ISLAMABAD, July 28: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Tuesday, reaffirmed that providing affordable housing to ordinary citizens remained one of the government’s top priorities.

He said the government had launched the Apna Ghar Scheme to enable low- and middle-income families to own a home.

The prime minister chaired a review meeting on the progress of the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme and directed the relevant authorities to accelerate the pace of its implementation, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

He urged both public and private sector banks to maximize financing to ensure the success of the initiative.

He also instructed officials to formulate a comprehensive strategy for both vertical and horizontal housing development models under the scheme.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and other senior government officials.

During the meeting, officials briefed the Prime Minister on the progress made in financing under the Apna Ghar Scheme.

They informed him that banks had so far approved financing worth Rs204 billion, while Rs27 billion has already been disbursed.

The meeting was further informed that the Ministry of Housing and Works and the State Bank of Pakistan were conducting weekly reviews to monitor progress on the scheme.

ISLAMABAD, 28 JULY (DNA) —      Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi Tuesday said that for the first time in the history of Pakistan Railways, Punjab government was making large-scale investments in railway development projects, terming it as a model of federal-provincial cooperation.

 During the meeting with Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, the minister expressed confidence that the joint initiatives would accelerate the improvement of railway infrastructure, passenger services, safety measures, environmental sustainability and preservation of railway heritage, ensuring that their benefits reach the public at the earliest.

They reviewed progress on a range of joint railway development projects aimed at modernizing infrastructure, improving passenger facilities and enhancing railway safety across the province. The officials briefed the participants on ongoing projects being implemented jointly by the Punjab government and Pakistan Railways, as well as future development initiatives.

The meeting was informed that work on eight suburban railway routes in Punjab was progressing, with feasibility studies for three routes already completed, while studies for the remaining projects would be finalized soon to pave the way for implementation.

The officials also informed the meeting that the Punjab government had approved Rs9.7 billion for the upgradation of railway level crossings. Under the project, unsafe level crossings will be converted into manned crossings in phases to improve public safety and reduce accidents. The participants reviewed progress on the Punjab Chief Minister’s Green Railway Corridor initiative, under which tree plantation will be carried out along more than 40 kilometres of railway corridor to promote a cleaner environment and enhance the landscape.

The meeting also assessed progress under the “Suthra Punjab” programme for improving cleanliness at railway stations.  The officials said sanitation work was continuing effectively to provide passengers with a cleaner and more comfortable travel environment. — DNA

ISLAMABAD, 28 JULY (DNA) —      The Supreme Court on Tuesday disposed of the Punjab government’s appeals seeking cancellation of the bail granted to former Punjab chief minister Pervez Elahi and Muhammad Khan Bhatti, while ruling that the trial court may revoke their bail in accordance with the law if they fail to appear before it. A bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi heard the case.

During the hearing, the Punjab prosecutor submitted that the accused had secured adjournments on 18 occasions so far. The Chief Justice asked why the accused were not appearing before the trial court. Counsel for Pervez Elahi, Ali Zafar, disputed the prosecution’s claim, describing it as contrary to the facts. He argued that Pervez Elahi had remained in jail for one year, yet neither had charges been framed nor had any witnesses or evidence been produced in the case.

The Chief Justice observed that it was the prosecution’s responsibility to produce evidence, but stressed that the presence of the accused before the trial court was mandatory and that no one would be allowed to misuse the law.

In its order, the Supreme Court directed the trial court to proceed with the case and complete the hearing within two weeks. The court further clarified that if the accused failed to appear before the trial court, it would be at liberty to cancel their bail in accordance with the law. — DNA

KARACHI, JUL 28 /DNA/ – The Secretary Information, Government of Sindh, Kashif Gulzar Shaikh, has assured the APNS Sindh Committee that the payment of outstanding dues of newspapers for the year 2021 will be released at the earliest. He also assured the Committee of a fair and equitable distribution of provincial government advertisements and agreed that the data regarding the distribution of advertisements should be uploaded on the official website on a daily basis.

A meeting of the APNS Sindh Committee was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Javed Mehr Shamsi, Chairman of the Sindh Committee. The Provincial Secretary Information attended the meeting as a special guest. APNS President, Senator Sarmad Ali, Secretary General Mr. Muhammad Athar Kazi, and the members of the Committee apprised the Secretary Information of the issues being faced by newspapers in Sindh. They stated that newspapers in the province were facing severe financial difficulties due to the non-payment of outstanding dues and urged the Government of Sindh to ensure the early clearance of all pending payments. The members also requested the issuance of display advertisements and urged that Sindhi-language newspapers be given priority in the release of Government of Sindh advertisements.

