ISLAMABAD, MAR 16 /DNA/ – The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan has advised the students enrolled in 7th and 8th semesters of computing programmes to contact their university focal persons before the deadline of March 20, 2026 and register for the National Skill Competency Test (NSCT). 

The free-of-charge, computer-based NSCT – to be conducted simultaneously across Pakistan in early April – enables the IT students to be part of the national IT talent pool and have access to employment opportunities in the IT industry. High-achieving students will receive a joint certificate by HEC, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA). These students will also be included in the national talent pool that is accessible to both local and international employers. In addition, the qualifying students will receive one academic credit from their respective institutions and gain prioritised access to internships, apprenticeships, and international certification pathways.

It is pertinent to mention here that HEC announced the commencement of NSCT for IT graduates in January as a landmark initiative to align academic outcomes with the rapidly evolving demands of the global technology sector. The test has been designed in pursuance of the Prime Minister’s directives and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication (MoITT), and P@SHA.

HEC has urged the higher education institutions to ensure participation of their students in view of its importance. The Commission has linked the results of this test to national benchmarking of universities in computing domain under which the universities will be categorised into performance tiers based on their students’ success in the NSCT.

HEC has already sensitised the universities to facilitate the registration process through nominated focal persons and recently held an orientation session for the university focal persons.

The NSCT offers a transformative opportunity to the students currently enrolled in their 7th and 8th semesters of computing programmes, including Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and related fields.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 16 /DNA/ – The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) has released a new policy brief highlighting the potential economic and labour market consequences of the ongoing Middle East conflict for Pakistan. The study, titled “The Middle East Conflict and Its Implications for Pakistani Migrant Workers,” authored by Dr. Shujaat Farooq, Professor of Economics and Dean of Research at PIDE, warns that prolonged instability in the region could significantly disrupt overseas employment opportunities and remittance inflows that are vital to Pakistan’s economy.

According to the policy brief, Pakistan’s economic stability is closely tied to the Middle East labour market, which hosts approximately six million Pakistani workers and accounts for more than half of the country’s total remittances. Each year, nearly 700,000 to 800,000 Pakistanis migrate to the region for employment. However, escalating geopolitical tensions could reduce labour outflows and trigger large-scale return migration, placing additional pressure on Pakistan’s already strained domestic labour market.

The study estimates that if the conflict persists, around half a million new workers may not be able to migrate to the Middle East in 2026, while a similar number of existing migrants could be forced to return home. Such a scenario would significantly impact labour markets, particularly in provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, where overseas migration traditionally absorbs a substantial share of new labour entrants.

Remittances, which currently contribute nearly 10 percent to Pakistan’s GDP and have grown from about $1 billion two decades ago to nearly $40 billion today, could also face a decline of $3–4 billion annually if the conflict continues. A reduction of this magnitude could put pressure on Pakistan’s exchange rate, widen the current account deficit, and weaken the country’s overall economic stability.

The policy brief also highlights the broader economic risks associated with prolonged conflict in the Middle East, including rising energy prices, disruptions in trade routes, and increased inflationary pressures. Approximately 11 percent of Pakistan’s exports are destined for Middle Eastern markets, regional instability could further complicate Pakistan’s external sector performance.

PIDE emphasizes that while overseas migration has historically provided relief to Pakistan’s labour market by absorbing a significant portion of new workers entering the labour force, excessive reliance on a limited number of destination countries exposes the economy to external shocks. Over the past decade, nearly 90 percent of officially documented Pakistani migrant workers have been employed in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates serving as the primary destinations.

To mitigate potential risks, the study recommends immediate policy measures to support Pakistani workers in the Middle East and to prepare for possible return migration. These include strengthening diplomatic engagement with Gulf countries to safeguard workers’ rights, establishing dedicated support portals for overseas Pakistanis, and developing comprehensive reintegration programs to assist returning migrants in finding employment or starting businesses.

