Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Board of Investment, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh on Friday emphasized the need for collective efforts to ensure rapid progress and prosperity for the people of Pakistan.

Speaking to a news channel program, the minister said that all political parties, including the opposition, have a shared responsibility to work together for the country’s development and to improve the living standards of the common people. He urged the opposition, particularly the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to move beyond political differences and engage in constructive dialogue on the key challenges faced by the nation.

Commenting on the proposal for creating new provinces or administrative units, he said such reforms could strengthen governance, improve administrative efficiency, and enhance the delivery of public services across the country. He reiterated that national development required cooperation among all stakeholders and stressed the importance of prioritizing the public interest over political divisions.

In reply to a question, he said the government under the leadership and dynamic vision of the prime minister Shehbaz Sharif was working to increase foreign investment in the country.

Islamabad: The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI)-based weekly inflation decreased by 0.91 percent during the week ended on July 30, 2026, for the combined consumption group, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Friday.

According to PBS data, the SPI for the week under review declined to 357.61 points from 360.88 points recorded in the previous week. On a year-on-year basis, the SPI increased by 9.05 percent.

The weekly SPI, with base year 2015-16=100, covers 17 urban centres and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups.

The SPI for the lowest consumption group (up to Rs 17,732) decreased by 1.19 percent to 345.63 points from 349.80 points.

Likewise, the SPI for consumption groups of Rs 17,733-22,888, Rs 22,889-29,517, Rs 29,518-44,175 and above Rs 44,175 declined by 1.37 percent, 0.97 percent, 0.81 percent and 0.68 percent, respectively.

During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 27 items (52.94 percent) increased, six items (11.77 percent) decreased, while 18 items (35.29 percent) remained unchanged.

On a week-on-week basis, the items that witnessed decrease in prices included tomatoes which declined by 22.96 percent, followed by chicken 11.20 percent, electricity charges for Q1 9.06 percent, bananas 0.70 percent, sugar 0.16 percent and pulse moong 0.15 percent.

On the other hand, the prices of onions witnessed the highest increase of 7.62 percent, followed by diesel 4.17 percent, eggs 3.16 percent, petrol 2.46 percent, wheat flour 2.00 percent, potatoes 1.93 percent, LPG 1.90 percent, pulse gram 1.44 percent, vegetable ghee (2.5kg) 0.71 percent, pulse mash 0.69 percent, pulse masoor 0.64 percent and firewood 0.15 percent.

On the other hand, prices of tomatoes declined by 22.96 percent, followed by chicken 11.20 percent, electricity charges for Q1 9.06 percent, bananas 0.70 percent, sugar 0.16 percent and pulse moong 0.15 percent.

On a year-on-year basis, prices of potatoes declined by 30.89 percent, followed by pulse gram 19.89 percent, chicken 19.56 percent, sugar 17.48 percent, salt powder 14.09 percent, pulse masoor 12.80 percent, eggs 8.38 percent and pulse moong 7.38 percent over the corresponding week of last year.

Major annual increases were recorded in the prices of tomatoes by 228.71 percent, followed by onions 95.36 percent, wheat flour 78.65 percent, LPG 51.76 percent, diesel 37.42 percent, petrol 23.28 percent, gents sponge chappal 16.69 percent, mutton 16.06 percent, chilies powder 15.20 percent, bananas 14.69 percent, beef 13.44 percent and bread 9.69 percent, according to the PBS.

Islamabad: Following monsoon rains in the federal capital, the district administration launched a citywide response to address flooding in low-lying areas.

Acting on the directions of Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Yousaf, Assistant Commissioners remained in the field while drainage operations continued across residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and major roads.

Authorities reported that flooding in affected areas had been brought under control and traffic flow had been restored on all roads. The Islamabad district administration remained on high alert after monsoon rainfall triggered water accumulation in several low-lying parts of the city.

Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Yousaf supervised the situation through real-time monitoring of drainage operations and coordinated field activities with Assistant Commissioners and sanitation teams.

According to the administration, drainage work was carried out in various sectors and vulnerable locations where rainwater had collected. Teams worked continuously to remove standing water and prevent disruptions to daily movement. Officials said the situation in low-lying areas was brought under control after timely intervention by field staff.

Traffic movement, which had been affected in some locations due to water accumulation, was restored after drainage operations cleared roads and key routes. Additional sanitation workers were deployed in response to complaints regarding standing water in different parts of the city.

Sahibzada Yousaf said drainage activities were continuing across Islamabad to ensure that rainwater was removed from all affected areas. He added that preparations for the monsoon season had been completed before the arrival of heavy rains, including the cleaning of storm drains and waterways across the capital.

The ADC General stated that special monitoring teams had been formed to keep a close watch on drains during rainfall and respond quickly to any blockage or overflow. These teams remained active throughout the rain spell and coordinated with field officers to address emerging issues.

Officials further said Assistant Commissioners were present on the ground alongside sanitation staff to oversee operations and ensure uninterrupted drainage work. Monitoring of residential areas, business centers, and major roads was continuing to prevent further water accumulation and maintain normal traffic flow.

The district administration said all available resources would remain deployed during the monsoon season to respond to weather-related challenges and keep public services functioning without interruption.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Engineer Amir Muqam, on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in a gas explosion at the Sorange coal mine near Quetta, where several miners were killed.

According to initial reports, a large number of the victims belonged to Shangla district.

The minister contacted Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti by telephone and urged a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the tragedy, while the provincial government assured a full inquiry into the incident.

Expressing heartfelt condolences, Mr Muqam said the nation stood with the bereaved families in their hour of grief and sorrow.

During his conversation with Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, the federal minister stressed the need to determine the causes of the explosion and ensure accountability through an impartial investigation.

The Balochistan chief minister assured him that a complete probe would be conducted and all aspects of the incident would be thoroughly examined.

Mr Muqam also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls, the elevation of their ranks, and strength and patience for the families left behind.

The deadly explosion has triggered widespread grief across the country, particularly in Shangla, from where many of the deceased miners are believed to have originated, according to preliminary information.