Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are expanding their digital and economic partnership, aiming to foster innovation and investment in key technology sectors said, State Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja at the LEAP 2025 technology event in Riyadh.

Under the theme 'Into New Worlds,' LEAP 2025 aims to expand business networking and investment opportunities in the tech sector.

Highlighting the deepening collaboration between the two nations, she highlighted Pakistan's commitment to leveraging technology for economic growth, said a news release received here on Sunday.

She said Pakistan's IT exports have surged by 28%, reaching $1.86 billion, underscoring the sector's robust expansion.

She also described the Digital Nation Act 2025 as a transformative initiative set to reshape Pakistan's digital economy.

The minister revealed that Islamabad will soon host the Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) Forum, inviting global investors to explore Pakistan's expanding digital landscape.

She stressed that Pakistan seeks a strong tech partnership under Saudi Vision 2030, urging Saudi investors to explore opportunities in fintech, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.

'This is a golden opportunity for digital investment and technological collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,' she said, adding that Pakistan offers world-class digital services with lucrative investment prospects.

Highlighting Pakistan's largest-ever participation in LEAP 2025, the minister shared that over 100 tech companies and 1,000 participants from Pakistan are attending the event. 'We are not just signing MoUs; we are securing real economic growth through strategic agreements,' she asserted.

She acknowledged the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) as a key partner in Pakistan's digital progress.

She also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's leadership, stating that his vision is fostering a conducive environment for digital growth and foreign investments.

Shaza credited the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for its pivotal role in enhancing Pakistan's investment landscape. She emphasized that SIFC's initiatives have improved the ease of doing business and attracted international investors.

The Pakistan-Saudi Business Forum at LEAP 2025 witnessed the participation of DCO Secretary General Deemah AlYahya, alongside top Saudi government and business officials, as well as a large number of Pakistani and Saudi delegates.

With Pakistan positioning itself as a key player in the global digital economy, the minister reaffirmed the country's commitment to fostering innovation, expanding its IT sector, and strengthening international partnerships.

Islamabad: The government's initiatives and positive economic trends have drawn appreciation from people across the board, including students, who welcome the decrease in inflation rate, e-bike scheme and scholarship programs.

People from various segments of society, including students, have expressed their satisfaction with the government's economic initiatives and policies, which have led to a decrease in inflation rate, introduction of e-bike scheme and scholarship programs, said a report aired by PTV news channel.

"I am really happy to find the prices of vegetables and fruits coming down," said a housewife shopping at the weekly bazaar in Islamabad, adding, the government's efforts to control inflation are really paying off."

"The prices of pulses and grains have also come down significantly," said another housewife shopping at the weekly bazaar in Lahore. "I am really grateful to the government for taking steps to control inflation."

Students have also hailed the government's scholarship and laptop schemes. "I am really grateful to the government for providing me with a laptop," said a student at Punjab University. "It has really helped me with my studies."

"I was struggling to afford a laptop, but thanks to the government's scheme, I now have one," said a student at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET). "It has really improved my learning experience."

"I am thrilled with the e-bike scheme, it is a great initiative for students like me," said Ayesha, a student from Lahore. "The decrease in inflation rate has also helped my family manage expenses better."

The sentiment is echoed by a student from Multan, who said, "The scholarship program initiated by PML-N led government has been a huge help for me. I can now focus on my studies without worrying about finances."

In Faisalabad, a shopkeeper also said, "The decrease in inflation rate has increased sales at my shop. People are now more confident to spend."

Similarly, in Gujranwala, a student commented that the e-bike scheme has been a blessing for my son, adding, she can now travel to university safely.

"The government's efforts to control inflation are really appreciable," said Haji Muhammad, a trader at the weekly bazaar in Lahore. "We hope that they will continue to take steps to stabilize the economy."

Islamabad: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and other pro-freedom organizations have denounced the extrajudicial killings of two innocent civilians in Baramulla and Kathua districts and the mass arrests of Kashmiri youth by Indian troops in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas, alongside Jammu Kashmir Muslim League, Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu Kashmir, Tehreek-e-Wahdat-e-Islami and Pairwan-e-Wilayat in their statements in Srinagar, said that IIOJK has witnessed upsurge in extrajudicial killings, fake encounters, arbitrary arrests and torture over the past few years.

They stressed that these actions are designed to instill widespread fear among the Kashmiri population and to force them to abandon their legitimate struggle for freedom.

The organizations expressed alarm over the BJP-led Indian government's intensified crackdown on pro-freedom Kashmiris.

They highlighted how Indian military and paramilitary forces have been granted unchecked powers to carry out systematic repression of the people.

The entire occupied territory, they pointed out, has been transformed into an open-air prison, with innocent youth being detained on fabricated charges and subjected to torture in undisclosed jails and interrogation centers.

Islamabad: The two-day AMAN Dialogue, a maiden event conducted as an adjunct to Exercise AMAN 2025, commenced at Pakistan Naval Academy, Karachi.

The dialogue, organized under the aegis of the Pakistan Navy, has brought together Chiefs/Heads of Navies, Maritime Organizations, and renowned academicians from around the globe, said a news release issued by Directorate General Public Relations (Pakistan Navy).

Naval inaugural session was attended by the Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, as the Chief Guest.

In his welcome address, Chief of the Naval Staff underscored the significance of the AMAN Dialogue and emphasized the need for sharing experiences among maritime nations to formulate actionable strategies for countering emerging maritime threats.

Delivering the keynote address, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed applauded Pakistan Navy's efforts in promoting a collaborative approach to tackle complex maritime security challenges. He also highlighted Navy's contributions towards raising awareness about Blue Economy and supporting the socio-economic uplift of coastal communities at the national level.

Under the overarching theme, 'Secure Seas, Prosperous Future,' the AMAN Dialogue features multiple panel discussions and deliberations by Chiefs of Navies and heads of delegations on a wide range of topics, including maritime security, maritime cooperation, blue economy, and the impact of technology on maritime security. The dialogue provides an exclusive platform for global naval leadership, supported by renowned academia, to devise strategies for a secure maritime future.

On the sidelines of the AMAN Dialogue, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, held interactive meetings with Heads of Navies and Coast Guards attending the event. These meetings focused on contemporary maritime issues, matters of mutual interest, and prospects for enhanced maritime collaboration.

Islamabad: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator and member Senate Standing Committee on IT Afnan Ullah said on Sunday that the government has successfully steered the country out of an economic crisis.

Talking to a private news channel, he stated that inflation is at its lowest in the past nine years, while the interest rate has been reduced from 22 percent to 12 percent.

He also highlighted that the Pakistan Stock Exchange has witnessed a significant rise, reflecting economic stability.

Senator Afnan termed the opposition alliance as "unnatural," saying that the government's strong performance has left the opposition without moral grounds to protest.

He emphasized that the negotiations between political parties should focus on election reforms for the upcoming elections and economic reforms to ensure long-term stability.

Islamabad: At least two people were killed while other three critically injured when a coach hit a rickshaw near Windar Tehsil in Hub District on Sunday.

According to Police sources, the accident occurred when a speeding coach collided with a rickshaw, a private news channel reported.

The impact of the collision was severe, causing significant damage to both vehicles and resulting in fatal injuries to two people on the spot.

The three injured were rushed to a Windar hospital, where they are being provided treatment, police officials added.

Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident after arresting the driver. Police is also trying to identify the victims and notify their families.