Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Islamabad: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has reduced the mandatory parking requirement for high-rise commercial buildings, allowing one parking space for every 1, 000 square feet of covered area instead of the previous standard of one space per 750 square feet.

The decision was approved at the 10th CDA Board meeting of 2026, chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Sohail Ashraf at the CDA headquarters on Saturday.

According to the authority, the revised regulation brings Islamabad’s parking standards in line with those followed by regulatory bodies in other cities and is aimed at facilitating commercial construction and investment.

The board was informed that the previous requirement had posed challenges for builders and developers, who in some cases were required to excavate up to six basement levels to meet parking requirements, creating structural and safety concerns.

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with the business community, builders and developers, had repeatedly sought a revision of the rule.

The new parking standard takes immediate effect and will also apply to commercial plots to be offered in the CDA’s open auction scheduled for Aug 4-6, as well as future commercial plot auctions.

The authority said the auction terms and conditions would be amended accordingly. The CDA said the revised policy would simplify the approval of commercial building plans and help boost construction activity in the federal capital.

Chairman Sohail Ashraf said the authority would continue introducing facilitative measures to promote planned urban development, investment and construction in Islamabad.

Islamabad: Pakistan Romania Business Council (PRBC), Advisor and Chief Operating Officer Atif Farooqi, and Chairman Sohail Shamim Firpo called on DIG Mazhar Nawaz Shaikh at the Sindh Police Central Police Office to discuss matters of mutual interest, with a particular focus on Pakistan’s investment climate, institutional stability, and the importance of coordinated engagement between the business and law enforcement communities.

During the meeting, the PRBC representatives underscored that sustained dialogue with senior law enforcement officials remains essential for promoting bilateral trade and building confidence among international investors, said a press release issued here.

They noted that in an increasingly complex and often confusing environment for foreign direct investment in Pakistan, constructive interaction with public institutions helps reinforce transparency, predictability, and trust.

DIG Mazhar Nawaz Shaikh, a senior outstanding officer of Police Service of Pakistan with over 25 years of experience in policing, revenue administration, magistracy, and banking, was recognized for his distinguished career in counter-terrorism operations, inter-provincial crime control, and institutional reform. His reputation for integrity, inter-agency coordination, and results-oriented leadership was acknowledged as reflective of Pakistan’s broader commitment to rule of law and a secure business environment.

According to Atif Farooqi, Advisor and Chief Operating Officer of the Pakistan Romania Business Council, the Council continues to engage senior law enforcement and administrative officials as part of its broader efforts to promote bilateral trade, strengthen investor confidence, and contribute to a clearer, more stable environment for foreign direct investment in Pakistan.

PRBC reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining regular engagement with senior officials across relevant state institutions to advance bilateral trade objectives, support investor confidence, and contribute positively to Pakistan’s economic outreach efforts. The Council emphasized that a stable, secure, and well-coordinated institutional framework is vital for attracting and retaining foreign direct investment.

Islamabad: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi has said that voluntary blood donation is not merely an act of charity but a national, humanitarian and moral responsibility that can save countless precious lives.

He emphasized that ensuring the availability of safe blood is essential for strengthening Pakistan’s healthcare system and fostering a compassionate society.

He expressed these views while addressing the Annual Blood Conference 2026, jointly organized by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and Blood Chain Pakistan, said a press release issued on Saturday.

He observed that thousands of patients, including victims of road accidents, children suffering from thalassemia, cancer patients and others facing medical emergencies, depend on the timely availability of blood.

“A single blood donation can mean the difference between life and death, ” he remarked, urging citizens, particularly the youth, to actively participate in this noble cause.

Governor Kundi appreciated the organization’s focus on empowering young volunteers, saying that Pakistan’s youth possess the energy and commitment to transform society through organized community service.

He assured the organizers of his full support in expanding voluntary blood donation networks, strengthening awareness campaigns and promoting initiatives aimed at saving lives.

Speaking on the occasion, President ICCI Sardar Tahir Mehmood, said that saving one human life is equivalent to saving the whole of humanity, adding that regular voluntary blood donation is a social responsibility that every healthy citizen should embrace.

He recalled that during his student days, he and his friends remained readily available whenever blood was needed, emphasizing that blood donation is a safe practice that never weakens a healthy individual.

Sardar Tahir Mehmood paid rich tribute to Blood Chain Pakistan and its volunteers for their selfless efforts in supporting patients and families battling thalassemia, cancer and other blood-related diseases.

He stressed that such organizations represent hope for thousands of families facing medical emergencies.

Reaffirming ICCI’s commitment to public welfare, he announced that the Chamber would continue extending its full support to Blood Chain Pakistan by facilitating awareness campaigns, encouraging its members to participate in voluntary blood donation drives and providing its platform for future conferences and community initiatives.

The Governor, along with the ICCI President, SVP, VP and other also planted a sapling at the ICCI lawn.

Islamabad: Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani Saturday expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Member of the National Assembly Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, paying rich tribute to his parliamentary, political, and public services.

In his condolence message, the Chairman Senate said that with the passing of Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, the country has lost a sincere, dedicated, and people-centric public representative.

He remarked that the late parliamentarian rendered valuable services for the promotion of democratic values and remained committed to serving the people throughout his political and parliamentary career.

Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar on the demise of his father and extended his sympathies to the bereaved family.

He assured them of his solidarity during this difficult time.

The Chairman Senate prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace, and bless the bereaved family with patience and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Islamabad: The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad has ruled in favour of Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal in a defamation case and ordered former federal minister Murad Saeed to pay Rs 2. 5 million in damages.

The court found that allegations of Rs 70 billion corruption made against Ahsan Iqbal were not supported by evidence and had harmed his reputation.

Additional Sessions Judge Hakim Khan announced the verdict, stating that the accusations made by Murad Saeed amounted to defamation. The court observed that the allegations included claims of corruption, misuse of authority and receiving illegal commissions, all of which were found to be unproven during the proceedings.

According to the judgment, the statements had affected Ahsan Iqbal’s reputation and public standing. The court noted that the allegations created a negative impression among citizens and directly targeted his integrity, character and credibility.

The case stemmed from a press conference held in 2019 when Murad Saeed was serving as a federal minister. During the media briefing, he accused Ahsan Iqbal of corruption in the Multan-Sukkur Motorway project and claimed that financial irregularities worth Rs 70 billion had taken place.

Ahsan Iqbal later filed a defamation suit seeking Rs10 billion in damages. After reviewing the record, the court decided to award Rs 2. 5 million as compensation.

The judgment also highlighted that Murad Saeed neither appeared before the court nor submitted evidence to support the allegations made during the press conference. The absence of proof played a key role in the court’s findings.