Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Pakistan’s warm hospitality, efficient organization and commitment to advancing women’s empowerment drew widespread appreciation from delegates attended the 9th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ministerial Conference on Women describing the gathering as an important platform for strengthening cooperation and shaping a collective roadmap for the socio-economic and political empowerment of women.

Held here in the federal capital, the two-day ministerial conference brought together ministers, senior officials and representatives from OIC representatives from across the Muslim world, international organizations and partner institutions to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities facing women in the Islamic world and explore ways to strengthen collaboration through shared policies and initiatives.

Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Syrian Minister for Social Affairs and Labour Hind Kabawat described her visit to Pakistan as both memorable and symbolic, saying Syria’s participation marked the return of Syrian women to an international conference after many years.

She praised Pakistan’s warm hospitality and the excellent arrangements made for the event, saying delegates were made to feel at home from the moment they arrived. “Pakistan made us feel at home from the very first moment,” she remarked.

Kabawat said digital transformation and women’s affairs were among the key priorities of her ministry and expressed confidence that the conference would generate fresh ideas, strengthen partnerships among OIC member states and lead to practical initiatives benefiting women across the Islamic world.

Echoing similar sentiments, an OIC delegate said Pakistani women welcomed the visiting delegations not merely as guests but as sisters and members of one family, reflecting the country’s generosity, respect and spirit of Islamic brotherhood.

Representative of the Maldives delegation, Mariyam Raya Ahmed described the conference as an important opportunity to reinforce cooperation among Islamic countries on women’s development and gender equality.

She commended Pakistan for its excellent hospitality and arrangements and appreciated its role in bringing together OIC member states, particularly from the Asian region. She expressed optimism that the conference would deliver meaningful outcomes and further strengthen regional cooperation in the years ahead.

Secretary-General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Family Affairs Council, Dr. Maimouna Al Khalil said the conference reflected the OIC’s firm commitment to placing women’s issues at the highest policy level and would help shape the organization’s agenda on women’s empowerment in the coming years.

Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s progress in advancing women’s economic and social participation, she said OIC member states had achieved notable progress but needed to intensify efforts to further strengthen women’s role in society and national development. She also praised Pakistan’s hospitality and the meticulous arrangements for the conference and expressed hope that the deliberations would culminate in meaningful initiatives and a strong declaration to guide future action.

Director Planning and International Cooperation at the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (OIC), Dr. Alhagi Manta Drammeh termed the conference a timely initiative to promote women’s empowerment while addressing misconceptions regarding the role of women in Islam. He emphasized that men and women have complementary responsibilities in building prosperous societies and appreciated Pakistan’s successful hosting of the conference, describing it as an opportunity to project the true Islamic perspective on women’s rights and contributions.

Secretary at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare of The Gambia, Isatou Jobe, said the conference highlighted Pakistan’s leadership role within the Muslim world and its continued commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. She said Pakistan’s initiatives in support of women were widely appreciated across OIC member states and expressed pleasure at participating in a country that consistently championed issues of importance to the Islamic world.

Representing Nigeria, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, said the conference came at a significant time as Nigeria continued to pursue reforms aimed at strengthening women’s socio-economic empowerment. She underlined the importance of placing women at the centre of national development through legal reforms, economic opportunities and social protection measures, and commended Pakistan’s outstanding hospitality.

She also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with fellow OIC member states to advance women’s economic, political and social participation through collective action and shared experiences.

Throughout the interactions, delegates repeatedly acknowledged Pakistan’s role in providing a welcoming environment that encouraged open dialogue and strengthened bonds among participating countries. Many expressed confidence that the conference would contribute to deeper cooperation and practical policy initiatives to improve the lives of women across the Muslim world.

The 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women was held under the theme “Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in the OIC Countries: Challenges and Way Forward.” The conference sought to promote cooperation among OIC member states in expanding women’s participation in economic, social and political life while exchanging successful national experiences and identifying practical strategies to overcome shared challenges.

The conference was attended by Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani as the chief guest, Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar, who assumed the chairmanship of the conference, Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs of the OIC Ambassador Dr. Tarig Ali Bakheet, Executive Director of the Women’s Development Organization Sarah Al Shoura, President of Egypt’s National Council for Women Amal Ammar, President of the Women’s Consultative Council of the 8th OIC Ministerial Conference Ambassador Naela Gabr, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Members of the National Assembly Saba Sadiq and Wajiha Qamar, representatives of international organizations, diplomats and delegates from across the Muslim world.

Islamabad: Artificial intelligence (AI) should be integrated into institutional systems through ethical governance rather than being viewed merely as an individual productivity tool, said speakers at the launch of a series of books on AI and Technology Governance.

The books-launch event organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) was held here on Monday.

