TASHKENT: A Presidential Resolution of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been adopted entitled “On measures for the establishment of the Nurabad Technopark Special Industrial Zone in Samarkand region”.
According to the resolution, the following target indicators have been set to improve the investment climate and promote industrial development in Nurabad district for the period 2025-2030:
– Attraction of direct foreign investment totaling $1.1 billion into projects focused on the production of high-tech, modern, and high-quality industrial goods;
– Creation of 5,100 permanent jobs through the expansion of capacities for the production of high-tech, modern, and high-quality industrial products.
According to the resolution, an unused land plot of 115.3 hectares located in the Sazagon area of Nurabad district will be excluded from the Urgut Free Economic Zone. In its place, the Nurabad Technopark Special Industrial Zone will be established.
The project will be managed by the foreign company LLC New Vision Investment Development. Multi-story (3-4 floors) industrial buildings are also planned to be constructed within the territory of the special industrial zone.
ISLAMABAD: Heavy monsoon rains battered parts of Punjab and Islamabad over the past 24 hours, prompting rescue operations in the capital and a flood alert in riverine areas across the province.
According to an official statement, the latest monsoon update, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned of continued rainfall in most districts until August 7 (today), marking the sixth spell of the current monsoon season.
The ongoing downpours come as Pakistan deals with seasonal flooding and has already recorded 303 rain-related deaths, including 164 in Punjab alone, since the beginning of the season on June 26.
“In the last 24 hours, 86mm of rainfall was recorded in Gujrat, 37mm in Narowal, 28mm in Multan, 27mm in Dera Ghazi Khan and 22mm in Jhelum,” the PDMA said in a statement, adding that rain was also reported in Sialkot, Attock, Mangla, Murree, Rawalpindi, Layyah, Mianwali and Kot Addu.
“All district administrations have been directed to remain on alert,” the statement quoted PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia as saying. “We urge citizens to take precautions and not let children near rivers, canals or flooded streams.”
Meanwhile, rescue teams in Islamabad evacuated more than 40 residents after floodwaters entered homes in Chattha Bakhtawar, a low-lying area in the capital.
The spillway of Rawal Dam was opened at 11:00 AM after the water level reached 1,750.90 feet, according to a notice issued by Islamabad authorities. Residents were also advised to stay away from surrounding water bodies and take necessary safety measures.
The PDMA said the flow of water remained normal in all major rivers including the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej, with only a low-level flood reported at Tarbela on the Indus River. Tarbela Dam is currently 95 per cent full, while Mangla stands at 62 per cent.
Indian dams across the eastern rivers, according to the statement, are reported to be 56 per cent full.
Since the start of the monsoon season, 727 people have been injured, 563 houses completely destroyed, and 428 livestock perished in rain-related incidents in Pakistan.
In the past 24 hours, three more people were reported injured due to monsoon-related accidents.
Islamabad’s Capital Development Authority (CDA) said no injuries were reported during Tuesday’s flood rescue in Chattha Bakhtawar, where 12 emergency personnel responded within a short span to the residents’ call, evacuating up to 45 people.
Emergency officers confirmed the operation was completed and the area had been cleared.
ISLAMABAD: In a historic move to boost regional maritime connectivity, Pakistan has granted its first-ever shipping license for a route linking the country with Iran.
Announced was made by Pakistan’s Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, saying the license was awarded to Sea Keepers, an international maritime transport company.
The operator will now be able to launch shipping services between Pakistan, Iran, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the officials of the Ministry revealed.
The decision followed a high-level meeting involving key ministries — maritime affairs, defense, foreign affairs, and interior — along with representatives from the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation and port authorities.
Chaudhry hailed the development as a major milestone under Pakistan’s national maritime policy, highlighting its potential to enhance economic ties, religious tourism, and regional connectivity.
The new route is expected to accommodate hundreds of thousands of passengers annually, especially pilgrims traveling to Iran and Iraq, as well as workers and tourists heading to GCC nations.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has out-rightly rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “baseless and unfounded” allegations that its nationals were involved in the Ukraine conflict, saying no credible evidence has been presented to substantiate such claims.
The Foreign Office’s response came on Tuesday, a day after President Zelensky claimed that Ukrainian troops in northeastern Ukraine were fighting foreign “mercenaries” from various countries, including China, Pakistan and parts of Africa, and vowed a response.
Zelensky has previously accused Moscow of recruiting Chinese fighters for its war effort against Ukraine, charges Beijing denied, while North Korea has also provided thousands of its own troops in Russia’s Kursk region.
“We spoke with commanders about the frontline situation, the defence of Vovchansk, and the dynamics of the battles,” Zelensky alleged in a post on X after visiting a frontline area in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
“Our warriors in this sector are reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war. We will respond”.
