DHAKA, JAN 14 /DNA/ – Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, Rector, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), is part of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan’s delegation of Vice Chancellors participating in SARCHE 2026 — the South Asian Regional Conference on Higher Education, being held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The conference has brought together over 30 international delegates, including senior representatives from Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and several other countries, as well as senior officials from the World Bank, to deliberate on the current state of higher education in the region and to chart future pathways with an emphasis on regional cooperation.

On the sidelines of the conference, Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar held separate meetings with Prof. Md. Shahinul Alam, Vice Chancellor, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), and Prof. Dr. Saleh-Hasan-Naqib, Vice Chancellor, University of Rajshahi. The meetings focused on enhancing regional collaboration in research, strengthening academic partnerships, and promoting faculty and student exchanges between leading institutions of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

During these interactions, Prof. Qamar extended COMSATS University Islamabad’s standing offer of ten postgraduate scholarships per university for faculty members of both Bangladesh Medical University and the University of Rajshahi.

It was also agreed that CUI’s commercialized biomedical products, KytoStat and KytoGraft, will be provided to Bangladesh Medical University for testing and evaluation in the Bangladeshi environment. This collaboration is expected to contribute to improved healthcare outcomes while delivering meaningful socio-economic benefits as a goodwill initiative from Pakistan.

The discussions further emphasized new models of research collaboration, particularly the use of Artificial Intelligence to map research gaps, optimize resource utilization, and jointly address region-specific socio-economic and healthcare challenges. Both sides expressed strong interest in developing collaborative, data-driven research frameworks to enhance the quality, relevance and impact of research across South Asia.

The three-day SARCHE 2026 Conference features eight thematic sessions. The first day focused on “The Current State of Higher Education in South Asia: Governance, Quality and Inclusion” and “Research, Innovation, Sustainability and Social Engagement.”

The second day included sessions on Artificial Intelligence Integration and Digital Transformation, Industry–Academia Collaboration and Graduate Employability, Future Pathways of Higher Education through Regional Cooperation, Stakeholder Dialogue on Higher Education Transformation, and a Vice-Chancellors’ Dialogue in the context of the HEAT Project.

The final day will address gender issues in higher education, followed by the adoption of the “Dhaka Higher Education Declaration.”

The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate and Chief Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh.

PVARA says MoU would enable “dialogue and technical understanding around emerging digital payment architectures”

Ansar M Bhatti

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SC Financial Technologies LLC, an affiliated entity of World Liberty Financial, to explore using World Liberty’s stablecoin for cross-border transactions.

The Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA) said in a statement that a memorandum of understanding with SC Financial Technologies would enable “dialogue and technical understanding around emerging digital payment architectures”.

The announcement of the memorandum came during a visit to Pakistan by Zach Witkoff, son of US special envoy Steve Witkoff and co-founder and chief executive of World Liberty.

Witkoff also met senior Pakistani stakeholders to discuss how countries are approaching secure, compliant, and transparent digital payment infrastructure, including innovations in cross-border settlement and foreign exchange processes.

“Pakistan is rapidly positioning itself as a serious contender in the global digital finance landscape, as World Liberty Financial deepens its engagement with the country to explore next-generation digital payment and cross-border finance innovations,” the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority said in a statement.

Industry observers view World Liberty Financial’s second engagement with Pakistan as a strong indication that the country is being actively evaluated as a potential early-stage partner jurisdiction for exploring new digital payment models, including its stablecoin, USD1, at a time when stable, regulation-aware markets are increasingly sought by global fintech players, it added.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb said: “Pakistan recognises that the future of finance is being shaped today. Our focus is to stay ahead of the curve by engaging with credible global players, understanding new financial models, and ensuring that innovation, where explored, is aligned with regulation, stability, and national interest.”

With sustained international interest and a structured, regulation-first approach, the authority said that Pakistan is increasingly being viewed as a market to watch in the evolution of global digital finance.

OTTAWA, JAN 14: /DNA/ – High Commissioner Muhammad Saleem visited the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) in Ottawa for meeting with Mr. Craig Ceppetelli, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.

