Author: Faiza Liaquat
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…
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…
In a forward-looking development, Pakistan and China have kicked off a series of joint training programs under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). These programs span high-impact areas such as artificial intelligence, agriculture, construction, and hospitality, aligning workforce development with industry demand. The agreement took shape during NAVTTC Chairperson Gulmina Bilal Ahmad’s official visit to China from July 6–12, under the China-Pakistan TVET-Industrial Centre of Excellence (CPTICE). Meetings with CPTICE officials and the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing paved the way for swift implementation. A standout feature of this initiative is the growing push for international vocational recognition,…
Pakistan defeats Malaysia in a gripping penalty shootout to reach the U18 Asia Cup 2025 final. Goalkeeper Ghulam Mustafa seals victory after a 3-3 draw in regular time. In a sensational display of grit and rising talent, Pakistan’s U18 men’s hockey team has advanced to the final of the Men’s U18 Asia Cup 2025, following a dramatic 4-3 shootout win against Malaysia in the semifinal held in Dazhou, China. After a gripping 3-3 deadlock in regular time, the Green Shirts held their nerve in the penalty shootout—thanks to a brilliant last-minute save by goalkeeper Ghulam Mustafa. Early goals by Abdullah…
In a major step toward academic excellence and international competitiveness, the OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) held a successful International Workshop on Quality Assurance and University Rankings in Islamabad. The event, attended by more than 500 participants from 27 countries and over 300 academic institutions, marked a defining moment in collaborative higher education reform across the Muslim world. Prominent attendees included vice chancellors, Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) directors, and global education experts. The workshop served as a vital platform to discuss the role of quality assurance (QA) in improving university performance, academic credibility, and placement…
Pakistan and Russia have joined hands to revive Pakistan Steel Mills, marking a significant breakthrough in industrial cooperation and bilateral relations. The agreement, finalized during a high-level Pakistani delegation’s visit to Moscow, is set to breathe new life into one of the country’s most critical industrial assets. The protocol was signed by Pakistan’s Secretary for Industries and Production alongside Russian counterparts. The revival will be undertaken with technical support from Russia, aiming to modernize operations and restore full-scale production at the Karachi-based steel facility. Haroon Akhtar, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Finance and Revenue, who led the delegation, described…
In a heartwarming and inspiring moment from Pishin, 55-year-old Faiz-ul-Haq has successfully passed his matriculation exams, scoring 600 marks and earning a second division. His journey is a powerful reminder that learning has no expiry date. Faiz-ul-Haq, who works as a peon at Government Boys High School, Nawaabad, had always nurtured the dream of pursuing education. However, life’s responsibilities including the need to support his family forced him to postpone that dream for decades. Despite the long academic gap, Faiz never gave up on his goal. With encouragement and support from the school’s teachers and staff, Faiz returned to his…