Astana, June 18 (Kazinform/APP) : In his remarks at the II Central Asia – China Summit in Astana, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the importance of adopting a long-term strategy for the Central Asia – China format development for 2026-2030, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The President noted that the Summit became an evidence of common interest in strengthening good-neighborly relations, mutually beneficial cooperation and sustainable development of the region’s countries.
He expressed confidence that the announced initiatives will underlie eternal friendship and strategic partnership. He also highlighted that due to joint efforts, the Central Asia – China format has been successfully institutionalized. Earlier, the President of Kazakhstan proposed to create an expert platform to ensure CA-China logistics development.
President Tokayev highlights need to adopt long-term strategy for Central-Asia-China format
Foreign exchange rates
KARACHI, Jun 18 (APP):The Exchange Rates Committee of Financial Markets Association of Pakistan issued the following Exchange rates bulletin, here on Wednesday.
CONVERSION RATES FOR JUNE 18, 2025 FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY FOR FORWARD COVER FOR DEPOSITS (EXCLUDING FE 25 DEPOSITS)
SBP SETTLEMENT VALUE DATE JUNE 23, 2025
USD 283.3791
GBP 384.2904
EUR 327.4162
JPY 1.9593
At UN, Pakistan calls Gaza situation not just catastrophic, but ‘collapse of humanity’
Iftikhar Ali
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 18 (APP):Pakistan voiced “profound anguish, disappointment and mounting despair” over the worsening plight of the people in besieged Gaza as the10th UN General Assembly’s session on Palestine resumed Tuesday, calling the situation not just a humanitarian catastrophe, but a collapse of humanity.
“The situation in Gaza is a stain on our collective conscience,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the 193-member Assembly which last week adopted a resolution — by an overwhelming majority — demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Israel’s war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council on June 4.
Piloted by Spain, the resolution, co-sponsored by Pakistan and 47 other states, garnered 149 votes in favour to 12 against, with 19 abstentions. Among those opposing the resolution were the United States and Israel, while India was among the countries abstaining.
“These (the demands made in the Assembly resolution) are not aspirations — they are obligations,” the Pakistani envoy said, stressing, “The international community must act with urgency to ensure their implementation.”
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar called the resolution a necessary assertion of international will, saying, “Pakistan is proud to have supported and co-sponsored this initiative.”
Pointing out that over 55,000 lives have been lost, including 18,000 children and 28,000 women, he said that infrastructure has been razed — homes, hospitals, schools, cultural heritage, places of worship, while famine looms, with humanitarian workers and UN personnel being attacked with impunity.
Against this backdrop, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar reiterated Pakistan’s call for the immediate steps necessary not only to stem this horror, but to lay the foundations for a just and lasting peace.
These included an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire, ending the killings; lifting of the Gaza blockade, with humanitarian aid allowed freely and safely and international agencies empowered, not hindered; full restoration of UNRWA’s mandate, access, and funding and confronting the root cause: the prolonged, illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.
“There will be no durable peace without justice, and no justice without the realization of the two-State solution — based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of a sovereign, independent, and contiguous State of Palestine,” the Pakistan envoy told the Assembly.
In this regard, he said, Pakistan looks forward to the convening of the high-level conference on Palestine and the two-state solution in coming weeks, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. The conference was to be held this week but was postponed following the Israeli aggression against Iran that led to heightened tensions between the two Middle East rivals.
“We must work together to ensure its tangible outcomes in advancing a credible path toward durable peace, Palestinian statehood and its full membership of the United Nations,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said, adding, “It will be yet another clear demonstration of where the international community stands on this issue.”
The stakes, he said, were high and the international community must not look away as the credibility of the international system — of multilateralism itself — was on trial.
“It is ludicrous that the occupying power, the worst violator of international law and those who protect and shield it, can stand in this August Assembly, criticizing and blaming the rest of the international community for being on the right side of history,” he said.
“Moral bankruptcy must have no space in this house. We must rise above politics and pressure, and act with moral clarity, legal integrity, and political will. We must condemn aggression.”
Pakistan’s commitment to the Palestinian people was unwavering, he said, reaffirming, “We will continue to raise our voice — in solidarity and in hope — until justice is done, until the occupation is ended, and their inalienable rights are realized.
“That is in line with the permanent responsibility of the United Nations with regard to the question of Palestine until it is resolved in all its aspects in accordance with international law and the relevant UN resolutions.”
Malik Abrar terms budget balanced, aligned with ground realities
RAWALPINDI, Jun 17 (APP):PML-N’s Member of the National Assembly Malik Abrar Ahmed has termed the budget for the fiscal year friendly, balanced, and the one that aims to stabilize Pakistan’s economic future.
He lauded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his economic team for presenting a budget that “aligns with ground realities and possesses the capacity to provide relief to the public while paving the way for economic progress, despite difficult circumstances”.
