Experts highlight regional connectivity, cooperation at CAPA dialogue

Islamabad: The Institute of Regional Studies Islamabad (IRSI), led by President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, has organized a roundtable discussion titled '2025 Central Asia/Pakistan/Azerbaijan (CAPA) Ambassadorial Dialogue on Regional Connectivity' here the other day.

The event brought together ambassadors from four Central Asian states and Azerbaijan, with Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed as the chief guest and keynote speaker, according to a press release issued.

The dialogue featured prominent speakers, including H.E. Mr. Khazar Farhadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan; H.E. Mr. Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan; H.E. Mr. Sharifzoda Yusuf, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan; H.E. Mr. Atadjan Movlamov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; and H.E. Mr. Alisher Tukhtaev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan.

Discussions and insights centered on how Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Central Asian states share a decades-long, cultural, religious and linguistic relationship anchored in mutual trust, strategic convergence on regional issues and joint commitments towards global peace and harmony.

While the relationship has blossomed in multilateral forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization through regular exchanges on themes such as prospects for regional connectivity and leveraging strategic locations to synergize sustainable development, there is a dire need for all three sides to expand their political, economic and environmental cooperation for localized prosperity amid emerging global dynamics such as increased polarization and economic turmoil.

NA body reviews health sector budgetary proposals

Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on Friday discussed the budgetary proposals for Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) related to health sector.

The meeting which was held under the Chairmanship of Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA reviewed the development portfolio shared by the Ministry of Health carrying 41 major projects, with a proposed portfolio size of Rs. 154,588.062 million.

The session focused on reviewing key health care projects and proposals for the coming year, as well as addressing concerns raised by members regarding the performance of hospitals in Islamabad and the ongoing health initiatives across the country.

The development projects are aimed at enhancing health care infrastructure and addressing critical challenges faced by public hospitals in the capital, such as human resource shortages and the need for upgraded facilities.

The committee acknowledged the importance of these initiatives but expressed concerns about the effectiveness of past spending and the distribution of resources.

The chairman committee emphasized that before expanding hospital infrastructure, it was crucial to prioritize manpower and ensure that sufficient staff was available to meet the growing demands of patients.

The committee also underscored the importance of strengthening Basic Health Units (BHUs), Rural Health Centers (RHCs) and Community Health Centers (CHCs) in Islamabad and its peripheries to improve health care services in the rural and underserved areas.

It was highlighted that many of the current health facilities were operating with limited human resources and lacked basic medical supplies.

The committee members also raised concerns about the transfer of DHO projects (District Health Offices) to the CDA, stating that the CDA had not delivered satisfactory results in the past.

The committee recommended creation of a new, independent agency to oversee such projects, rather than relying on the CDA's historical inefficiencies.

The Ministry of Health was asked to explore alternative options, possibly by adopting models seen in other provinces, where dedicated construction units were responsible for overseeing health infrastructure development.

The committee expressed its commitment to holding regular meetings on PSDP to review and finalize the proposals and allocations for the health sector, ensuring that funding is directed to projects that will have the most impact on improving health care services in Pakistan.

The next committee meeting will further review ongoing projects and discuss new initiatives including Neonatal care, Hepatitis and Diabetes treatment programs and explore other innovative health care solutions.

The meeting was attended by MNAs, Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Dr. Darshan, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Nisar Ahmed, Ms. Aliya Kamran, Dr. Shaista Khan, Shahram Khan (Virtual), Gul Asghar Khan, Raja Khurram Shehzad Nawaz, Ms. Farah Naz Akbar and Azim ud Din Zahid Lakhwi.

The Secretary Ministry of Health along with senior officials from the ministry and its attached departments also attended the meeting.

Ambassador Movlamov stresses for increasing CARS, Pakistan regional Cooperation

Islamabad: Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan, Atadjan Movlamov has stressed the need for increasing Central Asian States (CARs) and Pakistan regional Cooperation through has huge potential to further develop regional cooperation.

'I would like to emphasize that with the personal contributions and attentions of the leaders of regional countries, with the continuous efforts and assistance of diplomats, we will further enhance Regional Cooperation via dialogue, bringing more understanding, exploring pathways to effectively implement the huge cooperation potential of the regional countries and peoples,' he said.

Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan, Atadjan Movlamov said this while addressing the 'Central Asia- Pakistan- Azerbaijan Ambassadorial Dialogue of 2025 on Regional Connectivity,' organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS).

'We will create a peaceful and prosperous tomorrow for our people and make tireless efforts to meet the dreams of the people of regional countries.'

As we can see from the Concept note provided to us by the IRS, the first pillar of Pakistan's 'Vision Central Asia is Enhancing Political and Diplomatic Ties' and this topic is important also for all Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan.

He said that taking advantage of this opportunity, I would like to recall the philosophy of new international relations "Dialogue is a guarantee of peace", declared by the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

He said that today our common and important task for our joint future should be the timely and effective integration of the countries of the region, using existing geopolitical advantages for strengthening political and economic ties, formation of new transport and transit corridors and energy routes.

Turkmenistan considers the development of cooperation in the transport and energy sectors as one of the most important priorities of its foreign policy and it is not only on regional but on global dimensions also, he said.

The Ambassador said that Turkmenistan works closely with the United Nations and regularly makes constructive proposals to promote peace, energy, transport, and environmental safety from the UN's high rostrum.

Turkmenistan initiated the resolutions of the UN General Assembly 'On reliable and stable energy transit and its role in achieving sustainable development' he said.

He said that on the development of multi-model modes of transport to achieve sustainable development goals', as well as a number of high-level multilateral dialogues in the fields of energy, transport, ecology, and environmental protection.

Talking about the practical implementation of Turkmenistan's foreign policy and initiatives, he shared several major infrastructure projects that have been launched in recent years by Turkmenistan.

He said that in January 2021 the railway section between the Aqina-Andkhoi stations of Afghanistan was inaugurated and the Commissioning of the 500 kV power transmission line along the Kerki (Turkmenistan) - Sheberghan (Afghanistan) route was also initiated.

He said that international fibre-optic communication lines and transit flows on routes Ymamnazar (Turkmenistan) and Aqina (Afghanistan) and Serhetabat (Turkmenistan) - Torghundi (Afghanistan) were also installed.

In September 2024, the Serhetabat-Herat section, of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan- India Transnational Gas Pipeline (TAPI) was also launched.

He said that Turkmenistan pays special attention to enhancing transport and transit communication along East-West and North-South lines.

He said the construction of these major infrastructure projects like the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, as well as TAP, power transmission line and fibre-optic line along the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan route and roads and railway connections from Turkmenistan and Central Asian countries to Pakistan with the participation of regional states opens up great prospects for cooperation, attracting major foreign investments, solving many important social problems.

The envoy said that the prospect of these projects for Pakistan is simply huge, as supplied natural gas, clean electricity, and fibre-optic communication lines will boost the growth of industry and other sectors of the national economy in Pakistan.

In addition to providing clean natural gas and electricity, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the environment, the commissioning of the above facilities will create tens of thousands of additional jobs in Pakistan and will improve the well-being of people, he said.

'We all know, the creation of jobs is very important for countries like Pakistan with nearly two-thirds of its 245 million population under the age of 30.'

He said that one of the significant tasks for us all is to cooperate and explore the existing potential for expanding and increasing trade turnover between our countries and the important role in this belongs to the business communities of our countries.

Therefore,' I suggested paying more attention to holding exhibitions and business forums in Turkmenistan, neighbouring countries, and Pakistan.'

He said these will provide a unique opportunity for the business communities of our countries to connect and collaborate for mutual benefit and business people need to have a friendly and peaceful environment.

Based on this, during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, major countries initiated the General Assembly's resolution 'International Year of Peace and Trust, 2025', which was adopted unanimously with the co-sponsorship of 86 states, including Pakistan.

Turkmenistan considers the UNGA decision to declare 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust as a global-scale event and a genuine opportunity for a qualitative transition to a new stage in international relations, he said.

Experts highlight regional connectivity, cooperation at CAPA dialogue

Islamabad: The Institute of Regional Studies Islamabad (IRSI), led by President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, has organized a roundtable discussion titled '2025 Central Asia/Pakistan/Azerbaijan (CAPA) Ambassadorial Dialogue on Regional Connectivity' here the other day.

The event brought together ambassadors from four Central Asian states and Azerbaijan, with Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed as the chief guest and keynote speaker, according to a press release issued.

