Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Islamabad Capital Police arrested seven individuals in the last 24 hours for possessing illegal weapons as part of an ongoing crackdown. Police teams seized four pistols, two Kalashnikovs, and ammunition from their possession on Saturday.

A public relations officer told reporter that following the special directives of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, the Islamabad Police is conducting a vigorous campaign against illegal weapons in the federal capital.

In this regard, 07 accused involved in possessing illegal weapons were arrested during the last 24 hours. Police teams also recovered four pistols, two Kalashnikovs with ammunition from their possession. Additionally, various cases were registered against them at various police stations.

SSP Operations Muhammad Shoaib Khan said that the aim of the campaign is to prevent crime in the city, rid the city of illegal weapons, and ensure the safety of citizens' lives and property.

SSP Shoaib further said that actions against criminal elements across Islamabad will be intensified, and a comprehensive strategy will be adopted to address this issue.

No element will be allowed to disrupt public peace, use illegal weapons in the federal capital, or spread fear and panic among citizens. Citizens who possess licensed firearms are requested to register them with their respective police stations and cooperate with the Islamabad Police during the ongoing campaign against illegal weapons, he added.

The Islamabad Police is utilizing all available resources to ensure the safety and security of citizens' lives and property.

Islamabad: The Investor Connect Event (ICE25) showcased Pakistan’s dynamic startup landscape, drawing industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore emerging business opportunities.

Hosted by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, the event featured over 50 startups presenting cutting-edge solutions, underlining the country’s growing potential in innovation-driven entrepreneurship.

A key highlight of ICE25 was the Investor Pitches, where five high-potential startups presented their groundbreaking ideas before a panel of distinguished investors and venture capitalists.

These pitches sparked discussions on market scalability, investment feasibility, and industry relevance, offering promising startups a launchpad for securing funding and strategic partnerships.

World Bank’s Country Director for Pakistan, Najy Benhassine, emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to foster a robust startup ecosystem. ‘Innovation and economic growth thrive when key stakeholders-government, academia, and the private sector-work in synergy,’ he said. ‘Sustainable progress depends not only on strengthening existing industries but also on nurturing new enterprises that introduce transformative ideas to the market.’

The startup exhibition served as a pivotal platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their ventures, interact with potential investors, and gain industry insights.

The chief guest, Dr. Sohail Naqvi stressed the importance of risk-taking and applied research in driving innovation, while HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed reiterated HEC’s commitment to fostering a startup-friendly environment within academia.

A keynote address by RapidSilicon CEO Dr. Naveed Ahmed Sherwani provided valuable insights into Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, benchmarking it against global standards.

Panel discussions explored the role of incubators and the significance of deep-tech investments, further enriching the discourse.

The Investor Connect: One-on-One Office Hours facilitated direct networking between startups and investors, fostering meaningful business connections.

The event concluded with a cultural Gala Dinner, offering international guests a glimpse into Pakistan’s artistic heritage.

ICE25 reinforced Pakistan’s position as a growing startup hub, providing entrepreneurs with the exposure and investment opportunities needed to scale their ventures.

The event set the stage for future collaborations, strengthening the country’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Islamabad: Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam, has reiterated Iran's commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Pakistan, particularly in trade, economy, and security.

During a visit to Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Ambassador Moghadam, alongside Professor Dr. Abdul Aziz Sahir, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, inaugurated the 'Hafez-e Shirazi Corner' at the university's history museum the other day.

He lauded the cooperation of Pakistani officials in enhancing parliamentary relations between the two nations.

Highlighting the importance of academic collaboration, the envoy expressed Iran's keen interest in initiating faculty exchange programs between universities in both countries. He emphasized that such initiatives would help preserve and promote the shared cultural and civilizational heritage for future generations.

Dr. Abdul Aziz Sahir, while congratulating the Iranian ambassador on the 46th anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution, stressed the enduring support between Pakistan and Iran in the realms of education and culture.

Dr. Farhat Asif, President of the Pakistan Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, elaborated on the objectives behind the establishment of the Hafez-e Shirazi Corner. She also noted that the university's museum houses a 'Makhdum Quli Faraghi Corner,' dedicated to the renowned Turkmen poet.

Expressing his gratitude, Ambassador Moghadam thanked AIOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Nasir Mahmood for facilitating such cultural initiatives, asserting that they play a vital role in strengthening people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Iran.

Islamabad: The Investor Connect Event (ICE25) showcased Pakistan’s dynamic startup landscape, drawing industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore emerging business opportunities.

Hosted by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, the event featured over 50 startups presenting cutting-edge solutions, underlining the country’s growing potential in innovation-driven entrepreneurship.

