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Aleem Khan condemns Israeli attack on Iran

By
Ali Ali
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jun 13 (APP):Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday strongly condemned the unjustified and brutal Israeli attack on Iran, terming it a blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and a serious breach of international laws. He warned that such aggression poses a grave threat to regional peace and stability.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Abdul Aleem Khan expressed full solidarity with the people of Iran affirming that the people of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with their Iranian brethren in this difficult time. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and the destruction of Iranian property, describing the Israeli assault as deeply distressing and a cause for serious concern.
Abdul Aleem Khan further stated that such reprehensible actions cannot distract the world from the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Palestine. He urged the international community to play a constructive role in halting Israel’s aggressive actions which are pushing the region towards further instability and conflict.

Pervaiz Ashraf hails national unity, urges collective action amid challenges

By
Ali Ali
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jun 13 (APP):Senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Friday lauded all political parties for setting aside their differences and standing together in support of the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force during the recent Indian aggression.
Speaking during the National Assembly’s general debate on the 2025-26 federal budget, he said, “I salute the people of Pakistan,” adding that the unity displayed across party lines sent a powerful message to India and the world. “Our response echoed through international corridors and showed that Pakistan stands united in times of adversity.”
He praised the nation for rising like “a wall of lead” alongside its armed forces and credited the military for delivering a strong and effective response. He also paid tribute to the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and honored the sacrifices of the country’s martyrs.
Commenting on the budget process, Ashraf acknowledged its complexity and emphasized that it is the government’s responsibility to meet the country’s challenges and provide relief to all segments of society.
 “No government wants to present a budget that upset the people. We must ultimately return to the court of the people,” he remarked.
He commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government for making difficult but necessary decisions that, he said, few others would have dared to take.
He said that the financial pressures inherited by the current government and pointed to international institutions such as the IMF, World Bank, and FATF, which placed strict conditions on financial assistance. “We were under immense pressure. Without meeting those conditions, loans would not have been possible, and default was a real risk,” he explained.
Ashraf also underlined the PPP’s contributions as a coalition partner, saying the party had offered meaningful suggestions aimed at easing the burden on the poor.
Highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts after Indian aggression, he said, “Once the military had responded, we had to fight a second battle — the battle of perception.”
He praised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his team for their efforts on international forums to represent Pakistan’s case effectively. “Their tireless work will be remembered as a proud moment in our diplomatic history,” he stated.
He also acknowledged the role of PTI and other political parties in standing with the armed forces and presenting a unified national front.
He highlighted that Pakistan’s challenges — both economic and geopolitical — can only be addressed through unity, vision, and collective will.
He urged all political parties to move away from blame games and instead engage in practical politics focused on the welfare of the people. “We must work together to resolve all issues through joint efforts,” he said.

“Fourth Tashkent International Investment Forum” concludes with Portfolio of $31 billion FDI