The books, titled as: ‘Artificial Intelligence Ethics: A Maturity Assessment Framework’, ‘Artificial Intelligence Implementation Guide: Transforming to AI Using AI4mation’, and ‘Artificial Intelligence and the University in the Global South: Transforming to Meet the Challenge’ were authored by Azhar Zia-ur-Rehman.

Presenting his work, Azhar Zia ur Rehman said he had first introduced the concept of technology governance. He further said the European Union’s AI Act underscored the growing importance of ethics in AI because of the technology’s transformative nature. His latest work, he explained, consolidates global knowledge on AI governance and proposes a comprehensive framework consisting of 1,941 measurable governance activities.

He said organizations could translate these activities into key performance indicators and evaluate their institutional maturity using internationally recognized ISO 33001 and ISO 33002 standards. By assigning maturity scores to each activity, organizations could systematically assess and strengthen their AI governance capabilities.

His latest book outlines a detailed 16-step methodology for institutionalizing AI by reviewing organizational processes, identifying automation opportunities, assessing AI use cases and evaluating their benefits and risks. He stressed that successful AI institutionalization begins with understanding existing organizational processes before introducing automation and AI applications.

Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, SDPI Executive Director, said Azhar Zia ur Rehman is an internationally recognized researcher, consultant and expert on management systems, who had emerged as an authority on AI governance. He said the author had pioneered three high-quality books on the subject and had been assisting governments and organizations worldwide in preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and AI adoption.

Dr Suleri emphasized the responsible use of AI within think tanks and research organizations. He underlined that evidence-based policy institutions must lead by example in adopting ethical AI practices while safeguarding research integrity.

Dr. Sajid Amin Javed, SDPI Deputy Executive Director (Research), said AI was rapidly becoming the fifth and perhaps the most important pillar influencing productivity, economic policy and development outcomes. He noted that discussions in Pakistan largely revolved around how individuals use AI, whereas the more important question was whether organizations and institutions were prepared to integrate AI into their existing systems.

He stressed that the real potential of AI would be realized only when governments, industries and businesses developed institutional capacity to incorporate AI into their operations. Ethical and responsible use of AI, he said, would determine whether technology contributed positively to governance and development.

Dr. Javed added that universities and young professionals urgently needed guidance on responsible AI use, noting that educational institutions across the world were still struggling to define acceptable AI practices. He cited examples of universities discouraging AI-generated work while simultaneously recognizing that AI had become an unavoidable reality requiring clear ethical frameworks.

Dr Zafar Ullah Koreshi, Chief Executive and Director of Solved Engineering Technologies Limited, said AI represented an entirely new experience for older generations while today’s youths had grown up alongside digital technologies. Reflecting on his own career, he recalled introducing Mechatronics Engineering at Air University, whose graduates were now serving across Pakistan.

Dr. Koreshi said the author’s work appropriately began with the historical evolution of universities, including ancient learning centres such as Taxila, before explaining industrial revolutions and AI. He argued that despite rapid technological advances, human intelligence remained superior to AI.

He maintained that the principal challenge facing universities was no longer whether AI should be used, but how it should be governed in an era where information and AI-generated outputs were abundant. He praised the book’s discussion on university governance, pedagogy and institutional management in the AI era.

Dr. Koreshi warned that AI effectiveness depended heavily on sound data management and governance systems. He criticized the commercialization of higher education, saying excessive focus on profits in some private universities had compromised educational quality and values.

He further cautioned against the unchecked replacement of human decision-making with machines, highlighting risks including reinforcement of societal biases, weakening of critical thinking, creation of misleading knowledge and growing environmental pressures from energy- and water-intensive AI data centres.

Zainab Naeem, Head of Ecological Sustainability and Circular Economy at SDPI, said AI has significantly improved organizational efficiency and commended the author’s work in codifying AI ethics into a practical governance framework.

While emphasizing that AI must remain human-led, she noted that technological innovation should also promote environmental sustainability through water- and energy-efficient mechanisms as AI systems continue to expand.

Later, during the interactive session, Azhar Zia ur Rehman said AI represented a new paradigm that would fundamentally reshape expectations of students, universities, governments and industries alike. All these stakeholders, he argued, would need to redefine their roles in preparing graduates for the AI age.

He emphasized that AI should be viewed as a tool similar to earlier technological innovations such as electric typewriters and computers, rather than as a replacement for human judgment. Human oversight, he said, must remain integral to every critical AI-assisted decision.

Islamabad: Chairman Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, here on Monday attended a farewell luncheon hosted by the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, in honour of the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Pakistan, Irena Gancheva.

On the occasion, Chairman Senate extended his best wishes to Ambassador Gancheva and appreciated her valuable role in strengthening Pakistan-Bulgaria relations.

He commended her efforts to enhance diplomatic, parliamentary, economic, trade, cultural, and people-to-people ties during her tenure and said her services would be remembered with appreciation.

