Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday referred a petition challenging the auction notices issued for Bahria Town properties to the office of the Chief Justice for the constitution of an appropriate bench.

The matter came up before Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, who observed that he had previously heard the dispute in an intra-court appeal (ICA) and, therefore, considered it appropriate that the case be placed before another bench.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner, Farooq H. Naek, informed the court that an earlier writ petition on the matter had already been decided by former Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar.

Justice Tahir also questioned why NAB Prosecutor Rafi Maqsood was present at the rostrum despite no notice having been issued to the bureau. The prosecutor responded that he was available to assist the court if required.

The court further inquired whether an intra-court appeal had previously been filed in the matter. The NAB prosecutor informed the court that the issue was currently pending before the Supreme Court and that a similar plea had earlier been dismissed by an IHC division bench.

Justice Tahir observed that since the incumbent Chief Justice had previously dealt with matters relating to the case, it would be appropriate for the petition to be placed before him. He directed that the case file be forwarded to the Chief Justice’s office for constitution of a new bench, expressing the hope that the matter could be taken up the same day.

The petition challenges notices issued by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for the auction of five Bahria Town properties scheduled for July 7.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Monday met Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Development, Zhaslan Madiyev.

The minister continued her high-level engagements during Geneva Digital Week and the Global Dialogue Summit by holding bilateral meetings.

According to a news release, the two leaders held detailed discussions on the shared digital transformation goals of Pakistan and Kazakhstan.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding ties in the digital sector.

Islamabad: The 24th Meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training was held under the Acting Chairmanship of Member National Assembly (MNA) Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, here at Parliament House on Monday.

The Committee sought an explanation regarding the selection of the International Center for Skills (ICS) as the implementing partner for the NCLEX Nursing Training Programme. While informed that the programme aims to prepare Pakistani registered nurses for international licensure and employment, the Committee expressed serious concerns over the selection of 500 participants, noting that the opportunity had not been publicly advertised and that candidates had been nominated by the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC).

Highlighting that approximately Rs 300,000 is being spent on each trainee from the public exchequer, the Committee questioned the transparency and merit of the selection process. Seeking further clarity, the Committee directed the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) to provide comprehensive details regarding the selection of the implementing partner, the nomination criteria, and the overall implementation framework of the programme.

The Committee expressed serious concern over the persistent administrative and faculty-related issues at the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, observing that the prolonged failure to address these matters has adversely affected the University’s governance and functioning.

During the briefing, the Committee was informed that financial constraints had resulted in delays in the payment of salaries and pensions to faculty members, employees, and retired staff, giving rise to significant administrative challenges and employee grievances.

The Committee emphasized that it is the responsibility of the University’s leadership to proactively address these issues by engaging the relevant authorities and pursuing the necessary financial support.

Members criticized the apparent lack of urgency in resolving the longstanding problems, warning that continued inaction on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the University would further aggravate institutional instability and undermine the welfare of the University’s employees.

To thoroughly examine the matter, the Committee decided to seek a comprehensive response from the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training through a detailed questionnaire covering the University’s financial, administrative, and governance issues.

The committee was briefed on the overview of the Inter Board Coordination Commission’s (IBCC) equivalence system for Cambridge qualifications and its regulatory framework for foreign Qualification Awarding Bodies (QABs) operating in Pakistan.

The committee was informed that the process for converting Cambridge O and A Level grades into Pakistani SSC and HSSC equivalence, outlines mandatory subject requirements, grade conversion criteria, and application procedures, and highlights IBCC’s statutory authority under the IBCC Act, 2023 to regulate foreign examination boards.

The presentation further details the 15 regulatory standards governing foreign QABs, covering governance, curriculum alignment, quality assurance, legal compliance, accessibility, and examination integrity. It also notes that the Regulatory Committee has recommended the registration of Cambridge International Education as a Qualification Awarding Body in Pakistan for its Cambridge IGCSE, O Level, AS and A Level, and AICE Diploma qualifications, subject to compliance with IBCC regulations, prior approval for institutional expansion, and alignment of compulsory subjects with Pakistan’s National Curriculum.

The meeting was attended by MNA’s including Anjum Aqeel Khan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, Ms. Zeb Jaffar, Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, Ms. Musarrat Asif Khawaja, Syeda Amnah Batool, Abdul Hakeem Baloch, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Ms. Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, Ms. Mussarat Rafique Mahesar, Abdul Aleem Khan, Ms. Sabheen Ghoury and Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary and officials of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, officials of Higher Education Commission HEC and other officers concerned.