In the longer term, PIDE underscores the importance of diversifying Pakistan’s overseas labour destinations beyond the Middle East. Expanding migration opportunities in East Asia, Australia, and other emerging labour markets, alongside investing in globally competitive skills development programs, could help reduce the country’s vulnerability to regional crises and ensure greater economic resilience.

The policy brief concludes that while Pakistan has made progress in stabilizing its economy under ongoing reforms, external shocks such as geopolitical conflicts can quickly undermine these gains. Proactive policy planning, labour market diversification, and stronger institutional support for migrant workers will therefore be essential to safeguard Pakistan’s economic stability in the years ahead.

KARACHI, MAR 15 /DNA/ – Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari presided over a meeting of the Parliamentary Party held at Bilawal House here on Sunday. The meeting was also attended by the President Asif Ali Zardari, First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, and President of the PPP Women Wing Ms. Faryal Talpur.

According to the press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, the meeting was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, President of PPP Sindh chapter Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, along with members of the Sindh Cabinet and PPP members of the Sindh Assembly.

While addressing the meeting, President Asif Ali Zardari said that they were carrying forward the mission of Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He said that the country was currently facing a challenging and war-like situation, and emphasized that unity and collective resolve were the need of the hour.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed full confidence in CM Murad Ali Shah and his cabinet, appreciating their performance. Addressing the Chief Minister, he said that he and his team were doing commendable work and should continue their efforts with the same dedication. The President also directed members of the Sindh Assembly to remain actively engaged in serving the people and to ensure maximum possible relief to the public despite difficult circumstances.

Addressing the meeting, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the world was currently witnessing an atmosphere of conflict and uncertainty, and that in such circumstances all political forces must stand united. He said he was satisfied with the performance of the PPP government in Sindh and appreciated the manner in which CM Murad Ali Shah was defending the province’s case despite numerous challenges.

Referring to the Gul Plaza Fire, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that “we are among those who extinguish fires, not those who ignite them,” adding that criticism of those responding to the tragedy was difficult to understand. He said Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab was being unfairly targeted because some elements could not tolerate a jiyala serving as the mayor of Sindh’s capital. Expressing satisfaction over the Mayor’s performance, he said that development activities in Karachi would soon gain momentum. He vowed that the Sindh government and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) would respond to propaganda through their performance.

KARACHI, MAR 15: Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for collective global efforts to counter hatred, prejudice and discrimination against Muslims on the occasion of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia being observed.

He said that Islamophobia is not only an attack on the dignity and rights of Muslims but also a threat to the universal values of tolerance, coexistence and mutual respect among nations and communities.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized that the international community must take meaningful steps to confront rising intolerance, protect religious freedoms and promote dialogue among cultures and faiths.

He said the teachings of Islam stand for peace, compassion and justice, and must never be distorted by hatred or prejudice.

He urged the world to work together to build societies rooted in respect, harmony and equality, where people of all faiths can live with dignity and security.

ISLAMABAD, Mar 15 (DNA): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Sunday that the security forces have killed 684 combatants of the Afghan Taliban regime as well as the Fitna Al Khawarij during Operation Ghazab lil-Haq.

Providing a summary of Afghan Taliban regime and Fitna Al Khawarij’s losses at 16:00 hours, the minister said as many as 252 posts of them had been destroyed, while 44 others were ‘captured and destroyed’ during the operation.

He said that over 912 Afghan operatives were injured during the Operation Ghazab lil-Haq (Righteous Fury).
Around 229 tanks, armoured vehicles, and artillery guns have also been destroyed during the operation, he added.

The minister noted that around 73 terrorists and terrorist support infrastructure locations across Afghanistan effectively targeted by air.

On night March 14/15 Pakistan Armed Forces targeted military installations including terrorist hideouts of Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij, he said, adding technical support infrastructure and equipment storage facility in Kandahar has been destroyed in these attacks.

He said those facility and infrastructure were being used by Afghan Taliban and terrorists against innocent Pakistani civilians.