Taking part in the ongoing budget debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Malik Abrar appreciated the broad political consensus, increasing remittances from overseas Pakistanis, and signs of decreasing inflation, expressing his full confidence in the government’s policies.
Highlighting the issues and needs of his Rawalpindi Cantonment constituency, Malik Abrar outlined several demands and ongoing initiatives.
He stated that due to the personal interest of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, the Saddar Underpass and Adiala Road Flyover projects were nearing completion.
He also thanked the Punjab Government for including the Kulsoom Nawaz Hospital and Begum Najma Hameed Sports Complex in the Annual Development Programme (ADP).
He emphasized the need to establish a dedicated board to make the 500-bed Cantt General Hospital accessible to the general public, ensuring quality and affordable healthcare services.
Malik Abrar called for a regular share for Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonments in the NFC Award, to provide the two areas with equitable financial resources like other urban regions.
Underscoring the importance of improving education, he urged the government to increase the civilian quota in cantonment educational institutions to 70% and ensure civilian representation in governing committees to enable transparent and locally relevant decision-making.
Citing the rising water scarcity in his constituency, he demanded appropriate funds be allocated for the Khanpur Dam Project to ensure an effective water supply system for Rawalpindi and Islamabad urban areas.
He proposed that the budget should prioritize youth welfare and development by establishing libraries, sports grounds, and youth development programmes in each tehsil, aiming to positively engage the younger generation through constructive activities.
CJP chairs meeting to review construction of Peshawar Katcheri
ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP): A high-level meeting, to review the Master Plan for the construction of the Katcheri Compound in Peshawar, was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi, at the Supreme Court Branch Registry, Peshawar.
According to a press note released here, the meeting was attended by Mr. Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, Judge, Supreme Court of Pakistan; Mr. Justice S. M Attique Shah, Acting Chief Justice, Peshawar High Court; Mr. Justice Ijaz Anwar, Senior Puisne Judge, Peshawar High Court; Mr. Muhammad Saleem Khan, Registrar, Supreme Court of Pakistan; senior officers of the Peshawar High Court; and from the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Various aspects of the proposed Katcheri Compound were discussed in detail, including architectural planning, utility provisions, accessibility, and integration of environment-friendly features.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan emphasised that the project must be developed along modern and sustainable lines, with special consideration for the requirements and inputs of all key stakeholders, including the Bar, the Bench, and the Executive.
The Chief Justice further stressed the importance of making the compound user-friendly and inclusive for all segments of society. In this regard, he directed that the design should incorporate dedicated spaces for greenery, ensure environmental health through plantation, and include a designated park area for children.
Additionally, facilities must be provided to ensure ease and accessibility for litigants, particularly the elderly and differently-abled persons.
Reiterating the judiciary’s commitment to institutional cooperation, the CJP assured that the Supreme Court of Pakistan will continue to play its due role in facilitating the process wherever required. He underlined that the judiciary remains fully supportive of constructive initiatives aimed at strengthening the justice delivery system and enhancing public access to legal services.
2120 contracts, 37 regular new posts created for Health Dept in budget 2025-26
QUETTA, Jun 17 (APP): Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Shuaib Noshirwani on Tuesday said that 2120 contract and 37 regular new posts have been created for the health department in the budget for the fiscal year- 2025-26.
He said this while presenting the budget in the Balochistan Assembly.
The Finance Minister said that providing better health facilities is the top priority of the government, a better health system not only improves the quality of life of the people but also proves to be helpful in economic development.
Taking measures regarding prevention, treatment and promotion of various diseases is of utmost importance in the public sector, that is why the health sector is among the top priorities of our government, he said.
He said that the Health Department had launched the Balochistan Health Card Program in a record period and this program is being expanded further, this revolutionary step has facilitated the provision of health facilities to the citizens of the province.
The Minister said that the establishment of Burn Units in Loralai and Khuzdar and provision of their machinery and other necessary equipment and providing facilities to the newly established Cancer Hospital and Trauma Center in Quetta are among the government’s steps.
A 20-bed fully equipped hospital with ICU and HDU has been established in the District Headquarters Hospitals of Naseerabad and Zhob districts, he said.
He said that similarly, a total of 66 ambulances have been purchased for all the districts of Balochistan in the current financial year.
During the current financial year, 663 Medical Officers, Lady Medical Officers, Dental Surgeons and Staff Nurses have been recruited on contract basis, so far, our provincial government has provided free treatment and medicines to about 208,986 patients under the Balochistan Health Card Program at a cost of Rs. 6300 million and has given grants of Rs. 4600 million to PPHI for providing health facilities to the common man in remote areas, he maintained.
He said that 2120 contract and 37 regular new posts have been created for the health sector in the upcoming financial year 2025-26, overall, Rs. 16.4 billion was allocated for the development budget of the health department in the FY-2025-26 and Rs. 71 billion has been allocated for non-development budget.
DG Radio delivers session to 43rd MCMC
ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP): Director General of Radio Pakistan, Saeed Ahmad Shaikh, delivered a comprehensive briefing session to the officers of the 43rd Mid-Career Management Course (MCMC) of the Information Group at the Information Service Academy, Islamabad.
