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Karachi, June 22, 2026: Jubilee Life Insurance, Pakistan’s largest private sector life insurance company, brought together persons with disabilities (PWDs), their families, community partners, and other stakeholders from ConnectHear and NOWPDP for celebrating the unsung heroes held under its dedicated campaign Lights. Camera. Inclusion. The initiative was designed to honour parents and caregivers whose consistent support and resilience enable individuals to overcome life’s challenges and achieve personal and professional milestones. Held in collaboration with Karachi Vocational Training Centre (KVTC) and Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP), the initiative was designed to mark Mother’s Day and Father’s Day in a way that goes beyond traditional celebrations. Through an inclusive movie experience, Jubilee Life created a space where families could come together, share meaningful moments, and feel seen, valued, and celebrated. The event brought together PWDs and their parents from Jubilee Life, KVTC and KDSP, representatives from partner organisations including ConnectHear and NOWPDP, as well as members of the broader Jubilee Life family. More than a gathering, the initiative served as a reminder that inclusion is built not only through policies and programs, but through human connection, understanding, and a shared sense of belonging. Sharing his thoughts regarding this unique proposition, Javed Ahmed, Managing Director & CEO, Jubilee Life Insurance, said: “Behind every person who overcomes barriers and reaches their potential is often a parent or caregiver whose love, resilience, and determination have never wavered. Through this initiative, we wanted to celebrate those individuals whose contributions are rarely in the spotlight but whose impact is immeasurable. At Jubilee Life, inclusion is not simply about creating opportunities; it is about recognising the people and support systems that make those opportunities possible.” Farukh Iftekhar, Group Head HRMD Jubilee Life Insurance, added: “True inclusion extends beyond the workplace. While the achievements of persons with disabilities are increasingly being recognised, the journey behind those achievements often remains unseen. For many families, it is a journey defined by perseverance, advocacy, sacrifice, and unconditional love. Lights. Camera. Inclusion sought to acknowledge those everyday acts of strength that quietly shape lives and open doors to opportunity.” The initiative forms part of Jubilee Life’s broader Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) agenda and aligns with the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments. Through sustained partnerships with organisations working to advance inclusion and accessibility, Jubilee Life continues to champion opportunities that enable persons with disabilities and their families to thrive.

Peshawar/Islamabad– Following a comprehensive field assessment in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) has pre-validated the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. This milestone takes Pakistan closer to interrupting the transmission of this life-threatening disease for mothers and newborns nationwide. Around 94 per cent of Pakistan’s population (250 million people) now live in areas where the spread of neonatal tetanus remains under controlled limits – less than 1 case of tetanus per 1,000 live births. Gilgit-Baltistan achieved elimination in July 2025, Islamabad Capital Territory and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir in March 2025, Sindh in December 2024, and Punjab in 2016. With Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s achievement of the elimination threshold, Balochistan is the only province still working towards this goal. The pre-validation assessment was conducted following a comprehensive review led by WHO and UNICEF, at the request of the Government of KP, which included field visits to high-risk, hard-to-reach districts with historically low immunization coverage, namely Dera Ismail Khan, Battagram and Kohistan (Upper and Lower); a desk review of three years of surveillance data; and a quality audit of the tetanus vaccination campaigns in South Waziristan (Upper and Lower), where field access was not possible. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s achievement is the result of the transformative strategies led by the national and provincial governments, in partnership with UNICEF and WHO. Combined efforts include improved immunization for pregnant women and women of childbearing age, surveillance, community engagement, safer delivery practices, improved skilled birth attendance, cord care, and enhanced access to other antenatal, maternal, newborn and child health services. Around 12,000 Lady Health Workers, together with thousands of vaccinators and frontline health staff, were at the heart of this effort, reaching women in some of the province’s most remote and underserved communities. In 2025 alone, WHO and UNICEF supported the vaccination of 5.4 million pregnant women and women of childbearing age across Pakistan, more than 0.87 million of them in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “This achievement shows the commitment of Pakistan’s authorities and its health workforce, as well as the communities, to saving lives and protecting every mother and child from a preventable disease. To achieve prosperity and sustainable development, every country needs healthy mothers and newborns. WHO will stand by Pakistan and its partners to achieve the elimination of neonatal tetanus across the country and protect every family, no matter where they live or who they are,” said Dr Dapeng Luo, WHO Representative in Pakistan. Despite progress, Pakistan remains among the 8 countries worldwide that have yet to eliminate MNT. While Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s progress towards MNT elimination is a major achievement, sustained efforts are needed to maintain the hard-fought gains. “Pakistan is one step closer to protecting every mother and newborn from maternal and neonatal tetanus. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s progress reflects the determination of women to protect their own health and give their babies the best start in life, supported by dedicated frontline health workers and stronger health services and systems. Together with the government and our partners, UNICEF is proud to support this journey towards a healthier future for every child,” said Pernille Ironside, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. UNICEF and WHO will stand with Pakistan to accelerate action and support the remaining province, Balochistan, to take a decisive step towards the maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination target as part of the objectives of the Immunization Agenda 2030.