The Chairman Senate also conveyed his good wishes to the leadership and people of Bulgaria, expressing confidence that the friendly bilateral relations between the two countries would continue to grow.

The luncheon was also attended by State Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Muhammad Aoun Chaudhry, MNA Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, ambassadors of various countries, and other distinguished guests.

Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi also discussed the country’s political and economic situation, public welfare, Centre-province cooperation, and other matters of national importance.

Islamabad: The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan has achieved a major milestone in its ongoing programme of institutional modernization by integrating technology across its judicial and administrative functions to build a comprehensive digital justice ecosystem.

Through a series of interconnected reforms, the Court is transforming the way cases are managed, judicial services are delivered and institutional processes are administered, with the objective of making justice more accessible, transparent, efficient and responsive.

A cornerstone of this transformation is the successful completion of the digitization of all pending case records. A total of 44,995 pending case files have been scanned in searchable OCR format, barcoded, digitally catalogued and integrated with the Court’s Case Information Management System (CIMS).

Significantly, the digitization exercise was completed alongside the Court’s regular judicial work, during which 11,999 of these digitized cases have already been decided, demonstrating the seamless integration of technology into the Court’s day-to-day judicial operations.

Complementing the digitization initiative, the Supreme Court has also completed, for the first time in its history, the categorization of all pending cases under a structured case categorization framework developed by a Committee of Judges. Supported by a dedicated Categorization Cell, every pending case has been systematically classified according to its jurisdiction and subject matter, creating the foundation for smarter case management, data-driven planning, efficient scheduling and priority-based allocation of judicial resources.

The Court’s digital transformation extends well beyond the digitization of records. A range of technology-enabled services have been introduced, including electronic filing of cases, QR-authenticated certified copies, online applications for judicial services, digital enrollment of advocates, electronic payment of court fees through OneLink and the State Bank of Pakistan, institutionalized video-link hearings, and a Public Facilitation Centre offering 35 citizen-centric digital services through an integrated online platform. These initiatives have significantly enhanced convenience, reduced physical barriers and improved public access to the Court’s services.

The digital transformation has also strengthened institutional governance. Administrative functions have transitioned to the Government’s e-Office platform, enabling paperless processing of official business, improving operational efficiency, enhancing accountability and promoting transparent institutional management.

Together, these initiatives represent a fundamental shift from conventional paper-based processes to an integrated digital ecosystem that supports efficient case management, data-driven decision-making and citizen-centric service delivery. The reforms have established the technological infrastructure necessary for future innovations, including automated case management, judicial analytics and the responsible integration of emerging technologies into judicial administration.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan remains committed to leveraging technology to strengthen institutional capacity and improve the administration of justice while upholding the constitutional values of fairness, transparency, due process and judicial independence.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday departed for a one-day visit to Qatar to offer condolences to the country’s leadership over the demise of the former Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is also accompanying the prime minister, besides Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar.

During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz will meet the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and offer condolences to him, the Qatari royal family, and the people of Qatar over the demise of the late leader.

The prime minister’s visit to Qatar reflects the decades-long, deep-rooted brotherly relations between the Qatari royal family, the people of Qatar, and the government and people of Pakistan.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz, in a statement, expressed grief over the demise of former Qatari Amir, remembering him as “a great leader and statesman whose wisdom, foresight and dedication to public service, transformed Qatar into a modern, prosperous and globally respected nation.”

He said that the late leader’s enduring contributions to the welfare of his nation and its people, as well as to regional peace, development and international cooperation, will be remembered for generations to come.

To express solidarity on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan with the Royal Family, Government, and people of Qatar on this sad demise, the prime minister declared today (13th of July, 2026), as a day of national mourning in Pakistan, with the national flag flying at half-mast throughout the country.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar on Monday said the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women reflected the collective commitment of OIC member states to advancing the rights and empowerment of women.

Addressing the closing session of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women in Islamabad, he said it was a privilege for Pakistan to host the important gathering. He said around 125 distinguished delegates from OIC member states, observer states, and institutions participated in the conference.

Tarar said the delegates’ active engagement and valuable contributions enriched the discussions and demonstrated a shared resolve to promote the socio-economic and political empowerment of women across the Muslim world. He said Islamabad had served as a platform for meaningful dialogue, mutual learning, and collective action, adding that the conference reaffirmed the importance of placing women at the center of policymaking and decision-making.

The minister appreciated the strong participation and leadership of women throughout the conference, saying their expertise and commitment had strengthened the deliberations and reinforced the need for greater inclusion of women in public life.

Tarar expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Human Rights, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their efforts in successfully organising the conference. He also commended the event management team for its dedication and hard work over several weeks.

Tarar further thanked the OIC General Secretariat, the Women Development Organization, the Women Consultative Council, partner organisations, experts, and all participating delegations for their constructive engagement and valuable contributions.