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President highlights vast potential to enhance Pak-China trade, economic collaboration

By
Ishtiaq Rao
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The Ambassador of China to Pakistan, Mr. Jiang Zaidong, presents a birthday message from President Xi Jinping to President Asif Ali Zardari, conveying warm wishes on his upcoming birthday, at Aiwan-e- Sadr, Islamabad.

ISLAMABAD, Jul 24 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday appreciating China’s role in Pakistan’s socio-economic development, highlighted the vast potential for increasing bilateral collaboration in the areas of trade, economy, culture, and regional connectivity.

The president, in a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, who called on him here, said that Pakistan attached utmost importance to its relations with China and was keen to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

He emphasized the need to work together for the promotion of peace, security, and prosperity in the region.

The president said that China had always stood by Pakistan in times of need, and the people of Pakistan remained grateful to their iron-clad brother country for its consistent support and role in Pakistan’s socio-economic development.

On the occasion, the Chinese ambassador conveyed a special birthday message from President Xi Jinping, extending warm wishes to President Zardari on his upcoming birthday.

Kerb currency market

By
Ali Ali
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KARACHI, Jul 24 (APP):The following were the opening rates of foreign currencies in kerb market issued by the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan, here on Thursday.
F.C.                          BUYING        SELLING
INTER BANK              284.20          284.25
USD                          286.30          287.30
EURO                        336.00          338.50
GBP                          387.40           390.40
JPY                             1.94               1.99
AED                           77.95             78.25
SAR                           76.25             76.55

Fruit, vegetable juice production on rise in Kazakhstan

By
NNPS Desk
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ASTANA, July 24 (Kazinform/APP) : In January-May 2025, Kazakhstan recorded 6.3% rise in production of fruit and vegetable juices against the same period of 2024, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the National Statistics Bureau.
In the first five months of 2025, domestic enterprises manufactured 36,300 tons of juice. The share of Kazakhstani products has reached 60% on the market.
Kazakhstan imported some 24,200 tons of juice in the reporting period, recording a 13.6% year-on-year increase.
Meanwhile, exports decreased by 0.4%, with 1,300 tons delivered to the foreign markets.
Domestic consumption increased by 9.3% and reached 59,300 tons, while in January-May 2024, only 54,200 tons of juice were sold.

ISSI Partners with ICIMOD, Nepal, for esearch collaboration on Climate-Induced disasters

By
Ali Ali
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 24 (APP):Further strengthening its international partnerships, the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal.
The MoU was signed by Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General, ISSI and Dr Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, ICIMOD. The signing was attended by Ambassador Abrar H Hashmi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Nepal, and senior colleagues from ISSI and ICIMOD, said a press release here.
ICIMOD plays a pivotal role in combating climate change by promoting regional collaboration among the eight-member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.
As a precursor to this collaboration, the Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at ISSI hosted a fruitful in-house session with Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, ICIMOD.
The discussion entailed an in-depth exchange of ideas on shared research priorities, regional challenges, and opportunities for institutional collaboration. This engagement helped further outline the contours of future collaboration, reaffirming reaffirmed the strong alignment between ISSI’s focus and ICIMOD’s mission.
Specifically, the two sides shared an overview of the priorities of both institutions, aligning them with national climate priorities of not only Pakistan and Nepal but the whole region. The deliberations by two sides focused on the urgent need for regional cooperation to address the escalating impacts of climate change, particularly in Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). Both sides acknowledged the importance of enhancing institutional capacities to respond to challenges such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), air pollution, and Indus river basin degradation.
The discussion also emphasized the critical role of knowledge-sharing and data exchange. The two institutions agreed to collaborate on joint research, policy dialogues, and capacity-building programs targeting climate risk mitigation. Special attention was given to the need for inclusive engagement by bringing together not only governments and institutions, but also civil society, academic networks, and regional stakeholders.
The meeting concluded with the understanding that there was an urgent need for moving beyond national silos to adopt a transboundary approach and recognize that climate change and environmental threats do not respect political boundaries. Recommendations included integrating and adopting to early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and introducing culturally relevant preventive strategies into national and regional planning.

Pakistan, WB resolve to expand cooperation, achieve long-term development goals

By
Najam ul Hassan
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Regional Vice President of the World Bank Ousmane Dione called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on 24 July 2025.

ISLAMABAD, Jul 24 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with Regional Vice President of the World Bank for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP) Ousmane Dione, where they expressed a shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation in the coming years to achieve long-term development goals and build a prosperous future for the people of Pakistan.

