Category: Islamabad

Islamabad:: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday said that the government was making all-out efforts to accomplish Pakistan's journey from nuclear to economic power and regain its lost stature in the world.

The deputy prime minister, addressing a news conference, gave a roundup of the government's efforts to bring economic stability and enhance Pakistan's diplomatic footprints through bilateral and multilateral engagements with the latest one being the beginning of country's two-year term as non-permanent member of the United Nations Securit Council for years 2025-26.

Highlighting the high-level exchanges and Pakistan's participation in and hosting of international events, he said the incumbent government had strived to enhance Pakistan's diplomatic footprint during its first 10 months, which led to the burying of the impression of an "isolated Pakistan."

The deputy prime minister said that the PML-N-led coalition government inherited huge challenges of around 25 percent policy rate, slow GDP growth and skyrocketing inflation. However, the government's prudent economic policies downed the policy rate to 13 percent, inflation below 5 percent, and remittance, foreign exchange reserves and exports on the rise.

Ishaq Dar told the media that following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visits and effective engagements with the leadership of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Azerbaijan, there were indications of around $29 billion investment in coming to Pakistan.

He highlighted Pakistan's participation in the Nuclear Energy Summit, World Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia, OIC summit in Gambia, the visit of Saudi foreign minister, Iran's president late Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister, and that during all interactions Pakistan effectively raised the issue of Kashmir and ongoing Israel's genocide of Palestinian population. Pakistan's consistent efforts at the OIC summit in Gambia led to the appointment of OIC envoy on Islamophobia.

He said Pakistan was among the very few countries that strongly advocated the implementation of UN resolutions on Palestine and ICJ ruling on the issue, besides condemning Israel's barbarism against innocent people.

He said that besides hosting Palestinian medical students, Pakistan also dispatched relief aid to Gaza, Syria and Lebanon.

The deputy prime minister's presser also encompassed Pakistan's participation in D-8 summit and appointment of Ambassador Sohail Ahmed as its secretary general, PM Shehbaz's visit to China and Kazakhstan, participation in UN General Assembly session, where he highlighted Kashmir and Gaza issues besides interacting with dozens of world leaders.

Regarding his multiple interactions with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, he said that a UK monitoring team was about to visit Pakistan in January which may follow the resumption of PIA flights to the UK, as the EU had already lifted the ban on the national flag carrier.

He said Pakistan's hosting of SCO summit was "well-received and well-praised" and informed the media that the World Muslim League would soon hold an event on the girls education at Jinnah Convention Center to be attended by 50 delegates from OIC states including 30 ministers.

The deputy prime minister also mentioned his upcoming visit to Malaysia and Bangladesh in February.

He said as Pakistan had started its two-year term as a non-permanent UNSC member, the country would make efforts to enhance diplomatic outreach and work for dispute resolution and upholding the UN charter.

Responding to a question, Ishaq Dar told the media that Pakistan had eliminated terrorism in 2018 but it resurfaced due to the previous government's policy of opening the Afghan border and releasing the hardcore criminals. We want good trade ties with Afghanistan as it will pave the way to connectivity with other neighborly states like Uzbekistan.

Regarding trade ties with India, he said "It takes two to tango" calling upon India to create an environment to help improve the relations.

Later, responding to a question about a Washington Post story on Indian involvement in killing foreign nationals, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan had already expressed concerns about the Indian involvement in extraterritorial killings, not only in Pakistan but also in other countries.

She said Pakistan desired good ties with Afghanistan but at the same time, Pakistan's people and the security forces were capable enough to thwart any internal and external threat.

To another query, she clarified that Pakistan's ports including Gwadar Port were purely meant for trade and development and the country had no design to offer any military bases to any foreign government.

Islamabad:: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) organized an awareness session at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on ezifiling and the Companies Regulations 2024.

This session aimed to inform the business community about the newly introduced filing system and regulations, which provide a unified regulatory framework for company registration and post-incorporation compliance.

The session was well-attended by ICCI executive members and other business professionals seeking guidance on company incorporation and post-incorporation compliances and easy compliance with the updated regulations, said a press release issued here Thursday.

In his welcome address, the acting President of ICCI, Abdul Rehman Siddiqui, commended the SECP for taking proactive steps to modernize and simplify business operations.

He highlighted the importance of the SECP's initiatives in promoting incorporation and introducing e-filing systems, which have streamlined processes and enhanced ease of business.

He brought Pakistan's practices in line with international standards.

The acting President expressed confidence that the session would benefit the business community and facilitate smoother business operations.

He further suggested that the SECP consider setting up a dedicated desk at the ICCI, similar to other service desks like NADRA, IESCO, Police, FTO, and TDAP, for greater convenience and support for businesses.

