Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue working towards promoting the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect for international law and treaties, and active international cooperation for global peace and prosperity.

He was talking to Mar­a Fernanda Espinosa, former Foreign Minister of Ecuador and currently candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary-General who called on him here, according to a press statement issued by the Foreign Office Spokesperson.

Welcoming Ms. Espinosa, DPM/FM expressed Pakistan’s full support for strengthening multilateralism, and ensuring the central role of the United Nations in the global affairs.

He expressed the hope that the incoming Secretary General will carry out much needed reforms in the United Nations and will ensure the implementation of longstanding UNSC resolutions, especially for Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir, which remain crucial for lasting peace in the Middle East and South Asia.

Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday forecast scattered rain, windstorms and thundershowers, with isolated heavy falls, in the upper and central parts of the country during the next two days under the influence of moist currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, coupled with an approaching westerly wave.

According to the PMD, moist currents from the Arabian Sea are continuously penetrating the upper parts of the country, while moist currents from the Bay of Bengal are expected to enter the northeastern parts from Monday evening/night.

Meanwhile, a westerly wave is likely to approach the upper parts of the country within the next 12 hours, while the seasonal low lies over northwestern Balochistan.

The Met Office said scattered rain, windstorms and thundershowers, with isolated heavy falls, are expected in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur in Azad Jammu and Kashmir from the night of July 06-08 with occasional gaps.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, scattered rain, windstorms and thundershowers with isolated heavy falls are likely in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan and Hangu from the night of July 06 to July 08, while Waziristan, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan are expected to receive rain on July 07 and 08.

In Islamabad and Punjab, scattered rain, windstorms and thundershowers with isolated heavy falls are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Okara and Kasur from the evening/night of July 06 to July 08, while Noor Pur Thal, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur are likely to receive rain on July 07 and 08.

The PMD said rain, windstorms and thunderstorms are expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar in Gilgit-Baltistan on July 07 and 08.

It said isolated rain, windstorms and thundershowers are likely in the north and northeastern districts of Balochistan, including Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Musakhel, Naseerabad, Harnai, Sibbi, Barkhan, Dera Bugti and Khuzdar, on the night of July 07 and July 08.

In Sindh, mainly hot and very humid weather is expected in most parts of the province.

However, isolated rain, windstorms and thundershowers are likely in Tharparkar, Sukkur, Shikarpur, Larkana, Dadu, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Qambar Shahdadkot and Naushahro Feroze on July 07 and 08.

The Met Office warned that windstorms and lightning may damage weak structures, including solar panels, electric poles and billboards, during the forecast period.

It said landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 07 and 08, while water flow may increase in local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan.

It warned that heavy rains may cause localized urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad on July 07 and 08.

The PMD advised tourists and travelers to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period.

The farmers were advised to manage crop activities in view of the weather conditions and ensure proper care of their livestock.

The department said the prevailing hot and humid conditions are likely to subside during the forecast period and advised all concerned authorities to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Monday that Pakistan’s right to water under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is its “inalienable right” and a lifeline that the country will protect.

In a post on X, Tarar said India’s unilateral attempt to hold the IWT in abeyance had “no legal or moral standing” describing the move as a failed attempt that had caused India “nothing but embarrassment.”

He also said the action was a clear violation of the “One Water-One Vision” principle endorsed by the United Nations.

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.