Category: Islamabad

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.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, on Monday, undertook a day-long visit to Doha to personally convey condolences on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan, to the leadership and people of the State of Qatar on the passing away of the Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The prime minister was accompanied by former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Atta Ullah Tarar and other senior officials, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

In Doha, the prime minister and Pakistan delegation called on Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and conveyed heartfelt condolences at the sad demise of the Father Amir.

He paid rich tribute to the late Father Amir’s visionary leadership, statesmanship, and enduring contributions to Qatar’s remarkable transformation as well as to regional peace, stability, and development.

The prime minister recalled with deep appreciation, the Father Amir’s warmth, kindness, and abiding affection for Pakistan, and his many memorable visits to the country over the years.

He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast solidarity with the leadership and people of Qatar during this period of profound grief, and prayed that Allah Almighty grant the departed soul the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdaus and bestow strength upon the Royal family and the Qatari nation to bear this irreparable loss.

The Qatari Amir thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the delegation for the special gesture of travelling to Doha to personally offer condolences, describing it as a reflection of the deep-rooted fraternal bonds between the two brotherly countries and people.

Islamabad: The committee constituted by the prime minister to review the petroleum pricing mechanism held its fourth meeting on Monday under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik.

The committee reviewed international best practices and prevailing market conditions as part of its assessment of Pakistan’s petroleum pricing framework.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the committee’s work had assumed greater significance in light of the renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting uncertainty in global energy markets. Citing a KPMG study, he said petrol prices in Pakistan remain lower than those in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Trkiye, while being broadly comparable to prices in India.

The minister said the government had proposed amendments to the Refinery Policy to increase domestic diesel production and reduce reliance on imported diesel, thereby strengthening the country’s energy security.

The committee reviewed various options for improving the petroleum pricing mechanism. As an immediate step, it recommended that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) publish daily Platts pricing data on its website to provide the public with access to the benchmark used for petroleum pricing in Pakistan.

The committee also agreed that the recently established Petroleum Price Stabilisation Fund should operate under a fully rules-based framework, with clearly defined mechanisms for funding and disbursements to ensure transparency and prevent arbitrary decision-making.

Members also emphasised the need to digitise the oil supply chain. Chairing the meeting, Malik directed that the committee’s next meeting would be its final session, after which its recommendations would be submitted to the prime minister for consideration.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, OGRA Chairman Nabeel Awan, representatives of KPMG, committee members, officials from the Finance Division, and senior representatives of OGRA, Pakistan State Oil (PSO), the Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Petroleum Division.

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Islamabad: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi held meeting with Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Muhammad Awn Chaudhry here on Monday to discuss issues faced by overseas Pakistanis, particularly those belonging to Khaber Pakhtunkhwa.

Prominent businessman Shehbaz Zaheer was also present during the meeting. The both dignitaries also exchanged views on the overall situation in the country, with particular focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Governor Kundi stressed the need to resolve problems faced by overseas Pakistanis through the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis. He said overseas residents from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa served as ambassadors of Pakistan abroad, adding that, as Governor, he considered himself their advocate. Minister Awn Chaudhry assured the Governor of his full cooperation in addressing the issues of overseas Pakistanis, especially those from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.