Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Superintendent of Police (SP) Aiwan-e-Sadr/Parliament House Tahir Mehmood Khan on Sunday visited Serena Hotel to review security arrangements for the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, as Islamabad hosts delegates from across the Muslim world.

An official told reporter that Pakistan is hosting the conference at the Jinnah Convention Centre on July 12-13, bringing together more than 190 delegates from 57 OIC member states to discuss the theme, ‘Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in OIC Countries.’

SP Tahir met officers and personnel deployed on security duty at Serena Hotel and reviewed the overall security arrangements.

Tahir briefed officers on the nature and sensitivity of their duties and issued necessary instructions to ensure foolproof security throughout the event.

He directed all personnel to remain vigilant, maintain strict monitoring and perform their duties with professionalism and a strong sense of responsibility.

SP Tahir also stressed effective coordination among all security personnel and instructed them to respond promptly to any emergency situation.

Islamabad: Renowned director, producer, broadcaster, and television playwright Agha Nasir was remembered on his 10th death anniversary, where fans, fellow artists and media personalities paid tribute to his remarkable contributions to Pakistan’s television industry.

Born on 9 February 1937 in Mumbai, India, Agha Nasir was one of Pakistan’s most renowned directors, producers, broadcasters, and television playwrights. He began his broadcasting career with Radio Pakistan in 1955, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey in media.

From unforgettable dramas to shaping the face of Pakistan Television, Agha Nasir left an indelible mark on the country’s broadcasting industry.

His notable productions included Girah and Pani Pe Naam, while Taleem-e-Balighan is widely regarded as one of the finest stage dramas ever aired on PTV.

Agha Nasir also contributed to the design of the PTV logo. A prolific writer, he authored several books, including Gumshudda Log, Gulshan-i-Yad, Hum Jeetay Ji Masroof Rahay, and his autobiography, Agha Se Agha Nasir Tak.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to arts and broadcasting, he was awarded the Pride of Performance. Agha Nasir passed away on 12 July 2016, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire generations of broadcasters, writers and artists.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Sunday, underscored the importance of further strengthening Pakistan-UK bilateral relations.

Expressing his views during a meeting with Lord Aamer Sarfraz, who called on him, the DPM/FM highlighted that the Pakistani diaspora, including distinguished parliamentarians like Lord Sarfraz, served as a vital bridge between Pakistan and the UK.

‘Lord Sarfraz appreciated the Deputy Prime Minister’s continued and proactive role in advancing regional peace and stability. He also briefed the DPM/FM on matters concerning the Pakistani diaspora in the United Kingdom, including key issues faced by the community and their valuable contributions to both countries,’ the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

They also exchanged views on the evolving political landscape in the UK.

The DPM/FM expressed confidence that members of the diaspora would continue to play a constructive role in deepening people-to-people ties, trade, and investment between the two countries.

Islamabad: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting to review administrative affairs, police welfare and measures aimed at improving public services at police stations and offices across the federal capital.

An official told reporter on Sunday that the meeting was attended by DIG Headquarters Muhammad Atique Tahir, DIG Islamabad Muhammad Jawad Tariq, DIG Security Rana Umar Farooq and AIG Logistics Abdul Haq Umrani.

IGP Rizvi reviewed district-wide administrative matters, ongoing welfare initiatives for police officers and the facilities being provided to citizens at police stations and departmental offices.

Rizvi issued necessary directions to further improve administrative efficiency, strengthen professional standards and enhance public service delivery.

He emphasized that public facilitation and the welfare of police personnel remained among the top priorities of Islamabad Police.

The official said all senior officers were directed to ensure timely implementation of the decisions and maintain high standards of professionalism and accountability.

Islamabad: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has introduced IBAN-based digital verification to enable faster and easier onboarding of customers, allowing investors to access financial services without unnecessary documentation and repeated verification requirements.

To facilitate this digital transformation, the SECP has amended the AML/CFT/CPF Regulations, 2020, allowing Regulated Persons, including Securities Brokers, Futures Brokers, Insurers, Takaful Operators, NBFCs and Modarabas, to verify customers using their IBAN details for completion of KYC requirements, said a release issued here.

The initiative is part of SECP’s efforts to leverage technology for modernizing Pakistan’s financial ecosystem, promoting digital access, improving ease of doing business, and ensuring secure and reliable customer verification.

The amended framework recognizes digital verification methods as an alternative to traditional processes, enabling quicker access to regulated financial services while m
aintaining strong regulatory safeguards.

To strengthen investor protection and minimize the risk of unauthorized financial activity, all future transactions would be restricted to verified bank accounts held in the customer’s own name, ensuring greater transparency and traceability across the market.

In line with the initiatives of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), the amended regulations also introduce advanced biometric verification options, including facial recognition. Customer accounts linked with NADRA-blocked or impounded CNICs will be subject to immediate blocking under the revised framework.

The amendments further recognize digital logs as valid records for AML/CFT compliance and data retention purposes, while prescribed forms have also been updated in line with the Companies Regulations, 2024.

Islamabad: Chairperson Peace and Culture Organisation and wife of jailed Kashmiri freedom fighter Yasin Malik,Mushaal Hussein Mullick on Sunday paid tribute to the martyrs of July 13, 1931, saying their sacrifices continue to inspire the struggle for the people of Jammu and Kashmir’s right to self determination.

On the eve of Kashmir Martyrs Day, she urged the United Nations, the international community and global human rights organisations to step up efforts for the protection of Kashmiris’ rights and support a peaceful resolution of the longstanding dispute in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Speaking in a statement, the former special assistant to the prime minister on human rights and women empowerment said July 13 remains a defining chapter in Kashmir’s history, representing courage, faith and sacrifice.

She recalled that 22 unarmed Kashmiris were killed outside Srinagar Central Jail on July 13, 1931, after Dogra forces opened fire while they were completing the call to prayer.

She said their sacrifice ignited a movement that continues to inspire generations of Kashmiris.

MS Malik said the spirit of the martyrs lives on in every Kashmiri striving peacefully for justice, dignity and the internationally recognised right to self determination.

She said decades of repression, arbitrary detentions, restrictions on civil liberties and the continued imprisonment of Kashmiri political leaders had failed to weaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people.

Mushaal said the sacrifices made from the Dogra era to the present day could never be erased from history. She maintained that lasting peace in South Asia depended on a just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Calling for greater international engagement, she urged the United Nations, the international community and global human rights organisations to ensure accountability for alleged human rights violations and support meaningful efforts aimed at resolving the dispute peacefully.

Reaffirming her commitment, Mushaal said the sacrifices of the July 13 martyrs would never be forgotten and pledged to continue raising the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir through peaceful, democratic, legal and diplomatic means until they are able to exercise their right to self determination.