Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Tuesday released 268,800 cusecs of water from various rim stations with an inflow of 340,200 cusecs.

According to the data released by IRSA, the water level in the River Indus at Tarbela Dam stood at 1501.53 feet, which was 99.53 feet higher than the dead level of 1402.00 feet. Water inflow and outflow in the dam were recorded as 213,600 cusecs and 157,600 cusecs, respectively.

The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1172.40 feet, which was 122.40 feet higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet. The inflow and outflow of water were recorded as 56,900 cusecs and 27,600 cusecs, respectively.

The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa, Guddu and Sukkur was recorded as 213,200, 179,800, 139,300, and 67,700 cusecs, respectively. Similarly, from River Kabul, a total of 42,300 cusecs of water was released at Nowshera, and 27,600 cusecs were released from River Chenab at Marala.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif urged the nation to renew its collective resolve to build a future where the talents and abilities of the youth are fully realized and transformed into lasting national prosperity.

In his message on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day celebrated on July 15, the prime minister underlined that Pakistan joined the international community in observing World Youth Skills Day, marked under the theme Skills for a Shared Future, and paid tribute to the talent, determination, and immense potential of its young people.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said the country’s youth were reckoned among its nation’s most valuable assets. However, through quality education,character building and the acquisition of contemporary knowledge and skills, the youth were confidently advancing towards a brighter and more prosperous future.

He said the current era of digital innovation, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and a rapidly evolving global economy was reshaping the future of labour and employment sector. “In this changing landscape, internationally competitive skills have become the true foundation of sustainable progress. Technical and vocational education and training, equitable access to opportunities, enhanced productivity, and entrepreneurial innovation are the key drivers of economic prosperity and global competitiveness,” he added.

Recognizing the central importance of skills development, he said the government had transformed the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) into a modern, dynamic, and future oriented national institution.

The prime minister said the Commission was equipped to deliver internationally benchmarked training, globally recognized certifications, and industry aligned skills that would enable Pakistani youth to compete with confidence, both at home and abroad.

He added that this year, the government had allocated a substantial budget through the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) to strengthen technical skills development, reflecting its unwavering commitment to investing in Pakistan’s human capital. Under this policy, skills development was established as a fundamental pillar of Pakistan’s economic growth and prosperity, he said.

The prime minister noted that another central pillar of the government’s strategy was not only to expand employment opportunities but also to nurture skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and a highly competent workforce capable of generating jobs, increasing exports, enhancing national productivity, and contributing meaningfully to sustainable economic development.

The government, he said was also expanding collaboration and partnerships with industry stakeholders and international institutions under a comprehensive strategy to ensure that Pakistan’s workforce meets global standards and remains competitive in international markets.

“Harnessing and nurturing the full potential of our national workforce by ensuring equal opportunities for all men and women, without discrimination of any kind, remains one of the government’s foremost priorities,” he vowed.

The prime minister expressed his confidence that with the effective performance of the country’s training institutions, coordinated strategies at the federal and provincial levels, and the sincere collaboration of the private sector and industry, Pakistan’s skilled workforce would emerge as a global symbol of competence, innovation, and excellence.

Islamabad: Trade between Pakistan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has exceeded US$11 billion in 2026, highlighting the steady growth in economic relations between the two sides.

The milestone reflects ASEAN’s rising significance as one of Pakistan’s leading trading partners and creates new opportunities to deepen collaboration in trade, investment, and regional economic development.

According to official figures, Pakistan exported goods worth around US$3 billion to ASEAN member states during 2026, while imports from the regional bloc stood at approximately US$7 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of nearly US$4 billion.

ASEAN has emerged as one of Pakistan’s most significant regional markets, driven by rising demand for textiles, agricultural products, leather goods, seafood, chemicals, and industrial raw materials. Pakistan, in turn, imports machinery, palm oil, electronic equipment, chemicals, and manufactured goods from ASEAN economies, particularly Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Thailand remains one of Pakistan’s major trading partners within ASEAN. Pakistan’s exports to Thailand were valued at US$ 251.28 million, while imports reached US$845.44 million, resulting in a bilateral trade deficit of US$594.16 million.

Seafood accounted for more than 34 percent of Pakistan’s exports to Thailand, reflecting the country’s competitive advantage in marine products.

Trade experts believe Pakistan possesses significant potential to enhance exports to ASEAN by diversifying its export basket beyond traditional textile products.

Sectors such as information technology, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, processed foods, sports goods, and halal products offer considerable opportunities for future growth.

