SMEDA’s collaboration is continuation of its efforts to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in line with the strategic direction set by the Ministry of Industries and Production and the Board of Directors to achieve national economic objectives. The auto show is scheduled to be held from September 18 to 20, 2026 at the Expo Center, Lahore.

According to a SMEDA spokesman, Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production, presided over a meeting to discuss SMEDA’s collaboration with PAAPAM. Secretary MoI&P Saif Anjum, SMEDA Board members, CEO Nadia Jahangir Seth, Pak Suzuki head Hiroshi Kawamura and representatives of the association participated in the meeting.

SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan said the government was committed to transforming Pakistan into a competitive manufacturing economy by empowering MSMEs and strengthening industrial value chains.

“Pakistan’s automotive industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and potential. Platforms like the Pakistan Auto Show play a vital role in promoting local manufacturing, encouraging innovation and attracting investment,” he said. According to him, the upcoming event should be a “grand global show” with focus on B2B, MoUs and joint ventures for a meaningful contribution to the economy. He directed constitution of a committee to be led by the private sector to draw up a plan to make it a historic event.

Secretary MoI&P Saif Anjum said the event should aim to provide market exposure to local auto part manufacturers for linkages with global competitors. He said SMEDA, PAAPAM, TDAP and EDP should collectively work to achieve the objectives of the event.

According to CEO Nadia Jahangir Seth, SMEDA considered the automotive sector one of Pakistan’s most dynamic industrial segments with tremendous potential for SME-led growth. “A number of MSMEs form the backbone of Pakistan’s auto parts and engineering industry. Through this strategic partnership with PAAPAM, SMEDA aims to provide these enterprises with a platform to showcase their capabilities, build strategic partnerships, adopt modern technologies and explore new domestic and international business opportunities,” she explained.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The Commissioner of Lahore, Nauman Yousaf, inspected the shrine’s entry and exit points on Saturday and chaired a review meeting to finalise operations, including Safe City camera surveillance, round-the-clock sanitation, and full medical coverage for the hundreds of thousands of devotees expected to visit the shrine.

During the visit, the commissioner inspected the surrounding areas of Data Darbar, with a specific focus on the under-construction area. The Deputy Commissioner of Lahore, Captain Ali Ejaz (Retd), the administrator of Data Darbar, and senior officers from the district administration accompanied the commissioner during the inspection.

On this occasion, the commissioner issued directives to ensure safety and security of the under-construction areas.

Subsequently, a review meeting was held at the Data Darbar Complex, in which the Lahore district administration and the administrator of Data Darbar provided a briefing on the arrangements.

It was stated that events such as Mahafil-e-Samaa (Qawwali), Chador Poshi ceremony, art gallery exhibitions, and special prayer ceremonies would take place during the Urs.

The officials also said that a “Clinic on Wheels”, medical camps, rescue help desks, and ambulances would be strategically stationed at designated points around the venue.

The commissioner said that the highest standards of cleanliness must be maintained at the shrine, along with all surrounding areas and approach routes for the arriving devotees.

He said that teams from Suthra Punjab, WASA, and MCL must remain present on the site to ensure round-the-clock sanitation and cleaning operations.

He also stated that a comprehensive route guidance was indispensable for the devotees visiting Data Sahib.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

According to traders and transporters, besides seasonal variations and supply disruptions, regular daily upward trajectory in fuel prices have played major role in increasing the prices of all the household items. Traders said that the successive increase in fuel prices following resurgence of the Middle East crisis and road blockades owing to heavy monsoon rains have resulted in increasing transportation costs in the range of 30 to 100 percent, therefore everything has become dearer.

The survey observed an increase of Rs300 per 40 kg of chicken price as it went up from Rs13,200 to Rs13,500 per 40 kg in wholesale market which in retail is being sold in the range of Range of Rs350-375 against Rs345-360 per kg, while chicken meat is available in the range of Rs53-575 against Rs510-540 per kg varying area to area. Egg prices went up from Rs7,500 to Rs7,700 per carton containing 30 dozen in the wholesale market, while in retail eggs are being sold in the range of Rs280-290 against Rs265-275 per dozen. Meat prices remained stable as normal quality mutton is available in the range of Rs2,750-2,850 per kg, the best quality meat in the range of Rs3,100-3,300 per kg, normal quality boneless beef at Rs1,750 per kg, and normal mixed beef at Rs1,550 per kg. Prices of the various varieties of fish also remained unchanged as different varieties of fishes are available in the range of Rs600-1,200 per kg.

Sugar price went down from Rs6,900 to Rs6,800 per 50 kg bag in wholesale markets, which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs150-160 per kg, while official rate is fixed at Rs147 per kg.

Wheat flour price went up from Rs2,000 to Rs2,150 per 15 kg bag in the wholesale market, while in retail it is being sold at Rs2,200 against Rs2,050-2,080 per 15kg bag. Tandoor owners have increased Roti price from Rs20 to Rs25, Naan and Paratha prices remained stable as Naan is being sold at Rs30, and Paratha at Rs60. No changes were observed in bakery and confectionery items. Normal-sized bread is available at Rs150 against Rs140, small-sized bread at Rs110, and family-sized bread at Rs210.

The prices of cooked food items have witnessed an increase as a cooked dal/vegetable plate at a normal restaurant went up from Rs320 to Rs350, a cooked beef plate from Rs550 to Rs680, a cooked chicken plate from Rs500 to Rs530, cooked mutton from Rs750 to Rs800, while a cup of tea on most of the hotels/restaurants is available at Rs80-100 per cup, however some of the restaurant operators are still selling a cup of tea in the range of Rs50-60 per cup.

No changes were observed in branded spices prices which at present are being supplied under a special promotional scheme by the produces with a reduction of Rs20 per pack of various spices price from Rs150 per 39-gram pack to Rs130 per pack. Ghee/cooking oil prices remained stable as B-grade ghee/oil is available at Rs6,820 per carton of 16 packs in the wholesale market, which in retail is still being sold at Rs440-450 per pack of 900 grams, while the best quality cooking oil/ghee brands such as Dalda ghee is available at Rs2,920 per 5kg tin which in retail are being sold at Rs3,000 per 5-litre bottle.

Officially, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) notifying an increase of Rs12.89 per kg of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) price and fixed at Rs254.32 per kg for August against Rs241.43 per kilogram, however the LPG marketing companies, distributors and retailers are selling the commodity at more than double of the official price as in hilly areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jamu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa LPG is being sold in the range of Rs500-600 per kg while in cities like Rawalpindi and Islamabad in the range of Rs380-400 per kg against official the rate. While a domestic LPG cylinder containing 15 kg in hilly areas costs Rs5,500-6,300 against Rs3,815. The phenomenon reflects that LPG marketing companies, distributors and retailers are overcharging the consumers by Rs Rs126-146 per kg and Rs1,690-2,490 per domestic cylinder of 15 kg, as OGRA and other relevant authorities which include local representatives, Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, Tehsildars, Representatives of traders and farmers have totally ignored the monitoring the market situation to enforce the official rates as a result consumers are compelled to pay high rates over the past eight years.

The prices of the various varieties of rice remained stable as the top quality basmati rice is available at Rs1,4000 per 40kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs400 against per kg, normal quality Basmati at Rs12,000 per 40 kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs350 per kg, and good quality broken Basmati at Rs9,500 per 40kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs270 per kg, while normal quality broken Basmati at Rs7,100-7,500 per 40kg bag which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs200-220 per kg.

Tea prices witnessed no fluctuations, as Lipton Yellow Label is available at Rs2,000 per 900 grams pack and Islamabad Tea at Rs1,900 per kg; turmeric powder price in wholesale market is available at Rs600 per kg while retailers are selling it in the range of Rs800-1,000 per kg and red chilli powder in wholesale at Rs600 per kg, which retailers selling at Rs800-1,000 per kg.

