Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent KARACHI: The third edition of the Empower School Cricket Tournament concluded with a grand closing ceremony, organized by Empower Education Consultancy to promote sports and healthy competition among school students. Mr. Fazal Karim Dadabhoy, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, attended the event as the Chief Guest. He distributed medals and awards to the winning and runner-up teams, commending the young players for their talent, discipline, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. In his address, Mr. Dadabhoy praised Empower Education Consultancy for its role in encouraging sports at the school level. He highlighted the importance of…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating closely with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to advance a comprehensive market reform agenda aimed at deepening Pakistan’s capital markets. Speaking to the new SECP leadership in Islamabad, the minister outlined a vision for a more efficient, competitive, and transparent financial ecosystem that could attract a broader range of investors while reducing reliance on traditional banking channels for financing. He emphasized that expanding participation beyond banks was essential to creating a resilient and diversified financial system. Aurangzeb highlighted the role of insurance companies,…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is on the verge of finalizing a $2 billion investment agreement with Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced during a meeting with Khalaf Khalafov, the special envoy of the Azerbaijani president, in Islamabad. Sharif conveyed warm regards to President Ilham Aliyev and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening brotherly ties with Baku, extending an official invitation for President Aliyev to undertake a state visit at the earliest convenience. The discussions, officials said, covered a broad spectrum of regional developments and explored avenues for closer political and economic cooperation. Sharif emphasized the importance of strengthening engagement between…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level inter-ministerial meeting in Islamabad today focused on strengthening Pakistan’s economic and trade ties with the European Union. The meeting brought together senior officials from key ministries and agencies to review strategies for expanding bilateral commerce and enhancing engagement with Europe’s largest economic bloc. During the discussions, Dar highlighted the importance of fostering closer trade cooperation and identifying new avenues for economic partnership, underscoring that a proactive approach was essential to fully leverage opportunities offered by the EU market. Deputy prime minister noted that sustained engagement,…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power Owais Leghari has announced that, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s direction, the electricity cost burden on Pakistan’s industrial sector has effectively been reduced to zero. Leghari explained that a reduction of Rs4.40 per unit in industrial electricity bills has been implemented. Earlier in the government’s term, the cost burden stood at Rs8.90 per unit. With the adjustment and reductions in wheeling charges through cross-subsidy, electricity for industries is now available at approximately 11.5 US cents per unit. Officials described the move as a measure to support industrial growth and ease operational costs,…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Chairman of the Red Crescent Sindh, Rehan Hashmi, attended a health-focused symposium organized by Voice of Health, bringing together representatives from NGOs, community groups, and resident associations. During the event, PRCSS trainer Dr. Khan conducted a session on disaster management and first aid, providing participants with practical skills for emergency situations. Addressing the gathering, Rehan Hashmi emphasized the importance of strengthening volunteerism and building capacities for life-saving interventions and prompt responses during emergencies. He encouraged participants to become skilled, reliable helpers for their communities. The symposium concluded with Hashmi distributing certificates of participation to attendees, recognizing…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal announced a significant shift in Pakistan’s development planning process, revealing that the Annual Development Plan would now be reviewed quarterly to ensure the timely achievement of national objectives.Speaking at the Mid-Year Review Meeting of the Annual Plan 2025-26 in Islamabad, he outlined the government’s commitment to strengthening planning, monitoring, and implementation mechanisms across ministries. He explained that traditionally, the Annual Development Plan was formulated alongside the national budget to set economic targets and assess ministerial performance over the course of a year.Under the new system, progress would be tracked more closely,…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, a move officials say could reshape regional connectivity despite ongoing security and diplomatic challenges.The decision was shared with the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs during a briefing by officials from the foreign office. They told the committee that Pakistan had formally decided to expand the flagship infrastructure and development initiative into Afghanistan, with China playing a facilitative role between Islamabad and Kabul.Officials acknowledged that relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan were currently strained, describing the situation as temporary. They said China was…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday welcomed a delegation from the Gates Foundation, led by its Global President, Dr Christopher J. Elias, at a meeting aimed at reviewing and boosting the province’s polio eradication initiatives.The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, Secretary to the Chief Minister Abdul Raheem Sheikh, Health Secretary Jamshed Memon, Coordinator EOC Shehryar Memon, and other senior officials. The Gates Foundation delegation included Dr Anita Zaidi, President of the Gender Equality Division, Dr Kathy Newsome, Director of Polio, and Dr Michael Galway, Deputy Director of Polio.Speaking at…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the vital role of continuous dialogue and diplomatic engagement in fostering peace, stability, and development across the region during a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday.The leaders discussed the evolving regional landscape, exchanging candid views on shared challenges and opportunities that affect their neighboring countries. Highlighting the long-standing and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Iran, which are deeply rooted in a shared history, cultural affinities, and religious traditions, both leaders underlined their determination to sustain regular high-level consultations.They agreed that such structured diplomatic channels were essential for…