Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Pakistan and Portugal on Thursday reviewed the full range of bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen political engagement and cooperation in trade and investment, labour mobility, agriculture, renewable energy, information technology, education, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

During the fourth round of the delegation level Pakistan-Portugal Bilateral Political Consultations held here, the two sides also discussed opportunities for greater business-to-business engagement, port connectivity, and cooperation in olive cultivation and processing.

The Pakistan delegation was led by Ambassador Ayesha Ali, Additional Secretary (Europe), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Portuguese delegation was headed by Ambassador Helena Malcata, Director-General for Foreign Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments and expressed satisfaction with their coordination in multilateral forums.

During the visit, the Portuguese delegation also called on the Foreign Secretary, and exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The consultations were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, a press statement issued by the Foreign Office Spokesperson said.

During the consultations, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to regular political dialogue and to further expanding mutually beneficial cooperation. Both also agreed to hold the next round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Lisbon on mutually agreed dates.

Islamabad: The Islamabad district administration held a high-level performance review meeting to assess the work of all assistant commissioners and magistrates, with a focus on four major areas: anti-encroachment operations, anti-begging campaigns, dengue prevention efforts, and monsoon monitoring.

The meeting also reviewed steps to ensure the availability of essential commodities at official prices and improve public service delivery across the federal capital.

The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad, who conducted a detailed review of the performance, field responsibilities, and operational activities of all field officers. The session examined overall administrative performance, field monitoring mechanisms, and measures aimed at improving services for residents.

Officials briefed the meeting on ongoing operations against encroachments, illegal construction, professional begging, and dengue-related risks. Progress reports from different areas of the city were presented, highlighting actions taken by field teams and enforcement authorities.

The administration also reviewed efforts to ensure compliance with government-approved prices and the availability of daily-use items in local markets. The DC emphasized the importance of protecting consumers from overcharging and maintaining regular market inspections.

A separate review was conducted on the ongoing crackdown against LPG outlets charging excessive prices and the sale of illegal or substandard fuel. Officials shared updates on enforcement measures and monitoring activities being carried out in different sectors of Islamabad.

The meeting also discussed strategies to strengthen anti-begging and anti-dengue campaigns, along with preparedness measures related to the ongoing monsoon season. Participants exchanged views on improving coordination among departments and enhancing field-level responses to emerging issues.

Addressing the officers, the Deputy Commissioner directed all assistant commissioners and magistrates to demonstrate their performance through measurable results. He stressed that administrative effectiveness should be reflected in practical outcomes rather than routine reporting.

The DC further instructed all field officers to ensure a daily presence in their assigned areas and maintain close monitoring of public issues. He said direct engagement with citizens and the prompt resolution of complaints should remain a top priority for every officer.

The Deputy Commissioner reiterated that equal enforcement of the law, transparent accountability, and effective public service would remain the core priorities of the Islamabad district administration. He said the administration would continue monitoring field performance closely to ensure that government policies are implemented and public concerns are addressed without delay.

The meeting concluded with directions for stronger field supervision, improved coordination, and continued efforts to enhance service delivery across Islamabad.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja departed for Shanghai, China, on Thursday on a two-day official visit to represent Pakistan at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC).

According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the visit was expected to mark a significant milestone in Pakistan’s engagement in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) at the global level.

The spokesperson said Pakistan has formally joined the World Artificial Intelligence Organization (WAIO) as a founding member, reflecting the country’s commitment to advancing AI development and strengthening its role in global AI governance.

During the visit, the federal minister would participate in the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and hold meetings with ministers from various countries and global technology leaders to promote bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence, technology transfer and joint initiatives.

The spokesperson said Pakistan’s inclusion in the organization as a founding member demonstrated its commitment to promoting AI-driven innovation, strengthening policy development and adopting technologies in line with international standards.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday departed for Shanghai, China for a two-day visit to attend the signing ceremony for the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).

As Pakistan joins the WAICO as a founding member, the deputy prime minister will sign the agreement, participate in the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance.

On the sidelines of the conference, he will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi besides meeting with other counterparts to discuss matters of mutual interest.

During his engagements, Deputy Prime Minister Dar will share Pakistan’s perspective on strengthening international cooperation in artificial intelligence, with particular emphasis on the priorities and development needs of the Global South.

He will underscore the importance of bridging the global AI divide, promoting equitable access to AI technologies, enhancing capacity-building, and ensuring that the benefits of AI contribute to sustainable development and shared prosperity for all.

Islamabad: The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and the Overseas Pakistanis Global Foundation (OPGF) have agreed to strengthen cooperation to empower Pakistan’s youth and deepen engagement with overseas Pakistanis through joint initiatives in entrepreneurship, skills development, digital innovation, and diaspora engagement.

According to a press release received here Thursday from the Overseas Pakistanis Global Foundation in New York, the understanding was reached during a meeting in New York between PMYP Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan and OPGF Chairman Zaheer Akhtar Mehr, where both sides discussed expanding collaboration to promote national development and create new opportunities for young Pakistanis at home and abroad.