Pulses prices witnessed no changes as maash pulse in wholesale market is available at Rs13,500 per 40kg which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs420-450 per kg, gram pulse at Rs8,500 per 40 kg which in retail is being sold at Rs250-260 per kg, best quality whole gram at Rs9,200 per 40kg which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs270-290 per kg, various varieties of bean lentils at Rs15,200-17,200, which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs410-520 per kg, moong pulse at Rs12,000 per 40kg, which in retail is available at Rs330 per kg, and masoor pulse at Rs8,300 per 40 kg which in retail is available at Rs260 per kg.

Packed milk prices such as Milk-Pak, Olpers, and others witnessed no changes as per carton of litre pack is available at Rs4,250 per carton, while in retail per litre pack is being sold at Rs380 and the price of a carton of 250ml also remained stable at Rs2,530 per carton which in market is being sold at Rs100 per 250ml. Fresh milk price across the twin cities remained stable at Rs260 per litre, while in some parts especially posh sectors fresh milk is being sold at 280 per litre, and the yogurt price also remained stable Rs280 per kg, while in posh sectors it is being sold in the range of Rs280-300 per kg. No changes were observed in the prices of powder milk, such as Nido and Lactogen, as 400-gram Nido powder milk is available at Rs1,100, and a 200 gram pack at Rs750 per pack.

Overall bathing soaps’ prices remained stable as Safeguard family size is available at Rs175 per pack, while Dettol, Lux, Palmolives, and others at Rs160 per pack, and detergent prices, such as Ariel Surf, Brite, Express Power, and others remained stable at Rs600 per kg pack.

The prices of various brands of soft drinks such as Pepsi, Coke, Miranda, and others remained stable as a family-size bottle is available at Rs230.

The vegetable prices also witnessed an increasing trend. Potatoes price remained stable at Rs1500-2,700 per quintal, while retailers are selling potatoes in the range of Rs50-60 per kg and official price is fixed at Rs24-39 per kg; onion price went up from Rs5,300-7,500 to Rs7,500-9,500 per quintal, which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs120-150 against Rs90-120 per kg while official rate is set at Rs85-121 per kg and tomato price went up from Rs4,000 to Rs4,300 per basket of 15kg, which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs370-420 against Rs350-400 per kg contrary to the official rate of Rs218-281 per kg. Ginger price remained stable at Rs1,500 per 5kg in wholesale market, which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs450-500 per kg while official rate is fixed at Rs351-382 per kg, various varieties of garlic prices remained stable as garlic is available in the range of Rs500-1,350 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs175-500, while official rate is fixed at Rs133-351 per kg.

Capsicum price went up from Rs1,300 to RS1,350 per 5kg in the wholesale market which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs350-450 per kg, while official price is fixed at Rs303-327 per kg, prices of various varieties of pumpkins remained stable at Rs450-700 per 5kg in wholesale market, which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs150-220 per kg while official price is fixed at Rs110-194 per kg; various types of tinda prices remained stable at Rs600-1,200 per 5kg, which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs170-330 per kg while official rate is fixed at Rs145-278 per kg; eggplant price went up from Rs325 to Rs375 per 5kg, which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs110-120 per kg while official is set at Rs97-109 per kg; cauliflower price went down from Rs550 to Rs450 per 5kg in wholesale market, which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs130-140 against Rs150-180 per kg while official price is fixed at Rs109-121 per kg, turnip price went up Rs300 to Rs350 per 5 kg which in retail are being sold at Rs90-100 against Rs80-90 per kg, while official rate is fixed at Rs77-93 per kg and cabbage price went up from Rs550 to Rs575 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs150-170 per kg while official rate is fixed at Rs145-157 per kg, fresh-bean price remained stable at Rs500 per 5 kg which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs130-160 per kg, while official rate is set at Rs121-133 per kg, peas price went up from Rs1,200 to Rs1,250 per 5kg which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs320-360 against Rs300 -350 per kg while official rate is set at Rs303-327 per kg. Okra price went down from Rs650 to Rs600 per 5kg which in retail is being sold at Rs180-200 against Rs200-220 per kg, while official rate is fixed at Rs145-157 per kg, carrot price went up from Rs400 to Rs450 per 5kg which in retail are being sold at Rs120-135 against Rs110-130 per kg while government fixed rate is Rs109-121 per kg, bitter-gourd price remained stable at Rs450 per 5kg which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs120-140 per kg, while official price is set at Rs109-121 per kg. Green chilli price went up from Rs400 to Rs475 per 5kg which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs125-150 against Rs110-130 per kg while official price is fixed at Rs109-128, taro root price went down from Rs300 to Rs270 per 5kg which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs80-90 against Rs100-120 per kg while official rate is fixed at Rs67-73 per kg, cucumber price remained stable at Rs800 per 5kg which in retail are being sold at Rs250-300 per kg, while official price is fixed at Rs194-209 per kg and ridge gourd price went up from Rs270 to Rs335 per 5kg in wholesale market which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs75-90 per kg, while official rate is fixed at Rs73-85 per kg.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The Ambassador made these remarks during an interactive session at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), where he met with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, senior university officials, Chinese alumni, and representatives from academia and government.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Jiang emphasized that as an agrarian economy, Pakistan holds immense potential to combat poverty through the revitalization and modernization of its agricultural sector. He announced that China intends to deepen collaboration in agricultural education, training, and technology transfer. Drawing on his country’s developmental journey, he underlined that strong leadership, consistent long-term policies, and a people-centered approach are fundamental to national progress.

Praising UAF’s role in fostering bilateral ties, the envoy lauded the university and it’s Confucius Institute for significantly strengthening educational and cultural linkages between the two nations. He stressed that academic collaboration and scientific innovation remain vital pillars of the enduring strategic partnership between Pakistan and China. He remarked that Pakistan and China enjoy an exemplary friendship, built on a foundation of mutual trust, respect, and shared prosperity.

In his response, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali expressed pride in the university’s role as a bridge between the two countries, facilitating academic partnerships, joint research, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges. He noted that 100 UAF faculty members are graduates of Chinese universities, and that several joint laboratories have already yielded patented technologies.

The Confucius Institute at UAF, recognized as a top-model institute globally, has trained over 35,000 students in Chinese language and culture and operates branches across 13 Pakistani universities. As a founding member of the Confucius Institute Global Agriculture Alliance, UAF continues to serve as a primary gateway for Sino-Pak collaboration, offering its diverse climates and fields for testing Chinese technology.

Following the meeting, the Ambassador toured the UAF Exhibition Centre for a briefing on the university’s key research milestones and technological innovations. He then visited the Confucius Institute, where he explored the Pakistan-China 75th Anniversary Art and Cultural Exhibition, inspected smart classrooms and cultural activity facilities, and enjoyed vibrant performances presented by the institute’s students.

The visit concluded with a tree plantation ceremony, during which Ambassador Jiang and Vice Chancellor Prof. Ali jointly planted a sapling - a tribute to their mutual commitment to sustainable cooperation and a greener future.

Earlier, the envoy received a warm welcome at the Administration Block from the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali and Dr. Saddam Hussain, Dean of the Confucius Institute. The high-profile engagement further cemented the longstanding partnership between UAF and Chinese institutions, reflecting both countries’ shared resolve to promote excellence in education, research, innovation, agriculture, and cross-cultural understanding.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The Punjab government believes in performance rather than rhetoric, which is why the public continues to place its trust in the politics of service, transparency and development.

“If other provinces also prioritise youth development, education, sports, energy and public welfare, Pakistan as a whole can achieve unprecedented progress,” they said while addressing a joint press conference at DGPR.

