ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
Railway workers carry out repair work on the track near Korang Tunnel — a historic 50-meter-long structure built in 1914 by British engineers. Located adjacent to the Korang Bridge, which spans the Korang River originating from the Murree Hills, the tunnel is part of the active Karachi–Peshawar Railway Line (ML-1)
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
Dr. Jamal to address healthcare issues of govt employees
RAWALPINDI, Jul 14 (APP):Former Punjab Health Minister Dr. Jamal Nasir held a meeting with Chaudhry Arshad Dhillon, Central Secretary Finance of the All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA), to address healthcare-related issues faced by government employees. The meeting, held here on Monday focused on improving access to medical facilities and reducing treatment costs for public sector workers.
During the meeting, Chaudhry Arshad Dhillon and Muhammad Ashraf, Marketing Manager of Citi Lab, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which government employees affiliated with APCA will receive special discounts at all 28 branches of Citi Lab in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jamal Nasir emphasized the importance of serving humanity.
“Serving the suffering is an act of worship. Citi Lab is committed to providing every possible facility for the treatment and diagnosis of poor and deserving patients”, said Dr.Jamal.
He further added that reducing healthcare costs is a key step toward supporting patients in need.
ISSI, Casa Asia ink MoU to strengthen Pakistan-Spain ties
ISLAMABAD, Jul 14 (APP): Further promoting its international partnerships, the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Casa Asia — marking a vital step forward in strengthening closer collaboration between Pakistan and Spain, particularly in the academic, research and think-tanks domains.
The MoU was signed by Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General, ISSI and José Pintor, Director General, Casa Asia. The signing ceremony was attended by Ambassador José Antonio de Ory, Spain’s Ambassador to Pakistan, and senior representatives from both institutions, said a press release issued here on Monday.
The central element of the MoU is the commitment to organize joint events, including the “Pakistan-Spain Forum,” which is aimed at strengthening ties in areas of mutual interest.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, in his remarks on the occasion, commended the leadership of Casa Asia as a formidable force in promoting intercultural dialogue and knowledge exchange. He also lauded the support and facilitation provided by the respective ambassadors of Pakistan and Spain in forging the institutional relationship. He highlighted the wide range of subjects for joint cooperation, including not only Pakistan-Spain relations but also engagement on broader regional and global developments such as the evolving global order, the role of Europe, and future security relations and architecture. He reaffirmed ISSI’s commitment to developing intellectual and institutional synergies with Casa Asia, and working towards realisation of practical goals.
José Pintor described the signing of the MoU as a significant milestone. He expressed appreciation for the support of both Embassies and emphasized the importance of pursuing a practical and result-oriented partnership that enhances mutual understanding and cooperation. “Pakistan is a very important country for us,” he stated, adding that the initiative would contribute to increasing knowledge about Pakistan and deepening bilateral ties.
Ambassador José Antonio de Ory expressed his satisfaction on the signing and reaffirmed the strong political and social relations between the two countries. Pakistan and Spain have excellent bilateral relations, and there is scope for further strengthening cooperation, especially in the areas of culture, arts, literature, and investment, he noted. He also praised Casa Asia and ISSI for working together to find new avenues of cooperation.
The MoU reflects a shared commitment to promoting mutual understanding, dialogue, and enhancing people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Spain, and more broadly, between academic and research commitments between Pakistan and Europe.
PSX witnesses bullish trend, gains 2,202 points
ISLAMABAD, Jul 14 (APP): The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index witnessed bullish trend on Monday, gaining 2,202.77 points, a positive change of 1.64 percent, closing at 136,502.54 points against 134,299.77 points last trading day.
A total of 841,456,115 shares were traded during the day as compared to 765,079,448 shares the previous trading day, whereas the price of shares stood at Rs 37.051 billion against Rs 40.165 billion on the last trading day.
As many as 475 companies transacted their shares in the stock market, 264 of them recorded gains and 195 sustained losses, whereas the share price of 16 companies remained unchanged.
The three top trading companies were Cres. Star Industries with 47,209,653 shares at Rs 4.34 per share, K-Electric Limited with 42,841,396 shares at Rs5.33 per share and First Dawood Prop with 35,579,177 shares at Rs 5.55 per share.
PIA Holding Company LimitedB witnessed a maximum increase of Rs 2,615.29 per share price, closing at Rs 28,768.23, whereas the runner-up was SS Oil Mills Limited with Rs 91.82 rise in its per share price to Rs 1,010.06.
Ismail Industries Limited witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs109.68 per share closing at Rs 2,019.99 followed by Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited with Rs80.00 decline in its share price to close at Rs23,335.50.
Gold prices up by Rs.1,600 to Rs.359,700 per tola
ISLAMABAD, Jul 14 (APP): The price of 24 karat per tola gold increased by Rs.1,600 and was traded at Rs.359,700 on Monday as compared to its sale at Rs.358,100 on the last trading day, All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewelers Association reported.
