Pakistan

KARACHI: Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashood has said that a special meeting will be arranged between a delegation of industrialists from the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) and the Prime Minister, enabling them to directly present their proposals for industrial development. He further stated that efforts would also be made to release pending federal funding of Rs250 million for infrastructure improvement. He made these remarks while addressing industrialists at KATI. The event was attended by KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput, Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya, Chairman KITE Limited Zahid Saeed, Senior Vice President Zahid Hamid, Vice President Muhammad Talha Ali, CEO KITE Ltd Saleem-uz-Zaman, Former Presidents and Chairmen Junaid Naqi and Masood Naqi, UBG President Zubair Tufail, Sindh Youth Programme Coordinator Dr Fahad Shafiq, Pakistan Muslim League-N Business Forum President Ishtiaq Baig, and other senior officials. Rana Mashood said that more than 900,000 skilled workers were sent abroad for employment last year, while the target for the current year has been set at 2.1 million. He added that agreements are being finalized with countries including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the United States, and Middle Eastern states to facilitate overseas employment. He said young people will be provided modern professional training including soft skills, social ethics, and vocational competencies. He noted that in the next three years, Japan alone will require over 700,000 skilled workers, while Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries will need more than 100,000 healthcare professionals and nurses. He further stated that a Digital Youth Portal has been launched, registering over 800,000 young people, exceeding its operational capacity. The portal includes more than 4,000 organizations and has already facilitated over 100,000 job opportunities. Rana Mashood announced that an internship programme is also being launched under which educated youth will be placed in industries for six months. During this period, the government will cover all expenses, and successful candidates may be offered permanent employment within the same organizations. He added that beneficiaries of the Prime Minister’s laptop scheme have successfully utilized e-commerce platforms to generate self-employment opportunities and are now productively engaged in the economy. Earlier, KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput said that initiatives under the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme related to education, skill development, digital training, business support, easy loan schemes, and employment opportunities are laying the foundation for Pakistan’s bright future. He emphasized that Pakistan’s large youth population is its most valuable asset, and with access to quality education, technical training, modern skills, and employment opportunities, they can become key drivers of economic growth and prosperity. He added that KATI has always played a positive role in promoting industry, trade, employment, and human resource development, and believes that strong linkage between industry and youth is essential to align graduates with market needs. Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya said that Pakistan’s global standing has improved after May 2025 and that the country has emerged as a peaceful mediator in recent international tensions. He warned, however, that Pakistan risks missing a critical opportunity to strengthen its economy. He noted that the Korangi Industrial Area contributes around 10 percent of Pakistan’s total exports and that this share could be increased with improved policies. He stressed that youth make up around 60 percent of Pakistan’s population, yet adequate employment opportunities remain limited. He urged the government to urgently pursue industrialization policies, warning that Pakistan risks shifting from an industrial to a trading-based economy, which he termed concerning. He added that both the public and private sectors must work together to create opportunities for youth. Chairman KITE Limited Zahid Saeed highlighted Pakistan’s strategic geographic position, ports, and airports as key advantages. He said Karachi’s exports stand at around $16 billion and remittances from overseas Pakistanis remain a lifeline for the economy. He added that vocational training for youth could increase remittances by $4 billion annually, potentially reaching $84 billion over the next decade. He also pointed out that a promised federal grant of Rs250 million to KITE Limited has yet to be released, although the Sindh government has provided Rs2 billion for development projects in the industrial area. He said federal funding would significantly improve Karachi’s infrastructure and increase government revenue. Senior Vice President KATI Zahid Hamid and Pakistan Muslim League-N Business Forum President Ishtiaq Baig also addressed the gathering.

Karachi, June 1, 2026: The Pakistan Advertising Association (PAA) has expressed deep grief over the passing of Mr. Pervez Iqbal, former Managing Director of Big Bang Communications Limited (BBCL) and a respected figure in Pakistan’s advertising, media, corporate communications and event management industry. Mr. Iqbal was widely regarded as a seasoned and composed professional who earned respect across the industry through his commitment, integrity and dignified conduct. His career spanned some of the most defining years of Pakistan’s advertising and media landscape, when communication, brand activation, event management and corporate partnerships were beginning to take a more organised and strategic shape. During his association with BBCL, Mr. Iqbal contributed to several landmark assignments that connected advertising, media, sports and public engagement. BBCL’s work around the 1996 Cricket World Cup and subsequent cricket-related event management projects remains part of the institutional memory of many advertising and media professionals in the country. PAA noted that Mr. Iqbal belonged to a generation of professionals who helped build bridges between brands, media platforms, institutions and audiences at a time when the advertising business was evolving beyond conventional media buying and creative execution. His work reflected the importance of discipline, relationship-building, professional credibility and operational excellence – qualities that continue to guide the industry today. Paying tribute to him, Mr. Ahmed Kapadia, Chairman, PAA, said, “Mr. Iqbal was among those professionals who understood the true value of trust, commitment and reputation. His contributions to BBCL and to major communication and event-led assignments helped raise the professional standards our industry holds dear. On behalf of the PAA, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah and give strength to his loved ones during this difficult time.” PAA further noted that Pakistan’s advertising industry has been shaped by individuals who worked quietly but consistently behind major campaigns, media partnerships and national events. Mr. Iqbal was one such professional whose contribution deserves to be remembered with respect and gratitude. The Association offered prayers for the departed soul and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.

Karachi: Friesland Campina Engro Pakistan Limited (FCEPL), a leading dairy company in Pakistan, and its employees celebrated World Milk Day with students across multiple cities in Pakistan as part of their ongoing mission to Nourish Pakistan. Employees from FCEPL spent a day with students at schools, including the RAAST School in Karachi and community schools in Sahiwal and Sukkur to talk to them about the long-term health benefits of drinking milk every day for school-going children. Awareness sessions like these with students are essential in Pakistan where nearly 10 million children suffer from stunting and 40% of children under the age of 5 have acute malnourishment which does not only impact their physical growth but also poses serious hindrance in their mental growth. Drinking a glass of milk alone can provide 7 out of 12 daily required nutrients, helping us fight the malnourishment battle in the country. “Our future generations’ wellbeing relies heavily on a quality diet, and safe milk is the cornerstone of this discussion. A well-informed society knows the value of sourcing and consuming safe, quality milk, which leads to a healthy, prosperous future” said Kashan Hasan – Managing Director & CEO, FCEPL.This was further emphasized by the Marketing Director, Sarah Sadiq, who said “We strive to provide the nation with safe and hygienic milk that preserves the quality and nutrients in the milk to ensure that every glass that reaches our consumers remains in its purest form. Our mission is not only to Nourish Pakistan but also to ensure maximum accessibility to safe and pure milk”. The company further carried out milk distribution drives in schools across Punjab in collaboration with the Pakistan Dairy Association to extend their reach to more students in the country.Friesland Campina Engro Pakistan Limited is one of Pakistan’s dairy production companies, with extensive focus on providing high-nutrition, safe, and affordable milk to all communities across the country.