Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Home Blog Page 39

Kazakhstan needs to be adapted to new realities – President

By
NNPS Desk
-
0

ASTANA, Oct 28 (Kazinform/APP) : Taking the floor at the ceremonial event dedicated to Republic Day, Head of State noted that in today’s turbulent times, foreign policy based on the traditions of balanced diplomacy acquires special significance, Kazinform News Agency reports, citing the press service of Akorda.
“The ultimate goal of the reforms we are implementing together is to adapt Kazakhstan to new realities, thereby strengthening the country’s sovereignty and enhancing its competitiveness. My civic duty as the Head of State is to ensure territorial integrity, independence, and economic development of our country. As you known, modern world has entered a fundamentally new historical stage. On one hand, conflicts and wars persist, and, on the other hand, high technologies and artificial intelligence are advancing rapidly,” the Head of State said. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that despite such a complicated situation, Kazakhstan is developing persistently.

“We have built friendly relations with all countries. Our state has been recognized as a reliable partner. Thanks to this, we attract significant investments to energy, transport, logistics, IT, agriculture, and other industries. In today’s turbulent times, foreign policy based on the traditions of balanced diplomacy acquires special significance. We believe that all countries should find common ground and reach compromise. We need to strengthen mutual trust and respect, to develop partnership relations,” he said.

The President hailed the recent opening of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty as a major achievement. “At the jubilee session of the UN General Assembly, I drew special attention to key international problems and announced several initiatives. A system of fair international relations that takes into account the interests of all countries must be established in the world. Kazakhstan, as a responsible and influential member of the global community, will continue implementing balanced and constructive foreign policy,” he concluded. Earlier, the Head of State announced a directive to support promising startups.

SAU,Dalda Foundation Sign MoU to Expand Oil Palm Research and Development in Sindh

By
Ali Ali
-
0
HYDERABAD, Oct 28 (APP):Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam and the Dalda Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen and expand collaborative research on oil palm cultivation in Sindh, marking a vital step toward import substitution, agricultural innovation and rural economic development.
According to the SAU spokesperson, the MoU signed at the SAU Senate Hall, aims to continue and scale up the successful oil palm pilot project previously launched.
The project will be implemented at the Latif Farm Site (6 acres) in Tandojam, focusing on developing sustainable models for commercial-scale oil palm plantations in the coastal belt of Sindh.
In the presence of Vice Chancellor Prof. Engr. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal, the MoU was formally signed by Dr. Tanveer Fatima Miano, Director ORIC at SAU and Virender Kumar, Project Manager (Agriculture) at Dalda Foundation.
The signing ceremony was attended by Dean Faculty of Crop Production Dr. Inayatullah Rajper, Registrar Ghulam Mohiyuddin Qureshi, Focal Person Dr. Allah Wadhayo Gandahi, Director Business Incubation Center Dr. Muhammad Saleem Sarki along with senior faculty members and project experts.
Under the agreement, SAU will manage the farm, conduct advanced research trials and evaluate the economic feasibility of domestic oil palm production to reduce Pakistan’s dependency on edible oil imports.
The project will also explore pollination dynamics, intercropping models with banana and other crops, and introduce tissue culture technologies for cloning and large-scale distribution of oil palm plants among farmers.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal said that the partnership reflects the University’s commitment to fostering academia–industry linkages and driving research-based agricultural transformation.
“Oil palm cultivation can play a vital role in ensuring national food security and strengthening the edible oil sector. Through applied research and industrial collaboration, we aim to turn challenges into opportunities for our farmers,” he stated.
Dr. Allah Wadhayo Gandahi, the project’s focal person, highlighted that the initiative will open new research horizons for SAU students and faculty while promoting sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

CM Sindh directs work on Ghotki-Kandhkot bridge to connect to Punjab, Balochistan

