Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Acting President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Tahir Ayub, has urged the government to launch a comprehensive regulatory reform agenda aimed at significantly improving the ease of doing business, reducing the cost of compliance, and creating a more investment-friendly environment for domestic and foreign investors.

Talking to different visiting delegations on Friday, Tahir Ayub said that Pakistan possesses immense economic potential, a strategic geographic location, and a vibrant entrepreneurial community, said a press release.

However, cumbersome regulations, overlapping jurisdictions, excessive documentation, and lengthy approval processes continue to impede business growth and discourage investment, he added.

He emphasized that simplifying regulatory procedures has become imperative to stimulate economic activity, attract investment, and generate sustainable employment opportunities.

He said the business community firmly believes that economic growth is driven by a vibrant private sector, but businesses require a predictable, transparent, and efficient regulatory framework to flourish. He stressed that reducing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles would not only improve investor confidence but also enhance Pakistan’s competitiveness in regional and global markets.

Tahir Ayub called for the establishment of a fully integrated one-window digital system for business registration, licensing, tax payments, utility connections, and regulatory approvals. Such an initiative, he said, would substantially reduce compliance costs, improve transparency, minimize human interaction, and curb discretionary practices that often delay legitimate business activities.

He also highlighted the importance of ensuring consistency and predictability in government policies, stating that frequent changes in taxation, regulatory requirements, and compliance mechanisms create uncertainty for investors and undermine long-term business planning. Stable and business-friendly policies, he noted, are essential for attracting both local and international investment.

Tahir Ayub stressed that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which constitute the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, deserve special regulatory facilitation. He recommended simplified tax filing procedures, easier business registration, quicker access to finance, and reduced compliance requirements to enable SMEs to expand their operations and contribute more effectively to employment generation and exports.

ICCI Vice President Mohammad Irfan Chaudhry said that improving the ease of doing business is no longer merely an economic reform but a national necessity. He observed that businesses spend considerable time and resources complying with multiple regulatory requirements imposed by various departments, affecting productivity and increasing operational costs.

He said digital transformation of public services, time-bound approvals, transparent inspection mechanisms, and greater coordination among government institutions would significantly improve the business climate.

Islamabad: A cross-party delegation of over 25 Members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly (MPAs) and MNAs facilitated by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) with the support of the British High Commission, met Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry to discuss strengthening Counter-Terrorism (CT), Counter-Terrorist Financing (CFT), and Countering Violent Extremism (CVE).

NC NACTA, Director FIA and representatives from NIFTAC briefed the participants on the existing policies and practices.

Minister of State Talal Chaudhry paid tribute to the sacrifices of the people and law enforcement agencies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stating that defeating terrorism requires national unity, sustained political commitment, and a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

He urged parliamentarians to strengthen legislation, support coordinated federal-provincial efforts, and play an active role in promoting peace and resilience.

Islamabad: National Disaster Management Authority’s National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) today warned that sudden glacial floods and landslides pose an immediate, high risk threat to northern Pakistan and ordered tourists and non essential travellers to avoid mountain routes from 10-14 July.

NEOC said landslide alerts cover 11-13 July while flood and river surge warnings apply across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir until July 14; authorities will carry out rapid hazard assessments and relay real time warnings to local administrations.

Officials warned that rising temperatures and ongoing heavy rain could trigger Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), debris flows, sudden river surges and rockfalls in vulnerable glacial valleys and hill torrents.

NDMA named multiple high risk zones including Badswat, Ashkoman, Hinarchi, Yasin, Khaplu, Hisper Hoper, Gultang and surrounding areas .

Authority also highlighted vulnerable roads such as Jaglot-Skardu, Hunza-Gojal and Gilgit-Ghizer, plus routes to Naltar, Bagrot and Hermosh.

The NEOC urged immediate precautions like stay away from glacial lakes, river channels and known flood paths also avoid travel on landslide prone roads and follow instructions from local authorities.

