Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Superintendent of Police (SP) Aiwan-e-Sadr/Parliament House Tahir Mehmood Khan visited security deployment points at the Marriott Hotel to review security arrangements and assess the performance of personnel deployed at the site.

An official told reporter on Thursday that the SP Tahir inspected various security duty points and interacted with officers and officials performing security duties.

During the visit, SP Tahir briefed the personnel on the nature of their assignments and directed them to perform their duties with professionalism, discipline, vigilance, and a high sense of responsibility.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining operational readiness, remaining alert at all times, and ensuring effective security measures to safeguard important locations and visitors.

The official said the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police continued to strengthen security arrangements at sensitive locations to ensure the safety of citizens and maintain law and order in the federal capital.

Islamabad: The National Technology Fund (Ignite), operating under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), will host the Indus RAS (Robotics and Autonomous Systems) Expo 2026 on July 22-23 at the Pak-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad.

The two-day national technology event will bring together policymakers, defence organizations, industry leaders, researchers, academia, startups, investors, students and technology professionals to strengthen Pakistan’s robotics ecosystem and accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies across strategic sectors.

As robotics and autonomous systems continue to reshape economies worldwide, they are driving transformation across manufacturing, defence, agriculture, healthcare, logistics, transportation and public services.

The Indus RAS Expo 2026 aims to position Pakistan at the forefront of this technological shift by providing a collaborative platform where innovators, researchers and industry representatives can showcase indigenous solutions, exchange knowledge and forge partnerships to translate research into real-world applications.

The expo will feature innovations in defence robotics, drone technologies, industrial automation, maritime autonomous systems, agritech, Physical AI, human-machine collaboration, AI-powered decision support systems and emerging startup solutions.

Leading universities, research institutions, technology companies, startups and public-sector organizations will showcase locally developed products, advanced prototypes, applied research and live technology demonstrations, highlighting Pakistan’s growing capabilities in advanced engineering and intelligent systems.

Among the flagship attractions will be the RAS Innovation Challenge and the RoboWars Competition, where students, engineers and startups will present original robotics, drone and autonomous systems solutions before a panel of industry experts.

The event will also feature high-level plenary sessions and an Immersive Experience Dome, combining interactive storytelling with 360-degree digital experiences to inspire the next generation of innovators and demonstrate the transformative potential of emerging technologies.

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said, “Robotics and autonomous systems are becoming fundamental drivers of economic competitiveness, industrial modernization and national resilience. Indus RAS Expo 2026 reflects the government’s and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s commitment to investing in innovation, empowering local talent and creating opportunities for our researchers and entrepreneurs to develop technologies that can compete on the global stage.”

Ignite Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Bilal Abbasi said, “At Ignite, we believe innovation flourishes when academia, industry and government work together with a shared purpose. Indus RAS Expo 2026 is designed to strengthen these connections, accelerate the commercialization of indigenous technologies and provide innovators with a national platform to demonstrate solutions that can shape Pakistan’s technological future.”

As a flagship event under the broader Indus AI initiative launched in February 2026, the expo reflects Pakistan’s commitment to fostering innovation, strengthening academia-industry collaboration and accelerating the development of a world-class AI and robotics ecosystem.

The Indus RAS Expo 2026 is being organized in collaboration with the National Centre of Robotics and Automation (NCRA) and the NUST College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EandME). The event will be open to visitors on both days.

Islamabad: Islamabad district administration has strengthened support for overseas Pakistanis through a dedicated land complaint helpline, 0300-4024255, aimed at addressing property-related disputes and illegal occupation cases.

During a meeting with overseas Pakistanis, Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon said complaints received through the helpline and email are reviewed immediately, while participants acknowledged the quick response provided by the administration.

The meeting focused on measures taken by the district administration to assist overseas Pakistanis facing land and property issues in the federal capital.

Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon informed participants about the special mechanisms established to receive and process complaints related to land disputes, illegal occupation, and other property matters. He said the dedicated helpline is fully operational and serves as a direct channel for overseas Pakistanis seeking assistance.

During the discussion, overseas Pakistanis appreciated the administration’s response system and said the helpline has helped identify issues that may otherwise have remained unreported. Participants noted that the availability of a dedicated complaint platform has improved communication between citizens living abroad and local authorities.

The deputy commissioner explained that every complaint received through the helpline or email is examined without delay. He said relevant departments are directed to investigate reported issues and take action where required.

Irfan Memon urged overseas Pakistanis to report all land-related concerns, particularly cases involving illegal occupation or disputes over ownership and possession. He emphasized that timely reporting helps authorities take action and prevents matters from becoming more complicated.

He appealed to citizens living abroad to register complaints through the helpline 0300-4024255 whenever they encounter problems related to land, encroachment, or other property matters in Islamabad. He said complaints submitted through official channels allow the administration to maintain records and monitor progress on each case.

The deputy commissioner reiterated that the district administration maintains a clear policy against illegal occupation of land in the federal capital. He stated that action against individuals or groups involved in unlawful possession of property is being carried out without discrimination.

Islamabad: Acting President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Tahir Ayub, on Thursday emphasized that digital commerce has emerged as one of the most powerful drivers of business growth, export diversification and global competitiveness.

