ISLAMABAD: August 15 –
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry presiding over a pre-board meeting briefing by acting KPT Chairman, Rear Admiral Ateeq-ur-Rehman.
ISLAMABAD: August 15 –
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, convened and led an interactive briefing with delegations from Bangladesh, Egypt, Tajikistan, Malaysia, and Sudan.
GENEVA: August 15 –
– Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari calls on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
ISLAMABAD: August 15
Tarar says PM ordered urgent relief push as floods batter KP, AJK
ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Friday that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to ramp up relief and rescue operations in areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) hit by heavy rains and flooding.
“The Prime Minister is fully aware of the flood situation and is issuing constant instructions to ensure timely relief operations,” Tarar said in a statement.
He added that Shehbaz Sharif has instructed NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider to maintain close coordination with the governments of KP and AJK and accelerate response activities.
A special cell had been established at the Prime Minister’s Office to maintain round-the-clock contact with NDMA, the minister noted.
“The government’s focus is on relief and rescue measures, with all agencies deploying maximum resources in the affected areas,” he said.
Tarar stated that about 40 people are reported missing in KP as rescue teams work to save lives. NDMA’s early warning system is providing regular alerts to all provincial governments, while its command and control center remains operational 24/7 to monitor the evolving situation.
The information minister reminded that the Prime Minister has personally visited NDMA three times during the ongoing monsoon emergency to review rescue and relief operations.
“Every possible step is being taken to protect human lives,” Tarar said.
Eminent Disability Activist Abid Lashari Nominated for Tamgha-e-Imtiaz
NAWABSHAH, Aug 15 (APP):The National Disability & Development Forum (NDF) Pakistan and the Pakistan Down Syndrome Association (PDSA) proudly announce that Haji Abid Lashari, President of NDF Pakistan and CEO of PDSA, has been officially nominated by the Honourable President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to be conferred the prestigious Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.
This nomination recognizes Mr. Lashari’s outstanding services for persons with disabilities, his tireless efforts to promote an inclusive society, and his unwavering commitment and leadership in the disability rights movement. Despite his disability in both hands never give up and stood up for the Rehabilitation and empowerment of persons with disabilities of rural areas of Sindh.
In his message, Mr. Lashari expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan, the Government of Sindh, and especially the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) Government of Sindh for their support. He stated, “Independence teaches us the value of service to others. My mission is to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to equal opportuA]nities, dignity, and empowerment.”
The entire NDF and PDSA teams congratulated Mr. Lashari on this well-deserved honour and reaffirmed their pledge to continue working for the rehabilitation, inclusion, and empowerment of persons with disabilities across Pakistan. The Award will be conferred during Investiture Ceremony to be held on Pakistan Day, 23rd March 2026.
Rubina Khalid holds “Khuli Katcheri” to address issues of deserving women in Nathia Gali
ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP):Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Senator Rubina Khalid on Friday held a “Khuli Katcheri” at Government Boys Degree College, Nathia Gali, to hear and resolve the problems of deserving women in the area.
More than 300 women attended the session, where the Chairperson issued on-the-spot directives to concerned staff for immediate resolution of grievances.
Senator Rubina Khalid reiterated that financial assistance under BISP is the legitimate right of eligible women and warned that strict action would be taken against any illegal deductions. She clarified that the registration process is fully computerized and free of cost, requiring no forms or payments.
Advising beneficiaries to only visit payment centers after receiving an official SMS from 8171, she said this would help prevent overcrowding and inconvenience.
She also announced plans to launch a dedicated awareness portal for deserving women.
The Chairperson instructed BISP officials to connect successful scholarship recipients from deserving families to the Benazir Hunarmand Program for skill development and economic empowerment.
She also directed that BISP beneficiaries be given priority assistance at NADRA offices.
During the session, women highlighted issues such as biometric verification problems during payment collection, and delays in receiving Benazir Taleemi Wazaif and Nashonuma stipends.
They also requested the establishment of a dynamic registration center in Nathia Gali to ease travel difficulties.
Senator Rubina Khalid assured the attendees that their concerns would be addressed on priority and that steps would soon be taken to meet their demands.
KP government helicopter crashes, 5 crew members martyred
PESHAWAR, Aug 15 (APP):A Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government MI-17 helicopter crashed on Friday while delivering relief supplies to rain-affected areas in Bajaur district, resulting in the martyrdom of all five crew members, including two pilots, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur confirmed.
The KP government announced a day of mourning across the province, with the national flag to fly at half-mast in honor of the fallen crew members. The martyrs’ bodies will be laid to rest with full state honors.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed deep grief over the tragedy, stating, “These crew members sacrificed their lives while saving others—they are our true heroes whose sacrifice will be remembered in golden letters in history.” He extended condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the martyrs’ elevated status and patience for their loved ones.
Relief teams have been dispatched to the crash location. The helicopter went down due to adverse weather conditions while engaged in critical flood relief operations in the region.
The incident comes as KP continues to battle devastating monsoon rains that have triggered widespread flooding, particularly in Swat, Buner, and Bajaur.
