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Visit Malaysia year (VMY) 2026 promotion opening ceremony held in Islamabad

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP):The High Commission of Malaysia in Islamabad organised the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026 Promotion from 24 to 26 November 2025 at Centaurus Mall, Islamabad.
Visit Malaysia year (VMY) 2026 promotion opening ceremony held in Islamabad
The three-day event aimed to promote Malaysia’s culture, cuisine, and tourism offerings to the people of Pakistan, while further strengthening the warm people-to-people ties between both countries.
The opening ceremony on 24 November 2025 was attended by all ASEAN Heads of Mission in Islamabad, as well as several regional deans based in the capital.
Visit Malaysia year (VMY) 2026 promotion opening ceremony held in Islamabad
Their presence reflected the strong sense of regional and diplomatic support in promoting Southeast Asia as a dynamic and attractive travel destination.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Ambassador Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, outlined the aspirations of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
He noted that Malaysia is preparing to welcome more than 35 million international visitors next year and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to offering travellers a rich and memorable experience.
He highlighted Malaysia’s reputation for its warm hospitality, diverse natural landscapes, modern attractions, and multicultural heritage, embodied in the familiar phrase, “Malaysia Truly Asia.”
Guests were then treated to a cultural performance by a Malaysian dance troupe from the State of Pahang, presenting a glimpse of Malaysia’s colourful and diverse artistic traditions.
Throughout the three-day programme, the VMY 2026 Promotion featured cultural showcases, Malaysian culinary offerings, tourism information booths, and interactive activities designed to provide visitors with an authentic taste of Malaysia.
Highlights included traditional dance demonstrations, special tourism promotions, family-oriented engagements, and a series of lucky draws, featuring exciting prizes such as free flight tickets to Malaysia.
The programme underscored the close and longstanding relationship between Malaysia and Pakistan and served as an invitation for more Pakistani travellers to discover Malaysia in 2026.

IMF recognizes CCP’s major turnaround in market enforcement

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has noted that the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has taken significant steps to identify market bottlenecks, entry barriers, and gaps in the legal and regulatory framework.
The Fund has further observed that the CCP has strengthened its enforcement capacity in recent years.
The IMF, in its Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Report, stated that deficiencies in business regulations at various sectoral levels require stronger and more effective intervention by the competition authorities, said a release issued here on Tuesday.
The IMF noted that the CCP has not only stepped-up enforcement but has also resolved more than 200 cases and recovered an unprecedented amount in fines and penalties. However, the CCP spokesperson clarified that the Commission has reduced its backlog of court cases by nearly 70 percent, securing decisions in 428 out of 567 cases.
The report further noted that the CCP’s newly established Market Intelligence Unit (MIU), is an important development for proactive detection of collusion and market manipulation.
According to the IMF, if backed by strong enforcement, the MIU can help eliminate anti-competitive practices quickly and create genuine deterrence.
The report highlights that, in addition to the CCP’s ongoing efforts such as issuing Policy Notes to promote a level playing field across various sectors, the Commission should also identify bottlenecks to competition and barriers to market entry created by regulatory practices.
The Commission can then provide remedies by issuing advices and policy notes to the relevant ministries and institutions.
The report states that Pakistan’s competition law is modern and provides the competition authority with the necessary powers to address a wide range of anti-competitive practices.
Continued reforms in procedures, staffing and resources are needed to ensure that CCP decisions are enforced without delay, the report added.
When asked to comment on IMF’s observations, the CCP spokesperson said the government has provided complete support to the Commission in achieving its goals. The government made appointments of Chairman and Members of the Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) on time that helps in swift resolution of court cases.
He said that Commission has undergone a major turnaround in the last two years. With litigation barriers removed, CCP recovered PKR 1.01 billion in penalties, compared to only PKR 200 million in the previous 15 years.
He added that more than PKR 9 billion in penalties has been imposed on cartel behavior, while CCP has also strengthened action against deceptive marketing, penalizing major firms in the real estate, automobile, dairy, and education sectors.

FDA seals five illegal houses over Building Law violations

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
FAISALABAD, Nov 25 (APP):Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) has sealed five under-construction houses in a private housing scheme on Satiana Road for lacking approved building plans.
FDA spokesman said here on Tuesday that FDA enforcement team led by Estate Officer Aneeb Aslam Randhawa under the supervision of Director Town Planning Asma Mohsin conducted inspections in various residential colonies and found that five houses were being built without approved maps in Sitara Gold City on Satiana Road.
The team immediately sealed the structures and directed the owners to obtain building plan approval from the FDA before resuming any construction activity. Non-compliance may result in demolition of illegally constructed buildings, he added.
He said that even in private housing schemes already approved by the authority, individual house construction also requires separate building plan approval from the FDA.
The continuous monitoring is being carried out to ensure strict adherence to building bylaws and the citizens should avoid violations to prevent legal action, he added.
He said that the campaign would continue with zero tolerance for unauthorized construction. The enforcement teams would keep inspecting sites to ensure urban planning regulations are fully complied with across the city, he added.

FCCI condemns attack on FC Headquarters

By
Kamran Muraad
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FAISALABAD, Nov 25 (APP):Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) President Farooq Yousaf Sheik has condemned the attack on the FC Headquarter in Peshawar and said that such cowardly steps could not discourage the law enforcing agencies to deviate from their national mission to maintain peace and flush out the terrorists from the country.
He said that security forces and law enforcing agencies are bravely laying down their lives to fight the hydra-headed monster of terrorism and the nation fully acknowledges their sacrifices.
He termed terrorists as enemies of peace and development and the entire nation including the business community stood united against them.
Farooq Yousaf Sheikh prayed rest for the martyred security personnel and prayed for early recovery of the injured.

