KUWAIT: December 17 –
Federal Minister meets with the Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development, Mr. Waleed Shamlan Ahmad.
KUWAIT: December 17 –
Balochistan signs MoU with LIMS to digitalize land records
QUETTA, Dec 17 (APP):In a groundbreaking step toward modern governance and transparency, the Balochistan government signed an agreement with the Land Information Management System (LIMS) to digitalize land records across the province.
The signing ceremony, held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Quetta, was attended by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Qambar Dashti, Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR), and the Chief Executive Officer of LIMS.
The initiative aims to replace outdated manual systems with a secure, transparent, and modernized digital framework.
Under the agreement land records in 25 districts will be digitalized in the first phase.
The project will leverage Geographical Information System (GIS) technology to map and catalog land data.
The system will streamline land-related processes, reduce delays, and provide immediate relief to the public through a transparent database.
Addressing the ceremony, CM Bugti underscored the importance of digitalization for accountability and sustainable development.
“This digital system will not only minimize the potential for corruption but will also provide immense ease to the public regarding land acquisition, transfers, and verification processes,” he noted.
The Chief Minister directed authorities to ensure timely implementation with the highest quality standards, reaffirming his government’s commitment to harnessing technology for improved public service delivery.
The ceremony was attended by Provincial Revenue Minister Mir Asim Kurd Gello, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Zahid Saleem, Principal Secretary Babar Khan, Secretary Finance Imran Zarkoon, Board of Revenue members Qambar Dashti and Bashir Ahmed Bangulzai
PSX sheds 133 points to close at 170,313 points
ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (APP):The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday closed bearish, shedding 133.44 points, a negative change of 0.08 percent, to settle at 170,313.86 points compared to 170,447.30 points on the previous trading day, according to Pakistan Stock Exchange data.
During the session, the ready market witnessed a trading volume of 1,068.512 million shares with a traded value of Rs51.799 billion, against 1,176.638 million shares valuing Rs53.473 billion in the previous session. Market capitalization increased to Rs19.377 trillion from Rs19.370 trillion a day earlier.
Out of 483 active companies in the ready market, 178 advanced, 255 declined, while 50 remained unchanged.
Bank of Punjab topped the volume chart with 90.619 million shares, followed by Hascol Petroleum with 83.922 million shares and TPL Corporation Limited with 53.151 million shares.
The top gainers included Nestle Pakistan Limited, which rose by Rs49.03 to close at Rs8,000.00, and Hafiz Limited, increasing by Rs47.18 to settle at Rs590.07. On the losing side, PIA Holding Company Limited-B declined by Rs130.00 to close at Rs23,070.00, while Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited fell by Rs125.00 to close at Rs29,000.00.
In the futures market, turnover stood at 222.330 million shares with a traded value of Rs12.532 billion, compared to 271.071 million shares worth Rs13.531 billion in the previous session.
Out of 316 futures-market companies, 113 recorded gains, 199 declined, while four remained unchanged. Among futures contracts, BOP-Dec led with 32.678 million shares, followed by PIAHCLA-Dec with 25.874 million shares and SSGC-DecB with 18.075 million shares.
In the futures market, the top gainers included GHNI-DecB, which rose by Rs17.11 to close at Rs839.20, and UBL-DecB, increasing by Rs12.19 to settle at Rs403.13. On the losing side, HUBC-Jan declined by Rs19.51 to close at Rs225.50, while SAZEW-DecB fell by Rs19.50 to close at Rs1,664.03.
BISE Abbottabad announces HSSC admission schedule for annual exams 2026
ABBOTTABAD, Dec 17 (APP):The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Abbottabad on Wednesday announced the admission schedule for the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) Annual Examinations 2026 for Classes XI and XII.
According to an official notification, the HSSC annual examinations are expected to begin in the last week of April 2026. All public and private educational institutions have been directed to submit students’ admission forms through the Online Admission Module (OAM) available on the Board’s website. The Board has clarified that only prescribed-size printed photographs and duly completed admission forms will be accepted.
