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All set to hold open bidding for PIACL’s 75% shares on Tuesday

By
Shumaila Andleeb
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 22 (APP): The Privatisation Commission would hold an open bidding for 75 percent shares of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) on Tuesday.
The sealed bids would be submitted in the morning at 10:30 am by the bidders, said a news release.
It said the reference price for PIACL’s bidding would only be approved by the Privatisation Commission Board and the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation after bids have been received.
The bids would be opened in a ceremony starting at 3:30 pm in the presence of the bidders.
The bids and the reference prices would be announced and the bidding would be concluded as per agreed terms.
The event would be telecast live on TV and digital media.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation, Muhammad Ali would also hold a press conference after the conclusion of the bidding process.
The privatization of PIA is being undertaken as part of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s economic reform agenda.
As the government is committed to ensuring transparency, the whole privatization process would be telecast live and streamed across all TV channels as well as respective social media handles of the government and Privatization Division in line with the vision of the Prime Minister for transparent and trustworthy privatization activity.
PIACL, the national carrier, is being privatized to ensure ‘the legend returns to the glory’.

PML-N Women’s Wing completes membership drive in Rawalpindi

By
Asif Jalal
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RAWALPINDI, Dec 22 (APP): The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Women’s Wing in Rawalpindi Division and district teams have completed their membership drive under the guidance of Divisional President and Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Asiya Naz Tanoli.
A meeting was held to review the membership process, attended by MNA Huma Chughtai, Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Tahira Mushtaq, Senior Vice President Rubina Tahseen, District Secretary Information and Broadcasting Shamsa Kanwal, District Vice President Samina Arif, General Secretary PP-18 Gul Afrin, and other office-bearers.
Speaking at the meeting, the PML-N Women’s Wing leaders welcomed new members and described the party as a symbol of Pakistan’s development. They said the party is known for respecting women, citing Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz as an example, and highlighted that major development projects in Rawalpindi reflected the PML-N’s performance.

Pakistan-Tajikistan cultural festival showcases shared heritage, strengthens bilateral ties: Minister Azma

By
Asif Jalal
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LAHORE, Dec 22 (APP): Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bukhari has said that viewing Tajik culture is a source of great joy, describing Allama Iqbal’s poetry as a unifying bridge between Pakistan and Tajikistan that symbolizes their shared Persian literary and intellectual heritage.
Addressing the Pakistan-Tajikistan Cultural Festival at Hazuri Bagh, Lahore Fort, here on Monday, she said that Pakistan values its long-standing brotherly relations with Tajikistan, adding that cultural exchanges play a key role in promoting mutual understanding at the public level.
The event was attended by a 75-member Tajik delegation, including Tajik Ambassador Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir, Additional Secretary Punjab Ahmed Raza Sarwar, and other dignitaries.
Tajik artists and dancers performed traditional music, which Minister Azma Bukhari described as “outstanding,” praising the elegance of Tajik women and the charm of Tajik culture. She welcomed the delegation on behalf of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif and invited them to visit Lahore’s shopping centers to experience the city’s vibrancy and hospitality firsthand.
The Minister, responding to an invitation from the Tajik ambassador, pledged to visit Tajikistan, emphasizing that cultural diplomacy strengthens bilateral cooperation through music, literature, fine arts, and preservation of cultural heritage. She added that the festival not only fosters friendship between the peoples of the two countries but also serves as a milestone in preserving and promoting their shared heritage, reviving historical ties between South and Central Asia and sending a message of peace, love, and mutual cooperation. She said that such cultural exchanges are an excellent means to enhance public harmony and a practical demonstration of the strong friendship between Pakistan and Tajikistan. Referring to the historical Silk Route, she noted that it facilitated not only trade but also the exchange of ideas, languages, and traditions, forming a shared cultural legacy, which Tajikistan proudly preserves. She emphasized that culture transcends borders and that Persian poets are equally revered in both countries.
Tajik Ambassador Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir, in his address, called Lahore “Tajikistan’s second capital” and thanked the Government of Pakistan for organizing the festival.
The delegation also visited a handicrafts exhibition at Hazuri Bagh, showing great interest in the displays that reflected the shared culture, arts, and traditions of both countries, highlighting the strong historical and cultural ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan.
Earlier, the Tajik delegation visited Mazar-e-Iqbal, laid floral wreaths, and offered Fateha in tribute to Allama Iqbal, the “Poet of the East,” honoring his lasting legacy in Pakistan and Tajikistan.