PTI founder’s X account being operated from outside jail: IHC told

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP):The Superintendent of Adiala Jail on Tuesday informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the X account of the founder of PTI is not being operated from the jail.
He submitted a response to the IHC in a case against the use of X account by the PTI founder.
It said that the founder of PTI is under strict surveillance and does not have any prohibited items, especially mobile phones.
He said that mobile signal jammers have been installed inside and around the jail, due to which the use of mobile and internet is not possible.
The Superintendent informed the court that under the jail rules, the founder of PTI has been barred from political discussions, however, during the meetings, some people engage in political discussions in violation of the law.
According to him, the political instructions of the founder of PTI in the past have increased violence in the society on several occasions, but in the current situation, he does not have access to any such facility.
The superintendent clarified that the founder of PTI’s X-account is not being operated from the jail and someone is operating it from outside. He further said that the prisoner is provided only normal facilities as per the jail rules or court orders, and mobile or internet facilities are not included in them. Further action on the application is expected in the next hearing.

Court adjourns hearing in Nov 26 protest case against Bushra Bibi

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP):The District & Sessions Court of Islamabad on Tuesday delayed proceedings in the November 26 protest case against Bushra Bibi after the presiding judge went on leave.
The hearing of the case filed against Bushra Bibi under the Public and Peaceful Assembly Act was postponed due to the unavailability of Additional District and Sessions Judge Amir Zia. The case, registered at Ramna Police Station, relates to a protest held on November 26.
Bushra Bibi’s lawyer, Shamsa Kiyani, appeared before the court, but no proceedings could take place. The court, therefore deferred action on her bail request until the next hearing.
The court will resume the case and take up the bail plea when the proceedings continue at the upcoming hearing.

Abid Hussain takes over as new CEO MWMC, orders comprehensive cleanliness

By
Kamran Muraad
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MULTAN, Nov 25 (APP):Abid Hussain, a senior officer, took over the charge of Multan Waste Management Company (MWMC) as the new Chief Executive Officer, and expressed commitment to enhanced cleanliness and waste management across the division.
Immediately after assuming office, the new CEO received an in-depth briefing on the ongoing sanitation operations. Company Secretary Kabir Khan and Divisional Operations Head Anwar-ul-Haq presented a detailed overview of current operations, challenges, and upcoming projects.
Abid Hussain issued strict directives for rigorous monitoring of all sanitation contractors, emphasizing that exemplary cleanliness across Multan is a top priority. He instructed that new waste enclosures, containers, and dustbins be installed throughout the division to strengthen waste disposal infrastructure.
Reaffirming his commitment to public service, the CEO said that the benefits of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Suthra Punjab (Clean Punjab) programme would be delivered to every citizen. He stressed that MWMC officers and contractors must conduct regular field visits to promptly address public complaints regarding sanitation issues.
Abid warned that contractors showing poor performance would face strict accountability, ensuring that all stakeholders meet the high standards expected under the province’s cleanliness initiative.
The MWMC chief vowed to transform waste management operations, ensuring a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment for the residents of Multan.

Court summons witnesses for testimony in protest case

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday adjourned the hearing till December 1, summoning prosecution witnesses in the November 26, protest case against PTI workers.
Judge Tahir Abbas Sapra heard the case. During the hearing, the PTI workers submitted their power of attorney to the court.
The court summoned the prosecution witnesses for the next hearing and adjourned the hearing till December 1.
A case has been registered against the PTI workers at Tarnol police station under terrorism provisions and the statements of the witnesses will be recorded in the next hearing.

Hazara Motorway under emergency repairs following commissioner’s directive

By
Kamran Muraad
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ABBOTTABAD, Nov 25 (APP):Commissioner Hazara Division Fayaz Ali Shah has directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to expedite repair work on the Hazara Motorway after road subsidence and slope formation raised serious safety concerns for motorists.
Chairing a high-level meeting, the Commissioner carried out a detailed review of the situation and instructed NHA officials to ensure an immediate and effective resolution to all identified risks.
He emphasized that consolidation grouting must be carried out, the road surface properly compacted, and deep drains installed to minimize vehicle jolts and eliminate the effects of underground piping.
The Commissioner stressed strict monitoring to prevent recurrence of such issues in the future and made it clear that no compromise on quality would be tolerated.
He further ordered immediate rectification of jumps and other hazards caused by new settlements, adding that permanent solutions must be pursued alongside temporary restorations.
NHA officials assured the Commissioner that all repair works on the Hazara Motorway would be completed by 30 December 2025.
The Commissioner instructed all concerned departments to prioritize the safety of the public and complete all necessary measures without delay.

Admin to launch crackdown against smuggled cigarettes

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
MULTAN, Nov 25 (APP):The district administration has finalized an action plan to launch a major crackdown on dealers involved in the trade of smuggled and substandard cigarettes. The initiative follows the directives of the Government of Pakistan and the Punjab Government under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Salma Suleman convened a meeting and brought the FBR, Excise & Taxation Department, and other relevant agencies on board to ensure coordinated action. The meeting, chaired by the DC, focused on preparing an effective operational strategy to implement government instructions without delay.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Ghulam Mustafa, Assistant Commissioner FBR, District Officer Excise, and officials from related departments participated in the session.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Salma Suleman announced that under the supervision of the district administration, joint teams of concerned departments will carry out operations against smuggled cigarettes across Khanewal.
She directed authorities to impose heavy fines on violators and seize all illegal stock, emphasizing that no leniency would be shown to those dealing in smuggled or low-quality tobacco products.
The crackdown aims to curb tax evasion, protect public health, and ensure compliance with federal and provincial regulations.
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