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PM invites Turkish companies to expand investment in Pakistan’s key areas

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Saturday, invited Turkish companies to expand their investment footprint in Pakistan’s priority sectors, including energy, mining and minerals, infrastructure, maritime and logistics, information technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, agriculture and privatization.

The prime minister held a series of meetings with senior executives of Turkiye’s leading business groups and industry organizations in Istanbul, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation and attracting greater Turkish investment across key sectors of the economy.

He met with Chairman of Calık Holding Ahmet Calık; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Albayrak Group Ahmet Albayrak and President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkiye (TOBB) Rifat Hisarcıklıoglu, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

During the meetings, the prime minister underscored the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye and emphasized the importance of translating the two countries’ exceptional relationship into a stronger economic and investment partnership.

“He highlighted Pakistan’s improving macroeconomic fundamentals, investor-friendly policy framework and the Government’s commitment to ensuring a transparent, predictable and business-friendly investment environment,” the press release added.

The prime minister He said the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), working in close coordination with the relevant federal and provincial authorities, continues to provide one-window facilitation and institutional support for strategic investors.

In his meeting with Calık Holding, the prime minister emphasized Pakistan’s significant opportunities in energy, infrastructure, information technology and privatization.

He welcomed the company’s interest in expanding its operations in Pakistan, noting that its existing presence through Calık Enerji and GAP İnSaat provides a strong foundation for deeper cooperation.

The prime minister also appreciated Albayrak Group’s longstanding engagement in Pakistan and encouraged the company to further expand its investments in maritime infrastructure, port modernization and logistics, recognizing its important contribution to Pakistan’s connectivity and infrastructure development.

In his meeting with the president of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkiye (TOBB), the prime minister appreciated the organization’s continued efforts to strengthen business-to-business engagement between Pakistan and Turkiye.

He proposed establishing a structured institutional mechanism for regular interaction between the private sectors of both countries and invited TOBB to lead a high-level business delegation to Pakistan to explore emerging investment opportunities firsthand.

The Turkish business leaders appreciated the Government of Pakistan’s economic reforms, improving investment climate and investor-friendly policies.

They expressed confidence in Pakistan’s economic outlook and reaffirmed their interest in expanding investments and developing long-term partnerships across a range of strategic sectors, contributing to the growing economic partnership between Pakistan and Turkiye.

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Health minister orders probe into Sindh MDCAT complaints

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of alleged irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held in Sindh and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints.

According to official sources, the minister directed a five-member committee, including the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to conduct a transparent investigation and submit its report within 15 days.

The committee has been tasked with examining the complaints and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities during the examination, sources said.

The minister directed the committee to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe and present its findings for further action in accordance with the applicable rules.

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CDA chairman directs faster work on Expressway East project

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf has directed officials to accelerate work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East project while ensuring strict compliance with approved designs and construction standards.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, the chairman reviewed progress and was briefed on ongoing works and the next phase of development.

He directed the project director and relevant departments to maintain continuous field monitoring and quality control and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The chairman described the Expressway East project as an important infrastructure scheme for improving connectivity, traffic flow and road capacity in the capital. He also stressed that construction quality should not be compromised in efforts to meet the project timeline.

During the visit, he was also briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against unauthorised and illegal construction along the Islamabad Expressway.

According to the CDA, 377 buildings have been identified for action, including 281 commercial structures. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, while 124 buildings between Sohan and Khanna bridges have been marked for demolition.

The authority said Rs234.685 million had been recovered through land-use conversion, unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges. Around Rs3 billion remained recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion and violations relating to unauthorised construction, setbacks, floor area ratio and covered area.

The chairman directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of building-control and land-use regulations, particularly mandatory fire-safety requirements.

The enforcement operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad police.

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GB ministers call on Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday held a meeting with a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan ministers at the Governor’s House here and discussed the country’s political situation and other matters of mutual interest.

The delegation comprised Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Zulfiqar Ali Murad, Minister for Health Iqbal Hassan and Minister for Education Aman Ali Ameer.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s success in the polls.

The visiting ministers were taken on a tour of the Governor’s House. Governor Kundi presented them with traditional shawls and caps.