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PM commends team on successful PIA privatization, orders to immediately offload all loss making entities

By
Najam ul Hassan
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 24 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday appreciated the government team involved in the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), saying the successful completion of the process marked a major milestone achieved in the larger national interest.

He directed that all the loss-making State Owned Entities (SOEs) must be offloaded immediately in a transparent manner to avoid annual losses, and the funds should be spent on the country’s development and prosperity.

Addressing the government team members associated with the privatization process, the prime minister said that the PIA privatization was concluded a day earlier with full transparency, professionalism, and teamwork. He recalled that several attempts had been made in the past to privatize the airlines, but those efforts could not succeed due to some reasons. A similar attempt last year also failed, he added.

The prime minister said the government did not lose heart and decided to move forward again on a fast-track basis, despite the complexity and difficulty of the task. He said the process was completed through close coordination, consultation, and teamwork involving legal, financial, and technical experts, as well as relevant ministries.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that earlier this month, he personally met potential bidders, discussed their concerns in detail, and addressed their reservations. With their consent, December 23 was fixed as the date for divestment, he added.

He said the bidding mechanism was finalized through mutual consultation to ensure complete transparency. The cabinet committee approved a reference price of Rs 100 billion as recommended by the Privatization Commission.

The prime minister said the bidding process was broadcast live, and the final bid was settled at Rs 135 billion. Including the remaining 25 percent government shareholding, he said the total valuation reached Rs 180 billion.

He said the government learned from past failures and ensured that mistakes were not repeated, adding that the entire process was carried out in a transparent and professional manner.

Congratulating the nation, the prime minister said the successful conclusion of the process was made possible with the prayers and support of the people.

He expressed hope that the new management would bring fresh investment, modern equipment, and new aircraft, enabling PIA to further develop in the coming days. He also congratulated the investors who acquired the airline.

The prime minister lauded the efforts of the government team, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Chairman Privatization Commission Muhammad Ali, Usman Akhtar Bajwa, Asad Hussain, and Zeeshan Hussain.

He described Chairman Privatization Commission Muhammad Ali as the “star performer” of the team and announced that he would be honoured on March 23 in recognition of his services.

The prime minister noted that PIA had been incurring annual losses of around Rs 35 billion due to bad practices, inefficiency, and lack of commitment. He said officers working day and night for national development, poverty reduction, and economic stability were the real heroes.

The prime minister also presented awards to the members of the government team who played a key role in successfully completing the PIA privatization process at the ceremony.