The provincial ministers stated that the people of Kashmir rejected the politics of slogans, negativity and baseless allegations, and instead voted for development, peace, public service and performance. They said the electoral success of PML-N in Azad Kashmir is a testament to the people-centric initiatives launched by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Rana Sikandar Hayat said that the people of Kashmir endorsed transformational initiatives such as Electric Buses, Khelta Punjab, Danish Schools, Schools of Eminence, Suthra Punjab, Apna Ghar Apni Chhat and the Honhaar Scholarship Programme. He questioned whether similar public welfare initiatives exist in Sindh and whether its people are receiving comparable facilities.

Rana Sikandar Hayat said Punjab has emerged as a national role model in education, healthcare, sports, development and public service under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, while some provincial governments have nothing to present except criticism of Punjab’s performance. Rana urged those seeking comparisons with Punjab to first present their own provinces’ report cards on literacy, education, infrastructure and public services.

Rana highlighted that Punjab is providing laptops, merit scholarships, world-class educational facilities and quality institutions, while international students are also choosing universities and Danish Schools in Punjab.

Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that every department of the Punjab Government is delivering measurable results under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He said Punjab ministers are inaugurating development projects on a daily basis, while political opponents continue to criticise instead of presenting their own performance. He announced that the CM Punjab Youth Games 2026 will be the largest sporting event in the province’s history, with the participation of five million young athletes, competitions spanning 57 days, and cash prizes worth Rs. 500 million for outstanding performers.

Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar further announced that the Punjab Government is preparing to set a Guinness World Record through sports activities involving five million youth during October and November. Students from schools, colleges, universities, seminaries and special education institutions will participate in this historic initiative.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Additional Sessions Judge Hakim Khan, in his 19-page verdict, ruled that the corruption allegations levelled by the PTI leader against Ahsan Iqbal were not substantiated and directed Murad Saeed to pay Rs2.5 million as compensation for defaming the federal minister.

The verdict states that the PTI leader failed to prove his allegations that Ahsan Iqbal had received Rs70 billion in illegal commissions through corruption. The judgment says that Iqbal contended Murad Saeed had publicly accused him of receiving Rs70 billion as an illegal commission and of committing corruption in connection with the Multan-Sukkur Motorway Project. Such allegations, made by then serving federal minister during a widely covered press conference and extensively reported in the media, were capable of causing serious damage to his integrity, political standing, and personal dignity, the court observed.

The judgment further states that the court attached considerable significance to the nature of the allegations. The defendant did not merely criticize government policies or administrative decisions but directly accused the plaintiff of corruption, abuse of authority, and receiving illegal commissions amounting to Rs70 billion. Such imputations strike at the core of a person’s honesty, integrity, and moral character and are inherently defamatory, it said. Since the defendant failed to establish the truth of these allegations or provide any lawful justification for making them, the natural and probable consequence was injury to the plaintiff’s reputation.

The court ruled that the controversial statements created a negative public perception of the federal minister and amounted to a direct attack on his character and credibility.

The court also noted that Murad Saeed neither appeared before the court nor produced any evidence to support his claims.

The verdict states that although the plaintiff claimed Rs10 billion in damages, the court was required to award compensation that was fair, reasonable, and proportionate to the injury proved.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

As Pakistan entered yet another spell of heavy rainfall, the official response once again centred on managing an unfolding disaster rather than demonstrating that lessons from previous years had finally been learned.

The tragedy is no longer that the rains arrive with devastating force. It is that the country continues to prepare for them as though they remain an unexpected event.

That should concern policymakers far more than the weather itself.

Monsoon flooding is not an unforeseen emergency. It is a predictable annual occurrence. Governments know when the rains are likely to arrive, which districts face the greatest danger, where drainage systems repeatedly fail and which communities remain vulnerable to flooding, landslides and house collapses. Yet every year familiar images return: submerged roads, overflowing drains, inundated neighbourhoods, collapsed homes, prolonged power outages and families waiting for rescue after disaster has already struck.

This year has been no different. If anything, it has been worse. More than one hundred people have already lost their lives, while floodwaters continue to affect large parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Entire communities remain under water days after heavy rainfall, infrastructure has suffered extensive damage and emergency services continue responding to crises that should have been anticipated well before the first storm clouds gathered.

There are, admittedly, encouraging signs.

The Punjab irrigation department’s introduction of an artificial intelligence-based reservoir monitoring system reflects a sensible response to India’s continued refusal to share upstream hydrological data. Satellite imagery and geospatial analysis can never fully replace formal treaty-based information sharing, but they at least provide authorities with better situational awareness than they previously possessed. Such innovation deserves recognition because climate adaptation increasingly demands technological solutions alongside conventional infrastructure.

Technology alone, however, cannot compensate for weak governance.

Every monsoon exposes the same institutional shortcomings. Drainage systems remain inadequately maintained. Encroachments continue blocking natural waterways. Construction proceeds in flood-prone areas with little regard for long-term risk. Relief efforts improve only after lives have already been lost. Administrative coordination often strengthens during the emergency itself rather than before it. These failures have accumulated over decades despite repeated commissions, inquiries and promises of reform.

That points towards a deeper problem. Pakistan has no shortage of disaster management plans. It suffers from an absence of legal accountability for implementing them. Government departments routinely announce preparedness measures before every monsoon season, yet there is remarkably little consequence when those preparations prove inadequate. Officials move on, committees are reconstituted and next year’s rains produce another familiar round of explanations.

That culture must change.

The country now needs comprehensive legislation that imposes clear statutory responsibilities on every department involved in flood preparedness. Drainage authorities, municipal administrations, irrigation departments, provincial disaster management authorities and local governments should all operate under legally enforceable obligations rather than discretionary administrative instructions. Deadlines for drain clearance, inspections of vulnerable infrastructure, emergency equipment readiness and floodplain management should become mandatory, independently audited and publicly reported.

Accountability must extend beyond paperwork.

Where official negligence contributes to preventable loss of life or property, responsibility should be clearly established and administrative action should follow. Preparedness cannot remain a public relations exercise measured by meetings held and directives issued. It should be evaluated by outcomes: functioning drainage systems, timely evacuations, protected infrastructure and, above all, lives saved.

Climate change will almost certainly make Pakistan’s monsoon seasons more unpredictable and more destructive in the years ahead. That reality cannot be altered. The country’s preparedness, however, remains entirely within human control.

Pakistan has spent years treating every monsoon as a temporary emergency. It is time to recognise it for what it has become: a permanent governance challenge requiring permanent institutional reform. Until that happens, the country will continue counting casualties after every rainy season while congratulating itself for responding to disasters it should have been far better prepared to prevent.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Unesco has reportedly asked the government to reverse what it considers “reconstructions” that have undermined the authenticity and integrity of these monuments, warning that failure to do so could see Taxila placed on its ‘danger list’ and, ultimately, delisted as a World Heritage Site. At the heart of the dispute are allegations that original masonry has been replaced with new material and that surviving ancient walls have been raised in height in the name of conservation. Photographs published in the media appear to show a clear distinction between the ancient stonework and the newer additions.

Unesco’s concerns merit serious attention. International conservation practice does not seek to make archaeological ruins appear complete or aesthetically pleasing; rather, it prioritises preserving a monument’s original fabric through the principle of minimum intervention, ensuring that conservation neither obscures nor replaces authentic historical evidence. The Punjab archaeology department, however, disputes the characterisation of the work as “reconstruction”, maintaining that the interventions are intended to stabilise vulnerable structures and prevent further deterioration. It also says the work was explained during a recent technical visit by national and international experts. This explanation deserves consideration. Conservation often involves difficult technical judgments. However, when concerns are raised by the very organisation entrusted with safeguarding the world’s cultural heritage, technical assurances alone do not suffice.

