ISLAMABAD, Jul 22: Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Khalid Hussain Magsi on Wednesday underscored the need to strengthen regional scientific cooperation among the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states.

Chairing the sixth Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) here, the minister termed science, technology and innovation as essential pillars for sustainable development and economic prosperity

Welcoming the delegates attending in person and virtually, he said that it was an honour for Pakistan to host the meeting.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the ECOSF as an effective regional platform for scientific research, innovation, knowledge exchange and capacity building.

The meeting was attended by Iran’s Minister for Science, Research and Technology Hossein Simayi Saraf, Federal Secretary for Science and Technology Shahid Iqbal Baloch, ECO Secretary General Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan, ECOSF President Professor Syed Kamal Tayebi, Executive Director Ghulam Muhammad Memon, senior government officials and distinguished delegates from ECO member states.

Addressing the participants, Magsi said the meeting reflected the shared commitment of ECO member countries to further strengthen regional scientific collaboration and promote science, technology and innovation as key drivers of sustainable development and economic growth.

He said the ECO region possessed immense potential due to its youthful population, abundant natural resources, strong academic traditions and rapidly growing technological capabilities. However, he noted that common challenges, including climate change, water and food security, energy transition, public health, the digital divide and youth unemployment, required collective regional action rather than isolated national efforts.

The minister stressed that investment in scientific research, STEM education, innovation ecosystems and emerging technologies was indispensable for enhancing regional economic competitiveness, industrial development and long-term prosperity.

He appreciated the ECOSF’s contributions to capacity building, STEM education, scientific networking, technical advisory services and regional partnerships.

He also paid tribute to the Foundation’s leadership and Secretariat for pursuing its objectives despite financial and institutional challenges. Iran’s Minister for Science, Research and Technology, Hossein Simayi Saraf also highlighted the importance of enhancing scientific cooperation among ECO member states.

He said collaboration in science, technology and innovation would play a vital role in achieving sustainable development and shared prosperity across the region. Reaffirming Iran’s full support for the ECO Science Foundation, the Iranian minister said his country would play its part in addressing the Foundation’s financial challenges and work with other member states to strengthen the institution and ensure its financial sustainability.

Magsi urged all ECO member states to expedite the ratification of the ECOSF Charter and its Additional Protocol. He also called on the countries that had ratified the Charter to ensure timely financial contributions to safeguard the Foundation’s long-term sustainability and enable it to continue implementing impactful regional programmes in science, technology and innovation.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment as the host country of the ECO Science Foundation, the minister urged the Foundation to design result-oriented and demand-driven programmes aligned with the needs of member states to further advance regional scientific cooperation.

Magsi expressed confidence that a stronger and more vibrant ECOSF would play a pivotal role in promoting scientific collaboration, innovation and sustainable economic development across the ECO region.

He wished the meeting every success and expressed hope that its outcomes would further strengthen the Foundation as a dynamic and effective institution serving all member states.

ISLAMABAD, Jul 22: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister (DPM/FM), Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Vijitha Herath, on Wednesday appreciated the positive momentum in institutional engagements, growing economic and trade cooperation, and the successful visit of the Pakistan cricket team to Sri Lanka.

The two Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the close and friendly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in trade, economic connectivity, defence, and people-to-people exchanges, a DPM’s Office news release said.

During a meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum 2026 in Manila, both sides also agreed on the importance of sustained high-level exchanges in further strengthening bilateral ties.

Exchanging views on regional and international issues, Foreign Minister Herath appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting dialogue and peace. Both sides expressed hope that recent regional tensions would be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, contributing to lasting peace and stability in the region.

KARACHI, 22 JULY (DNA) — The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said on Wednesday that four suspects, including officials of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), had been arrested in Karachi for their alleged involvement in making false documents for Afghan nationals.

In a press release, a spokesperson for the agency identified the suspects as Nadra Assistant Director Imamul Haq, Nadra Deputy Assistant Director Fayyaz Ahmed, Junaid Ahmed, a watchman working for the authority, and a private agent Muhammad Umar Shah. He added that law enforcement agencies had seized important records and other evidence as part of the operation, adding that the scope of the investigation had been expanded.

“Further significant revelations and arrests are expected during the investigation, and all facilitators and key figures linked to this network will be brought to justice,” he said. The spokesperson said that preliminary investigations showed that the suspects were involved in facilitating the issuance of fake identity documents for Afghan citizens, altering records and other illegal activities.

“Initial evidence points to links between this network and terrorist elements, a matter that is currently under further investigation,” the FIA spokesperson said. The FIA’s statement comes a day after the family of one of the suspects, Fayyaz Ahmed, approached police with an application for his recovery after he was reported missing.  The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan had also expressed concern, demanding that the Sindh government expedite its efforts to locate the missing Nadra official.