Experts call for youth-centred data to harness Pakistan’s demographic dividend

By
Asif Jalal
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 24 (APP): Experts at the concluding leg of a symposium on Wednesday called for translating Pakistan’s youth bulge into a demographic dividend through credible disaggregated data, with policymakers, UN officials and development practitioners underscoring data-driven investment in human capital as a national priority.
The ‘National Data for Development (D4D) Symposium 2025’ was organized by the UNFPA in partnering with Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and with the support from the Government of the Netherlands, said a press release.
Experts call for youth-centred data to harness Pakistan’s demographic dividend
Speaking on the occasion, UNFPA Country Representative Dr Luay Shabaneh said Pakistan must address disconnects across sectors and strengthen governance of statistics. He described D4D as a catalyst for a trusted, policy-oriented data model driven by national needs. He outlined five pillars for reform, including institutional structures, legal frameworks and enforcement, technical capacity, cultural change and data governance. He added that data is public good and trust is built through openness and accountability.
Dr Naeem uz Zafar, Chief Statistician of Pakistan, said the push for integrated data platforms has gained momentum at the provincial level. He termed the Youth Development Index a significant step towards evidence-based youth policy and outlined PBS’s vision for a trusted data ecosystem spanning census and administrative data, noting that data democratisation is a long-term process.
Experts call for youth-centred data to harness Pakistan’s demographic dividend
Dr Gulnara Kadyrkulova, the UNFPA Deputy Country Representative, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, partner organizations, government departments, UN agencies, academia and development partners for their contributions to advancing the D4D agenda.
Concluding the symposium, Executive Director SDPI, Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, highlighted tangible outcomes of the D4D initiative, including enhanced access to data and improved transparency. He said demand-driven platforms such as the Sindh and Balochistan Data Dashboards and the Youth Development Index were developed at the request of public sector departments with UNFPA and SDPI linking technical expertise to deliver technology-based solutions. He thanked federal and provincial departments and ministries for their support and coordination to achieve D4D objectives.
Earlier, the second day proceedings opened with Muqaddar Shah, Lead D4D UNFPA, who provided an overview and wrap-up of the first day, setting the context for discussions on how government initiatives, the private sector, UN agencies and development partners can jointly invest in and benefit from data-informed development.
The first session on Day 2 was a panel discussion, titled: “The Demographic Dividend and Youth: Investing in Human Capital”, featured provincial representatives highlighting regional challenges and responses. The session was moderated by Kazim Salman, who framed the discussion around unlocking human capital within what speakers described as a limited but critical demographic window. Dr Muhammad Tahir Ghaznavi, Humanitarian Resilience Coordinator at UNFPA, in his keynote address, said Pakistan’s future rests on its youth buldge, as it is a ‘gift’ that can yield dividends if invested wisely.
He called for sustained investment in health, education, empowerment and skills development, describing data as the “main compass” guiding youth empowerment. Disaggregated data exposes inequalities such as school dropout rates, unemployment, maternal health gaps and other vulnerabilities, he said, adding that no young person should remain ignored or unheard. He urged, policies must be framed with empathy and courage, as demographic dividends are measured not in numbers but in outcomes
Sajjad Aslam, Additional Secretary for Sports, Balochistan, said the province must be defined not only by geography but by demography. He described data as a critical tool for survival and security, citing a 3.2 per cent population growth rate — higher than the national average — and a “youthquake” with nearly two million people entering the labour market annually. Highlighting a triple crisis of health, education and employment, he shared stark indicators, including a 54 per cent literacy rate, 57 per cent out-of-school children, widespread malnutrition, high levels of stunting and anaemia among youth, and early marriage among girls. He said prolonged security challenges had fueled radicalization, but initiatives under the Youth Policy 2024 and a Rs500 million PSDP programme—65 per cent completed—were helping counter these risks. He emphasised that policy without data is “blind,” calling for district-level granularity and inviting partners to support the ongoing Digital Youth Registry.
Abdullah Shah, Additional Secretary Sports, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, underscored the data’s role in guiding cross-cutting policy decisions. He said KP is revising its youth policy with UNFPA’s support under four pillars—education, engagement, employment and environment—while acknowledging gaps in translating research into action. He highlighted a Rs5 billion allocation for the Hunarmand Naujawan programme, district-level youth offices across KP including merged districts, entrepreneurship initiatives, deradicalisation efforts through madrassa engagement, and the establishment of Jawan Markaz incubation centres.
The second panel session on Open Data, Government and Governance moderated by Shah Muhammad Azhar from UNRCO featured Umer Akhlaq Malik (UNDP), Rabia Razzaque (ILO), Muqaddar Shah (UNFPA), Fahmida Khan (Deputy Country Representative, UN Women) and Shehryar (IOM), focusing on transparency, coordination and the role of open data in strengthening governance. The panelists highlighted disconnect between diverse data sets across the country that required a unified platform coallating multiple information resources addressing crosscutting sector-related data needs.

