Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment has imposed penalties of Rs 2.7 million in a workplace harassment case involving five employees, directing that Rs 2.16 million be paid to the complainant and Rs 540,000 be deposited in the national treasury.

The ruling also orders the institution to complete key administrative actions within 15 and 30 days, said a press release issued here on Thursday.

The case was filed by a former female employee who accused several senior and supervisory staff members of harassment and retaliation during her employment.

The accused rejected all allegations and described the complaint as false.

During proceedings, they attempted to challenge the complainant’s credibility by referring to her personal life, appearance, and conduct.

After examining documentary evidence, witness statements, and the responses submitted by the accused, the Federal Ombudsperson concluded that harassment and retaliation had been established.

The ruling directs the institution to reconstitute its anti-harassment committee within 30 days. It must also issue the complainant’s experience letter, clearance documents, salary slips, and complete settlement within 15 days.

Islamabad: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday congratulated Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan, Amjad Hussain Advocate on his election as chief minister during a meeting held here.

The Governor said the people of Gilgit Baltistan had reposed exemplary trust in Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the party.

He said Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had led an outstanding election campaign, which reflected his leadership qualities.

Governor Kundi also invited the newly elected Gilgit Baltistan chief minister to visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

PPP Parliamentary Leader in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Ahmad Kundi was also present during the meeting.

Islamabad: The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad, in collaboration with the University of World Civilizations (UWCM), Moscow, on Thursday convened the second event in the Pakistan-Russia Webinar Series, titled “Pakistan-Russia: Strengthening Trade, Education and Energy Collaboration.”

The webinar brought together senior policymakers, diplomats, business leaders and academics from both countries to examine practical opportunities for expanding bilateral engagement in trade, industrial development, energy, education and regional connectivity.

Building upon the success of the first webinar in the series in June 2026, the second dialogue advanced discussions from geopolitical perspectives toward concrete geoeconomic initiatives.

Participants emphasized that sustained interaction between governments, academic institutions, businesses and policy communities is essential to unlocking the considerable potential of Pakistan-Russia relations in an evolving Eurasian landscape.

Opening the webinar, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of the Institute of Regional Studies, observed that Pakistan and Russia are entering a new phase of bilateral engagement in which economic cooperation, institutional partnerships and people-to-people exchanges can complement steadily expanding diplomatic relations.

He stressed that policy dialogue must increasingly be accompanied by practical initiatives capable of generating long-term economic and strategic benefits for both countries.

Delivering the keynote address, Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to diversifying its international energy partnerships and identified Russia as an important partner in energy security, infrastructure development, technological cooperation and long-term investment.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Alexey V. Gruzdev reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to expanding industrial and commercial engagement with Pakistan and emphasized new opportunities emerging across Eurasia.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, highlighted the importance of translating the positive trajectory of bilateral political relations into greater trade, investment, connectivity and private-sector cooperation. Boris Burmistrov of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Pakistan through intergovernmental collaboration, deepening multisectorial linkages, and working together in regional and international fora to advance shared interests.

Moderating the first session, Dr. Roxolana Zigon guided discussions on trade, transport connectivity and energy collaboration. Mohsin Sheikh, Chairman Pakistan-Russia Business Council provided a historical overview of trade dimensions between both countries, and then outlined practical approaches to expanding bilateral commerce through improved logistics, economic corridor development, and stronger business-to-business engagement in Eurasia. Ambassador Qazi M. Khalilullah, Executive Director of CISSS Karachi, emphasized the importance of resilient long-term energy partnerships and greater collaboration in energy infrastructure and strategic planning through measures such as advanced Eurasian cargo services and special representatives on Eurasian trade in the respective countries. Dr. Prokhor Tebin, examined the changing dynamics of globalization and argued that emerging geoeconomic realities provide Pakistan and Russia with fresh opportunities to deepen cooperation. Summarizing the session, Dr. Zigon emphasiz
ed the importance of sustained institutional dialogue focused on practical implementation

The second session, moderated by Dr. Usman W. Chohan, examined industrial development, education, human capital and financial cooperation as key pillars of long-term bilateral engagement. Dr. Asma Naveed of the National University of Modern Languages provided concrete recommendations on bilateral human capital development, including language training in specialist economic sectors, joint and lasting institutional engagement, and establishing Russian language centres in the Pakistani education system. Dr. Svetlana Minyurova of the Russian Academy of Education outlined prospects for closer collaboration between Pakistani and Russian universities through joint research, technology transfer, academic exchanges and institutional partnerships. Mr. Dmitry Antonov of the Business Council of Cooperation with Pakistan (Russia), offered concrete recommendations regarding the facilitation of business to business (B2B) ties between both countries, including banking channels, inland route development, and use of Eurasian m
ultilateral fora.

