Author: Faiza Liaquat
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have taken a major step toward strengthening bilateral relations, signing a series of wide-ranging agreements covering trade, energy, mining, agriculture, health, culture, tourism, and regional connectivity. The documents pre-negotiated between both governments were formally exchanged during a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House as part of the maiden state visit of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, invited by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The ceremony highlighted a growing partnership and was witnessed by both leaders. During the event, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a joint statement on “Strengthening of Comprehensive Cooperation,” reaffirming their commitment to deepen ties across political, economic,…
Commuters on the Islamabad–Rawalpindi Metro Bus can look forward to exciting improvements, as federal and Punjab officials review plans to enhance the service and potentially extend its route. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Punjab Minister for Transport and Mass Transit Bilal Akbar Khan to discuss measures to upgrade stations, boost operational efficiency, and deliver a modern, comfortable commuter experience. Officials highlighted proposals to expand the route to meet rising passenger demand, ensuring that more residents benefit from this reliable and convenient public transport system. A joint coordination committee will oversee the planned upgrades and ensure smooth implementation. Both ministers…
The Islamabad–Lahore Motorway (M-2) is set to receive Pakistan’s most advanced real-time weather alert system, “Weather on the Way,” aimed at enhancing safety for millions of motorists traveling this major route. The system is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between WeatherWalay and One Network, offering hyperlocal, real-time weather alerts to drivers, motorway operators, and government agencies. Equipped with 14 automated weather stations, 5 air-quality sensors, 4 visibility sensors, satellite inputs, and advanced forecasts, the system continuously monitors fog, rainfall, wind, and low-visibility conditions. A decision-support engine instantly processes the data and alerts travelers via smartphone apps, web platforms, and SMD screens at…
The Islamabad Capital Territory administration and police have started installing advanced M-Tag readers at key points across the federal capital to strengthen vehicle monitoring and enforcement. Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon and the Director General of Safe City inspected several sites to review installation progress and ensure smooth operations. The system is designed to detect vehicles without an M-Tag, enabling police teams stationed nearby to take immediate action. To make the process accessible, authorities have opened 10 facilitation centers in high-traffic areas where residents can register their vehicles for M-Tags. Once fully operational, vehicles found without an M-Tag could face heavy…
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is poised to formally recognise and protect its Rs380 billion street economy through a landmark law that aims to secure the rights and livelihoods of thousands of street vendors across the province. The provincial government has finalised the Ehsaas Rehribaan Livelihood Protection Bill 2025, which will now be sent to the cabinet for approval before being tabled in the KP Assembly. Once enacted, KP is expected to become the first province in Pakistan to provide comprehensive legal protection to street vendors as a distinct category of workers. According to official estimates, the bill is designed to safeguard around…
The upcoming visit of Turkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar to Islamabad is expected to advance existing projects and unlock new areas of collaboration in the energy and mining sectors. Preparations for the visit were reviewed during a meeting between Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Turkish Ambassador Irfan Neziroglu in Islamabad. Senior Pakistani officials, including Secretary Petroleum Momin Agha and Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) Managing Director Ahmed Hayat Lak, also attended the meeting. Officials noted that energy-sector engagement between Pakistan and Turkiye has been steadily strengthening. Turkish Petroleum is already participating in…
Pakistan has set an ambitious target to install 3,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country between 2025 and 2030, in a move aimed at accelerating the transition toward cleaner and more sustainable transportation. According to an official document shared with the state news agency APP, the government has allocated 240 EV charging stations for the current fiscal year, forming the first phase of a broader nationwide rollout. Under the plan, the charging stations will be established by private sector companies, while the overall framework, standards, and monitoring will be jointly overseen by multiple public bodies. These include the…
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has formally launched the second phase of the Lahore Development Plan, announcing a major push to upgrade thousands of streets across the provincial capital. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, Phase II of the plan will focus on the rehabilitation and upgradation of 6,284 streets in Lahore. The work has been divided between key urban service agencies to streamline implementation and monitoring. Under the plan, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) will upgrade 486 streets, mainly in areas where drainage, sewerage, and water-related issues are more pressing. The Lahore Municipal Corporation (LMC) has been tasked…
The Punjab government has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform 443 villages into “Model Villages” as part of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s rural development vision. Provincial Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique shared details of the initiative while reviewing progress on the project, which is aimed at upgrading infrastructure, municipal services, and basic facilities in rural communities across the province. In the first phase, development work will begin in 224 villages by mid-December, with the following regional distribution: These areas will receive improved municipal services and upgraded infrastructure, aimed at raising living standards and reducing the development gap between…
The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has confirmed that eight national athletes, led by Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem, have been awarded IOC Olympic Solidarity Scholarships to support their preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28). Each athlete will receive USD 13,500 per year from September 2025 to August 2028, providing vital backing for training camps and international competition. Arshad Nadeem is the only awardee from athletics and a recurring beneficiary of the programme. The National Rifle Association of Pakistan has the highest representation, with five shooters selected: Kishmala Talat (Paris 2024 Olympian and the first Pakistani woman to…