Author: Faiza Liaquat

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…

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…

Pakistan Railways is set to upgrade its services with the launch of onboard dining experiences, aiming to make long-distance and intercity travel more comfortable and convenient. The initiative includes: Dining coaches for Pakistan Express, Karachi Express, and Millat ExpressA fully operational kitchen facility onboard Jaffar ExpressFree services on fast railcars between Lahore and Rawalpindi including Subak Raftar and Islamabad Express To support this initiative, Pakistan Railways has floated a tender for catering services, encouraging professional firms to submit their technical and financial proposals by August 5, 2025. These enhancements are part of a larger transformation project, signaling a shift toward…