested suspect, identified as Shah Sahib Jan, was found in possession of three automatic machine guns, one Kalashnikov, two 30-bore pistols and one revolver, all recovered during the operation.

The official said the action was carried out as part of the directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi to eliminate illegal weapons and ensure public safety across the federal capital.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Qazi Ali Raza said Islamabad Police had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against the possession, sale and public display of illegal weapons.

Islamabad: Chairperson of the Peace and Culture Organization, Mushaal Hussein Mullick, on Thursday expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the father of senior Hurriyat leader Altaf Wani, saying the Kashmir freedom movement was not merely a political struggle but a story of immense sacrifices made by countless Kashmiri families.

In a condolence message, she said thousands of Kashmiri families had endured separation from their loved ones because of their commitment to Pakistan, ideological affiliation and the Kashmir freedom movement.

She said many families remained divided between Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Azad Jammu and Kashmir and different parts of Pakistan, yet their hearts continued to beat for the common cause of Kashmir’s freedom.

Mushaal Mullick said the family of Altaf Wani, like many other Hurriyat leaders, had rendered significant sacrifices for the Kashmir cause, adding that despite prolonged separation from their loved ones, they had never wavered in their commitment to the freedom movement and their bond with Pakistan.

She prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul, elevation of his ranks in the hereafter and strength and patience for Altaf Wani and the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.

Islamabad: The National Committee of the Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards (PWPA) has finalized the recipients for the 2026 awards after reviewing nominations from Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The decision was taken in a meeting, chaired by Dr. Syed Moazzam Nizami, here at the Snow Leopard Foundation office on Thursday. Inspector General (Forests), Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination were also present in the meeting.

Awards to the selected candidates would be presented on 31 July at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), Islamabad, to mark World Ranger Day.

The award ceremony would be jointly hosted by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, the British High Commission Pakistan and the Snow Leopard Foundation.

The event would bring together government officials, conservation partners, wildlife professionals, and frontline rangers from across Pakistan to recognise their contribution to protecting the country’s wildlife and natural heritage.

Launched in 2024, by the Snow Leopard Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards recognize individuals and organizations making outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation across Pakistan’s mountain landscapes.

The National committee evaluated 26 nominations received from the three snow leopard range regions under an approved scoring system.

Members also approved a new Community Conservation Award to recognize community-led efforts in protecting wildlife and mountain ecosystems.

This is the first time a community award has been included to promote community-based conservation and strengthen local conservation organizations.

This year, the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) received 26 nominations from three regions including AJK (6), GB (8), and KP (12) for seven award categories. Based on the final selection, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa secured three awards each, while Azad Jammu and Kashmir secured one award.

Dr. Shezra Mansab Kharal, Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, said, ‘The Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards celebrated the courage of the people who stand on the frontlines of conservation, often in some of the country’s most challenging landscapes.”

“Their commitment safeguards not only endangered wildlife but also the ecological security and natural heritage of Pakistan. By recognizing their service, we reaffirm our national resolve that protecting biodiversity is a shared responsibility and an investment in the future of generations to come.’

Dr. Syed Moazzam Nizami, Inspector General (Forests), said, ‘Conservation succeeds because of the dedication of people who protect nature every day, far from public attention and often under difficult conditions.”

“The Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards acknowledge these silent guardians whose vigilance strengthens ecosystems, supports local communities, and preserves Pakistan’s remarkable wildlife.’

Dr. Muhammad Ali Nawaz, Director of the Snow Leopard Foundation, said, ‘Over the years, I have learned that successful conservation depends on people who protect nature every single day. Rangers, wildlife watchers and local communities are the real strength behind Pakistan’s conservation efforts.”

He said the Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards celebrated these unsung heroes whose dedication keeps our wildlife and ecosystems alive. ” Their work deserves recognition, respect and continued support.’

Ashiq Ahmad Khan, senior wildlife expert and member of the committee, said, ‘Every wildlife ranger, watcher and community guardian represents years of quiet service.”

He said these awards recognize the people whose daily efforts protect Pakistan’s wildlife and inspire others to join the conservation movement.

The committee also agreed to consider introducing a dedicated Research Award in future editions of PWPA to recognize outstanding contributions to wildlife research.

It was decided that each provincial wildlife department would nominate a permanent focal person to ensure continuity in future meetings.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Muhammad Ali Nawaz, Director, Snow Leopard Foundation, Abid Ali, Director, Central Karakoram National Park, Parks and Wildlife Department Gilgit-Baltistan, Muhammad Faique Khan, Conservator, Wildlife Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Naeem Iftikhar Dar, Director, Fisheries and Wildlife Department AJK, Ashiq Ahmad Khan, senior wildlife expert; Abdul Shakoor Khan, Deputy Director, Fisheries and Wildlife Department AJK, and other committee members.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja arrived in Shanghai, China, on Thursday to participate in the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026.

According to a news release issued by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the minister is playing an active and key role during her visit to Shanghai and is participating in high-level technical negotiations on the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).

Shaza Fatima Khawaja will represent Pakistan at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 being held in Shanghai.

During her visit, the minister is also scheduled to hold important bilateral meetings with global technology leaders and foreign ministers to promote cooperation in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and digital innovation.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed the relevant authorities to maintain complete preparedness to counter any potential challenges arising from the prevailing uncertainty in the region and lauded the public support for the austerity and fuel-saving drive of the government.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review the impact of regional tensions on the national economy, the prime minister said that by the grace of Allah, the national economy remained stable at present, but stressed the need to formulate a comprehensive strategy to enable timely action.

The meeting was briefed that the country currently possessed sufficient reserves of petroleum products to meet domestic requirements, and that measures had been put in place to ensure their continued supply in the future.

PM Shehbaz commended the effective and timely response of the government’s strategy, which he said, had ensured optimal management of the fuel supply situation in the country.

He noted that the government had extended protection to the common man, motorcyclists, rickshaw drivers and transporters, and that subsidies provided by the state had helped contain the impact of any increase in fuel prices.

The prime minister directed that, in coordination with provincial governments, strict action be taken against elements responsible for creating an artificial shortage of petroleum products in the market.

Reflecting on the government’s earlier austerity campaign, the prime minister expressed heartfelt gratitude to the public for the role they had played in its success, and called for the same spirit to be adopted nationwide going forward. “Just as the people extended full support during the previous simplicity campaign, austerity must now be embraced at the national level,” he said.

He also acknowledged the public’s cooperation in the national campaign for the conservation of petroleum products and energy, describing it as a significant contribution to the country’s economic resilience.

The prime minister warned that escalating tensions in the region could adversely affect the country’s economic outlook going forward, and reiterated the need for vigilance and readiness across all relevant institutions.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervaiz Malik and Awais Khan Leghari, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmed, and senior government officials.

Islamabad: Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) issued a traffic advisory, announcing diversions on the Murree GT Road from 12: 00 midnight on July 15 until July 20 due to road repair work.

An ITP official told reporter on Thursday that traffic would be diverted from the 17-Mile Toll Plaza on Murree GT Road, and the route would remain closed to all types of traffic during the repair work.

He advised commuters traveling from Islamabad to Murree and Nathia Gali to use the Murree Expressway and other alternate routes to avoid inconvenience.

The official urged citizens to check the latest road conditions before starting their journey towards Murree and cooperate with the traffic police to ensure smooth traffic management.

He added that further traffic updates and travel guidance would be available through the Islamabad Traffic Police’s official communication channels.