Post-COP30 forum in Islamabad reviews climate pledges and Pakistan’s next steps

By
Asif Jalal
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 24 (APP): Islamabad hosted a post-COP30 panel discussion on December 23, bringing together policymakers, researchers, students, and civil society members to review the outcomes of the global climate conference and discuss how they apply to Pakistan.
 The event drew more than 100 participants and focused on turning international climate commitments into policies and actions at the national and community levels.
The discussion was jointly organized by the Climate Action Forum (CAF), IRM, and the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS). Khalida Bashir, Joint Secretary at the Climate Finance Wing of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, attended as the chief guest. She was joined on the panel by Dr Roomi S Hayat, Chair of CAF and Chief Executive Officer of IRM; Ms. Aisha Khan, Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC); Mr Arif Goheer, Executive Director of the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC); and Dr Khalid Waleed, Research Fellow at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS, moderated the session.
Post-COP30 forum in Islamabad reviews climate pledges and Pakistan’s next steps
Panelists shared views on the decisions taken at COP30 and their meaning for Pakistan. The discussion centered on climate finance, national commitments, coordination gaps, and the role of communities in climate action.
Responding to a question on the loss and damage fund, Ms. Khalida Bashir said the ministry is working on ways to use this funding stream. She noted that the National Disaster Risk Management Fund and the National Disaster Management Authority are engaged in this process. She added that the ministry is also seeking support from provinces to strengthen institutions so funds can be directed where they are needed.
Post-COP30 forum in Islamabad reviews climate pledges and Pakistan’s next steps
Dr Roomi S Hayat addressed coordination challenges in Pakistan’s climate response. He said progress is often slowed by weak links between scientific research, technical data, and local knowledge. He also pointed out that civil society groups are usually involved at a late stage, which reduces the impact of climate actions.
Arif Goheer spoke about Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). He said previous submissions were delayed by about a year, but the latest NDC’s were finalized and submitted on time before COP30 in 2025.
Aisha Khan focused on the gap between global promises and local impact. She said resources and commitments exist, but they must be converted into protection and support for communities most affected by climate change. She warned that failure to do so would increase costs for the country in the future.
Dr Khalid Waleed discussed the concept of a just transition and the Belem Political Package adopted at COP30. He explained that the package is based on the idea of collective action. He said this approach is important at a time when trust in global processes is under strain and stressed the need for strong institutional cooperation within Pakistan.
The session underlined the value of post-COP discussions in Pakistan. Many policymakers, practitioners, and communities do not take part directly in global climate talks. Forums like this help explain outcomes, encourage debate, and support follow-up at home so that international agreements lead to practical action.

King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival takes global lead with 16,600 falcon participation in 6 years

By
Shumaila Andleeb
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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec 24 (APP): The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, organized annually by the Saudi Falcons Club at its Malham headquarters north of Riyadh, has strengthened the Kingdom’s standing as a global hub for falconry, cementing its status as the world’s largest event of its kind through record participation and successive achievements since its launch.

The festival has seen steady growth in participation, prize money and competition categories, reflecting sustained efforts to preserve falconry as a living cultural heritage, support the falconry community and create a platform that brings together Saudi enthusiasts and professionals with peers from around the world, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.

The prize money has risen year on year over the past six years. In early 2019, total prizes exceeded SR17 million, increasing to more than SR21 million later that year. The total then reached SR23 million in 2020, SR25 million in 2021 and SR29 million in 2022, before surpassing SR33 million in 2023 and SR36 million in 2024. In 2025, prize money exceeded SR38 million, underscoring the club’s commitment to supporting the sport and encouraging competition among falconers.

King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival takes global lead with 16,600 falcon participation in 6 years

The participation has also grown significantly. The number of competing falcons rose from 1,723 in early 2019 to 2,355 later that year, followed by 2,205 in 2020 and 2,110 in 2021. The figure increased to 2,256 in 2022 and 2,654 in 2023, reaching a record 3,322 falcons in 2024, the highest since the festival’s inception. The increase reflects strong local and international interest, as well as the diversity of categories in the Al-Milwah and Al-Mazayen competitions.