25th Zahid Husain Memorial Lecture highlights role of finance in structural transformation of economy

By
Asif Jalal
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KARACHI, Dec 22 (APP): To foster high-growth sectors in Pakistan, regulators must collaborate to create an enabling environment, develop an efficient bankruptcy system and establish robust contract enforcement mechanisms, a distinguished economist Professor Amir Sufi emphasized while delivering the 25th Zahid Husain Memorial Lecture on Monday.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) hosted the 25th Zahid Husain Memorial Lecture, which honors the transformative legacy of the first Governor of SBP, Zahid Husain. Professor Amir Sufi- the Bruce Lindsay Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago and recipient of the 2017 Fischer Black Prize- delivered the lecture titled, “The role of finance in structural transformation of the economy: An intangible question.”
The lecture convened an audience of diplomats, academics, banking industry leaders, business community and the family of the late Governor to discuss the evolution of the financial system in an era of high-tech growth.
Professor Sufi underscored the need to embrace the change as the economy was rapidly changing and argued that the financial sector must evolve with the real economy and fundamentally adapt as global markets shift toward high-tech services, such as Information Technology and Professional Scientific Services.
These sectors are characterized by high ratios of intangible capital, such as R&D and specialized knowledge, which traditional banking systems are not adequately equipped to finance, he noted, adding that as the banks historically rely on physical collateral and liquidation values, they often struggle to support innovative firms whose value is tied to “going-concern” or continuation value rather than redeployable physical assets.
To bridge this gap, Dr. Sufi emphasized the necessity for financial intermediaries that specialize in intangible capital, specifically through cash flow-based lending and external equity financing like Venture Capital (VC) and Private Equity (PE).
He highlighted that for countries like Pakistan to foster high-growth sectors, regulators must collaborate to create an enabling environment. This includes developing an efficient bankruptcy system designed to preserve business value and establishing robust contract enforcement mechanisms for complex equity arrangements.
He also highlighted the growth potential of IT services and expanding exports of the sector and stressed on further measures for promotion of IT services and prioritizing export oriented sectors. A good accounting system is essential to support intangible capital growth, he added.
Deputy Governor SBP, Saleemullah, in his opening remarks, acknowledged the country’s current macroeconomic stability but stressed the need for deep-rooted reforms to achieve sustainable growth and break the “boom-bust” cycles witnessed quite frequently in the recent past.
He stressed that deploying adequate capital toward the “real economy” is essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth. He characterized the expansion of financial access to SMEs, youth, and women as a critical imperative for achieving inclusive growth, urging banks to diversify from their traditional collateral dependencies and move towards cash flow based lending based on deeper understanding and appreciation of the business risks.
The Deputy Governor also underscored the SBP’s proactive role in this transition through key initiatives such as risk coverage facility for SME and Agri Finance, the Banking on Equality policy, and the Regulatory Sandbox for fintech. These efforts, supported by digital infrastructure like e-KYC and faster payment systems, aim to create a robust framework for technology-driven growth.
The session concluded with an interactive fireside chat where Dr. Sufi further elaborated on policy priorities for Pakistan and addressed questions from the diverse group of stakeholders in attendance.

President Zardari arrives in Najaf

By
Asif Jalal
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NAJAF, Dec 22 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari Monday arrived here to visit the shrine of Hazrat Ali in Najaf and shrines of Hazrat Imam Hussain and Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali in Karbala.
Governor Najaf Yousuf Makki Kanawi received the President of Pakistan at the Najaf Airport.
During the meeting at the airport, they discussed bilateral matters.