The prices of 10 grams of 24 karat also increased by Rs1,371 to Rs.308,384 from Rs. 307,013 and for 10 grams of 22 Karat it went up by Rs.1,257 to Rs.282,695 from Rs. 281,438.
The rates of per tola and ten gram silver increased by Rs65 and Rs 55 to Rs.4,087 and Rs.3,503 respectively.
The price of gold in the international market increased by $16 to $3,372 from $3,356 whereas that of silver increased by $0.65 to $39.03 from $38.38, the Association reported.
Expanding tax base, reducing tax burden on poor- government’s top priority: PM
ISLAMABAD, Jul 14 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that expanding the tax base and reducing the burden of taxes on the poor were among the top priorities of the government.
He was chairing a meeting here to review progress on the digitization of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the implementation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based system, and other reforms.
Hailing the availability of simple tax returns in Urdu, the prime minister said a helpline should be established to assist with the process of filing tax returns and digital invoicing should also be launched in Urdu. “In tax reforms, the focus should remain on the convenience of the common man,” he added.
The prime minister directed that third-party validation be ensured for all FBR reforms to maintain transparency. He stated that for the public’s convenience, tax returns have been made extremely easy by making them digital, concise, and linked with a centralized database. He said salaried individuals will benefit the most from the new simplified tax returns.
The prime minister instructed that a public awareness campaign should be launched about the ease of tax returns so more and more people can file their returns under the new system.
He also praised the finance minister, the economic team, the FBR chairman, and their teams, saying that the positive results of tax reforms are the outcome of their tireless efforts.
“For the first time in the country’s history, the implementation of an AI-based tax assessment system is a big success, and the FBR’s initiatives are commendable.”
He also instructed that small and medium-sized businesses should be given special support in joining the digital invoicing system.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Chief Coordinator Mosharraf Zaidi, the Chairman FBR, and other senior officials.
The participants were briefed on progress related to digital invoicing, e-bilty, simplified tax returns, the AI-based assessment system, the establishment of a central command and control center, and the cargo tracking system.
It was informed that bidding for the FBR command and control unit will be completed soon, and the system will be fully functional by September. This will not only provide centralized data but also help in decision-making.
The meeting was also informed about the AI-based assessment system. Traders are now allowed to submit advance goods declarations before the arrival of ships. Under this, they will get full exemption on upfront duties and taxes. With this system, the percentage of advance goods declarations is expected to rise from 3% to over 95%. This will also allow containers with advance declarations to be delivered directly from the port to factories.
Regarding digital invoicing, the meeting was told that now all businesses, both large and small, will be required to issue receipts at the time of sale through the FBR’s online system. Around 20,000 businesses are expected to join this system in the coming months. In just one month, 8,000 invoices amounting to 11.6 billion rupees were issued through this system.
This system includes a taxpayer portal and a monitoring dashboard. It was shared that businesses can join the system free of cost through PRAL (Pakistan Revenue Automation Ltd.). Training is also being given to traders. Once fully implemented, there will be no need to submit sales tax returns separately, as all transactions will be automatically recorded in the system.
Additionally, the internationally recognized 8-digit HS Code will help eliminate fake and flying invoices. Digital invoicing will also make it easier to assess the performance of the sales tax system. Business training sessions are being held to make the system effective.
The meeting was informed that simplified digital tax returns will be launched from July 15 for salaried individuals and from July 30 for other taxpayers. Urdu-language returns for salaried individuals will also be available by July 30. The process of filling out the new simplified tax returns was explained in detail.
The meeting was also briefed about the progress of the cargo tracking system and e-bilty system.
It was explained that the system will allow real-time monitoring of the movement of goods and tax payment tracking. AI-based assessment will also be possible through this, which will make tax enforcement more effective and efficient.
To ensure international standards for this system’s implementation in Pakistan, assistance is being taken from Turkiye.
After the the prime minister’s meeting with th Turkish President during his recent visit to Azerbaijan, a Turkish delegation has arrived in Pakistan and is working with local authorities to implement the system soon.
7 individuals selected for ‘Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards 2025’
ISLAMABAD, Jul 14 (APP):The Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), in collaboration with the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) and wildlife departments from Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K), announced seven individuals for the Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards 2025 against their exemplary efforts .
Following a detailed evaluation of 21 nominations during the third meeting of the National Committee for the Citizen Ranger Wildlife Protection Program (CRWPP), seven individuals were selected for their outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation in Pakistan’s snow leopard range areas. Additionally, one award has been reserved for a community initiative, said a press release issued on Monday.
The Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards aimed to shine a spotlight on those working behind the scenes to protect the wildlife and ecosystems of the country.
Among the selected individuals, Muhammad Ismail, Game Watcher from the AJK Wildlife Department, will receive this year’s Snow Leopard Award for his exemplary commitment to wildlife conservation.
Another Gamer Watcher from the same region, Mehboob Shah, was selected for the Musk Deer Award.