ISLAMABAD, June 19, 2026 — Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has set a new record for container throughput, handling more than 2.651 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) this fiscal year, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Friday. The minister said the milestone, achieved weeks before the close of the fiscal year, surpassed the previous high and underlined growing confidence in Pakistan’s maritime sector and improved port performance. “KPT has surpassed last year’s record of 2.651 million TEUs, creating history by achieving the highest-ever container handling volume,” he said in a statement, attributing the result to “the dedication of our workforce, improved operational efficiency and the government’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure.” Admiral Shahid Ahmad, chairman KPT, said the performance demonstrated the port’s ability to accommodate rising trade volumes and support national economic objectives. “The ongoing reforms, infrastructure upgrades and measures aimed at improving port services have contributed to the rise in cargo and container traffic,” he said, adding that Karachi Port handles a substantial share of the country’s seaborne trade and remains a critical gateway for imports and exports. Junaid Chaushry said the enhanced efficiency and capacity expansion at the port are expected to boost Pakistan’s competitiveness in regional and international shipping markets. The government, the minister added, will continue investing in maritime infrastructure and modernisation to position Pakistan as a leading logistics and transshipment hub connecting South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East.The record throughput is being seen as an indicator of rising commercial activity and the growing importance of Pakistani ports within regional supply chains, Junaid Chaudhry concluded.

Karachi, June 17, 2026 – The Policy Research and Advisory Council (PRAC) has expressed serious concern over the Sindh Government’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27, warning that a deteriorating fiscal position, substantial cuts in development spending, and continued underfunding of Karachi and local governments threaten to undermine the province’s long-term growth, competitiveness, and service delivery capacity. PRAC Chairman Mohammad Younus Dagha noted that while the budget contains several welcome measures, including the decision not to impose new taxes, the overall fiscal strategy raises important concerns regarding sustainability, development priorities, and fiscal decentralisation. He appreciated the allocation of PKR 16.7 billion for Thar Coal infrastructure and the release of upfront provincial equity for the PKR 90 billion Thar-to-Port Qasim Railway Project, describing the project as strategically important for supplying the country’s industrial base with lower-cost domestic energy. However, he cautioned that the Federal Government’s allocation of only PKR 2 billion against its committed PKR 45 billion share continues to pose a significant risk to timely project completion. Despite some positive initiatives, the Council observed that the budget reflects limited willingness to mobilise underutilised provincial revenue bases, particularly agricultural income tax, despite repeated commitments to strengthen provincial fiscal autonomy. This continued dependence on federal transfers leaves Sindh vulnerable to future fiscal shocks and revenue uncertainties at the federal level. PRAC’s most serious concerns relate to the scale of reductions in development expenditure. Total development spending is budgeted to decline by 23.7%, falling from PKR 944 billion to PKR 720.4 billion. The Provincial Annual Development Programme has been reduced by 12.5%, while the District Annual Development Programme has been cut by a staggering 62.5%, from PKR 40 billion to only PKR 15 billion. The Council also noted that Karachi continues to receive development allocations well below a reasonable population-based benchmark. Given the city’s contribution to national and provincial economic activity, the persistent shortfall in development spending raises concerns about the sustainability of infrastructure, transport networks, and public services required to support future growth. Chairman PRAC further expressed concern regarding the continued treatment of the Sindh Infrastructure Development Cess (SIDC) as general provincial revenue rather than a dedicated source of infrastructure financing. The cess is projected to generate approximately PKR 140 billion during FY2026-27, yet these resources continue to be absorbed into the general budget rather than reinvested in the logistics, transport, and infrastructure systems that generate them. The Council warned that this practice deprives Karachi and other economic centres of critical infrastructure investment needed to sustain economic activity and improve competitiveness. On local governance, PRAC highlighted a further decline in fiscal support to local governments. Transfers to local bodies have fallen from PKR 166 billion to PKR 155 billion, reducing local governments’ share of provincial revenues from 6.3% to 5.1%. This decline comes despite growing demands for municipal services, urban management, water supply, sanitation, and local infrastructure development. The Council noted that the situation is compounded by the continued absence of a functional Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) since FY2008-09 and the longstanding non-disbursement of local governments’ constitutionally mandated one-sixth share of GST transfers since FY2010. PRAC concluded that while Budget 2026-27 appropriately avoids additional taxation and contains several targeted initiatives, the overall fiscal framework reflects troubling trends in development prioritisation, revenue mobilisation, and local government financing. The Council urged the Sindh Government to accelerate structural reforms, including the operationalisation of a functional Provincial Finance Commission, the ring-fencing of the Sindh Infrastructure Development Cess for Karachi’s infrastructure investment, and stronger efforts to broaden provincial revenue sources, particularly agricultural income taxation.

