Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Federal Ombudsman Naveed Kamran Baloch on Saturday said his institution is harnessing digital and AI-powered reforms to elevate public service delivery, broaden awareness and capacity-building initiatives for government employees, and ensure Ombudsman decisions are implemented well within the prescribed 60-day time frame.

While appearing on a PTV News programme, Federal Ombudsman Naveed Kamran Baloch highlighted the Ombudsman institution’s role, sharing his personal experiences and thanking the government leadership for strengthening the system through technology and AI-driven solutions to provide speedy, transparent and accessible justice.

Kamran Baloch said the institution is focused on supporting the underprivileged segment of society, with nearly 90 percent of complainants seeking relief against issues faced at government departments and public offices.

He added that AI technology is helping take justice services to citizens’ doorsteps, with implementation of Ombudsman decisions ensured within 60 days, while efforts are underway to further reduce the time-frame.

He emphasised that public awareness is essential for ensuring access to justice and said the Federal Ombudsman is actively working to strengthen complaint resolution mechanisms. The institution is establishing monitoring cells and appointing focal persons in public dealing departments, including NADRA, airports, BISP, power sector and other organizations to improve service delivery and ensure timely redressal of citizens’ grievances.

He further said the Federal Ombudsman is ensuring coordinated efforts to resolve issues faced by overseas Pakistanis, with the Foreign Secretary supporting effective coordination among relevant institutions. These initiatives are aimed at making public services more responsive, transparent and accessible for all citizens.

Responding to a query, he stressed the need for capacity building, training and specialized courses for employees involved in public dealing to improve service delivery.

He said the Federal Ombudsman provides justice to citizens while ensuring accountability, transparency and credibility across institutions, with regular feedback reflecting public confidence in the system.

To another query, he also elaborated on the complaint filing process and legal procedures, stating that applicants can approach the Federal Ombudsman not only through physical applications but also via telephone and social media platforms.

He said dedicated teams and researchers are working to ensure quick responses and efficient guidance for complainants.

Replying to a question about complaints, he said over 256,000 cases were received by the Federal Ombudsman last year, while he personally reviews around 920 to 1,000 complaints on a daily basis.

He said a forensic digitalised system with AI-based tools is being utilized to analyze cases, enhance efficiency and ensure speedy resolution.

On the nature of complaints, he said most grievances arise from departments involved in direct public dealing.

He added that the Federal Ombudsman is actively engaged with 12 to 14 key public service organizations and is working continuously to introduce reforms for improved performance and greater public satisfaction.

In his concluding remarks, Naveed Kamran Baloch stressed the importance of public awareness, dignity and compassion in service delivery.

He said the Federal Ombudsman is committed to making justice more accessible and ensuring citizens receive fair and respectful treatment.

He said the Wafaqi Mohtasib has emerged as a strong pillar of administrative accountability by addressing public grievances, improving governance standards and promoting transparency, responsibility and efficiency in government services.

Islamabad: Secretary, Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Muhammad Aslam Ghauri, on Saturday highlighted that population dynamics are closely linked with health, education, economic development, and social well-being.

In his message on the occasion of World Population Day on 11 th July, 2026, he underlined that realizing the aspirations of young people requires not only investments in their education and skills but also ensuring access to quality healthcare services, informed choices, and opportunities that enable them to contribute meaningfully to society.

This Day provides an important opportunity to reflect on the collective responsibility of ensuring that every individual, particularly young people, women, and children, has the opportunity to lead a healthy, productive, and dignified life, he said.This year’s theme, “Realizing the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People – Today and for the Future,” underscores the need to place people at the center of development and to create an enabling environment where future generations can thrive, he added.

This Ministry remains committed to strengthening the country’s health system and supporting national efforts aimed at improving the well-being of families and communities, he said.

He added that in close collaboration with provincial and regional governments, the Ministry continues to facilitate policy implementation, strengthen institutional coordination, and promote evidence-based approaches that improve access to essential health services across the country.

The Secretary focused that effective partnerships are central to achieving these objectives. The Ministry values its collaboration with provincial health and population departments, development partners, United Nations, agencies, non-governmental organizations, international non-governmental organizations, professional bodies, academia, and the private sector.

Through coordinated action, we can ensure that national priorities are translated into practical interventions that reach communities and improve people’s lives, he said.

Special attention must be given to the health and empowerment of women and adolescents. When women are healthy, educated, and empowered, families prosper and communities become more resilient, Aslam said.

Similarly, when young people are equipped with knowledge, opportunities, and support, they become agents of positive change and contribute to national development, he added

As the federal coordinating body for health, the Ministry will continue to promote collaboration,strengthen health systems, support innovation, and facilitate the implementation of policies and programmes that improve health outcomes and advance sustainable development, he added.

On this World Population Day, I urge all stakeholders to continue working together in fostering a healthier, more informed, and more prosperous society. Through partnership, commitment, and collective action, we can create a future where the hopes and aspirations of every young person are realized and where every family has the opportunity to flourish.

