PM Shehbaz underscores Pakistan’s potential for high-yield foreign investment

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said Pakistan offered significant opportunities for high-yield, secure and mutually beneficial foreign investment as the government continued efforts to strengthen the economy during his address at the London Stock Exchange (LSE) headquarters in Paternoster Square. PM Shehbaz became the first Pakistani premier to open a trading session at the LSE, where he also formally inaugurated Pakistan’s $3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond. “We have strengthened our macroeconomic indicators, which are very promising and augur very well for the future,” he said. The ceremony was attended by LSE Group Chief Executive Officer David Schwimmer, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Adviser on Privatisation Mohammad Ali, Pakistan High Commissioner Tipu Usman, members of the Pakistani delegation and British officials. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, today, became the first prime minister from Pakistan to open the London Stock Exchange trading session and formally inaugurated Pakistan’s landmark US$3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond. During his address at the LSE headquarters in… pic.twitter.com/yvm6hdA2Uh — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 The premier said the $3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond reflected the efforts undertaken by the finance ministry and other government institutions to stabilise the economy. He attributed the transaction to structural reforms, digitalisation of the economy and measures aimed at putting the country’s finances back on track. The issuance, described as Pakistan’s largest international bond transaction, attracted nearly $6 billion in global investor demand — almost twice the amount raised — from a geographically diverse institutional investor base. Read: Pakistan, IMF formally begin talks on EFF, climate programme reviews The transaction is the first issuance under Pakistan’s renewed Global Medium-Term Note (GMTN) Programme and follows the country’s inaugural Panda Bond and successive sovereign credit-rating upgrades. It forms part of the government’s debt-management strategy aimed at diversifying funding sources, extending maturities and reducing refinancing risks. Referring to the government’s privatisation programme, PM Shehbaz cited Pakistan International Airlines and First Women Bank and said the government was moving towards divesting several other state-owned enterprises. Mr. David Schwimmer, CEO of the London Stock Exchange, presenting a memento commemorating Pakistan’s US$ 3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond listing at the London Stock Exchange to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, today. pic.twitter.com/ksxlHbD3zz — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 He said such entities should be operated by the private sector and identified privatisation as an area where Pakistan and the United Kingdom could enhance cooperation. The premier also referred to the Gulf crisis and its impact on emerging economies, saying Pakistan’s economic trajectory could have been stronger had the crisis not erupted. “Like other emerging economies, we are negotiating this challenge while also playing an important role as a peacemaker, mediating between the United States and Iran. I hope that we will continue in this direction,” he said. Read more: Trump claims Iran war 'one of the most important things we've done' PM Shehbaz said changing geopolitical conditions had prompted investors to reassess the relative safety of different markets, adding that Pakistan needed to draw lessons from the evolving situation. Addressing Schwimmer, the prime minister sought the LSE chief executive’s guidance on increasing Pakistan’s engagement with international financial markets beyond sovereign borrowing and attracting greater investment into the country. Shehbaz said opening the LSE session was a significant moment for Pakistan and represented a step towards rebuilding the country’s relationship with the London Stock Exchange. He also invited Schwimmer to visit Pakistan. The prime minister also praised Aurangzeb, other economic ministers, government secretaries and officials for their role in efforts to strengthen the economy. PM Shehbaz meets global finance giants in London Later, PM Shehbaz met with senior executives of Barclays, JP Morgan, Citi, BlackRock and Rothschild & Co in London, where he sought a greater role for global banks in Pakistan’s financial sector and urged leading financial institutions to invest in the country during a series of meetings, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. “The engagements underscored growing international financial sector interest in Pakistan’s economic reform trajectory and improving investment climate,” the statement said. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a series of meetings today with senior executives from leading global financial institutions — Barclays, J.P. Morgan, Citi, BlackRock and Rothschild & Co — during his visit to the United Kingdom. The engagements underscored growing… pic.twitter.com/ttTmbB67X3 — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 The prime minister met Mohammad Kamal Syed, Head of Private Bank and Wealth Management UK at Barclays, and welcomed the bank’s interest in Pakistan, according to the statement. He briefed Syed on the government’s macroeconomic stabilisation measures and encouraged Barclays to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s financial sector, it added. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meets a delegation of Barclays in London, today. pic.twitter.com/0QhqpKDoWC — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 PM Shehbaz also met a high-level JP Morgan delegation led by Matthieu Wiltz, Co-CEO for EMEA, where they discussed deepening the partnership across capital markets, trade finance and investment banking, the statement said. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with the delegation of J P Morgan headed by co-CEO of EMEA, Mr. Mathieu Wiltz, in London. pic.twitter.com/Oz2mI2SZUi — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 The prime minister invited the firm to expand its footprint in Pakistan. At the same time, the delegation reaffirmed its interest in sovereign debt capital markets and corporate banking opportunities, according to the statement. The premier also met a group of senior Citi officials led by David Livingstone, Chief Client Officer. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with the senior leadership of Citi group in London, today. pic.twitter.com/Sfkwf4Rkrt — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 According to the statement, Shehbaz commended the bank’s long-standing presence in Pakistan and encouraged an expansion of its corporate and institutional banking services in the country. In his meeting with a BlackRock delegation comprising Gordon Fraser and Sam Vecht, Co-Heads of Emerging Markets and Frontiers, and Emily Fletcher, Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst, the prime minister invited increased allocations to Pakistani equities and fixed income within the firm’s frontier markets strategy, the statement said. Both sides also emphasised the importance of sustained policy consistency in building investor confidence, it added. During his meeting with Rothschild & Co, represented by Lord Mark Sedwill, Chair of Geostrategic Advisory, and Majid Ishaq, Head of UK Investment Banking, discussions centred on Pakistan’s geo-economic priorities and potential advisory collaboration on capital markets and investment strategy, according to the statement. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met delegation of Rothschild & Co. headed by Lord Mark Sedwill, Chair of Geostrategic Advisory in London, today. pic.twitter.com/k744BxlnhG — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 “Across all engagements, the visiting executives expressed confidence in Pakistan’s economic reform momentum and reaffirmed their institutions’ commitment to deepening engagement with the country’s financial sector,” the statement said. The meetings “reflect the growing traction” of Pakistan’s economic reform programme among leading global financial institutions and mark a significant step in the government’s broader effort to strengthen international investor confidence and attract sustained capital flows into the country, it added.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/vytq7H5