Improved regional connectivity, trade facilitation measures, and stronger business-to-business collaboration are expected to further strengthen commercial ties.

The Ministry of Commerce is implementing the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (2025-30), aimed at enhancing export competitiveness, diversifying export markets, and integrating Pakistan more effectively into regional and global value chains through improved market access, digital trade initiatives, and export promotion measures.

Economists believe narrowing the trade gap with ASEAN will require greater industrial productivity, increased value-added exports, and stronger investment partnerships with Southeast Asian economies.

Pakistan’s strategic location and expanding manufacturing base provide a strong foundation for attracting investment and integrating into evolving regional supply chains.

Talking to reporter on Tuesday, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Atif Ikram Sheikh, said Pakistan and ASEAN possess enormous potential to expand bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation.

He emphasized that product diversification and enhance the competitions of Pakistan’s industrial sector are essential to reducing the trade deficit with ASEAN while creating new opportunities in innovation-driven and high-value industries.

President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Usman Shaukat, said ASEAN countries remained among Pakistan’s largest trading partners and that the chamber would continue to facilitate stronger business linkages with the region.

He stressed that the private sector must take a leading role in strengthening Pakistan-ASEAN economic relations through increased trade, investment, joint ventures, and greater participation in regional value chains.

With bilateral trade now exceeding US$11 billion in 2026, policymakers and business leaders believe deeper engagement with ASEAN will play a pivotal role in boosting Pakistan’s exports, attracting foreign investment, and accelerating sustainable economic growth.

Islamabad: Speaker National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said on Tuesday that more than 60 per cent of Pakistan’s population consists of youth; therefore, equipping them with technical, vocational, and professional skills in line with the demands of the modern era was indispensable for national development, economic stability, and global competitiveness.

He stated that rapid revolutionary changes were taking place in the field of technology, and those nations were progressing that were investing in equipping their youth with knowledge, skills, and modern technology. He expressed these views in his message on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, which was observed globally every year on 15 July under the auspices of the United Nations.

The Speaker said that this year’s theme for World Youth Skills Day, ‘Skills for a Shared Future,’ reflected the reality that a sustainable and prosperous future could only be built through youth equipped with modern skills. He noted that the current era was characterized by artificial intelligence, digital technology, automation, and innovation; therefore, youth must acquire skills in these fields so that they might effectively meet future challenges. He further stated that Pakistani youth possessed immense potential to lead the country toward a technology-driven economy and play a pivotal role in national development.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq appreciated the government’s initiatives aimed at equipping youth with technical, vocational, and modern skills, stating that such programs were playing an important role in aligning young people with the needs of the future. He emphasized the need to further strengthen effective linkages among educational institutions, technical training centers, industries, and the private sector in order to provide the younger generation with modern knowledge and skills in accordance with national and international requirements.

The Speaker said that Parliament was committed to effective legislation for the promotion of technical and vocational education, modern skills, research, and innovation among youth. He stated that the National Assembly’s Young Parliamentarians Forum was actively contributing to the promotion of modern technology, digital skills, and creative capabilities among youth through various training workshops and awareness programs. He remarked that skilled, talented, and technologically equipped youth can steer Pakistan toward sustainable development and prosperity.

On this occasion, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, in his message on World Youth Skills Day, said that success in the modern world depends not only on academic qualifications but also on practical, technical, and modern skills. He stressed that youth should focus particularly on acquiring skills in artificial intelligence, digital technology, cybersecurity, data analytics, and other emerging fields so that they may effectively confront future challenges and actively contribute to national development and economic prosperity. He expressed the commitment that Parliament would continue its legislative efforts to promote skills development, innovation, and modern technology among youth.

Islamabad: The Arms Control and Disarmament Centre (ACDC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Tuesday

hosted a high-level roundtable discussion titled ‘India’s Sea-Based Nuclear Capabilities: Implications for Pakistan.’

The event brought together prominent strategic experts, diplomats, and military analysts to examine the qualitative shift in South Asia’s deterrence architecture following the operational deployment of India’s sea-based nuclear arsenal, said a press release.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mehmood, Chairman of the Board of Governors ISSI, emphasized the gravity of the evolving regional security dynamics.

Highlighting the critical strategic challenges, he stated that the operationalization of India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent marked a qualitative and structural shift in regional security.

He further added that these developments demand a clear-eyed reassessment of both deterrence postures and diplomatic frameworks to safeguard regional peace and stability.

Earlier, Malik Qasim Mustafa, Director of ACDC, opened the session by outlining the scope of the discussion and welcoming the participants.

