Author: Pervaiz Mughal

PM urged seamless interdepartmental coordination to accelerate the privatization program, insisting every stage be completed efficiently and without avoidable bureaucratic delays By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Monday to review the government’s privatization program and directed all ministries and relevant institutions to meet the targets and timelines set for the disposal of state-owned enterprises. The prime minister stressed that coordination between government departments remained essential to complete every stage of the process without unnecessary delays. He said the privatization program should move forward according to schedule, but added that strategic public…

Shehbaz Sharif urged digital transformation of Pakistan’s fuel sector, seeking transparent monitoring of the entire supply chain from imports to consumers By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to accelerate reforms in the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and strengthen its institutional capacity through modern technology, transparency and professional expertise. Chairing a high-level meeting on OGRA reforms in Islamabad, the prime minister said the government’s reform agenda must be implemented across all institutions in a consistent manner. He called for the development of a strict monitoring mechanism for fuel transportation across the country, similar…

By Perviaz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure the effective implementation of employment-focused strategies under the Prime Minister’s Youth Program as he reviewed progress on ongoing initiatives in Islamabad. Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, met the prime minister on Wednesday and briefed him on the development of various projects being carried out under the program. During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need for comprehensive measures to create more employment opportunities for young people. He said providing quality education and professional training to the youth remained among the government’s…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty expressed deep concern over the worsening situation in Palestine, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities and increased humanitarian assistance for affected civilians. During a telephone conversation, the two foreign ministers discussed the continuing crisis in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank. They condemned the ongoing Israeli military actions, rising settler violence and repeated incidents at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem. Both ministers stressed the need for urgent international efforts to protect civilians and ensure full…

The prime minister said the planned national data center would centralize government data, streamline digital infrastructure and end the costly duplication of data facilities across federal institutions By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the government to accelerate the implementation of Pakistan’s national digital vision, calling for immediate steps to make the newly established central data center, Sky 47, available to all federal institutions in a move aimed at improving public services, reducing costs and strengthening digital governance. Chairing a review meeting on the implementation of the national integrated digital policy framework in Islamabad on Tuesday, the prime…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Jiang Zaidong, China’s ambassador to Pakistan, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House on Monday, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries amid a changing regional landscape. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr Syed Tauqir Shah and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch. Senior officials discussed the progress of bilateral cooperation and reviewed matters of regional and international importance. During the meeting, the prime…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the government was committed to improving the welfare, professional growth and capacity building of journalists as he inaugurated the National Press Club’s new website in Islamabad. Addressing the ceremony, the minister described the National Press Club as an important institution of the Islamabad media community and said its transition towards digitalization was a positive step. He said the launch of the website would help strengthen the club’s online presence and improve access to information and services for journalists. Tarar directed the relevant authorities to take immediate measures for the establishment of…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi, during which both sides discussed regional developments and emphasized the importance of diplomacy and dialogue for maintaining peace and stability. The conversation came as diplomatic efforts continued to gain attention following the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, with both officials highlighting the need for constructive engagement among relevant parties to achieve lasting solutions to regional challenges. According to the Foreign Office, the two leaders exchanged views on the evolving regional…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: The OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) hosted a farewell reception at its Secretariat in Islamabad for the outgoing Ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to Pakistan. The event recognized their contributions to strengthening bilateral relations with Pakistan and promoting cooperation with COMSTECH in science, technology, higher education, research, innovation and capacity building. Among those attending were the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Turkmenistan, ambassadors and representatives from Tajikistan, Thailand, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yemen, Nepal, Rwanda, Mauritius, Jordan, Qatar, Iraq, Malaysia, Bangladesh, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the British…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, during which the two leaders discussed the latest regional developments and reaffirmed the longstanding and close ties between their countries. The conversation reflected the continued high-level engagement between Islamabad and Riyadh at a time of heightened regional uncertainty. Both leaders reviewed the evolving situation in the region and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, with particular emphasis on the importance of dialogue and diplomatic engagement. Senator Ishaq Dar and Prince Faisal…