Prime minister condoles death of Nayyer Bokhari’s wife


Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed his deep grief over the demise of the wife of former Senate Chairman and Pakistan Peoples Party’s senior leader Nayyer Hussain Bokhari.



The prime minister condoled with Nayyer Bokhari and prayed for peace for the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family to bear the loss, according to a PM Office press release.



IRSA releases 28,100 cusecs water

Islamabad: Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Friday released 28,100 cusecs water from various rim stations with inflow of 39,100 cusecs.

According to the data released by IRSA, water level in River Indus at Tarbela Dam was 1473.51 feet and was 75.51 feet higher than its dead level of 1,398 feet. Water inflow and outflow in the dam was recorded as 16,200 cusecs and 6,000 cusecs respectively.

The water level in River Jhelum at Mangla Dam was 1132.95 feet, which was 82.95 feet higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet. The inflow and outflow of water was recorded 4,800 cusecs and 4,000 cusecs respectively.

The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa , Guddu and Sukkur was recorded as 13,600, 20,600, 9,000 and 1,100 cusecs respectively. Similarly, from River Kabul, a total of 11,800 cusecs of water released at Nowshera and 6,300 cusecs released from River Chenab at Marala.

Governor KP welcomes peace agreement in Kurram


Islamabad: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday has welcomed the peace agreement in Kurram while emphasizing the need for its proper implementation to ensure lasting peace in the region.



Talking to a private news channel, he said that the KP government totally failed in ensuring peace in the province.



He said that it is the duty of provincial government in maintaining peace and implementing the agreement effectively.



However, he stressed that the KP government cannot tackle the challenges alone, such as removing check posts and seizing heavy ammunition, without the support of the federal government and law enforcement agencies.



He also raised concerns about the use of substantial funds provided to the province for the war on terror, calling for transparency and accountability in their utilization.



Turkish envoy visits IPO-Pakistan to discuss future cooperation

Islamabad: Ambassador of Turkiye Irfan Neziroglu, Irfan Neziroglu visited the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) headquarters where he was warmly received by Chairperson Ambassador (R) Furkh Amil, Director General Ms. Shazia Adnan and their team, said a press release issued here on Friday.

The visit was a significant opportunity for both countries to discuss opportunities for cooperation in the field of intellectual property, which is a crucial aspect of economic growth and development.

During the meeting, the Ambassador and the IPO-Pakistan officials discussed the importance of intellectual property in promoting economic growth and development in both countries.

They agreed that intellectual property is vital for the economic uplift of both countries, and that their interests are closely aligned, paving the way for stronger bilateral cooperation.

The discussion also focused on the potential areas of cooperation, including trademark, patent, and copyright protection, as well as geographical indications.

The Ambassador emphasized the need for both countries to work together to promote intellectual property rights and to create a conducive environment for businesses and innovators to thrive.

The visit is a significant step forward in strengthening the relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye, particularly in the field of intellectual property.

The two countries have a long history of cooperation in various fields and the visit is a testament to the growing relationship between the two nations.

The IPO-Pakistan officials briefed the Ambassador on the organization's initiatives to promote intellectual property rights in Pakistan, including its efforts to raise awareness, provide training and capacity-building programs, and facilitate the registration of intellectual property rights. The Ambassador appreciated the efforts of IPO-Pakistan and expressed his commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting between the Turkish Ambassador and the IPO-Pakistan officials is a positive step towards deeper bilateral ties and cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey. The two countries have a lot to gain from each other, and the cooperation in the field of intellectual property is a significant step in the right direction. The visit is expected to lead to increased cooperation and collaboration between the two countries, and to promote economic growth and development in both nations.

IHC decides 10,571 cases during 2024

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had decided a total of 10,571 cases during the year 2024.

Chief Justice Aamer Farooq delivered the highest 2,525 verdicts during last year, said a report

of IHC. According to the report, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani delivered 1,616 cases, while Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan decided 1,490 cases.

Similarly, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb decided 1,021 cases throughout the year, while Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri disposed of 925 cases in 2024. The report said that Justice Babar Sattar decided 964, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir 1,195 cases and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz disposed of 835 cases throughout the year.

ADB, SECP collaborate to enhance gender diversity in non-banking Sector


Islamabad: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) conducted a two-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop to enhance gender diversity in Non-Banking Microfinance Companies (NBMFCs).



Representative of all NBMFCs regulated by SECP had attended this session. The initiative prioritized promoting gender inclusivity within organizations and enhancing services tailored to women, who constitute over 70 percent of the sector’s clientele, said a press release issued here on Friday.



The workshop trained participants to identify gender biases, implement inclusive policies and tailor financial products for women, encouraging a customer-centric approach. SECP’s Executive Director, Khalida Habib, highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, ‘This workshop is a step forward in promoting gender diversity in Pakistan’s financial ecosystem, equipping companies to address gender-related challenges and contribute to national goals of inclusion and equity.’



ADB’s Deputy Country Director, Asad Aleem underscored ADB’s commitment to gender equity, adding, ‘Gender diversity is vital for sustainable development. This collaboration reflects our shared vision of inclusive financial systems that empower women and drive economic resilience in Pakistan.’



In addition, an exclusive session on consumer protection was held on Dec 23, 2024, focusing on Consumer Protection Framework for NBMFCs and its link to the Women Equality in Finance Policy for NBMFC approved by SECP. This reinforced SECP’s commitment to balancing gender equity with robust consumer safeguards.



The ToT model ensures long-term impact by enabling participants to train other colleagues at NBMFC, amplifying the reach of this initiative. This collaboration demonstrates ADB’s and SECP’s dedication to empowering women and fostering inclusive growth in Pakistan’s financial landscape.