ISLAMABAD, MAY 3 /DNA/ – Chaudhry Muhammad Ali Randhawa has officially assumed the role of Chief Commissioner Islamabad, marking a new chapter in the capital’s development trajectory.

In his inaugural visit to Faisal Mosque, Chief Commissioner Randhawa, accompanied by officers from the engineering wing, underscored his commitment to the city’s landmarks. He issued directives for immediate renovation and construction work, ensuring that necessary repairs are completed today, with comprehensive maintenance to follow promptly.

During discussions with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) board members, Chief Commissioner Randhawa was briefed on ongoing projects and the administrative structure of the CDA. Emphasizing a proactive approach, he urged swift completion of all projects within stipulated timelines and the enhancement of administrative efficiency.

“Completing ongoing projects and improving administrative processes are key priorities,” stated Chief Commissioner Randhawa. “We are committed to ensuring timely completion of all development initiatives, including the restoration of our iconic landmarks.”

Under his leadership, Islamabad looks forward to a future of progress and development, with a renewed focus on efficiency and excellence.

ISLAMABAD, MAY 3 /DNA/ – The central leader of Pakistan Muslim League, Working National Assembly Mrs. Farrukh Khan has congratulated the nation on the departure of Pakistan’s first space mission “IQB”. It is the day of putting, we pay tribute to the pioneers, in the future we will have to count the light instead of measuring the darkness.

Mrs. Farrukh Khan said that this wonderful achievement is due to the dedication, skill and vision of our scientists, engineers and technicians. It is a proof that today Pakistan has also turned this dream into reality. He said that it is a sign of progress and innovation of our nation.

The member of the National Assembly said that this success will start a new era in space exploration, scientific research and technological development. He said that the appreciation of Pakistan-China friendship.

The China-Pakistan partnership not only underlines the strength of our diplomatic ties but also highlights the role of unity in achieving extraordinary goals.

HAINAN, MAY 3: In a historic first, a Pakistani satellite will orbit the moon as part of China’s historic Chang’e-6 lunar mission, which was launched from Hainan, China, on Friday.

The mission, which aims to explore the moon’s “dark side”, will employ lunar research payloads from multiple countries, including Pakistan’s iCube Qamar satellite.

The Institute of Space Technology (IST) on Tuesday said Pakistan’s “historic” lunar module iCube-Q, which was designed by IST in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University (SJTU) and Pakistan’s national space agency Suparco, will be aboard Chang’e-6.

The mission, dubbed Chang’e, is named after the mythical Chinese moon goddess.

Chang’e-6 aims to collect around two kilogrammes of lunar samples from the far side of the Moon and bring them back to Earth for analysis. Chinese state news agency Xinhua hailed it as “the first endeavour of its kind in the history of human lunar exploration”.

“Chang’e-6 will collect samples from the far side of the Moon for the first time,” Ge Ping, vice director of China’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre, told journalists.

China will send a robotic spacecraft in the coming days on a round trip to the moon’s far side in the first of three technically demanding missions that will pave the way for an inaugural Chinese crewed landing and a base on the lunar south pole.

The probe is set to land in the immense South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the largest known impact craters in the solar system. Once there, it will scoop up lunar soil and rocks, and carry out other experiments in the landing zone.

With no direct line of sight with the Earth, Chang’e-6 must rely on a recently deployed relay satellite orbiting the moon during its 53-day mission, including a never-before-attempted ascent from the moon’s “hidden” side on its return journey home.

On Chang’e-6, China is carrying payloads from France, Italy, Sweden and Pakistan, while Chang’e-7 will bear payloads from Russia, Switzerland and Thailand when it launches in 2026.

Nasa is banned by US law from any collaboration, direct or indirect, with China.

Under the separate Nasa-led Artemis programme, US astronauts will land near the south pole in 2026 — the first humans on the moon since 1972.

iCube Qamar
The iCube-Q orbiter carries two optical cameras to image the lunar surface. The module is a cube satellite or CubeSat — miniature satellites typically characterised by their small size and standardised cubic design.

Due to their compact size and relatively low cost compared to traditional satellites, CubeSats offered opportunities for universities, research institutions and commercial entities to participate in space missions and gather valuable data for scientific advancement and innovation.

Beijing’s “space dream”
Plans for China’s “space dream” have been put into overdrive under President Xi Jinping.

Beijing has invested heavily in its space programme over the last decade, targeting a string of ambitious undertakings to close the gap with the two traditional space powers — the United States and Russia.

The country has notched several notable achievements, including building a space station called Tiangong, or “heavenly palace”, to which it sent a fresh crew of three astronauts last month.

Beijing has landed robotic rovers on Mars and the moon and made China the third country to independently put humans in orbit. China aims to send a crewed mission to the moon by 2030, with further plans to build a base on the lunar surface.

Reactions
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the nation on the successful launch of Pakistan’s maiden lunar mission.