The two sides discussed cooperation opportunities between Pakistan and Canada in the professional training and capacity building in the healthcare sector with particular focus on postgraduate medical education, accreditation and specialist training. They also explored possible linkages between the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and its counterpart institution, i.e. the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan.

The High Commissioner also informed about the upcoming International Medical Education Conference to be held in Karachi, Pakistan in February 2026. 

ISLAMABAD: JAN 14 /DNA/: Ambassador of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan, H.E. Kylychbek Sultan, on Tuesday called on Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division Aurangzeb Khan Khichi to discuss bilateral cultural cooperation and the promotion of people-to-people exchanges.

The meeting was held at the National Heritage and Culture Division, where the minister and the secretary warmly welcomed the visiting ambassador.

During the discussion, Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi recalled the recent meeting between President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, in which various bilateral issues, including the strengthening of people-to- people contacts, were discussed.

The ambassador was informed that, in line with the instructions of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kyrgyz Cultural Days are planned to be held in Islamabad tentatively in the last week of March 2026. The one- to two-day event will feature Kyrgyz handicrafts, cuisine, traditional costumes, art and photography exhibitions, film screenings, music, dance performances, and other cultural activities. The Pakistan side will arrange local hospitality for the visiting delegation.

The meeting also noted that Pakistan is planning to host Nowruz celebrations, to which several countries having diplomatic relations with Pakistan, including Kyrgyzstan, will be invited.

Ambassador Kylychbek Sultan said he would coordinate with the Kyrgyz government and confirm participation by the end of this month so that the necessary arrangements could be finalized in time. He also informed that the Kyrgyz delegation plans to visit Lahore. The federal minister suggested that after holding cultural events in Islamabad, the delegation could proceed to Lahore for further engagements.

It was further shared that Ms. Ambreen Zahara, Joint Secretary (A&IC), National Heritage and Culture Division, has been nominated as the focal person from the Pakistani side, while the Kyrgyz side will also nominate its focal person for coordination. The ambassador was also requested to arrange a coordination meeting with the Kyrgyz Honorary Consul General in Lahore.

The meeting concluded with the exchange of souvenirs between the two sides, reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening cultural ties between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 14 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday dismissed the recent remarks by India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, saying the rhetoric reflected New Delhi’s hate-mongering driven by “imagined historical vendettas” rather than responsible statecraft.

The statement came in response to media queries regarding the Indian NSA’s “avenging history” remarks. 

The Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that Pakistan had taken note of Doval’s comments, which were made during a public address to young delegates in India earlier this week.

He said that such rhetoric undermines responsible diplomacy and regional stability.

“We have seen the reports on remarks made by the National Security Advisor of India. Such rhetoric is hardly surprising coming from camouflaged hate-mongers, for whom imagined historical vendettas are a substitute for responsible statecraft,” Andrabi said.

The spokesperson’s comments followed Doval’s speech at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue on January 10, where the Indian official referred to the country’s colonial past and spoke about strengthening India in various fields in order to “avenge” what he described as a painful history of attacks and subjugation. 

In his address, Doval cited the sacrifices of historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh, arguing that their struggles should inspire India’s future course.

Although framed as a message to young people about “national development and security”, the language of “revenge” and historical redress drew attention across the region, including in Pakistan, where it was viewed as politically charged and potentially destabilising.

Doval said India must strengthen itself not only at its borders but also economically, socially and in other areas. He used the word “avenge” in reference to what he described as the country’s historical experience of attacks and subjugation, and said that this sentiment could serve as a motivating force for national development.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 14 /DNA/ – The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) hosted a timely and insightful seminar titled “Infrastructural Imbalances Amid Rapid Urbanization in Pakistan” today, bringing together leading experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities posed by rapid urban growth in Pakistan.

The seminar, held at A.R. Kemal Hall, explored the complex interplay between urbanization, infrastructure development, and governance, with a particular focus on how the growing urban population is outpacing the expansion of vital services and infrastructure.