The most appropriate response, therefore, is complete transparency. Unesco has asked for conservation plans, heritage impact assessments, laboratory test reports on the materials used, compatibility studies, archaeological documentation and photographic records before and after the interventions. These should be shared without delay and subjected to independent professional review. Such openness is essential not only to address Unesco’s concerns but also to strengthen public confidence in the management of Pakistan’s archaeological heritage. The issue should be approached not as a contest between competing bureaucracies but as an opportunity to ensure that conservation practices conform to the highest professional standards.

The episode also underscores the need for stronger institutional safeguards. Conservation decisions affecting nationally and internationally significant sites should be guided by multidisciplinary expert committees operating under clear protocols aligned with Unesco conventions. Pakistan has witnessed similar controversies before. The proposed construction of a stadium near Bhir Mound in 1998 threatened another component of the Taxila complex before public opposition forced its abandonment. That episode, like the present one, illustrates how decisions affecting irreplaceable heritage require rigorous scrutiny before, rather than after, they are implemented.

Taxila is more than an archaeological site; it is one of the region’s foremost repositories of human civilisation. Its significance lies not in how complete or visually impressive it appears, but in the authenticity of what has endured through the centuries. The government’s engagement with Unesco should therefore be guided by one overriding principle: where the integrity of an irreplaceable heritage site is at stake, transparency, scientific conservation and adherence to internationally accepted standards must take precedence over all other considerations.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

In a post on social media platform X on Saturday night, Bilawal said the JKJAAC had responded to his earlier letter proposing the formation of the commission and had also submitted its own recommendations for consideration.

He stressed that the loss of every precious life is a national tragedy, adding that his immediate priority is to help end the current crisis, provide urgent relief to the people, and restore normalcy in Azad Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible.

Bilawal welcomed the committee’s willingness to consider the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a possible institutional mechanism for moving forward. He said that the proposal has also been endorsed by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and said he would carefully review the committee’s recommendations.

The PPP chairman said that he would now consult the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, who would seek initial feedback from the federal government and other relevant stakeholders to determine whether sufficient common ground exists to advance a mutually agreed proposal.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

These concerns taken up by Junaid Altaf, President of the chamber during a meeting with Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi at the sideline of the Pakistan Economic Summit 2026 hosted by United Business Group (UBG) in collaboration with Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in Islamabad, said in a press release here on Saturday.

Meeting was attended by SCCI’s Senior Vice President Muhammad Nadeem, UBG Patron in Chief S.M Tanveer, UBG Secretary General and former president of the chamber Haji Muhammad Afzal, members of the executive committee Ziaul Haq Sarhadi and Ashfaq Ahmad, and others.

President Junaid Altaf stressed unity and harmony between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and proposed formation of a joint committee to address the issues faced by businessmen and people of these provinces. He said the proposed body would jointly raise issues effectively at the central level.

The SCCI chief emphasized the need for early resolution of issues, being confronted by the two provinces.

President Junaid Altaf apprised the Federal Minister Mohsin Naqvi regarding the current situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after imposing illegal and unconstitutional ban on movement of wheat from Punjab to K-P, calling for immediate lifting the restrictions.

The chamber president also stressed improvement in policy and facilitation to boost trade and economic activities in the region.

President Junaid Altaf took up the KP concerns over lack of representation in federal board and policymaking institutions, resultantly, businessmen of the province unaware about decision and policies at the central level. Therefore, he urged to ensure effective representation of the KP in all board and decision-making institutions.

The SCCI chief also emphasized special initiatives for promotion of tourism and encouraging investment in this crucial sector.

Federal Minister Mohsin Naqvi on the occasion assured a meeting in Peshawar to discuss issues faced by Businessmen of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The sitting aims to share proposals for early redressal of the business community concerns and issues.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Planting a sapling to formally open the festivities, the Governor said the campaign aimed to promote patriotism alongside environmental awareness, describing afforestation as a national responsibility in the face of climate change and rapid urbanisation.

He said rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and floods underscored the need to expand green spaces. Indiscriminate tree cutting and unplanned urban development had worsened environmental challenges.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Speaking to Business Recorder, Ijlal Jafri, group chief information officer at Martin Dow Group, highlighted that while AI is accelerating drug discovery and elevating healthcare efficiency globally, it offered Pakistan a significant opportunity to boost productivity, improve decision-making, and extract business insights from complex datasets to respond effectively to evolving healthcare needs without compromising quality standards.

Jafri noted that because Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector focused primarily on drug formulation rather than full-scale research and development, the most immediate value lay in smart manufacturing, which formed the foundation of Industry 4.0.

According to Jafri, adopting Pharma 4.0 (the local implementation of the global ISPE framework) upgrades traditional manufacturing by integrating AI, the internet of things, and cloud computing. This also supports the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan’s push for contemporaneous and attributable quality records via digital platforms.

Specifically, this digital integration enables real-time production monitoring through smart sensors, predictive maintenance to minimize downtime, AI-driven demand forecasting, and digital quality management with electronic batch records. Furthermore, integrating AI into a company’s portfolio improves tracking systems, analyzes supply disruptions, and detects anomalies. It automates compliance audit trails for DRAP and international regulatory requirements, shifting production from historical demand to predictive analytics that anticipate market trends and deliver medicines on time.

Jafri said that Martin Dow Group recently deployed SAP S/4HANA as a single digital core, integrating finance, manufacturing, supply chain, human resources, and commercial operations to ensure speed, accuracy, and confidence.

This empowers the group to serve patients and partners more effectively. To widen access and foster learning, the group also hosted Tech Day, a first-of-its-kind event featuring experts from SAP, Salesforce, Microsoft, and PwC to address ethical AI, security, customer experience, boosting productivity, and fintech.

However, Jafri emphasized that technology must act as an enabler rather than a replacement for human expertise.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Acting on credible intelligence, the Peshawar Mobile Squads (Tobacco) of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) conducted a raid on Universal School, which was operating alongside Afaq Marriage Hall at Mansabdar, Tehsil Razar, District Swabi. The operation was carried out on July 28, 2026, under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner (IR) officials.

According to the official seizure memo, the premises were found to be functioning as an undeclared (ghost) cigarette manufacturing unit in violation of the Federal Excise laws.

During the raid, Afaq Amin, identified in the official record as the owner/operator of the premises and director of the school, was also present at the site. The enforcement team sealed the facility and confiscated a complete cigarette manufacturing setup, including a cigarette making machine valued at approximately Rs50 million, a cigarette-packing machine worth Rs20 million, a bundle-making machine, two cellophane wrapping machines, and a compressor. The total estimated value of the seized machinery exceeds Rs71 million.

Officials also recovered a substantial quantity of raw materials and counterfeit packaging used in the production of illegal cigarettes. These included approximately 1,000 kilograms of cut tobacco, glue drums, counterfeit Federal Excise tax stamps, dies of counterfeit cigarette brands, and counterfeit cigarette sticks and packets, including those resembling well-known brands.

The seizure report states that the unit was found involved in the production of counterfeit cigarettes and that evidence was collected from inside the factory and adjoining premises. The entire facility was sealed, and the machinery and recovered materials were taken into official custody.

The action reflects the government’s continuing zero-tolerance policy against tax evasion, counterfeit manufacturing, and the illegal cigarette trade. Authorities have intensified enforcement operations across the country to dismantle illicit tobacco manufacturing networks that deprive the national exchequer of billions of rupees in revenue while undermining legitimate businesses.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra while announcing a 24-page judgment convicted Hassan Muhammad, Salman Khan and Muhammad Danish for the offence under Section 4 (Punishment for attempt to cause explosion, or for making or keeping explosive with intent to endanger life or property) of Explosive Substances Act, 1908 and sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment with fine of Rs. 500,000 each.