By
Ali Ali
-
0
KARACHI, Oct 28 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a meeting, directed the Works and Services Department to restart construction on the Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge over the Indus River by November 2025 and ensure its completion by 2026.
The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Minister for Works Ali Hassan Zardari, Special Assistant to CM Syed Qasim Naveed, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Home Secretary Iqbal Memon, Principal Secretary to CM Agha Wasif, Secretary Works Nawaz Sohoo, and Secretary Transport/DG PPP Unit Asad Zamin, among others.
The Chief Minister stated that the bridge, being built under a Public-Private Partnership, will be a landmark project linking Ghotki and Kandhkot, thereby enhancing connectivity among Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the Works & Services Department to begin construction activities by November 2025 and ensure completion by 2026, well before the originally planned deadline of 2028.
“This bridge will serve as a crucial link between upper Sindh’s districts and open up immense opportunities for trade, transport, and connectivity,” said the Chief Minister.
“All departments must accelerate work and maintain coordination to overcome remaining bottlenecks.”
The Bridge over River Indus project has been launched to connect to Ghotki with Kandhkot. The provincial Works & Services Department is executing the project on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The length of the Bridge is 12.15 km with approach roads – 10.40 km (Ghotki side) and 8.10 km (Kandhkot side). Thull Link Road is 4.55 km.
The bridge will be one of the longest river bridges in Pakistan, directly linking Ghotki and Kandhkot to improve road connectivity between Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan.
According to the briefing, the project has achieved 83 per cent progress on the Ghotki approach road, 72 per cent progress on the Kandhkot approach road, and 16.5 per cent progress on the main bridge structure over the Indus River.
Work on 379 piles out of 732 has been completed, with 360 shafts, 115 transoms, and 438 bearing plinths already constructed.
Construction activities were earlier suspended due to floods and security incidents. Work resumed in early 2024 but was again temporarily halted during the flood season. “Now that the flood season has passed, all relevant agencies must ensure uninterrupted construction and foolproof security for the project,” the Chief Minister instructed.
The CM was informed that land acquisition for both Ghotki and Kandhkot sections has been almost completed, with compensation funds of Rs. 504 million and Rs. 380 million, respectively, already transferred to the district Land Acquisition Officers. However, disbursement is progressing slowly due to legal complexities involving khatedars.
Mr Shah directed the Deputy Commissioners to expedite payments and clear all pending land compensation issues immediately. “Landowners must receive their dues transparently and promptly – we cannot allow administrative delays to hold back a project of such public importance,” he said.
The Chief Minister emphasised that law enforcement deployment is crucial for ensuring smooth progress at the project site.
Currently, Pakistan Rangers are stationed at one main barrack and one picket inside the Indus riverbed, while the District Police maintain deployment on three pickets in Ghotki and around 40 on eight pickets in Kashmore at Kandhkot.
Mr Shah directed the Home Department to increase deployment of Rangers and Police on a rotation basis, round-the-clock and constitute monitoring committees comprising Divisional Commissioners and DIGs Police to review weekly security and construction progress.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the timely completion of the Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge: “This project will change the economic landscape of upper Sindh. Let us deliver it with the urgency, coordination, and quality it deserves.”
Murad Shah instructed the Works Department, Police, Rangers, and district administrations to coordinate closely and report weekly progress to his office.
“This bridge will transform upper Sindh’s economy – it must be completed with speed, security, and quality,” the Chief Minister emphasised.

Pakistan expresses solidarity as 6.1 magnitude earthquake hits Turkiye

By
Ishtiaq Rao
-
0

ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP): Pakistan on Tuesday expressed solidarity with the people of Turkiye as 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Sindirgi district in western Turkiye’s Balikesir province late Monday.

“Pakistan stands in full solidarity with the people of Turkiye following the 6.1 magnitude earthquake,” Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar wrote on his X timeline.

He said that Pakistan stood ready to extend humanitarian assistance and aid in search and rescue efforts.

“Our prayers are with all those affected. May the region recover swiftly and with resilience,” he remarked.