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Saturday, reaffirming the importance of Pakistan’s enduring partnership with the World Bank, stressed that sustained collaboration on ongoing and future projects would be key to delivering meaningful development outcomes.

The ambassador met with World Bank President Ajay Banga. During the meeting, Ambassador Sheikh presented President Banga with ‘Triunda’ the official football produced in Pakistan for the FIFA World Cup 2026, as a commemorative gift, a press release, Saturday, said.

President Banga commended the quality of Pakistan’s sporting goods, particularly the ‘Triunda’ football.

Ambassador Sheikh said Pakistan continued to promote global unity through sports and described the selection of a Pakistan-made football as the official match ball for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as a landmark achievement and a source of national pride.

He noted that Sialkot, the country’s hub for sporting goods manufacturing, enjoys a global reputation for producing premium-quality sports goods.

The ambassador said the international community’s confidence in Pakistan’s sports manufacturing sector is a significant encouragement for the industry and reflects its commitment to maintaining world-class quality standards.

Islamabad: Renowned literary icon Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi was commemorated on his 20th death anniversary as speakers paid homage to his exceptional contributions to Urdu poetry, fiction and journalism.

While Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi is no longer among us, his words continue to speak across generations. His poetry, fiction, and essays remain as relevant today as ever, reflecting a vision of humanity, justice and hope that has stood the test of time.

According to media reports , Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi was born on November 20, 1916, in the village of Anga in present-day Khushab District. He went on to become one of the most celebrated voices in Urdu literature, earning recognition for his remarkable contributions as a poet, fiction writer, journalist, literary critic, and broadcaster.

Throughout his distinguished literary career, Qasmi authored around 50 books spanning poetry, fiction, journalism, literary criticism and the arts. His writings, rooted in humanism and social consciousness, earned him a lasting place among the leading literary figures of Pakistan.

A master of both ghazal and nazm, he produced several acclaimed poetry collections, including Jalal-o-Jamal, Shola-i-Gul, and Kisht-i-Wafa. His short stories, celebrated for their realistic portrayal of rural life and human emotions, were compiled in collections such as Chopaal, Sannata, Kapaas Ka Phool, Bagolay, Tal-o-Gharoob, Sailab-o-Gardab, Anchal, and Ghar Se Ghar Tak.

Beyond his literary achievements, Qasmi also served as a scriptwriter for Radio Pakistan, where he contributed significantly to the country’s cultural and literary programming. His lifelong dedication to literature was recognized with several prestigious honors, including the Pride of Performance, the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, and the Pakistan Academy of Letters’ Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi passed away in Lahore on July 10, 2006, at the age of 89. Two decades after his death, his poetry, fiction, and essays continue to inspire readers and writers alike, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest literary icons of the Urdu language.

Islamabad: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi on Friday visited the entry point of Police Lines Headquarters to review security arrangements and inspect the entry management system.

An official told reporter that AIG Logistics Abdul Haq Umrani briefed the IGP Rizvi on the security measures in place, access control procedures and the functioning of the entry management system at the headquarters.

Rizvi conducted a detailed inspection of the security arrangements and reviewed the effectiveness of the entry management mechanism to ensure enhanced protection of the police headquarters.

The IGP Rizvi directed the officers concerned to further strengthen security measures, improve the entry management system and maintain the highest level of vigilance at all times.

He emphasized that robust security and an efficient access control system were essential for safeguarding key police installations and instructed officers to perform their duties with professionalism, alertness and dedication, the official added.

Islamabad: The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed on a bullish note on Friday, gaining 982.10 points, a positive change of 0.54 percent, to settle at 182,241.78 points against 181,259.68 points on the previous trading day.

During the session, the ready market recorded a trading volume of 948.776 million shares with a traded value of Rs38.413 billion, compared to 982.121 million shares valuing Rs41.860 billion in the previous session. The market capitalization increased to Rs20.503 trillion from Rs20.382 trillion a day earlier.

Out of 495 active companies in the ready market, 292 advanced, 169 declined, and 34 remained unchanged.

Cnergyico PK led the volume chart with 151.748 million shares, followed by K-Electric Ltd. with 67.530 million shares and WorldCall Telecom with 51.758 million shares.

The top gainers included Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited, which surged by Rs189.23 to close at Rs2,081.55, and Ghandhara Industries Limited, which gained Rs70.34 to settle at Rs1,168.32.

On the losing side, Blessed Textiles Limited declined by Rs63.29 to close at Rs1,008.26, while The Premier Sugar Mills fell by Rs49.29 to settle at Rs589.43.

In the futures (DFC) market, turnover stood at 186.207 million shares with a traded value of Rs8.065 billion, compared to 220.304 million shares worth Rs9.635 billion in the previous session.

Out of 302 futures-market companies, 205 advanced, 91 declined, and six remained unchanged.