During the meeting, the prime minister especially thanked World Bank President Ajay Banga and former Country Director for Pakistan Najy Benhassine for their pivotal role in advancing the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Pakistan.

He appreciated the strategic role of the CPF in supporting Pakistan’s development priorities, particularly in the areas of energy, human capital, climate change, and governance reforms.

He also acknowledged the World Bank’s principled support for Pakistan’s legitimate position in light of India’s unilateral and unlawful actions undermining important international agreements such as the Indus Waters Treaty.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to upholding international law, achieving prosperity, and maintaining regional peace, and reiterated the country’s resolve to resolve all issues through dialogue.

The prime minister thanked the World Bank for its timely and generous assistance during the devastating floods of 2022, which helped Pakistan initiate immediate relief efforts and begin reconstruction and rehabilitation activities.

Ousmane Dione expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the warm hospitality extended during his visit to Pakistan.

He reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to deepening and expanding its longstanding partnership with Pakistan and enhancing collaboration in key sectors of the economy.

Mr Dione appreciated Pakistan’s ongoing macroeconomic recovery and praised the prime minister’s government for steering the country toward financial stability and sustainable growth.

He particularly commended the current administration’s reform agenda, noting PM Shehbaz Sharif’s strong leadership in advancing institutional reforms, restoring investor confidence, and promoting inclusive economic development.

Sukkur Mayor’s transformative efforts: A story of progress

By
Ali Ali
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SUKKUR, Jul 24 (APP):Under the leadership of Mayor Sukkur Barrister Arslan Sheikh, Sukkur has undergone a remarkable transformation. Since taking office, the mayor has implemented a series of initiatives aimed at improving the city’s infrastructure, sanitation, and public services.
One of the mayor’s most notable achievements is the improvement in sanitation. The city has seen a significant reduction in waste management issues, with the mayor’s administration increasing the frequency of waste collection from 60% to 98% of households. This has resulted in a 45% decrease in reported cases of water-borne diseases.
The mayor’s beautification efforts have also paid off, with the city’s parks and public spaces being transformed into vibrant green oases. The city’s green spaces have increased by 25% since the mayor took office, providing residents with much-needed recreational areas.
Road construction and renovation have been another key focus area for the mayor. Over 50 kilometers of new roads have been built, and 100 kilometers of existing roads have been renovated, reducing traffic congestion and improving connectivity. This has resulted in a 20% reduction in travel times across the city.
The mayor’s administration has also made significant strides in improving the supply of clean drinking water. The city’s water treatment plants have been upgraded, increasing the supply of clean water by 40%. As a result, the number of households with access to clean drinking water has increased from 70% to 90%.
Statistical figures highlight the impact of the mayor’s efforts, including 250,000 residents now having access to improved sanitation services, 100,000 trees have been planted across the city, increasing green cover by 25%, 200,000 residents have benefited from improved road infrastructure, and 150,000 households now have access to clean drinking water
The Mayor Barrister Arslan Sheikh’s initiatives have not only improved the quality of life for Sukkur’s residents but have also attracted attention from investors and tourists. The city’s economic growth rate has increased by 15% since the mayor took office, with new businesses and industries setting up shop in the city.
Residents of Sukkur have praised Mayor Sheikh for his dedication and vision. “He has brought a new lease of life to our city,” said a resident Ghulam Shabir of Jillani Road on Thursday. “We are grateful for his tireless efforts to make Sukkur a better place to live.
With his commitment to public service and city development, Barrister Arslan Sheikh has become a role model for municipal leaders in the region. Sukkur’s transformation is a testament to his ability to deliver results and improve the lives of citizens.

Dunhuang Academy gets remarkable achievement in protection, research of Dunhuang Cultural Heritage