WB urges sustained reforms for Pakistan’s inclusive growth, economic stability, flood recovery

By
Ali Ali
-
0
ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP):The World Bank on Tuesday released its October-2025 report titled “Pakistan Development Update: Staying the Course for Growth and Jobs,” acknowledging that the country’s economy expanded by 3.0 percent in the fiscal year ending June 2025, up from 2.6 percent in the previous year, reflecting a rebound in industrial activity and an expansion in the services sector.
However, it projected that the growth to remain at 3 percent for the fiscal year ending in June 2026, due to the impacts of recent floods on the agriculture sector, before picking up in the medium term as ongoing stability and continued reforms enhance growth prospects.
The international lender said the fiscal tightening and appropriate monetary policy helped anchor inflation and support current account and primary fiscal surpluses amidst a challenging global and domestic environment.
It said the improved confidence supported industry and service sector growth, even as agriculture growth underperformed, in part due to adverse weather and pest infestations.
While favorable, the economic outlook has been tempered by recent floods, which have resulted in significant impact on people and damage to urban areas and agricultural land.
“Pakistan’s recent floods have imposed significant human costs and economic losses, dampening growth prospects, and adding pressure on macroeconomic stability,” World Bank Country Director for Pakistan during a media briefing at the report launch.
She said staying the course on reforms and accelerating job creation was critical to maintaining growth along with strengthening social safety nets and infrastructure that protects the most vulnerable citizens, and that would help ensure sustainable development and economic resilience for all.
Immediate and lingering impacts of the recent floods are expected to weigh on growth, with real GDP growth projected to remain at 3.0 percent in FY26.
Predicated on continued macroeconomic stability and commitment to key economic reforms, growth is projected to pick up to 3.4 percent in FY27 but will likely remain constrained amid tight fiscal policies aimed at rebuilding buffers amid continuing global policy uncertainty and vulnerability to natural disasters and climate shocks.
“Sustaining progress will require a balanced mix of revenue and expenditure measures to manage flood impacts while maintaining progress towards fiscal consolidation,” lead author of the report Mukhtar Ul Hasan said.
“Urgent implementation of priority fiscal reforms is essential, including broadening the tax base, strengthening tax administration, and reducing the presence of the state in the economy through state-owned enterprise divesture and rationalizing the public sector.”
A special focus chapter of the report highlights the critical role of exports in achieving long-term economic growth and stability.
Pakistan’s exports have declined from 16 percent of GDP in the 1990s to around 10 percent in 2024, leaving growth dependent on debt and remittance-driven consumption which underlies Pakistan’s recurrent boom-bust cycles.
The chapter cites high tariffs, cumbersome regulations, and costly energy and logistics as key constraints, noting that recent tariff reforms mark a historic step toward openness.
The chapter calls for broader measures including a market-determined exchange rate, stronger trade finance, improved logistics and compliance, deeper trade agreements, and expanded digital and energy infrastructure to drive export-led growth, including in emerging IT services exports.
“The government has placed export growth at the center of its development agenda and has made important strides in tackling policy and structural barriers, most recently through the approval of the National Tariff Policy, which will help lower costs for critical imported inputs,”  co- author of the report said Anna Twum said.
“However, tariff reforms alone will not suffice and must be complemented by broader measures to ensure a market-determined exchange rate, strengthen trade finance, enhance trade facilitation, and expand access to export markets,”Anna added.

Police arrest five person in operation against illegal weapon holders

By
Ali Ali
-
0
BHAKKAR, Oct 28 (APP):The Darya Khan police  arrested five accused for holding illegal weapons in a speical operations , the police spokesman said on Tuesday.
To eliminate  weapon culture in the Punjab, the police on the direction of District Police Officer (DPO), Shezad Rafiq Awan, apprehended five accused including Rajab Ali, Danish, Sarmad, Abdul Hanan and Liaqat in various raids, he added.
The spokesman said that the police recovered  four pistols a gun 12 bore from the accused’ custody.
The district police are taking strict actions against illegal weapon holders, aerial firing and displaying weapons on the directions of the Punjab government.