Islamabad: A delegation of the URAAN Overseas Pakistanis Summer Scholars Programme 2026, a flagship initiative of the Government of Pakistan under the Youth Ki URAAN Court of Pakistan Monday as part of its official study tour.

The Programme seeks to reconnect outstanding young members of the Pakistani diaspora with their homeland by providing firsthand exposure to Pakistan’s constitutional institutions, governance framework, development priorities, and national policymaking.

The delegation called on the Chief Justice of Pakistan, who highlighted the structure of Pakistan’s judiciary and emphasized the pivotal role of the District Judiciary in ensuring effective and accessible justice. He also outlined the role of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) in leading nationwide judicial reforms and strengthening institutional coordination across the justice sector.

The Chief Justice briefed the participants on the judiciary’s reform agenda aimed at building a citizen-centric, technology-enabled, transparent, and efficient justice system.

He highlighted major initiatives, including digital court services, the National Judicial Analytics Dashboard, the Public Facilitation Centre, the Overseas Litigants Facilitation Cell, Helpline 1818, and other measures designed to improve accessibility, service delivery, and public trust.

The Chief Justice also shared the judiciary’s efforts to promote inclusive justice through the Gender-Responsive Justice Initiative (2026-27) and ongoing investments in judicial infrastructure, digital connectivity, renewable energy, and capacity building, supported through the Access to Justice Development Fund.

The visit concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which the Chief Justice engaged with the scholars on constitutional governance, judicial reforms, and the future of Pakistan’s justice system.

Islamabad: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Commissioner Muzzafar Ahmed Mirza has urged the business and industrial community to formalize their businesses through corporatization to improve governance, enhance transparency, and access new financing and growth opportunities.

Addressing the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mirza said that SECP is simplifying regulatory procedures, reducing compliance requirements, and expanding digital services to make incorporation and corporate compliance easier for businesses.

He said corporatization provides enterprises, including family-owned businesses, with greater credibility, improved governance frameworks, and better access to investment and formal financing channels.

Speaking on the occasion, SECP Commissioner Muhammad Ali Farid Khwaja highlighted the importance of promoting an investment culture in Pakistan and encouraged the business community and youth to participate in the capital market through informed investment decisions.

He said increased participation of local investors would strengthen financial markets, support wealth creation, and contribute to economic development.

The Commissioners reaffirmed SECP’s commitment to developing a transparent, digitally enabled corporate sector and promoting wider participation of businesses and investors in Pakistan’s economic growth.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed Pakistani embassies abroad to intensify efforts to identify and secure employment opportunities for the country’s workforce, emphasizing the government’s commitment to expanding overseas job prospects for skilled and qualified Pakistanis.

Chairing a review meeting on youth employment, the prime minister said Pakistan’s workforce possessed immense potential and stressed the need to strengthen international outreach to connect skilled workers with global labour markets.

He instructed embassies to actively collect and share information on available jobs and required qualifications in host countries.

The prime minister directed the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme to ensure that the workforce, particularly young people, received vocational skills training along with foreign language courses and internationally recognized certifications.

The prime minister pointed out that Pakistan’s workforce was highly capable and that the government was taking every possible step to provide education and training that meet international standards and improve global employability.

The prime minister emphasized that all relevant institutions should strengthen cooperation with other countries to align Pakistani certifications with international standards.

He also directed that language training, along with certification, be ensured for countries where employment opportunities existed for skilled Pakistani workers.

The prime minister instructed that a report be presented on the performance of technical and vocational training institutes operating under NAVTTC, as well as on the establishment of Country of Destination Centers.

During the meeting, participants were given a detailed briefing on employment opportunities for the workforce, particularly young people.

The meeting was informed that more than 800,000 young people had already registered on the Digital Youth Hub and that the employment opportunities were available abroad in sectors including construction, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, transportation, biotechnology, manufacturing, shipbuilding, information technology, engineering, nursing, pharmaceuticals, and food production.

The meeting told that training programs were currently underway to prepare Pakistanis for employment in these sectors.

Pakistani embassies will provide information on overseas job opportunities and the qualifications required for them through the Digital Youth Hub portal, the prime minister was informed.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Dr. Musadik Malik, Attaullah Tarar, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Chairman NAVTTC Raja Qamar ul Islam, Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, and other senior government officials.