Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi passes away in Lahore

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s stance on Kashmir at international fora to highlight gruesome human rights violations by India

Indian media’s fake “civil war” in Pakistan, falls flat on face

By

Shafek Koreshe

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Thu, 22 Oct 2020, 12:36 AM

5th Gen War – Twitterati bust RAW’s #Fake letter attributed to COAS

By Shafek Koreshe

In an abortive attempt to create diversion from Narendra Modi’s human rights abuses in Kashmir, the Indian media went berserk by propagating fake news about a “civil war” like situation in Karachi, triggering a hilarious response from the twitterati in Pakistan, who enjoyed every bit of the ridiculous reports.

#CivilWarInPakistan and #KarachiCivilWar were in no time the top trends, with the young twitter users going crazy by posting video clips from action movies, comics, images of the Indian MiG pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down by Pakistan Air Force inside Pakistan’s territory, as scenes from the Civil War, getting an equally enthusiastic response with numerous retweets and likes.

The arrest of PML-N leader Captain (Retd) Safdar on charges of political sloganeering at Quaid’s Mausoleum and leave applications by senior police officers was exploited by the top Indian news channels, who portrayed an administrative issue as a “civil war” and went to the extent of even reporting casualties, and armed clashes.

Indian Media ditches professionalism to dip at to its lowest

The news reports were part of a persistent barrage of fake news from Indian mainstream media and its RAW controlled assets on social media over the past few months. The trend has witnessed a sharp spike as part of India’s fifth generation war (5GW) against Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office on the “malicious and fabricated propaganda” by Indian mainstream and social media claiming civil unrest in Pakistan, said planting such baseless stories were reflective of the “Pakistan-obsessed BJP-RSS” mindset.

“Needless to say that Indian media continues to hit new lows,” he said, when asked to respond over the series of fake news flashed as breaking news across the Indian media about a “civil war in Pakistan”.

“Indian media continues to hit new lows”: FO

The Spokesperson said through “peddling fake news and running propaganda machinery”, India could not wash away the truth about its own gross and systematic human rights violations in Indian Ilelgally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

“Rather than reporting on humanitarian crisis in IIOJK, the Indian media chooses to spread fake and sensational news about Pakistan to detract from core issues,” he said.

#FakeNews - Yet another figment of imagination of Indian Media — #FakeNews – Yet another figment of imagination of Indian Media

The Indian media tried hard to appease its own consumers and to create a diversion from its human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir. However in its abortive attempt it created history by churning out fake news overpowered by the anti-Pakistan hysteria, undermining its professional ethics and credibility.

#FakeNews - India Today with its concocted news story — #FakeNews – India Today with its concocted news story

The unleashing of the Indian media did not go unnoticed, as Michael Kugelman, deputy director at the @AsiaProgram and South Asia senior associate @TheWilsonCenter in a tweet pointed that the Indian disinformation accounts were exploiting Pakistan’s current political crisis, and “falsely claiming that the country is no experiencing urban warfare.”

He described the trend as “dangerous and disturbing”, as several of these accounts were verified and had huge followings.

Indian disinformation accounts are exploiting Pakistan’s current political crisis and falsely claiming that the country is now experiencing urban warfare and other serious instability. Dangerous and disturbing; several of these accounts are verified, with large followings. Ugh.

— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) October 21, 2020

Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari said the Indian media was in “hyper drive with fake news on Pakistan” and regretted that it was “unfortunate that Twitter is [deliberately ignoring it].”

All major media outlets in so-called world’s biggest democracy decimated all journalistic norms as none bothered to fact-check such a huge gaffe. India’s News18, India Today, Zee News, India.com and several others quoted the International Herald which showed old videos of bomb explosions in Pakistan and portrayed it as the ongoing civil war.

#FakeNews - Indian International Herald tweet — #FakeNews – Indian International Herald tweet

The Institute of Policy Research in a report said their data indicates a pattern of Indian propaganda against Pakistan on digital media that grew exponentially after 2018 General Elections in #Pakistan. The propaganda hovers around largely 4 key themes.

Minister for Ports and Shipping pointed that the Indian propaganda was at its peak and “sadly fueled by the PDM Circus.” He said the food inflation was artificially manufactured, but was being brought under control.

Indian media propaganda at its peak & sadly fueled by the PDM circus.
Both social & economic indicators of Pakistan are showing positive signs.
The artificially manufactured food inflation is being brought under control as well.
Pakistan on the rise under PM @ImranKhanPTI

— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) October 22, 2020

Minister for Kashmir Affairs also lambasted the “fake, fabricated and malicious propaganda campaign to malign State institutions of Pakistan. He urged @Twitter to take action against Indian accounts for #FakeNews against Paksitan.