For regular candidates, the last date to submit admission forms with normal fee is February 12, 2026, while forms can be submitted with double fee up to March 5 and with triple fee up to March 19, 2026. For private candidates, the deadline with normal fee is February 19, followed by March 5 with double fee and March 19 with triple fee. The Board has stated that no admission forms will be accepted after the stipulated deadlines.
The notification further details that the normal examination fee for regular or private Part-I reappear candidates has been fixed at Rs 2,700, double fee at Rs 4,200 and triple fee at Rs 5,700. For Part-II fresh, compartment or reappear candidates, the normal fee is Rs 3,100, double fee Rs 4,600 and triple fee Rs 6,100.
Candidates seeking improvement of marks will be charged Rs 3,200 for one to three papers, Rs 3,700 for up to seven papers and Rs 4,200 for all fourteen papers of both parts. The fee for additional or qualifying subjects has been set at Rs 3,700.
The BISE Abbottabad has also fixed Rs 80,000 as the fee for establishment of an examination centre, Rs 5,000 for centre change, Rs 500 for gazette USB and Rs 3,000 for amanuensis (writer) services.
The Board has advised all institutions and candidates to submit admission forms at least three days before the final deadline to avoid additional charges or rejection. Further details can be obtained from the office of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Abbottabad.
Abbasi briefs Defence Secretary on Pakistan Railways reforms
ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (APP):Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Wednesday met Defence Secretary Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali to discuss ongoing reforms and development initiatives in Pakistan Railways.
Secretary Power Division Dr. Fakhar Alam Irfan and Director General National Logistics Cell (NLC) Major General Farrukh Shehzad Rao were also present during the meeting, said a news release.
The minister informed the participants that, for the first time in the history of Pakistan Railways, reforms are being implemented with unprecedented speed, innovation and a well-coordinated strategy. He said these initiatives are being carried out in line with the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
Highlighting key developments, Hanif Abbasi said Pakistan’s first Safe and Smart Railway Station has been established at Rawalpindi. The station is equipped with a 24/7 Artificial Intelligence–based monitoring system and 184 modern surveillance cameras, significantly strengthening security and operational oversight.
As part of the digitization drive, he said a Rail Tag system has been introduced to enable real-time tracking of trains and rolling stock, which will enhance transparency and operational efficiency. He also shared that a Weigh Bridge has been inaugurated in Karachi to curb overloading, a move expected to increase revenue, improve track safety and ensure safer train operations.
The meeting was informed that around 70 per cent of passenger footfall is now covered through the provision of free Wi-Fi services at major railway stations across the country. In addition, ATM machines have been installed at various stations to promote cashless transactions.
Briefing the participants on passenger facilitation measures, the minister said several railway stations have been upgraded, trains improved and CIP lounges established to provide greater comfort and convenience to passengers. He added that further initiatives are under way to enhance passenger services.
Hanif Abbasi also informed the meeting that an agreement for the ML-1 project has been finalized with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and concrete steps are being taken to complete the project at the earliest. He said the ML-1 project would be a milestone in the modernization of Pakistan Railways.
Defence Secretary Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali and other senior officials appreciated the reform measures and commended the minister’s efforts for the overall improvement of Pakistan Railways. They expressed full confidence in the vision, leadership and reform agenda of Federal Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi.
At the end, it was agreed to further strengthen institutional cooperation and enhance mutual coordination to achieve national development goals and public welfare objectives in line with the Prime Minister’s vision.
IGP Zulfiqar Hameed inaugurates police facilitation center in Haripur
ABBOTTABAD, Dec 17 (APP):Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed on Wednesday said that providing police services to citizens at their doorstep is a top priority of the KP Police, he expressed these views after inauguratiin of a modern Police Facilitation Center in Haripur to improve public access to essential police services.
During his visit to Haripur district, the IGP formally inaugurated the Police Facilitation Center, which will offer multiple services under one roof for the convenience of the local population. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Regional Police Officer Hazara Nasir Mahmood Satti, District Police Officer Haripur Shafiullah Gandapur, and other senior police officers.
