Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday lowered its growth forecast for developing Asia and the Pacific economies to 4.9% for 2026 compared to 5.5% growth in 2025.

This is a reduction of 0.2 percentage points from April projections, according to ADB’s latest economic outlook released by the bank on Thursday.

Prolonged disruptions to energy markets caused by the Middle East conflict have weighed more heavily on the region’s prospects than anticipated, says Asian Development Outlook (ADO) July 2026 adding the 2027 growth forecast is maintained at 5.1%, reflecting recovering activity as these pressures ease.

The outlook expects disruptions to global energy markets to unwind only gradually, despite a framework agreement signed in June.

With impacts extending beyond energy to fertilizers, other commodity prices, and supply chains, inflationary pressures are likely to persist. Regional inflation is now forecast at 4.3% this year compared to 3% in 2025-an upward revision of 0.7 percentage points from April. The inflation forecast for 2027 remains at 3.4%.

‘Durable implementation of the framework agreement would help normalize global energy markets, but the pace of adjustment is highly uncertain with significant downside risks,’ said ADB Chief Economist Albert Park.

‘Economic growth in developing Asia and the Pacific remains resilient, but persistent headwinds caused by the conflict require a careful policy balance between supporting growth and containing inflation,’ Albert Park added.

ADO July 2026 warns that renewed conflict escalation and prolonged geopolitical uncertainty remain key risks to the region’s outlook.

These could further tighten energy markets, raise risk premia, and intensify inflationary and external pressures.

Tighter global financial conditions pose additional risks, with sovereign bond yields and borrowing costs rising, and fiscal deficits projected to widen in several economies. Higher tariffs and elevated trade policy uncertainty could also weigh on activity, while rising fertilizer prices continue to threaten agricultural output and food security.

Growth projections for 2026 are lowered for most subregions, except developing East Asia. Forecasts for the People’s Republic of China are unchanged at 4.6% for 2026 and 4.5% for 2027, supported by strong exports and infrastructure investment. India’s growth forecast is revised down to 6.6% this year, as higher energy costs weigh on domestic demand, and maintained at 7.3% for next year.

Growth projections for Southeast Asia and the Pacific are also trimmed, reflecting weaker domestic demand and tourism, rising inflation, and higher import costs.

Islamabad: Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Islamabad Kainat Azhar Khan visited various parts of the federal capital to review traffic flow, field performance, and arrangements aimed at ensuring the smooth movement of vehicles.

An ITP official told reporter on Thursday that the CTO Kainat inspected traffic deployments and assessed the performance of traffic officers and personnel performing duties at key roads and intersections across the city.

Kainat directed officers to ensure maximum public convenience, maintain uninterrupted traffic flow, and adopt effective traffic management measures during peak hours.

The CTO, Kainat, also instructed traffic personnel to maintain discipline, uphold professionalism, and treat road users with courtesy while performing their duties.

Kainat said ITP remained fully committed to providing citizens with safe, organized, and efficient travel facilities, adding that strict enforcement of traffic laws would continue to ensure orderly traffic management across the federal capital, the official added.

Islamabad: British High Commissioner Jane Marriott called on Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday and discussed Pakistan-UK relations and exchanged views on regional developments, including the recent U.S-Iran situation.

DPM/FM highlighted Pakistan’s constructive mediation efforts in support of dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation.

The British High Commissioner appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace and stability.

Islamabad: A three-day workshop on capacity-building titiled “Assessment of Special Needs” focused on strengthening the professional competencies of teachers and practitioners by introducing modern assessment approaches and evidence-based practices in special education concluded here on Thursday.

The workshop was organized by Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) in collaboration with EPIC Trainings. The workshop was designed to enhance participants’ knowledge and practical skills in the timely and accurate assessment of children with special needs.

Addressing the concluding ceremony, as chief guest, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Nasir Mahmood said that timely and accurate assessment of children with special needs was fundamental to providing quality education and appropriate educational support. He emphasized that continuous professional development of teachers and specialists was essential for improving educational outcomes and promoting inclusive education.

He reaffirmed AIOU’s commitment to advancing special education through quality training, research and academic collaborations. He also appreciated the efforts of the Department of Special Education and EPIC Trainings for successfully organizing the workshop and expressed hope that the knowledge and skills gained by the participants would contribute to strengthening special education services across the country.

A total of 43 teachers, specialists and professionals from Islamabad and Rawalpindi participated in the training programme.

Participants represented the Autism Resource Centre, Directorate of Special Education Punjab, Directorate General of Special Education Islamabad, Bahria Special Education School and College, Fauji Foundation Institute of Special Education, Umeed-e-Noor Special Education School and several other institutions working in the field of special education.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja met with Cambodia’s Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Chea Vandeth, on Wednesday.

During the meeting, held on the third day of Geneva Digital Week, Pakistan and Cambodia agreed to strengthen cooperation in the digital sector.

The two ministers held detailed discussions on advancing the digital transformation goals of both countries.

Pakistan and Cambodia also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting digital infrastructure and technological collaboration.

Pakistan’s IT sector received recognition at the global forum, with the country making a strong representation at Geneva Digital Week.

Islamabad: The Islamabad Excise and Taxation Department collected more than Rs 25.43 billion during the financial year 2025-26, exceeding its assigned revenue target and setting a new record for the department.

The revenue included Rs19.13 billion collected under excise taxes and over Rs 6.30 billion recovered on behalf of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Talking to reporter, Director Excise, Bilal Azam said that the achievement came in line with the directions of the Chief Commissioner Islamabad and the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad. The department reported strong collections across several categories, including vehicle registration fees, road taxes, hotel taxes, professional taxes, and other revenue streams.

The total collection of Rs 25.43 billion marks one of the highest revenue performances in the department’s history, he added. He stated that the department not only met its target but also surpassed it through improved tax collection measures and wider public participation.

Bilal Azam attributed the increase in revenue to better monitoring, the use of digital systems, improved service delivery, and stronger enforcement of tax regulations. The introduction of technology-based services helped simplify procedures for citizens and improved overall efficiency in revenue collection.

The department also highlighted efforts to expand the tax base and strengthen recovery mechanisms. The Director said that digitalization initiatives enabled taxpayers to access services more easily while improving transparency in departmental operations.

Director Excise and Taxation Islamabad, Bilal Azam, said the department remains committed to providing modern services to citizens and further improving public access to tax-related facilities. He noted that the growing use of technology and citizen-focused initiatives has contributed to greater public trust in the department.

According to the department, increased public confidence played a significant role in achieving the record revenue collection during the fiscal year. Officials added that continuous improvements in service delivery encouraged more taxpayers to fulfill their obligations through official channels.

The department has urged citizens to pay all taxes and vehicle-related dues on time and obtain services only through authorized government platforms. Officials said public cooperation is essential for maintaining an effective and transparent taxation system.

The department also announced that citizens can receive a 10 percent discount on token tax payments made through the PAK AAP application during July 2026. Authorities encouraged taxpayers to use digital platforms to benefit from the concession and complete payments without visiting offices.

Officials reaffirmed their commitment to expanding online services and introducing further improvements aimed at making tax payments and related services more accessible for residents of the federal capital.