The session focused on Radio Pakistan’s roadmap for revival through a robust commercial business plan, administrative efficiency, and digital transformation.
Shaikh shared that Radio Pakistan is moving decisively toward financial sustainability, with sales targets set for each station to generate over Rs. 1 billion in advertisement revenue.
He elaborated on efforts to monetize under-utilized assets such as buildings and open lands, with landmark projects in the pipeline under Public Private Partnership Authority (P3A), including the establishment of pre-fabricated warehouses in Landhi, Karachi.
Highlighting administrative reforms, Shaikh revealed that Radio Pakistan has become the first public sector broadcaster to develop an indigenous Digital Pension Management System, aimed at eliminating ghost pensioners and ensuring transparency.
Cost-saving initiatives like an energy conservation campaign and optimal use of internal engineering capabilities have significantly reduced operational expenditures.
He also emphasized Radio Pakistan’s drive toward technological transformation and outreach (TTO). Key developments include antenna realignment, the conversion of Murree Repeater Station into an FM Complex, and the installation of a 300 KW solar grid station. These measures are geared toward enhancing transmission quality and energy efficiency.
Shaikh further outlined the integration of digital media platforms into Radio Pakistan’s content strategy. From live global streaming to active engagement on Facebook, X, and TikTok, and the development of podcast studios nationwide, Radio Pakistan is repositioning itself to connect with a younger, tech-savvy audience.
The session concluded with an expression of optimism for Radio Pakistan’s future as a financially viable, administratively efficient, and digitally integrated national institution.
2 in 3 women in Pakistan can not make decision about their reproductive health: UNFPA
ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP):Women and girls continue to struggle to make choices about the size of their family including barriers to exercise the reproductive choices.
In Pakistan, only one in three women can make decisions about their reproductive health. UNFPA’s State of World Population Report 2025 report titled ‘The real fertility crisis: The pursuit of reproductive agency in a changing world’ says that too many couples around the world face obstacles to forming the families they desire.
Pakistan’s demographic future hinges on one pressing truth: around 67% of its population is under the age of 30. Yet, for many, especially women and girls, reproductive autonomy remains out of reach.
-Every 45 minutes, one mother dies from a pregnancy-related cause.
-The adolescent birth rate stands at 41 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19, and over 18% of women are married before the age of 18.
-32% of all married women aged 15–49 use modern contraception methods, while over 16% of women have an unmet need for family planning.
Drawing on academic research and new data from a UNFPA/YouGov survey spanning 14 countries – together home to over a third of the global population – the report finds that one in five people globally expect to not have the number of children they desire. Key drivers include the prohibitive cost of parenthood, job insecurity, housing, concerns over the state of the world.
The data paints a stark picture:
-More than half of people said economic issues were a barrier to having as many children as they wanted.
-1 in 5 people report having been pressured to have children when they didn’t want to.
-1 in 3 adults have experienced an unintended pregnancy.
-11% say that unequal caregiving burdens would undermine their ability to have children.
-40% of respondents over 50 say they failed to have the number of children they wanted.
‘Every couple must have the power to decide on their families and this choice should be supported by adequate systems and policies. Having a population-resource balance is the key here. Human resources need to be invested in through gainful employment, quality education and access to family planning services. All this will deepen the human capital in Pakistan, an empowered youth will be able to choose their futures and families freely,’ said Dr. Luay Shabaneh, UNFPA representative in Pakistan.
The report warns against simplistic or coercive policies to declining birth rates – such as fertility targets – noting that these policies are largely ineffective and can violate human rights. Instead, UNFPA urges governments to empower people to make reproductive decisions freely, including by investing in affordable housing, decent work, parental leave, and the full range of reproductive health services and reliable information.
UNFPA also calls on societies to address all the ways that gender inequality undermines people’s family choices.
A tailored mix of economic, social, and political measures are needed to help people form the families they want. As policy makers consider how to navigate shifting population dynamics, UNFPA stands ready to support Pakistan in understanding the challenges they face, and designing solutions that will ensure rights and choices for all.
Ayaz Sadiq attends Portuguese National Day
ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP):Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq attended a ceremony to mark Portugal’s National Day as the chief guest.
Upon his arrival at the event, he was warmly received by the Ambassador of Portugal, Frederico Pinheiro da Silva, said a press release.
The ceremony began with the national anthems of both Pakistan and Portugal, setting a tone of mutual respect and friendship. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also participated in the ceremonial cake-cutting to mark the occasion.
In his remarks, the Speaker extended heartfelt congratulations to the people, government, and parliament of Portugal on their National Day.
He emphasized that Pakistan and Portugal enjoy friendly and trust-based bilateral relations.
He expressed Pakistan’s desire to expand cooperation with Portugal in areas including education, trade, culture, and parliamentary exchanges.
The event was attended by Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, ambassadors, educationists, business leaders, and members of civil society.