Author: Faiza Liaquat
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Vietnam has surged to $850 million in 2024, up from $750 million in 2023, with both nations aiming to cross the $1 billion mark soon. According to Vietnam’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Pham Anh Tuan, the long-term goal is to reach $10 billion in trade, supported by complementary economies and increasing cooperation. Pakistan’s key exports to Vietnam include cereals, cotton, leather, meat, and pharmaceuticals. In return, Vietnam exports electronics, coffee, and synthetic materials to Pakistan. The balance reflects a healthy, mutually beneficial trade relationship. The 5th Pakistan-Vietnam Joint Trade Committee meeting, held in Hanoi on July…
In a significant development for public sector employees, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has approved a 30% increase in the Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA) for all regular government employees from Basic Pay Scale (BPS) 1 to 22. According to a notification issued by the AJK Finance Department, the revised allowance will take effect from July 1, 2025, with the enhanced salaries to be disbursed starting August 2025. The increase will be based on the basic pay as of June 30, 2022. However, those appointed after July 1, 2022, will receive the benefit under the 2017 pay scale, ensuring…
Pakistan’s victorious U-16 volleyball team, fresh off a historic win at the Asian Championship, is being formally recognized and rewarded for its exceptional performance. The Punjab Sports Department has announced one-year scholarships and a monthly stipend of Rs70,000 for players placed in the Platinum category, acknowledging their dedication, skill, and triumph on the continental stage. The announcement came from DG Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry, who praised the players’ discipline and composure in securing a landmark victory over Iran in the final. He reaffirmed the department’s commitment to promoting youth sports and developing Pakistan’s next generation of champions. In addition,…
Pakistan has recorded a remarkable 84% surge in rice exports to China during the first half of 2025, signaling strong trade momentum and deepening economic ties between the two nations. Trade Data Shows Strong Growth in Semi-Wholly Milled and Broken Rice According to data released by the China General Administration of Customs, Pakistan’s exports of semi-wholly milled rice (commodity code 10063020) amounted to $29.53 million, with a volume of over 66.9 million kilograms from January to June 2025. This marks a sharp rise from $5.23 million during the same period in 2024. In total, rice exports — including premium and…
Islamabad — July 2025In a significant policy move, the Government of Pakistan has launched the restructuring of the National Information Technology Board (NITB) to accelerate its Digital Pakistan ambitions. The initiative, led by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT), seeks to overhaul the administrative and operational framework of NITB to improve digital governance, service delivery, and institutional efficiency. Administrative Reforms to Eliminate Bottlenecks The restructuring plan includes updates to NITB’s leadership structure, organizational hierarchy, performance metrics, and recruitment policies. These changes are designed to address long-standing challenges such as bureaucratic delays, capacity gaps, and project slowdowns that have hindered…
Islamabad — July 2025Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has inaugurated a groundbreaking digital licensing and registration system for medical devices, aiming to bring transparency, speed, and efficiency to the healthcare regulation process. The launch ceremony, held in Islamabad, marks a significant leap in Pakistan’s digital health governance framework. The system, developed under the Ministry of Health, enables fully online applications with no human involvement, and promises license issuance within 20 working days — a major improvement over the lengthy manual approval procedures of the past. Digitizing Health Regulation Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal highlighted that the system is fully automated, offering…
In a performance that cements his status as one of Pakistan’s brightest tennis prospects, 15-year-old Mikaeel Ali Baig achieved a rare double victory at the ITF J30 Tournament in Montego Bay, Jamaica — winning both the singles and doubles titles on the same day. The achievement adds another golden chapter to his young career, signaling his rise as a serious contender on the global junior circuit. Dominance in Doubles Mikaeel began his landmark day alongside American partner Ross Johnson, delivering a commanding 6-3, 6-4 victory over the duo of Nicolas Brandao (Brazil) and Daniel Rocha (Colombia) in the doubles final.…
Held on Sunday, 20th July 2025, the Galiyat Mountain Trail Race returned for its fourth edition, bringing together trail runners from across the globe in the breathtaking highlands of the Galiyat region. Organized by Margalla Trail Runners (MTR), this year’s event demonstrated Pakistan’s growing ability to host international-standard high-altitude endurance races, both in terms of logistics and athlete experience. Challenging Course and Global Standards The event featured two internationally certified categories under the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) and Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) regulations. The 60KM Ultra Trail, which began at 5:00 AM from Thandiyani, challenged runners with…
In a landmark moment for youth mountaineering in Pakistan, four young climbers aged between 11 and 14 have successfully scaled Lal Batti Peak, a 16,000-foot summit located in the Ratti Gali region of Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley. The group consisted of Anabiya and Afan from Islamabad, and Shahabuddin and Ahmad from Neelum Valley, who have now become the first children to reach the mountain’s summit. Their historic climb was made possible with logistical and moral support from the Neelum Paradise Hikers Club. The journey was filled with physical and environmental challenges, including steep climbs, changing weather, and high altitudes. Despite…
Islamabad’s Safe City initiative is entering a new phase of transformation with the deployment of 3,100 additional CCTV cameras across the capital, aimed at significantly improving public safety, crime deterrence, and traffic surveillance. The new cameras will be strategically placed at key roads, intersections, and entry/exit points, all connected to the city’s Command and Control Centre for real-time monitoring and quick response coordination. With this expansion, the total number of surveillance cameras in the city will exceed 5,000, making Islamabad one of the most closely monitored cities in the region. These cameras are equipped with facial recognition technology, enhancing the…