Author: Shahnila Butt

In a bid to safeguard the health and well-being of Islamabad’s residents, Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah has underscored the crucial role of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in ensuring access to clean drinking water for all citizens. His remarks come in the wake of alarming findings from the Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), which revealed contamination in water samples obtained from Parliament Lodges and Parliament House. Expressing deep concern over the lapses in water management highlighted by the PCRWR report, Deputy Speaker Shah convened a high-level meeting with senior CDA officials to address the pressing…

In a concerted effort to combat the burgeoning waste crisis in Punjab, the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) spearheaded a month-long cleanliness campaign under the directive of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The initiative, which saw the active participation of over 3,000 dedicated workers, aimed to transform all union councils in Rawalpindi into zero-waste zones. Throughout the duration of the campaign, each union council received meticulous attention, with two full days dedicated to manual cleaning and drain desilting activities. The tireless efforts of the workforce culminated in the clearance of a staggering 25,000 tonnes of garbage, marking a significant stride…

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, undertook a visit to Rawalpindi to oversee the progress of the Safe City Project and inspect the ongoing construction of a service center located at Liaquat Bagh. During his visit, Dr. Usman Anwar reiterated the importance of completing the Safe City Project within the stipulated timeline to ensure enhanced citizen service delivery and bolster security measures in the region. The ambitious project, with an estimated cost of Rs3.5 billion, aims to install a total of 1,886 CCTV cameras across 306 strategic locations, primarily concentrated in the Red Zone of Rawalpindi. These…

Islamabad is set to undergo a significant transformation in its public transport system with the introduction of 30 electric buses from China, marking the beginning of a broader initiative that will see a total of 150 buses arriving soon. Previously these buses gained popularity in Uzbekistan and now they are all set to increase public transport. The buses, dispatched from China, are expected to reach Karachi within three weeks before making their way to Islamabad in May following customs clearance procedures. Upon arrival, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) will oversee the initial operation of these buses through the National Radio…

Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) is taking a stern stance against defaulters, vowing to achieve a 100% recovery of outstanding dues. Dr. Mohammad Amjad Khan, the CEO of IESCO, has underscored the importance of service quality and implementing anti-theft measures to ensure a fair and sustainable electricity distribution system. Since September, IESCO has been actively collaborating with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and law enforcement agencies to crack down on defaulters. This concerted effort has resulted in the recovery of a substantial amount totaling Rs2.55 billion from over 100,000 defaulters. Measures such as the removal of meters and transformers, along…

This update comes after nearly a year of testing, initially observed by beta testers, demonstrating the app’s commitment to adhering to Google’s Material Design guidelines, as reported by WABetaInfo. Although WhatsApp introduced and then removed the modification in June and September of 2023, it has now been reintroduced and recently gained attention once again. Unlike previous tests that impacted specific handsets, the recent testing conducted last week involved linked Android phones that were previously unaffected. The redesigned tab bar, located at the bottom of the screen, now features four tabs: Chats, Updates, Communities, and Calls. This marks a departure from…

In Islamabad, the government is preparing to establish a specialized Mines and Minerals Division, signaling a concerted push to expedite mining endeavors and bolster Pakistan’s economic growth. Balochistan, abundant in mineral resources, is currently witnessing concerted efforts to expedite mining operations following an out-of-court settlement with a foreign firm regarding the Reko Diq copper and gold mining project. The CEO of Barrick Gold, based in Toronto, Canada, has been actively engaged, particularly since Shehbaz Sharif assumed office as the Prime Minister. A recent meeting between the Prime Minister and the CEO in Lahore saw assurances from the government regarding robust…

The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) has undertaken significant strides to ensure access to learning materials for all children, regardless of their location. Recognizing the complexities of the modern world, which include issues like climate change, food security, pandemics, and natural disasters, the need for an education system that equips youth with not only fundamental knowledge but also the ability to apply it in diverse and challenging scenarios has become paramount. Recent challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the devastating floods of September 2022 in Pakistan have highlighted the fragility of existing education systems and underscored…

Babar Azam, the renowned cricket figure and former Pakistan captain, recently embarked on a spiritual journey to Saudi Arabia, following his participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9. After completing the Umrah pilgrimage during the holy month of Ramadan, Babar Azam proceeded to Madina to pay homage at the Prophet’s Mosque, the second holiest site in Islam. Sharing his experience with his followers on Instagram, Babar Azam posted a video of himself performing ablution in front of the Green Dome, a significant symbol atop the Prophet Muhammad’s grave within the mosque premises. In his caption, Babar expressed deep…

Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Raza Amiri Moghaddam, recently extended a courtesy visit to Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, the Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives. This meeting was marked by discussions on potential areas of collaboration in anticipation of the upcoming visit by Iran’s President to Pakistan. Highlighting the longstanding relations between the two nations, Minister Ahsan Iqbal stressed the significance of bolstering connectivity through trade routes, given the substantial 900-kilometer shared land and maritime border. He emphasized the necessity of efficient road and rail transit routes to enhance economic cooperation, aiming to significantly increase the current $2.5 billion trade…