Dr. M. Shafaat Nawaz, RASTA Fellow and Fulbright PhD from the University of Illinois Chicago, opened the discussion with a thought-provoking presentation that reframed Pakistan’s urbanization narrative.

Dr. Nawaz challenged the conventional perception that Pakistan’s urbanization is a gradual process, suggesting that the nation may already be highly urbanized, with 88% of the population living in urbanized areas, according to a recent study by the World Bank.

He highlighted the mismatch between the urban reality and the official urbanization statistics, which suggest only 39% of the population is urban. This discrepancy has led to significant infrastructural imbalances, exacerbating issues such as housing shortages, water scarcity, traffic congestion, and waste accumulation.

Ms. Fauzia Rizwan, Director of The Urban Solutions Pvt Ltd, and Ms. Risham Amjad, Consultant at the Asian Development Bank, further elaborated on these challenges, emphasizing the need for a unified approach to urban planning that addresses not only the physical infrastructure but also social infrastructure, such as healthcare and education.

Key discussions revolved around Pakistan’s secondary cities, which are often overlooked despite their increasing urbanization. These cities, which host a large portion of the country’s urban population, have received less policy attention compared to megacities like Karachi and Lahore.

The panelists called for a redefinition of urban areas to align with the actual realities on the ground, noting that such reclassification could significantly boost local government revenues through property taxes, thus enabling better infrastructure and services for these rapidly growing areas.

Another pressing issue discussed was the country’s critical shortage of housing units, with an estimated 9 million housing units needed. The shortage is not just about the number of units but also about affordability and accessibility, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Over 50% of urban residents are living in informal settlements or below-standard housing conditions, a stark reminder of the urban-rural divide that still exists in Pakistan.

The seminar also highlighted the role of municipal governments, which are critically underfunded and unable to meet the growing demand for urban services.

The lack of adequate water supply, waste management, and sewage systems was identified as a major impediment to the quality of life in urban areas, contributing to public health crises such as air pollution, which is responsible for over 200,000 premature deaths annually in Pakistan.

Mr. Bilal Aftab, Staff Economist at PIDE, moderated the session and concluded with a call for integrated policy reforms. He stressed the importance of aligning fiscal resources with urban realities, ensuring that infrastructure investments are not just concentrated in megacities but also spread across secondary and smaller cities, where the need for development is equally urgent.

The seminar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where participants discussed potential solutions to these infrastructural challenges, including the need for stronger urban governance, redefined urban boundaries, and a more balanced approach to development across Pakistan’s cities.

PIDE remains committed to fostering meaningful dialogues on urban development and will continue to lead discussions on policy-relevant issues affecting Pakistan’s cities.

ISLAMABAD: Amid directives for strict screening of passengers coupled with prevailing visa hurdles, the federal government has decided to formulate a new policy to address the existing issues and difficulties faced in obtaining a visa, The News reported on Wednesday.

For this purpose, the federal cabinet has formed a cabinet committee on the visa clearance regime. Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar has been appointed as the head of the six-member committee.

The committee will prepare recommendations to make the visa process easy, transparent and secure. It will submit its report to the federal cabinet within 14 days.

According to government sources, besides the law minister, the members of the committee established regarding the visa clearance regime include Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik and the federal law and interior secretaries.

The Interior Ministry will provide secretarial support to the committee.

The federal government recently approved a new visa clearance system as part of reforms in Pakistan’s visa and travel clearance system.

The objective of the new system is to make the visa acquisition process more transparent, secure and efficient for Pakistani citizens abroad.

The decision has been made in the context of illegal migration, counterfeit travel documents and stricter internal laws by various countries.

A day earlier, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates UAE) have agreed to sign a “pre-immigration clearance” agreement, allowing the UAE-bound travellers to complete clearance in Pakistan and exit the airport directly, similar to domestic passengers in the Gulf nation.

The development came during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and a UAE delegation led by Al Dara Border Crossing Customs Director General Ahmed Abdullah Bin Lahej Al Falasi.