Reacting to the allegations, the FO said: “The Government of Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations of the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the conflict in Ukraine.
“To date, Pakistan has not been formally approached by the Ukrainian authorities, nor has any verifiable evidence been presented to substantiate such claims”.
It further said that the government of Pakistan will take up this matter with the Ukrainian authorities and seek clarification in this regard.
Islamabad also reaffirmed its commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA), an organization working to fight against the air pollution in the federal capital, has intensified its vehicle emission testing campaign across the Islamabad.
According to a newly released performance report, 1,935 vehicles have been inspected so far under the initiative, with the majority meeting the prescribed emission standards.
The campaign, which aims to enforce vehicular emission compliance, is now being extended citywide, with stricter action planned for violators in the upcoming phase.
The ITA report revealed that out of the total vehicles inspected, 1,874 were issued clearance stickers after passing the emission test. However, six vehicles were found to have carbon monoxide emissions exceeding the permissible limit of six percent. These vehicles were issued formal warnings and instructed to rectify their emissions.
In the last 24 hours alone, 213 vehicles were checked, of which 209 passed while four received warnings for non-compliance.
ISLAMABAD: The district administration of Capital Territory of Islamabad has seized around 1,000 kilograms of donkey meat from an illegal slaughter-house and arrested a “foreign national,” officials said on Sunday.
The seizure was made during a joint raid by the Islamabad Food Authority (IFA), local police and the Islamabad district administration on a farmhouse in Tarnol area, the IFA officials revealed.
Fifty live donkeys were also recovered from the site and an IFA team was destroying the meat under the supervision of Deputy Director Dr. Tahira Siddique.
Police have registered a case against the arrested foreign national, who had been running the operation, and are looking for his local facilitators.
“A foreign national was arrested at the site which has been sealed and an investigation is underway,” Muhammad Nasir Butt, a spokesperson for the Islamabad district administration said.
“We will conduct further raids as per the findings of the investigation and efforts are also underway to trace local individuals involved.”
The spokesperson further said the meat had been packed for “export to a neighboring country.”
“So far, we have not found any traces of meat being used in the local restaurants, but administration is investigating the matter from multiple angles,” Butt further said.
The police report revealed that the farmhouse had no authorization to process donkey meat or export live donkeys.
Due to the absence of records for [processing] haram meat, and on the basis of its supply and sale, legal action shall be taken against concerned individuals under Sections 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety Act, 2021, the police report stated.
Pakistan is frequently listed among countries with the highest number of donkey populations worldwide. The country’s donkey population rose to 6 million in fiscal year 2024-25, which ended in June, compared to 5.9 million in 2023–24, according to the latest economic survey.
In May this year, Pakistan Customs had foiled an attempt to smuggle donkey hides worth approximately Rs80 million (around $283,800) to China. The staff deployed on the Risk Management Profiling System of the Karachi Customs
Collectorate detected a container number SEGU-3154225 cleared from the South Asia Pakistan Port (SAPT) terminal in Karachi, whose export documents showed 285 packages of leather products were being sent to China.
The animal’s meat and hides are quite popular in China. Gelatin derived from donkey hides is highly sought after in China for its use in Ejiao, a traditional medicinal remedy. Several Chinese eateries sell donkey meat and burgers for consumption.
Deputy Director IFA Dr. Tahira Siddique, who was part of the team that raided the farmhouse, said the availability of safe and quality food in Islamabad was the top priority of the IFA.
“We are enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against those who endanger public health,” she was quoted as saying by the IFA.
NEW DELHI: General Anil Chauhan, the Indian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has cautioned India against possible tri-nations defence block compromising of China, Pakistan and Bangladesh and stated that the new block could pose significant challenges to India’s internal stability.
Indian CDS was addressing in an event hosted by the Indian private think-tank Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi.
“There is a possible convergence of interest we can talk about between China, Pakistan and Bangladesh that may have implications for India’s stability and security dynamics”, the Indian CDS further said.
His remarks come against the backdrop of a diplomatic downturn in India-Bangladesh relations following the ouster of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina last year through a popular uprising, who later sought refuge in India.
Gen Chauhan also raized concerns about shifting geopolitical alignments in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), claiming that the region’s economic vulnerabilities have enabled external actors to deepen their influence. “The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has allowed outside powers to leverage their influence through debt diplomacy, creating vulnerabilities for India. Similarly, frequent shifts in government in South Asia, with changing geopolitical equations and ideological views, pose another major challenge”, he said.
