Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) organised a special Investors’ Conference on Thursday in honour of successful investors who participated in the recent auction. During the event, Acceptance Letters and Awards were distributed among the successful investors. The conference was attended by senior officials of FGEHA, members of…

ISLAMABAD: The ACT Alliance Pakistan (Think Tank) Thursday urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to ensure prosecution of those involved in the illegal cigarette trade, stressing that raids and seizures must be followed by effective investigations and legal action. In a statement issued on Thursday, Mubashir Akram, Country Director…

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Thursday renewed its attack on the previous PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration, accusing it of stonewalling counterterrorism efforts to justify its decision to impose emergency and governor’s rule in the province. Speaking on a point of order in National Assembly, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal…

ISLAMABAD: An organisation for protection of domestic industries has urged the government to appoint a technically qualified and commercially experienced professional as managing director of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), warning that a predominantly finance- or recovery-driven background may be insufficient to manage Pakistan’s largest gas utility. In a…

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Pakistan, H.E. Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba, called on Minister of State / Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Digital Media, Fahd Haroon, at his office in Islamabad Thursday. During the meeting, views were exchanged on Pakistan-Ethiopia relations and avenues…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s biotechnology sector may be on the verge of a landmark breakthrough as the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) convened to consider a range of biosafety applications, including long-pending cases related to Genetically Modified (GM) corn technologies. The meeting comes at a pivotal time for the country’s agricultural sector following…

KARACHI: A redesigned cabin crew uniform collection by couturier Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY) will debut on PIA’s inaugural Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flight from London to Islamabad on October 31, 2026. The airline has unveiled the collection, the latest step in the national flag carrier’s transformation under its consortium-led management. The…

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was told on Thursday that Pakistan was planning to establish about 3,000 public electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities across the country by 2030 and provide subsidies of up to Rs400,000 for electric three-wheelers under its New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Policy 2025-30. In a written reply to…

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan has assured Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of addressing their problems in easy access to finance and urged banks to facilitate businesses community. The adviser said this during a consultative session with representatives of SMEs here on…

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the deadline to October 31, 2026 for installation of video surveillance systems by manufactures of packaged tea, household electronics, paper and paperboard, edible oil/ghee and leather for electronic monitoring of production. The FBR has issued instructions to the field formations for…

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari departed for Germany on a three-day official visit (October 22-24) to discuss bilateral ties as the two countries are set to celebrate 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Foreign Office said in a statement on Thursday. The President will hold meetings with…

ISLAMABAD: Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan, Irfan Davudov called for business-to-business (B2B) cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, identifying logistics, telecommunications, oil and gas exploration, construction and other sectors as promising areas for bilateral collaboration. Addressing business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) here on Thursday, he emphasized…

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Pakistan faces renewed inflationary and financial stability risks from the prolonged Middle East conflict, with rising food and energy prices, higher borrowing costs and mounting external financing pressures threatening macroeconomic stability and potentially forcing further monetary tightening. In its latest report…

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a framework for electronic auctions of seized and confiscated goods through amendments to the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, to formalize the disposal process through an online bidding mechanism. The FBR has issued an SRO 1889(I)/2026 to notify “Electronic Auction (E-Auction) Disposal…

ISLAMABAD: Amid growing scrutiny of civil servants’ foreign ties, the federal government has ordered ministries and divisions to compile details of officers’ foreign nationalities, travel documents and dependants’ citizenship, warning that concealment or false declarations could invite disciplinary action. In a notification issued on October 21, the Establishment Division directed…

ISLAMABAD: The Privatisation Commission is working on the privatisation of 17 state-owned enterprises, including nine power distribution companies, as well as the outsourcing three major airports and transactions involving banks and insurance companies. Advisor to the Prime Minister on Privatisation and Chairman of the Privatisation Commission Muhammad Ali stated this…

ISLAMABAD: The Privatisation Commission (PC) Board, in its meeting held on Thursday under the chairmanship Muhammad Ali, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation and Chairman of the Privatisation Commission, approved key measures relating to the privatisation of Islamabad Electric Supply Company Limited (IESCO), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company Limited (FESCO),…

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce will consolidate exporters’ proposals on energy costs, taxation, regulatory charges and market access into a comprehensive presentation for consideration by the Prime Minister, as the government steps up efforts to address constraints hampering Pakistan’s export competitiveness. The decision was taken at a follow-up high-level consultative…

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has warned that Pakistan’s economic growth could remain insufficient to generate adequate jobs and improve per capita income, recommending that the country must move beyond macroeconomic stabilisation and undertake far-reaching structural reforms to achieve faster, sustained growth, improve household incomes and create productive employment. In its…

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday passed a bill to turn state-owned State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC) into a company, paving the way for greater operational flexibility and possible privatisation in the future. The bill was moved by Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Kayani and passed by…