Alongside the rise in participation, the number of competition rounds expanded markedly. The festival featured 53 and 93 rounds in 2019, 85 rounds in 2020, and 106 rounds in both 2021 and 2022. This grew to 121 rounds in 2023 and more than 138 in 2024, reaching 139 rounds in the edition set to launch at the end of this year. The expansion has enabled broader participation, including owners, hobbyists, elite competitors, professionals and young falconers.

King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival takes global lead with 16,600 falcon participation in 6 years

These indicators highlight the festival’s continued development, supported by advanced organizational standards and modern judging technologies. Its international stature has been reinforced by three Guinness World Records for the largest number of falcons participating in a single event, positioning it as a leading global destination for falconers from the Gulf and beyond, and showcasing the Kingdom’s cultural identity as a custodian of this ancient heritage.

The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival will run from Dec. 25 to Jan. 10, 2026, with falconers from nine countries taking part, further promoting Saudi Arabia as a global destination for falconry.

Wafaqi Mohtasib resolves six pension cases against Frontier Corps

By
NNPS Desk
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PESHAWAR, Dec 24 (APP): The Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat Regional Office here has successfully resolved six pension commutation cases filed against Frontier Corps (North), Peshawar, restoring pensions and disbursing a total of Rs. 2,020,172 in arrears to the complainants.

The cases were handled under the supervision of Investigation Officer Mr. Mushtaq Jadoon, with Implementation Officer Mr. Qasim Jan ensuring effective execution of the decisions.

The beneficiaries include Zahid Khan (Swabi), Mr. Mehrban Shah (Peshawar), Luqman (Nowshera), Islam Khan (Khyber), Syed Shah Nawaz (Nowshera), and Sajid Shah (Mardan).

The complainants expressed gratitude for the timely and effective resolution of their longstanding grievances through the Wafaqi Mohtasib forum.

The Regional Office reiterated its commitment to providing swift, transparent, and fair redressal of public complaints, especially concerning pensions and financial matters.

Citizens can file complaints regarding maladministration directly at the Wafaqi Mohtasib Regional Office Peshawar or via WhatsApp at 0310-8147713.

ICT Police conduct flag marches to ensure Christmas security in capital

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 24 (APP): Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police have intensified security arrangements across the federal capital ahead of Christmas by conducting flag marches in different areas to maintain law and order and instil a sense of safety among citizens.
An official told APP on Wednesday that, in view of Christmas celebrations and under a comprehensive security plan, zonal SPs led flag marches in various localities of Islamabad as part of preventive measures to ensure peace and public safety.
ICT Police conduct flag marches to ensure Christmas security in capital
The official said the primary objective of the flag marches was to reassure citizens, deter criminal elements and maintain a peaceful atmosphere during Christmas and other public activities.
SSP Operations  Qazi Ali Raza said that foolproof security arrangements had been put in place across the city, adding that Islamabad Police remained fully alert to protect the lives and property of citizens.
ICT Police conduct flag marches to ensure Christmas security in capital
He said police patrols had been enhanced, sensitive areas were being closely monitored and coordination among field formations had been strengthened to deal with any untoward situation promptly.
Earlier, on the directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, ICT Police finalized effective security measures for the federal capital, particularly focusing on Christmas-related activities, religious places and crowded areas.
SSP Operations said that Islamabad Police were committed to ensuring a peaceful environment during Christmas.

Rawalpindi Police share Christmas joys with Christian officers and families at Police Lines HQ

By
Asif Jalal
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RAWALPINDI, Dec 24 (APP): A Christmas celebration ceremony was held at the Police Lines Headquarters, Rawalpindi, to mark the festive occasion and express solidarity with the Christian community serving in the police force.
Police officers and cops belonging to the Christian community, along with their families, were specially invited to the event.
City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani, SSP Operations, SSP Investigation, SP Headquarters, SP CIA, SP Potohar, DSP Headquarters, SDPOs, and other senior officers attended the ceremony.
During the event, the CPO cut a Christmas cake along with the children of Christian police officers and personnel. He extended warm Christmas greetings to the Christian members of the force and distributed Eidi among them.
Speaking on the occasion, CPO Syed Khalid Hamdani said that the Rawalpindi Police stand shoulder to shoulder with their Christian colleagues and share in their happiness on this joyous festival. He added that more than 5,600 police officers and personnel are performing duties during midnight services and on Christmas Day to ensure peaceful celebrations.
The CPO further assured that effective security and traffic arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the Christian community during Christmas.

