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PM LAUNCHES BOLD INNOVATION PUSH, UNVEILS $20M VENTURE FUND Thursday, 23 July, 2026 | 8 safar, 1448
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ CALLS FOR UNIFIED NATIONAL INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM TO DEVELOP INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGIES URGES ROBUST REGULATORY AND ETHICAL FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE SAFE, TRANSPARENT AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
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ISLAMABAD
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RIME MINISTER Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for the creation of a unified national innovation ecosystem to accelerate Pakistan’s technological transformation, urging universities, research institutions, startups, industries and farmers to jointly develop indigenous knowledge and cutting-edge technologies that would position the country among the leaders of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the “Indus RAS – Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo 2026,” the prime minister said Pakistan must seize the opportunities presented by the global technological revolution while ensuring that its benefits reach every segment of society. “Let our universities, research and development centres, startups, industries, and farmers become part of one national innovation ecosystem, ensuring that the knowledge behind these technologies is indigenous, owned, and continuously ad-
vanced in Pakistan,” he said. The prime minister emphasized that the robotics and autonomous systems revolution should not remain confined to advanced economies, multinational cor-
10 terrorists killed, two female suicide bombers arrested in Balochistan Operations: ISPR
PM SAYS ROBOTICS AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS MUST EMPOWER FARMERS, STARTUPS, WOMEN AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
LAUDS ARMED FORCES’ INDIGENOUS DEFENCE CAPABILITIES, SAYS DRONES HAVE ACHIEVED OVER 60% INDIGENISATION
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 118 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
SPARK AND ELEVATE PROGRAMME LAUNCHED TO TURN RESEARCH INTO GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISES AND HIGH-VALUE JOBS
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porations or major urban centres. Instead, he said, these technologies must become a driver of inclusive growth by improving the lives of farmers, small businesses, women entrepreneurs, young innovators and underserved communities across Pakistan and the Global South. Highlighting the rapid pace of technological advancement, Shehbaz Sharif said the growing capabilities of emerging technologies also placed greater responsibility on governments, policymakers and all stakeholders. “As these technologies become more powerful, our responsibility also grows simultaneously,” he said. “We must establish clear regulatory and ethical frameworks to ensure autonomous systems are safe, secure, transparent, and always used for the benefit of mankind.” The prime minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to promoting innovation and technological advancement while ensuring that emerging technologies are deployed responsibly, ethically and inclusively to achieve sustainable national development. The ceremony was attended by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir,
federal ministers, technology experts, industrialists, entrepreneurs, foreign delegates, representatives of leading brands and companies, and students. On the occasion, the prime minister announced two landmark government initiatives aimed at shaping the future of robotics and autonomous systems in Pakistan. The first, the Spark and Elevate Programme, is designed to transform Pakistan's research into world-class technologies, globally competitive enterprises and high-productivity employment opportunities. The second initiative is the establishment of the Pakistan Venture Fund, with an initial government commitment of $20 million to catalyse investment in the country's technology ecosystem and support innovation-driven enterprises. The prime minister said the future Pakistan envisioned for robotics and autonomous systems was not merely about technological advancement but about empowering a nation of nearly 250 million resilient people determined to innovate, compete and build a brighter future.
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Pakistan, Russia reaffirm stronger strategic cooperation as Dar holds flurry of meetings MANILA/ISLAMABAD saleeM Jadoon
RAWALPINDI
staff report
Security forces have killed 10 terrorists and arrested two female suicide bombers along with a facilitator during intelligence-based operations in Balochistan over the past 48 hours, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday. According to the military's media wing, the operations were carried out in Surab and Mastung districts as part of the ongoing nationwide counterterrorism campaign targeting militant networks and their facilitators. The ISPR said security forces conducted multiple intelligence-based area sanitisation and targeted operations, killing seven terrorists in Surab after effectively engaging their hideouts. In a separate operation in Mastung, three terrorists were killed, while two female suicide bombers and a facilitator allegedly linked to the group referred to by the state as Fitna al Hindustan were apprehended. Security forces also recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the militants during the operations. The military said follow-up sanitisation operations were continuing to eliminate any remaining militants and their facilitators in the area. Reaffirming its commitment to the country's counterterrorism campaign, the ISPR said operations under the Azm-eIstehkam strategy, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue in coordination with law enforcement agencies to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from Pakistan.
Pakistan and Russia on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to further expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity and other key sectors, while also pledging to enhance coordination at multilateral forums, as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a series of high-level diplomatic engagements on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila. According to the Foreign Office (FO), Dar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ahead of the ministerial session, where the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-Russia relations and discussed ways to further strengthen their growing partnership. The two foreign ministers underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement in advancing bilateral ties and reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity and other areas of mutual interest. They also exchanged views on key regional and international developments and agreed to remain in close contact to further deepen bilateral engagement
and coordination on issues of common concern.
