ISLAMABAD: July 25 –
Federal Minister Shaza Fatima held meeting with Arizona State University and NIT Delegation.
ISLAMABAD: July 25 –
Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi speaks during the dialogue session at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR), highlighting the enduring Pakistan-UAE partnership and exploring new avenues for strategic collaboration in Abu Dhabi.
ISLAMABAD: July 25 –
APP39-250725
ISLAMABAD: July 25 – H.E. Dr. Sultan Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) presents a commemorative shield to Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, following a dialogue session on Pakistan-UAE bilateral relations in Abu Dhabi. APP/MAF/FHA/SSH
Ethiopia, Pakistan agree to strengthen parliamentary cooperation
ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): Ethiopia and Pakistan have agreed to enhance parliamentary cooperation, focusing on diverse areas such as trade, investment, aviation, science, and technology, and climate change.
This discussion was held during a meeting between Special Envoy and Ambassador Extraordinary of Ethiopia to Pakistan, Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula, and the Chairman Senate, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
The two sides discussed the growing bilateral relations in various areas and multilateral cooperation for international peace and security.
The ambassador said, Ethiopia looks forward to establishing a strategic partnership with Pakistan, highlighting the growing environmental cooperation under the Green Legacy and Green Pakistan initiatives.
Ethopian Ambassador briefed the Chairman about the critical role of the Green Legacy Initiative in enhancing Ethiopia’s green cover to 23.6% with the plantation of over 40.5 billion seedlings in the last six years.
The Ethiopian Embassy Islamabad and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research have taken steps to twin the two landmark initiatives, including a Joint Green Legacy Forum.
The Chairman Senate welcomed the launch of direct flights between Karachi and Addis Ababa, noting the significant potential for further collaboration.
The Chairman Senate invited his counterpart from Ethiopia to participate in an Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference scheduled to be held in Pakistan this November.
Pakistan places great value on its relations with Ethiopia and remains committed to strengthening economic ties.
This meeting marks a significant step towards enhancing parliamentary cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Pakistan.
GCWUF secures 164th position in WURI 2025
FAISALABAD, Jul 25 (APP):The Government College Women University Faisalabad (GCWUF) has secured the 164th position among top 400 innovative universities worldwide in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2025, marking a significant leap of 20 positions from the previous year.
This achievement reflects the university’s growing global stature in innovation-driven education and research.
GCWUF stands 5th among all Pakistani universities and 3rd among women’s universities. In the “Crisis Management” category, it ranks 52nd globally, 3rd nationally, and 1st among women’s universities.
In the category of “SDG-Focused Institutional Response to Global Challenges,” the university ranks 36th globally, 3rd in Pakistan, and 2nd among women’s universities.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Kanwal Ameen (T.I.) commended and congratulated the QEC, faculty, staff, and students for their efforts and dedication.
“This recognition highlights our commitment to innovation-led education and inclusive practices that address both local and global challenges,” she stated.
These rankings are a testament to the leadership’s proactive approach towards achieving SDGs for Pakistan.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meets Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui.
ISLAMABAD: July 25 –
PHA takes special measures for Murree’s beautification & horticulture
Rawalpindi, Jul 25 (APP):The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Rawalpindi has taken special measures to further beautify and improve the recreational facilities for tourists in the Murree hilly station.
Various projects undertaken on the directive PHA Director General Ahmed Hassan Ranjha decorating the city with about 50,000 flowers creating a scenic view had been completed, the PHA spokesman said on Friday.
He said a magnificent decoration and horticulture work was carried out in Lower Topa Park. Likewise, seven other sitting spots had become the center of attraction for tourists after attractive decoration work there.
The spokesman said the PHA had installed beautiful planters of flowers and flowery plants at Upper Jhika Gali, View Fourth Road and Government House Road, enhancing the beautiful views of the Queen of Kohsar.
Likewise, he added, the planters placed at various places in Kaldna for decoration were also adding to the city’s splendor.
The spokesman further said the green belts of Murree roads blooming with beautiful flowers were giving a charming view.
“Besides the installation of attractive planters, decorations and beautiful designs on the walls along the roads have been done. Excellent steps have also been taken regarding horticulture,” he added.
He said the PHA DG had given special instructions to the staff concerned regarding the decoration and flower arrangement of Murree city to further enhance the work of cleanliness, decoration and horticulture.
He also gave the directives to further improve the system to make the city’s environment beautiful and green for the tourists and local people, the spokesman said, adding Murree was now a place of great beauty.
The PHA DG noted,“All resources are being utilized to maintain and make the city more beautiful. It is the responsibility of PHA to provide the best entertainment facilities to the public. No negligence will be tolerated in this regard.”
Ahmed Hassan Ranjha directed the staff to further improve the arrangements for the care, cultivation and decoration of lush plants and colourful flowers at all important points of Murree city.
“It is the commitment of PHA to make ‘Malaka Kohsar’ green, provide the best entertainment facilities to the public and provide a clean environment,” he said seeking the cooperation of the public in that regard.
Govt sells scrap defunct power plants for Rs. 46.73 bln
ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP):The Power Division announced on Friday that the present government has successfully sold scrap from 16 units for Rs 46.73 billion.
According to an official statement, substantial progress has been made in selling scrap from old and defunct government power generation plants. The reserve price for scrap from a total of 61 units was set at Rs 45.817 billion, while the actual sale exceeded expectations, fetching Rs 46.73 billion. The reserve price was determined by experts from the State Bank of Pakistan.