Millions of Afghans have poured into Pakistan over the past several decades, fleeing successive wars, as well as hundreds of thousands who arrived after the return of the Taliban government in 2021. In June, Pakistan had issued a fresh order for the immediate arrest of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan. Since then, the repatriation of Afghan nationals has been gaining momentum. — DNA

ISLAMABAD, 22 JULY (DNA) —  Amid reports of the Strait of Hormuz being closed and the Houthis’ declaration prohibiting Saudi oil exports via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Yanbu on the Red Sea, Pakistan has moved to identify alternative crude oil suppliers outside the Gulf region.  The unfolding situation has intensified concerns over the country’s energy security and the reliability of its oil import supply.

At an emergency meeting with chief executive officers (CEOs) and managing directors (MDs) of the country’s oil refineries, the federal minister for petroleum and natural resources briefed industry representatives on the evolving regional security situation arising from the renewed conflict involving the United States, Iran and the Houthis. The minister directed refinery managements to immediately identify alternative sources of crude oil to ensure uninterrupted supplies to Pakistan, top officials who attended the meeting told The News.

Following the meeting, refineries began contacting international trading companies to assess the availability of crude oil from the United States, Singapore and Nigeria and Central Asian States. These markets are being explored as alternative supply sources because shipments from these locations can bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Imports from Oman’s ports are also being evaluated, although industry officials consider this option relatively risky under the circumstances. — DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUL 22: The All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Owners Association (APPPOA) on Wednesday postponed its planned nationwide strike after successful negotiations with the federal government, while the Petroleum Dealers Association also endorsed the decision.

Petrol pump owners and dealers had earlier announced a 24-hour nationwide shutdown from Thursday in protest against the government’s decision to revise petroleum product prices on a daily basis.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, representatives of the petroleum sector said they had received assurances that their concerns would be addressed.

The dealers said the government committed to increasing petroleum dealers’ margins and expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved within the next two weeks.

APPPOA Information Secretary Nadeem Khan said the strike call was deferred after the government assured stakeholders that their demands would be met.

He added that pump owners expected the issue of commissions to be settled within two weeks and added that the daily fuel pricing mechanism would be operated on a trial basis during the same period.

Addressing the press conference, Malik said the government had assured petrol pump owners and dealers that their concerns would be addressed within two weeks, adding that further consultations would be held if outstanding issues remained unresolved.

He said a summary on the proposed adjustment in dealers’ margins would be submitted to the federal cabinet, while the daily fuel pricing mechanism would be reviewed with petroleum sector organisations after the trial period.

The minister said the government wanted to ensure transparency in the pricing system and avoid any perception of unjustified profiteering.

He noted that fuel prices had moved in line with international market trends and said any benefit generated under the existing pricing formula would be passed on to consumers promptly and transparently.

Malik said the government had provided targeted subsidies worth billions of rupees since February 28 and developed a targeted subsidy mechanism to support consumers.

He also acknowledged the role of petroleum dealers and other stakeholders in helping implement the system transparently.

Commenting on broader challenges, the minister said volatility in petroleum prices remained a significant concern, particularly amid rising regional tensions.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the interior minister and the foreign minister were engaged in efforts aimed at maintaining stability and supporting ceasefire initiatives.

Malik added that the government would continue to operate within available fiscal space and existing agreements while working with stakeholders to address challenges facing the sector.

ISLAMABAD|CAIRO, JUL 22 /DNA/ – The 10th Round of the Annual Bilateral Consultations (ABC) between Pakistan and Egypt was held virtually today, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation across multiple sectors and maintaining close coordination on regional and international issues.

The Pakistani delegation was led by Additional Secretary (Middle East) Mr. Zahid Hussain, while the Egyptian side was headed by Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ambassador Amr Hamza. Senior officials from both foreign ministries participated, including Pakistan’s Ambassador to Egypt, H.E. Mr. Aamir Shouket, and Egypt’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan.

During the consultations, the two sides conducted a comprehensive review of their bilateral relations, underscoring the strong coordination between the leadership of both countries on key regional and global matters. They noted that this high-level engagement continues to provide significant momentum to the growing partnership.

The delegations discussed the full spectrum of Pakistan-Egypt cooperation and reviewed progress under existing bilateral mechanisms. Both sides agreed to further expand and diversify collaboration in trade and investment, education, culture, science, information technology, and other areas of mutual interest. They also emphasized the importance of promoting greater people-to-people exchanges and maintaining the momentum of high-level visits and dialogues.

Reaffirming their commitment to close cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), both delegations pledged mutual support on issues of shared concern.

The talks were marked by a spirit of warmth and fraternity, reflecting the traditionally cordial relations between the two nations. Expressing satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral ties, both sides agreed to maintain regular engagement and hold the next round of the Annual Bilateral Consultations in Cairo on mutually convenient dates.

MIRPUR CITY, JUL 22: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday claimed that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) wanted to make three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif the premier of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Addressing a public rally in LA-3 Mirpur City, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, whose party is a key coalition partner in the federal government, said: “They (PML-N) want a citizen of Raiwind who has served as prime minister three times to also become the premier of AJK.”

The PML-N wanted to amend the Constitution to pave the way for Pakistan’s prime minister to appoint the AJK premier, Bilawal added.