According to the written order the accused while recording his statements under section 342 Cr.PC also failed to submit any plausible reasons behind his alleged false nomination. A very heinous offence is alleged against the accused but no convincing defence was ever placed to prove any conspiracy by the local police behind implication of the accused in the instant case.

The order says that prosecution has failed to prove the charge levelled against the accused for the offence under Section 7, 11-G, 11- W, 21 (i) of ATA, 1997. Therefore, the accused Hassan Muhammad, Salman Khan and Muhammad Danish are hereby acquitted for the offences under Sections 7, 11-G, 11-W & 21 (i) of ATA, 1997, it says.

The judgement says that as far as the recovery of explosive substance punishable under Section 4 of ESA, 1908 is concerned the prosecution has produced very strong and cogent evidence in order to bring home the guilt of the accused.

It says that forensics evidence is also available on record connecting the accused with the commission of crime. In view of that, the charge levelled against the accused persons Hassan Muhammad, Salman Khan and Muhammad Danish for the offence under Section 4 of ESA, 1908 has been proved through cogent, trustworthy and confidence inspiring evidence. Therefore the accused are hereby convicted for the offence under Section 4 of ESA, 1908.

It says that the convicts will further undergo for a period of six months in case of non-payment of fine.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The session focused on the regulatory framework, registration process, and facilitation measures for establishing EV charging infrastructure and battery swapping stations across Pakistan.

The event was chaired by the Managing Director of the Energy Conservation Fund, who also serves as Additional Secretary-III, Ministry of Energy (Power Division). It brought together representatives from government organizations, regulatory authorities, distribution companies (Discos), K-Electric, industry, investors, academia, and development partners to discuss the implementation framework for EV charging infrastructure.

Addressing participants, the Managing Director emphasised that the promotion of electric mobility is a key priority of the Government of Pakistan under the vision of the prime minister. He reiterated the government’s commitment to creating a safe, reliable, and investor-friendly EV charging ecosystem to support the country’s transition towards sustainable transportation and clean energy.

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The Punjab Safe Cities Authority and Traffic Police have been tasked with identifying and dismantling the organized networks behind professional begging. The meeting was informed that forcing individuals to become vagrants is a non-bailable offence under the law in Punjab.

The amended Punjab Vagrancy Ordinance, 1958, is currently in force to address this issue. The Secretary Home Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi directed all relevant institutions to conduct joint operations to eliminate organized begging from Lahore.

He emphasized that strict action against the handlers and masterminds of professional beggars was indispensable. He further stated that the Government of Punjab had introduced legislative amendments to ensure that professional beggars and the gang leaders are brought to justice. He noted that the substantial increase in penalties and fines would serve as a deterrent against organized begging.

The Secretary Home directed all relevant departments to ensure strict punishment for those who force innocent children, elderly people and women into begging. He also instructed that arrested members of these mafias should be prosecuted effectively to secure exemplary punishment.

Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi emphasized that all concerned departments must adopt a coordinated strategy to eradicate professional begging networks. He directed the authorities to ensure the effective use of modern technology and human intelligence during the anti-begging campaign. The Secretary Home further instructed that a comprehensive database of repeat offenders involved in professional begging should be developed.

Similarly, an updated database should be maintained for every deserving, impoverished and needy individual admitted to welfare homes. He also directed authorities to identify hotspot locations and conduct targeted operations. According to the Secretary Home, the Government of Punjab is transforming welfare homes into centers of social welfare and rehabilitation. Capacity at welfare homes is being enhanced to support deserving, underprivileged and needy individuals.

He directed that welfare homes should provide high-quality facilities related to food, healthcare and accommodation. Special arrangements should also be made to ensure education for children residing in welfare homes. The Secretary Home added that welfare homes would also offer vocational training and skill-development programs to enable needy individuals to become financially self-sufficient in the future.

He stressed that civil society must also play its role in supporting vulnerable segments of society. Secretary Home Punjab urged citizens to report professional beggar mafias by calling the police helpline, 15, assuring that the identity of informants would remain strictly confidential.

The important meeting was attended by Secretary Social Welfare Saira Omar, Special Secretary Home Zainab Khan, Director General Social Welfare Dr. Shehnshah Faisal, Director General Probation and Parole Shahid Iqbal, Additional Secretary Prisons Roman Burana, Additional Secretary Judicial Abdul Rauf, CTO Lahore Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi, AIG Sarfraz Virk, Deputy Prosecutor General Dr. Usman Iqbal, Director Civil Defence Punjab Tasneem Ali Khan, as well as officials from the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, FIA, School Education Department and Health Department.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The court also observed that the return of dower is not mandatory in every case of Khula and added entitlement to dower must be determined on the facts of each case.

Merely describing the divorce as Khula does not automatically extinguish the wife’s dower rights, the court remarked.

The court also observed that the dower is not a penalty upon the husband, nor a benefit held at the family court’s discretion, it is a proprietary right arising from the contract of marriage. It cannot be forfeited, reduced or apportioned without a specific finding that the law permits it, the court remarked.

The court passed this order in a petition of Arslan against the decision of a family court in a suit of his wife and dismissed the same in limine.

The court; therefore, directed the registrar to forward a copy of this judgment to the Punjab Secretary Law, and to the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan and asked for appropriate amendments in the law in the light of the court’s observations.

The court also issued guidelines to the family courts in detail in this regard.

The court explaining the right of Khula and the right to dissolve a marriage observed that they are separate rights.

The court said, Khula, is the wife’s own right to seek dissolution of her marriage through the court, even against her husband’s will, where she satisfies the court that continuing the marriage within the limits prescribed by Allah has become impossible. In other words, Khula can be granted to a woman without any fault of a husband, the court remarked.

Hence a woman seeking Khula need not to prove any ground and she givers up her dower as the price of release.

Whereas the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939, by contrast, entitles a wife to a decree of dissolution upon proof of specific matrimonial wrongs, the court added.

However, nothing contained in this Act shall affect any right which a married woman may have under Muslim law to her dower or any part thereof on the dissolution of her marriage, the court added.

The court explaining the issue further, said that confusion arose because sub-sections (5) and (6) of Section 10 of the Family Courts Act, 1964 were struck down without anything being put in their place, the court added.

Unfortunately, much of the subsequent difficulties experienced by the family courts appear to have arisen from treating every decree passed after reconciliation fails as if it were an identical category of Khula irrespective of the factual foundation of the claim, the court observed.

The court said, such an approach overlooks the distinction carefully preserved by both Islamic jurisprudence and the Federal Shariat Court itself between a dissolution founded upon unilateral aversion and one occasioned by the husband’s own misconduct.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The chief minister felicitated Fatima Zahra on becoming the first Pakistani woman boxer to win a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Expressing her pleasure over the achievement, Maryam Nawaz said, “It is heartening to see Pakistan’s daughters moving forward and proving their talent on the international stage.” She praised Fatima Zahra’s accomplishment, describing it as a matter of pride for the nation and an inspiration for aspiring female athletes across the country.

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She said that Bilawal Zardari does not appear to be in good spirits these days and has been delivering speeches in a raised voice because he is unsettled by Maryam Nawaz’s performance.

Azma Bokhari said it is not possible for their party leadership to be insulted while they remain silent. She added that Maryam Nawaz can be the Pakistan Muslim League (N)’s candidate for Prime Minister in the next general elections, and whether the Pakistan People’s Party seeks reconciliation or confrontation, “we are prepared for both.”

She further said that Bilawal is short-tempered and lacks restraint in his choice of words. She said the Charter of Democracy was signed, but it appears that Bilawal himself has trampled it underfoot. She added that they only respond when such remarks are made, ignoring 80 percent of Bilawal’s statements and responding only to 20 percent, particularly when the line is crossed.