Rescue 1122 issues safety guidelines for gas heater use

By
Asif Jalal
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0
RAWALPINDI, Dec 22 (APP): The Punjab Emergency Service Rescue 1122 Murree on Monday warned the public about the dangers of unsafe gas heater use amid a sharp drop in temperatures in Murree and other cold regions.
A Rescue 1122 spokesman said incorrect or careless use of gas heaters, particularly in enclosed rooms and vehicles, could pose serious life-threatening risks.
He said the citizens often run gas heaters continuously in closed rooms during cold weather, which could reduce oxygen levels and allow the accumulation of colourless and odourless carbon monoxide gas. “This silent gas can cause suffocation and has resulted in the loss of human lives on several occasions.”
The spokesman advised that adequate ventilation must be ensured when using gas heaters in rooms or vehicles. Windows or vents should be kept slightly open to allow fresh air circulation, and heaters should not be operated continuously for long periods but switched off intermittently.
He emphasised that gas heaters must never be used while sleeping, as the effects of toxic gas could not be detected in time and may prove fatal.
Tourists visiting Murree were also cautioned against using heaters in fully enclosed vehicles. Heaters should be used only with windows slightly open, and vehicles must never be left running with heaters inside while closed.
In the event of a gas leak, Rescue 1122 instructed the public to immediately turn off the gas supply, open all windows and doors, move to an open area, and avoid using matches, lighters, or electrical switches to prevent explosions.
The spokesman urged citizens to remain calm in emergencies and call the service immediately for prompt assistance. “Precaution is life,” he said, adding that protecting lives and property was the foremost priority of Rescue 1122, and the public had a responsibility to follow safety instructions to safeguard themselves and their families.

Senate panel presses for swift pre-shipment testing, tougher quality controls

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 22 (APP): Raising alarm over delays in regulatory enforcement and the influx of hazardous products, the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology on Monday reviewed pre-shipment testing, quality control mechanisms and ongoing institutional reforms, stressing that lax oversight was endangering public health, consumer rights and the national economy.
The Committee met at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Kamil Ali Agha and was attended by Senators Husna Bano, Dr Muhammad Aslam Abro, Dr Afnan Ullah Khan and Saeed Ahmed Hashmi, along with Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi, senior officials of the ministry and heads of key regulatory bodies.
During the meeting, members held an extensive discussion on the pre-shipment testing policy, smuggling of hazardous food items, the Rs 135 billion petroleum products scandal in Quetta, enforcement failures in quality control, mandatory testing of solar equipment and wide-ranging institutional reforms.
Briefing the Committee, the Chairman of the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) said the federal cabinet had approved the implementation of pre-shipment testing at borders, though the operational mechanism was yet to be finalized.
The Federal Minister emphasized that once testing begins, consignments should be cleared within 15 to 25 days, warning that delays—especially for sensitive materials—could cause financial losses and health risks. Committee members expressed serious concern over the prolonged detention of consignments and urged strict timelines.
The Committee was informed that substandard betel nut (supari) and gutka were being smuggled into the country through both sea and land routes.
The members and the Federal Minister warned that spoiled supari and gutka posed grave public health risks, including cancer.
Senator Dr Afnan Ullah Khan called for a complete ban on gutka consumption, while the Chairman of PCSIR stressed the need for rigorous checks at the supply stage, noting that illegal consignments often move from coastal areas to factories before reaching consumers.
On the Quetta petroleum scandal, the Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology told the Committee that investigations into the Rs135 billion case had been completed. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against two serving officers, while cases against two retired officers were referred to the FIA on October 15.
Expressing dissatisfaction over delays, the Committee directed the FIA to submit its response within ten days.
The Federal Minister clarified that factory inspections fall under the mandate of the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).
However, members voiced concern that inspections were often ineffective, sometimes resulting in clearance of illegal material.
The Committee was also briefed on adulteration in spices such as turmeric and the use of harmful substances in products like kohl (surma).
Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) Engineer Waseem Nazir apprised the Committee of institutional reforms, stating that transfers were made strictly on merit and that “Smart PEC” initiatives had been launched.
He said digital services were introduced in collaboration with NADRA, enabling online registration and issuance of engineering cards through Pak-Identity. Entire university batches are now being registered online, alongside organizational restructuring and professional training programs.
He further informed that PEC has launched a Generative Artificial Intelligence course for 45,000 engineers, with 15,000 already trained, while a Chartered Project Directors course will begin in March–April 2026.
The mutual recognition agreements have been signed with China, with similar accords planned with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. A Graduate Engineer Trainee Program offering six-month paid training with a monthly stipend of Rs50,000 has also been launched.
On solar equipment, the Committee discussed mandatory testing of solar panels, inverters and batteries.
The Secretary said a Korea-assisted laboratory would soon become operational, capable of conducting at least 46 different tests on solar panels. Members warned that the unchecked influx of substandard equipment posed serious environmental and consumer safety risks and agreed that comprehensive testing was essential.
PSQCA officials briefed the Committee on standards for food, non-food and electrical products, informing that nicotine testing standards had recently been introduced and licenses were suspended or cancelled in case of violations.
Regarding tea whitener, officials clarified that it meets PSQCA standards, contains no nutritional value and does not pose health risks within approved limits, despite concerns over chemical usage.
Concluding the meeting, the Committee called for strict enforcement of quality standards, timely implementation of approved policies, transparency in investigations and stronger coordination among regulatory bodies to protect public health, consumers and national interests.

