Author: Faiza Liaquat

Pakistan’s long-awaited Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy is on the verge of official approval, announced Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja at a recent seminar at Quaid-i-Azam University. Finalized after a year of consultations with domestic and international experts, the policy focuses on six core areas: innovation, awareness, infrastructure, AI ethics and safety, sectoral transformation, and global cooperation. Reaffirming the government’s strong commitment, the minister emphasized the urgency of putting the policy into action. She invited all stakeholders academia, industry, tech experts, and civil society to contribute actively to refining and implementing the framework. Feedback is welcomed…

Punjab has secured a major infrastructure win with federal approval for the expansion and extension of the Lahore‑Sialkot Motorway. Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan endorsed the project, marking it as a landmark stride toward smarter, faster travel across the province. The approved plan will expand the existing four‑lane motorway to six lanes, addressing escalating traffic volumes and enhancing commuter safety. In a transformative move, the route will extend beyond Sialkot toward Kharian and ultimately Islamabad. This new link is poised to bypass the congested Lahore‑Islamabad M‑2 corridor, carving out a fresh high‑speed artery across the region. Shorter Journeys, Greater…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has inaugurated ‘Police Station on Wheels’, a mobile unit offering direct access to FIR registration, public services, and driving licenses—especially for senior citizens. The mobile police unit is part of the wider Safe City Project, which now uses over 3,200 surveillance cameras, AI-powered facial recognition, and emergency monitoring across the capital. This innovation aims to make policing more citizen-friendly, secure, and efficient. The PM also visited Islamabad’s Online Women Police Station, Taxi Verification System, and Hunch Lab, and awarded laptops to youth working on critical digital cases. A major leap towards digital policing and community safety!

Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry has achieved a major milestone, recording 34% growth in exports during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. With total exports reaching $457 million, this marks the highest growth in two decades, positioning the sector as one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing export categories. Compared to last year’s $341 million, this surge is the strongest since 2009. The broader category of therapeutic goods — including pharmaceuticals, surgicals, medical devices, food supplements, and nutraceuticals — also posted impressive figures, with total exports valued at $909 million, just shy of the billion-dollar mark. The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA) credited this…

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a landmark Rs20 billion solar energy initiative to power 130,000 households across the province, offering a sustainable solution to chronic load-shedding and energy poverty. In the first phase, 32,500 households were selected through electronic balloting to receive free solar systems, including panels, batteries, fans, and lights. The initiative, inaugurated by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, received 2.5 million applications, reflecting massive public demand. The project prioritizes widows, transgender persons, and low-income families, with half of the recipients receiving systems for free, while others will benefit from subsidized solar units via easy installments. Critics have…

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…