National

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    PM Shehbaz orders expansion of digital services fo…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to expand digital consular services for overseas Pakistanis, improve facilities at Pakistani missions abroad, simplify the complaints system and speed up the digitization of document attestation and official transactions. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the directives came during a meeting chaired by the prime minister in which officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistani ambassadors serving in various countries, and senior representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Investigation Agency, the Ministry of Information Technology and other relevant departments briefed him on ongoing reform efforts. Shehbaz said overseas Pakistanis represent a valuable asset for the country and that providing them with every possible facility remains a top government priority. Officials told the meeting that a QR code system has already been rolled out to simplify procedures for power of attorney, property transactions and document attestation for Pakistanis living abroad. The prime minister welcomed the initiative and directed authorities to prominently display the QR codes at Pakistani embassies and missions worldwide to improve access to the digital complaints registration system. Shehbaz also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to launch a dedicated awareness campaign encouraging overseas Pakistanis to use the QR code based system when filing complaints. The meeting was told that the ministry has recently introduced an evening shift at its Islamabad office to make services more accessible to citizens, and that document attestation services have also been launched at the Asaan Khidmat Centre in Islamabad. Officials further reported that the ministry has introduced courier based attestation services and linked its verification system with databases maintained by the Higher Education Commission, the Inter Boards Coordination Commission, the National Database and Registration Authority and the National Police Bureau, a step that has significantly cut processing times. The meeting also heard that the apostille system has reduced document attestation to a single step process. Officials said work is now underway to fully digitize the system, with the National Information Technology Board developing a mobile application that would allow digital verification of documents including birth and death certificates, marriage registration certificates and family registration certificates, among other official records. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the meeting alongside federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State Awn Chaudhry, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa and other senior officials. The push to digitize consular services reflects a broader effort by the government to modernize public sector delivery and reduce bureaucratic delays, an initiative that has gained momentum in recent years as authorities look to integrate various state databases and cut down on the paperwork burden faced by citizens both at home and abroad.

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    Petroleum minister defends daily fuel pricing mech…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik defended the government’s new daily fuel pricing system on Thursday, telling lawmakers it has ended a practice under the previous mechanism in which oil companies restricted petrol supplies ahead of expected price revisions. The federal government announced on July 17 that petroleum product prices would now be reviewed and notified daily rather than weekly, a shift introduced as renewed tensions between the United States and Iran continue to unsettle global oil markets and raise concerns about fuel supply security. The daily system followed an earlier move from fortnightly to weekly price revisions that had been introduced during the first phase of the US Iran conflict. The change has faced pushback from transporters, businesses and opposition lawmakers, who argue that frequent price adjustments create uncertainty, push up transport and freight costs, and make it harder for businesses and households to plan their spending. Petrol pump owners had threatened a nationwide strike over the issue before suspending their protest after receiving government assurances that their concerns would be addressed. Speaking at a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum, chaired by Umar Farooq, Malik said petrol and diesel prices still rely on a seven day rolling average of international market prices, even though the pricing is now updated daily instead of fortnightly. He said the government has delegated pricing authority to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, which coordinates with stakeholders before finalizing prices, and noted that the pricing methodology and benchmark figures are published on the regulator’s website. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had instructed the regulator to also publish the formula in Urdu to improve transparency. Malik explained that international benchmark prices are drawn from Platts, with government taxes and oil company margins added afterward to determine domestic retail prices. He said the switch to daily pricing corrected a flaw in the earlier weekly system, under which companies could anticipate price movements from an emerging three day average and adjust supply accordingly. Under the new approach, he said, prices are set daily based on the seven day average, removing that predictability. Committee members pushed back sharply on the new mechanism. Senator Saifullah Abro described it as slow poison for consumers, saying the public has no way of knowing what today’s price is, let alone tomorrow’s. He questioned recent price increases, pointing out that international crude prices rose from 76 dollars a barrel on July 11 to 82 dollars on July 17, and asked how domestic fuel prices had climbed by 30 rupees over the same period. Malik responded that the comparison was misleading since domestic fuel prices track refined petroleum products rather than raw crude oil. The minister also defended the existing tax structure, saying the petroleum levy remains lower than the rate imposed during the height of the conflict period. He said reducing the levy further would be difficult without agreement from the International Monetary Fund, though he suggested an alternative revenue source could eventually make a reduction feasible. Ogra officials also addressed the committee in support of the new system. Acting Chairman Nabeel Ahmed Awan said daily prices remain based on the seven day average, meaning that both price declines and increases in the global market are passed on to consumers gradually over a week. He said the new mechanism removes opportunities for short term profiteering by preventing traders from creating false market impressions to turn a profit. Officials also told the committee that customs duty on petrol currently stands at 18.11 rupees per litre. The session grew tense at points, with committee members criticizing Ogra for failing to circulate a working paper ahead of the meeting. When the acting chairman asked what a working paper was, Abro rebuked him sharply, questioning his familiarity with basic regulatory procedure. Malik also told the committee that the process to appoint a permanent Ogra chairman had begun on schedule, but that interviews failed to produce a suitable candidate, prompting officials to restart the search. The government had reshuffled Ogra’s leadership in April, replacing then acting chairman Shahzad Iqbal with Nabeel Ahmed Awan, a senior Pakistan Administrative Service officer and secretary of the Establishment Division, who was appointed to a three month term as the search for a permanent chairman continues.