By
Samina Ch
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DUNHUANG, July 24 (APP):Digitization is the practical solution for the permanent preservation and sustainable utilization of the Dunhuang grottoes. It serves as a catalyst for the protection, research, and promotion of the Dunhuang caves and provides strong support for new models of tourism at the Mogao Caves.
In recent years, the Dunhuang Academy has harnessed big data and Internet Plus technologies to build an integrated platform for unified management and monitoring of six cave sites under its jurisdiction, spanning 1,600 kilometers east to west. This digital innovation has created a new model for tourist visitation.
This was stated by Ding Xiaosheng, Deputy Director Cultural Heritage Digitization Institute Dunhuang Academy during his ‘Dunhuang Culture-Themed Lecture’ at opening ceremony of “Discover Dunhuang: Light of the Silk Road ” International Media Field Trip in Dunhuang, Gansu, China.
Currently, the Digital Dunhuang experience covers the entire 344,000 square meters of the Mogao Caves. Virtual digital content created through 3D modeling has been seamlessly integrated with real cave environments, continually enhancing the visitor experience.
By deeply exploring the artistic and cultural value of digital resources, refining materials, and transforming digital achievements into accessible resources and industrialized assets, the Dunhuang Academy has launched the “Open Material Library” and “Digital Library Cave,” further upgrading the Digital Dunhuang brand and promoting the deep integration of technology and culture. The academy has also developed customized educational courses on topics such as mural preservation and restoration, the inheritance and innovation of Dunhuang art, the relationship between Buddhist scriptures and murals, Dunhuang color studies, and the modern relevance of Dunhuang manuscript calligraphy.  Drawing on the rich digital and academic resources of cave culture, the academy has successfully established the Mogao Classroom study tour brand, catering to the diverse interests of visitors.
Founded in 1944, the Dunhuang Academy has always been dedicated to the protection, research, and promotion of the Dunhuang caves. It has established a comprehensive workflow and core technologies for digitizing immovable cultural relics, including 2D digital mural imaging based on photography and computing, 3D reconstruction of painted sculptures using laser scanning and structured light, and large-scale site digitization using remote sensing and oblique photography.
In the area of heritage conservation, the academy has continued its work on relic protection while adopting advanced international technologies and concepts. This has led to the development of a systematic and scientific set of protocols and standards for the preservation of ancient murals and earthen sites. As a pioneer in cultural relic digitization in China, the academy has formulated standards for digital protection and completed digital mural imaging for nearly 300 caves at Dunhuang. Through years of scientific research and practical engineering, it has built a world-class conservation team with international vision. This team has undertaken more than 260 mural and earthen site conservation projects across over 20 provinces and autonomous regions in China, while also providing technical support and Chinese solutions for heritage conservation in Belt and Road countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar.
In terms of Dunhuang cultural research, the academy has expanded from early mural copying and painting techniques to include archaeology of the Dunhuang caves, art history, mural iconography, Dunhuang manuscript studies, and Silk Road research on ethnic groups and religions. Comprehensive archaeological excavation and documentation have been completed for the forecourt ruins and northern section of the Mogao Caves. The academy has hosted over 40 international academic symposiums on Dunhuang studies and has deepened cultural exchange with countries along the Belt and Road. Today, the Dunhuang Academy has become a key international base and academic hub for Dunhuang studies.
In promoting Dunhuang culture, the academy has pioneered a new tourism model of “visitor quota management + online reservations + digital displays + guided cave tours.” This effectively balances heritage protection with tourism development and was recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as a “Best Practice in Tourism Management at World Heritage Sites.” At the same time, the academy has built a professional team of nearly 300 highly trained cave guides and visitor service staff. Fluent in Chinese, Japanese, English, French, German, and Korean, they expertly introduce the content, features, and value of Dunhuang cave art to domestic and international visitors.
Since its official opening in 1979, the Mogao Caves have welcomed over 22 million visitors from more than 100 countries and regions.In addition, the Dunhuang Academy has organized over 200 Dunhuang art exhibitions in 18 countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France, as well as in 20 provinces and cities across China, sharing the artistic allure of Dunhuang culture with the world.
The Dunhuang Academy’s cultural heritage protection team has received numerous national honors. It was named a “Model of the Times” by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and honoured as a “Touching Gansu · Pride of the Long People” collective by the Gansu Provincial Publicity Department. The academy’s protection team was also awarded the title of “National Outstanding Engineer Team.” The Dunhuang Academy has received the Gansu Provincial Government Quality Award, the China Quality Award, and the Award of Asian Quality Innovation. Honorary President Fan Jinshi was awarded the national honorary title of “Outstanding Contributor to Cultural Heritage Protection,” the title of “Reform Pioneer,” theHo Leung Ho Lee Foundation Science and Technology Award, and was named a “National Moral Model” and a “Touching China Person of the Year 2019.” UNESCO has presented the “Outstanding Contribution Award” to the Dunhuang Academy, Chang Shuhong, Duan Wenjie, and Fan Jinshi for their exceptional contributions.