Saeedullah Khan, the Registrar at SECP, said that the session underscores SECP's commitment to making business operations more efficient and transparent while providing the tools necessary for businesses to comply effectively with the new regulations.

He noted that the SECP had reviewed existing regulations, reduced the number of forms required for filing from 75 to 28, and eliminated redundancy, ensuring greater clarity.

He highlighted that the drive towards corporatization and e-filing is key to fostering a transparent and efficient business environment.

He also stressed that these reforms are crucial for promoting sustainable economic growth, improving governance, and making Pakistan more competitive globally.

Khan explained that the core aim of these initiatives is to minimize human intervention and formalize the informal economy.

Amir Saleem, Additional Registrar Licensing and Registration Division at SECP provided an in-depth presentation on the SECP's digitization initiative titled LEAP (Leading Efficiency through Automation Prowess).

He explained that LEAP aims to enhance organizational efficiency, improve business efficiency, and increase transparency by fully digitizing the registration process.

The new interface, named file, is designed to simplify the navigation through the registration process, improve accessibility to information, and streamline the submission of returns and documents.

Saleem noted that ezi-file would also feature communication tools, such as alerts, notifications, and announcements, informing users about corporate registry matters.

Special Advisor to the ICCI President, Naeem Siddiqui, moderated the session and raised important challenges, such as limited digital literacy, restricted access to technology, and concerns about regulatory scrutiny.

He suggested that SECP conduct more sessions to educate businesses and address these concerns.

Islamabad:: Another public welfare project in Islamabad is nearing completion at an incredible pace. The work on Serena Chowk Interchange project which comprises of three underpasses is being carried out day and night.

Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi visited the project site and directed its completion within the deadline.

Minister reviewed the beautification plan of Serena Chowk and accorded its approval. He highlighted that the underpass will be completed in the next 5 days but it will be opened for the traffic after the completion of work on sewer.

He directed to complete the work on sewer immediately. He said that the work on the project started with a delay of 10 days but it should be completed within the stipulated time by making all out efforts.

Interior Minister also inspected the ongoing construction work of the project, directing that all possible resources be utilized for the timely completion of the project.

Mohsin Naqvi directed that the surroundings of the project should be decorated with plants and flowers. He added that all possible efforts should be made to save the trees around the project.

On the occasion, Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa gave a briefing about the construction activities of the project.

Islamabad:: Islamabad Police's Kohsar station team arrested 21 individuals during a crackdown on illegal sheesha caf©s, seizing hookahs and flavored tobacco from their possession on Thursday.

A public relation officer told reporter that Islamabad Police intensified crackdown against the sheesha centers in order to eliminate this menace from the city.

In this regard, the Kohsar police station team apprehended 21 accused during the crackdown against sheesha cafes. Police team also recovered hookah and flavors from their possession. Cases were registered against the nabbed accused and further investigation is underway.

DIG Syed Ali Raza said that the Islamabad Police is actively working to ensure the safety of citizens' lives and property, emphasizing that no elements will be allowed to disrupt citizens' peace. Protecting the lives, property, and dignity of citizens is the Islamabad Police's top priority, he added.

Islamabad:: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration have stepped up efforts to curb the activities of illegal petrol agencies and LPG filling stations in 2024, resulting in significant arrests, fines, and seizures across the Federal Capital.

According to a report issued by the ICT administration here, in the last year, a total of 156 illegal petrol agencies were dismantled, leading to 110 arrests.

Additionally, 97 LPG outlets were seized and 95 accused were arrested for charging higher-than-notified rates.

Meanwhile, the district administration also sealed 13 petrol pumps during the year.

However, the district administration took prompted action against citizen complaints about irregularities and imposed fines of Rs 0.5 million on several petrol pumps this year.

Firthermore, in the anti-encroachment drive also saw strong action, with 56 arrests and 17 cases registered.

On the occasion, Deputy Commissiimer (DC) Islamabad, Irfan Nawaz Memon praised the authorities efforts and emphasized continued vigilance to address such violations.

Islamabad:: An Accountability Court (AC) on Thursday granted final opportunity to PTI founder's legal team for cross examination against prosecution witness in toshakhana-II case.

Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjamand heard the toshakhana-II case at Central Jail Adiala wherein PTI founder and his wife Bushra Bibi appeared before the court.

During hearing, the defense lawyer filed one time exemption from appearance request for Bushra Bibi's counsel Arshad Tabraiz and said that he couldn't come to the court due to sickness. He prayed the court to postpone today's hearing.

However, the prosecutor Zulifkar Naqvi apposed the request. The court accepted the request of defense lawyer and granted final opportunity to them for cross examination against the witness on January 6.