Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast hot and humid weather in most parts of the country on Tuesday, with rain accompanied by wind and thunderstorms expected at isolated places in Kashmir, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Met Office warned that heavy rainfall could trigger landslides and flash flooding in local streams and nullahs in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the next 24 hours, advising residents and authorities to remain alert.

In Islamabad and adjoining areas, hot and very humid weather is likely to prevail. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, most districts are expected to remain hot and humid, while isolated rain-wind/thundershowers are likely in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kalam, Malam Jabba, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Parachinar, Buner, Peshawar, Kurram, Kohat and Waziristan.

Punjab is also expected to experience hot and very humid conditions, with chances of isolated rain and thunderstorms in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Sialkot, Narowal and Okara.

In Sindh, hot and humid weather will prevail in most districts, while central and upper parts of the province are likely to remain very hot during the daytime. However, partly cloudy conditions with rain-wind/thundershowers are expected in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mithi, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Karachi and adjoining coastal areas. Balochistan is expected to remain hot and humid in most districts, although isolated rain and thunderstorms may occur in Khuzdar, Zhob and nearby areas.

Partly cloudy weather with isolated rain-wind/thundershowers is also forecast for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. During the past 24 hours, rain-wind/thunderstorms occurred at isolated places in upper Punjab, Balochistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, while hot and humid conditions persisted across the rest of the country.

Okara recorded the highest rainfall of 29 millimetres, followed by Barkhan with 13mm and Babusar with 8mm. The highest maximum temperature recorded in the country on Monday was 46 degrees Celsius in Turbat, followed by Sibbi at 45C. Dadu, Nokkundi, Shaheed Benazirabad and Dalbandin each recorded 43C.

Meanwhile, the maximum temperatures expected on Tuesday include 37C in Islamabad, 36C in Lahore, 33C in Karachi, 39C in Peshawar, 37C in Quetta and 40C in Multan.

Islamabad: Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved a pre-merger application paving the way for an internal restructuring within the South Korean Lotte Group while finding no competition concerns in Pakistan’s food and beverage markets.

The transaction involves Japan’s Lotte Co., Ltd acquiring shareholding in Singapore-based Lotte Confectionery (S.E.A.) Pte. Ltd. from LotteWellfood Co., Ltd. As the target company owns interests in Pakistan’s LotteKolson and Lotte Akhtar Beverages, the share acquisition required prior clearance from the CCP under the Competition Act, 2010.

Following a Phase-I competition assessment, the Commission concluded that the transaction is purely a change in ownership within the Lotte Group and will not alter market structure or competitive dynamics in Pakistan.

The Commission noted that the acquiring company does not conduct confectionery or food business in Pakistan. Consequently, the transaction will neither increase market concentration nor create or strengthen a dominant position in any of the relevant product markets.

The CCP assessed competition across the markets for pasta, gum, savory snacks, sweet biscuits, cakes, and beverages, with Pakistan identified as the relevant geographic market. The review found that the market shares of LotteKolson and Lotte Akhtar Beverages would remain unchanged following the transaction, with no adverse effects on competition.

Accordingly, the Commission authorized the acquisition under Section 31(1)(d)(i) of the Competition Act, 2010, concluding that the transaction would not result in a substantial lessening of competition.

The decision reflects the CCP’s commitment to facilitating investment, corporate restructuring and business expansion through efficient merger review. By providing timely regulatory certainty for transactions that do not raise competition concerns, the Commission supports ease of doing business while continuing to safeguard competitive markets.

Islamabad: Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Monday released 284,300 cusecs of water from various rim stations with an inflow of 359,800 cusecs.

According to the data released by IRSA, the water level in the River Indus at Tarbela Dam stood at 1499.21 feet, which was 97.21 feet higher than the dead level of 1402.00 feet. Water inflow and outflow in the dam were recorded as 211,000 cusecs and 162,400 cusecs, respectively.

The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1171.80 feet, which was 121.80 feet higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet. The inflow and outflow of water were recorded as 38,900 cusecs and 12,000 cusecs, respectively.

The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa, Guddu and Sukkur was recorded as 212,100, 177,000, 139,300, and 56,800 cusecs, respectively. Similarly, from River Kabul, a total of 41,400 cusecs of water was released at Nowshera, and 39,300 cusecs were released from River Chenab at Marala.

Islamabad: Pak Sporting Football Club Islamabad has announced open trials for Under-17 Football Players to select talented players for the club to be held from July 16 to 18, at 5pm at Rovers Park Stadium, G-9/3.

At the conclusion of the trials, 30 outstanding players will be selected to join the club’s training programme and will continue training for future football competitions across Pakistan, said a press release.

Goalkeepers will be given special preference during the selection process, as Pakistan is currently facing a shortage of quality goalkeepers. In the past, Rawalpindi and Islamabad produced many goalkeepers who represented Pakistan with distinction. Pak Sporting Football Club is committed to reviving that tradition by identifying and developing talented young goalkeepers once again. The trials are open to all U-17 football players.