While, three officers from Gilgit-Baltistan, such as Sher Afgan Ali, Muhammad Raza, and Sakhawat Ali, will be honored with the Blue Sheep Award, Brown Bear Award and Wolf Award, respectively.
Similarly, Israr Ullah deputy ranger and Muhammad Saleem wildlife watcher from KPK have been declared winners for the Ibex Award and Markhor Award.
The awards will be presented during a formal ceremony organized by MoCC&EC and SLF later this month.
Minister of State for MoCC&EC dr. Shezra Mansab Kharal appreciated Pakistan wildlife protection awards.
“The Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards are a powerful reminder of the courage and commitment shown by those who work tirelessly to protect our country’s natural heritage. These rangers, officers, and community members are the unsung heroes of conservation, and their efforts are essential in our fight against biodiversity loss and climate change. As a nation, we must continue to support and celebrate their role in securing a more sustainable future,” she said.
The Wildlife Ambassador, Sardar Jamal Khan Leghari, Dr. Muhammad Ali Nawaz, Director of the Snow Leopard Foundation, Ashiq Ahmad Khan, senior wildlife expert and Chair of the National Committee, Haseena Anbarin, DIG Forest, MoCC&EC, also lauded the unseen efforts of those heroes who are tirelessly working in preserving Pakistan’s natural treasures.
MoCC&EC and SLF reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the Citizen Ranger Wildlife Protection Program and strengthening conservation awareness across the country.
Pak- Vietnam agrees to take bilateral trade up to $1 billion, finalize PTA
ISLAMABAD, Jul 14 (APP):Pakistan and Vietnam have agreed to take bilateral trade up to $1 billion and to finalize the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), during the recent visit of the Federal Minister for Commerce for emphasizing the strengthening of bilateral economic and trade ties.
During the four days visit of the Federal Minister Commerce Minister in last week, emphases was placed on establishing a bilateral banking channel, to finalize PTA, trade diversification in key sectors including textiles and fisheries, halal certification, civil aviation, healthcare, information technology, pharmaceuticals, food processing, agriculture, leather and surgical instruments.
It is also decided that the sixth session of the Joint Trade Commission (JTC) will be held in Pakistan at a mutually convenient time in the coming months to further negotiate the different issued of bilateral trade and PTA finalization.
The Federal Minister for Commerce arrived in Vietnam for a four-day official visit from July 9–12, 2025, to mark the first high-level Pakistani ministerial visit in 15 years.
The Minister of Commerce had engaged in strategic meetings with top Vietnamese officials, including the Minister of Industry and Trade, and engages with the Chamber of Commerce and key business leaders.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sahrif had assigned a special task the Minister for Commerce to explore the mechanism for enhancing bilateral trade between Pakistan and Vietnam, besides following its model to promote and develop value addition to increase exports from the country.
Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan also had a meeting with Dr Hoang Trung, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and discussed the different avenues for enhancing financial cooperation between Pakistan and Vietnam.
During the meeting, both sides recalled the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2004 between the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and SBV, and welcomed the proposal to renew and modernize the agreement, given evolving financial landscapes and growing bilateral trade.
The Minister appreciated Vietnam’s advancements in digital banking and expressed interest in leveraging Vietnam’s experience to support Pakistan’s financial innovation efforts.
Both sides reaffirmed the role of central banks in enabling an environment conducive to economic and commercial engagement and concluded with a commitment to maintain institutional linkages through the SBP’s International Relations Department for structured follow-up.
In meeting discussions also focused on reducing trade barriers and working towards a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to facilitate smoother trade flows.
Meanwhile, talking to the media, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan said the government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral economic ties with Vietnam, with a focus on boosting local trade and increasing exports from the country.
The minister said that the bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Vietnam was recorded at $ 800 million, which was expected to reach $1 trillion soon, adding that the expansion of trade offers an opportunity to Pakistan to further enhance its exports to Vietnam.
The minister said that a joint technical committee, which was formed many years ago, was also revived to enhance bilateral trade and investment between the two countries
Rupee sheds 26 paisa against US Dollar
ISLAMABAD, Jul 14 (APP):The Rupee on Monday depreciated by 26 paisa against the US Dollar in the interbank trading and closed at Rs 284.71 against the previous day’s closing of Rs 284.45.
However, according to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of the dollar in the open market stood at Rs287.25 and Rs287.65, respectively.
The price of the Euro increased by 35 paisa to close at Rs 332.74 against the last day’s closing of Rs 332.39, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The Japanese yen remained unchanged and closed Rs 1.93, whereas a decrease of 96 paisa was witnessed in the exchange rate of the British Pound, which was traded at Rs 384.01 as compared to the last day’s closing of Rs 384.97.
The exchange rates of the Emirates Dirham and the Saudi Riyal increased by 07 paisa each to close at Rs 77.51 and Rs 75.91 respectively.