Azma Bokhari said every political party has its own history, including the Pakistan People’s Party, and therefore she is reserving her comments for now. She said that if an opposing candidate has to disappear for Bilawal to secure his family’s seat in Nawabshah, and if local government elections are conducted in the manner witnessed by the world, then the feudal elite of Sindh should first free the farmers and citizens of interior Sindh from police dominance before talking about elections.

Referring to Mirpur Division and the refugee seats, she said the Pakistan People’s Party has not won the refugee seats for the past forty years and will face defeat again on the second as well. She said that instead of making faces and ridiculing others, political leaders should focus on the issues faced by the public. She added that similar claims of a government’s “countdown” had been made in the past by another individual, and everyone knows where he is today.

Azma Bokhari said that, in principle, Bilawal Zardari should first ensure the resignation of all those holding offices he calls illegitimate. She noted that the same government elected the President through parliamentary votes and that the Governor of Punjab also holds office under the same political arrangement. She said that if the government’s countdown has truly begun, then Bilawal’s allies should be the first to leave office. She added that the office of the Chairman Senate should be returned to the PML-N and the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly should also resign immediately so that it becomes clear that if they consider the government illegitimate, they do not accept the mandate under which they themselves hold office.

She said she visited Karachi about one and a half months ago and found the city’s condition worse than before. She expressed surprise that even in upscale areas, near the Italian Embassy, there were large heaps of garbage, questioning what kind of reports foreign missions would be sending to their governments. She said she had witnessed Karachi’s condition herself and suggested that at least the areas surrounding diplomatic missions should be kept clean.

Azma Bokhari said that Maryam Nawaz Sharif can be the Pakistan Muslim League (N)’s candidate for Prime Minister and is the future of the party. She said the party will decide in which election she will contest, but there is no second opinion that the backbone of the PML-N today is the performance delivered by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during the past two and a quarter years in Punjab.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

In a monsoon fact sheet issued on directions of Punjab Chief Minister, the PDMA said rainfall was recorded in most districts of the province during the last 24 hours. Rawalpindi Kachehri received the highest rainfall of 95mm, followed by Murree 85mm, Joharabad 56mm, Multan 37mm, Bhakkar 31mm, Narowal 27mm, Noorpur Thal 27mm, Khanewal 21mm, Chakwal 20mm, Gujranwala 12mm, Jhang 10mm and Sargodha 8mm.

The authority said advance planning, timely response and the availability of machinery ensured the prompt drainage of rainwater despite heavy downpours. It added that the current spell of monsoon rains is expected to continue until August 5.

Director General PDMA, Muhammad Saif Anwar Jappa, said rivers, dams and barrages across Punjab were under continuous monitoring on the instructions of the chief minister. He said a low-level flood was currently being witnessed in the Indus River at Kalabagh and Chashma.

According to the PDMA, Tarbela Dam is 89 percent full, Mangla Dam 57 percent, Bhakra Dam 33 percent, Thane Dam 35 percent and Pong Dam 32 percent.

Jappa said the Punjab government was providing the best possible medical treatment to the injured, while compensation would also be paid to the families affected by monsoon-related incidents in accordance with the government’s policy.

He urged citizens to adopt precautionary measures during the rainy season, avoid sending children near storm drains, low-lying areas, rivers and canals, and immediately contact the PDMA Control Room or the relevant district administration in case of any emergency.

The PDMA said its control room was monitoring the situation across Punjab round the clock to ensure a prompt response to any emergency.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor of Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, members of the KMC City Council, elected representatives, and a large number of local residents.

Addressing the ceremony, Mayor of Karachi said that work is progressing rapidly on modern infrastructure, improved roads, water supply and drainage projects across Karachi to provide citizens with high-quality municipal services.

He said that under the project, modern roads measuring 10.25 meters in width on each side have been constructed. The project has been completed with curb blocks, a modern central median, road markings, an efficient drainage system, and other essential civic facilities.

The Mayor stated that the project will significantly improve traffic flow in the area while providing citizens with a safer and more comfortable travel experience.

He further announced the completion of a 700-meter-long, 48-inch diameter water supply line rehabilitation project at a cost of Rs. 86.895 million. Under this project, 16 T-connections were installed, approximately 4,000 leakages were repaired, 2,400 illegal water connections were removed, and new 4-inch diameter water supply lines were laid in 54 streets, resulting in a significant improvement in the area’s water supply system.

He added that the project also included the installation of 53 double-arm street lights and the desilting (winching) of the sewerage drain along with improved drainage arrangements to provide modern and sustainable civic facilities.

The Mayor Karachi said that, in line with the Pakistan Peoples Party’s public service manifesto, Karachi’s development journey is progressing rapidly, and strengthening the city’s infrastructure while ensuring quality municipal services remains the government’s top priority.

Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that no proper road had ever been constructed in the area in the past. Various political parties came to power and made grand promises, but failed to deliver practical results.

He remarked that Karachi is a bouquet of diverse ethnic communities, and everyone must play their role in preserving and enhancing its beauty. He added that the Pakistan Peoples Party has resolved a long-standing issue faced by the people of Manghopir.

The Mayor said that representatives of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari are working practically in every area of Karachi. He added that critics and opponents would be answered through performance, and that the promises made by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the Pakistan Peoples Party would be fulfilled so that the public could clearly see who made promises and who honored them.

He described the road project as a long-cherished dream of the local residents that has finally become a reality. According to him, the newly constructed road will substantially improve connectivity between District Central and District West while providing a better transportation facility for citizens.

The Mayor noted that despite the ongoing monsoon rains, development work across Karachi continues uninterrupted, and elected representatives are taking practical steps to resolve public issues. He said that sincere leadership fulfills its promises and that the Pakistan Peoples Party firmly believes in serving the people.

He further stated that, under the directives of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the Chief Minister of Sindh, councillors, UC chairmen, town chairmen, the Deputy Mayor, and other elected representatives are continuously working to complete public welfare projects.

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Speaking at a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq, he said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s recent remarks amounted to an admission that both those were “imposed through Form 47” and those responsible for the process had failed.

“The country’s problems will start to ease when elected representatives are allowed to govern and every institution works within its constitutional limits,” he said.

Naeemur Rehman said public attention was repeatedly diverted from real national issues through unnecessary controversies that encouraged ethnic divisions and political polarisation.

CriticiSing the political system, he said local government elections had not been held in Punjab since 2015. He also claimed that despite its electoral strength, Jamaat-e-Islami was prevented from securing the Karachi mayor’s office. Referring to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), he questioned its electoral mandate, alleging that it had itself benefited from the same system it now defended.

Calling for major political reforms, the JI chief demanded the introduction of a proportional representation electoral system, the release of political prisoners and an end to what he described as unnecessary privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, including political and military leadership.

Announcing a nationwide protest campaign against the petroleum levy, which he called an unfair burden on the public, Naeemur Rehman said the party would hold youth demonstrations on Aug 2, a women’s march on Shahrah-i-Quaidin in Karachi on Aug 3, and nationwide protests, including road blockades, on Aug 7.

He said the petroleum levy had placed an excessive financial burden on low- and middle-income families, arguing that every increase in fuel prices pushed up the cost of transport, food and other essential goods. He also criticised the government’s taxation policies, saying ordinary citizens were paying the price while the ruling class remained unwilling to reduce its own spending and privileges.

The JI chief said the government had failed to resolve the country’s economic problems and accused the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of widespread inefficiency and corruption. He also criticised recent changes to solar energy policies, saying they discouraged people from adopting affordable alternatives to costly electricity.