He highlighted that the profound disruption to South Asian strategic stability would require a rigorous evaluation of the potential doctrinal and technological posture adjustments necessary for Pakistan to maintain a credible deterrent.

Setting the agenda for the roundtable, Ms. Ghazala Yasmin Jalil, Research Fellow at ACDC, highlighted the profound structural turning points confronting the region – from recessed deterrence to mated warheads.

She raised vital questions regarding how Pakistan can preserve robust, Full Spectrum Deterrence without slipping into an expensive, open-ended naval arms race, suggesting that ultimate security lies in negotiating robust maritime Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs).

The event featured detailed thematic evaluations from a panel of distinguished strategic thinkers. Vice Admiral (Retd.) Dr. Ahmed Saeed HI(M), former President of the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), highlighted the growing strategic imbalance in the Indian Ocean driven by India’s massive investment in acquiring advanced conventional and nuclear submarines (SSBNs).

He warned that this rapid naval expansion creates a severe defence asymmetry that lowers the nuclear threshold and heightens the risk of inadvertent escalation between two contiguous nuclear-armed states. To mitigate these maritime risks and prevent an unchecked arms race, Admiral Saeed advocated for robust bilateral Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) alongside a renewed diplomatic push to declare the Indian Ocean a non-nuclear domain, concluding that maritime nuclear conflict offers no path to military victory and demands mutual strategic restraint.

Ambassador (Retd.) Zamir Akram, Advisor to the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), warned that India’s rapid vertical proliferation is driving a dangerous shift away from its “No First Use” policy toward a pre-emptive first-strike posture aimed at neutralizing Pakistan’s Full Spectrum Deterrence.

Dismissing the notion that these assets are solely directed at China, he highlighted the “deafening silence” and double standards of the international community regarding India’s expanding sea-based capabilities. This development poses a threat extending far beyond South Asia and actively undermines strategic stability at both the regional and global levels.

To counter this, Ambassador Akram urged Pakistan to expose India’s irresponsible nuclear behavior in the global arena, establish robust crisis-management mechanisms rather than relying on weak bilateral deals, and reinforce its defensive posture by fully operationalizing and deploying nuclear warheads across its land, air, and sea-based triad to guarantee a credible, survival-assured second-strike capability.

Air Commodore (Retd) Khalid Banuri, Senior Advisor JCCL, Air Headquarters, said that in a major structural shift for South Asian deterrence, India’s transition to a permanently mated sea-based nuclear presence had effectively compressed political-military decision-making windows to a frightening degree, eroding traditional peacetime buffers to zero.

He unpacked the escalating crisis instability risks, emphasizing that the opacity of the sea leg entangles conventional and nuclear signaling, heavily raising the danger of unintended escalation and inadvertent launch. With India’s “No First Use” doctrine rendered practically meaningless under this new posture, Pakistan’s credible deterrence faces severe strain, compounded by fiscal constraints and the destabilizing integration of emerging technologies.

To preserve strategic stability and avoid a ruinous arms race, he suggested that Pakistan’s optimal response must combine the pursuit of modern technologies, a survivable and strengthened second-strike capability, and proactive diplomatic initiatives.

Dr. Aqeel Akhtar discussed the security dilemma surrounding sea-based nuclear deterrence, emphasizing that the growing deployment of nuclear submarines introduces new challenges for command and control, crisis communication, and strategic stability. Looking ahead, he stressed the importance of strengthening secure communication systems, reducing the risks of miscalculation, and developing robust safeguards to prevent inadvertent escalation in an increasingly complex maritime security environment.

The presentations were followed by an interactive open discussion session, where members of the strategic community, academia, and media engaged on the policy choices available to Pakistan to maintain strategic equilibrium.

Islamabad: The Pakistan Ulema Council and the International Tazeem-e-Haramain Sharifain Council on Tuesday condemned the ballistic missile attack launched by the Houthi group against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, describing it as an unacceptable act of aggression that threatens regional peace and security.

In a statement issued by Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council and Secretary General of the International Tazeem-e-Haramain Sharifain Council, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, the two organizations praised the Saudi Armed Forces for successfully intercepting and neutralizing the missile, saying the swift response demonstrated the Kingdom’s robust and highly effective defence capabilities.

The The organizations urged the Houthis to immediately cease all hostile actions against the land of the Two Holy Mosques and refrain from any aggression that could endanger the security, stability and sanctity of Saudi Arabia.

Reaffirming their unwavering support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Pakistan Ulema Council and the International Tazeem-e-Haramain Sharifain Council declared their full solidarity with the Saudi leadership and people in safeguarding the country’s defence, security and stability.