ANF seizes over 92 kg drugs; arrests seven drug traffickers

By
Ali Ali
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 24 (APP):Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) while conducting seven operations across the country managed to recover over 92 kgs drugs worth more than Rs 18.5 million and arrested seven drug traffickers including two females.
According to an ANF Headquarters spokesperson, in an operation near a university on Jhang Road, Faisalabad, 8.8 kgs ice drug was recovered from the possession of an accused.
The arrested accused confessed selling drugs to the students of educational institutions.
In second operation at a courier office in Karachi, 17.750 kgs ice soaked in carpet was recovered from a parcel sent from Quetta destined for Australia.
From a courier office on Peshawar Ring Road, 7.2 kgs hashish was seized from a parcel destined for Lahore.
In 4th operation near GT Road, Attock, 2.4 kgs hashish was confiscated from the possession of two women.
In an operation in the Bonistan area of Panjgur, 36 kgs hashish hidden for smuggling was recovered.
Near Colonel Sher Khan Toll Plaza, Peshawar, 16.8 kgs hashish was recovered from a vehicle and two suspects were sent behind the bars.
In 7th operation near Iqbal Shaheed Toll Plaza, GT Road, Attock, 5.5 kgs hashish was recovered from a rickshaw and two drug traffickers were apprehended.
Cases have been registered under the CNS Act against the arrested accused, informed the spokesperson.

IRSA releases 513,000 cusecs water

By
Ali Ali
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 24 (APP):Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Thursday released 513,000 cusecs water from various rim stations with inflow of 557,300 cusecs.
According to the data released by IRSA, the water level in River Indus at Tarbela Dam was 1530.00 feet which was 128.00 feet higher than the dead level of 1402.00 feet. Water inflow and outflow in the dam was recorded as 351,800 cusecs and 351,400 cusecs, respectively.
The water level in River Jhelum at Mangla Dam was 1194.90 feet, which was 144.90 feet higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet.
The inflow and outflow of water was recorded 51,300 cusecs and 7,400 cusecs, respectively.
The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa, Guddu and Sukkur was recorded as 404,800, 353,600, 316,800 and 203,100 cusecs, respectively. Similarly, from River Kabul, a total of 46,100 cusecs of water released at Nowshera and 84,000 cusecs released from River Chenab at Marala.

Around 120,913 foreign jobs available with BEOE

By
Ali Ali
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jul 24 (APP):So far, around 120,913 foreign jobs were available out of 264,497 (143,584 consumed) with the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE), an attached department of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOP&HRD).
An official source told APP, around 336,999 Pakistanis proceeded abroad for employment during the last six months this year, from January 1 to June 30, as per data of concerned departments.
The number of foreign job seekers are also increasing day by day due to the productive policies of the country as new ways of jobs opening for skilled and unskilled Pakistani workers.
He said that since the inception of the Bureau in the year 1971, more than 10 million emigrants have been provided overseas employment, duly registered with the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment.
To a question, he said that during the year 2015, the highest number of Pakistanis(946,571) proceeded abroad for the purpose of employment.
Overseas employment is thus serving as the mainstay for the national economy, by providing much-needed financial outlay for debt servicing, import bills, alleviation of poverty, development projects and economic activities.
Bureau, being a regulatory body, controls, regulates, facilitates and monitors the emigration process followed by the Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs), in the private sector, besides ‘direct employment’, the mode adopted by the individuals, to seek foreign employment either through their own efforts or relatives and friends living abroad.
The foremost task of Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment encompass collection, compilation and tabulation of emigration data of all those Pakistanis who proceed abroad for employment purposes. In fact, the Bureau has been engaged in maintaining a comprehensive statistical record of all the migrant workers since 1971, which provides basis for planning and policy formulation by the Economic Division and other interested government departments.
He said that the main function of this body was to control and regulate emigration under the Emigration Ordinance, 1979 and promote Emigration of Pakistani Citizens.
It was the function of the bureau to look after the interest and welfare of the emigrants and advise the Federal Government on emigration policies and procedures, Monitoring and supervision of Overseas Employment Promoters through 7 Protectorates of Emigrants Offices, Processing of Overseas Employment Promoters (OEP) Licences
Pre-departure briefing to Emigrants.
Mandatory Insurance coverage for Pakistani workers abroad and Memorandum of Understanding with Foreign Countries for Export of Manpower and Management of State Life Emigrants Insurance Fund (SLEIF).
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