Unchecked population growth threat to national development: Ahsan Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP):Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday said Pakistan faced the challenge of a rapidly increasing population, which was not merely a matter of numbers, but a defining factor in the country’s developmental trajectory and future prosperity.
“Population is not just about counting heads; it is about securing the future of the nation. We must decide now: do we want to raise generations that are hungry, sick and underdeveloped, or do we aim to nurture a healthy, strong and intelligent population?” he said while addressing a national workshop on advancing a strategic population and development framework.
Highlighting alarming trends, the minister said that Pakistan’s population has surpassed 241 million, with projections indicating it could reach 385 million by 2050 if current growth rates persisted.
He was of the view that the success of all development projects was closely tied to effectively managing population growth.
Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of transforming the country’s demographic profile into a strength rather than a liability. “With 68% of the population under 30, we have a unique opportunity. This youth bulge is our greatest asset, if we invest in their education, health and skills,” he added.
Challenging prevailing misconceptions, the minister clarified that Islamic teachings do not oppose family planning. “Our religion does not forbid population control. In today’s world, national strength lies not in numbers, but in intellectual capacity,” he asserted.
He said the era when a country’s strength was measured by the size of its population was over, adding “Today is the era of brainpower, not muscle power. One genius can dominate over 100,000.”
Calling for a shift in national mindset and policies, he urged families to balance the number of children with available resources. “Better child health outcomes are only possible if we align the number of children with the resources we have,” he said.
Ahsan Iqbal also underlined the need for policy continuity and fair distribution of resources between the federal and provincial governments. “We must ensure consistent implementation and equitable allocation across all regions,” he added.
The minister said that, on the direction of the Prime Minister, a national committee has been formed to address the population challenge. It would consult stakeholders from all provinces to develop a unified action plan.
He further said that the Planning Ministry has submitted a working paper to the National Finance Commission (NFC), proposing the inclusion of ‘demographic efficiency’ as a factor when determining provincial shares in national resources.
Citing international examples, Ahsan Iqbal noted that in developed countries, population size typically accounted for only 15 per cent of resource allocation, with the rest based on developmental performance. In contrast, Pakistan currently allocated around 82 per cent based solely on population.
He stressed the need to revise this formula toward a more progressive model, encouraging constructive competition among provinces and advancing the national development agenda.
Highlighting the role of women in national development, the minister announced a goal to raise women’s participation in the workforce from the current 23 per cent to 50 per cent.
He also called for increased investment in girls’ education, saying “When girls are educated, they grow into women who raise healthier more intelligent future generations.”
Pakistan, Japan explore industrial collaboration in automotive, IT
ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): Pakistan and Japan on Friday explored new avenues for industrial cooperation with a focus on the automotive and information technology sectors.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, together with Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan Abdul Hameed, held a high-level meeting with MATSUO Takehiko, Vice-Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan, in Tokyo, said a news release.
Japan recognizes Pakistan’s large and young population, growing market potential, and the presence of over 70 Japanese companies already operating in the country.
Discussions covered Pakistan’s new industrial policy, which seeks to boost exports, reduce tariffs, streamline regulations, and attract greater foreign investment in line with the Prime Minister’s vision for export-led growth, targeting 6 to 7 percent annual GDP growth.
The Japanese side expressed interest in market diversification amid global trade risks and stressed the importance of regulatory certainty and targeted investment incentives for Japanese automakers to expand exports from Pakistan.
Global industry trends were also discussed along with the Japanese auto industry’s focus on biofuels in emerging markets led by Toyota and Suzuki.
Both sides discussed Pakistan’s Auto Industry Development Policy and the planned shift from punitive to incentive-based measures to encourage investment.
Opportunities for Japanese investment in Pakistan’s automotive and textile sectors, the role of biofuels and the need for regulatory standards in the auto industry were emphasized. The meeting also addressed special economic zones and investment facilitation policies, as well as the logistics of a future Pakistan–Japan business dialogue.
Both sides agreed to maintain close communication to ensure timely follow-up, given the urgency of Japanese industry timelines, and to work towards concrete outcomes that would further strengthen Pakistan–Japan economic relations.
PNCA marks Independence Day with enthralling puppet show “Story of Pakistan”
ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) celebrated Independence Day with a captivating puppet show, “Story of Pakistan”, drawing an appreciative audience of dignitaries, students, and families.
The performance offered a spectacular journey through the nation’s history, tracing pivotal geo-political events from the Aryan era to the landmark year of 1947.
Combining creative storytelling with vibrant puppetry, the show delivered both entertainment and education, inspiring patriotism and national pride among viewers.
The audience members lauded the production for its meticulous historical detail, innovative presentation, and cultural richness.
PNCA officials highlighted that the initiative reflects the Council’s ongoing mission to promote cultural and historical awareness through creative mediums.
“The Story of Pakistan demonstrates how art can serve as a bridge between history and the present, fostering a deeper sense of national identity,” a PNCA representative remarked.
The celebration reaffirmed PNCA’s commitment to preserving and promoting Pakistan’s rich heritage—keeping the spirit of the nation alive for generations to come.