Across both sessions, participants agreed that the changing global political economy presents Pakistan and Russia with significant opportunities to diversify economic partnerships, strengthen regional connectivity and expand cooperation in trade, industry, energy, education, science and technology. Speakers stressed the importance of building stronger linkages among governments, universities, businesses and research institutions to translate shared strategic interests into tangible outcomes.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem observed that the discussions reflected a broad convergence of views on the need to move beyond dialogue toward implementation. He noted that sustained engagement would be essential for developing durable, multidimensional partnerships.

Participants agreed that the Pakistan-Russia Webinar Series has become an important platform for advancing strategic dialogue and strengthening mutual understanding between the two countries. They welcomed plans to continue the series in order to examine and delineate paths to reinforce Pakistan and Russia’s growing partnership in an increasingly interconnected Eurasian region.

Islamabad: The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained in the red on Thursday, losing 369.69 points, a negative change of 0.20 percent, to close at 181,259.68 points against 181,629.37 points on the previous trading day.

During the session, the ready market recorded a trading volume of 982.121 million shares with a traded value of Rs41.860 billion, compared to 1.551 billion shares valuing Rs62.437 billion in the previous session. The market capitalization stood at Rs20.382 trillion, slightly down from Rs20.383 trillion a day earlier.

Out of 497 active companies in the ready market, 263 advanced, 203 declined, and 31 remained unchanged.

Cnergyico PK led the volume chart with 211.684 million shares, followed by LSE Capital Ltd. with 58.382 million shares and Pak Refinery with 49.649 million shares.

The top gainers included Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited, which surged by Rs172.03 to close at Rs1,892.32, and Ghandhara Industries Limited, which gained Rs99.82 to settle at Rs1,097.98.

On the losing side, PIA Holding Company LimitedB declined by Rs222.67 to close at Rs17,677.33, while The Premier Sugar Mills fell by Rs70.97 to settle at Rs638.72.

In the futures (DFC) market, turnover stood at 220.304 million shares with a traded value of Rs9.635 billion, compared to 296.135 million shares worth Rs13.178 billion in the previous session.

Out of 302 futures-market companies, 144 advanced, 150 declined, and eight remained unchanged.

Islamabad: Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday praised the Communist Party of China (CPC) for steering China’s extraordinary economic transformation through strong institutions, long-term planning and effective governance, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its all-weather strategic partnership with China.

He was addressing a special seminar organised by the Pakistan-China Economic and Cultural Council (PCECC) to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, attended by senior political leaders, parliamentarians, diplomats, policy experts and representatives of the Chinese Embassy.

The acting president said the CPC had demonstrated extraordinary institutional resilience over more than a century, leading China’s unprecedented economic transformation and lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. He noted that these achievements had made a significant contribution to global development.

Mr Gilani observed that Xi Jinping’s ‘Thought on Party Building’ placed emphasis on self-reform, internal accountability and a firm approach to corruption, adding that these principles offer useful insights for political parties and institutions, particularly in the Global South. He said durable institutions must remain accountable to the people, continually renew themselves and translate political stability into development that benefits ordinary citizens.

Reaffirming the enduring Pakistan-China friendship, the acting president described the relationship as an iron brotherhood built on mutual trust, shared interests and strategic cooperation. He paid tribute to the vision of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai in laying the foundations of the bilateral relationship.

He said Pakistan-China cooperation had expanded across defence, trade, infrastructure, education, health and cultural exchanges. He highlighted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a major driver of regional connectivity and economic development and appreciated China’s steadfast support for Pakistan during natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The acting president said there was considerable potential for both countries to further deepen cooperation in trade, technology, clean energy and parliamentary exchanges.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on the occasion said China’s remarkable progress demonstrated how nations prosper through long-term vision, consistency and strategic planning. He said Pakistan-China friendship had always been a relationship built on conviction and mutual trust, which had evolved into an all-weather strategic partnership over the decades.

Recalling the historic role of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in strengthening bilateral ties, he said the party took pride in the contribution of its founder, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who played a key role in laying the foundations of Pakistan’s close relationship with China during the 1960s.

Referring to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the governor said the enduring friendship between the two countries was physically reflected in landmark projects such as the Karakoram Highway, while the ancient routes connecting the two neighbours had today been transformed into modern corridors of regional connectivity under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati said the event reflected the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China. Referring to the ongoing wave of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said China had demonstrated that terrorism could be effectively countered through development and prosperity rather than relying solely on the use of force.

He said China’s experience showed that sustainable economic growth, improved living standards and inclusive development were key to addressing the root causes of extremism and ensuring lasting peace.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong said the remarkable achievements of the Communist Party of China (CPC) over the past 105 years reflected its commitment to development, modernization and improving the lives of its people.

