QUETTA: June 27 –
A man gives water to a camel quenching its thirst amid the scorching heat at Double Road.
QUETTA: June 27 –
People enjoying falsa drink during hot weather at Joint Road.
QUETTA: June 27 –
Workers of Sunni Ulema Council participate in a rally to observe Youm-e-Shahadat of Hazrat Umar (R.A) on the first of Muharram-ul-Haram in front of the Press Club.
QUETTA: June 27 –
Ambassador of Iran, Dr. Reza Amiri-Moghadam, calls on Speaker National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, at Parliament House. Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi and Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah are also present.
ISLAMABAD: June 27 –
ISLAMABAD: June 27 – Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq receiving Ambassador of Iran Dr. Reza Amiri-Moghadam called at Parliament House in federal capital. APP/MAF/ABB/SSH
ISLAMABAD: June 27 – Ambassador of Iran Dr. Reza Amiri-Moghadam called on Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq at Parliament House. Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi is also present. APP/MAF/ABB/SSH
Chairman Senate, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, presides over a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS).
ISLAMABAD: June 27 –
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Cheema, held a meeting with Mr. Abdelhak Bedjaoui, Executive Director at the World Bank.
WASHINGTON, DC: June 27 –
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Cheema, held a meeting with Ms. Anna Bjerde, Managing Director for Operations at the World Bank, and Mr. Martin Raiser, Regional Vice President for South Asia at the World Bank. in DC, Washington
WASHINGTON, DC: June 27 –
SMEDA, PBS launch field operations for National SME Survey
LAHORE, Jun 27 (APP): The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) have formally launched the field operations of the National SME Survey at a special ceremony, held here at the PBS Office, coinciding with World MSME Day on Friday.
Senior leadership from both organisations attended the event and emphasised the critical importance of the SME Survey in shaping the future of Pakistan’s economic landscape.
In his address, Socrat Aman Rana, CEO SMEDA, highlighted that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing approximately 40% to the national GDP, 31 percent to total exports, and generating nearly 78 percent of total employment. He underscored that despite their pivotal role, the lack of reliable and comprehensive data has historically hindered the development of effective, targeted SME policies.
He further informed the audience that the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, during a meeting of the Steering Committee on SME Development, had directed the launch of a nationwide SME Survey to address the long-standing issue of outdated and fragmented data. In line with this directive, SMEDA and PBS joined hands to design and implement the National SME Survey through a collaborative and consultative process involving multiple stakeholders.
Appreciating PBS’s dedication and technical leadership, CEO SMEDA commended the Bureau’s unwavering efforts in successfully executing the early phases of the survey.
Speaking on the occasion, Naeem-uz-Zafar, Chief Statistician PBS, remarked that the survey is being implemented in a phased manner and is designed to cover strategic economic sectors of SMEs through a total of 12 sectoral surveys. He informed the house that four of these surveys have already been successfully completed, owing to the close coordination between PBS, SMEDA, and other stakeholders.
Marking World MSME Day 2025, the Chief Statistician and CEO SMEDA announced the commencement of field operations for the next five sectoral surveys of Education, Human Health and Social Work Activities, Publishing and Software Development, Accommodation and Food Service Activities (Hotels and Restaurants) and Other Personal Service Activities. He added that these surveys would generate reliable and current data to support evidence-based policymaking and promote inclusive and sustainable growth within Pakistan’s SME sector.
The launch event concluded with a renewed commitment by both institutions to continue working collaboratively to ensure the timely and successful completion of the survey and to support SMEs through data-backed planning and interventions.
NDMA issues high alert as widespread rain looms across country
ISLAMABAD, Jun 27 (APP):The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Friday called upon Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), district administrations, and relevant departments to remain on high alert and activate contingency plans as widespread rain and thunderstorms are expected to impact large parts of the country within the next 12 to 24 hours.
In an impact-based weather alert for multiple regions across Pakistan, the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) of NDMA has advised the public to refrain from unnecessary travel during periods of severe weather, maintain a safe distance from electric poles and vulnerable structures, and strictly adhere to guidance issued by local authorities.