President departs after conclusion of his official visit to Iraq

By
Najam ul Hassan
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0

NAJAF, Dec 24 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday departed for Pakistan after conclusion of his official visit to Iraq.

Dr. Hussein al-Issawi, Chairman of the Najaf Provincial Council, saw the president off at the airport, according to a press release issued by the President House.

During the visit, President Zardari held meetings with the President and the Prime Minister of Iraq, focusing on matters of mutual interest.

The president also met the Governors of Najaf and Karbala, during which discussions were held on strengthening bilateral cooperation and enhancing mutual ties.

President Asif Ali Zardari paid visits to sacred places in Baghdad, Najaf and Karbala, where he offered prayers and expressed deep reverence.

FGEHA carries out large-scale anti-encroachment operation in Sector G-15/3

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 24 (APP): Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) on Wednesday carried out a successful large-scale anti-encroachment operation in Sector G-15/3, Islamabad, on the special directives of Director General FGEHA, Captain (Retd.) Zafar Iqbal.

The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of Deputy Commissioner FGEHA Almas Sabiha Saqib and Director Security FGEHA Colonel Azhar Saeed.

During the operation, effective action was taken against illegal encroachments on government land to permanently remove obstacles hindering development work. As a result, approximately 65 to 70 kanals of land were retrieved, and 12 illegally constructed houses and other structures were demolished.

According to FGEHA officials, development work on the retrieved land will be completed on a priority basis, after which possession of plots will be handed over to the respective allottees at the earliest.

On the occasion, the authorities reaffirmed their commitment to continue indiscriminate action against illegal encroachments in the future. The Authority also appealed to the public and allottees to refrain from illegal activities and to cooperate with FGEHA to ensure the timely completion of development projects.

Regarding development progress, asphalt work on the roads has been completed, while the foundations for electric poles have been installed 100 percent.

Transformers and Load Break Switches (LBS) have also been made operational. The East Service Road has been completed up to 85 percent, while the North Service Road has reached 60 percent completion, with the remaining work progressing at a fast pace. So far, possession of 404 residential plots out of a total of 1,120 has been handed over to the allottees.

Transparency and rule of law shall be ensured, AJK PM tells legislators

By
NNPS Desk
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0

MUZAFFARABAD, Dec 24 (APP): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has said that the government will take all possible steps to ensure public welfare, transparency, and the rule of law.

Addressing the Legislative Assembly session here Wednesday, the prime minister made it clear that transfers were made solely on the basis of administrative requirements. The Prime Minister said that he has always rejected the practice of vindictive transfers adding that injustice will not be allowed to be done to anyone in future as well.He assured that violations of rules and laws will be dealt with promptly and responsibly, wherever they occur.

The Prime Minister reminded that he himself had been a part of the previous government and the highest number of additional charges were given during that period.

The Prime Minister said that efforts were currently afoot to finalize the PSC board.

He said that administrative shortcomings will be addressed in a timely manner so that better facilities can be provided to the public.

The Prime Minister said that the traffic problem in the capital Muzaffarabad is a serious challenge, for which a comprehensive strategy will be formulated.”I will personally look into the issue of the alleged false FIR in Bhimber area raised by the former prime minister and necessary action will be taken in this regard”, the PM said, adding that notice has been taken on Jatlan canal issue involving Rescue 1122.Regarding the issue of ambulances pending in the Accountability Court, he said, a committee has been formed, which will present a workable solution to the problem within ten days.He stated that the tender for the Hijara Bypass has been awarded and work on it will begin soon.

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