Month: July 2026

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DPM/FM Dar expresses deep grief over losses in Japan’s devastating quake


Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Tuesday, expressed deep sorrow over the devastating earthquake that struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture.



In a message posted on his official X account, the DPM/FM conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the Government and people of Japan, particularly to the families who lost their loved ones.



He also wished a swift recovery for all those injured in the disaster.



‘Pakistan stands in solidarity with Japan during this difficult time, ‘ the statement said, underscoring Islamabad’s support for Tokyo in the aftermath of the tragedy.



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Power sector reforms cut circular debt, reduce DISCO losses: Power Division


Islamabad: The Power Division on Tuesday said circular debt in Pakistan’s power sector declined significantly during the last fiscal year, while losses of power distribution companies (DISCOs) continued to fall due to ongoing reforms.



According to the Power Division spokesperson, the power sector’s circular debt declined from Rs 2, 393 billion in fiscal year 2023-24 to Rs 1, 614 billion in FY 2024-25.



In the federal budget for FY 2025-26, a total of pkr 893 billion was allocated for the power sector; however, a deduction of pkr 98 billion was subsequently made. Had the power sector received the full allocated budgetary payment, the circular debt would have further reduced to pkr 1, 577 billion. Due to the budget deduction of pkr 98 billion, the circular debt witnessed an increase of pkr 61 billion during this fiscal year.



The losses of Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs), which stood at pkr 591 billion in FY 2023-24, dropped by pkr 193 billion to pkr 397 billion in FY 2024-25. During the current fiscal year, the Power Division has further reduced these losses from pkr 397 billion to pkr 326 billion. Over a two-year period, the Power Division has successfully curtailed overall losses by pkr 265 billion, bringing them down from pkr 591 billion to pkr 326 billion.



This reduction clearly demonstrates that the reforms implemented in the power sector were proving effective and yielding sustained positive outcomes, he added.



The aforementioned figures confirm that the reform process within the energy sector was progressing effectively. The budget deduction was merely a temporary financial factor rather than a reflection of any operational decline.



The Power Division remained committed to executing its reform agenda to ensure the energy sector becomes financially sustainable and reliable for consumers.



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Forest dept, Pak army launch monsoon plantation drive


Abbottabad: Gallies Forest Division and Dorr Watershed Forest division, in collaboration with the Pakistan Army, organized a tree plantation ceremony here at the army firing range as part of the monsoon tree plantation campaign 2026.



According to the Gallies Forest Division, officials of the forest department, including the Sub-Divisional Forest Officer (SDFO) Abbottabad and the Community Development Officer (CDO), attended the event. A total of 500 saplings of various species were planted during the ceremony.



Forest Department also handed over 10, 000 saplings to the Pakistan Army for plantation activities during the monsoon season to help expand green cover and strengthen environmental conservation efforts.



The initiative reflects the joint commitment of the Forest Department and the Pakistan Army to promoting afforestation and ensuring a greener environment for future generations.



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Commissioner reviews Punjab Development Programme projects in Sahiwal


Sargodha: Commissioner Sargodha Division Hafiz Shaukat Ali, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Sargodha Hussain Ahmad Raza Chaudhry, on Tuesday visited tehsil Sahiwal and reviewed development schemes being executed in the tehsil under the Punjab Development Programme (PDP).



According to the official spokesperson here, during the visit, the Commissioner reviewed the progress of rainwater drainage works and other ongoing development projects.



He directed the departments concerned to ensure that all schemes were completed within the stipulated timeframe without compromising on quality.



Emphasising transparency and accountability, Hafiz Shaukat Ali said that no compromise would be tolerated on construction standards. He instructed officials to ensure strict adherence to approved specifications, transparency in execution and the use of durable materials so that the public could benefit from sustainable, high-quality civic infrastructure.



Assistant Commissioner Sahiwal Khan Shamsuddin Khan, Assistant Director PDP Hamid Chattha and other concerned officers accompanied the Commissioner during the inspection.



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UNDP, Hashoo foundation mark completion of training programme


Peshawar: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan and Hashoo Foundation, in collaboration with the climate change, forestry, environment and wildlife department marked the completion of the training programme for Swat’s environmental human rights defenders and insider mediators here on Tuesday.



The programme is a milestone under ‘Empowering Women for Peace and Environmental Justice in Swat, ‘ part of UNDP’s Decentralization, Human Rights and Local Governance (DHL) Project. ‘



Forty Environmental Human Rights Defenders and Insider Mediators-20 women and 20 men-completed the two training cohorts. The initiative connects Women, Peace and Security, environmental justice and peace building by supporting women’s leadership, community dialogue and responsible engagement with public institutions.



Addressing the ceremony, Shahab Ali Shah, Chief Secretary of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, lauded the initiative. He emphasized that building localized conflict resolution frameworks and empowering environmental advocates are critical pillars for strengthening regional stability and addressing complex ecological transitions across the province.



Muhammad Junaid Khan, Secretary for the Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Department, delivered the opening remarks, outlining the department’s firm commitment to institutionalizing grassroots environmental defense networks.



‘Environmental pressures can also become peace building concerns. Floods, unmanaged waste, pressure on water and land, environmental degradation and climate risks affect livelihoods and can strain community relations, ‘ said Dr Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan. ‘Trained Environmental Human Rights Defenders and Insider Mediators do not replace public institutions. They can help identify concerns early, reduce misunderstanding, convene respectful dialogue, document issues responsibly and guide communities toward institutions with the mandate to respond. ‘, ” remarked Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, during his closing address.



Ten participants-five women and five men-shared reflections on behalf of the wider cohort. They reflected on applying dialogue and mediation to environmental concerns in Swat, supporting women’s participation and recognizing when an issue should be referred to institutions with the authority and technical capacity to respond. A video presentation documented the participants’ learning journey.



The trained community actors can help identify concerns early, convene inclusive dialogue and connect communities with environmental, disaster-management, justice and local-governance mechanisms.



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PM reviews progress on ‘Apna Ghar Scheme, ‘ directs faster implementation


Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Tuesday, reaffirmed that providing affordable housing to ordinary citizens remained one of the government’s top priorities.



He said the government had launched the Apna Ghar Scheme to enable low- and middle-income families to own a home.



The prime minister chaired a review meeting on the progress of the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme and directed the relevant authorities to accelerate the pace of its implementation, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.



He urged both public and private sector banks to maximize financing to ensure the success of the initiative.



He also instructed officials to formulate a comprehensive strategy for both vertical and horizontal housing development models under the scheme.



The meeting was attended by Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and other senior government officials.



During the meeting, officials briefed the Prime Minister on the progress made in financing under the Apna Ghar Scheme.



They informed him that banks had so far approved financing worth Rs204 billion, while Rs27 billion has already been disbursed.



The meeting was further informed that the Ministry of Housing and Works and the State Bank of Pakistan were conducting weekly reviews to monitor progress on the scheme.