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Saudis, Palestinians among delegates arriving in Islamabad for parliamentary speakers’ moot

Saudis, Palestinians among delegates arriving in Islamabad for parliamentary speakers’ moot
In this file photo, taken on September 8, 2025, Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announces Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference, scheduled for Nov.11 and 12, in Islamabad. (Handout/Senate/File)
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Saudis, Palestinians among delegates arriving in Islamabad for parliamentary speakers’ moot

Saudis, Palestinians among delegates arriving in Islamabad for parliamentary speakers’ moot
  • Conference to focus on parliamentary cooperation amid regional and global tensions
  • Delegations from over a dozen countries land ahead of November 11 opening

ISLAMABAD: Foreign parliamentary delegations from º£½ÇÖ±²¥, Palestine, Malaysia and more than a dozen other countries began arriving in Islamabad on Monday to attend the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.

The two-day conference, which opens Tuesday, brings together speakers, deputy speakers and parliamentary representatives from over 40 countries in an effort to expand Pakistan’s role in global parliamentary diplomacy, according to event organizers. It comes at a moment of heightened regional tensions, particularly surrounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and shifting alignments in the Middle East and South Asia.

Radio Pakistan said representatives from º£½ÇÖ±²¥, Malaysia, Palestine, Algeria, Barbados, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kenya, Tajikistan, Morocco, Maldives, Serbia, the Philippines and Rwanda had already reached Islamabad.

“This historic gathering marks the beginning of a new chapter in parliamentary diplomacy, one that places dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect at the heart of our collective efforts,†Radio Pakistan quoted Senate officials as saying.

The conference is designed as a platform for parliamentary leaders to exchange views on peace, security, development and legislative cooperation, including how elected bodies can address shared global challenges. Organizers say discussions are expected to cover economic resilience, digital governance, conflict mediation, humanitarian relief cooperation, climate adaptation and parliamentary transparency.

Pakistan has stepped up parliamentary diplomacy in recent years, seeking to expand political ties beyond the executive branch and build coalitions on issues such as Gaza, Kashmir, climate vulnerability and developing-country debt reform.Ìı

Officials say the upcoming sessions will also allow bilateral meetings on the sidelines, including with delegations from º£½ÇÖ±²¥ and Palestine.
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Veon lifts 2025 outlook as digital services expand in Pakistan, other key markets

Veon lifts 2025 outlook as digital services expand in Pakistan, other key markets
Updated 10 November 2025

Veon lifts 2025 outlook as digital services expand in Pakistan, other key markets

Veon lifts 2025 outlook as digital services expand in Pakistan, other key markets
  • Veon expects adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to grow by 16% to 18%, up from previous forecast of 14% to 16%
  • It taps into its mobile subscriber base in Pakistan, Bangladesh, other markets by bundling connectivity with mobile payments, delivery solutions servicesÌı

Telecoms group Veon on Monday raised its full-year profit outlook for 2025, citing growing demand for its digital services.

The company now expects adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) to grow by 16 percent to 18 percent, up from its previous forecast of 14 percent to 16 percent, which was revised during the second quarter.

Veon posted third-quarter adjusted EBITDA of $524 million, up 20 percent year-on-year, as revenue grew 7.5 percent to $1.12 billion.

Revenue from direct digital services rose 63 percent year-on-year to $198 million, accounting for about 18 percent of Veon’s total revenue, up from 12 percent in the same period last year.

Veon taps into its mobile subscriber base in markets including Pakistan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan by bundling connectivity with services such as mobile payments, ride-hailing, entertainment platforms, and delivery solutions, aiming to enhance profit margins.