#Indian media is deeply involved in a fake, fabricated and malicious propaganda campaign to malign state institutions of #Pakistan.@Twitter needs to take action against Indian Social Media accounts who are involved in nefarious attacks of fake news against Pakistan.

— Shehryar Afridi (@ShehryarAfridi1) October 21, 2020

However, this idiocy of Indian media gave the Twitterati a perfect chance to enjoy as the microblogging site was flooded with messages to ridicule the Indian media’s insanity.

“Karachi civil war has gotten so bad that my food panda delivery boy had to crawl through mine fields carrying his AK47, RPG & 9mm along with my nihari and Biryani. This thing is getting so serious. Multiple cows have been killed & people are dying of over eating. #IndianMedia,” commented renowned singer Fakhr-e-Alam.

Karachi civil war has gotten so bad that my food panda delivery boy had to crawl through mine fields carrying his AK47, RPG & 9mm along with my nihari and Biryani. This thing is getting so serious. Multiple cows have been killed & people are dying of over eating. #IndianMedia 😂

— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) October 21, 2020

Besides numerous other fake photos, the Indian media also used an image of a building collapsed following a gas leakage blast in Karachi earlier in the day to substantiate its fake news of civil war.

“A little investigation would have informed Zee News that it wasn’t a bomb blast in ‘civil war’ in Pakistan but the result of a gas leak in Karachi. Whither truth, objectivity, balance and fairness in reporting?,” said Farhatullah Babr, former senator of Pakistan Peoples Party which rules Sindh province.

A little investigation would have informed @ZeeNewsEnglish that it wasn’t a bomb blast in ‘civil war’ in Pakistan but gas leak in Karachi. Whither truth, objectivity, balance and fairness in reporting? https://t.co/RaZ81Tx96C

— Farhatullah Babar (@FarhatullahB) October 21, 2020

“An Aircraft shot during civil war in Karachi… and the pilot captured…,” commented another Twitter user Fasihuddin while sharing the images of Indian aircraft MiG-21 and captured injured pilot Abhinandan following an aerial dogfight during India-Pakistan standoff in 2019.

An Aircraft shot during civil war in Karachi… and the pilot captured…

#Karachicivilwar #IndianMedia pic.twitter.com/Al5iWx6jOe

Some of the selected tweets

Indian media propaganda at its peak & sadly fueled by the PDM circus.
Both social & economic indicators of Pakistan are showing positive signs.
The artificially manufactured food inflation is being brought under control as well.
Pakistan on the rise under PM @ImranKhanPTI

— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) October 22, 2020

— Fasih Uddin (@Fasih_Uddin) October 21, 2020

Captain Amir Liaquat Hussain leading the #CivilWarinPakistan, targeted Sindh Police positions with 2 grenades at a time from a single RPG. 👏 pic.twitter.com/VVDeI8y4Rh

— Kashif Ali (@KaschifAli) October 21, 2020

Live scene from #CivilWarInPakistan

This is civil war at its peak. pic.twitter.com/EOBXWjJMZv

— Mustafa T. Wynne (@mustafa_wynne) October 21, 2020

Greek ambassador urges students to learn language, culture at Islamabad competition

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Tue, 10 Feb 2026, 5:46 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP): Greek Ambassador to Pakistan Eleni Porichi on Tuesday said language learning helps young people understand cultures and connect with each other.

Speaking at the International Greek Language Day Competition in Islamabad, she encouraged students to explore the Greek language, history, and education opportunities in Greece.

She thanked the students for their participation and said such exchanges strengthen ties between countries, especially with Pakistan, which has a long cultural history.

Roots International Schools & Colleges, in collaboration with the Embassy of Greece in Pakistan, hosted the International Greek Language Day Competition at its Wellington Campus in Islamabad. Students from different institutions took part in the event, which focused on learning, dialogue, and cultural exchange through the Greek language.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Eleni Porichi said activities like this help students learn not only a new language but also understand people and traditions from other countries.

She said language builds bridges and allows nations to know each other better.

The ambassador appreciated the enthusiasm shown by Pakistani students in learning Greek and said this interest would help them discover the language and its background.

She also encouraged students to look beyond language learning and consider Greece for higher education. She said Greek universities offer academic opportunities and exposure to a rich cultural environment.

In her concluding remarks, the ambassador thanked Roots International Schools & Colleges and its partners for organizing the event and celebrating Greek language and culture.

