ISLAMABAD, Aug 08 (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday reminded all political parties to submit their consolidated statements of accounts for the financial year 2024–25 by August 29, 2025, in line with the requirements of the Elections Act, 2017.
In a press release issued here, the Commission stated that under Section 210 of the Elections Act, 2017, read with Section 204 and Rules 159 and 160 of the Election Rules, 2017, every political party is required to file Form-D containing audited financial details for the year ending June 30, 2025.
The statement must reflect the party’s annual income and expenditure, sources of funds, assets and liabilities, and must be accompanied by an audit report prepared by a Chartered Accountant.
Additionally, the submission must include a certificate signed by an authorized office-bearer confirming that no funds were received from any source prohibited under the Elections Act, and that the financial information provided is accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge. The statement must be submitted in person by an office-bearer duly authorized by the party head, as per Rule 156 of the Election Rules. The Commission clarified that statements sent via post, fax, courier or any other mode will not be accepted.
Printed copies of Form-D are available free of cost at the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad and at the offices of the Provincial Election Commissioners in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The form and the proforma for source of funds can also be downloaded from the ECP’s official website.
The required documentation must also include legible copies of the party’s bank statements for the period from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, along with a bank reconciliation statement. An attested copy of the auditor’s membership certificate issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP), along with the latest renewal, must also be annexed.
The Commission urged all parties to ensure that their submissions are complete, legible and free from overwriting, as incomplete or improperly filed statements may not be accepted.
ECP sets Aug 29 deadline for political parties’ financial statements
95 sub-inspectors of motorway police promoted
ISLAMABAD, Aug 08 (APP): The National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) has promoted 95 Sub-Inspectors (BS-14), including nine women officers, to the rank of Inspector (BS-16) in recognition of their performance and service.
The promotions were approved by Inspector General Motorway Police B.A. Nasir following a meeting of the Departmental Promotion Committee, chaired by Deputy Inspector General (Human Resource Management) Shahid Javed, at the Central Police Office, Islamabad, said a press release issued on Friday.
According to the NH&MP, the promotions were granted strictly on the basis of seniority and merit in accordance with departmental rules. Congratulating the newly promoted officers, IG B.A. Nasir said the decision reflects the organization’s recognition of their dedication and professionalism. He expressed hope that the officers would continue to serve the public with honesty, commitment, and competence, further enhancing the reputation of the Motorway Police.
He added that the NH&MP is proud to have highly educated and capable officers, and urged the promoted officials to uphold the institution’s standards through diligence and exemplary conduct.
Pakistan condemns Israeli plan to take control of Gaza city: PM
ISLAMABAD, Aug 8 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday strongly condemned the Israeli cabinet’s recent approval of a plan to assume control of Gaza City, calling it illegal and illegitimate and warning that the move represents a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
In a statement posted on his official X account, PM Sharif said the latest development would only deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and derail all prospects for peace in the region.
“We strongly condemn the Israeli cabinet’s approval of a plan to take illegal and illegitimate control of Gaza City. This tantamounts to a dangerous escalation in an already catastrophic war against the people of Palestine,” the prime minister said.
He emphasized that the root cause of the ongoing tragedy is Israel’s “prolonged, illegal occupation of Palestinian territory,” which he said continues to block any meaningful path to lasting peace. “As long as this occupation endures, peace will remain elusive,” PM Sharif warned.
The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people, reaffirming their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in accordance with United Nations and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) resolutions.
Calling on the international community, PM Sharif urged urgent intervention to stop what he described as Israel’s “unwarranted aggression,” to protect innocent civilians, and to ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Nasir Iqbal falls to World No. 16 at Chengdu 2025 World Games
CHENGDU, China, Aug 08 (APP): Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal gave a spirited performance but ultimately succumbed to World No. 16 Dimitri Steinmann of Switzerland in a hard-fought Round of 32 clash at the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China on Friday.
The match ended in a 0-3 defeat (8-11, 8-11, 7-11) for Nasir, who pushed the higher-ranked Swiss player in every game but could not capitalize on crucial points. Despite the loss, the Nasir showed grit and tactical awareness, earning praise from fans and analysts alike.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s young sensation Noor Zaman had electrified the squad with a dominant 3-0 victory over China’s Chen Haisong, raising hopes for a deep run in the tournament. While Nasir’s campaign ends here, Noor has made it to the Round of 16, keeping Pakistan’s medal hopes alive.
“Nasir fought hard against a top opponent, and there are positives to take,” national coach Fahim Gul told APP after the match.
“He matched Steinmann in rallies but lacked finishing at key moments”, he said.
“Noor’s confidence is high and we believe he can go far,” Fahim added.
New SSP Investigation takes charge of office
RAWALPINDI, Aug 08 (APP): The newly appointed Senior Superintendent of Police Investigation Rawalpindi Raza Tanveer has taken charge of office.
