Author: Faiza Liaquat

Pakistan is set to launch its first-ever Asan Khidmat Center in Islamabad by January 2026, marking a major step toward modernizing public service delivery and digital governance in the country. According to official sources, more than 60% of development work on the project has already been completed. The initiative is being led by the Ministry of IT and Telecom (MoITT) as part of its broader agenda to digitize government processes and make citizen services more accessible, efficient, and transparent. The Asan Khidmat Center is inspired by Azerbaijan’s successful, citizen-centric service delivery model. Earlier this year, Pakistan signed a Memorandum of…

The Organic Meat Company Limited (TOMCL) has secured a significant $5.2 million export order from Saudi Arabia’s Al Abeer Cold Store Trading Company for private-label frozen meat products. According to a notice sent to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the agreement was finalized on the sidelines of the FoodAg Exhibition in Karachi. Under the contract, TOMCL will supply frozen raw meat products that will be marketed under Al Abeer’s own brand in the Saudi market. Shipments are expected to commence once all contractual and regulatory requirements are fulfilled, with the total order to be executed over a period of 12…

The Punjab Masstransit Authority (PMA) has announced key details of the upcoming Murree Glass Train, an eco-friendly electric monorail project aimed at transforming travel between Islamabad and the popular hill station. According to PMA, the glass-walled train will operate from Lake View Park in Islamabad to a terminal near the Murree bus stand. The full journey is expected to take around 40 minutes, offering a faster, more comfortable, and environmentally friendly alternative to the often congested Murree Road. The monorail system will feature four stations along the route: To cater to different passenger segments, PMA has introduced two fare categories…

The Punjab government has announced a new initiative to promote Punjabi language, literature, and polite conversation in public schools across the province. Under the initiative, officials have directed schools to encourage students to use respectful and courteous words in Punjabi, such as “Tusi” (you) and “Assi” (we), instead of informal or offensive expressions. The move is aimed at strengthening cultural identity while fostering a culture of respect and good manners among students. The program also places a strong emphasis on regional diversity within the province. Schools in southern and northern Punjab have been instructed to promote Saraiki and Pothohari languages…

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional $48 million in financing to accelerate crucial water resource projects in Balochistan, reinforcing efforts to tackle the province’s chronic water scarcity and complete delayed infrastructure works. The support comes at a critical time, as Pakistan’s largest province by area continues to face worsening drought cycles, declining groundwater levels, and mounting climate-related pressures. The new funds will help ensure that stalled components of the Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project can now move forward. According to ADB, the financing will allow for: The bank noted that these interventions are essential to improving…

Pakistan has taken a significant step toward strengthening its digital economy with the launch of MARKAZ Industry Facilitation Center, a 24/7 support platform designed to assist IT companies, BPOs, call centres, and freelancers. The initiative, introduced by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), aims to streamline operational processes and provide unified guidance for the country’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem. MARKAZ is envisioned as a one-window solution that simplifies key procedures such as business registration, acquiring regulatory approvals, and meeting compliance requirements. The facility offers assistance with documentation and processes across major institutions, including the SECP, PTA, EOBI, Social Security departments,…

Pakistan’s aviation sector expanded on Monday with the formal launch of South Air, a new domestic airline that aims to strengthen regional connectivity and offer more accessible travel options across the country. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani described the launch as a “historic step” for Pakistan’s transport and economic landscape. He noted that South Air is expected to play an important role in connecting smaller and underserved cities in South Punjab, interior Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Gilani emphasized that stronger air links would not only make travel easier, but also support local development,…

Karachi’s crumbling road network is set for a substantial upgrade after Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah approved a Rs 25 billion reconstruction and rehabilitation package for the city. Presiding over a meeting at the CM House, Shah expressed concern over the worsening condition of roads and its impact on traffic congestion. He directed authorities to start work immediately, emphasizing that delays in rehabilitation were no longer acceptable given the daily hardship faced by commuters. During the briefing, officials informed the chief minister that 315 internal streets across Karachi require urgent repair and recarpeting. Shah approved the entire package and…

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has introduced a new online complaint redressal system aimed at making civic services in Islamabad faster, more transparent, and easier to access for citizens. Under the new mechanism, residents can lodge complaints by tagging CDA’s official social media accounts, including @cdathecapital and the chairman’s handle @RandhawaAli, allowing teams to respond more quickly on the ground. This initiative is part of CDA’s broader strategy to modernize municipal management and adopt digital tools for public facilitation. For years, residents have reported delays in resolving routine civic issues such as waste collection, streetlight repairs, water supply disruptions, and…

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the creation of hundreds of new government jobs as part of a major restructuring of its security apparatus. Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has formally separated the Special Branch from the provincial police, granting it the status of an independent intelligence unit. The decision is aimed at modernizing security operations and enhancing the province’s counterterrorism capacity at a time when KP continues to face evolving security threats. The Special Branch has long been responsible for intelligence gathering, verification, and explosive neutralization, and its role has become increasingly critical in recent years. Officials briefing the…