Pakistan provides shorter trade route for Central Asia: Aleem
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan emphasised the need to focus on enhancing trade with Russia and Central Asian states, noting that Pakistan provides a shorter and more strategic trade route for the region.
The federal minister made these remarks while chairing a joint session with the National Logistics Cell (NLC) and the National Highways Authority (NHA) and during a meeting with NLC Director General Maj Gen Farrukh Shehzad Rao.
Abdul Aleem Khan underscored the importance of a unified platform involving relevant ministries and institutions to drive trade facilitation and corridor connectivity. He appreciated the NLC's vital role in promoting trade and acknowledged its commendable services towards national development.
During the session, DG NLC Maj Gen Farrukh Shehzad Rao briefed the Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, on the organisation's performance and upcoming projects. The NHA chairman and senior officials also highlighted areas of mutual cooperation between the two institutions.
In a separate high-level review meeting chaired by Aleem Khan, discussions were held on the NHA's Annual Maintenance Plan.
The meeting approved maintenance, lighting and fencing projects for the Gujranwala Bypass, Tarnol-Kohat Road and Kamra Cantonment Road.
The federal minister directed that all future NHA maintenance schemes must be approved by the authorised forum.
He emphasised that the approval process should be fully transparent with cost-effectiveness, adherence to quality standards, and long-term utility as guiding principles.
Aleem Khan reiterated that the primary goal is to enhance travel convenience for the public and ensure that National Highways are as comfortable and efficient as possible. He added that NHA officers must focus solely on improving performance and noted a marked improvement under the authority's new team.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Oil sector in Pakistan: Minister outlines key investment opportunities
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik outlined key investment opportunities in upstream exploration, pipeline development, and downstream processing, aligned with the global shift toward cleaner energy in a meeting with the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI). OICCI held a detailed interactive session with Ali Pervaiz Malik, attended by senior business leaders from both local and multinational companies. Discussions focused on Pakistan's energy priorities and the path to long-term economic stability. The Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to structural reforms, accelerated policy execution, and enhanced industry engagement. He cited recent resolution of refinery-sector challenges as a positive example of collaborative progress. During the meeting, the Minister outlined key investment opportunities in upstream exploration, pipeline development, and downstream processing, aligned with the global shift toward cleaner energy and invited the foreign companies for investment. He further highlighted the recent FDI-related successes in attracting foreign investment in the mining sector, which aim to unlock the country's untapped natural resources and drive future exports and industrial diversification. Yousaf Hussain, President of OICCI and CEO of Faysal Bank, emphasised the importance of policy consistency, technocratic execution, and a joint, collaborative roadmap to achieve deep-rooted economic stability and sustainable growth. He noted that closer engagement between the government, OICCI, and industry in both policy formulation and execution will be essential to delivering results and strengthening investor confidence. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Minister lays foundation stone of NADRA Mega Centre
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday laid the foundation stone of a 10-storey National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Mega Centre, with construction expected to be completed by June 2026. Later, while chairing a high-level meeting at NADRA headquarters, the minister approved a nationwide crackdown on SIM cards issued against expired Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs). According to an official statement issued here, the decision was made to strengthen digital identity verification and curb misuse of identification documents. In the first phase, SIM cards linked to CNICs issued in 2017 or earlier will be blocked. In subsequent phases, the policy will be extended to deactivated CNICs issued after 2017, ensuring that only valid and active identity cards are used for mobile phone registrations. During the briefing, NADRA Chairman Lt Gen Muhammad Munir Afsar informed the meeting that, in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), SIM cards registered under the names of deceased individuals or holders of expired CNICs are already being deactivated. He raised concerns over the widespread storage of citizens' biometric data by various government departments and private service providers, warning that such practices pose significant risks of data theft and misuse. To address this issue, the chairman recommended the nationwide adoption of facial recognition technology — particularly beneficial for citizens facing difficulties with fingerprint verification. The minister endorsed the proposal and announced that the Ministry of Interior would issue directives to all relevant institutions to stop storing biometric data separately. He further confirmed that facial recognition technology will be implemented nationwide by December 31, 2025, under the ministry's direct supervision. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Sector H-13: CDA seals 18 unauthorised buildings, commercial outlets
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Friday sealed 18 unauthorised buildings and commercial outlets in Sector H-13 of Islamabad. The large-scale operation, carried out by the Directorate General of Building and Housing Control in coordination with the Enforcement Directorate, ICT Administration, and Islamabad Police, was launched on the directives of Chairman CDA, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, and DG Civil Defence Muhammad Ali Randhawa. The sealed structures were found to be in gross violation of the CDA Ordinance 1960 and Building Control Regulations 2020 (amended 2023). Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