According to the Rawalpindi Police spokesman, SSP Raza met the heads of branches of the Investigation Department.
He also held an online meeting with divisional SPs and SDPOs (Sub-Divisional Police Officers).
SSP Raza also chaired a meeting of Deputy Superintendent of Police Legal, and DSPs and inspectors investigation on Friday. He reviewed their performance and gave instructions.
Pakistan must integrate Economy, Energy & Environment to build sustainable EV Ecosystem: SDPI Report
ISLAMABAD, Aug 08 (APP): A high-level policy dialogue organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on “Mapping the EV Ecosystem of Pakistan: From Policy to Market Adoption” called for an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to promote electric vehicles (EVs) powered by renewable energy in Pakistan.
The session marked the launch of a comprehensive SDPI report on Pakistan’s electric mobility transition and was attended by policymakers, energy experts, academics, and
Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of SDPI, highlighted the need for integrating climate priorities into macroeconomic frameworks, said a press release issued on Friday.
He underlined that Pakistan’s EV push must link economic, energy, and environmental goals as the New Energy Vehicle Policy (NEV) Policy 2025 and EV Charging Regulations marked renewed momentum.
The financial models and distributed renewable charging were critical for viability as stronger incentives, infrastructure, and public-private partnerships were needed to achieve policy targets, he added.
Dr. Sardar Moazzam, Managing Director of NEECA, emphasized regulatory coherence and cross-sector coordination. He acknowledged gaps in the 2019 EV policy, which failed to meet its intended goals, but highlighted renewed momentum through the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Policy 2025 and charging infrastructure regulations issued by NEECA after extensive stakeholder consultation.
“We’ve already issued over 72 licenses for EV charging stations,” he shared, adding, “The NEV policy aims to establish over 3,000 charging stations. We’re confident we’ll meet those targets,” he said.
“Pakistan is facing a 3E crisis, economy, energy, environment, and we’re solving them in silos. We need to bring these three together into the macroeconomic equation. Today’s discussion is about creating integrated, long-term solutions,” said Dr. Khalid Waleed, Energy Economy Expert at SDPI, in his opening remarks.
He added that Pakistan’s ongoing Industrial Decarbonization Program (PIDP), launched in 2024, seeks to help energy-intensive sectors transition to low-carbon growth and aligns with climate-linked global trade frameworks like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) introduced by the European Union.
Referring to macroeconomic constraints, Dr. Waleed noted, “We’re under two IMF programs one focusing on economic stabilization and the other on climate-linked sustainability. The latter includes carbon taxation, EV subsidies, and public-private partnerships for charging infrastructure.”
Sabih Haider, Senior Management Officer at the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA), lauded SDPI’s efforts in producing timely research and emphasized the role of evidence-based policymaking.
“Policy advocacy is critical to informing policymakers and building alternatives. We appreciate SDPI’s work in this regard,” said Haider.
Haider credited the Ministry of Industries and Production and the Engineering Development Board (EDB) for their inclusive approach in drafting the new policy.
Presenting the report, Saleha Qureshi, Lead, Industrial Decarbonization Program at SDPI, explained the economic and environmental imperatives of transitioning to EVs.
“EVs are not just a climate solution; they make economic sense. Pakistan’s transport sector consumes 79 per cent of national oil and contributes nearly 24 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, with a significant portion of the population exposed to deteriorating air quality,” she emphasized.
She explained that despite the target of 30 per cent EV penetration by 2030, uptake remains limited due to higher upfront costs and lack of infrastructure.
“Four-wheel EVs are still 30 to 60 per cent more expensive than ICE vehicles. However, two-wheeler EVs are just 16% more expensive, making them more viable for the average consumer,” she noted.
Qureshi also pointed out that the 2019 policy, though well-intended, lacked adequate fiscal incentives to support the shift. “It focused on two- and three-wheelers, but the outreach was insufficient. Now, with stronger policy backing, we can make a difference,” she said.
Sarim Zia, Researcher on Renewable Energy at SDPI, presented viable models for financing and infrastructure deployment. He stressed that “EV adoption must be market-driven. Without financial support mechanisms, adoption will remain limited.”
Zia recommended models such as: green climate-aligned funds, inclusive FinTech lending, public-private partnerships for charging hubs, and distributed renewable energy-based charging.
“We need to move away from fossil-powered EV charging, or we defeat the very purpose of electrification and climate mitigation,” he warned.
In the subsequent panel discussion, senior government and industry representatives shared perspectives on scaling Pakistan’s EV ecosystem.
Industry experts including Salman Shaheen, CTO, National Energy and Transport Corporation (NETC), Hammad Bashir, PFAN, and Ahsan Abbass, Director Technical, NEECA, reiterated that local manufacturing, demand assurance, and financing support are essential to build a resilient and self-sufficient EV market.
The panelists underlined that while policies are evolving and infrastructure is gradually taking shape, the real challenge lies in execution, affordability, and integration across sectors.
