Author: Faiza Liaquat

In a rare moment of hope and healing, Cammie, the young camel whose brutal maiming in Sanghar shocked the nation, has now taken her first steps using a prosthetic leg, bringing a wave of inspiration across Pakistan. One year after the attack, the camel was seen walking again thanks to the tireless efforts of CDRS Benji Project, a Karachi-based animal rescue organization. Her custom prosthetic limb, developed by U.S. firm Bionic Pets, marks a milestone in animal rehabilitation in the region. This development not only showcases the intersection of advanced prosthetics and veterinary care but also reflects growing awareness of…

In a major win for national health sovereignty, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) has successfully developed Pakistan’s first-ever indigenous anti-rabies vaccine. This development comes amid rising rabies cases and looming international aid cutbacks on vaccine imports. The vaccine, now ready for clinical trials, was formulated using a locally isolated rabies strain, and marks the country’s first serious step toward independent vaccine manufacturing. Rabies, primarily caused by dog bites, claims up to 5,000 lives in Pakistan each year. With rising costs and limited data on treatment outcomes, the urgency for a local solution has never been clearer. Supported by the…

In a significant leap toward global collaboration in education and governance, Japan has announced the next phase of its ongoing scholarship initiative for Pakistani civil servants. Through a $263 million funding agreement, 16 young government professionals will be offered full scholarships to pursue advanced degrees in Japan. This program—facilitated through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)—aims to enhance Pakistan’s institutional capacity by strengthening the leadership skills and policy-making expertise of its public sector officers. Since the program’s launch in 2018, it has empowered several cohorts of Pakistani civil servants, who now bring global best practices into domestic reform efforts. The…

HITEC University, Taxila has carved its name into history by becoming Pakistan’s first-ever international champion in combat robotics. The university’s elite student team, Team Megabyte, claimed top honors at the prestigious ENIM Robot 10 Combat Robotics Competition held in Tunisia, outshining global contenders. Comprising passionate engineering students Hamza Chughtai, Zain Chughtai, Abdul Wahid, and Uzair Ahmed, Team Megabyte was formed with a mission to showcase Pakistan’s talent on the world stage. Prior to their global triumph, the team dominated national robotics contests including: The Tunisia win cements their legacy not only as national leaders but now as international pioneers in…

The UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue has officially opened in London, bringing with it a renewed focus on bilateral trade, economic reform, and innovation-led sectors. The highlight: a joint target to raise annual trade volume to €4.7 billion. At the center of this effort is a newly formed Business Advisory Council, comprising government officials and leading entrepreneurs. This council will provide policy advice, identify growth opportunities, and work to remove trade barriers. Strategic focus areas include: Both countries reaffirmed the importance of deepening ties, with Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Minister Douglas Alexander voicing strong support for long-term, inclusive trade growth. The…

Islamabad, Pakistan – July 12th – 13th, 2025:The capital region witnessed a major tech milestone as Google I/O Extended 2025 arrived in Islamabad, hosted by Google Developer Groups (GDG) Islamabad. The two-day event, held at Pearl Continental Rawalpindi and Innovista Rawal, drew hundreds of developers, tech professionals, and students, with over 88% of attendees under the age of 30. The event highlighted emerging trends in AI, cloud technologies, mobile development, and developer tools, reinforcing Pakistan’s growing presence in the global digital ecosystem. Keynote Insights & Featured ToolsThe event opened with a keynote by Saad Hamid, a Singapore-based tech leader, who…

At only 6 years old, Sufiyan Mehsood is already a name to remember. Hailing from South Waziristan, this young martial artist has achieved his fourth Guinness World Record completing 45 step-ups in 30 seconds, shattering the previous record of 30. Sufyan’s previous accomplishments include breaking two world records that were previously held by Indian athletes. This latest achievement cements his place as Pakistan’s youngest-ever record holder, and an emerging icon in global youth sports. But beyond the numbers, Sufyan’s journey is a powerful message of resilience and representation. Coming from a region often overlooked, he now stands on the global…

In a landmark move, National CERT Pakistan and UNICEF have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly advance Child Online Protection (COP) efforts across the country. The agreement, formalized in Islamabad, sets the stage for a strategic collaboration that will embed cybersecurity, digital literacy, and safety protocols into Pakistan’s child protection and cybersecurity policies. Key elements of the partnership include: By aligning cybersecurity and child rights, this partnership reflects a unified national approach to digital safety. With cyber risks increasingly targeting children, such cross-sector efforts are critical in building a secure, inclusive, and ethical digital future. Representatives from both…

On World Youth Skills Day, the Punjab government has delivered a transformative announcement: Rs. 26 billion will be invested in skills training and entrepreneurship programs for FY 2025–26 under the CM Skilled Punjab initiative. To ensure strategic delivery, all major skills-related bodies including PSDF, TEVTA, PVTC, PSDA, and PBTE have been merged into the newly formed Skills Development & Entrepreneurship Department (SDED). This one-window structure enhances speed, accountability, and alignment with global and local employment demands. Key Flagship Programs by PSDF: Adnan Afzal Chattha, Chairperson of the Punjab CM Task Force for Skills, emphasized, “This is not just about training…

In a progressive move to make tax systems more user-centric, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the nationwide rollout of digital tax services in Urdu. This includes the launch of Urdu-language invoicing and return forms, simplified interfaces, and digital support tools. The announcement came during a weekly review meeting in Islamabad, where the Prime Minister reviewed FBR’s ongoing digitization efforts. These include: Urdu-based return forms will be launched for salaried individuals by end of July, followed by wider rollout for other taxpayer categories. PM Shehbaz also instructed third-party audits for all reforms to ensure transparency and credibility. The campaign to…