A tunnel that housed technical equipment of Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij was also destroyed in Kandahar, Atta Tarar said. Similarly, in Chitral Sector, a terrorist jump of point at Badini Post of Afghanistan was destroyed through ground forces.

The minister, in his detailed post on X, also shared a video that show precision engagement by Pakistan on those installations and terrorist camps which directly / indirectly support terrorism from Afghan soil.
“No civilian population or infrastructure was targeted as falsely propagated by Afghan regime officials and media,” the minister maintained.

ISLAMABAD, Mar 15:The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has rejected media reports claiming that the Hajj flight schedule may be suspended due to the prevailing situation in the Middle East, stating that such reports are baseless and misleading.

A spokesperson for the ministry clarified that arrangements for Hajj 2026 are proceeding according to the planned schedule and there has been no decision regarding any suspension or delay of Hajj flights. The spokesperson said that some sections of the media had published reports linking the Hajj flight schedule with regional tensions in the Middle East, but these claims have no factual basis.

He added that the process of issuing visas to intending pilgrims is currently under way with full pace, while other administrative arrangements are also being completed in accordance with the timelines to ensure that all departure-related formalities are finalised in time.

The spokesperson further stated that the official Hajj flight schedule will be announced after Eidul Fitr. At that stage, pilgrims will be provided complete details regarding their flights, accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, and other relevant arrangements.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs urged intending pilgrims to avoid paying attention to unverified reports and rely only on official announcements issued by the ministry. It reiterated that all arrangements for Hajj 2026 are being completed in a timely and organised manner to facilitate pilgrims.

RAWALPINDI, MAR 15: /DNA/ – On 15 March 2026, Security Forces conducted an intelligence based operation in Lakki Marwat District, on reported presence of khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij.

During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, five Khwarij were sent to hell.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed Indian sponsored Khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.

Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji found in the area, as the relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

ISLAMABAD, Mar 15: Deputy Prime Minister / Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Sunday, expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Muslims worldwide over the issue of Islamophobia and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to combating prejudice, discrimination, hostility, and violence directed against Muslims.

In a message on ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia,’ he said Pakistan remained firmly committed to advancing international efforts to counter Islamophobia.

“In this regard, we are working with OIC Member States and the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia on the development of a UN Plan of Action that would provide a structured framework to understand better, prevent, and eliminate this challenge,” he added.

Dar stressed that the international community must stand united in condemning Islamophobia while also addressing the structural conditions that allow it to flourish.

“Pakistan calls upon all nations to undertake sustained efforts to promote mutual respect, dialogue, and understanding among communities, and to uphold the values of tolerance, dignity, and peaceful coexistence,” he further emphasised.

The DPM/FM said working closely with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Pakistan played a crucial role in the United Nations General Assembly’s historic decision to designate 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

“This marked an important milestone in the international community’s efforts to promote harmony, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among religions, cultures, and civilizations,” the Foreign Office Spokesperson, in a press release, quoted the DPM/FM as saying.

Dar further said Pakistan also played a pivotal role in the adoption of another UN General Assembly resolution aimed at strengthening international efforts to counter Islamophobia, including the request for the appointment of a United Nations Special Envoy to address this challenge.

In this regard, he said, they welcomed the appointment of the United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia in May 2025, as well as the appointment of the Special Envoy of the OIC Secretary-General on Combating Islamophobia in May 2024, reflecting the growing international resolve to address this challenge in a coordinated and sustained manner.

The DPM/FM said that in recent years, the alarming rise in Islamophobia has manifested in deeply troubling incidents across many parts of the world, including the desecration of the Holy Quran, attacks on women for wearing the hijab, vandalism of mosques, religious profiling, and the open expression of anti-Muslim hatred in public discourse and media.

Islamophobia exacerbated existing tensions and conflicts, creating a vicious cycle that threatened international peace and security, he added.