According to forecasts, Sindh is likely to experience significant rainfall across most districts, including Jacobabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Nawabshah, Khairpur, Kashmore, Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Umerkot, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Thatta, Badin, Karachi, and surrounding areas. Intermittent thunderstorms with occasional heavy rainfall may pose a risk of urban flooding and waterlogging.
In Punjab, heavy rainfall is expected in upper and central regions, affecting Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Narowal, Chiniot, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Lahore, Okara, and Kasur. Islamabad will also witness same weather conditions during next 12 to 24 hours. The system may lead to localized flooding and potential disruption to routine life.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also under threat from intensified monsoon activity. Widespread thunderstorms and heavy rain are anticipated in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Karak, Kohat, Kohistan, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, Nowshera, Malakand, Charsadda, Bannu, Buner, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Waziristan, and adjoining districts. The risk of flash floods and landslides in hilly terrains remains elevated.
The advisory also encouraged the public to download the “Pak NDMA Disaster Alert” mobile app to receive real-time updates and essential guidance during weather emergencies.
Comprehensive security plan evolved for Muharram in Rawalpindi region: RPO
RAWALPINDI, Jun 27 (APP): Regional Police Officer Rawalpindi, Babar Sarfraz Alpa on Friday held meetings with the delegations of Shia Ulema Council North Punjab and Divisional Peace Committee for promoting mutual trust and religious tolerance across the region.
During the meetings, security arrangements for gatherings and processions during Muharram-ul-Haram, mutual cooperation, and interfaith harmony came under discussion, an RPO spokesperson said.
In the meeting with the Divisional Peace Committee members, the RPO said the police had prepared comprehensive security plan for the processions and gatherings under a coordinated strategy agreed between the district administration and law enforcement agencies.
Peace and order would be maintained with the cooperation of all stakeholders and scholars, he added.
According to the security plan, he said, some 13,900 personnel would guard at the gatherings and 13,700 would provide security to the processions across the region from 1st Muharram to 10th Muharram.
He added before the processions start, searching and sweeping would be done on the route of the processions. The processions would be monitored with the help of CCTV cameras and other modern means. In addition, snipers would also be deployed on the routes of the processions.
Action would be taken against those spreading religious hatred, he added. The SOPs issued by the Punjab Government would be strictly implemented, the RPO vowed.
The delegation led by Peace Committee Chairman Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Iqbal Rizvi included Syed Javed Shah Naqvi, Tehreek-e-Nifaz Fiqh Jafariya Divisional Secretary Shaukat Abbas Jafri, General Secretary Raza Mustafa Noorani, Qazi Muhammad Shakoor, Mufti Muhammad Kabir Mir of Jamia Masjid Road, Yasir Iqbal Rizvi of Milad Force, Shaheen Peace Force Chairman Asghar Khan Babar and Vice Chairman Ghulam Ali Khan, General Secretary Central Traders Association Raja Bazaar Abrar Ahmed Sheikh, Qari Khalid Mahmood Abbasi, Mufti Muhammad Zeeshan Umar, Senior Vice President Central Traders Association Muhammad Yasir Ismail, Sahibzada Muhammad Usman Ghani, Hafiz Qasim and President Azadari Committee Pakistan Allama Alhaj Syed Zahid Abbas Kazmi.
The delegation members assured the RPO of their complete cooperation for maintaining peace & order and religious harmony during Muharram.
The RPO further said that Muharram “teaches us a lesson of peace and tolerance”, and urged the Ulema and scholars of all schools of thought, and stakeholders to cooperate with the administration and law enforcement agencies during Muharram so that an atmosphere of peace and order could be maintained in the city.
In the meeting with the Shia Ulema Council, the RPO said foolproof security arrangements had been finalized in the Rawalpindi Region so that the faithful could observe Muharram in a peaceful and dignified manner.
Led by Allama Ishtiaq Hussain Kazmi, President Shia Ulema Council North Punjab, the delegation comprised Allama Abid Hussain Shajai, Divisional President, Maulana Imran Ali Haideri, Syed Jaber Hussain Kazmi, General Secretary, Syed Muhammad Ali Naqvi, Syed Asad Raza Kazmi, Maulana Abdul Majeed and Syed Hakim Ali Bukhari.
The delegation members assured all possible cooperation to the district administrations and police.