Digital inclusion, affordability, battle against cash dominate Jazz leadership’s GSMA summit address
ISLAMABAD, Aug 08 (APP): From highlighting the need for affordable smartphones and universal internet to pushing for a cashless, inclusive economy, Jazz leadership laid out a compelling vision for Pakistan’s digital future at the GSMA Digital Nation Summit in Islamabad.
CEO Jazz and Chairman Mobilink Bank, Aamir Ibrahim, and President Consumer Division at Jazz, Kazim Mujtaba, participated in high-impact discussions that emphasized regulatory reforms, digital trust, infrastructure investment, and targeted efforts to bridge the rural-urban and gender digital divide.
*Powering Pakistan’s Digital Future: Inclusive Connectivity and Cross-Sector Reform*
In the session Building a Future-Ready Digital Pakistan, Aamir Ibrahim stressed the need for universal and affordable internet connectivity to support the country’s digital ambitions. Moderated by Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific at GSMA, the panel featured industry leaders including Khurram Ashfaque, CEO Telenor Pakistan, and Sajjad Syed, Chairman PASHA.
Aamir emphasized telecom’s role as a cross-sectoral enabler and called for a favorable business environment for telecom operators. “We need a supportive regulatory environment to move at the speed the future demands,” he said, reiterating that the affordability of smartphones and universal accessibility of the internet are fundamental to Pakistan’s digitalization.
“Access to the internet must be universal, regardless of location or gender,” he said, while also calling for reforms in spectrum allocation to enable stronger network expansion.
*Collective Push Against Cash Key to Building a Trusted Digital Economy*
In the session Trust by Design – Building Confidence in the Digital Economy, Aamir argued that Pakistan’s biggest hurdle to a digital economy isn’t competition between fintechs, but the country’s overreliance on cash. “The real competition is not between fintechs—it’s a collective battle against cash,” he said.
He proposed mandatory digital payment options at retail outlets and highlighted the need for inclusion in the transition to digital. “Inclusion is everything. The digital economy must be accessible to every Pakistani, regardless of geography, income, or gender.”
Citing JazzCash’s scale—processing millions of transactions daily—he acknowledged that trust remains a challenge due to fraud risks. “At JazzCash, trust is earned, not assumed,” Aamir noted, adding that direct customer feedback is central to product improvement.
*Expanding the Conversation: Affordability, Literacy, and Women’s Inclusion*
In the session Connecting the Unconnected – What Works in Closing the Usage Gap, Kazim Mujtaba stressed that closing Pakistan’s usage gap requires a dual focus on affordability and literacy. “A smartphone is more than a device—it’s the passport to the digital economy, especially for women and underserved communities. Without it, entire segments of society remain invisible to opportunity.”
Highlighting the sharp rural–urban divide in mobile internet usage, particularly among women, he shared how Jazz has deployed female staff to educate women in rural areas. “Connectivity is no longer a privilege; it’s a lifeline. When women are digitally literate, they uplift not just themselves but their families and communities.”
Kazim introduced ApnaClinic, Jazz’s upcoming AI-powered health platform offering teleconsultations, lab tests, surgeries, and diagnostic services through a network of 30,000 doctors in 150 cities. He also spoke about FikrFree, an insurtech product designed to make healthcare and accident insurance affordable and accessible for women and low-income users.
“Pakistan’s insurance penetration among women is one of the lowest in the world. Through digital solutions like FikrFree, we’re making protection and peace of mind accessible to those who need it most.”
Calling for collective action, he said, “The future will be shaped by those who are connected, skilled, and informed. We must invest in educating women and youth today to build a truly inclusive digital Pakistan.”
President Zardari praises Pak Army for eliminating 33 India-backed terrorists in Zhob Operation
ISLAMABAD, Aug 8 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday paid tribute to the Pakistan Army for eliminating 33 Khawarij terrorists backed by India during a successful counter-terrorism operation in the Zhob district.
In a statement issued by the Presidency, the President hailed the courage, professionalism, and timely action of the armed forces in defending the nation’s borders. “The bravery, skill, and swift response of our armed forces in the defense of the motherland is a matter of great pride,” he said.
He added that the entire nation is proud of its valiant forces who foiled the malicious designs of the enemy. “The enemies’ nefarious plans were crushed by the fearless resolve of our troops,” President Zardari stated.
Condemning cross-border terrorism allegedly orchestrated with Indian support, the President said Pakistan will deal firmly with any attempt to breach its sovereignty. “Every act of intrusion on Pakistani soil will be met with a forceful response,” he warned.
President Zardari further emphasized that Pakistan is committed to eradicating terrorism sponsored from across the border. “We will dismantle every network of terrorism backed by India,” he asserted.
He concluded by reaffirming national unity and support for the armed forces, declaring, “The entire nation stands united with our forces, and this fight will continue until the complete elimination of terrorism.”