Category: Islamabad

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.

Islamabad: Secretary-General of the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8), Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, paid an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on 2-4 July 2026 to attend the ‘Farewell and Tribute Ceremony’ held in honour of His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

He was accompanied by Muhammad Bilal Khan, Executive Assistant, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.

On behalf of the D-8 Organization, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood conveyed profound condolences to the Iranian leadership, government and people. He participated in the solemn ceremony attended by foreign dignitaries, offered prayers for the departed soul, signed the condolence book and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and the people of Iran.

During his stay in Tehran, the Secretary-General called on Foreign Minister Dr. Seyed Abbas Araghchi for a bilateral meeting. The discussions focused inter alia on the long-standing partnership between the D-8 Secretariat and Iran, regional developments, D-8’s strategic priorities, and preparations for the next phase of D-8 cooperation.

The Secretary-General offered the sympathies and condolences on behalf of the Secretariat, reaffirmed solidarity with the people of Iran, and wished success for the Iranian leadership’s efforts for durable peace, progress and prosperity. He also apprised Foreign Minister Araghchi of recent progress on various tracks of cooperation within the D-8 framework and highlighted the D-8’s present profile and future trajectory.

Foreign Minister Araghchi thanked the Secretary-General for participation in the ‘Farewell and Tribute Ceremony’; underlined Iran’s strong national resolve as well as commitment for peace through dialogue and diplomacy; and emphasized the importance of enhanced economic cooperation in the transformed regional landscape.

The Foreign Minister also reaffirmed Iran’s steadfast commitment to D-8 as a founding member and assured that Iran would continue to contribute substantially to the advancement of the D-8 agenda of cooperation across the broad spectrum. Views were also exchanged on ways to realize new opportunities for increased trade, investment, energy cooperation, and hard and soft connectivity, arising from the transformation underway.

The Secretary-General also had substantive interactions with Deputy Foreign Minister and President of the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) Dr. Saeed Khatibzadeh; and with Iran’s D-8 Commissioner Ambassador Alireza Tootoonchian. The exchanges in those meetings focused on enhancing policy dialogue, deepening D-8 collaboration in priority areas under the Decennial Roadmap 2020-2030, and measures to strengthen D-8’s institutional capacity, organizational effectiveness, and international profile and visibility.

Overall, during the various interactions in Tehran, the Secretary-General underscored that the D-8 is entering a new phase of strategic transformation centered on closer economic integration, trade and investment promotion, industrial cooperation, innovation, technology, energy security, sustainable development, and people-centered growth. He also emphasized that Iran’s industrial capabilities, technological expertise, manufacturing capacity, and strategic position would continue to be of immense value in advancing the collective vision and objectives of the D-8.

The Secretary-General’s visit served to further reinforce the partnership between the D-8 Secretariat and the Islamic Republic of Iran, while the exchanges highlighted shared determination on both sides to support D-8’s organizational capacity-building through enhanced human and financial resources; deeper economic cooperation and integration across the D-8 geography; and increased international awareness and profile of D-8 as it enters the 30th year since its inception in 1997.

Islamabad: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh/Minister for IT, Ali Rashid, called on Minister of State/Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Digital Media, Fahd Haroon, in Islamabad.

The meeting discussed matters of mutual interest relating to digital media, digital transformation, and Pakistan’s evolving digital landscape.

The meeting was held in a cordial and congenial atmosphere.

Fahd Haroon appreciated the exchange of views and shared perspectives on relevant areas of focus.

Islamabad: The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) on Wednesday launched its Internship Cohort 2026, welcoming 140 interns selected from 62 universities across Pakistan and abroad for research and policy training.

The institute linked the initiative with Pakistan’s vision of achieving a trillion-dollar economy by 2035 under URAAN Pakistan, saying it aims to nurture young talent through evidence-based research, policy engagement and professional training to support the country’s development agenda.

Speaking at the inaugural session, PIDE Vice Chancellor and Member of the Planning Commission of Pakistan Dr Nadeem Javaid said Pakistan stood at a critical juncture and required evidence-based, people-centred policymaking to address key development challenges, including the youth bulge, weak export performance, low human capital, climate vulnerability, energy constraints, social disparities, policy discontinuity and fiscal pressures.