DAR, BANGLADESH FM REVIEW GROWING MOMENTUM IN BILATERAL TIES: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar also met Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister and President-elect of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Khalilur Rehman, on the sidelines of the ARF Ministerial Meeting.
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Pakistan, Iran agree to deepen security, border cooperation ISLAMABAD
staff Correspondent
Pakistan and Iran on Wednesday agreed to strengthen cooperation in counterterrorism, counter-narcotics, border security, illegal immigration and human trafficking as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held talks with his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, in Islamabad. Momeni, who is leading a high-level delegation on an official visit to Pakistan, held wideranging discussions with Naqvi on regional security, bilateral cooperation and border management. According to state-run Radio Pakistan, the two sides agreed to adopt a coordinated strategy to combat terrorism and drug trafficking along the Pakistan-IranAfghanistan border, with particular focus on addressing security threats emanating from Afghanistan. The ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation, boosting trade and strengthening coordination mechanisms between the two neighbouring countries. Speaking on the occasion, Naqvi said Pakistan was ready to broaden cooperation with Iran in all sectors and appreciated the efforts of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni in promoting regional peace. The Iranian delegation included senior officials from the ministries of interior, transport, agriculture and the National Iranian Oil Company, as well as the Governor General of Sistan-Baluchestan province. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, senior officials of the Interior Ministry, and heads of key institutions, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Federal Constabulary and Islamabad Police. RAILWAY COOPERATION: Separately, Momeni met Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi to review progress on key connectivity projects, including the Main Line-3 (ML-3), the Zahedan-Taftan railway section and the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train service. The two sides discussed measures to enhance rail connectivity, border trade and economic cooperation, with Abbasi describing the projects as vital to strengthening bilateral ties. Momeni appreciated Pakistan's support during the recent regional crisis and praised the diplomatic efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, reaffirming Iran's commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
VISIT TO NDMA: The Iranian interior minister also visited the National Disaster Management Authority's (NDMA) National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), where he praised Pakistan's technologydriven disaster management system and expressed interest in expanding cooperation on disaster preparedness, early warning systems and climate resilience. NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik briefed the delegation on Pakistan's disaster response capabilities, emergency preparedness and the use of advanced technologies in risk management. Momeni commended Pakistan's progress in disaster management and said greater institutional cooperation and knowledge-sharing between the two countries would strengthen the region's capacity to respond to natural disasters and the growing challenges posed by climate change. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing collaboration in disaster risk reduction, early warning systems and capacity building. The visit comes amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, with Pakistan and Iran maintaining close diplomatic engagement on regional peace, border security and economic cooperation.
Pakistan denounces Houthi threats to Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan on Wednesday condemned recent threats by Yemen’s Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels operating in the Red Sea, with the Foreign Office calling the warnings a breach of international law and a risk to regional stability. In a statement, the Foreign Office said Islamabad had unequivocally rejected the continued threats, including reported warnings aimed at ships involved in lawful trade with the kingdom. Such actions were unacceptable and ran counter to established legal princi-
ples governing international navigation and commerce. The ministry said Pakistan was particularly concerned by reports of threats targeting vessels engaged in legitimate commercial activity with Saudi Arabia. Any move endangering maritime trade in the Red Sea would undermine freedom of navigation and raise broader security concerns in the region. The statement came after the Houthis announced an immediate maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, opening another pressure point in the wider Middle East conflict. Any enforcement of the blockade could affect access to Saudi Red Sea ports, which have become important for oil exports as renewed US-Iran fighting constrains movement through the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan rejects Amnesty's allegation, says report ignores cross-border terrorism threat ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
Pakistan has strongly rejected Amnesty International’s allegation that it targeted a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, stating that the report presents an advocacy finding rather than a judicial determination and ignores the broader security context of sustained cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghan territory. Official sources said Amnesty International did not have access to Pakistan’s op-
erational intelligence, targeting process or classified threat assessments. They maintained that the absence of visible weapons in selected post-strike imagery could not conclusively prove that the compound had no military function prior to the strike, particularly when intelligence assessments identified it as an explosives storage facility. Pakistan’s official position, the sources said, is that no hospital or rehabilitation centre was intentionally targeted. The strikes were directed against military installations and terrorist-support infrastruc-
ture, including technical facilities, ammunition storage sites, drone-related equipment and infrastructure allegedly used by the Afghan Taliban regime to support terrorist proxies. The sources added that precision-guided munitions were employed and targets were carefully selected. Visible secondary detonations observed after the strike, they said, supported the assessment that military materiel was present at the targeted location.
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