The District Police Officer Haripur briefed the IGP on the administrative setup, working mechanism, and various sections of the newly established facility. The center is equipped with modern amenities and will provide services including issuance of character certificates (for domestic and overseas purposes), police clearance certificates, provision and receipt of Tenancy Information Forms (TIF), a foreigners’ desk, and registration of reports related to lost documents.
Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed inspected different counters of the facility and reviewed the services being extended to citizens. He appreciated the efforts of Haripur Police and stated that such initiatives would help reduce the gap between the public and the police, while strengthening public trust in the law enforcement institutions.
Murad reviews World Bank–funded projects; urges faster execution, timely disbursements
KARACHI, Dec 17 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday chaired a sector-wise review meeting with a senior World Bank delegation to assess progress, funding and next steps for the province’s development portfolio.
The meeting reviewed Sindh’s active World Bank portfolio comprising 13 projects with a total commitment of $3.8 billion, of which $1.96 billion has been disbursed. A base disbursement target of $700.25 million has been set for 2025–26.
The chief minister reviewed progress on key urban projects, including the Competitive and Livable City of Karachi Project, Karachi Mobility Project and Solid Waste Emergency and Efficiency Project. Of 161 Town Municipal Committee schemes worth $66.7 million, 47 have been completed, with overall physical progress at 61 per cent. Eight KMC schemes worth $19 million are also under implementation.
On the urban property tax survey, officials reported that 3.1 million properties have been enumerated out of an estimated 3.3 million.
Briefing the meeting on business reforms, the CM said the Sindh Business One Stop Shop (SBOSS) Wave-II went live on Nov 28, with 13 of 19 agencies onboarded. So far, 54 regulatory licences and permits have been digitised and 4,089 e-permits issued. The remaining agencies are expected to be integrated by May 2026.
Projects under review included KWSSIP, KWSSIP-II, the Sindh Water & Agriculture Transformation Project and the Sindh Barrages Improvement Project. A technology-led plan dividing Sindh into six WASH zones has been launched, while work on K-IV augmentation has also begun.
Under the SELECT programme, teaching and learning materials for Grades 3 to 5 have been distributed in all targeted schools. The government plans to hand over 45 upgraded schools by January 2026 and a further 150 by April 2026. Progress is being monitored through dashboards and field visits, with delays flagged and mitigation measures initiated.
Reviewing the Sindh Integrated Health & Population Project and the National Health Support Programme, the CM stressed the need to accelerate delivery. Officials reported progress on staff transfers, hiring of community health workers, ambulance relocation and budget disbursement, with several activities scheduled for completion by the end of December.
The Strengthening Social Protection Delivery System in Sindh project was also reviewed. Officials informed the meeting that key specialists have been hired, committees formed for policy recommendations, and the annual work plan aligned with the approved budget.
Progress was reviewed on LIVAQUA, the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project and the Flood Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project. The chief minister emphasised building climate resilience alongside flood recovery.
Concluding the meeting, Murad Ali Shah directed departments to remove bottlenecks, speed up procurement and ensure timely disbursements, stressing that development spending must result in visible improvements in citizens’ lives.
Sherry raises alarm over Bondi Beach attack
ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (APP):Vice President of the Pakistan Peoples Party and Senator Sherry Rehman has expressed grave concern over the recent terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and its possible links with India, cautioning against the spread of misinformation and identity-based politics in the aftermath of the incident.
In a tweet, Sherry Rehman said that allegations levelled against Pakistan by Indian and Israeli media were increasingly backfiring as facts continued to emerge. She stressed that attempts to hastily assign blame without credible evidence were undermining truth and fueling prejudice.
Calling for an impartial international response, the PPP leader urged the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to also examine India’s alleged support for terrorist groups operating at a global level, saying accountability must apply equally to all states.
She said the Bondi Beach attack was being deliberately diverted from its real purpose of spreading terror and instead framed through the lens of identity politics, which she described as misleading and dangerous.
Referring to developments in Sydney, Senator Rehman noted that while suspects were being linked to a Muslim background, a Muslim migrant, Ahmed Al-Ahmed, had bravely confronted the attacker, helping to save lives. She added that Australian authorities had officially recognised him as a hero, highlighting the falsity of collective blame.
