News in Brief

Mohammad Ishaq Dar urged all political parties to collaborate in the fight against terrorism during a Senate session on 13 October. Dar stated that both federal and provincial governments share the duty of ensuring stability and security across the country.

The Constitution provides a specific mechanism for obtaining parliamentary approval on emergency measures. More than 3,000 terrorist attacks occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the tenure of Sohail Afridi.

An extra one per cent share was allocated to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. Pakistan faced a potential default in 2022.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) did not condemn the attack on the Jaffar Express.

Health officials in Rawalpindi confirmed 55 dengue cases and admitted five patients into specialised hospital wards. Medical teams have screened 5,532 people so far, identifying 5,091 suspected cases of the virus.

No deaths related to dengue have been recorded in the district to date. Law enforcement and health authorities registered 2,798 first information reports (FIRs) following violations of safety protocols.

Authorities sealed 686 premises and issued 2,331 legal challans to those failing to comply with regulations. A total of Rs. 3,156,000.0 in fines was imposed on individuals and entities violating standard operating procedures.

Surveillance teams consisting of 1,400 personnel inspected both indoor and outdoor sites to monitor the spread. Inspection efforts covered 5.48 million houses and 1.89 million outdoor locations across the region.

Workers destroyed larvae at 222,792 positive spots identified during the drive.

Imran Ashraf and Iqra Aziz shared a photograph on Instagram Story featuring their past work. The post included the song Muqaddraan by Rahma Ali and Saania as a background soundtrack.

"Great Iqra Aziz. Bhola and Noori," Ashraf wrote in the caption. The pair previously starred together in Ranjha Ranjha Kardi, which first aired in 2018.

Ashraf portrayed Bhola, a young man with an intellectual disability, while Aziz played the role of Noori. In 2019, Ashraf expressed his gratitude toward the viewers for their support.

Aziz is also known for her role as Jiya in the serial Suno Chanda, while Ashraf appeared in Alif Allah Aur Insaan. No official announcement has been made regarding a future collaboration between the two actors.

Mohsin Naqvi hosted a reception in Islamabad on 13 October to honour Magnus Brunner, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration. Diplomats from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and Sweden attended the gathering.

Representatives from the European Union also participated in the event alongside Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Talal Chaudhry. Brunner praised the natural scenery and beauty of Islamabad during his visit.

The European Commissioner and the accompanying diplomats thanked Naqvi for his hospitality.

The Federal Breast Cancer Screening Centre at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hosted an awareness seminar on 13 October. Natalie A. Baker spoke at the event, highlighting that early detection and public awareness are vital for preventing breast cancer from becoming fatal.

Baker noted that the disease remains a grave global health issue, specifically impacting young women across Pakistan. Patients diagnosed with the condition need comprehensive mental, physical, and psychological backing from their friends, families, and local communities in addition to clinical treatment.

Timely medical consultations and active awareness campaigns can significantly improve survival rates and save lives. Additional speakers at the seminar advocated for a unified effort to eliminate the social stigma surrounding breast cancer.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman called on parliamentary party leaders and lawmakers to pass legislation withdrawing the government's power to determine the petroleum levy. The lawmaker stated that delegating this authority to the executive branch weakens the constitutional role of parliament.

Rehman argued that the petroleum levy currently impacts various economic sectors, including agriculture, food production, transport, and industry. To address rising inflation, he urged all political parties to form a united response and create a joint strategy to remove the levy.

Any revenue gap resulting from a lower petroleum levy could be covered by removing financial irregularities and cutting unnecessary government spending. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rehman warned that the imposition of emergency measures and governor's rule in 12 districts might intensify the province's political crisis.

He further called for a collective effort from all political parties to safeguard the democratic and constitutional order in K-P.

The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) held a business-to-business interactive session with a visiting Chinese delegation on 13 October. Nosherwan Khalil Khan, President of the RCCI, chaired the meeting while Waseem Aslam, Senior Vice President, also attended.

Former presidents Raja Amer Iqbal and Malik Shahid Saleem were present at the gathering to engage with the international visitors. Cindy Chen led the Chinese delegation and provided a briefing on trade prospects and operational dynamics for the 140th Canton Fair.

More than 75 member firms of the RCCI are scheduled to take part in the upcoming China Import and Export Fair. Participants discussed establishing sustained institutional linkages, targeted industrial collaboration, and direct business engagement between the two nations.

The Embassy of Spain in Islamabad celebrated the nation's National Day, also known as Fiesta Nacional de España, on 12 October. The Embassy expressed that the occasion serves to honour shared history, culture, and the robust friendship existing between Spain and Pakistan.

"Today, on Spain’s National Day, we celebrate our history, culture, and the strong bonds of friendship between Spain and Pakistan. The Embassy of Spain in Islamabad wishes everyone a happy 12October," the Embassy stated.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb and State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad joined an investor roundtable in Bangkok hosted by Barclays. The finance ministry released a statement on 13 October detailing the country's economic progress and reform agenda.

Pakistan has strengthened its fiscal and external balances while maintaining a series of consecutive primary surpluses. Foreign exchange reserves have increased as the nation makes steady progress under its International Monetary Fund programme.

Recent rating upgrades have helped the country regain access to international capital markets through Eurobond, Panda bond, and private placement issuances. Ongoing reforms target the taxation system, energy sector, and state-owned enterprises to improve economic stability.

Investment opportunities are currently available in airport outsourcing and privatization, supported by a robust IPO pipeline. Foreign interest remains high in the electricity distribution sector.