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    Hesson says National Champions Cup will sharpen Pakistan’s World Cup 2027 preparations

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    Pakistan white ball head coach Mike Hesson said the upcoming National Champions Cup will play an important role in preparing the squad for the ICC World Cup 2027, expressing confidence in the tournament ahead of its start next month. The competition begins on August 18 at Multan Cricket Stadium, with all seven matches scheduled as day night fixtures. The 50 over List A tournament will feature four sides, Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues and Pakistan Gold, and will officially open the 2026-27 domestic cricket season. Teams will compete in a single league round robin format, with the top two sides advancing to the final. Speaking to reporters, Hesson explained why the domestic season is starting with a 50 over List A event rather than another format. He said the four team tournament was specifically organized as part of Pakistan’s build up toward the World Cup. Hesson said he expects every player involved to get a genuine chance to show what they can do in what he called a highly competitive event. He said fans can expect quality cricket throughout, with each player given an opportunity to perform on a meaningful stage. The coach added that the team management is focused on maximizing the number of List A matches available to players ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming assignments, saying the coaching staff is planning the schedule specifically to create as many playing opportunities as possible. Looking further ahead to the World Cup itself, Hesson pointed to Pakistan’s historical strength in major ICC events, saying he hopes the team can deliver another strong campaign when the tournament arrives in 2027. He said selectors have put together well balanced squads across all four domestic sides and voiced confidence that the tournament would help several standout performers emerge ahead of the World Cup selection process.

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    Another promise fulfilled’: PM Shehbaz unveils m…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at modernising consular services for overseas Pakistanis, with government officials describing the measures as the fulfilment of another commitment made to the Pakistani diaspora. The new initiatives are designed to make consular services faster, more transparent and more accessible through digitalisation and streamlined procedures. The reforms include QR code-based complaint registration at Pakistani embassies, a simplified attestation process for Power of Attorney and property-related documents, a one-step Apostille attestation system, an evening shift at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, and a courier-based document attestation service. The government is also integrating the databases of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), NADRA and the National Police Bureau to speed up document verification. In addition, a mobile application is being developed to enable digital verification of birth, death, marriage and family registration certificates, along with other official documents. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said overseas Pakistanis are a valuable national asset and reiterated his government’s commitment to providing efficient, transparent and citizen-friendly services for Pakistanis living abroad. The reforms were welcomed by overseas Pakistanis, many of whom said the initiatives would help reduce delays and simplify access to essential consular services.

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    Pakistan-Belarus deepen defence ties, top military…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Belarus have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding defence cooperation following high-level talks between senior military officials at Air Headquarters in Islamabad. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a Belarusian defence delegation led by Major General Muraveiko Pavel Nikolayevich, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Defence Minister, met with Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, on Thursday. The discussions focused on regional security, matters of mutual interest and opportunities to broaden military collaboration between the two countries. During the meeting, the Pakistan Air Force chief reiterated the PAF’s resolve to strengthen bilateral defence ties through greater cooperation in joint training, military exercises, technological innovation and defence industry partnerships. The Belarusian military chief praised the Pakistan Air Force for its high level of operational readiness, technological progress and growing self-reliance in defence capabilities. He also reaffirmed Belarus’ interest in expanding military cooperation with Pakistan across key areas. The meeting highlighted the shared determination of both countries to reinforce defence relations and explore new avenues of collaboration aimed at promoting mutual strategic interests

  • UO eyes smart university transformation through agenting AI

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    In line with the vision of the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Honorable Chief Minister of the Punjab to promote digital transformation and innovation in higher education, the University of Okara (UO) has initiated efforts to explore the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents for academic and administrative operations. As part of this initiative, a high-level delegation comprising the Vice Chancellor of the Punjab Tianjin University of Technology (PTUT), Prof. Dr. Adeel Akram, and Chief Executive Officer of GalaxAI Solutions, Sheraz Waheed, visited the UO on Thursday. GalaxAI Solutions is an Islamabad-based technology company working on Sovereign AI infrastructure for Pakistan’s higher education sector. A meeting of the university’s academic heads and IT team was held under the chairmanship of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Sajjad Mubin. During the session, the PTUT delegation delivered a comprehensive presentation on AI agents, highlighting their potential applications in admissions management, campus administration, academic support, and day-to-day institutional operations. Addressing the participants, Prof. Mubin appreciated the PTUT team for visiting the UO to share their expertise and practical insights into emerging AI technologies. He described PTUT as a rapidly progressing institution and reiterated his vision of transforming the UO into a smart university through the integration of cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Akram emphasized that AI has the potential to significantly enhance efficiency across teaching, research, governance, and administrative functions. He noted that intelligent AI agents can help universities streamline routine processes, improve decision-making, and deliver better services to students and faculty. The meeting concluded with an understanding that PTUT will submit a formal proposal for the transfer and implementation of the AI technology at the University of Okara. The proposal will be reviewed by the University’s relevant authorities and statutory bodies, and any future implementation will be subject to the completion of all required approvals.