He urged that Pakistani entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to embrace e-commerce platforms to access international markets and accelerate the country’s export-led economic growth.

He expressed these views while addressing a “Sellers Onboarding Session in Collaboration with Alibaba.com Pakistan” organized by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday.

Tahir Ayub said that the overwhelming response to the session reflected the growing awareness among the business community that the future of international trade lies in digital connectivity and online marketplaces.

He noted that businesses that successfully adopt digital technologies would be better positioned to compete in the rapidly evolving global economy.

He added that adopting e-commerce, investing in digital capabilities and embracing innovation would not only diversify export destinations but also enhance productivity, encourage entrepreneurship, generate employment and contribute to sustainable economic development.

He said the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been consistently working to equip its members with the knowledge, skills and market linkages required to succeed in the digital age.

Through strategic collaborations, awareness programmes and capacity-building initiatives, ICCI is helping businesses adapt to emerging global trade trends and capitalize on new opportunities created by digital commerce.

Representatives of Alibaba.com Pakistan Muhammad Sadiq, Khawaja Arsalan, and Muhammad Maaz digitally highlighted the growing significance of digital B2B e-commerce platforms in today’s global trading environment.

They provided participants with a comprehensive overview of Alibaba.com’s ecosystem, explained the seller onboarding process, and shared practical insights on creating a strong digital presence, reaching international buyers, generating export leads, and building sustainable global business through the platform.

Reaffirming ICCI’s commitment to promoting exports and digital transformation, ICCI Vice President Irfan Chaudhry said that the Chamber would continue collaborating with leading national and international organizations to facilitate businesses, strengthen Pakistan’s export ecosystem and create new avenues for economic growth.

Islamabad: Pakistan Railways has launched an extensive programme to upgrade aging rail infrastructure, expand the network and restore long-neglected sections, with the objective of improving safety, reducing travel time and strengthening national connectivity.

‘The department owns a total of 11,881 track kilometers and 7,791 route kilometers across the country, adding that nearly 67 percent of the existing track has become over-aged,’ an official in the Ministry of Railways.

Despite limited investment in railway infrastructure for more than seven decades, the official said, Pakistan Railways has continued to maintain operations to ensure sustainable service delivery.

The official said the Ministry has recognized the deteriorating condition of railway tracks and is making substantial efforts to improve infrastructure through revenue generation and funding under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

At the planning stage, the official said Pakistan Railways has proposed large-scale upgradation of branch lines with financial support from the provincial governments of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.

In Punjab, the official said seven sections spanning over 1,400 kilometers are planned for upgradation, including the Shahdara-Narowal-Sialkot, Raiwind-Kasur-Pakpatan-Lodhran and Kot Adu-Dera Ghazi Khan-Kasmor Colony routes.

In Sindh, six sections covering nearly 1,000 kilometers-such as Karachi-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Rohri and Kotri-Dadu-have been proposed for improvement. While in Balochistan, the Sariab-Quetta-Kuchlak section is also included in the upgradation plan, he added.

To further enhance regional and international connectivity, the official said Pakistan Railways has initiated feasibility studies for new rail links, including a possible connection with Afghanistan via Kohat-Thal-Parachinar-Kharlachi, as well as a 680-kilometer rail link from Gwadar to Nok Kundi.

The official said that land acquisition is underway for future rail connectivity from Gwadar to Mastung and Jacobabad through various routes in Balochistan.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways has successfully restored the Sibi-Harnai section, measuring 93.41 kilometers, which had remained closed since 2006 and was reopened for rail traffic in October 2023. The restoration work on the Samasatta-Bahawal Nagar section has also been awarded to Frontier Works Organization (FWO), with completion expected following the revision of the PC-I, he added.

He said these initiatives will significantly improve passenger convenience, enhance safety and reduce travel time between major railway stations, marking a key step toward the modernization of Pakistan Railways.

Islamabad: The Large Scale Manufacturing Industries(LSMI) in the country during the first eleven months of the financial year ended on June 30, 2026, grew by 5.77 percent as compared to the corresponding period of the last year.

According to the Provisional Quantum Index Numbers of Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (QIM) for May 2026, the overall large-scale manufacturing sector has indicated a growth of 5.77 percent during the period from July-May 2025-26, when compared with the same period of the last year.

The provisional quantum indices of LSMI for May 2026, with base year 2015-16 has been developed on the basis of the latest data supplied by the source agencies. The QIM estimated for the period under review was registered at 121.65.

Meanwhile, the LSMI output decreased by 0.98 percent during the month of May, 2028, when it was compared with the same month of the last financial year. On a month-on-month basis, the LSMI grew by 1.21 percent in April 2026.

During the period from July-May 2025-26, the sector which posted growth in their respective output included food, beverages, tobacco, wearing apparel, paper and board, coke and petroleum products, rubber products, non metallic mineral products, fabricated metal, computer, electronics and optical products, electrical equipment, machinery and equipments, automobiles, other transport equipment, furniture. The other manufacturing, which indicated a decline, included textile, leather products, wood products, chemical products, pharmaceuticals and iron and steel products.