Rare dolphin rescued from Chenab River

A rare river dolphin was caught in a fishing net in the Chenab River but was safely rescued and released back into the water by fishermen. The incident was recorded on a mobile phone by a passer-by, and the video of the rescue later went viral on social media. According to sources, fishermen were fishing as usual when the dolphin became entangled in their net. After noticing the animal, they carefully removed it from the net and released it back into the river. Sources said the dolphin weighed more than four maunds and was around six feet long. The video shows fishermen freeing the dolphin from the net before releasing it into the river. Experts said river dolphins were rare aquatic animals and that their hunting was prohibited. The fishermen's decision to release the dolphin rather than harm or retain it was widely appreciated. They called for more effective awareness and monitoring measures by the relevant authorities to protect rare aquatic species in the country's rivers.

from Punjab News Updates and Insights - The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/5itjpOR

Tirah valley IDPs’ return to begin from October 10

Khyber Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shahid Ali announced during a grand jirga in Tirah Maidan on Monday that the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Tirah Valley would formally begin on October 10. Thousands of families displaced from Tirah Valley in Khyber district continue to endure severe hardships, with slow disbursement of financial assistance and uncertainty surrounding their return to their native areas compounding their difficulties. DC Shahid Ali visited Tirah Maidan and participated in a grand jirga attended by a 24-member committee, local elders and security forces. Discussions focused on the return of IDPs, rehabilitation, provision of basic facilities and the resettlement of Bagh Bazaar. Addressing the jirga, DC Ali said the return process would start on October 10 and that the administration and relevant departments would address problems arising during the process. He clarified that the return was not limited to transporting people back to their ancestral areas, but restoration of basic needs and facilities also remained a priority. Read: Tirah families await return after 255 days The jirga was attended by the head of the 24-member committee, Maulana Hazrat Khan, Zahir Shah, Kamaluddin and other local elders, along with district administration officials. Participants placed issues related to the return process, the current situation in the area and the restoration of basic facilities before the deputy commissioner. Elders demanded the rehabilitation of roads, bridges, health and education facilities, water supply, electricity, communication systems and other essential services so that returning families did not face shortages of necessities. Detailed discussions were also held on administrative measures for a dignified, organised and phased return of the IDPs and on the plan of action. DC Ali listened to the concerns raised by the elders and the committee and directed relevant officers to take practical steps to resolve public problems. Bara Assistant Commissioner (AC) Talha Rafiq, Tirah Maidan AC Muhammad Anwar, Tirah Maidan Tehsildar Shabab, Bara Tehsildar Daud Afridi and other officials accompanied the deputy commissioner. Former federal minister Hamidullah Jan Afridi welcomed the development, saying “better late than never”, but stressed that mere return was not enough. He urged the authorities to fulfil all promises made to the affected families at the time of their displacement and clear outstanding dues. “The people of Tirah have endured hardships for a long time. Along with their return, peace and security in the valley, reconstruction of homes, roads and basic infrastructure must also be ensured,” he said while talking to The Express Tribune. Read More: Tirah victims demand return, compensation DC Ali said steps would be taken in collaboration with relevant departments to restore public facilities and advance development activities in Tirah Maidan. Problems would be resolved phase-wise with the cooperation of local elders, the 24-member committee and concerned institutions. During the visit, DC Ali also inspected Bagh centre and met local elders who briefed him on problems and public needs in Bagh Bazaar and other areas. He assured them that the issues would be raised at relevant forums and that he would make every effort at his level for their resolution. Spokesman for the Tirah Affectees Movement, Sohbat Khan Afridi, said a jirga without practical steps was meaningless and that no concrete progress had so far been made on resolving the IDPs’ problems. He demanded that an official schedule for the return be issued immediately so that the affected families receive clear information about the procedure, dates and administrative arrangements. Jamaat Ulema-e-Islam leader Izzatullah Hamkhayal said the IDPs of Tirah Valley had been suffering for a long time and their return was inevitable. He urged relevant institutions to play a priority role in establishing and maintaining sustainable peace in Tirah Maidan, and said all promises made to the affected people should be fulfilled and outstanding dues cleared before October 10. He added that the government must ensure the provision of basic facilities, infrastructure and other necessities after the return so that the families do not face difficulties again. Following the announcement of the return, the attention of the IDPs and local elders has now focused on the formal schedule, financial payments, reconstruction of homes and infrastructure, provision of basic facilities and practical steps for lasting peace in the area.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/CfKiu4F