The initiative comes against the backdrop of the offloading of passengers owing to improper, incomplete documentation in recent months, in the light of stern measures implemented by the authorities to curb human trafficking and illegal travel abroad.

The prospects of a new visa-related policy come against the backdrop of the offloading of passengers owing to improper, incomplete documentation in recent months, in light of stern measures implemented by the authorities to curb human trafficking and illegal travel abroad.

Earlier this month, the government also launched “Pre-Departure Facilitation Desks” for assisting passengers travelling abroad.

The measures are to be taken in the context of a large number of Pakistanis travelling abroad, where the data released by the Bureau of Immigration, as reported by the publication earlier, shows that more than 727,000 Pakistanis migrated overseas for employment in 2025. The figures reveal that the exodus spans all skill levels.

Over 400,000 unskilled and more than 200,000 skilled workers secured jobs abroad in 2025, underscoring the scale of labour migration. Saudi Arabia remained the top destination by a wide margin, absorbing the bulk of Pakistani workers.

Overall, the breakdown shows 222,171 skilled, 42,257 semi-skilled and 466,062 unskilled workers leaving the country in 2025. In terms of destinations, Saudi Arabia accounted for more than 530,000 workers, followed by Qatar (68,376), the UAE (52,664) and Bahrain (37,726). Smaller numbers headed to Kuwait, the United States, the UK, Germany, Italy, China, Japan and Romania, while only a handful migrated to countries such as South Korea.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SC Financial Technologies LLC, an affiliated entity of World Liberty Financial, to explore using World Liberty’s stablecoin for cross-border transactions.

The Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA) said in a statement that a memorandum of understanding with SC Financial Technologies would enable “dialogue and technical understanding around emerging digital payment architectures”.

The announcement of the memorandum came during a visit to Pakistan by Zach Witkoff, son of US special envoy Steve Witkoff and co-founder and chief executive of World Liberty.

Witkoff also met senior Pakistani stakeholders to discuss how countries are approaching secure, compliant, and transparent digital payment infrastructure, including innovations in cross-border settlement and foreign exchange processes.

“Pakistan is rapidly positioning itself as a serious contender in the global digital finance landscape, as World Liberty Financial deepens its engagement with the country to explore next-generation digital payment and cross-border finance innovations,” the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority said in a statement.

Industry observers view World Liberty Financial’s second engagement with Pakistan as a strong indication that the country is being actively evaluated as a potential early-stage partner jurisdiction for exploring new digital payment models, including its stablecoin, USD1, at a time when stable, regulation-aware markets are increasingly sought by global fintech players, it added.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb said: “Pakistan recognises that the future of finance is being shaped today. Our focus is to stay ahead of the curve by engaging with credible global players, understanding new financial models, and ensuring that innovation, where explored, is aligned with regulation, stability, and national interest.”

This momentum, according to the assets authority, builds on earlier engagement between World Liberty Financial and Pakistan, including the signing of a Letter of Intent in April with the Pakistan Crypto Council, led by CEO Bilal Bin Saqib, which laid the groundwork for knowledge-sharing and ecosystem-level dialogue around emerging financial technologies.

On 12 December, the newly established Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Binance and HTX, enabling both platforms to initiate local incorporation in Pakistan.

These NOCs were issued in under five months, faster than comparable timelines seen in other jurisdictions globally. As part of the engagement, the Founder of Binance, Changpeng Zhao and Founder of TRON, Justin Sun also visited Pakistan, meeting with key public and private sector stakeholders as part of a broader engagement around the country’s evolving digital asset and regulatory framework.

“Pakistan is emerging as one of the most compelling frontier markets for digital payments and financial innovation, driven by over US $38 billion in annual remittance inflows, a rapidly growing digital economy, an estimated 40 million crypto users, and industry estimates of up to US $300 billion in annual trading volume, placing the country among the largest digital asset user bases globally,” the statement read.

With sustained international interest and a structured, regulation-first approach, the authority said that Pakistan is increasingly being viewed as a market to watch in the evolution of global digital finance.