We are also pleased to share that Syed Mohsen Gilani, President of the Pakistan Football Federation, is also the President of Pak Sporting Football Club Islamabad.

A high-powered selection committee will conduct the trials. The names of the committee members will be announced one day before the commencement of the trials.

All football lovers from Rawalpindi and Islamabad are cordially invited to attend the trials, encourage the young participants, and support the development of football talent in the region.

Islamabad: The National University of Modern Languages held its 3rd Special Convocation 2026 to confer the prestigious Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree upon H.E. Dr Mohammad AbdulKarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to humanity, global peace, interfaith harmony, moderation, and the promotion of knowledge.

The distinguished ceremony was attended by H.E. Nawaf Bin Said Al-Malki, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan; Dr Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training; Rector NUML, Major General Shahid Mahmood Kayani HI(M) (Retd); Director General NUML, Brigadier Muhammad Rafiq Khan; Pro-Rector Research and Strategic Initiatives, Dr Safeer Awan; deans, faculty members, eminent scholars, students, and a large number of distinguished guests, said a press release on Monday.

Addressing the convocation after receiving the honorary degree, Dr Mohammad AbdulKarim Al-Issa expressed his profound gratitude to NUML, stating that the conferment of the honorary doctorate was both a great honour and a profound responsibility. He said he was delighted to visit Pakistan and appreciated the warmth and hospitality extended by the university and the people of Pakistan.

Dr Al-Issa lauded Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional and global peace, describing it as a source of pride not only for Pakistan but for the entire Muslim world. He also appreciated the leadership of Pakistan, including the Field Marshal and the country’s political leadership, for their efforts towards peace, stability, and unity. Thanking NUML for the distinguished honour, he prayed for Pakistan’s continued peace, progress, and prosperity.

In his address, Rector NUML Major General Shahid Mahmood Kayani HI(M) (Retd) congratulated Dr Al-Issa on the conferment of the Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree in recognition of his remarkable services to humanity, peace, and knowledge.

The Rector remarked that ‘Universities are not merely centres where knowledge is transmitted; they are institutions where civilizations preserve their wisdom, societies cultivate their conscience, and future generations discover their purpose.’ He emphasized that academic collaboration, scholarly exchange, language education, and intercultural understanding are powerful instruments for bringing nations closer together. He said Dr Al-Issa’s presence at NUML symbolizes the enduring bonds between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and reflects a shared commitment to knowledge, moderation, dialogue, and constructive engagement with the wider world.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Dr Wajiha Qamar appreciated NUML for recognizing the exceptional services of Dr Mohammad AbdulKarim Al-Issa through the conferment of an Honorary PhD degree. She commended Dr Al-Issa’s tireless efforts in promoting interfaith harmony, fostering unity among Muslim countries, and advocating peace and tolerance across the globe.

The Minister also praised NUML’s significant role in promoting languages, cultures, and intercultural understanding, highlighting the university’s contribution to building bridges between nations through education. She further underscored the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, noting that the two countries continue to work together in promoting peace, stability, and mutual cooperation in the region and beyond.

The Secretary General Muslim World League, Dr Mohammad AbdulKarim Al-Issa also recorded his remarks in the Visitors’ Book, followed by a group photograph.

Islamabad: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has ruled that the constitutional jurisdiction of a High Court under Article 199 of the Constitution does not extend to resolving purely contractual disputes or rewriting agreements, arbitral awards or court decrees between parties, holding that courts cannot redefine the legal rights and obligations voluntarily agreed upon by contracting parties in the name of public interest.

A two-member Constitutional Bench headed by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan and comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi issued a detailed judgment on Monday in the Nai Gaj Dam project case, setting aside the Sindh High Court’s judgments dated October 6, 2023, and May 27, 2025.

According to the detailed judgment approved for reporting, the court held that the Sindh High Court had exceeded its constitutional jurisdiction by modifying the arbitral award between the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and the contractor, the court decree based on that award, and the subsequent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) executed between the parties.

The judgment stated that while exercising constitutional jurisdiction, courts cannot confer contractual benefits upon a party that it had not voluntarily accepted under the agreement.

The court further observed that the contractor had agreed to complete the project at 2018 prices and, therefore, was not legally entitled to seek additional payments on account of price escalation or inflation on the basis of subsequent recommendations made by the Pakistan Engineering Council.

The Federal Constitutional Court also held that the record established that the contractor had submitted a forged performance bank guarantee, a fact that was confirmed by the Bank of Punjab. Submission of a forged bank guarantee constituted a fundamental breach of the contract, and WAPDA was therefore legally justified in terminating the agreement.

The judgment further held that the Sindh High Court had no jurisdiction to interfere with or restrain investigations being conducted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), as proceedings relating to the alleged forged bank guarantee fell within the lawful jurisdiction of the accountability authorities.

The court observed that the Nai Gaj Dam project is of national importance for irrigation, agricultural development, hydropower generation and the rehabilitation of Manchhar Lake. However, it emphasized that the significance of a public project does not empower courts to disregard the law or alter the terms of valid contractual agreements.