ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States signaled fresh momentum in bilateral economic engagement on Friday as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker in Islamabad.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the discussion centered on strengthening cooperation in investment, technology, and critical minerals.

Dar highlighted the increasing participation of American firms in Pakistan’s economy, pointing to the recent launch of the country’s first Google Chromebook assembly line in Haripur.

The facility, inaugurated earlier this month, was established through a collaboration involving Google, Tech Valley, the Government of Pakistan, the National Radio & Telecommunications Corporation, and Allied Corporation. Officials view the project as a significant step toward expanding Pakistan’s technology manufacturing capacity.

Interest from US companies has also grown in the mining and minerals sector. Nova Minerals, a US-based firm, recently expressed intent to pursue long-term investment opportunities, underscoring Pakistan’s substantial but underdeveloped mineral resources.

The meeting occurred shortly after Pakistan dispatched its inaugural shipment of critical minerals to the United States under a $500 million cooperation framework between US Strategic Metals (USSM) and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO). The agreement is designed to support joint development of the mineral value chain, including exploration work, processing, and the eventual establishment of refining operations within Pakistan.

The first consignment included antimony, copper concentrate, and rare earth elements such as neodymium and praseodymium, all sourced and prepared domestically. Officials say the multi-stage partnership enhances Pakistan’s prospects in the global critical minerals market and could encourage additional foreign investment.

Both delegations also exchanged perspectives on broader regional and international developments, reaffirming their commitment to continued dialogue.

Saleha Ali

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan expects its economy to grow by approximately 3.5% in the current financial year despite widespread destruction caused by this year’s monsoon floods, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said in an interview with Chinese media on Tuesday.

Pakistan faced yet another devastating monsoon season, which triggered massive flooding across multiple regions. More than 1,000 people and 22,000 livestock have been lost since late June, while floodwaters have destroyed crops spread over 2.2 million acres of farmland.

The scale of the disaster affected more than 4.5 million people and forced authorities to evacuate over 2.6 million residents from high-risk zones.

Despite the setbacks, Aurangzeb expressed confidence in the country’s economic trajectory. “We grew at 3% GDP last year,” he said, adding that although growth had initially been projected at over 4% for the current year, the floods have weakened the outlook. “Still, I’m quite hopeful that we can manage anything close to 3.5% during this fiscal year.”

The minister said Pakistan’s broader economy was showing signs of recovery, supported by easing inflation, strengthened foreign exchange reserves, and renewed confidence from international rating agencies.

Fitch, S&P, and Moody’s all upgraded Pakistan’s outlook earlier this year, marking the first time in nearly three years that their assessments have aligned.

Aurangzeb also highlighted progress on long-delayed privatization initiatives. He pointed to the recent sale of the First Women’s Bank to a United Arab Emirates conglomerate, describing it as a long-standing item on the government’s privatization agenda.

Pakistan International Airlines is next in line, and the minister said he is “very sanguine” that the national carrier will be privatized before the end of the year.

Emphasizing the importance of Pakistan’s partnership with China, Aurangzeb noted that economic cooperation between the two countries is entering a new phase.

After years focused on infrastructure under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the relationship is now shifting toward industrialization, which he described as key to Pakistan’s long-term prosperity.

Saleha Ali

LAHORE — Lahore’s air quality declined on Tuesday as smog returned after a week, prompting updated health advisories from authorities.

Data from IQAir, a global air monitoring agency, showed the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 567, a level deemed “hazardous” and among the highest recorded globally. By Tuesday evening, multiple stations across Lahore reported severe pollution readings of 435 at the CERP Office, 428 on Ravi Road, and 358 in Model Town, leaving millions of residents struggling under a veil of toxic air.

Medical experts have warned citizens, especially children, senior citizens, and individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions, to stay indoors. Those compelled to go outside have been urged to wear N95 or KN95 masks. 

The city’s skyline remained obscured under a greyish haze, the result of vehicle emissions, industrial discharge, and crop residue burning, turning daylight into a muted orange gloom.

In response, the Punjab Police expanded their anti-smog operations, registering 26 new cases in the past day and issuing fines totaling more than Rs1 million. Cumulatively, since the beginning of the year, 2,388 cases have been filed, 2,106 individuals arrested, and over Rs230 million in fines collected for environmental violations, including the operation of smoke-emitting vehicles and unauthorized burning activities.

Inspector General of Police Dr. Usman Anwar has instructed officers to maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward those contributing to air pollution. 

Meanwhile, IQAir reported that Pakistan’s average PM2.5 level in 2024 has reached 73.7 µg/m³, nearly 15 times above the WHO-recommended limit, placing the nation as the third most polluted country in the world.

