Author: Mehrab Shah Afridi

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has signed loan agreements worth $603m with the Islamic Development Bank to support flood recovery efforts, expand access to education and strengthen long-term development, as senior bank officials reaffirmed their commitment to the country during a high-level visit. The agreements were signed by the Islamic Development Bank’s vice-president, Dr Rami Ahmad, and Pakistan’s economic affairs secretary, Muhammad Humair Kareem. The financing is aimed at helping flood-affected communities recover from hardship while supporting education initiatives and major infrastructure projects. A central component of the package is a comprehensive poverty alleviation program valued at about $134.2m,…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday inaugurated the Asaan Khidmat Center in Islamabad, a one-stop public service facility aimed at simplifying access to government services for citizens. Under the new initiative, more than 60 public services will be available at a single location, including facilities from Nadra, the police, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the deputy commissioner’s office, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the prime minister said the Asaan Khidmat Centre would bring “immense convenience” to the public by reducing delays and bureaucratic hurdles. He…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has emphasized that ensuring access to quality medical care is a top priority, and that urgent measures are needed to prevent the spread of diseases. Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad where vehicles were handed over by the World Health Organization, Kamal highlighted the pressures facing Pakistan’s healthcare system. “Our health sector faces multiple challenges, and the burden on hospitals and clinics must be managed more effectively. We are working to modernize the system, but that includes not only medical care but also sanitation and drainage,” he said. Kamal stressed…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s repatriation drive against Afghan nationals living in the country without legal status continued, as the Ministry of Interior said more than 680,000 people had so far been sent back across the border in a phased process that authorities described as ongoing and orderly. According to official figures, a large number of those who returned held Afghan Citizen Cards or Proof of Registration documents, while others were categorised as having no valid papers. Officials said the repatriations had taken place from different parts of the country and were being carried out in stages, with priority…

The PSIB aims to ensure tangible results, offering certification, job placement, and a minimum of six months’ employment retention for every trainee By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday launched its first-ever private-capital-funded Pakistan Skills Impact Bond (PSIB), a milestone in the country’s approach to workforce development. Backed by a guarantee from the Ministry of Finance, the bond will operationalize an inaugural Rs1 billion pilot tranche of a three-year program aimed at scaling technical skills training across the country. The PSIB is designed to deliver measurable outcomes, including certification, job placement and at least six months of employment retention…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis seeking employment in Europe have received a significant boost, with Italy allocating a total of 10,500 job opportunities over the next three years. The announcement comes after dedicated efforts by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. According to ministry sources, the quota allows for 3,500 Pakistanis each year to take up seasonal and non-seasonal employment in Italy. Of these, 1,500 positions will be seasonal, while 2,000 will be non-seasonal roles. The jobs span sectors including shipbreaking, hospitality, healthcare, agriculture, and related skilled and semi-skilled trades. Roles available for Pakistani workers include…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi KHYBER: Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, made a brief visit to District Khyber, addressing local elders and residents at a jirga in Bara Tehsil. Speaking to the community, Afridi condemned attempts to misrepresent the provincial government’s stance, saying regime change had ended the democratic government of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and false narratives were being used against him, which he successfully countered. He highlighted the Grand Peace Jirga held recently, which produced a 15-point consensus, noting that all political and religious groups had opposed any military operations. Afridi criticised attempts to sabotage this…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has continued to deepen its energy and industrial cooperation with Russia, as officials confirmed ongoing discussions on multiple strategic projects. The collaboration comes against a backdrop of broader regional tensions and recent scrutiny of India-Pakistan military encounters. According to foreign media reports, Pakistan began importing Russian crude oil in 2023, and Russian Energy Minister Sergei Svelyov disclosed in November that Russian companies are exploring plans to upgrade a refinery in Pakistan. The initiative reflects a growing partnership in oil production and refining, with both nations seeking to capitalize on technical expertise and industrial capacity.…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Eleven years have passed since terrorists stormed the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar, yet the pain has shown no sign of fading. For parents who buried their children and for siblings who grew up without brothers or sisters, December remains the coldest and longest month, heavy with memory. On 16 December 2014, militants turned a place of learning into a killing field, murdering 147 people, including 132 students, as well as women teachers and school staff. More than 150 others were wounded in an attack that shook the nation to its core. Among the…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, the First Lady and a member of the National Assembly, appealed to parents, caregivers, community leaders and local authorities to fully support the final nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2025, calling it a decisive moment in Pakistan’s long fight against the virus. Speaking as the campaign began from 15 to 21 December, Bhutto Zardari said the goal of achieving 100% vaccination coverage was both urgent and achievable, provided families ensured that every child under the age of five received the drops. She described the drive as the culmination of years of sustained…