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Fifth Hajj Conference & Exhibition opens in Jeddah under Royal patronage

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (APP):Under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the fifth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition opened in Jeddah under the theme “From Makkah to the World”.
The conference held in cooperation between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030, according to Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
 The event featured the inauguration of the first edition of the History of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques Forum, organized by the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah). The inauguration was attended by ministers, senior officials, representatives of Islamic countries, and heads of Hajj affairs offices.
 The ceremony commenced with a speech by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, delivered on his behalf by Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, in which he affirmed the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to continuing the blessed efforts initiated by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud in serving the two holy mosques and caring for their visitors.
He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s dedication to continuously developing and improving the services offered to pilgrims and visitors, enabling them to perform their Manasik with ease and comfort.
 Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah stated that the conference reflects the wise leadership’s support and the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to advance the Hajj services sector in line with Vision 2030, ensuring a smooth, spiritual, and enriching experience for worshippers.
 He also revealed that basic contracts for over 60% of pilgrims have already been finalized, while preparations for 50% of the holy sites are complete and are expected to be fully ready by the 1st of Dhu al-Qi’dah. He added that the Nusuk app now has more than 40 million users worldwide.
 Following the speeches, several agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed among participating entities to enhance cooperation in technology, operations, and service quality for pilgrims.
 The conference and exhibition will run until November 12, featuring over 143 dialogue sessions and workshops with the participation of leading experts and speakers from more than 150 countries.

PSX gains 1,945 points on improved investor participation

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (APP):The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed on a positive note on Monday as the benchmark KSE-100 index gained 1,945.50 points, a positive change of 1.22 percent, settling at 61,538.41 against 159,592.90 recorded in the previous session.
During intraday trading, the index touched a high of 161,881.45 and a low of 160,406.43.
According to PSX data, the ready market recorded a turnover of 783.287 million shares as compared to 768.833 million shares traded earlier, while the traded value increased to Rs 36.372 billion from Rs 30.735 billion. The market capitalization also rose to Rs 18.471 trillion from Rs 18.286 trillion.
Out of 477 active companies, 292 advanced, 136 declined and 49 remained unchanged.
F. Nat. Equities led the volume chart with 73.709 million shares, followed by Kohinoor Spinning with 54.808 million shares and Bank Makramah with 49.120 million shares.
Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited stood among the top gainers as its share price increased by Rs 360.13 to close at Rs 28,999.99, while Exide Pakistan Limited gained Rs 59.32 to close at Rs 652.51.
The major losers included PIA Holding Company Limited-B, which fell by Rs 1,507.77 to close at Rs 23,380.18, and Pakistan Services Limited, which declined by Rs 89.45 to settle at Rs 1,374.30.
In the futures market, the turnover rose to 167.060 million shares from 163.336 million shares traded previously, with the traded value improving to Rs 10.182 billion compared to Rs 8.073 billion.
Of the 318 companies traded, 242 registered gains, 75 recorded losses and one remained unchanged.
KOSM-NOV led the futures volumes with 20.835 million shares, followed by BOP-NOV with 15.242 million shares and WTL-NOV with 13.086 million shares.
ATRL-NOVB emerged as the top gainer by rising Rs 39.58 to close at Rs 714.74, whereas GLAXO-NOV was the major loser after declining by Rs 15.00 to close at Rs 405.00.

Standing Committee Report on 27th constitutional amendment Bill presented in Senate

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (APP):The report of Standing Committee on Law and Justice on a Bill further to amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan [The Constitution (Twenty-seventh Amendment) Bill, 2025] was present in the Senate on Monday.
Chairman, Standing Committee on Law and Justice Farooq H Naek presented the report of the committee in House.
Presenting the report in House, Farooq H Naek said that the report has  been finalized after extensive deliberations by the committee members.
He said key recommendations were also incorporated to ensure judicial accountability, institutional balance, and equal representation of all provinces in the proposed Federal Constitutional Court.
He said that the committee thoroughly reviewed the draft bill clause-by-clause and suggested amendments regarding judicial appointments, the process of judges’ transfer through the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, the scope of suo motu powers, and the time limit for interim stay orders in revenue-related cases.
He informed the House that the committees held two full-day sittings in which members from all political parties and special invitees participated.
The deliberations are aimed to enhancing institutional balance, judicial accountability, and federal harmony in line with the principles of the Charter of Democracy (CoD) signed by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
He went on to say that the Federal Constitutional Court proposed in the bill would have equal representation from all provinces as well as the Islamabad High Court, ensuring inclusive participation of federating units in constitutional interpretation.
The eligibility criteria for appointment of judges were modified — the required experience of a High Court judge was reduced from seven to five years to broaden merit and inclusion, he said.
He said that the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, previously constituted under the 26th Amendment, would now include, in addition to a woman or non-Muslim member, a technocrat nominated by the Speaker of the National Assembly possessing qualifications equivalent to a member of Parliament.
Regarding the suo motu powers, Senator Naek said the committee retained the authority but added a judicial restraint mechanism — the Federal Constitutional Court could exercise Article 184(3) jurisdiction only upon a formal application and after satisfying itself that constitutional intervention was necessary in the public interest.
Explaining the transfer of judges, Farooq Naek said the earlier proposal that allowed the President to transfer judges between High Courts had been revised. Now, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan would recommend such transfers after consulting concerned Chief Justices and the judge involved. If a judge declined transfer, a reference would be filed before the Supreme Judicial Council to determine valid grounds instead of automatic retirement, thus preserving judicial dignity and due process, he said.
Regarding interim stay orders under Article 199, he said the committee amended the clause to address prolonged revenue cases. Now, if a stay order remained pending beyond one year without final adjudication, it would automatically stand vacated, enabling recovery of stuck revenue and expediting judicial efficiency.
Regarding presidential immunity,  Naek said the original clause granting lifelong immunity to the President was revised. The committee decided that immunity would not apply if the former President holds any public office after leaving the presidency, though it would remain valid during the presidential term.
“These reforms,” he said, “are designed to maintain judicial independence with accountability, institutional balance, and the supremacy of Parliament while preserving constitutional harmony,” he said
Later, Naek thanked the members of both committees for their participation, particularly Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice, Chaudhry Muhammad Bashir Virk, and appreciated the assistance of Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar and his team for their support.