NA-168 stays with Channar family

PML-N candidate Malik Munir Iqbal Channar won the NA-168 Bahawalpur by-election on Sunday, securing 77,688 votes against 41,260 polled by his rival, Wali Dad Cheema. Polling continued uninterrupted from 8am to 5pm, with slow turnout, while the election remained largely peaceful apart from a few isolated incidents. The seat had fallen vacant following the death of PML-N MNA Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar. His son, Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, contested the by-election as the PML-N candidate, while Wali Dad Cheema, son of former federal minister and MNA Tariq Bashir Cheema, was his main rival. Channar secured 77,688 votes, while Cheema received 41,260 votes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, saying his victory showed public's confidence in the PML-N, a PM Office statement issued by the PM Office said. The premier recalled that Malik Munir Iqbal Channar's father, Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, always demonstrated his loyalty with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif besides rendering valuable services to the party. "Today, his son's victory is reflective of the same continuity of that loyalty and public service," the premier said. He lauded the people of Bahawalpur for electing their representative by participating enthusiastically in the democratic process. He also extended felicitations to Malik Munir Iqbal Channar's brother, Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar. A day earlier, the Punjab Home Department requested the federal interior ministry that troops of army and Rangers (Punjab) be deployed in the constituency for smooth, peaceful and secure conduct of the by-election. Leading up to the by-poll, three persons were injured on Sept 12 in an armed clash at Baqirpur in connection with the election campaign of Cheema, the son of former PML-Q federal minister Tariq Bashir Cheema.

from Punjab News Updates and Insights - The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/1I8Qe6n

FIA takes action against 76 delinquent employees

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Islamabad Zone has taken departmental action against 76 employees over alleged misuse of authority, negligence in the performance of duties, indiscipline and other charges, dismissing 10 employees from service and demoting eight others. The decisions were taken during an orderly room presided over by FIA Islamabad Zone Director Shehzad Nadeem Bokhari, where the employees concerned were given a full opportunity for personal hearing and to present their respective positions. According to FIA officials, matters relating to departmental discipline, negligence in professional responsibilities, irresponsible conduct and public complaints were reviewed during the proceedings. Following an examination of the available record, evidence and other relevant material, action was taken against 76 employees under the Civil Servants (E&D) Rules, 2020. The 10 employees dismissed from service were Sub-Inspector Hassan Ali, Assistant Sub-Inspector Mubashir Kazmi; Upper Division Clerk Muhammad Soban; Head Constables Tahir Mahmood and Melon Masih and Muhammad Bilal; and Constables Tahir Safir, Muhammad Ahmed Raza, Aqib Mahmood and Tahir Mahmood. The eight employees demoted included Muhammad Niaz Mir, from ASI to Head Constable; Muhammad Waseem Iqbal, from ASI to HC; Shiraz Manzoor, from Upper Division Clerk to Lower Division Clerk; Rizwan Ali Khan, Masood Ahmed, Mudassar Ali, Almas Ilyas and Qasim Mahmood, from HC to Constable. Various other departmental penalties were imposed on the remaining 58 employees. These included withholding of increments for three years in 19 cases, two years in 27 cases and one year in five cases. A reduction of three stages in the pay scale was ordered in one case, while reprimands were issued in six cases.

