Category: Islamabad

Islamabad:: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday forecasted rain and snow over the mountains in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, North Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and adjoining hilly areas.

Meanwhile, moderate to dense fog is expected to persist in most plain areas of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and upper Sindh during the morning and night hours.

According to the synoptic situation, a frontal weather system is affecting the upper parts of the country and is likely to persist until January 6.

In the past 24 hours, cold and partly cloudy weather dominated most parts of the country, with very cold conditions in hilly areas. Rain accompanied by snowfall over mountains was reported in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, North Balochistan, Murree, and its surroundings.

Dense fog continued to blanket most districts of Punjab and upper Sindh.

The highest recorded rainfall included 20 mm in Mir Khani, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, followed by 12 mm in Dir (Upper), and 5 mm in Dalbandin, Balochistan.

Other areas also received light rainfall. Snowfall measured 7 inches in Kalam, 3 inches in Astore, and 1 inch in Gopis and Chitral.

The lowest temperatures recorded today were -9 C in Skardu and Gupis, -8C in Leh, and -5 C in Astore, reflecting the biting cold in these regions.

Islamabad:: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb was called on by Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh to discuss ways to bolster the Pakistan-US bilateral relationship, particularly in trade, investment, and economic cooperation.

The meeting highlighted the importance of the Pakistan-US partnership, with the US being Pakistan's largest trading partner and export destination. They agreed to enhance economic diplomacy, explore joint business ventures, and promote investment opportunities in Pakistan.

With Pakistan's positive macroeconomic developments, including improved economic indicators and stability, the minister and ambassador decided to capitalize on these opportunities by engaging the Pakistani diaspora and providing regular updates on macroeconomic data to encourage investment in Pakistan's growing economy.

This development is expected to further strengthen Pakistan's economic ties with the US, building on their seven-decade-long relationship.

Islamabad:: Huawei Technologies Pakistan Pvt Ltd, a global leader in information and communications technology (ICT), and COMSATS University Islamabad have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering collaboration in the fields of technology.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony held at the office of Huawei Technologies in Islamabad said a news release.

Federal Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and key representatives from both organizations attended the event.

This partnership is set to enhance technical vocational training and skill development to create employment opportunities for students and young technicians by equipping them with the latest ICT technologies.

Under the MoU, Huawei will provide COMSATS University Islamabad with equipment and train their resources in delivering the technical training to the attendees of these courses.

Initially, this program will commence with the COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore campus. Subsequently, COMSATS University Islamabad will also help develop a similar facility in Karachi as well. This collaboration is designed to equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Dr. Tahir Naeem, Director (P, D and HRD) at COMSATS University Islamabad, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: 'This collaboration with Huawei represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide students with a comprehensive education in technology and innovation. We are excited to work together to develop programs that will enhance learning and research capabilities.'

Ahmed Bilal Masud, the Director Subsidiary Board at Huawei, emphasized the importance of such collaborations: 'At Huawei, we believe in the power of partnerships to drive innovation. By working with COMSATS University Islamabad, we aim to nurture talent and inspire the next generation of technology leaders.'

The MoU will also pave the way for further collaboration between both organizations including knowledge exchange and fostering an environment of innovation that benefits both institutions and the wider community.

Islamabad:: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has intensified its efforts to control artificial price hikes and enforce official rates for essential goods in the Federal Capital.

In a recent operation directed by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad, Irfan Nawaz Memon, Magistrate Saddar Zone, Mir Yamin conducted a price inspection across several markets within the Tarnol police station's jurisdiction, said the spokesman of ICT's administration.

During the inspection, Mir Yamin visited fruit and vegetable shops, dairy stores, and grocery outlets in Tarnol area. The focus was on ensuring that shopkeepers adhered to the official pricing of essential commodities.

The magistrate arrested seven shopkeepers while heave fines were also imposed to the violators. These traders were found guilty of not displaying the official price lists and charging inflated rates for items like fruits, vegetables, and meat. They were handed over to Police Station Tarnol for further legal action.

Magistrate Yamin urged residents to buy goods at approved prices and report cases of overcharging to the authorities. The initiative is part of broader efforts to ensure compliance with market regulations and protect citizens from unfair practices.

The administration has called for public cooperation in addressing price violations, emphasizing that collective vigilance can help stabilize the market.

Islamabad:: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday granted post-arrest bails to 11 accused in a case pertaining to protest and vandalizing public property in capital on October 5.

ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zuzqarnain heard the post-arrest bail petitions of 11 accused in FIR registered by I-9 Police Station.

The court accepted the bails against surety bonds worth Rs5,000 each and ordered to release the accused. The I-9 Police Station had arrested the accused in terrorism case.

Islamabad:: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Board on Thursday decided to revive the Cultural Complex at Shakarparian and transform it into a state-of-the-art hub for cultural activities.

The decision was taken in a meeting held under the chairmanship of CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa.

It was told that the complex will feature a modern cultural hall, showcasing both national and international cultures.

The CDA Board also decided to fully operationalize the Arts and Crafts Village site.

The CDA Board approved a policy to make payments under rate running contracts conditional upon third-party validation, ensuring transparency and accountability.

To ensure fairness and inclusivity, the CDA Board decided to seek feedback from all stakeholders before increasing subdivision and amalgamation charges for commercial and residential properties.

The revised rates will only be implemented after public hearings and stakeholder input.

Acknowledging the need to align regulations with modern requirements, the Board decided to consult all stakeholders for revising regulations of Space for setting up Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) towers in Islamabad.

The aim is to draft regulations that address current and future needs effectively.

The Board also approved hiring of consultants on G2G basis for conducting topographic surveys of CDA-acquired land. This initiative aims to support the planning of various development schemes on the acquired land.