CEO of Roots International Schools & Colleges, Walid Mushtaq, said such competitions and discussions help students develop interest in global languages and cultures. He said collaboration with the Embassy of Greece, Metropolitan University College, and academic partners opens new paths for cooperation between educational institutions. According to him, these partnerships support learning in a changing education system.

Walid Mushtaq said the event also promoted cultural exchange among students and strengthened people-to-people links between Pakistan and Greece. He added that learning different languages helps students understand global societies and prepares them for future academic collaboration.

The competition was held under the theme “Compete. Converse. Celebrate Greek.” Students took part in language-based activities and presented cultural performances from both Greece and Pakistan, highlighting shared values and traditions.

Following the decision adopted at the recent UNESCO General Conference concerning the Greek language and its contribution to universal culture, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, in accordance with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 71/328 on multilingualism and the importance of linguistic diversity for cultural diversity, has proclaimed 9 February of each year as World Greek Language Day.

At the end of the event, the Greek ambassador distributed tablets among participating students. Organizers said the competition aimed to promote awareness of Greek culture and its influence while encouraging students to engage with languages beyond their own.

Maritime Security Exercise SEA GUARD-26 culminated at Karachi

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Tue, 10 Feb 2026, 5:45 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP): Maritime Security Exercise SEA GUARD-26 culminated at Karachi with a debrief session.

Vice Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz, Chief of Staff, Pakistan Navy, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, said a news release issued by the Director General Public Relations (Navy).

During the debrief, representatives of participating organizations were presented with an analytical review of the conduct of the exercise, encompassing various scenarios executed to validate information-sharing and response mechanisms among stakeholders against maritime sector contingencies.

Maritime Security Exercise SEA GUARD-26 culminated at Karachi

The Chief Guest appreciated the effective conduct of the exercise and lauded the role of the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre (JMICC) in synergizing the efforts of all maritime stakeholders. He emphasized the importance of sustained engagement and collaboration, while reaffirming Pakistan Navy’s proactive commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s maritime interests.

Exercise SEA GUARD-26, the third edition of the series, brought together representatives from across Pakistan’s maritime sector, including Government Regulatory Authorities, Law Enforcement Agencies, private sector entities, and academia.

The exercise also featured operational activities such as port and harbour defence, protection of vessels and maritime infrastructure, counter-narcotics operations, and search and rescue missions.

Huawei showcases innovation at AI Industry Week, driving Pakistan’s digital transformation

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Tue, 10 Feb 2026, 5:40 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP): The Ministry of IT and Telecom launched the AI Industry Week Islamabad as a flagship initiative to highlight Pakistan’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence, fostering innovation, and building a robust digital ecosystem.

The event brings together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and technology companies to showcase cutting-edge solutions and explore collaborative opportunities that will shape the country’s digital future.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, during his visit to the Huawei booth, emphasised the importance of strong collaboration between the public and private sectors to accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation. He encouraged leading technology companies, including Huawei, to actively participate in the Narowal Innovation Center initiative, noting that such partnerships will ensure Pakistan remains competitive in the global knowledge economy.

“Partnerships with Huawei and other innovators will accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation and ensure the country remains competitive in the global knowledge economy. Huawei’s strong presence in Pakistan is fostering innovation and supporting our journey toward a Digital Pakistan,” said Ahsan Iqbal.

Huawei Pakistan’s CEO AI and Cloud, Ahmed Bilal Masood, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s digital journey, saying, “Huawei is proud to be a trusted partner in Pakistan’s innovation ecosystem. “

AI Industry Week Islamabad continues to serve as a platform for fostering collaboration, showcasing cutting-edge technologies, and advancing Pakistan’s vision of a digitally empowered future.

Pakistan go down fighting as Australia win Pro Hockey League opener

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Tue, 10 Feb 2026, 5:37 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP): World No. 5 Australia clinched a narrow 3-2 victory over Pakistan in a thrilling opening match of the second round of the FIH Pro Hockey League in Hobart, Australia on Tueday.
Australia dominated the first half as Tim Brand struck twice to give the hosts a comfortable lead. Pakistan, however, made a spirited comeback after the break, scoring two quick goals to bring the contest back on level terms.
Nadeem Ahmed reduced the deficit with a well-taken field goal, while Mohammad Sufyan Khan equalised by converting a penalty corner, putting Australia under pressure in the latter stages of the match.
The closely contested encounter was decided in the dying moments when Blake Govers converted a penalty corner to seal the win for Australia.
Pakistan will next face Germany on February 11, followed by another clash against Australia on February 13. The Green Shirts will conclude this leg of their Pro Hockey League fixtures with a match against Germany on February 14.