Authorities have reiterated calls for citizens to minimize outdoor exposure as Lahore endures yet another surge of toxic smog.

Saleha Ali

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced that financial assistance under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) will be disbursed through digital wallets starting from Ramazan, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s transition toward a cashless economy.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review progress on the digitalisation of payment systems, the prime minister described the move as the beginning of a “new chapter” in the country’s economic transformation.

He emphasised that adopting digital financial systems would help ensure sustainable economic growth, enhance governance, and reduce corruption by promoting transparency and efficiency.

According to an official statement, the operationalisation of 10 million digital wallets under BISP will be completed by the end of this month. The initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to accelerate digital transformation across financial and public sectors.

The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan must keep pace with the world’s rapid shift toward digital economies. “Digital payments will enhance transparency and efficiency while reducing corruption,” he noted, adding that the government’s early focus on digital transformation is now producing tangible results.

The meeting was informed that Raast QR codes are now being used to facilitate payments for electricity and gas bills, enabling billions of rupees in digital transactions.

Furthermore, the Islamabad government services mobile application has been integrated with Raast, while the issuance of new business licences has been linked to digital payment systems. QR codes have also been introduced at retail outlets to encourage electronic transactions.

The prime minister was informed that 68 per cent of the population has achieved financial inclusion, and he directed officials to further expand this coverage and meet all economic targets within defined timelines.

Saleha Ali

RAWALPINDI: The Government of Punjab has launched Phase-III of the Himmat Card Programme in Rawalpindi, reaffirming its commitment to empowering persons with disabilities through inclusive welfare initiatives. 

The ceremony, organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Baitul Mal Punjab, was held on Wednesday and attended by senior government officials, parliamentarians, and representatives from various districts.

Punjab Minister for Social Welfare and Baitul Mal, Sohail Shaukat Butt, graced the occasion as the chief guest and distributed assistive devices to 65 persons with disabilities and Himmat Cards to 45 beneficiaries. The assistive devices included tricycles, electric and manual wheelchairs, and other mobility aids.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sohail Shaukat Butt announced that the provincial government has set an ambitious target of distributing 200,000 Himmat Cards among persons with disabilities by next year.

Highlighting the initiative’s progress, he shared that 65,000 beneficiaries received Himmat Cards and assistive devices last year, and that this year the number has increased to 100,000. Under the programme, each beneficiary receives Rs 10,500 on a quarterly basis to support their livelihood and accessibility needs.

The Himmat Card Programme, initiated by the Punjab government, aims to provide financial assistance, mobility support, and opportunities for social inclusion to persons with disabilities across the province. 

Saleha Ali

ISLAMABAD – The Government of Pakistan has approved the construction of a new international airport in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to enhance regional connectivity and support overseas Pakistanis.

According to officials, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has begun feasibility studies, including site selection and environmental assessments, expected to conclude by December 2025. Construction is set to begin this fiscal year.

The project aims to reduce travel time for Mirpur residents, promote tourism, and attract investment. Officials said the airport will create jobs and contribute to Pakistan’s broader aviation modernization and regional development goals.

Saleha Ali

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the deadline for manual income tax return filing to November 30, while announcing a series of facilitation measures to support taxpayers under its digitalisation initiative.

According to an official statement, dedicated help desks and special facilitation cells are being established in all tax offices to assist individuals filing returns manually. These centers will provide free registration support, online filing guidance, and legal assistance through FBR’s field offices.

The FBR said the initiative aims to improve taxpayer convenience, ensure transparency, and promote a fully digital and efficient tax system across Pakistan.

In a related development, the FBR has drafted amendments to the Income Tax Rules 2002, proposing that individual taxpayers submit income tax returns and withholding statements electronically. The draft, issued under Section 237(1) of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, has been opened for public feedback.

Officials stated that the reforms are designed to encourage the use of technology in tax administration, streamline return filing, and enhance data management for greater fiscal accountability.

Saleha Ali

ISLAMABAD: Authorities in the federal capital have introduced new measures to curb smog and improve air quality, making carbon emission testing mandatory for all vehicles and banning open-air garbage burning across the city.

The decisions were made in a meeting chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, attended by senior officials and environmental experts. Under the directives, brick kilns and industries must shift to eco-friendly technologies, with non-compliant units facing legal action and demolition.

Chairman Randhawa said the steps align with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision for environmental protection, directing strict enforcement of Pak-EPA regulations and dust control at construction sites.

Environmental expert Rizwan Mehmood recommended prioritizing pollution-absorbing tree species in plantation drives and promoting carpooling to cut vehicular emissions.

Officials noted that the measures aim to reduce smog and ensure a cleaner, healthier environment for Islamabad’s residents.

Saleha Ali