Gold prices plunge by Rs14,000 per tola

By
Ali Ali
-
0
ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP):The gold prices in the country recorded a sharp downturn on Tuesday, as the per tola price of 24-karat gold dropped by Rs14,000 to Rs 416,362 compared to Rs 430,362 recorded on the previous trading day.
According to All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), the price of 10-gram 24-karat gold declined by Rs12,003, falling to Rs356,963 from Rs368,966 a day earlier.
Likewise, the 10-gram 22-karat gold was traded at Rs327,227, witnessing a decrease of Rs11,004 from Rs338,231 on Monday.
In the international market, gold prices also weakened by $140, dropping to $3,940 compared to the previous day’s rate of $4,080.
Following the downward trend in gold, silver prices also slipped. The rate of silver per tola declined by Rs173, settling at Rs4,924 against Rs5,097 on Monday, while 10-gram silver fell to Rs4,221 from Rs4,369 with a reduction of Rs148.
The price of international silver stood at $46.62, marking a decrease of $1.73 from the previous day’s level of $48.35, the association reported.

Naqvi pays surprise visit to NADRA center in Gujranwala, orders swift public service delivery

By
Ali Ali
-
0
ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP):Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi paid a surprise visit to the NADRA Center in Gujranwala on Monday to review the process of issuing national identity cards and other official documents.
During the visit, the Interior Minister met with citizens visiting the center and inquired about their experiences and any difficulties faced during the document processing. Citizens expressed satisfaction over the overall performance of the NADRA Center.
Noting congestion at a few counters, Minister Naqvi directed the staff to expedite the processing of applications and ensure citizens’ issues are resolved promptly. He also interacted with NADRA staff across various counters, encouraging them to continue working diligently.
“I am pleased to see that people are generally satisfied with the NADRA Center’s services,” said Mohsin Naqvi. “The staff’s commitment, even amid rush hours, is commendable. Every citizen visiting NADRA is a VIP and deserves timely, hassle-free service.”
He instructed the Center’s in-charge to take immediate steps to address public complaints and ensure that applications are processed the same day and documents are delivered within the stipulated time.
Citizens thanked the Interior Minister for his on-the-spot orders, saying that the visit would help improve service delivery and further reduce waiting times.

Hot, dry weather forecast for Sindh

By
Samina Ch
-
0
KARACHI, Oct 28 (APP):Pakistan Meteorological Department on Tuesday predicted hot and dry weather  in most districts of the Sindh province during the next 24 hours.
       However, partly cloudy weather is forecast for coastal areas of the province.
      Mainly, hot and dry weather is likely to prevail in the province.

Interior Minister visits late SP Adeel Akbar’s residence in Kamonki, offers condolences to bereaved family

By
Samina Ch
-
0
ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP):Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi visited the residence of the late SP Adeel Akbar of Islamabad Police in Kamonki to offer condolences to the grieving family.
During the visit, Minister Naqvi met with SP Adeel Akbar’s father, brother, and other family members, expressing deep sorrow and sympathy over their loss.
He offered prayers for the departed soul and prayed for patience and strength for the bereaved family.
“SP Adeel Akbar was an asset to the Islamabad Police — a highly capable and dedicated officer,” said Mohsin Naqvi. “His untimely death is a matter of deep personal grief. In this hour of sorrow, we stand with his family and will continue to do so.”
Senior Islamabad Police officials, including DIG Ateeq Tahir, DIG Jawad Tariq, and DIG Haroon Joiya, were also present during the visit.
1...383940...29,938Page 39 of 29,938

ABOUT US

Serving the nation since 1947 by providing an accurate, objective, uninterrupted flow of news to the people, the national news service is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to transform the existing news operations into a forward-looking service – APP Digital for its diverse subscriber-base and the public.

Contact us: news@app.com.pk

FOLLOW US

Copyright © Associated Press of Pakistan