Author: Faiza Liaquat

In a high-stakes federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government approved several key social and economic measures — marking a clear shift toward reform-focused governance. Among the top decisions was a 15% increase in the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) pension, effective from January 2025. Funded by EOBI’s own resources, the raise aims to provide immediate relief to thousands of pensioners. The PM also ordered the formation of a cabinet committee for EOBI reform, focusing on bringing informal sector workers — such as domestic help and farmers — under its coverage. “Those who were long excluded…

In a key sign of improving economic relations, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan reached $1 billion in just the first six months of 2025 a figure that reflects growing regional cooperation despite underlying political and security complexities. According to data released by the Afghan Ministry of Commerce, Pakistan exported $712 million in goods primarily food and industrial items while Afghanistan exported $277 million worth of cotton, coal, dry fruits, and soft stones to Pakistan. This surge in trade comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement, with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Ambassador Sadiq Khan playing a vital role in bridging…

In what is being hailed as Punjab’s most ambitious housing investment to date, the provincial government has released Rs. 42 billion under its flagship ‘Apni Chat Apna Ghar’ program offering interest-free home construction loans to low-income families across the province. Launched in August 2024, the scheme is already making waves. Over 51,900 families have benefited, with 6,160 houses completed and another 45,000+ under construction. Targeting daily wagers, widows, shopkeepers, and small vendors, the initiative offers up to Rs. 1.5 million in interest-free support to those who own land but lack resources to build a home. During a progress review, Chief…

Islamabad, July 2025 – In a long-awaited development, the United Kingdom has officially lifted its five-year ban on Pakistani airlines, allowing national carriers to once again operate direct flights to UK destinations. The restriction, initially imposed in 2020 due to concerns over pilot license verification, has been removed following significant aviation safety reforms by Pakistani authorities, according to a statement by the British High Commission. This policy shift aligns with the European Union’s recent decision to restore operations for Pakistani carriers, marking a strong international endorsement of Pakistan’s regulatory improvements. Return to the Skies Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the country’s…

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…

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…

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…

Pakistan’s U16 volleyball team is turning heads in the Asian U16 Volleyball Championship 2025, held in Thailand, by delivering one commanding performance after another. With a 3-0 victory over Chinese Taipei, the team wrapped up the group stage without dropping a single set. Their campaign began with a statement win over South Korea, followed by a clinical match against Saudi Arabia, before finishing strong against Chinese Taipei. These wins secured the top spot in Pool D, paving the way for the next round against top teams from Pool B. This tournament is more than regional bragging rights—it’s also a gateway…