Rupee gains 03 paisa against US Dollar

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Tue, 10 Feb 2026, 5:36 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP): The Rupee on Tuesday appreciated by 03 paisa against the US Dollar in interbank trading and closed at Rs279.67 compared to the previous day’s closing at Rs279.70.

According to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of the Dollar in the open market were recorded at Rs280.60 and Rs282.3, respectively.

The price of the Euro increased by Rs1.27 to close at Rs333.02 from the previous day’s close of Rs331.75, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The Japanese Yen went up by 01 paisa and closed at Rs1.79, whereas the exchange rate of the British Pound witnessed an increase of Rs1.63 and closed at Rs382.31 compared to the previous day’s Rs380.68.

The exchange rate of the Emirates Dirham and the Saudi Riyal remained unchanged at Rs76.14 and Rs74.57, respectively.

Work on Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway to begin in May: Aleem Khan

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Tue, 10 Feb 2026, 5:31 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP): Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Tuesday announced that construction work on the long-awaited Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) will officially commence in May this year, terming the project a top national priority.

Chairing a high-level meeting of the National Highway Authority (NHA), the minister directed officials to take immediate, decisive steps to ensure the project proceeds without further delays, said a press release.

Abdul Aleem Khan highlighted that both the Sukkur-Hyderabad and Karachi Motorways would be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to ensure efficiency and sustainability and the work on all the sections may continue to simultaneously so that the whole project is completed in a timely manner.

The minister further said that the Sialkot-Kharian and Islamabad Motorway will now be constructed as a 6-lane Highway instead of the previously planned 4 lanes to better accommodate future traffic volumes. He underscored that the current administration is not merely building for today, but is developing Motorways to meet the rigorous infrastructure requirements of the next 30 years of the country.

Furthermore, the meeting focused on enhancing connectivity and regional utility. Strategic plans were discussed to link the Motorway network with Kartarpur and Nankana Sahab and other religious tourism centers to maximize economic impact.

To promote Sikh religious tourism on an international scale, Abdul Aleem Khan announced that the Communications Ministry will conduct dedicated “Roadshows” in Canada, United States and Europe.

The session concluded with a briefing from the Chairman of NHA and senior officials regarding the feasibility of the Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway and modernizing “Right of Way” advertising policies and other related issues.

AI key to climate governance, disaster preparedness: Musadik Malik

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Tue, 10 Feb 2026, 5:24 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP): Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik on Tuesday highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in climate governance, public policy and disaster risk management, stressing its predictive and preventive potential.

Speaking at the National Artificial Intelligence Workshop, the minister said AI could help address Pakistan’s challenges related to fragmented and limited data, which often hinder effective policymaking.

He noted that AI-driven modelling could support targeted interventions, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions.

Referring to the Pakistan Vulnerability Report, Dr Malik said 20 districts had been identified as highly vulnerable to climate risks, including 18 in Balochistan and two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Such assessments, he added, enable policymakers to prioritise resources where they are needed most.

The minister said AI integration with monitoring systems could improve early disaster detection and response, allowing preventive action before significant damage occurs. However, he cautioned against overreliance on AI, warning it could weaken human judgement and critical thinking if not used responsibly.

He also noted that the next phase of AI development, particularly AI agents, could reshape employment patterns, stressing the need for careful integration and timely reskilling of affected workers.

While technology can boost short-term productivity, Dr Malik said sustainable long-term growth depends on continued innovation rather than one-time adoption of new technologies.

The workshop was attended by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, as well as policymakers, experts and stakeholders from the public and private sectors.

UAEIMC unveils strategic vision to drive healthcare sustainability at World Health Expo 2026

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Tue, 10 Feb 2026, 5:23 PM

DUBAI, Feb 10 (WAM/APP): The UAE Integrative Medicine Council (UAEIMC) is participating in the World Health Expo (WHX), from 9th to 12th February at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City, where it is unveiling its strategic vision to advance the sustainability of the healthcare sector and contribute to the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM).

The UAEIMC is part of the national platform ‘Emirates Health’, a consortium of UAE’s health authorities bringing together various UAE health stakeholders.

The unveiling of the Council’s vision aims to chart the future of the integrative healthcare sector while highlighting a suite of strategic initiatives designed to fulfil its core mission: establishing a balanced healthcare system. This system bridges Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) to promote wellness and longevity through evidence-based practices, advanced research, innovation, talent development, and international cooperation.