In the first phase, scrap from 31 units was sold to private bidders for Rs 8.475 billion, against a reserve price of Rs 7.593 billion. Contracts with the successful bidders in this phase have already been finalized.
During the second phase, scrap from 30 government power plants was sold for Rs 38.255 billion, slightly above the reserve price of Rs 38.224 billion. Contracts for this phase have also been completed.
The government thermal power plants included in the second phase are Jamshoro Block I & II, Guddu II, Sukkur, Quetta, Muzaffargarh Block I and Block II, and Faisalabad.
Employees of these government thermal power plants are being deployed in electricity distribution companies to utilize their services. These defunct government power plants were incurring annual expenses of billions of rupees.
This sale has not only resulted in annual savings of billions of rupees at the national level, but the services of employees are also being effectively utilized.
Indonesian Ambassador stresses for strengthening Pak-Indonesia economic, trade partnership
ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP):Ambassador-designate of Indonesia to Pakistan, Chandra Warsenanto Sukotjo has said that Indonesia and Pakistan are significant economic and trade partner and this strategic partnership needs to be strengthened.
Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan, Chandra Warsenanto Sukotjo said this while addressing a seminar on the theme of “Economic Integration between Pakistan and ASEAN” here organized by the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
“There is a need to utilize bilateral potential sectors to further strengthen economic and trade relations between Indonesia and Pakistan” he said.
For increasing the bilateral trade connection between Indonesia and Pakistan, cooperation in digital business, Halal food, tourism and seafood should be accelerated to evolve long-term strategy goals.
Ambassador Sukotjo said that ASEAN is not only a region but an economic force, which is the fifth-largest place in the world and has $ 3.9 trillion annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He urged the Private Sector and the Chamber of Commerce to play their vital role in enhancing the economic and trade integration between ASEAN and Pakistan.
He stressed the need for improving the trade supply chain and also enhancing the concept of shared prosperity between both sides.
At present, there is a need for collaboration between the financial institutions of both countries, which will further strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations through institutional cooperation.
Indonesian envoy said that “We have to adopt the ‘Look East Policy,’ to promote bilateral ties and work on regional trade integration, which will further strengthen the trade supply chain.”
He said that rice is a major export from Pakistan to Indonesia, but we have to move towards alternative sectors.
The private sector can play a significant role in promoting bilateral trade and said that it is the responsibility of both sides to integrate both side’s economies.
The Ambassador said that there is a need to find new avenues at the commodity level by following the policy of trade diversification, and “we also have to introduce new avenues for the growth of mutual trade.”
The envoy also stressed the need to promote the people-to-people connection between both sides to strengthen the bilateral ties.
PSX turns bullish, gains 514 points
ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP):The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 turned around to bullish trend on Friday, gaining 514.62 points, a positive change of 0.37 percent, closing at 139,207.29 8 points against 138,692.67 points last trading day.
A total of 634,810,939 shares were traded during the day as compared to 648,800,865 shares the previous trading day, whereas the price of shares stood at Rs 24.611 billion against Rs 28.117 billion on the last trading day.
As many as 479 companies transacted their shares in the stock market, 211 of them recorded gains and 236 sustained losses, whereas the share price of 32 companies remained unchanged.
The three top trading companies were Bank of Punjab with 50,256,609 shares at Rs 13.60 per share, Fauji Foods Limited with 48,876,899 shares at Rs16.29 per share and Aisha Steel Mill with 35,595,347 shares at Rs 12.34 per share.
Unilever Pakistan Foods witnessed a maximum increase of Rs 529.12 per share price, closing at Rs 34,139.55, whereas the runner-up was Atlas Honda Limited with Rs 61.39 rise in its per share price to Rs 1,160.25.
PIA Holding Company LimitedB witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs1,642.97 per share closing at Rs 31,934.62 followed by Nestle Pakistan Limited with Rs174.04 decline in its share price to close at Rs7,699.77.
COMSTECH signs MoU with Tang Chinese Education and Technology Ltd. to promote educational cooperation
ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP):The OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), Pakistan, and Tang Chinese Education and Technology Ltd., Beijing, China, have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in science, technology and education between China and OIC member states.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH and Mr. Li Jinsong, President and Founder of Tang Chinese Education and Technology Ltd., in a ceremony held in COMSTECH Secretariat Islamabad.
The agreement marks a significant step in fostering academic collaboration and knowledge exchange across borders.
Under the MoU, both parties have agreed to collaborate in various areas. These include the launch of China-Pakistan joint education programs under the CCTE Mode in areas of mutual interest and value.
School-enterprise cooperation projects will be developed based on market-driven human resource demands, particularly catering to Chinese-funded enterprises operating in Pakistan and other OIC countries.
A Chinese language demonstration program will be introduced through the TANG Cloud Platform for students and faculty of COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) institutions.
The agreement also includes faculty training and exchange programs between Chinese universities and CCoE member institutions, sharing of experiences in innovative teaching methods, curriculum design, and the use of modern educational tools. Additionally, both sides will organize joint symposia, conferences, and events such as the China-Pakistan International Industrial-Academic Cooperation Alliance and cultural exchange activities.
Witnessing the signing ceremony, Ms. Song Jianying, CEO of Tang Chinese Education and Technology Ltd., Islamabad, expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to drive impactful educational cooperation across the OIC region.
Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary reaffirmed COMSTECH’s dedication to enhancing science and technology collaboration among OIC member countries.
He emphasized that international partnerships like this are vital to building an ecosystem of innovation and achieving sustainable, knowledge-based economic development in the Muslim world.