He said Pakistan’s development challenge was not merely economic but also a human development emergency, stressing that countries investing in education, skills development, population management, women’s workforce participation and export competitiveness had achieved sustained economic progress.

He urged the interns to think critically and contribute innovative ideas to support national transformation, better governance and effective policymaking.

Earlier, Dean (Policy Advocacy) Dr Faheem Jehangir said the internship programme received 4,883 applications from Pakistan and abroad.

Following a rigorous selection process involving 14 interview panels, 278 candidates were shortlisted and 140 interns were selected for placement in 14 research centres, technical sections and Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects.

He said the selected cohort represented 62 universities, with participants from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and overseas institutions.

The orientation session was also addressed by Dr Nasir Iqbal, Dr Karim Khan, Dr Shujaat Farooq, Dr Syed Hasanat Shah and Dr Nadeem Ahmed Khan, who introduced the interns to PIDE’s structure, research, academic programmes, policy advocacy, outreach initiatives, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and its professional training ecosystem.

Welcoming the interns, the PIDE management emphasized that informed ideas lead to better policies, and better policies lead to a stronger and more sustainable future.

The management said the internship programme aimed to connect young talent with real policy challenges, expose participants to evidence-based research, and equip them with analytical, writing, communication and professional skills needed to contribute effectively to Pakistan’s development process.

Islamabad: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, on Wednesday inaugurated new headquarters of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) in Islamabad, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen institutional support for Pakistan’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production, Saif Anjum, Chief Executive Officer SMEDA, Nadia J. Seth, members of the SMEDA Board of Directors, and senior officials of the Ministry, said a press release.

Speaking on the occasion, Haroon Akhtar Khan said that, under the directions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, SMEDA’s headquarters have, for the first time, been established and made fully operational in Islamabad to enhance coordination, policy implementation and service delivery for the SME sector.

He stated that, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision, SMEDA has been entrusted with expanded responsibilities to facilitate micro, small and medium enterprises, strengthen entrepreneurship and accelerate private sector-led economic growth.

Haroon Akhtar Khan emphasized that SMEs constitute the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and remain central to the Government’s strategy for sustainable economic development. He said the Government is undertaking comprehensive measures to empower SMEs, improve ease of doing business and create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs across the country.

He noted that facilitating businesses, increasing productivity and encouraging investment are among the Government’s foremost priorities. He added that special emphasis is being placed on supporting young entrepreneurs by providing them with opportunities to establish and expand their businesses.

The Special Assistant further highlighted that women’s economic empowerment is an integral part of the Government’s economic agenda. Greater participation of women entrepreneurs, he said, will contribute significantly to economic growth, innovation and inclusive national development.

Haroon Akhtar Khan said that the growth of SMEs will generate employment opportunities, enhance local manufacturing, strengthen exports and contribute to Pakistan’s long-term industrial and economic prosperity.

He also underlined the importance of providing SMEs with access to modern technology, skills development programmes and financial facilities, enabling them to compete effectively in domestic and international markets.

He reaffirmed that creating a business-friendly environment remains a key objective of the Government’s reform agenda. Strengthening SMEDA’s institutional capacity, he said, will enable the Authority to provide more efficient, coordinated and accessible services to entrepreneurs across Pakistan.

Strong SMEs are the foundation of a strong Pakistan, he said and reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting entrepreneurship, supporting innovation, encouraging self-reliance and building a vibrant SME sector capable of driving industrial growth, expanding exports and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

Islamabad: Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Wednesday released 284,600 cusecs of water from various rim stations with an inflow of 386,900 cusecs.

According to the data released by IRSA, the water level in the River Indus at Tarbela Dam stood at 1488.04 feet, which was 86.04 feet higher than the dead level of 1402.00 feet. Water inflow and outflow in the dam were recorded as 238,800 cusecs and 156,300 cusecs, respectively.

The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1167.70 feet, which was 117.70 feet higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet. The inflow and outflow of water were recorded as 31,800 cusecs and 12,000 cusecs, respectively.

The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa, Guddu and Sukkur was recorded as 223,700, 176,800, 112,800, and 50,000 cusecs, respectively. Similarly, from River Kabul, a total of 48,500 cusecs of water was released at Nowshera, and 37,900 cusecs were released from River Chenab at Marala.