Abid Raza

LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan met European Union Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis at his chamber on Friday to discuss Pakistan-EU relations, parliamentary cooperation, and avenues for enhancing bilateral engagement.

Welcoming the ambassador, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan stressed Pakistan’s strong partnership with the European Union, grounded in shared values of democracy, multilateralism, respect for international law, and the UN Charter. He highlighted the positive momentum in Pakistan–EU relations and noted that robust bilateral ties are essential for regional stability and global peace.

The speaker stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in promoting democratic values, strengthening institutional trust, and fostering people-to-people contacts. He expressed interest in expanding cooperation between the Punjab Assembly and the European Parliament and appreciated the EU’s continued support for democratic institutions, rule of law, and good governance in Pakistan.

Trade and economic cooperation were also discussed, with the speaker noting that the EU is among Pakistan’s leading trade and investment partners. He highlighted the GSP Plus scheme’s role in boosting exports, creating employment, and empowering women economically. The discussion also touched on the role of parliamentary caucuses on women, children, youth, and sustainable development.

Addressing climate change challenges in Punjab, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan emphasized the need for collaboration with the EU on green energy, environmental protection, and sustainable development initiatives. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening parliamentary relations and diplomatic engagement.

Ambassador Karoblis commended the speaker for conducting Punjab Assembly proceedings with neutrality and in accordance with democratic traditions, and reiterated the EU’s continued cooperation with Pakistan in promoting democracy, freedom of expression, and the rule of law.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 23 /DNA/ – The Institute of Business Management (IoBM) hosted the launch of “The Third Dimension: Policy Prism – Insights into Global, Regional and National Challenges” by Ambassador Ghulam Rasool Baluch.

The launch was held on January 21, 2026. Addressing the audience, Ambassador Baluch reflected on the intellectual journey behind the book, describing it as emerging from “the romance with writing and the agony of awareness.”

He explained that while writing may begin with curiosity, sustained engagement with global conflicts and structural injustices leads to moral reckoning.

“Awareness has a cost,” he noted, adding that deeper understanding makes silence increasingly difficult. The book, he emphasized, invites readers to challenge dominant narratives and resist intellectual complacency.

While addressing the audience, Dr. Masuma Hasan, Chairperson of the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs, observed that despite addressing diverse issues—from Gaza and Kashmir to shifting global power dynamics and national social challenges—the book is unified by a strong humanistic and civilizational ethos rooted in empathy and shared destiny.

Ambassador Alam Brohi highlighted the book’s relevance for scholars and policymakers, praising the author’s global outlook and commitment to the rule of law. Professor Dr. Moonis Ahmar underscored the clarity of the book’s analysis of a global order increasingly shaped by unilateralism.

Concluding the event, IoBM President Talib S. Karim congratulated Ambassador Baluch and reaffirmed IoBM’s commitment to academic excellence.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 23 /DNA/ – Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, held a meeting with United Nations Senior Coordination Officer for Climate and Environment and UNEP Focal Point, Alex Forbes, on Friday. The meeting was attended by CDA Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon, Director General Resource and other senior officers. The meeting discussed measures for environmental protection and the acquisition of carbon credits in the Federal Capital Islamabad.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that CDA is following a comprehensive strategy for the environmental protection and improvement of the Capital City Islamabad. He said that in this regard, CDA wishes to fully benefit from the global framework and market for acquiring carbon credits.

Chairman CDA said that CDA is working on several projects for environmental protection and acquiring carbon credits. He said that they are increasing the city’s green cover by planning to convert brown areas into green areas in the Federal Capital Islamabad.

Chairman CDA said that they are working on modern solid waste management project in the Federal Capital Islamabad, which can facilitate the acquisition of carbon credits. He mentioned that a project comprising 160 environmentally friendly electric feeder buses is running successfully in the Capital City Islamabad and in the future, further expansion of electric tram projects and eco-friendly transport can also be utilized to benefit from carbon credits.

Chairman CDA said that the completion of development projects in the Federal Capital Islamabad will also lead to a reduction in carbon emissions as well as citizens’ convenience. He said they are striving to establish modern scientific landfill sites in Islamabad according to international standards, which will reduce environmental pollution.

During the meeting, United Nations Senior Coordination Officer for Environment, Alex Forbes, emphasized promoting future technical assistance and cooperation, saying that they would consider providing technical support for acquiring carbon credits under international frameworks and green programs.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that technical assistance and cooperation with the UN and other international development partners are essential to address environmental challenges. He said that by enhancing CDA’s capacity, practical progress for acquiring carbon credits can be ensured. The meeting also reaffirmed Chairman CDA’s commitment to fully benefiting from UNEP’s experiences, capacity-building, and expertise, as well as promoting mutual cooperation.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 23 /DNA/ : The Parliament on Friday adopted a resolution expressing profound grief over the deadly fire at Gul Plaza Shopping Mall in Karachi, paying tribute to the victims and calling for urgent systemic reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The resolution, moved under Rule-157, conveyed the House’s deepest sorrow over the catastrophic blaze and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. It also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.

In a special tribute, the Parliament honoured firefighter Furqan Ali, who lost his life in the line of duty during rescue operations, and saluted the bravery and sacrifices of all firefighters involved in controlling the blaze.

The House noted with grave concern the reported shortcomings and lapses that, it said, turned an accident into a mass tragedy.

Emphasising the need for accountability and preventive measures, the resolution urged the Government of Sindh to ensure appropriate compensation for the families of the victims and to facilitate the immediate recovery of businesses affected by the fire.

It further called for the immediate launch of a city-wide emergency fire-risk audit of all commercial and residential buildings in Karachi and stressed the need to increase the number of fire stations and upgrade firefighting equipment to improve emergency response capacity.