The members expressed serious concern that the quantum of advertisements being released by the Sindh Information Department to newspapers and periodicals had declined to the lowest level, contrary to the agreed allocation, and that APNS member publications were receiving only a limited number of advertisements. The meeting demanded that the quantum of advertisements allocated to the print media be increased so that newspapers could continue their publication without financial hardship.

The Committee members further demanded that the previous system for the payment of non-budgeted advertisements be restored and that, as in the past, payments for such advertisements be made by the Sindh Information Department on a monthly basis.

Mr. Kashif Gulzar Shaikh assured the meeting that the Government of Sindh fully recognizes the importance of the print media and is well aware of the problems confronting the newspaper industry. He stated that immediate measures were being taken to resolve these issues.
The meeting was attended by the following members:
Mr. Javed Mehr Shamsi, Chairman, Sindh Committee; Mr. Younis Mehr, Vice Chairman (Daily Halchal); Mr. Shahab Zuberi (Business Recorder); Mr. Kazi Mustafa Asad Abid (Daily Ibrat); Mr. Junaid Akram (Daily Dawn); Mr. Bilal Farooqi (Daily Aghaz); Dr. Jabbar Khattak (Daily Awami Awaz); Mr. Rafiq Ahmed Pirzada (Daily Pak Sindh); Mr. Najamuddin Shaikh (Daily Deyanat); Ms. Zahida Abbasi (Daily Nau Sijj); Mr. Kazi Sajjad Akbar (Daily The Regional Times); Mr. Mangal Das Arwani (Daily Hilal-e-Pakistan), Mr. Imtiaz Akhtar Qazi (Daily Tameer-e- Sindh), Mr. Mumtaz Ali Phulpoto (Daily Awami Parchar); Mr. Iqbal Hussain Tunio (Daily Jang); Ms. Haseena Jatoi (Daily Moomal); Mr. Muhammad Irfan (Daily Ummat); and Mr. Shahid Satti (Daily Vatan Gujrati).

ISLAMABAD, JUL 28 /DNA/ – Abdul Mannan Ch., Director (BPS-19), has been promoted to the rank of Director General (BPS-20) in the Accounts/Audit Category Ex-Cadre with immediate effect. The promotion was formalized through an official notification (No. PBM/Estb/023/1597) issued by Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM), under the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety, Government of Pakistan.

The elevation was approved by the Managing Director, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, on the recommendations of the Departmental Selection/Promotion Board. Prior to this advancement, Mr. Abdul Mannan Ch. served as Director in the Fund & Pension Branch at the PBM Head Office, Islamabad, where he managed key financial and pension-related operations.

Distinction for Bahawalpur & South Punjab

Hailing from Bahawalpur, Mr. Abdul Mannan Ch. brings a distinguished record of public service to his new role. He previously served as Director, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, South Punjab, where he played a pivotal role in managing social welfare programs and delivering institutional relief to marginalized communities across the region. His contributions have been widely acknowledged as instrumental in strengthening PBM’s outreach in South Punjab.

Wishes & Congratulations

Following the announcement of his promotion to Grade 20, a continuous stream of felicitations and warm wishes has poured in from officers and staff across Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal. Senior management, regional directors, assistant directors, and field officers extended their heartiest congratulations, recognizing his professional capability, integrity, and dedication to public welfare.

Colleagues across all departmental tiers expressed confidence that his elevation to Director General will further strengthen administrative efficiency and expand PBM’s welfare outreach nationwide. The PBM fraternity has hailed the promotion as a testament to merit and hard work within the organization.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 28: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Tuesday expressed confidence that Pakistan and the United States have the potential to double bilateral trade to $20 billion over the next five years through enhanced economic cooperation and increased investment.

He made the remarks while addressing a visiting US congressional delegation (CODEL) and a high-level American business delegation, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The US congressional delegation, comprising Ryan Zinke and Michael Baumgartner, called on Dar at the Foreign Office to discuss bilateral relations, trade opportunities and avenues for strengthening economic engagement between the two countries, the statement said.

DPM Dar invited American businesses to take advantage of Pakistan’s improving investment climate.

The deputy prime minister said Pakistan attached great importance to its longstanding strategic and economic partnership with the US and was committed to expanding cooperation in trade, investment and emerging sectors.

Welcoming the delegation, DPM Dar said the visit reflected the enduring friendship between the two countries and the growing positive momentum in Pakistan-US relations.

He said Pakistan and the US, home to the world’s fifth- and third-largest populations, respectively, possessed immense potential to build a mutually beneficial partnership by leveraging each other’s economic strengths.

“The United States is Pakistan’s largest single-country export destination, with bilateral trade reaching US$9.4 billion during the last fiscal year,” he said, expressing confidence that the volume could be doubled to US$20 billion over the next five years.