ISLAMABAD: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) is reportedly facing a difficult situation over coal procurement by Port Qasim Electric Power Company (PQEPCL), as the power producer is seeking a further extension in its interim procurement arrangement despite the availability of more competitive offers through a fresh bidding process, well-informed…

ISLAMABAD: In the latest daily price review for October 23, the government on Thursday decreased the price of petrol by Rs1.60 to Rs377.71 per litre from Rs379.31. However, the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) has been increased by Rs1.64 from Rs390.11 per litre to Rs391.75. Average refined petrol prices eased…

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to expedite a feasibility study for direct flights between Pakistan and Maldives, as Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced plans by his country’s national airline to launch a direct service between Malé and Karachi soon. Addressing the…

ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed three terrorists and surrounded seven others during ongoing counterterrorism operations in Gwadar, foiling an attempted attack by terrorists linked to Fitna al-Hindustan on an unoccupied construction company camp, security sources said on Thursday. According to security sources, security forces responded swiftly to the attempted attack, killing…

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court held that where the Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals-I) remands a matter for re-examination of specific facts, the assessing officer is bound by the directions and cannot go beyond the scope of the appellate order. A two-member bench comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued a travel advisory for Pakistani pilgrims travelling by air to Iran and Iraq, urging them to confirm their flight bookings well before departure. According to a ministry spokesperson, pilgrims travelling on flights to or within Iran and Iraq should avoid relying on…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced that he had issued instructions for direct flights between Pakistan and the Maldives. The premier was addressing the Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum, attended by visiting Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a three-day trip at the invitation of…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed aviation authorities to work out arrangements for direct flights between Pakistan and the Maldives in his address at the Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum in Islamabad, a day after the two countries exchanged 20 memorandums of understanding and agreed to raise bilateral trade from approximately $13…

Chairman of the Senate, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, met the President of the Republic of Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu in Islamabad on Thursday to discuss ways to strengthen longstanding bilateral ties, enhance trade and economic cooperation, and promote parliamentary diplomacy. Senator Talha Mahmood, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence; Senator…

Associated Press Of Pakistan PSX loses over 2,006 points ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a steep bearish momentum on Thursday, shedding 2,006.67 points, a negative change of 1.21 percent, to close at 163,924.32 points against 165,930.99 points recorded in the previous…

Associated Press Of Pakistan Gold prices decline by Rs3,000 per tola ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):Gold prices witnessed a decline in the domestic market on Thursday, with the price of 24-karat gold per tola falling by Rs3,000 to Rs431,536, according to rates issued by the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers…

Associated Press Of Pakistan ECP appoints election staff for Islamabad local polls ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has appointed election officials for the local government elections in Islamabad, designating Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon as District Returning Officer and assigning returning and assistant returning officers to…

Associated Press Of Pakistan YES Pakistan 2026 concludes with focus on youth entrepreneurship, innovation ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):The three-day YES Pakistan: Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs and Innovators Summit, Expo and Awards 2026 concluded at Bahria University Islamabad on Thursday, bringing together policymakers, academia, industry leaders, financial institutions and aspiring entrepreneurs to…

Associated Press Of Pakistan Pakistan marks international stuttering awareness day ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):International Stuttering Awareness Day was observed in Pakistan on Thursday to raise awareness about speech fluency disorders, promote early intervention and encourage inclusive environments for people who stutter. Medical experts stressed the importance of timely assessment, speech…

The Privatisation Commission Board has approved the prequalification of 10 local and international investors for the privatisation of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), marking a key milestone in the process.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has busted an alleged illegal kidney transplant network in Islamabad, arresting five suspects during a joint raid on Thursday with the Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA) in PWD Society.

Associated Press Of Pakistan CDA seals 58 buildings, targets 377 structures along Islamabad Expressway over violations ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has sealed 58 buildings and identified 377 structures, including 281 commercial buildings, for legal action as part of an enforcement drive against violations along the Islamabad…

Dr Fareha Bugti and Anna Strzaska pose with members of the Pakistani and EU delegations during counterterrorism talks in Islamabad on October 22, 2026. — Radio PakistanPakistan, EU agree to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation.Both sides seek coordinated response at multilateral...

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has acknowledged delays in compensation for some people affected by development work in Islamabad’s E-12 and C-16 sectors, saying the interior minister would hear the concerns of those affected.

Associated Press Of Pakistan Kamal reviews health complaint management system ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal on Thursday chaired a meeting to review the Health Complaint Management System and assess the performance and latest developments of health helpline 1166. During the…

Associated Press Of Pakistan Kamal reviews Pak-China healthcare investment deals ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal on Thursday chaired the first meeting with representatives of three companies to review progress on agreements reached at the Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical and Healthcare B2B Investment…

Associated Press Of Pakistan Partners reaffirm support for Pakistan’s polio eradication ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):International partners have reaffirmed their support for Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts during a visit to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for Polio Eradication. The representatives expressed these views during a visit to the National Emergency…