Turning to Karachi, Naeemur Rehman said the country’s commercial capital continued to face neglect despite its vital contribution to the national economy. He alleged that the PPP had retained control over the city’s institutions and resources while residents continued to suffer from poor civic services and inadequate public facilities.

Commenting on the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, he expressed regret over the recent unrest and said the crisis should have been resolved through dialogue instead of force. He warned that the use of force would deepen public resentment and create opportunities for hostile external elements to exploit the situation.

Naeemur Rehman also expressed grief over the reported killing of 35 coal miners in Balochistan and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

He also asserted that Punjab ministers had effectively issued a “charge sheet” against their own federal government by criticising the functioning of Karachi Port.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday alongside Pakistan Peoples Party (Sindh) General Secretary Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi and TaimurSiyal, Ghani said the recent remarks by Punjab ministers reflected a lack of understanding of Sindh’s realities, suggesting they had perhaps never visited the province.

He noted that a delegation of young parliamentarians from Punjab had recently met Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, with one member from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) reportedly acknowledging that Karachi was “nothing like it had been portrayed”.

Referring to criticism over Karachi Port’s revenues, Ghani said ports fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government, adding that raising such issues amounted to criticising the federal administration led by the PML-N itself.

He alleged that Punjab ministers viewed national issues only through the political lens of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Highlighting Sindh’s healthcare sector, Ghani described the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) as one of the world’s largest cardiac hospitals, providing comprehensive heart treatment under one roof and offering free medical care to millions of patients every year, including those from across Pakistan.

He said that during the previous year alone, NICVD treated 4.14 million patients free of charge, including 119,000 patients from Punjab. He added that many Punjab residents also travelled to Sindh for heart transplant procedures, demonstrating the quality of healthcare available in the province.

Welcoming the establishment of a cardiac hospital in Sargodha, Ghani said more of such facilities should be set up across Pakistan.

However, he urged critics of Sindh’s health services to first examine NICVD’s achievements, saying its model of integrated cardiac care was unmatched anywhere in the world.

Turning to provincial finances, Ghani said Sindh had faced significant fiscal pressure in the latest budget but had managed to keep expenditure under control.

He said that Sindh had reduced its development budget by 29.2 per cent compared with 39.4 per cent in Punjab.

He said Punjab had increased its overall expenditures by 12 per cent.

The minister further claimed that despite Punjab being larger in both population and area, Sindh generated Rs676 billion from its own resources during the 2025–26 financial year, compared with Rs524 billion collected by Punjab.

Comparing housing initiatives, Ghani said Punjab was constructing homes through loan schemes, whereas the Sindh government was providing 2.1 million free houses, with ownership rights being granted to women.`

Responding to allegations regarding Karachi’s water supply, he said the city’s water shortage was not a recent issue.It had existed long before 2008.

He pointed out that Karachi was among the few cities in the world that sourced drinking water from 160 kilometres away, adding that the Supreme Court had authorised the operation of seven hydrants in the city.

On the issue of new provinces, Ghani reiterated that only provincial assemblies had the constitutional authority to approve such changes.

He said that not only the PPP but all elected representatives in Sindh opposed the creation of a new province in the province.

In contrast, he noted that the Senate had previously passed, with a two-thirds majority, a resolution supporting the creation of two new provinces in Punjab, followed by a similar resolution in the Punjab Assembly in 2012, reflecting demands within Punjab for administrative re-organization.

Talking about the PML-N, Ghani questioned the party’s democratic credentials, arguing that the PPP had sacrificed lives in the struggle against military dictatorships.

He said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had refused to compromise with dictatorship at personal cost whereas Nawaz Sharif entered into an agreement with military rulers and spent 10 years abroad before returning to politics.

He said that former PML-N governments had faced accusations of electoral manipulation.

Claiming that “the PML-N had suffered a decisive defeat in the 2024 general elections”, he alleged that Nawaz Sharif, ShehbazSharif and Maryam Nawaz had come to power “through electoral rigging rather than public support”.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Speaking at a news conference here, Khuhro said Pakistan’s Constitution clearly prescribes the procedure for creating a new province, requiring the approval of a resolution by a two-thirds majority in the concerned provincial assembly. “If a new province is to be created under the Constitution, the process must be followed.”

The Punjab Assembly had previously adopted a resolution supporting the creation of a new province, while there was no such demand with constitutional backing in Sindh, he argued.

He criticised recent remarks by the Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi regarding the country’s political system. Any suggestion that the democratic system had failed was contrary to the spirit of the Constitution, he opined. He argued that a federal minister who publicly questions the democratic framework should step down from office.

He said Pakistan could not afford any unconstitutional course, adding that democratic continuity and constitutional supremacy were essential for addressing the country’s political and economic challenges.

Khuhro also criticised proposals to create multiple new provinces, arguing that such measures would increase administrative expenditure at a time when the country was facing economic constraints.

Responding to a question, he said the issue of the Jalalpur Canal remained pending before the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and should be taken up when the constitutional forum meets.

On this occasion, a Karachi-based businessman Saeed S Muhammad announced joining the PPP, expressing confidence in the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Khuhro welcomed him into the party.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

BHP, the world’s third-largest iron ore producer, still has time to avert the action if it can reach a deal at the next meeting, on Tuesday, union officials said at a press conference in Melbourne. The unions most recently met with BHP on July 28.

Workers plan to impose a 24-hour ban on loading ships on Saturday, August 8, followed by a 24-hour work stoppage at the Port Hedland Bulk Export Terminal beginning at 0530 AWST on August 9 (2130 GMT August 8), said the Combined BHP Ports Unions in a statement. Electrical Trades Union spokesperson Adam Woodage said 16 shipments were expected to be held up over the two days.

Around 150 workers are expected to take part in the strike, he told reporters in Melbourne.

BHP said it was focused on reaching a fair deal with the unions, adding it had offered the unions a 16percent pay raise. “It is disappointing that they are creating more disruptions,” BHP said in an emailed statement.

“As with all potential disruptions to our business, we have plans in place to ensure operations can safely continue.” Port Hedland, which is also used by miners Fortescue and Hancock Prospecting, shipped out 571.6 million metric tons of iron ore in the year to June 2026, accounting for 75percent of total iron ore exports from the Pilbara over that period.

The threatened strike put a floor under sliding iron ore prices, which hit a one-year low on Thursday. The stoppages threatened for August 8 to 9 would affect around 800,000 metric tons a day of iron ore shipments, which BHP should be able to make up for across the year, said analyst Glyn Lawcock of Barrenjoey in Sydney.

“One swallow doesn’t make a spring. But if this is the tip of the iceberg and we see continued and ongoing disruption, it will ultimately take a toll on the market,” he said.

The Combined BHP Ports Unions represents three unions, including the Western Mine Workers Alliance, as well as electrical and manufacturing workers.

High-voltage and power workers negotiating a separate enterprise agreement with BHP will also undertake a 12-hour stoppage on August 9. Unions are pushing for a bigger voice in Australia’s mining heartland, emboldened by a Labor government law in 2022 giving them the power to negotiate wage deals that cover several employers and more scope to request flexible arrangements and industry-wide strikes.

Top global miner BHP has been in negotiations for more than seven months with unions representing around 450 operators and maintenance workers over a four-year enterprise agreement. The unions said workers were seeking enforceable wage and condition protections through a new enterprise agreement.

Workers are arguing that extreme heat, long hours and time away from family meant they should not be facing lower rates than workers in cities. “The only reason you end up with some money in your pocket is because you’re working every weekend, You’re still going to get your double time but you’re working four weeks straight for it,” said electrical trades worker Ben McKenna.

Fortescue Metals CEO Dino Otranto said on Friday in an analyst call that Australia’s No. 3 miner was “not immune” from strikes, but that it hoped its culture would prevail. Earlier this month, BHP reported record annual iron ore output.