During his speech, Gen Chauhan also spoke about the May 7–10 military conflict between India and Pakistan, describing it as potentially the first time two nuclear-armed nations directly engaged in combat. “So, Operation Sindoor, in that manner, is slightly unique in itself, and it may hold lessons not only for the subcontinent, but for the entire world,” he said. On China’s involvement, he noted: “It is challenging to determine the extent of state support provided by China to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor”, and added that no unusual activity was observed along India’s northern borders during the conflict.
ISLAMABAD: Yasar Guler, Minister of National Defence of Türkiye arrived in Islamabad on an official visit aimed at enhancing defence cooperation and further solidifying the historic ties between the two brotherly nations.
Upon arrival, the Turkish Minister was warmly received by Additional Secretary (West Asia) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Syed Ali Asad Gillani, a DPM’s Office news release said.
During his visit, the Turkish Minister is scheduled to hold meetings with senior Pakistani officials to discuss key issues of mutual interest, particularly in the fields of defence collaboration, regional security, and strategic cooperation.
Ankara also has cordial ties with India, but after its support for Pakistan, small Indian grocery shops and major online fashion retailers boycotted Turkish products, while New Delhi also cancelled Turkey-based aviation service provider Celebi (CLEBI.IS), opens new tab clearance over “national security” reasons.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrives reached Islamabd late night on an official visit.
According to the spokesperson of the Foreign Office, Additional Secretary Syed Ali Asad Gilani received the Turkish Foreign Minister upon his arrival.
Foreign Minister Hakan is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Field Marshal Asim Munir to discuss steps aimed at strengthening bilateral defense cooperation.
ISLAMABAD: Justice Sarfraz Dogar and the three acting chief justices of the high courts were sworn in as permanent chief justices of respective High Courts.
Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar’s oath-taking ceremony was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (Presidential Palace) in Islamabad, where President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath to the newly appointed chief justice. The event was attended by a large number of senior lawyers.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz were also present at the ceremony.
Earlier, the Chief Justices of the Sindh and Peshawar High Courts also took oath of office.
On the other hand, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori administered the oath to Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar, Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, while Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, administered the oath to Justice SM Atiq Shah, Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court.
It is worth mentioning that on July 1st, during a meeting of the Judicial Commission chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, the appointments of Justice Sarfraz Dogar as Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court, Justice Junaid Ghaffar as Chief Justice of Sindh High Court, Justice Atiq Shah as Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court, and Justice Rozi Khan as Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court were approved.
President Asif Ali Zardari had officially declared Justice Sarfraz Dogar as the senior most judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), and made permanent the transfer of Justice Sarfraz Dogar along with two other judges on June 29.
This decision followed the Supreme Court’s earlier directive to refer the matter of high court judges’ seniority to the President. Acting on that, President Zardari issued a formal notification announcing the updated seniority list of IHC judges.
As per the list, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani is ranked second in seniority, while Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb is placed third.
The notification also confirmed that the transfers of Justice Khadim Hussain Tunio and Justice Muhammad Asif have been made permanent. According to the new seniority list, Justice Tunio now ranks 9th and Justice Asif 11th among IHC judges.
It is worth noting that five judges of the IHC had recently filed an intra-court appeal against the Supreme Court’s June 19 verdict, which upheld the constitutionality and legality of transferring three judges to the IHC and dismissed the petitions filed by those five judges.
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad and Baghdad have reached an agreement to declare Islamabad and Baghdad as sister-cities as a memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreed between the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq was signed.
The two sides have reached an agreement during a meeting between CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa and Iraqi He Islamabad and Baghdad are likely to enter in teh relationship of sister cities as the two sides are agreed to enhance bilateral cooperationad of Mission Abdul Qadir Sulaiman Al-Humaeri.
Held at CDA Headquarters, the meeting focused on fostering bilateral cooperation, with special emphasis on strengthening municipal-level ties.
Both sides agreed to formally sign a MoU to establish the twin-city relationship.
This initiative aims to promote cultural exchange, people-to-people linkages, and collaboration in urban development.
Al-Humaeri praised the efforts led by Randhawa to enhance Islamabad’s development, beauty, and environmental sustainability. He expressed strong interest in boosting economic, cultural, and tourism ties between the two countries, and emphasised Iraq’s readiness to actively engage in the implementation of joint initiatives with CDA.
The proposed MoU will pave the way for collaboration in several sectors including preservation of cultural heritage, urban planning, infrastructure enhancement, beautification of public spaces, and sustainable development.
It is expected to strengthen diplomatic and municipal cooperation between the capitals of both nations.
During the meeting, Randhawa briefed the Iraqi envoy about the modernisation and uplift of the Diplomatic Enclave under the directions of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