A key highlight of ICE25 was the Investor Pitches, where five high-potential startups presented their groundbreaking ideas before a panel of distinguished investors and venture capitalists.

These pitches sparked discussions on market scalability, investment feasibility, and industry relevance, offering promising startups a launchpad for securing funding and strategic partnerships.

World Bank’s Country Director for Pakistan, Najy Benhassine, emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to foster a robust startup ecosystem. ‘Innovation and economic growth thrive when key stakeholders-government, academia, and the private sector-work in synergy,’ he said. ‘Sustainable progress depends not only on strengthening existing industries but also on nurturing new enterprises that introduce transformative ideas to the market.’

The startup exhibition served as a pivotal platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their ventures, interact with potential investors, and gain industry insights.

The chief guest, Dr. Sohail Naqvi stressed the importance of risk-taking and applied research in driving innovation, while HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed reiterated HEC’s commitment to fostering a startup-friendly environment within academia.

A keynote address by RapidSilicon CEO Dr. Naveed Ahmed Sherwani provided valuable insights into Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, benchmarking it against global standards.

Panel discussions explored the role of incubators and the significance of deep-tech investments, further enriching the discourse.

The Investor Connect: One-on-One Office Hours facilitated direct networking between startups and investors, fostering meaningful business connections.

The event concluded with a cultural Gala Dinner, offering international guests a glimpse into Pakistan’s artistic heritage.

ICE25 reinforced Pakistan’s position as a growing startup hub, providing entrepreneurs with the exposure and investment opportunities needed to scale their ventures.

The event set the stage for future collaborations, strengthening the country’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Islamabad: Read Pakistan with the collaboration of the Serena Hotels under the Public Diplomacy initiative on Saturday organized National Readers' Conference (NRC) 2025 which brought together a vibrant community of readers, writers, educators, and intellectuals to celebrate and promote the culture of reading in the country.

The NRC 2025 served as a dynamic platform for discussions on the significance of literacy and education in shaping a progressive society, said a press release.

Esteemed speakers, including the deputy head of mission of the Embassy of Portugal (Ms. Alexandra Baptista), the First Secretary of the Embassy of Belgium (Gillez Hachez), the Director General of the Civil Services Academy Lahore (Farhan Aziz Khwaja), the national prize winners, author (Dr. Rakshanda Parveen) and (Dr. Sadiqullah Khan), Muneer Ahmad (CEO of DEVCOM).

The panel consisted of veterans of their fields, including Ms. Sadaf Raza (Reiki Master), Faisal Malik (Edtech Expert), Ms. Sanobar Nazir (Writer and Activist), and Maya Sofia Hamidi (Principal of RUNG School of Music and Arts), addressed the audience on diverse topics related to literature, education, and the role of books in fostering critical thinking and creativity.

One of the highlights of the conference was the keynote speech delivered by Keynote Speakers, who inspired the audience with their insights on specific topics. The event also featured engaging panel discussions, book launches, and interactive sessions that provided participants with unique opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and exchange ideas.

As part of the conference's agenda, Read Pakistan hosted various competitions to encourage young readers and writers to showcase their talents. These included essay writing, poetry recitation, and storytelling competitions. Winners were honored with shields, souvenirs, and cash prizes generously provided through in-kind support from the Embassy of Portugal and Embassy of Belgium.

Speaking at the occasion, Syeda Fatima Hassan Gillani, CEO of Read Pakistan, expressed her gratitude to all attendees and supporters, stating, 'The National Readers' Conference is a testament to our collective commitment in fostering a reading culture in Pakistan. We are immensely thankful to our partners, sponsors, and distinguished guests for their invaluable contributions for making this event a success.'

The National Readers' Conference 2025 concluded on a high note, leaving participants inspired to play their part in nurturing a love for books and knowledge in their communities. Read Pakistan remains committed to its mission of empowering society through the promotion of literacy and education.

Serena Hotels is proud to support events that inspire intellectual engagement. This conference served as a dynamic platform for promoting literacy, dialogue, and creativity, and Serena Hotels remains committed to its role in supporting initiatives that contribute to the educational development of Pakistan.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday chaired the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions Act (CCIGCT).

Participants included members of the Committee, the Minister for Petroleum and the Minister for Privatisation besides federal secretaries of various ministries and divisions, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press conference.

CCIGCT was briefed on the upcoming transaction(s) to be undertaken under the Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions Act, 2022 with a foreign government(s).

The DPM directed the concerned ministries to complete all prerequisites before entering into formal negotiations as per provisions of the Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions Act, 2022.

He also emphasized upon complete disclosure and transparency in carrying out transactions with entities nominated by foreign governments.