The exports come after European diesel profit margins hit a record of USD74 a barrel on Wednesday as the region’s stockpiles have fallen to their lowest since 2014 and escalation in the Middle East conflict hit Gulf exports to Europe.

About 4 million to 5 million barrels of the industrial and transport fuel were loaded at the refiner’s Jamnagar site this month for Europe, according to data from Kpler, Vortexa and two trade sources, returning to levels seen before the US-Iran war started and the highest in 10 months. Reliance did not respond to a Reuters query seeking comment.

Another factor behind the higher exports is Russia’s ban on diesel exports for most of July after Ukrainian drone attacks damaged some refineries. Moscow is expected to extend the ban to August.

The world’s second largest crude importer, India has been stepping up fuel exports in the past year, capitalising on its position as a swing barrel supplier to markets both east and west of Suez.

Its diesel exports were at three-year highs in 2025, Kpler data showed.

Consultancy Energy Aspects expects Europe to face a shortfall of 833,000 barrels per day of middle distillates - diesel and jet fuel - in the third quarter.

The east-west spread, or the difference between ICE gasoil front month prices and Asia swaps, widened to discounts of nearly USD140 a ton in the past two trading sessions, versus USD80 a metric ton in the first four weeks of July, LSEG data showed.

EXPORT FLOWS TO EUROPE UNCERTAIN FOR AUGUST

However, for this tradeflow to extend into August, Europe has to “out-bid an East that is still paying up for the same cargoes”, said Sparta Commodities head of commodities James Noel-Beswick.

Despite the wider east-west spread, the economics for shipping diesel from India’s west coast using Long-Range 2 ships that can carry 90,000 metric tons (750,000 barrels) of the fuel to Asia is better than Europe in the first half of August compared with July, he added. Freight costs are slightly more than USD5 million to charter an LR2 tanker to ship refined fuels from west coast India to Europe, or USD55 a ton, according to shipping data.

The companies were added to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List, which creates a presumption that goods made wholly or partly by listed entities are made with forced labour and cannot enter the United States unless importers can prove otherwise. Beijing has regularly dismissed accusations of forced labour and other abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the region of Xinjiang.

The noticepublished by the US Department of Homeland Security marks the first time companies have been added to the list under the Trump administration. It brings the number of mentioned entities to 187 from 144 — the largest single expansion since the act creating the list was signed into law in 2021.

China’s Commerce Ministry on Saturday condemned the US action as an unfounded unilateral sanction, which it said had come just a day after trade officials from both countries had what it described as a constructive video call.

China would take “necessary measures” to protect its companies, the ministry added without going into more detail. Four companies were listed over what the US government said was their work with Xinjiang authorities to recruit, transfer or receive Uyghurs and other persecuted groups.

The Federal Register notice said the other 41 were added because they source materials from Xinjiang or from entities linked to government labour programs there. “Today’s action by the Trump administration strengthens America’s economy against products made with slave labor,” Representative John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, said in a statement.

China’s embassy in Washington called such allegations “a lie” on Friday and said Chinese law prohibits forced labour and that workers in Xinjiang are free to choose their occupations.

INCLUDES COMPANIES WITH US SALES LINKS

The listings include suppliers of materials used in electric-vehicle and energy-storage batteries. Reuters contacted 10 of the newly listed companies for comment but none responded outside normal business hours.

Those included SDIC Xinjiang Lithium Industry, which makes lithium carbonate, and its parent, SDIC Xinjiang Luobupo Potash, which were listed over their sourcing of lithium and potassium from brine at Xinjiang’s Lop Nur Salt Lake. Xinjiang Tianhongji Technology, which makes materials for lithium- and sodium-ion batteries, was also added. The US notice said it sources petroleum coke, anthracite and asphalt from Xinjiang to make battery materials.

Hunan Aihua Group, a Chinese maker of aluminum electrolytic capacitors used in consumer electronics, industrial equipment, vehicles and renewable-energy systems, was listed because the US government said it sources materials including chemical foil from a production base in Xinjiang.

Aihua sells capacitors under the AiSHi brand and has a North American sales office in Glen Allen, Virginia, according to its website.

Renewable power jumped to 20percent of India’s mix, the data showed. It was 36.25 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in July, up 30percent from the same month last year.

Coal-power generation fell to 65.7percent in July from 69percent in June, according to Reuters calculations of daily data from the regulator, Grid-India.

The rise in India’s clean-energy generation comes as solar and wind output exceeded 100 gigawatts for the first time and accounted for a record 42.8percent of India’s electricity supply on July 13, government data showed.

Most of the peak power demand is happening during daytime where there is increased contribution from solar, said Manoj Kumar, an analyst with Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, pointing to a rise in renewable share in the country’s power generation. Coal-fired power generation rose about 12.8percent year-on-year to 119.40 billion kWh in July, the data showed.

Analysts attributed the rise in coal-power generation to a fall in hydropower generation and due to a strong El Nino pattern, where searing heat is driving demand for cooling during the nighttime. Hydropower generation fell for a second straight month to 22.1percent on lower rainfall due to El Nino, which significantly shifts rainfall patterns and lifts above-normal temperatures.

Lower hydro generation due to El Nino and increased demand for power could lead to a power-generation gap of nearly 18 billion kWh and will drive a surge in coal-fired power in India, CREA said. India’s electricity generation in July rose 10.4percent from a year earlier to 181.79 billion kWh, data showed.

Strong loan demand from SMFG’s clients, which are primarily made of up of large, listed Japanese firms with a global footprint, persisted despite rocky energy markets and supply chain disruption brought about by war in the Middle East.

“The anticipated negative impact of Middle East-related risks has not yet materialised,” SMFG said in an earnings presentation. Japan’s second largest lender by assets said on Friday net profit for the April-June quarter was 501.4 billion yen (USD3.13 billion) compared with 376.9 billion yen in the same year-ago period. SMFG has also benefited from rising interest rates as Japan exits deflation, lifting lending margins.

SMFG’s domestic loan to deposit spread rose to 1.31percent from 1.08percent a year previously, while its loan balance grew 7percent to 113.4 trillion yen at the end of June. Earlier on Friday the Bank of Japan held rates at 1percent, although a majority of analysts polled by Reuters expect a hike to 1.25percent before the end of the year. SMFG estimates that each incremental rise of 0.25percent translates to an additional 150 billion yen of interest income over five years. The bank identified further upside in adjusting its Japanese government bond portfolio. Over the past quarter, it increased its exposure to longer-dated, higher-yielding JGBs, lifting the share of bonds maturing in five to 10 years to over 50percent of its 11.4 trillion yen portfolio. As with other global banks, volatile markets buoyed trading flows with quarterly gross profit in SMFG’s global markets unit rising sharply by 74percent year-on-year. SMFG maintained its annual profit forecast for the year ended March 2027 at 1.7 trillion yen.

The agency affirmed Romania’s sovereign credit ratings at “BBB-/A-3” in a scheduled review late on Friday, and it kept a “negative” outlook due to ongoing pressures on the country’s finances.

“In accordance with Fitch’s policies, the Issuer appealed and provided additional information to Fitch that resulted in a rating action that is different than the original … outcome,” the agency said in a statement. Romania does not yet have a government after the May collapse of a broad pro-European coalition that had been in office for 10 months, endangering access to European Union recovery funds (RRF) and efforts to further cut the largest budget deficit in the bloc.

Fitch said “the timing, composition and stability of a new government (is) highly uncertain amid deep divisions among former coalition partners.” “Political dynamics have reduced visibility over fiscal strategy beyond 2026 and delayed approval of pending Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) reforms, which could lead to the loss of funds.”