Asian Information Agency

13/09/2026

GB CM Orders Expedited Completion of Naltar Phase-III Hydropower Project

GILGIT (AIA) Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain has directed the concerned authorities to ensure early completion of the Naltar Phase-III Hydropower Project in Gilgit. Chairing a review meeting, he said 16 megawatts of eco-friendly electricity will be added to the grid after completion of the project.

The Chief Minister said the project would help alleviate the electricity shortage in Gilgit city and its surrounding areas.

13/09/2026

Punjab Intensifies Pre-Smog Measures to Tackle Air Pollution

LAHORE (AIA) The Punjab government has stepped up pre-smog measures, with all relevant departments fully mobilized to curb air pollution across the province. In a statement issued in Lahore today, Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said water was sprinkled on 1,122 kilometers of roads in a single day, while 219 road shoulders were repaired to reduce dust and air pollution.

13/09/2026

PM Youth Programme, UN Women Join Hands to Boost Young Women’s Leadership

ISLAMABAD (AIA) Prime Minister's Youth Programme and UN Women Pakistan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote empowerment, leadership and meaningful participation of young women in Pakistan. The MoU was signed during a meeting between Chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan and UN Women Pakistan Country Representative Jamshed Kazi in Islamabad today.

Under the agreement, the two organizations will enhance cooperation through technical collaboration, knowledge exchange and joint initiatives in women's leadership, youth empowerment and gender equality. The partnership will provide young women greater opportunities for mentorship, networking, leadership development and professional exposure, particularly in entrepreneurship, employability and civic participation.

12/09/2026

12/09/2026

AJK govt targets reforms in education, health, jobs under 100-day plan

MUZAFFARABAD (AIA) The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK), led by newly elected Prime Minister Barrister Iftikhar Gilani, has prepared a 100-day reform plan focused on governance, development and public service delivery.

A comprehensive roadmap is being prepared to improve the overall governance structure, accelerate development and strengthen public services across key sectors.

A special team, working under Gilani’s leadership, has drawn up the plan with a focus on education, healthcare, the economy, employment, tourism, infrastructure, agriculture and public service delivery.

A dedicated mechanism is also being established to ensure effective implementation of decisions and their continuous monitoring by the relevant authorities.

Gilani is personally overseeing the formulation of the reform agenda and working to give it a final shape.

“Our government’s mission is to build a healthy, peaceful and prosperous Azad Kashmir in which each citizen is empowered, educated, and has access to the basic amenities of life,” the prime minister said.

He said the government’s performance would be judged by the improvements it made in people’s lives, the relief it provided to those facing difficulties and the timely delivery of essential public services, rather than by the number of meetings held or announcements made.

Gilani expressed confidence that, under the leadership of PML-N Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and with the support and guidance of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N government would usher AJK into a new era of development and transform it into a model state.

12/09/2026

Balochistan govt reviews development strategy, mining potential, law and order

QUETTA (AIA) The Balochistan government reviewed the province’s socio-economic development, minerals and mining sector, and law and order situation in separate briefings held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

According to a briefing by the Ministry of Planning and Development, the government’s strategy for the socio-economic development of Balochistan was discussed in detail. The briefing covered measures to improve governance and service delivery, ensuring effective utilisation of funds and making sure the benefits of development projects reach the people.

Another briefing focused on the potential of Balochistan’s minerals and mining sector and ongoing projects. Participants were informed about measures being taken to develop the mineral sector and ensure that the people of the province benefit from its mineral resources.

The Home and Tribal Affairs Department gave a detailed briefing on measures to improve the law and order situation in the province. It covered the Provincial Action Plan, police reforms and, in particular, the integration of the Levies Force into the police force.

The Balochistan chief minister responded to questions raised by participants and shared his views on various matters relating to different sectors.

12/09/2026

Nation pays tribute to Major Raja Aziz Bhatti on his 61st martyrdom anniversary

ISLAMABAD (AIA) The 61st martyrdom anniversary of Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed, recipient of the Nishan-e-Haider, was observed today.

During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti was serving as a company commander in the Burki area of the Lahore sector. Despite incessant artillery and tank attacks, he chose to remain with his forward platoon.

Undaunted by the continuous enemy fire, he organised the defence of the BRB Canal alongside his soldiers.

Major Raja Aziz Bhatti was struck in the chest by a tank shell and embraced martyrdom on this day in 1965.

11/09/2026

Pakistan eyes deeper trade, economic partnership with Hong Kong

HONG KONG (AIA) Pakistan and Hong Kong have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade and economic cooperation, while exploring new areas of mutual interest.

Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal held a meeting with John Lee Ka-Chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China, in Hong Kong.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening trade, economic cooperation and people-to-people links between Pakistan and Hong Kong.

Lee appreciated Kamal’s address at the Belt and Road Summit, particularly his message of international cooperation, connectivity and shared economic prosperity.

Kamal reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to its historic relationship with China and stressed the importance Pakistan gives to expanding its trade and economic partnership with Hong Kong.

Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen cooperation and explore new areas of mutual economic interest.

11/09/2026

Pakistan remembers Quaid-e-Azam on 78th death anniversary

KARACHI (AIA) Pakistan on Friday observed the 78th death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, with prayers, ceremonies and tributes held across the country to honour the Father of the Nation and remember his legacy of unity, faith and discipline.

The day began with special prayers and Quran Khawani at Jinnah’s mausoleum in Karachi, where Fateha was offered for the departed leader. Government officials, civil society members and citizens gathered at Mazar-e-Quaid to pay their respects.

Educational institutions, political parties, and social and cultural organisations also arranged programmes highlighting Jinnah’s vision and leadership. Seminars and panel discussions were held, while documentaries were screened to highlight his role in the creation of Pakistan and promote his ideals among younger generations.

Born on December 25, 1876, Jinnah died on September 11, 1948. Leaders and officials, in their messages on the occasion, urged citizens to follow his principles of integrity, perseverance and public service in addressing contemporary national challenges.

The anniversary serves as an annual reminder of Jinnah’s struggle for the creation of Pakistan and the values that guided the country’s founding.

11/09/2026

FPCCI forum pushes mandatory internships, industry-led curriculum reforms

ISLAMABAD (AIA) The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has called for stronger and sustained links between universities and industry to bridge the skills gap and improve graduate employability.

The call was made at an academia-industry forum titled “Skilling Pakistan: Challenges and Learning from Best Practices”, organised by FPCCI on Friday. The forum aimed to promote entrepreneurship among young people and was held in collaboration with the Young Entrepreneurs Summit, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Task Force on Business Incubation Centres, Atlas Vocational Training Institute and the Vice Chancellor Forum of Federal Universities.

Educationists, policymakers, industry representatives and university heads stressed the need for structured collaboration to equip graduates with market-relevant skills and improve their employment prospects.

Speaking at the forum, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said bridging the skills gap is essential for Pakistan’s economic survival in the modern era.

He said meaningful academia-industry collaboration, applied research and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies into higher education are also critical to sustainable economic development.

Sheikh said universities needed to evolve into innovation hubs capable of producing job creators rather than job seekers. He assured that FPCCI is ready to support joint research projects, the upgrading of corporate laboratories and market-driven curriculum reforms to equip young people with future-oriented skills.

Speakers called for regular communication between academia and industry, including updating university curricula according to changing market requirements and ensuring industry leaders are represented on curriculum boards.

The forum recommended making student internships mandatory, practical and results-oriented to give undergraduates meaning