State-run broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported that the president congratulated the IST, Suparco and the China National Space Administration on the achievement.

He said the successful launch would be a “milestone” for Pakistan’s space programme. The president also commended the cooperation between Pakistan and China in aerospace.

PM Shehbaz hailed the iCube-Q satellite as “Pakistan’s first step in space” and said that Pakistani scientists and engineers were “proving their mettle … like the expertise they exhibited in the nuclear technology [programme]”.

The prime minister said that Pakistan and China’s friendship, which was “higher than Himalayas, deeper than ocean, and sweeter than honey” had now “crossed the frontiers of space”.

The premier watched the live launch of the mission.

The acceptance of Pakistan’s mission among eight countries was the recognition of the capabilities of the country’s scientists and experts, he added.

“This is a historic milestone in the technological development. By this achievement, Pakistan has entered a new era of exploring space for productive purposes,” the prime minister remarked.

PM Shehbaz said the achievement would help build Pakistan’s capacity in the satellite communications besides opening up new avenues for scientific research, economic development and national security.

“Our sons of soil have proved that they have the capability، passion and expertise to explore space. God willing, Pakistan will achieve excellence in the fields of space and economy too as it had done in the field of nuclear technology on May 28, 1998.”

By realising the dream of self-dependence in the communications infrastructure, Pakistan will “join the comity of nations playing a leading role in the sector”, he remarked.

Calling Pakistan’s development in science and technology, modern sciences and skill development the need of the hour, the prime minister reiterated the resolve to uplift the country’s youth in the said fields to ensure that the country achieved “excellence” in the field of inventions.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar took to X to “congratulate the young Pakistani students and scientists on the launch” of the lunar mission.

“Today’s launch from Hainan … is a good example of countries and organisations coming together for space cooperation and shared benefits,” he added.

ISLAMABAD, MAY 3 /DNA/ – The Government of Japan has announced its MEXT Scholarships 2025 for the talented Pakistani students to apply for their Undergraduate and graduate studies (Masters & PhD)and get a chance to study in the prestigious universities of Japan.

The Embassy of Japan in Pakistan is now accepting applications for the MEXT undergraduate and Research Scholarships (Masters & PhD) 2025. Every year the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan offers scholarships to international students who wish to study in under-graduate and graduate courses at the Japanese universities.

MEXT research scholarship is fully funded by the Government of Japan and provides an excellent opportunity for the aspiring students in Pakistan to  apply and get a chance to study at the high-quality universities in Japan.

LAHORE, MAY 3 /DNA/ – U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome met with new Punjab officials to explore opportunities to strengthen the U.S.-Pakistan partnership in Punjab province.  He also held meetings and events focused on U.S.-Pakistan collaboration in the fields of IT, health, and culture.  U.S. Consul General in Lahore Kristin Hawkins joined Ambassador Blome for his series of engagements.

As part of his routine interactions with Pakistani officials, Ambassador Blome met with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Acting Governor and Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, and Punjab Assembly Leader of the Opposition Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar.  The Ambassador highlighted U.S. interest in strengthening our trade and investment relationship with Pakistan, discussed the positive impacts of initiatives under the U.S.-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework, and explored additional areas for future collaboration.

The Ambassador visited the offices of Systems Limited and Remington Pharmaceuticals to learn more about ongoing U.S.-Pakistan collaborations in the IT and health sectors.  “The U.S. government is providing nearly $85 million in funding to address the issue of malnutrition in Pakistan, including $12 million to treat severely malnourished children,” Ambassador Blome said.  “I appreciated the opportunity to hear about the work Remington Pharmaceuticals is doing to combat malnutrition and other global health challenges, including in collaboration with U.S.-based partners.”  

The Ambassador visited Forman Christian College to see a USAID-constructed women’s dormitory and to visit the U.S. government-funded EducationUSA office, which provides free advising services on study abroad opportunities in the United States.  Another highlight of his trip was attending a concert at the Lahore Fort by Raining Jane, a band comprised of four American women.   

“Back home in the United States, Raining Jane has played a leadership role in supporting girls’ dreams of becoming musicians, by establishing a Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls in Los Angeles,” Ambassador Blome said.  “I’m so pleased they are able to be here to inspire the next generation of Pakistani musicians, both women and men, to be influential leaders in their own communities.”

ISLAMABAD, MAY 3 /DNA/ – A collaborative event between The World Bank Group (Pakistan) and the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) concluded successfully, bringing together an array of stakeholders committed to shaping Pakistan’s economic endeavours. This pivotal gathering, designed to support the nation’s new economic development agenda over the next five years, was marked by rich discussions and a shared commitment to actionable reforms.

