Author: Faiza Liaquat

The Ministry of Housing and Works has issued a notification approving an 85% increase in the rent ceiling for all federal government employees, effective November 1, 2025. The revision, approved by the federal cabinet and endorsed by the Finance Division, marks the first major rent adjustment since September 2021. The hike will apply uniformly to employees from BS-1 to BS-22 across six major cities — Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Peshawar. Officials stated that the move comes in response to a sharp rise in urban housing rents and growing population pressure, which had made it difficult for many employees…

Pakistan has announced the launch of its first Google Chromebook assembly line, marking a major step toward strengthening the country’s digital manufacturing and education technology ecosystem. The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at a ceremony in Islamabad, where he described the initiative as a “momentous occasion” for Pakistan’s technology sector. The assembly line will be established at the National Radio & Telecommunications Corporation (NRTC) facility in Haripur and is expected to produce up to 500,000 Chromebooks annually by 2026. The initiative is aimed at making high-quality, secure, and affordable Google-based laptops more accessible…

The Punjab government has approved a new policy to hire medical professionals on a temporary basis under the Punjab Locum Hiring Act 2025, aiming to overcome persistent staff shortages in the province’s health sector. The law provides for the formation of a Locum Policy Committee, headed by the provincial health minister, with the secretary serving as vice chairperson. The committee will also include three field experts and a human resources representative to ensure fair and efficient hiring practices. Its primary responsibilities will include identifying areas with acute staff shortages, defining terms of reference for locum recruitment, and determining the duration,…

The Pakistani Rupee (PKR) extended its remarkable rally on Tuesday, appreciating for the 29th consecutive session against the US Dollar (USD) and closing at Rs280.87 in the interbank market, marking a 0.01% day-on-day gain. This persistent strengthening trend reflects a combination of steady remittance inflows, tight foreign exchange management, and improving investor confidence in the country’s fiscal outlook. On a fiscal year-to-date (FYTD) basis, the rupee has appreciated by 1.09% against the dollar, with analysts noting that Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and reduced trade deficit have helped sustain market stability. A market observer commented, “Stable reserves and a narrowing trade…

The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has officially rolled out its e-challan system in Rawalpindi, marking a significant step in the province’s drive toward smart traffic management and safer urban mobility. Following successful implementations in Lahore and other major cities, the initiative aims to promote road safety, traffic discipline, and crime monitoring through advanced surveillance and digital enforcement technologies. High-definition cameras have been strategically installed at key points across Rawalpindi, including Liaquat Bagh, Raja Bazaar, Commercial Market, Ayub Park, and Chakri Road, to monitor vehicle movement, detect traffic violations, and automatically issue electronic challans to offenders. A dedicated PSCA control…

The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad has announced that Uzbekistan Airways will expand its flight operations to Pakistan, significantly enhancing air connectivity and reducing travel time between Islamabad and Tashkent to only two hours. Previously, travelers had to rely on connecting flights through Dubai, which made the journey both longer and more expensive. The new direct flight schedule eliminates these layovers, offering a faster and more affordable route between the two capitals. According to embassy officials, the decision to double flight frequency comes in response to strong passenger demand, with existing flights consistently operating at full capacity. Under the new…

The Punjab government has approved the construction of a multi-storey parking plaza worth Rs. 1.25 billion near Katchery Chowk in Rawalpindi to ease chronic traffic congestion and parking shortages in the city’s busiest commercial zone. According to a senior official from the Punjab Highways Department, the project will be built on eight kanals of vacant land in Jinnah Park. The structure will feature a basement and three upper floors, offering secure parking for over 1,000 vehicles. The official added that the project is in its final approval stage, with construction expected to begin soon. The plaza will serve motorists using…

Pakistan Railways has launched a newly upgraded railcar rake for its popular Lahore–Rawalpindi route, signaling continued efforts to enhance passenger comfort and service quality. The inauguration ceremony was held in Lahore, where Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Aamir Ali Baloch inspected the revamped coaches. Officials said the redesigned rake has been reinforced to endure challenging tracks while offering improved comfort, safety, and convenience. The refurbished railcar features several upgrades, including modern food and beverage services, better sanitation facilities, first-aid supplies, and improved seating arrangements, ensuring a more comfortable travel experience. Speaking at the event, CEO Aamir Ali Baloch stated that Pakistan…

Port Qasim is set for one of the most significant upgrades in its history as Pakistan positions the port to play a central role in achieving the country’s $100 billion revenue target, according to Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. Speaking on Monday, the minister said the expansion plan will strengthen Port Qasim’s status as a major industrial and trade hub in the region. He highlighted that the port was recently ranked among the world’s top 10 most improved container ports, reflecting Pakistan’s progress in adopting digital systems and modern cargo-handling technologies. The government’s upgrade roadmap includes…

Air Karachi, the country’s latest addition to the aviation industry, is set to take off on March 23, 2026, marking its official entry into Pakistan’s domestic flight network. The announcement was made at the inauguration ceremony of Air Karachi’s operations office at the Old Airport in Karachi, attended by high-profile dignitaries including PIA CEO Amir Hayat, Director General of Civil Aviation Nadir Shafiq, Secretary of Defense Lt. Gen. (Retd) Muhammad Ali, diplomats, and key business leaders. In his remarks, Lt. Gen. (Retd) Muhammad Ali praised the initiative, saying, “We are making efforts to take Pakistan to the position our founding…