The dialogue featured prominent speakers, including H.E. Mr. Khazar Farhadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan; H.E. Mr. Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan; H.E. Mr. Sharifzoda Yusuf, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan; H.E. Mr. Atadjan Movlamov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; and H.E. Mr. Alisher Tukhtaev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan.

Discussions and insights centered on how Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Central Asian states share a decades-long, cultural, religious and linguistic relationship anchored in mutual trust, strategic convergence on regional issues and joint commitments towards global peace and harmony.

While the relationship has blossomed in multilateral forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization through regular exchanges on themes such as prospects for regional connectivity and leveraging strategic locations to synergize sustainable development, there is a dire need for all three sides to expand their political, economic and environmental cooperation for localized prosperity amid emerging global dynamics such as increased polarization and economic turmoil.

NA body reviews health sector budgetary proposals

Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on Friday discussed the budgetary proposals for Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) related to health sector.

The meeting which was held under the Chairmanship of Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA reviewed the development portfolio shared by the Ministry of Health carrying 41 major projects, with a proposed portfolio size of Rs. 154,588.062 million.

The session focused on reviewing key health care projects and proposals for the coming year, as well as addressing concerns raised by members regarding the performance of hospitals in Islamabad and the ongoing health initiatives across the country.

The development projects are aimed at enhancing health care infrastructure and addressing critical challenges faced by public hospitals in the capital, such as human resource shortages and the need for upgraded facilities.

The committee acknowledged the importance of these initiatives but expressed concerns about the effectiveness of past spending and the distribution of resources.

The chairman committee emphasized that before expanding hospital infrastructure, it was crucial to prioritize manpower and ensure that sufficient staff was available to meet the growing demands of patients.

The committee also underscored the importance of strengthening Basic Health Units (BHUs), Rural Health Centers (RHCs) and Community Health Centers (CHCs) in Islamabad and its peripheries to improve health care services in the rural and underserved areas.

It was highlighted that many of the current health facilities were operating with limited human resources and lacked basic medical supplies.

The committee members also raised concerns about the transfer of DHO projects (District Health Offices) to the CDA, stating that the CDA had not delivered satisfactory results in the past.

The committee recommended creation of a new, independent agency to oversee such projects, rather than relying on the CDA's historical inefficiencies.

The Ministry of Health was asked to explore alternative options, possibly by adopting models seen in other provinces, where dedicated construction units were responsible for overseeing health infrastructure development.

The committee expressed its commitment to holding regular meetings on PSDP to review and finalize the proposals and allocations for the health sector, ensuring that funding is directed to projects that will have the most impact on improving health care services in Pakistan.

The next committee meeting will further review ongoing projects and discuss new initiatives including Neonatal care, Hepatitis and Diabetes treatment programs and explore other innovative health care solutions.

The meeting was attended by MNAs, Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Dr. Darshan, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Nisar Ahmed, Ms. Aliya Kamran, Dr. Shaista Khan, Shahram Khan (Virtual), Gul Asghar Khan, Raja Khurram Shehzad Nawaz, Ms. Farah Naz Akbar and Azim ud Din Zahid Lakhwi.

The Secretary Ministry of Health along with senior officials from the ministry and its attached departments also attended the meeting.

PSX gains 21 points

Islamabad: The 100-Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) gained 21.78 percent on Friday, showing a nominal positive change of 0.02 percent, closing at 110,322.94 points as compared to110,301.16 points on the last trading day.

A total of 299,678,289 shares were traded during the day as compared to 598,930,638 shares the previous trading day, whereas the price of shares stood at Rs15.624 billion against Rs25.629 billion on the last trading day.

As many as 446 companies transacted their shares in the stock market, 144 of them recorded gains and 228 sustained losses, whereas the share price of 74 companies remained unchanged.

The three top trading companies were WorldCall Telecom with 30,244,910 shares at Rs 1.53 per share, Silk Bank Limited with 22,233,978 shares at Rs.1.07 per share and K-Electric Limited with 18,737,304 shares at Rs.4.29 per share.

Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited witnessed a maximum increase of Rs148.17 per share closing at Rs9,500 whereas runner-up was Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited with Rs 129.29 rise in its share price to close at Rs.22,444.79.

Services Industries Limited witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs.27.71 per share price, closing at Rs 1,352.31, whereas the runner-up was Haleon Pakistan Limited with Rs 27.15 decline in its per share price to Rs.820.63.