The ambassador appreciated the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, saying Pakistan had made significant progress in economic recovery and national development. He also reaffirmed China’s readiness to work closely with Pakistan in diverse sectors, particularly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), to further strengthen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

Referring to regional developments, the ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s role in facilitating diplomatic efforts that contributed to a ceasefire between Iran and the US. He said all parties should avoid further escalation and adhere to the ceasefire, adding that China had consistently supported Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic role.

President of the Pakistan-China Economic and Cultural Council Bayazeed Burhanullah Kasi also spoke on the occasion.

The programme also included presentations highlighting the history and development of the Communist Party of China.

Islamabad: Pakistan and Croatia on Thursday agreed to undertake concrete steps to “inject greater momentum” into their political and economic relations, expanding bilateral cooperation across a wide spectrum of mutual interests including trade, investment, infrastructure, and visa facilitation.

The agreement was reached during “warm, constructive, and comprehensive” delegation-level talks held between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and the visiting Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs, Dr. Gordan Grlic Radman here.

“We reviewed the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Croatia relations and agreed to undertake steps to inject greater momentum toward political and economic relations as well as to enhance our cooperation in all other areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, development, agriculture, labour mobility, visa facilitation, education, defence, climate change, tourism, infrastructure, IT, sea ports collaboration,” Deputy Prime Minister Dar said addressing a joint press stakeout here along with the visiting foreign minister.

This is the first-ever official visit by a Croatian foreign minister to Pakistan, marking a new chapter in the diplomatic history of the two countries.

Acknowledging that bilateral trade remained below its true potential, Deputy Prime Minister Dar said a rising trend in bilateral trade volume and stated that both sides agreed to revitalize economic ties, “including through encouraging B2B exchanges for common benefit.” Both sides considered plans to hold a future business-to-business (B2B) trade forum to connect the private sectors and business communities of both nations.

He said that the two sides decided to make the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral political consultations fully functional and that the first round of these consultations could be held either this year or early 2027.

The two leaders announced coordinated efforts to expedite the opening of a Croatian visa processing facility in Islamabad as currently, Pakistani applicants have to travel to Iran for visa processing.

“We greatly value people-to-people links, and therefore, Croatia would like to enable Pakistani citizens to submit visa applications in Pakistan, so they don’t need to travel abroad to apply,” Foreign Minister Radman announced, confirming that Croatia looks forward to opening the facility soon.

Deputy Prime Minister Dar stressed the need for combating human smuggling and illegal migration, saying that providing safe, orderly, and regular channels for migration was vital to protect the rights and lives of migrants as well as dismantling the illegal model of smuggling networks.

Highlighting the strategic geographical positions of both nations, he briefed the Croatian delegation on the capacity, facilities, and connectivity of the Karachi Port, initiating discussions on collaborative arrangements between the maritime ports of both countries.

During the talks, Dar appraised the visiting delegation on the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, suggesting a reactivation of peace efforts at the upcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA 2026) in New York.

He also raised concerns regarding India’s unilateral action of holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and sought support from the friendly countries to help bring an end to the weaponisation of water.

He also apprised the Croatian delegation of security challenges originating from terrorist networks like the TTP and BLA operating out of Afghanistan and stressed the need for the Afghan Taliban regime to abide by its international commitments and that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries, particularly Pakistan.

Both sides also exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, emphasizing the necessity of resolving international conflicts in line with international law.

The deputy prime minister said that Pakistan’s access to the EU GSP Plus scheme remained a cornerstone of Pakistan-European Union economic cooperation. As the new GSP Plus regulation is scheduled to enter into force on January 1, 2027, Pakistan has already initiated preparatory work for re-application in early 2027, he added.

In response, Foreign Minister Radman said that the GSP Plus served as a catalyst for Pakistan’s integration into the global economy.

He welcomed investment from Pakistani companies, highlighting that Croatia, given its excellent geopolitical position, has become an energy hub and was an open door to the European market. Mentioning the long-standing presence of Croatian companies in Pakistan, he expressed hope for an expanded market presence in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, IT, and tourism sectors.

“With nine strategic airports and six major maritime ports, Croatia can also be a gateway for international travel and trade,” he said and emphasised that Croatia’s railway links with Central Europe supported resilient transport, energy, and digital connectivity networks.

The two sides expressed strong convergence on major global issues, reaffirming their shared commitment to multilateralism, the UN Charter, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Foreign Minister Radman welcomed Pakistan’s active engagement in the UN Security Council and praised its recent diplomatic mediation.

“We particularly appreciate Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts that resulted in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding to end the conflict between the United States and Iran,” he said.

Calling Islamabad the “city of peace and diplomacy” the Croatian foreign minister thanked DPM Dar for a warm welcome and hospitality, expressing hope that his visit would help intensify ties, enhance trade and investment, and explore new avenues of cooperation.

Foreign Minister Radman extended an official invitation to Deputy Prime Minister Dar to attend the upcoming Dubrovnik Forum in Croatia at the end of June next year.