Dr. Nadeem ul Haque, Vice Chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), spearheaded a pivotal economic reform initiative titled “ISLAAH: Immediate Reform Agenda – IMF and Beyond,” beginning with his opening remarks at this significant event. This strategy emerges in response to Pakistan’s pressing need for substantial external financing, highlighted by an IMF report which necessitates over USD 120 billion in the next five years. Dr. Haque’s comprehensive reform agenda addresses crucial sectors including regulatory modernization, tax reform, market liberalization, energy efficiency, and enhancements in agriculture and banking. A key feature of the reforms is the introduction of a ‘Regulatory Guillotine’ aimed at eliminating burdensome regulations that hinder business growth and innovation. These reforms are designed to rejuvenate Pakistan’s economic landscape, facilitating a more business-friendly environment, optimizing export strategies, improving import regulations, and enhancing overall sectoral efficiencies. The goal is to catalyze investment, create jobs, and promote higher GDP growth, thus steering Pakistan towards long-term economic stability and prosperity.

While talking on “Reforms for a Brighter Future: Time to Decide,” Mathew Verghis, Regional Director of the World Bank Group (South Asia) stated that Pakistan’s economic model is unsustainable due to its reliance on borrowing to finance its fiscal and current account deficits, leading to a growing debt level, which has reached 80% of GDP. He further added that Pakistan’s spending exceeds its revenue, and it imports more than it exports, resulting in increased domestic and external borrowing. However, he also noted that Pakistan has the potential for a brighter future, leveraging its youth, natural resources, and strategic location to achieve 7-8% annual GDP growth, and emphasized the need to prioritize reforms addressing the current economic crisis.

Dr. Durre Nayab, Joint Director, PIDE talked about “Public Administration for the 21st Century”. She addresses critical inefficiencies in Pakistan’s governance system, proposing comprehensive reforms across various sectors including the cabinet, civil bureaucracy, judiciary, and local government. It highlights the necessity to reduce the size of the federal cabinet, limit political appointments, and emphasize expertise and performance in governance roles. The reforms aim to professionalize and streamline public administration by eliminating outdated practices, introducing competitive hiring processes, digitalizing operations, and enabling greater autonomy at the local government level. Additionally, the presentation calls for the restructuring of ministries and autonomous agencies to enhance transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in public service delivery, thereby aligning with modern governance standards and promoting a more responsive and efficient administrative framework.

Mr. Derek H.C. Chen, Senior Economist at the World Bank, outlines a comprehensive review of Pakistan’s federal tax system, aiming to enable a modern and efficient tax structure. It discusses the need for substantial reform due to Pakistan’s low revenue collection compared to international standards and the complexities within the current tax system marked by numerous special provisions and concessional rates. The review provides detailed analyses of specific taxes such as sales tax, personal income tax, and corporate income tax, revealing inefficiencies and the potential for broadening the tax base. Key recommendations include rationalizing concessions, enhancing tax policy and administration, and leveraging potential revenue from provincial sources. The chapter emphasizes the critical role of systematic and phased reforms to increase tax collection efficiency, support fiscal sustainability, and ensure equitable economic growth.

Dr. Ahmad Waqar Qasim, Senior Research Economist, PIDE extensively critiques the existing regulatory framework in Pakistan, highlighting it as a significant impediment to economic activity due to its complexity and the burdensome nature of obtaining permissions. It identifies the pervasive regulatory burden as an “invisible tax” that stifles economic initiatives across all sectors. The review underscores the necessity of a “Regulatory Guillotine” approach, which has been successful in various countries, to streamline regulations by eliminating unnecessary permissions and simplifying the process through digital governance. This approach is advocated as essential for fostering investment, enabling efficient markets, and reducing the bureaucratic inclination towards excessive control. The presentation also calls for the implementation of regular Regulatory Impact Analyses (RIA) to ensure new regulations are justified by clear cost-benefit analyses, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in regulatory practices. Overall, the document argues for substantial deregulation to remove the barriers currently hindering economic growth and investment in Pakistan.

Ms. Maliha Haider, Education Specialist at the World Bank, highlighted significant strides made in Pakistan’s educational system, including expanding access to free and compulsory education and introducing innovative reforms such as merit-based teacher recruitment and public-private partnerships. Despite these efforts, Pakistan still faces substantial challenges, underscored by its low education spending relative to South Asia, which contributes to high dropout rates and learning poverty. The document ‘Spend Better, Spend More: How to Make Education Expenditure Count for Children in Pakistan’ outlines a comprehensive reform agenda aimed at enhancing efficiency in public education expenditure to improve children’s learning outcomes. It emphasizes the need for increased spending to at least 4.3% of GDP, improving spending efficiency, equity, management, coordination, and greater involvement of parents and civil society. The proposed reforms are designed to address systemic inefficiencies and are supported by evidence-based approaches that promise enduring benefits and a foundation for continuous improvement in the education sector.

As the debate concluded, the participants expressed optimism about the adoption and implementation of the proposed reforms and the positive impacts they are expected to bring to Pakistan’s economy.