ISLAMABAD, MAR 4 /DNA/ – Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that the business community is the backbone of Pakistan’s economic development. He stated that the government is taking practical steps to promote business-friendly policies, encourage investment, and ensure economic stability. He expressed these views while addressing an Iftar dinner hosted in his honor by UBG Secretary General Zafar Bakhtawari, Ahsan Bakhtawari, and Waqar Bakhtawari.

On this occasion, the guest of honor, President of FPCCI Atif Ikram Sheikh, along with Senator General Abdul Qayyum, MPA Malik Iftikhar, ICCI Council Members Zubair Ahmed Malik, Khalid Javed, Khalid Iqbal Malik, Ejaz Abbasi, Aamir Waheed, Mian Akram Fareed, Chaudhry Masood, Shaukat Masood, Chaudhry Waheed-ud-Din, Senior Vice President of ICCI Tahir Ayub, Zahid Bakhtawari, Abid Bakhtawari, Haris Bakhtawari, Executive Members of ICCI Malik Mohsin Khalid, Roheel Anwar Butt, Ishaq Sial, Malik Abdul Aziz, Naveed Satti, Nasir Chaudhry, Imran Minhas, Shamaila Siddiqui, President of Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industries Owais Satti, Chairman Saqib Abbasi, President of Talagang Chamber Malik Shabbir Awan, Group Leader Chakwal Chamber Khawaja Arif, President Women Chamber Samina Fazil, Naima Ansari, Fatima Azeem, Sadaf Abbasi, Wajid Ayoob, Babar Chaudhry, Nisar Mirza, Khalid Chaudhry, former President ICCI Shakeel Munir, Yousaf Rajput, Tahir Abbasi, Asad Aziz, Zargham Shah, Zahir Abbasi, Ahmed Khan, Altaf Shah, Naeem Akhtar Awan, Aftab Gujjar, Yasir Jameel Abbasi, Imran Bukhari, Najeeb Elahi Malik, Ameer Hamza, Saif-ur-Rehman, Raja Faizan Shehzad, Naveed Malik, Rana Qaiser, Ras Faisal, Imtiaz Abbasi, Raja Safeer, and other distinguished personalities from the business community and various walks of life were present.

In his address, Federal Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that such gatherings play an important role in strengthening mutual relations and promoting national unity. He appreciated the hospitality of the Bakhtawari family and termed it commendable.

Chairman of the Clean and Green Islamabad Movement Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, on behalf of his family, thanked all the honorable guests for attending. He said that the holy month of Ramadan teaches us unity, brotherhood, and service, and prayed that Allah Almighty grant Pakistan progress, prosperity, and stability. He reaffirmed the commitment that the business community will continue to play its full role, in cooperation with the government, for strengthening the national economy, promoting investment, and stabilizing business activities.

GWADAR, 04 MAR (DNA) —    Under the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan 2026, Gwadar Development Authority GDA has finalized the planning framework that consists of 14 neighborhoods (towns), which will be developed in phases, Gwadar Pro reported on Wednesday.

GDA officials have revealed this planning framework in an important meeting on micro-planning and land use for the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan 2026.  The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Moin ur Rehman Khan, Director General of the Gwadar Development Authority on March 3, and attended by the Chief Engineer GDA, Haji Syed Muhammad, and the Director Town Planning, Shahid Ali.

GDA official told Gwadar Pro that five implementation models for executing the Master Plan were presented in the meeting, including land acquisition and compensation, land pooling and sharing, land-provider partnerships, land development collaboration, and a private schemes framework. 

Meanwhile, he said that new planning framework allocates designated land for residential, commercial, mixed-use areas, roads, and public facilities. The Director General stated that private-sector participation would be encouraged to ensure effective implementation of micro-planning. 

He emphasized that the GDA is committed to developing a modern, smart, and sustainable port city in line with international standards. Practical measures are being undertaken to provide investors with secure and profitable opportunities, particularly in the real estate, tourism, and trade sectors, and to maintain a climate of confidence. — DNA

ISLAMABAD, Mar 04 /DNA/: Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday visited the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad along with former federal minister Sajid Hussain Turi to express condolences over the martyrdom of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The governor recorded his remarks in the visitors’ book at the embassy, paying tribute to Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei and other Iranian martyrs, said a news release.

He also offered Fateha for the departed souls and prayed for the elevation of their ranks.

During the visit, Kundi met with Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam and conveyed heartfelt sympathies on behalf of himself and the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said that the people of the province, as well as the entire nation of Pakistan, were deeply saddened and grieved over the martyrdom of the Iranian Supreme Leader.

“The martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei is a great loss for the Muslim Ummah,” the governor said, adding that he stood in solidarity with the government and people of Iran in this hour of grief.

He said the late leader was a courageous figure who embraced martyrdom for a noble cause and said that every eye in Pakistan was tearful over the tragic incident.

Kundi also paid tribute to the resilience, unity, and spirit of the Iranian people, reaffirming that Iran is a brotherly Islamic country and that Pakistan stands with its people in times of sorrow and joy alike.

He emphasized the importance of safeguarding Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Reza Amiri Moghaddam thanked the governor for visiting the embassy and sharing in Iran’s grief.

He expressed appreciation for the solidarity shown by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan, saying that the Muslim world was deeply anguished over the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 4 /DNA/ – The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on research, training, capacity building, and youth civic engag

ement initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic governance, electoral awareness, and evidence-based policymaking in Pakistan.

The MoU was signed at the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad. The PIDE delegation was led by Dr. Nasir Iqbal, Professor of Economics and Registrar, PIDE, while the ECP delegation was led by Mr. Omer Hamid Khan, Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan.

Under the MoU, both institutions will pursue joint research projects and publications focusing on electoral processes, governance, institutional performance, voter behaviour, and related public policy areas.

The partnership also includes Training of Trainers (ToT), workshops, seminars, and short courses for educators, researchers, and professionals, alongside youth-focused civic engagement initiatives, including digital tools and educational content to promote democratic participation.

The collaboration further envisions opportunities for placing graduate and doctoral students for research, policy analysis, and institutional support, and for enabling data sharing and analytical support for policy recommendations, in line with applicable laws and confidentiality requirements.

The MoU will remain effective for five years from the date of signature, with the provision for extension by mutual consent.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Nasir Iqbal said the partnership reflects PIDE’s commitment to connecting rigorous research and capacity development with national priorities, and to supporting stronger democratic institutions through evidence, learning, and practical collaboration. He noted that the MoU will create meaningful avenues for research-driven insights, professional training, and civic education that can contribute to a more informed and participatory democratic culture.

Mr. Omer Hamid Khan stated that the collaboration aligns with the ECP’s mandate to promote public awareness and voter education, while supporting continuous improvements in institutional performance through knowledge exchange and targeted capacity-building initiatives. He emphasized that sustained engagement with research and policy institutions helps strengthen democratic participation and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of electoral processes.

As outlined in the MoU, activities under this collaboration will be implemented through written agreements between nominated focal persons from both institutions and will be subject to the availability of resources, with each party bearing its own costs unless otherwise agreed.

For coordination and official correspondence, the focal persons are Dr. Nadeem Khan, Assistant Professor and Director, Executive Development Center (EDC), PIDE, and Mr. Nazar Abbas, Additional Director General (Media Coordination and Outreach Wing), ECP.