The Parliament also appealed to the federal government to provide all necessary assistance and support to the Sindh government in dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy and in strengthening fire safety and disaster management systems.

Reaffirming solidarity with the people of Karachi and the bereaved families, the House resolved that the lives lost in the Gul Plaza fire would not be forgotten and demanded concrete and lasting measures to ensure that such a disaster is never repeated.

KARACHI,JAN 23 /DNA/ : The death toll of Karachi’s Gul Plaza blaze crossed 70 on Friday as rescuers found more remains from the rubble of the gutted shopping centre.

Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed issued an updated list of 71 deceased. Of the 16 identified so far, nine were identified through DNA tests, which have been performed for 49 samples.

The deadly inferno, which erupted on the night of January 17 at the mall and took nearly two days to be fully extinguished, has left the ground-plus-three-storey building in ruins, with some sections collapsed.

As more bodies were recovered from different parts of the building, officials cautioned that the final toll can only be determined once the identification of the remains is completed.

Meanwhile, officials expressed the hope to complete their search efforts today.

South Deputy Commissioner (DC) Javed Nabi Khoso told reporters that the search operation was in the “final stages”. “The search in the wreckage will be completed today,” he said.

Stating that a total of 77 missing persons had been reported, he said the recovery efforts were being made under the supervision of the Sindh Building and Control Authority’s (SBCA) team.

The director general (DG) of Sindh Rescue 1122, Brigadier (retd) Wajid Sibghatullah Mahar, said rescue personnel were to continue their recovery efforts in “10 to 15 per cent” of the building’s area that they had been unable to access before.

“There are some concerns that we have not been able to reach the ground floor, where the fire erupted. We hope to find bodies from there,” the Rescue 1122 DG told the media.

Defending Rescue 1122’s efforts, Mahar asserted that the teams had modern equipment, the inferno had turned into a third-degree fireby the time rescue personnel reached the site.

The official further said that 15 to 20 people were rescued and evacuated when the blaze erupted.

“Either the fire safety system was not present in the building, or it was not activated,” Mahar said. He revealed that the latest technology had been used over the past three days to aid the search process, in order to locate any individual who survived the blaze.

The Rescue 1122 DG added that based on the information so far, the fire erupted in a flower shop, from where it spread through the duct. However, he added, the police were still investigating why the fire spread quickly.

CM Murad briefs Sindh Assembly

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also briefed the provincial assembly on the incident during its proceedings today, with Mayor Murtaza Wahab in attendance.

He informed the assembly that the fire erupted at a ground-floor shop at 10:14pm on January 17, with the first call received by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) from a shop owner’s son.

The first fire brigade was dispatched at 10:27pm from a fire station near the Civil Hospital Karachi, Murad said, adding that Rescue 1122 received the first call at 10:36pm. “We have also verified these records through CCTV.”

The Sindh CM further said that he has issued directives to a minister to register a first information report (FIR) of the incident based on the information so far.

He also noted that people had gathered at the site in large numbers despite being told not to.

During his address, CM Murad also took a jibe at those “politicising” the incident and bringing up the topic of the 18th Amendment — an apparent reference to remarks made by leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

At this point, Jamaat-i-Islami MPA Muhammad Farooq interrupted the chief minister’s speech, at which Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah repeatedly asked the former to sit down or leave the hall.

KARACHI, JAN 23 /DNA/ – The Aga Khan University (AKU) has partnered with the Federal Ministry of National Heritage and Culture to upgrade the National Museum of Pakistan. The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a ceremony held at the AKU campus in Karachi.

The event was witnessed by Mr Aurangzeb Khan Khichi Honourable Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture and alongside senior leadership from AKU and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) and other stakeholders.

 “Our cultural heritage is the bedrock of our national identity and a source of immense pride for all Pakistanis,” said Hon Khan Kichi. “This partnership with the Aga Khan University represents a transformative step in our mission to safeguard this legacy. By revitalizing the National Museum of Pakistan, we are not just preserving artifacts; we are creating a world-class center of learning and inspiration that will showcase Pakistan’s rich history to the world and foster a deeper sense of unity and connection among our citizens.”

The project aims to upgrade the National Museum of Pakistan through a comprehensive programme of institutional strengthening, with a focus on curatorial enhancement, public engagement, and improved stewardship of the museum’s collections. Through this collaboration, the partners seek to support the museum’s role in preserving, presenting, and sharing Pakistan’s cultural heritage with wider and more diverse audiences.

To oversee these efforts, an Advisory Committee has been established, co-chaired by Professor Anjum Halai, Vice Provost at AKU Pakistan, and Mr Aman Ullah, Director General of Archaeology and Museums.

“Museums play an important role in education in society through promoting an understanding of one’s culture and heritage,” explained Vice Provost, Anjum Halai. “Students and faculty of the newly launched Faculty of Arts and Sciences will play a pivotal role in this project.”

Under the partnership, AKU and other agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) will provide strategic, technical, and advisory support to the upgradation of the National Museum of Pakistan. The project will bring also together the history faculty of AKU’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, historians at AKU’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations in London, and AKU’s Department of Archives in a focused scholarly collaboration.

Dr. Sulaiman Shabuddin President of AKU noted that when His Late Highness the Aga Khan discussed the work of the Aga Khan Development Network in the field of culture and heritage, he returned repeatedly to one word in particular. A very powerful word: Pride. Culture is, he said, “a source of pride. It has the power to inspire and unify an entire nation. And it can reveal that nation, at its best, to the outside world.”

Prior to the signing, leadership from AKU and AKTC toured the National Museum of Pakistan, reviewing its libraries, storage and cataloguing processes, and current curatorial and storytelling practices. This work is rooted in the belief that culture and the arts are vital to social cohesion, education, and improving quality of life for people in both urban and rural settings around the world.