Welcoming the OPGF delegation, Mashhood described overseas Pakistanis as one of the country’s greatest national assets, making remarkable contributions through remittances, investment, knowledge transfer, and professional expertise.

The OPGF delegation was led by Chairman Zaheer Akhtar Mehr and included General Secretary Mian Athar Hafeez and other senior office bearers.

Rana Mashhood said the government highly values the contribution of overseas Pakistanis and remains committed to introducing policies that facilitate their active participation in Pakistan’s economic and social development.

He said the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme is implementing a comprehensive strategy to provide educational opportunities, technical and vocational training, entrepreneurship support, digital skills, and employment prospects for young Pakistanis.

He added that empowering youth is essential for achieving sustainable economic growth and enhancing Pakistan’s competitiveness in the global economy.

The PMYP chairman emphasized that collaboration with organizations representing overseas Pakistanis would help build stronger links between the Pakistani diaspora and the country’s youth. He noted that Pakistani professionals living abroad possess international experience and expertise that could play an important role in innovation, technology transfer, business development and human resource capacity building.

He said creating platforms that connect overseas Pakistani professionals with talented young Pakistanis through mentorship, internships, investment opportunities, and professional networking would help prepare the country’s youth to compete successfully in an increasingly knowledge-based global economy.

Mehr briefed the PMYP chairman on the foundation’s mission and ongoing initiatives to safeguard the interests of overseas Pakistanis while strengthening their relationship with Pakistan.

He said OPGF has consistently worked to promote the welfare of the Pakistani diaspora and encourage greater engagement between overseas communities and national institutions.

Mehr said overseas Pakistanis have always demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Pakistan by supporting the country through remittances, humanitarian assistance, investment, and professional services. He stressed that these contributions require stronger institutional support and regular coordination with government organizations.

He reaffirmed OPGF’s commitment to working closely with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme in launching joint initiatives that would engage overseas Pakistani youth and professionals in Pakistan’s development journey.

General Secretary OPGF Mian Athar Hafeez highlighted the need for effective institutional mechanisms to address issues faced by overseas Pakistanis while promoting stronger people-to-people contacts between the diaspora and Pakistan. He said overseas Pakistanis possess tremendous potential to contribute not only financially but also through knowledge sharing, investment, innovation, and community development initiatives.

During the meeting, both sides also discussed organizing joint seminars, conferences, youth exchange programmes, awareness campaigns, and leadership initiatives aimed at strengthening engagement with overseas Pakistani communities around the world.

They agreed to explore practical avenues of cooperation for promoting youth empowerment, encouraging entrepreneurship, enhancing skills development, supporting digital innovation, and facilitating greater participation of overseas Pakistanis in Pakistan’s economic and social development.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to maintaining close institutional coordination and transforming the discussions into concrete collaborative initiatives that would benefit overseas Pakistanis, empower Pakistan’s youth, and contribute to Pakistan’s long-term national development agenda.

Islamabad: Deputy Chairman Senate, Syedaal Khan on Thursday held separate meetings with Interior Secretary Captain (Retd.) Khurram Agha and Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Dr. Usman Anwar here at Parliament House.

According to a news release issued by the Senate Secretariat, the meetings focused on the overall law and order situation in the country, internal security, the performance of law enforcement agencies, and matters relating to public safety and national security.

During his meeting with Interior Secretary, Captain (Retd.) Khurram Agha, discussions were held on internal security, counter-terrorism measures, the maintenance of law and order, and issues related to national security.

On the occasion, Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan said maintaining law and order and safeguarding the lives and property of citizens were among the foremost responsibilities of the state. He emphasised that effective coordination and cooperation among all institutions were essential to achieving these objectives.

He said a peaceful and secure environment was the foundation of development, investment, and public prosperity.

The deputy chairman also appreciated the services and sacrifices of law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and strengthening internal security across the country.

Later, during his meeting with Director General Federal Investigation Agency Dr. Usman Anwar, discussions were held on the agency’s overall performance, measures to combat cybercrime, human trafficking and financial crimes, action against illegal activities, and efforts to enhance the institution’s professional capacity.

Deputy Chairman Senate, Syedaal Khan commended the FIA for its role in safeguarding national interests, upholding the rule of law, and combating crime.

He said the agency was playing a vital role in addressing emerging challenges and strengthening public confidence in state institutions.

He particularly appreciated the FIA’s successful operations against cybercrime, human trafficking, and financial corruption.

DG FIA Dr. Usman Anwar briefed the deputy chairman on the agency’s performance, ongoing reforms, and initiatives aimed at enhancing institutional capacity in line with modern requirements.

He reaffirmed the FIA’s commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities in protecting national security, ensuring the rule of law, and serving the public interest.

The deputy chairman appreciated the contributions of the relevant institutions to internal security, the rule of law, and public safety.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening cooperation and coordination among state institutions on matters of national importance.