ICT admin sets up 16 M-Tag points, 88,634 vehicles tagged since Nov 14

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 22 (APP): The Islamabad district administration has expanded the number of M-Tag points across the federal capital to 16 as the administration reported that 88,634 vehicles have been tagged since 14 November, including 2,300 vehicles in the last 24 hours.
According to the spokesman of ICT administration here, the addition of three new points has raised the total number of M-Tag centres to 16, making it easier for residents to get their vehicles tagged.
According to official figures, a total of 88,634 vehicles have been fitted with M-Tags since the start of the drive on 14 November. During the past 24 hours alone, M-Tags were installed on 2,300 vehicles, showing a steady daily increase in participation.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Memon said the administration is committed to making the city safer through better identification and monitoring of vehicles. He urged citizens to get M-Tags installed at the earliest to avoid inconvenience once enforcement measures begin.
The M-Tag system allows authorities to identify vehicles through electronic readers installed at city entry points and other key locations. The deputy commissioner confirmed that the installation of tag readers has been completed across Islamabad, including major entry and exit routes.
“With the readers now in place, vehicles without M-Tags will face legal action once the system becomes fully functional,” he said, adding that the administration has already provided enough facilities for citizens to comply with the requirement.
Officials said the increase in M-Tag points was aimed at reducing waiting times and improving access in different parts of the city. Residents can now visit nearby centres instead of travelling long distances, which has helped raise daily tagging numbers.
The district administration stated that the M-Tag initiative is part of a broader effort to manage traffic flow, improve security checks, and maintain records of vehicles entering and moving within the capital. Authorities believe the system will help track vehicles more effectively and support law enforcement when required.
Officials also noted that public response has improved following awareness efforts and the expansion of facilities. The administration expects the number of tagged vehicles to continue rising as more people comply before enforcement begins.
Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon appealed to vehicle owners who have not yet registered for M-Tags to do so without delay. He said early compliance would help avoid penalties and ensure uninterrupted travel across the city.

Rescue 1122 Murree on high alert, in full readiness amid heavy rain & snowfall forecast

By
Asif Jalal
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0
RAWALPINDI, Dec 22 (APP): The Punjab Emergency Service Rescue 1122 on Monday remained on high alert and in full readiness in view of the forecast of heavy rain, hailstorm and snowfall in Murree and adjoining areas, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
Acting on the special directives of Secretary Emergency Services Punjab Dr Rizwan Naseer (Sitara-i-Imtiaz), Rescue 1122 emergency teams in Murree were mobilised in the field with full resources and equipment to deal with any eventuality. “All personnel are on round-the-clock alert to ensure a swift response during adverse weather conditions,” a Rescue 1122 spokesman said.
He said additional emergency teams were deployed in urban areas and along major highways to promptly handle potential accidents, traffic disruptions and any unforeseen situation.
The spokesman said rescue personnel, equipped with specialised equipment, were kept in full readiness to deal with stranded vehicles and accidents caused by slippery roads due to snowfall.
He advised citizens and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel and undertake journeys only in case of extreme necessity.
He urged the public to adopt precautionary measures during heavy rain, hail and snowfall, reduce vehicle speed and remain at safe locations.
The public was also advised to stay updated about the prevailing weather situation and immediately call Rescue 1122 in case of any emergency.

ATC grants bail to two PTI social media activists in Oct 5 protest case

By
Asif Jalal
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0
LAHORE, Dec 22 (APP): An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday granted post-arrest bail to two Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activists, Agha Sheikh Sarwar and Rai Ghulam Ali, in connection with the October 5 protests that involved violence and attacks on police.
ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill conducted the proceedings on the bail applications and directed the accused to submit surety bonds of Rs 100,000 each for their release.
During the proceedings, the prosecution requested the court to dismiss the applications, adding that solid evidence was available against the accused.
However, the defense argued that the accused manage their own social media channels and were wrongfully implicated in the case.
The case was registered at Shafiqabad Police Station regarding the violence and attacks on police during the PTI protest on October 5.
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