The deputy prime minister said Pakistan believed in fair, balanced and reciprocal trade that created value for both economies and delivered shared prosperity for their peoples.

He noted that Pakistan remained among the largest importers of US cotton and soybeans, supporting American farmers, while also emerging as an important market for US hydrocarbons.

Likewise, Pakistan’s growing demand for advanced machinery, technology and capital goods offered significant opportunities for US manufacturers.

He said leading US companies were exploring opportunities in Pakistan’s technology, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy, defence and manufacturing sectors, adding that the country’s ongoing structural reforms and competitive US tariff regime had further enhanced its attractiveness as an investment destination.

Dar highlighted the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), describing it as a one-window platform established to facilitate investors by streamlining approvals and ensuring effective coordination among government institutions.

He encouraged the visiting business leaders to continue engaging with the SIFC to convert emerging opportunities into long-term commercial partnerships.

“The Government of Pakistan remains committed to deepening its constructive engagement with the US government, businesses, investors and entrepreneurs to expand bilateral trade and investment across goods and services, including IT, AI, energy, manufacturing, critical minerals, agriculture and other emerging sectors,” he said.

He said Pakistan remained ready to offer competitive incentives for greater US investment, including opportunities in special economic zones and technology parks.

The deputy prime minister also expressed the hope that the US Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank), the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) would continue supporting expanded trade and investment between the two countries.

Inviting American investors to become partners in Pakistan’s economic transformation, the deputy prime minister assured them that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, would continue providing full facilitation for their long-term success.

He said Pakistan’s embassy in Washington, DC, and its consulates across the US would remain available to assist American investors in connecting with relevant institutions in Pakistan.

Highlighting the broader bilateral relationship, DPM Dar said Pakistan and the US shared the common objective of promoting lasting peace, stability and prosperity.

He said Pakistan remained committed to dialogue and diplomacy as the only sustainable path towards resolving disputes and maintaining regional peace.

The deputy prime minister said Pakistan had transformed its diplomatic standing over the past few years and was now widely recognised as a responsible peacemaker contributing to regional and international stability.

He urged members of the visiting US business delegation to serve as ambassadors of Pakistan’s positive image in the US and play an active role in promoting the country’s vast economic potential and investment opportunities among the American business community.

The congressional delegation acknowledged the valuable contributions of the vibrant Pakistani diaspora to the US economy and society, recognising it as a vital bridge between Pakistan and the US.

They also exchanged views on regional and international developments. The congressmen appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 28 /DNA/ – Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, today chaired the second meeting of the Committee on Genetically Modified (GM) Corn to review progress on the Committee’s mandate and deliberate on the way forward for adoption of GM corn technology in Pakistan.

Opening the meeting, the Finance Minister called for focused and constructive deliberations, emphasizing that the Committee should build consensus through scientific evidence, technical expertise, and international best practices while addressing the concerns of all stakeholders.

The Committee reviewed the follow-up actions from its previous meeting, including the circulation of policy documents and written submissions received from stakeholders. Members exchanged views on the opportunities presented by GM corn technology to enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, reduce import dependence, and improve competitiveness, while also discussing the need to safeguard Pakistan’s maize milling industry, export markets, and existing agricultural value chains.

The meeting also considered stakeholders’ recommendations regarding coexistence of GM and non-GM maize, regulatory oversight, biosafety protocols, traceability, storage infrastructure, and supply chain management. Participants highlighted the importance of developing a structured transition framework supported by effective regulatory supervision and international best practices to facilitate the adoption of new technology while preserving export competitiveness.

The Finance Minister acknowledged the concerns raised by various stakeholders and emphasized that technological advancement and protection of existing industries must progress together through practical and evidence-based solutions. He observed that the coexistence of GM and non-GM maize is a practical possibility and underscored the need for a robust regulatory framework, and appropriate supply chain arrangements to support a well-managed transition while protecting Pakistan’s agricultural and export interests.

To facilitate detailed technical deliberations, the Committee agreed to constitute a working group comprising representatives from relevant government organizations, industry, exporters, and technology providers. The working group will develop consensus-based recommendations on the regulatory framework, transition strategy, biosafety measures, and supply chain requirements for consideration by the Committee.

The Finance Minister emphasized that the working group should engage closely with all stakeholders and develop consensus-based recommendations on a priority basis, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to promoting innovation and modern agricultural technologies while safeguarding Pakistan’s agricultural sector and export interests.

The meeting was attended by representatives from public as well as private sector including Coordinator to Prime Minister on Agriculture and Food Security, Federal Secretary for National Food Security and Research, CEO Pakistan Green Initiative, relevant business and export sectors as well as technical and scientific experts with domain knowledge.