Harpo Hydropower Project Fast-Tracked to Boost Energy Supply in Gilgit-Baltistan
The federal government has prioritized the swift execution of the Harpo Hydropower Project (HPP) in Gilgit-Baltistan, as a high-level committee convened under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Water Resources, Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo, reviewed its progress and strategic importance. Speaking at the meeting held at the Ministry of Water Resources, the minister underscored the […]
Construction Begins on 20MW Power Supply Project for Gwadar Port and South Free Zone
Construction has officially commenced on a 20-megawatt power supply project for Gwadar Port and the Gwadar Free Zone South, with an estimated cost of Rs 727.738 million under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). The Quetta Electric Supply Company (QUESCO) has already mobilized key infrastructure to the site, including high-capacity power cables and poles. Installation […]
BRISD and Yingke Law Firm Launch Legal Capacity-Building Workshops in Pakistan
The Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD), in partnership with Yingke Law Firm—China’s largest law firm by number of lawyers—has launched a series of legal workshops in Pakistan to enhance legal capacity and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The initiative was formalized during a strategic meeting held on April 21, […]
From Balochistan Fields to Shanghai Labs: A Researcher’s Mission to Revive Pakistan’s Agriculture
Abdul Rehman, a 30-year-old researcher from Loralai, Balochistan, is working at the forefront of plant developmental biology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), where he is developing scientific solutions to help Pakistan’s drought-hit agricultural sector adapt to climate change. “I’ve watched crops in my village fail year after year because of temperature swings and water […]
Govt Weighs Higher Taxes on Fertilisers, Pesticides in FY26 Budget to Meet Revenue Goals
The federal government is considering revisions to its taxation policy on agricultural inputs in the upcoming 2025–26 budget, including a potential increase in the excise duty on fertilisers from 5% to 10%, along with the introduction of a new 5% tax on pesticides. The move is aimed at supporting the government’s revenue target of Rs14.3 […]
Govt Considers Doubling Fertilizer Excise Duty, Introducing New Tax on Pesticides in FY26 Budget
The federal government is evaluating proposals to increase taxes on key agricultural inputs as part of its upcoming 2025–26 federal budget, including plans to double the existing excise duty on fertilisers and introduce a new tax on pesticides, The Express Tribune reported, citing senior tax officials. The current 5% Federal Excise Duty (FED) on fertilisers […]
A new National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority approved, older ones scrapped amid concerns over provincial autonomy
The President of Pakistan has issued an ordinance to establish the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA), a new body aimed at centralizing food safety and agricultural trade functions. The initiative consolidates the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) and the Animal Quarantine Department (AQD) into a single authority to enhance efficiency and regulatory coordination. […]
Rupee Posts Marginal Gain Against US Dollar in Early Trading
The Pakistani rupee showed a slight appreciation against the US dollar during intra-day trading on Thursday, gaining 0.04% in the inter-bank market. By 10 a.m., the rupee was trading at 281.35, an increase of Re0.12 from the previous day’s closing rate of 281.47. The minor uptick in the rupee’s value comes amid a relatively stable […]
“Iron Brothers Through Time”: Pakistan, China Mark 74 Years of Diplomatic Relations with Photo Exhibition in Beijing
To commemorate 74 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, and the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s historic 2015 visit to Pakistan, the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing inaugurated a special photo exhibition on Tuesday titled “Iron Brothers Through Time: Chronicles of Pakistan-China Friendship.” Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, delivering the keynote address, described the […]
Pakistan, China Strengthen Academic Collaboration with Visit from Northwest A&F University Delegation
In a significant step toward deepening educational and research ties between Pakistan and China, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan welcomed a high-level academic delegation from Northwest A&F University, China. The delegation was led by Professor Dr. Lixin Zhang, Chairman of the Silkroad Biohealth Agricultural Industrial Alliance. The visit marks a key milestone in […]