By
Ali Ali
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0
By Shams Abbasi
TASHKENT, Jun 13 (APP):The “Fourth Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF)” 2025 has concluded with 35 different agreements in multifarious sectors of worth $31 billion were signed to bring Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the in Uzbekistan.
"Fourth Tashkent International Investment Forum” concludes with Portfolio of $31 billion FDI
The “Fourth Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF)” 2025concluded with a series of important sessions, discussion and conclusion of worthy investment agreements, which underscoring President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s strategic vision for sustainable economic development, economic modernization, economic reforms and increased international cooperation with global potential economic players.
The Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF) organized by the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the forum convened global CEOs, thought leaders and executives of the financial institutions to explore investment opportunities across main sectors, including energy, logistics, economic reforms urban planning, public-private partnerships (PPPs), mining, corporate governance and rural economy.
The TIIF, 2025 held from current month of June 9th to 12th at different venues across the capital city Tashkent, which considers the largest event of in the region.
In the TIIF 2025, more than 35 investment agreements with international partners were signed at the main hall Expo Hall in Tashkent (Uzbekistan).
In the last day of the TIIF was the main focus of the participants from different countries of the world.
In forum more than 30 investment companies, including Engineering Software Technologies, ACWA Power, Bell, HYPER Partners, Shaanxi Road and Bridge Group, Uz Oman Capital and TK-CH GROUP have signed a cooperation agreement with different foreign key investment groups.
In, TIIF 2025 the special focus was drawn to the significant projects of different sectors, innovative businesses and creative economy over four days, 35 panel sessions took place featuring more than 160 recognized speakers- international investors, sector specialists, economists, and CEOs of the different institutions all over the world.
In the current year 2025, one of the key innovations of this year’s forum was a large-scale industrial exhibition in the Tashkent, which showcasing new Uzbekistan’s manufacturing potential in front of potential investors and businesses.
The covering an area of 12,000 square meters, the exhibition featured 120 domestic manufacturers presenting their products, innovative developments, and different potential projects in pivotal sectors of the country’s economy. The displays covered a wide range of sectors from energy, food and agriculture, Pharmaceutical , electrical engineering, and textile industries to mechanical engineering, automotive, chemistry, financial sector, tourism, and information technology and different SMEs.
The exhibition attracted more than 5000 visitors daily and more 700 business meetings in Business to Business and Business to government formats were held within its framework, serving as a platform for discussing new initiatives and establishing business connections between Uzbek and foreign companies in the country.
In this year 2025, the forum brought together over 10000 participants, including around 3,500 foreign guests representing 95 countries.
Meanwhile unleashing his economic vision, in inaugural session of TIIF 2025, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that the volume of investments into the Uzbekistan national economy reached at $35 billion and exports amounted to $27 billion in the last Fiscal Year 2024.
This is also a practical result of the Tashkent International Investment Forum, now being held for the fourth consecutive year and the country’s gross domestic product has doubled over the past eight years and “we have set a goal to increase it to $200billion by 2030”, the President said.
Uzbek President said that attention is waning to the most pressing problems of humanity: food security, poverty and climate change and it is more important than ever to restore peace, justice and a shared belief in human dignity around the world.
In forth TIIF, 2025 Rumen Radev, President of Bulgaria, Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia,Olzhas Bektenov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Kyrgyz Government, Kohir Rasulzoda, Prime Minister of Tajikistan, Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Mr. Alexander Novak and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguli Ataguliev also participated in inaugural session of the forum.

Jazz triumphs across platforms at Pakistan Digital Awards 2025

By
Ali Ali
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jun 13 (APP):Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, emerged as a major winner at the Pakistan Digital Awards 2025, with its flagship platforms SIMOSA, Tamasha, and JazzCash recognized for excellence in consumer innovation, engagement, entertainment, and digital financial services.
SIMOSA, Jazz’s flagship SIMCare, lifestyle, and community platform, received two top honors—Best Consumer Mobile Service and the Gamification Award—solidifying its position among Pakistan’s most impactful digital platforms. The Best Consumer Mobile Service award recognized SIMOSA’s evolution from the Jazz World app into a brand-agnostic platform now serving the entire smartphone user base, offering features like digital SIM care, complaint resolution, online shopping, and Social+, with a sustained 4.5 Play Store rating.
The Gamification Award celebrated its creative use of mechanics such as daily reward streaks, swipeable ecommerce cards, and gamified learning to engage over 20.8 million monthly users, while monetizing these journeys through in-app ads and streak-skipping features.
In a parallel win, Tamasha, Jazz’s entertainment OTT platform, was awarded Best Online Streaming Platform for the third consecutive year at the Pakistan Digital Awards, highlighting its sustained success in setting new benchmarks for digital content in Pakistan. With a focus on quality, accessibility, and innovation, Tamasha continues to shape the future of streaming by offering viewers experiences that both captivate and inspire.
“These awards are a reflection of our commitment to solving real problems through meaningful technology and business models. SIMOSA and Tamasha are more than just apps—they are platforms built to empower users, inspire engagement, and deliver value at scale,” said Aamer Ejaz, President Digital Platforms at Jazz. “As we continue to expand our digital ecosystem, our focus remains on innovation that is inclusive, intuitive, and deeply local.”
JazzCash, the country’s leading digital financial services platform, also took home the award for Best Use of Creativity/Innovation for its TapPay for Business solution—the first of its kind globally. This innovative technology enables over 535,000 merchants and small businesses to accept payments from contactless cards or smartphones with a simple tap on any NFC-enabled Android device—turning everyday smartphones into low-cost, accessible payment acceptance tools. Eliminating the need for traditional POS infrastructure, TapPay lowers the barrier to entry for small retailers and micro-entrepreneurs to join the digital economy.
Commenting on the win, Murtaza Ali, President of JazzCash, said, “This award is a testament to our ambition to reimagine digital payments in Pakistan. With TapPay, we’re not just scaling innovation—we’re driving inclusion by equipping small businesses with fast, secure, and cost-effective ways to accept payments. It’s about innovation that creates real-world impact.”
Together, these recognitions underscore Jazz’s evolution into a full-fledged ServiceCo—one that goes beyond connectivity to build purpose-driven platforms across fintech, entertainment, lifestyle, insur-tech, enterprise, and gaming. Whether through SIMOSA’s everyday utility, Tamasha’s cultural impact, or JazzCash’s merchant innovation, Jazz is redefining how digital technology can uplift communities and enable progress for over 100 million Pakistanis.