NDMA warned bank erosion and sudden debris flows could rapidly worsen conditions and instructed district administrations to mobilize emergency response teams and issue on-the-ground warnings.

For official updates and safety guidance, the public and visitors must use the Pakistan NDMA Disaster Alert app.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, terming the development of Gilgit-Baltistan a priority of the federal government, said that special attention was being paid to improve infrastructure, communications, energy, education, health, and tourism sectors besides increasing employment opportunities in the region.

The prime minister, in a meeting with the newly-elected members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), who called on him here, said that the local economy would be further strengthened by utilizing the natural resources, tourist destinations, and mineral reserves of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Moreover, he said that providing quality education, modern technical training, and dignified employment to the youth was a key priority of the government, enabling them to play a role in national development.

He said that elected representatives served as a direct source of awareness of public expectations, problems, and priorities, and emphasised that, regardless of political affiliations, the sole purpose of leadership must be public service and creating ease in people’s lives.

Appreciating the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for practically proving their love, loyalty, and national unity with Pakistan, the prime minister told the lawmakers that the construction of four Daanish Schools in the region was in the final stage, and classes would commence there from next year.

Additionally, he said that the work was underway at a rapid pace on a solar power project of 100 megawatts and assured that the federal government was utilizing all available resources to ensure the timely completion of ongoing development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said that an early warning system for climate change and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) had been installed in Gilgit-Baltistan to provide timely information to the residents and help them cope with adverse situations caused by weather conditions.

He said that effective communication between the federal government and local leadership was indispensable for resolving public issues, and ensuring better governance, and promoting transparency.

Assuring the delegation of considering their suggestions, the prime minister said that the government would work in coordination with them for the welfare of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He also urged the parliamentarians to play a constructive role, expressing the hope that through collective efforts, Gilgit-Baltistan would achieve immense development and prosperity.

Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the formation of a committee, to be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, which will review the actionable proposals presented by the lawmakers and submit a report. Other members of the committee include Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam and Advisor to PM on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam, and Advisor to PM on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reconstituted its administrative committee, replacing Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir with Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas as a member, according to an official notification.

The notification, issued by the registrar with the approval of Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar, said the chief justice will continue to head the committee.

Under the revised composition, Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas has been inducted into the committee in place of Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, while Justice Muhammad Asif and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan will continue to serve as members.

The administrative committee is responsible for making key administrative decisions relating to the functioning and management of the Islamabad High Court.

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday paid tribute to the security forces for the successful execution of Operation Shaaban by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police after the Mangi Dam Police Station incident.

The president commending the professionalism of the security forces and law enforcement agencies underlined that the Operation Shaaban has once again proven that the forces are fully capable of dealing with every threat, a Presidency’s news release said.

President Zardari underlined that the inimical elements employing proxy elements against Pakistan would not succeed in their nefarious designs as national resolve was stronger than any conspiracy.

“Anti-Pakistan elements and inimical institutions of India and some other countries want to tarnish Pakistan’s recent diplomatic achievements by using some anti-national elements as hired killers and demoralize us. We will take Pakistan’s recent achievements to their logical conclusion and defeat terrorism with the help of the nation,” the president resolved.

President Zardari underlined that there would be no compromise on defending the homeland and the state would defeat the scourge of terrorism at all costs.

In a separate news release from the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz Sharif also praised the courage and valour of the security forces.

The prime minister said the killing of 75 terrorists so far in the grand operation against Fitna-ul-Khawarij was a testament to the high professionalism of the security forces. He emphasised that the strategy of the operation adopted by the forces in difficult mountainous terrain was commendable.

The prime minister also hailed the counter-terrorism action of the Pakistan Army and FC troops in repelling the terrorist attack on the police station in Khuzdar.

“The firm resolve of the security forces and the nation will remain undeterred until the complete elimination of Fitna-ul-Khawarij, and eradication of terrorism from the country. Every conspiracy to sabotage the peace and order of Balochistan will be foiled as the entire nation stands by its brave forces and police,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.