HEC postpones aptitude test for Balochistan, erstwhile FATA scholarships

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (APP):The Education Testing Council (ETC) of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) postponed the Aptitude Test scheduled under the project titled “Provision of Higher Education Opportunities for Students of Balochistan & erstwhile FATA (Phase-III), Batch-IV.”
The test, which was originally scheduled to be held on Sunday, November 16, 2025, has been postponed due to the prevailing law and order situation and the imposition of Section 144 in Quetta City, which necessitated the change for the safety of all candidates and staff, said a press release on Monday.
The ETC will announce the new date for the Aptitude Test soon. Candidates are strongly advised to regularly monitor the official HEC and ETC websites for the updates.

EFSD opens headquarters in Astana

By
NNPS Desk
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0

ASTANA, Nov 10 (Kazinform/APP) : The Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD) officially inaugurated its headquarters in Astana on November 8. Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk attended the ceremony, Kazinform News Agency cites Kazakhstan’s Finance Ministry.
Finance Minister of Kazakhstan Madi Takiyev and EFSD Managing Director Andrey Shirokov cut the ribbon to mark the official launch of the new office.
The new headquarters will serve as the Fund’s central operational and analytical hub, strengthening the EAEF’s role as a key platform for financial stabilization and development in the Eurasian region.
The event also featured a presentation outlining the Fund’s priorities and near-term projects.
Representatives from EFSD member countries and Kazakhstan’s government agencies were in attendance.
Established in 2009, the EFSD is a regional financial mechanism designed to promote economic and financial resilience among the member states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.
As Kazinform reported on June 12, 2025, the Senate of the Kazakh Parliament approved the law amending the Treaty on the establishment of the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD).

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting regarding cashless economy.

By
Wajid
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0
APP01-101125 ISLAMABAD: November 10 - Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting regarding cashless economy. APP/TZD
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting regarding cashless economy.
APP01-101125
ISLAMABAD: November 10 – 
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting regarding cashless economy.
APP03-101125
ISLAMABAD: November 10 – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting regarding cashless economy. APP/TZD

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting regarding cashless economy.

By
Wajid
-
0
APP02-101125 ISLAMABAD: November 10 - Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting regarding cashless economy. APP/TZD
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting regarding cashless economy.
APP02-101125
ISLAMABAD: November 10 – 

First train carrying Kazakh wheat arrives in Armenia

By
NNPS Desk
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0

ASTANA, Nov 10 (Kazinform/APP) : The first train carrying Kazakh wheat arrived at the railway station of Ayrum in Armenia. The event marks the opening of a new transit route through Azerbaijan, reports a Kazinform News Agency correspondent.
Kazakhstan dispatched 15 railcars carrying 1,000 tonnes of wheat as a pilot shipment to test the efficiency of the new logistics route. The train followed the route Kazakhstan – Russia – Azerbaijan – Georgia – Armenia.
At Ayrum station, the train was met by Bolat Imanbayev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Armenia; Tobylbek Omarov, Managing Director of Kazakh National Company Food Corporation; Davit Khudatyan, Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure; and Arman Khojoyan, Deputy Minister of Economy of Armenia.
“This is a historic event. We are welcoming the first train carrying Kazakh wheat, the delivery of which became possible thanks to high-level agreements reached during the official visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Armenia in April last year. Today’s event is a vivid confirmation of the dynamic development of bilateral relations. Kazakhstan stands ready to continue grain supplies on a regular and mutually beneficial basis,” pointed out Ambassador Bolat Imanbayev.
In turn, Tobylbek Omarov added that Kazakhstan actively exports wheat to regional partners such as Azerbaijan and Georgia and now plans to expand supplies to Armenia. He noted that the new route enables more cost-efficient transportation, significantly reducing delivery costs. According to him, Kazakhstan plans to organize monthly shipments of 15,000–20,000 tonnes of wheat to Armenia by the end of this year.
Earlier, the train carrying Kazakh wheat to Armenia arrived in Baku. Speaking during a press statement with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on October 21, President Ilham Aliyev announced that Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on the transit of goods to Armenia that had been in place since the occupation.

Punjab Ombudsman ensures release of Rs10.56m payments for stationery suppliers

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
LAHORE, Nov 10 (APP): The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab has facilitated the payment of outstanding dues amounting to Rs10.56 million to various stationery suppliers after acting on complaints regarding delays by provincial departments.
According to the spokesperson, multiple suppliers had approached the Ombudsman’s Office over prolonged withholding of their legitimate payments due to procedural hurdles. Following intervention, one supplier received Rs1.335 million, while other cases were processed for early settlement.
The Ombudsman’s Office directed the departments concerned to ensure timely release of pending dues and extend full cooperation for genuine claims.
Complainants expressed satisfaction over the prompt and people-friendly action taken by the Ombudsman Punjab.

Chief Minister Sarfaraz Ahmad Bugti called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

By
Wajid
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0
APP04-101125 ISLAMABAD: November 10 - Chief Minister Sarfaraz Ahmad Bugti called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. APP/TZD
Chief Minister Sarfaraz Ahmad Bugti called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
APP04-101125
ISLAMABAD: November 10 –
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