Governor Kundi lauds FPCCI’s role in economic growth

By
Ali Ali
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jun 13 (APP):Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday praised the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) for its pivotal role in driving the country’s economic development and representing the voice of the business community at national and international levels.
Speaking at a high-profile event in Islamabad, the Governor acknowledged FPCCI as a vital institution that serves as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, fostering public-private partnerships and providing critical input on policy matters, including the national budget.
The Governor paid tribute to Dr Afshan Malik at a formal ceremony organized by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), recognizing her contributions to both national and international platforms.
Speaking as chief guest, Governor Kundi lauded Dr Afshan Malik’s leadership as Convener of FPCCI’s Diplomatic Standard Committee, crediting her with elevating Pakistan’s presence in global business and diplomatic circles.
He said her rare spiritual honour of being appointed Khalifa at the revered shrines of Ajmer Sharif and Baghdad, calling it not only a personal achievement but a matter of national pride.
“Dr Afshan Malik is a symbol of vision, harmony, and leadership. Her achievements serve as a guiding light for all Pakistanis, especially women,” the Governor said. “Institutions like FPCCI are the backbone of our economy, and leaders like her are instrumental in steering Pakistan towards progress.”
Kundi assured the business community of continued support from the federal government and Governor House Peshawar, urging them to actively contribute budget proposals.
“The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) welcomes all constructive suggestions from the business sector,” he added.
The ceremony drew a large audience from the business fraternity, including FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, philanthropist Zamurd Khan, social activist Hubba Chaudhry, Dr Amjad, and several FPCCI office-bearers. Attendees praised Dr Malik’s role in promoting economic diplomacy and spiritual leadership, marking her as a unique figure bridging commerce and culture.
The event concluded with a renewed call for public-private collaboration to strengthen Pakistan’s economic landscape.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Peace Force Committee for Interfaith Harmony, Mazhar Sakhawat Wattoo, called on Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, at the Governor’s House in Islamabad. Also present at the meeting was Syed Sibt Hassan, in-charge of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Secretariat.
During the meeting, the current law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other relevant issues were discussed in detail.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi emphasized the critical importance of promoting interfaith and sectarian harmony for the establishment of lasting peace in the province.
He highlighted that since assuming office as Governor, practical steps have been taken to promote interfaith and sectarian harmony, with the Governor House Peshawar being actively used as a platform for such initiatives.
Kundi reiterated that the PPP regards religious and sectarian harmony as a cornerstone for national progress and development.
Mazhar Sakhawat Wattoo lauded the efforts of Governor Faisal Karim Kundi in promoting peace and interfaith harmony and commended his proactive role in fostering unity across religious and sectarian lines.

KP CM seeks input of opposition for budget

By
Ali Ali
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0
PESHAWAR, Jun 13 (APP):Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur has invited the opposition to give positive recommendation for incorporation in provincial budget in best interest of province and its people.
Speaking on the floor of provincial assembly in budget session, he said that it is the constitutional ambit of opposition to criticize government and its policies for better interest of people.
“Today I welcome opposition to forward positive input in budget for collective welfare of people and prosperity of the province. He said that people of the province have been faced with terrorism for the last two decades adding that imposing tax on FATA and PATA would not be accepted.
He said that provincial government would not play role in collection of taxes in merged districts of FATA and PATA. He demanded of the federal government to arrange their meeting with founding chairman of PTI to get his input on the provincial budget.
He said that three-member committee comprising provincial finance advisor, leader of the opposition in upper and lower house would hold meeting with PTI founding Chairman.