ISLAMABAD – June 17, 2026: JazzCash and Mobilink Bank, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan, launched Government of Pakistan Treasury Bills on the JazzCash app at an event held at JazzCash headquarters in Islamabad. For the first time, Pakistanis can invest in government-backed securities directly from a digital wallet, a development that extends formal investment access well beyond the country’s approximately 1.4 million existing public market participants. The launch represents a significant step in democratizing access to sovereign investment products and advancing Pakistan’s financial inclusion agenda through digital channels. The initiative was announced in the presence of Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue; Khurram Schehzad, Adviser to the Finance Minister; Omer M. Khan, Adviser on Debt Management, Finance Division; Aamir Ibrahim, Chairman JazzCash and Mobilink Bank; Murtaza Ali, CEO JazzCash; Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO Mobilink Bank; and senior representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan. Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, said, “Under the Prime Minister’s vision for an digital economy, the Government is working to deepen Pakistan’s financial markets, mobilise domestic savings and expand citizens’ participation in the formal economy. A stronger economy requires more Pakistanis to have access to regulated financial assets beyond conventional savings products. By enabling investment in Government securities, starting with Treasury Bills (T-Bills) from as little as Rs. 5,000 through a trusted digital platform such as JazzCash, this initiative translates that broader vision into practical access for citizens while helping build a wider and more diversified domestic investor base.” Speaking at the event, Murtaza Ali, CEO JazzCash, said, “JazzCash is a key partner of the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan in advancing the Prime Minister’s vision for a cashless economy. Inclusion cannot stop at payments. It must also give people access to trusted tools that help them save, invest and build financial resilience. With T-Bills on the JazzCash app, we are bringing a secure, government-backed investment product into an everyday mobile wallet experience, allowing customers to participate in formal financial markets through a journey that is simple, secure and intuitive.” Customers can access the product through the Banking & Finance section of the JazzCash app, review available T-Bills and complete their investment digitally. Before confirmation, the app displays key details including the purchase price, expected profit, applicable yield, maturity value and tax treatment. At maturity, the proceeds, net of applicable taxes, are credited directly to the customer’s JazzCash account. Access to Government of Pakistan T-Bills is now live on JazzCash app. The product initially offers 3-month T-Bills, with longer tenors planned for later phases. Eligible customers with a verified JazzCash account and an active Mobilink Bank deposit account can invest digitally, with Mobilink Bank acting as the regulated custodian and trustee. JazzCash, working in coordination with the State Bank of Pakistan and the Ministry of Finance, aims to reach one million active investors through Government Treasury Bills and future investment instruments.

Karachi, June 17, 2026: Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited (WEPL), formerly Shell Pakistan Limited, has reaffirmed its leadership team while reporting strong financial growth. The company’s Board of Directors has reappointed Ghassan Al Almoudi as Chairperson for a further three-year term effective June 16, 2026. The board also approved the reappointment of Zubair Shaikh as Chief Executive Officer for the same tenure, ensuring continuity in the company’s governance and strategic direction. Alongside the leadership announcements, WEPL reported a profit after tax of Rs2.16 billion, marking a 148% increase from Rs873 million recorded in the corresponding period last year. The company also announced the appointment of Waheed A. Shaikh and Habib Haider to its Board of Directors. Both bring extensive experience in Pakistan’s downstream petroleum sector, with expertise spanning energy operations, retail fuels, corporate relations, strategic planning, and business transformation. WEPL is a publicly listed company majority-owned by Wafi Energy Holding Limited, based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Lahore, 16 June 2026: The spokesperson of the National Grid Company of Pakistan (NGC) has stated that power supply to all areas of Hyderabad affected by this morning’s fire incident at NGC’s 220kV Grid Station, Hala Road Hyderabad, has been fully restored by 12:15 p.m. today. NGC Spokesperson said that after fire eruption, the affected 250 MVA Autotransformer (T-1) was promptly isolated, and the station was successfully re-energized through alternate arrangements. The other two 220/132kV power transformers and 132kV busbars have been charged and the HESCO distribution network is now operating normally. The spokesperson stated that the incident occurred at 6:05 a.m., when Autotransformer (T-1) at the Hala Road Grid Station suddenly caught fire, temporarily disrupting power supply to some parts of Hyderabad. NGC Hyderabad region management immediately mobilized and directed field crews to respond. Working in close coordination with local firefighting departments and emergency rescue services, NGC teams successfully brought the fire under control. The affected transformer was safely isolated to prevent any further risk to personnel, equipment, or the power system. The spokesperson added that NGC management has directed a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the fire.