This launch follows the Council’s adoption of its strategic roadmap last January, which is built upon seven key pillars: robust governance, integrated service delivery, comprehensive insurance coverage, education and capability building, advanced research and innovation, growth through local and international collaboration, and community engagement and awareness.

Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chair of the Council, said, “Today marks a strategic milestone in our journey to empower the Council’s national mandate. We are developing an integrated healthcare model that prioritises patient safety and elevates service quality, ultimately shaping the future of healthcare across the UAE and extending its impact far beyond our borders to the world,”

Sheikha Salama added, “Our presence at the World Health Expo aligns with our commitment to international engagement on platforms where innovation and knowledge converge with scientific evidence. As we witness a global shift from curative care toward resilient, holistic, and preventive health models, science-based integrative approaches are emerging as fundamental pathways for the evolution of healthcare systems.”

World Health Expo is the world’s largest network of healthcare events. As part of the event programme, panel discussions at UAEIMC’s booth will explore the future of integrative medicine through a dual focus on education and innovation, with stakeholders and healthcare leaders in integrative medicine.

Discussions will examine how integrative medicine can be embedded across higher education and professional development, to strengthen physician and healthcare professionals’ competencies and support continuous learning.

The programme will also include a panel discussion on the growing emphasis on research, clinical validation and data quality, with insights on Emirati Traditional Medicine, herbal and natural products, safety and quality frameworks and emerging applications such as AI-enabled evidence generation.

The UAEIMC will present two initiatives at WHX developed in collaboration with key national and international stakeholders, reflecting a system-wide approach to innovation and knowledge integration.

Developed by Dubai Medical University (DMU), the ‘Dr Layla Initiative’ is an artificial intelligence-enabled research and educational platform, that consolidates traditional and herbal medical knowledge into an interactive digital system. Represented as a virtual faculty member, the platform is positioned as the world’s first AI doctor specialising in traditional medicine and medicinal plants.

‘Dr Layla’ delivers structured knowledge across disciplines that have historically been passed down orally with limited formal documentation including Traditional Chinese Medicine, African Traditional Medicine and Emirati Traditional Medicine. This initiative supports the preservation, standardisation and responsible clinical application of traditional knowledge within preventative and integrative healthcare settings.

In collaboration with Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), the Council will showcase a demonstration powered by XtalPi, a Chinese specialist company in intelligent laboratory solutions. The platform represents the world’s first automated system for the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) drugs, introducing a next-generation approach to pharmacological evaluation and regulatory-aligned safety assessment.

Another showcase includes the ‘I-D-E-A Platform’, developed by Jingtai Technology, an intelligent system enabling end-to-end separation, analysis, and evaluation of active ingredients in TCM. The platform supports the creation of chemical libraries, active-ingredient screening and unmanned monitoring through advanced data analytics, ensuring efficacy, traceability, and safety across the entire TCM research and drug-development chain.

The UAE Integrative Medicine Council was established to position the UAE as a global leader in integrative healthcare, that seamlessly combines traditional and complementary practices with conventional medical care.

Guided by a unified strategic framework, the Council’s work is anchored across seven pillars: robust governance, integrated service provision, equitable access, education and capability building, cutting-edge research and innovation, growth through collaboration, and community engagement and acceptance. Together, these pillars support the safe, ethical and evidence-based integration of TCIM within the UAE’s healthcare system, while fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.

In addition to its technology and research showcases at WHX, the Council will convene strategic dialogue through the Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine, reinforcing its role as a national platform for advancing integrative medicine.

First established in 2025 as part of the Future Health Summit, Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine will return this year bringing together policymakers, academics, clinicians, researchers and innovators to explore the future of integrative healthcare, supporting the UAE’s vision of a globally recognised, integrated health ecosystem.

Kazakh President assigns to reduce inflation within 3 years

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Tue, 10 Feb 2026, 5:12 PM

ASTANA, Feb 10 (Kazinform/APP) : Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev assigned the Government and the National Bank to ensure a lowering of inflation within three years, stressing personal accountability for results, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The Head of State stressed the need to bring inflation down to a stable and controlled level without sharp fluctuations and without harming economic growth.
The President noted the causes of high inflation are clear, adding it is crucial to solve this problem without damaging the country’s development.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev charged the Government and the National Bank to jointly develop a step-by-step action plan, involving all state agencies and the expert community.
He emphasized it is necessary to take certain measures to reduce inflation within three years and ensure fulfillment of the joint action plan.
As written before, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced that the Government is preparing a package of comprehensive measures to increase household incomes.

Ottis Gibson appointed head coach of Peshawar Zalmi for PSL 11

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Tue, 10 Feb 2026, 5:11 PM