KP Assembly offers Fateha for all martyrs of Pakistan, Palestine, Iran

By
Ali Ali
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0
PESHAWAR, Jun 13 (APP):Khyber Pakthunkhwa Assembly, while strongly condemning Israeli attack on Iran and atrocities in Ghaza Palestine on Friday offered Fateha for martyrs including those who embraced Shahadat during Indian aggression inside Pakistan.
Member Provincial Assembly, Abdus Salam on a point of order requested the House to offer Fateha for those martyred in Pakistan, Ghaza Palestine and Iran.
On the request of Speaker Babar Salim Swati, MPA Adnan Qadri offered Fateha and prayed for progress and prosperity of the country as well as unity of the Muslim Ummah.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also condemned the Israeli aggression on Iran and expressed solidarity with the government and people of brotherly Islamic country.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the upcoming 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Abu Dhabi, at MoFA

By
Khuram Maryam
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0
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the upcoming 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Abu Dhabi, at MoFA
APP18-130625 ISLAMABAD: June 13 – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the upcoming 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Abu Dhabi, at MoFA. APP/AHF/MAF/FHA
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the upcoming 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Abu Dhabi, at MoFA
APP18-130625
ISLAMABAD

KP Govt presents Rs 2119bn surplus budget 2025-26 with no new tax, 10pc increase in salary, 7pc pension

By
NNPS Desk
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0

PESHAWAR, Jun 13 (APP): The Khyber Pakthunkhwa Government on Friday presented Rs 2119 billion surplus budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 with no new tax and increase in 10 percent in salary and seven percent in pension of its employees.

Presenting the annual budget, Finance Minister KP Aftab Alam said that the estimated annual expenditures for the new fiscal year would be Rs 1962 billion with a surplus of Rs157 billion.

Giving the break-up, the Minister said that government was expecting to get Rs 292.340 billion from the federal government for the merged tribal districts including Rs 80 billion current budget grant, Rs 39.600 annual development program, Rs 50 billion under AIP, Rs 42.740 billion as their share from other provinces and Rs 17 billion for TDPs.

According to the minister, he said that Rs 3.293 billion would be received from PSDP, Rs 1506.92 billion from the federal receipts, Rs129 billion provincial owns receipts and Rs10.250 other receipts, Rs 291.340mn from merged districts receipts and Rs177.188 from federal projects assistance.

He said that Rs137.912 would be collected through one percent of the divisible pool on war on terror, Rs. 57.115 billion as straight transfer under the head of gas and oil royalty, Rs 58.151 billion as windfall levy on oil, Rs 34.580 as net hydel profit current year and Rs71.410 as net hydel profit arrears.

He said that no new tax has been imposed in the budget rather tax net base has been enhanced with Rs 83.500 billion tax receipts and Rs45.500 billion non tax receipt for the new fiscal year.

Similarly, the other receipts of Rs 10.25 billion would include capital receipts of Rs 0.250 billion and Rs10 billion other ways and means and Rs1147.761 billion as federal tax assignment.

Balochistan govt to launch People’s Train Service from Sariab to Kuchlak

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
QUETTA, Jun 13 (APP):The Balochistan government has announced plans to launch the People’s Train Service in collaboration with Pakistan Railways, in a significant development aimed at improving public transportation in the provincial capital.
The new passenger train service will operate between Sariab and Kuchlak, offering affordable and comfortable travel options to residents of Quetta and surrounding areas.
According to official sources, the project includes the upgrade of five existing railway stations and the construction of two new ones along the route. In addition, Pakistan Railways will upgrade the current railway track to enhance train speed and operational efficiency.
The initiative is being jointly implemented by Pakistan Railways and the Balochistan Department of Transport, which will work together to make the project viable and sustainable.
Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti praised the move, calling the People’s Train Service a step toward fulfilling the dream of a modern, affordable, and efficient transport system.
 “This project is designed to provide the public with high-quality, comfortable travel facilities. It will also help Quetta’s residents save time and effort in their daily commutes,” he said.
He further emphasized that the upgraded and newly constructed railway stations would be equipped with modern facilities to ensure a safe and dignified environment for all passengers. “The People’s Train is the first step toward long-term, people-centric development in the transport sector. More initiatives will follow soon,” he added.
The government’s focus on improving transport infrastructure is expected to enhance connectivity, boost economic activity, and contribute to the overall development of the region.
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