  • Lahore Police receives 60,000+ women helpline calls, CCPO

    ByJustpaste.in

    LAHORE – CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana has reiterated the police’s resolve to make Lahore the safest city for women and children, describing the Virtual Women Police Station as a reliable and effective platform for female safety, legal guidance and swift justice. In a statement issued here on Thursday, the CCPO emphasized that the department maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards crimes targeting women and children, noting that police personnel are working round-the-clock to assist victims of gender-based violence and harassment. He directed investigating officers to strictly ensure the privacy and dignity of complainants while dealing with cases involving women. The CCPO further stated that prompt action, merit-based investigation and speedy justice in offenses against women remain core responsibilities of the Lahore Police. According to the spokesperson for Lahore Police, the Virtual Women Police Station received over 60,300 calls during the current year. Legal action has been completed on more than 62,000 calls, while inquiries are underway on 295 applications. Acting on the received calls, 858 cases have been registered, with legal proceedings actively underway, the spokesperson added.

  • 400+ cyberattacks on Pakistan foiled this year, DG cyber team

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    Islamabad: Director General of Pakistan’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team, Dr. Haider Abbas has revealed that more than 400 cyberattacks were launched against Pakistan this year. However, he said that all of the attacks were successfully thwarted in time. Dr. Abbas emphasized the need for a strong National Cyber Security Authority suggesting that it should operate under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister. In an interview, he discussed Pakistan’s growing cybersecurity challenges and the increasing threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks. He proposed the establishment of a powerful National Cyber Security Authority headed by the Prime Minister to strengthen the country’s cyber defense. He added that such an authority should be responsible for managing cybersecurity across the country and would be able to operate more effectively under the Prime Minister’s leadership.

  • Punjab to support students from other provinces, Education Minister

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    Lahore – Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has announced that the Punjab government will support students from other provinces who wish to study at universities in Punjab. He also revealed that a Semester Exchange Program for students from other provinces is expected to be launched soon while Daanish Schools will also be established in Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The announcement came during a meeting between Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, Punjab Communications and Works Minister Sohail Bharth and a delegation of students from various universities in Balochistan. The delegation also included students from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. During the meeting, students praised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat for their education reforms. Students from Balochistan humorously remarked that they wished to have Punjab’s Chief Minister and Education Minister lead their province for six months so that Balochistan could also achieve similar progress. The students discussed Punjab’s development projects, education system and other public initiatives with the provincial ministers. They also requested the introduction of a Semester Exchange Program to which the Education Minister responded that, subject to the approval of the Chief Minister, the program could be launched from next year. Many students from Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan expressed their desire to enroll in Punjab’s universities. In response, Rana Sikandar Hayat assured them that students from Balochistan would be offered admissions through scholarship programs in Punjab’s universities. He personally recorded the details of interested students during the meeting. The minister said that more than 15,000 students from other provinces are currently studying in educational institutions across Punjab. He added that he has a deep emotional connection with Balochistan and would be proud to see more Baloch students pursuing higher education in Punjab. Rana Sikandar Hayat also revealed that he has been in regular contact with the Education Minister of Balochistan to launch the Google Education Program in the province with both ministers having held seven consultations over the past few months. He further assured students that Punjab would also support learners in distance education. He emphasized that if students from Balochistan or any other province wish to study at any university in Punjab, the provincial government will extend full support. The minister also announced that Daanish Schools will soon be established in Balochistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. He noted that 1,900 students from Gilgit-Baltistan are currently studying in Punjab on scholarships while the 10 percent admission quota for Balochistan students in Daanish Schools is also being increased. Rana Sikandar Hayat said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has a special commitment to supporting the youth of Balochistan and other provinces. Therefore, students from other provinces have been included in scholarship programs, university admission quotas and the Punjab laptop scheme. At the end of the meeting, Rana Sikandar Hayat and Sohail Bharth presented one laptop each on behalf of the Chief Minister of Punjab to every student in the visiting delegation.

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    Bushra Bibi seeks sentence suspension on medical g…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Bushra Bibi, the wife of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, has filed an appeal in the Constitutional Court seeking the suspension of her sentence and release on bail. In her petition, she requested the court to suspend the sentence handed down by the trial court until the final decision on her appeal. She argued that she should be granted bail on medical grounds. The petition stated that Bushra Bibi is entitled to relief because she is a woman and is suffering from health problems. It maintained that her medical condition requires proper treatment and care, making her eligible for bail during the legal proceedings. According to the appeal, she has been kept in solitary confinement and has been deprived of adequate medical treatment and necessary care while in custody. The petition argued that her continued detention under such conditions has negatively affected her health. Bushra Bibi urged the Constitutional Court to consider her health condition and the circumstances of her imprisonment while deciding her request. She asked the court to suspend her sentence and order her release on bail until the disposal of the appeal. The Constitutional Court is expected to take up the appeal in accordance with legal procedure. A decision on her request will be made after hearing the arguments presented by both sides.