from Punjab News Updates and Insights - The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/NzgCqjm

Pakistani MIT physicist calls for greater science and research investment in Karachi visit

Pakistani-American physicist Dr Nergis Mavalvala has called for greater investment in scientific research, saying curiosity and access to opportunity were central to scientific discovery and that universities had a responsibility to nurture both. Speaking at Habib University on Thursday, Mavalvala, dean of the School of Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a leading figure in the Nobel Prize-winning LIGO collaboration, said some of humanity’s most consequential discoveries had originated from questions with no immediate practical application. “Every single person at birth is research-minded,” she said during an extended question-and-answer session following her lecture. “The reason some of us get to do it in adulthood is [access to] opportunity.” Mavalvala was speaking at the 10th Yohsin Lecture, titled "The Joy of Discovery: Curiosity, Science, and the Pivotal Role of Universities", which drew an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people to the university campus. Long queues formed as students, academics, alumni and members of the public gathered to hear the physicist speak about curiosity, scientific discovery and the role of universities in advancing knowledge. Reflecting on humanity’s longstanding fascination with the universe, Mavalvala said the impulse to explore was not necessarily driven by an immediate practical benefit. MIT dean Dr Nergis Mavalvala speaks during a panel discussion at Habib University in Karachi on Thursday. Photo: Express “Even pre-human cultures were looking up at the sky, in part because it was just mysterious,” she said. “A hundred years from now the only thing that will matter is that we’ve opened a new window into the universe.” She argued that universities should not be viewed merely as institutions for professional training, saying they also had a role in cultivating curiosity, creativity, perseverance and intellectual freedom. Mavalvala also stressed the importance of public and government investment in science and research. “Research has shown there is no investment that any government does that has greater return than investment in research and science,” she said. The lecture followed a two-day visit to Habib University during which Mavalvala met students, faculty, alumni and members of Pakistan’s scientific and business communities. She held discussions with faculty members on nurturing curiosity in classrooms and met science and humanities students from schools across Karachi. She also participated in sessions with the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and members of the scientific community. During her interaction with the university’s leadership, discussions also focused on the role of liberal arts education in developing students’ curiosity and the importance of teaching and mentorship. Habib University President Wasif Rizvi said the public response to the lecture demonstrated the value of making access to knowledge and leading thinkers more widely available. “This access had not been attempted in Pakistan before. It exists because the community in this room and outside decided that it should,” Rizvi said. He linked the initiative to the university’s philanthropic model, saying its students demonstrated what private philanthropy could achieve in expanding access to higher education. Mavalvala, who is known for her work on the detection of gravitational waves, thanked the university’s leadership, board and donors for creating the institution and said her interactions with its students and alumni had impressed her. “I've met with a number of students and alumni and just have been wowed,” she said. The Yohsin Lecture Series is based on Habib University’s founding philosophy of Yohsin, described by the institution as the thoughtful cultivation of the self. Previous speakers have included Noam Chomsky, Ashis Nandy, Reza Aslan, Azra Raza and Thomas Blom Hansen. The event concluded with a reception on the university’s Central Street, where attendees continued discussions sparked by the lecture.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/ZS6Nvuf

Two washed away in Bisham floods

Torrential rain and lightning triggered a sudden flash flood in Shangla's Bisham tehsil on Friday, sweeping away two children and injuring a woman, while residential houses, the Bisham police station, several other buildings and property suffered extensive damage, according to local sources. The flash flood also affected dozens of vehicles. It damaged electricity poles and power lines, while the Karakoram Highway was hit by floodwaters at several points in Bisham and remained completely closed to traffic until late at night. The Bisham-Alpuri Road was also affected by landslides at several locations. The sudden deluge occurred after heavy rain caused a local stream in Bisham to swell rapidly, sending a powerful torrent of water, mud and stones through the area. Two children were swept away by the flash flood, while a woman was injured and shifted to hospital for medical treatment. The torrent caused severe damage to several properties along its path, including the Bisham police station, residential houses and other buildings. Several vehicles were also caught in the floodwater and debris and were damaged. Floodwater and debris inundated roads, severely disrupting traffic and causing considerable difficulties for residents. The heavy rain and flash flood also badly affected Bisham's electricity system. Several electricity poles collapsed, and power lines were damaged, disrupting electricity supply in various areas. Meanwhile, the Karakoram Highway was also affected at several points in Bisham by flash floods, mud and rocks. The highway remained completely closed to traffic until late at night, with long queues of vehicles forming on both sides.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/bcanBp6