Author name: Yasir Zubairi

ISLAMABAD — The Federal Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (FPPRA) has partnered with the World Bank to craft the Draft National Procurement Strategy (NPS) for 2026–2030. Consultative Session Overview A consultative session on Tuesday brought together representatives from federal, provincial, and Gilgit-Baltistan regulatory authorities. Key multilateral development banks, including the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and Islamic Development Bank, participated. Significance of Public Procurement Hasnat Ahmed Qureshi, the Managing Director of the Federal PPRA, highlighted the importance of public procurement to Pakistan’s economy. It accounts for 19 to 20 percent of GDP. The strategy supports the federal government’s reform agenda by: Enhancing transparency Increasing accountability Boosting competition Improving efficiency Key Strategic Developments Qureshi emphasized the World Bank’s technical support and cooperation with federal and provincial authorities through the Advisory Group on Public Procurement. The strategy targets critical modern priorities, including: Digitization Sustainability Performance monitoring Contract management Workforce professionalization World Bank’s Analysis and Recommendations World Bank consultant Fayeq Deek provided an analysis of the current procurement landscape during the session. He suggested strategic objectives along with a comprehensive reform plan and an implementation framework.

ISLAMABAD — The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu has introduced a comprehensive reform agenda for boosting Pakistan’s capital markets. This initiative aims to expand the investor base and enhance financial literacy across the nation. Boosting Market Accessibility At a press briefing held on Tuesday, Dr. Sidhu emphasized the critical importance of enhancing market accessibility. Expanding this accessibility is essential for drawing a diverse array of investors. The goal is to create a more inclusive investment environment that caters to a wider audience. Strengthened Regulatory Frameworks Central to the reform agenda is the strengthening of regulatory frameworks. Enhancing these frameworks is crucial for securing robust market growth and stability. Dr. Sidhu underscored that such improvements are necessary for cultivating a more vibrant and competitive marketplace. Promoting Market Transparency The reform effort also focuses on increasing market transparency. The SECP is set to implement various measures to heighten transparency, thereby fostering investor education. These efforts are expected to attract both domestic and foreign investments, making the market more appealing and dynamic.

LAHORE — The Punjab government has announced a significant budget allocation for the upcoming fiscal year, dedicating Rs 61.14 billion to the irrigation sector and Rs 5.73 billion to the energy sector. This announcement was made by Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman during his budget speech at the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday. Irrigation Development Focus The minister highlighted the increasing challenges related to water management and outlined the government’s plans to enhance the canal system, minimize water loss, and reinforce irrigation infrastructure. For these crucial initiatives, Rs 30 billion is earmarked for development expenditures, while Rs 31.14 billion is allocated for non-development expenditures for the fiscal year 2026-27. Major Irrigation Projects Key projects were detailed by the finance minister, who disclosed an allocation of Rs 95 billion to water resources, irrigation, and flood protection for the current fiscal year. Notable projects include: The Umbrella Canal Lining Project (Phase-II), with plans to line 500 kilometers of distributaries and minors. The Potohar Small Dams Program, set to expand storage capacity by 100,000 acre-feet. Flood Resilience Initiative An allocation of Rs 56 billion is proposed for the Flood Resilience Programme. This initiative aims to support 51 infrastructural schemes in the forthcoming fiscal year, enhancing flood protection and ensuring infrastructure stability.

ISLAMABAD — Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), has unveiled significant reforms aimed at expanding the investor base and enhancing Pakistan’s capital markets. This announcement came during his inaugural visit to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Strengthening Investor Base The SECP’s reform agenda primarily focuses on increasing financial literacy among investors. This initiative seeks to accelerate the development of Pakistan’s capital markets. Dr. Kabir highlighted the necessity of a strong financial system. Such a system is crucial for attracting a broader range of investors, thereby increasing market depth and stability. Modernizing Financial Infrastructure The initiative stresses the urgent need to modernize Pakistan’s financial infrastructure. These reforms are vital for ensuring sustainable economic growth. The proposed changes are expected to enhance transparency and boost investor confidence in the market. These improvements aim to create a more robust and reliable financial environment in the country.

ISLAMABAD — The Federal Minister for the Board of Investment (BOI), Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, has stressed the importance of increased investment and innovation for strengthening Pakistan’s economy. These strategies are crucial for boosting economic growth. Export-Led Economic Growth At the Brand of the Year Awards 2026, Minister Sheikh called on the business community to lead sustainable development. He emphasized that export-led growth is vital for enhancing the nation’s financial health. Role of the Private Sector The minister underscored the pivotal role of the private sector in achieving economic stability and progress. He encouraged businesses to embrace innovative practices and focus on increasing exports. Boosting Confidence in Economic Initiatives Sheikh’s remarks were aimed at building confidence among business leaders, urging their active participation in initiatives to strengthen Pakistan’s economic foundations. The event highlighted the necessity for collaboration between the government and the private sector to foster an environment conducive to progress.

KARACHI — On Monday, four vessels—Hansa Europe, MSC Vida X, Meghna Venus, and Kouros Diamond—docked at Port Qasim. These ships are engaged in cargo operations, focusing on containers and coal at the Container Terminal, HFP&S Terminal, and Bulk Terminal. Ship Movements at Port Qasim Over the past 24 hours, Port Qasim Authority (PQA) managed 12 vessels at its berths. Four ships, including Hansa Europe, Lebrethan, Corona, and Ginga Courage, departed on Tuesday morning. Simultaneously, MSC Vida X and Khairpur are scheduled to sail later in the day. Cargo Volume and Trade Insights The port efficiently handled a substantial cargo volume of 168,476 tonnes in the previous day. This included: 130,247 tonnes of imported goods 38,229 tonnes of exported goods In containerized cargo operations, 2,511 containers were managed, comprising 1,249 TEUs for imports and 1,262 TEUs earmarked for exports. Anticipated Dockings and Shipments Currently, 12 ships remain at outer anchorage. The TPT Heart and Gas Aurora, carrying palm oil and LPG respectively, are expected to dock at the LCT and EVTL terminals on Tuesday. Additionally, the container vessel Spirit of Bartram is expected to arrive on Wednesday, followed by Nileduth Lion on Thursday.

LAHORE — The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore and FonGrow Private Limited (FGPL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance livestock production and reproductive biotechnology. Objectives of the Partnership The MoU aims to promote education, advance research, and support capacity building. It is designed to facilitate effective technology transfer between the two organizations. Details of the Signing Ceremony The agreement was signed by Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Masood Rabbani and FGPL Secretary Col (retd) Rai Kashif Amin Khan at a ceremony held at UVAS. The event was attended by distinguished faculty deans including Prof Dr Habib-ur-Rehman, Prof Dr Kamran Ashraf, and Prof Dr Saima, along with senior faculty members and FGPL officials. Key Areas of Cooperation The MoU outlines several collaborative initiatives designed to bolster livestock practices, including: Joint student internship and training programs Professional short courses Capacity-building initiatives Student and faculty exchange programs Establishment of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for essential activities The SOPs will cover farm management, semen production units, in vitro fertilization, and knowledge transfer systems to improve livestock practices.