Sherry Rehman strongly condemned all forms of hatred following the tragic incident, including Islamophobia, and reiterated that attacks on innocent people—whether at Bondi Beach or in Gaza—were unacceptable under any circumstances. She called for empathy, restraint and a fact-based approach in responding to acts of violence.
Rain-thunderstorm with snowfall expected over hills in western and upper parts of the country from Dec 20-22: PMD
ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (APP):Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain, thunderstorms, and heavy snowfall in the western and upper parts of the country from December 22-24.
A strong western disturbance is set to bring significant weather changes across Pakistan starting December 19 as per PMD forecast.
The weather system will enter Balochistan on December 19.and gradually grip the northern regions by December 20, bringing rain across multiple provinces over the next four days.
Under the influence of this weather system, Balochistan will be the first to experience the effects, with rain-wind/thunderstorm and snowfalls over hills expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai, Zhob, Musakhel, Turbat, Gawadar, Jiwani, Lasbella, Kech, Awaran, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Washuk, Chagi, Kharan and Kalat from December 19 evening to December 20
The weather system will then move towards Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where rain-wind/thunderstorm with moderate snowfalls in upper areas is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Bunner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Waziristan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Bannu, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Kohat from December 20 night to December 22 with occasional gaps between the precipitation.
The northern mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir will experience moderate to heavy snowfalls. Rain-wind/thunderstorm with moderate to few heavy snowfalls is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan areas including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Guanche and Shigar, as well as Kashmir regions including Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from December 20 night to December 23rd morning with occasional gaps.
In Punjab and the federal capital, rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Potohar region, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Noorpurthal and Layyah on December 20 evening to December 21. The popular tourist destinations of Murree and Galliyat are likely to receive rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfalls from December 20th night to December 21.
Meanwhile, cloudy weather conditions with drizzle is also expected in major cities including Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Multan, Jhang, Dera Ghazi Khan and Toba Tek Singh on December 20 and December 21.
In Sindh province, partly cloudy to cloudy weather is expected in most parts on December 19 and 20.
The Met Office has issued important advisories regarding the potential impacts of this weather system. Snowfall may cause road closures and create slippery conditions in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli from December 20-22.
There is also a possibility of landslides and avalanches in the hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during this period. Tourists planning to visit these areas are strongly advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travelling during the forecast period. Additionally, smog and fog conditions are likely to continue affecting central and southern parts of Punjab and upper Sindh, which may impact visibility and travel conditions in these regions.
PRCS organizes hiking event to highlight importance of collective action for humanity
ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (APP):The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Regional Blood Donor Centre, in collaboration with the German Red Cross, organized a large-scale awareness hiking event titled “Steps for Hope: For Earth and Humanity” at Margalla Hills Trail 5 on Wednesday. The initiative brought together more than 200 volunteers, students, staff members and media representatives to promote voluntary blood donation, healthy living and environmental responsibility.
The event aimed to highlight the importance of collective action for humanity while encouraging physically active lifestyles. Participants from diverse backgrounds joined the hike, reflecting strong community support for initiatives that connect health, environmental care and humanitarian values.
In her message on the occasion, Chairperson Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Mrs. Farzhana Naek, said such initiatives reflect the core principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. She emphasized that protecting human life and safeguarding the environment are shared responsibilities and noted that community-driven activities motivate youth to adopt healthy habits and positive social action.
Secretary General PRCS, Muhammad Abaidullah Khan, underscored that walking plays a key role in improving physical and mental well being. He added that voluntary blood donation continues to be a vital lifeline for patients in need and appreciated the active participation of PRCS volunteers and partners.
Head of Delegation IFRC in Pakistan, Farid Abdulqadir, also lauded the initiative. He observed that linking health promotion with climate awareness and humanitarian values strengthens community resilience and long-term preparedness.
The closing ceremony featured the distribution of shields to the first four position holders, including two male and two female participants.Plants and Certificates were awarded to PRCS workers and other participants in recognition of their contribution.
The event concluded with a strong call to promote regular blood donation and healthy living, reaffirming the Pakistan Red Crescent Society’s commitment to saving lives, supporting communities and advancing humanitarian action across the country.