Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON, Engr Amir Muqam, has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of the eldest son of Ali Akbar, Joint Secretary of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council.

The minister prayed for the departed soul, asking Allah Almighty to grant him forgiveness, elevate his ranks, and bless him with the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous.

He also extended his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family, said a statement issued here.

He prayed that Allah Almighty grant the deceased His mercy and bestow patience and resilience upon the bereaved family as they cope with this tragic loss.

Islamabad: Pakistan’s rapid population growth is putting greater pressure on water, land and public services and could undermine efforts to build resilience against climate change, a climate ministry official warned on Saturday.

Speaking on World Population Day, Mohammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, told reporter that demographic pressures were increasingly intersecting with floods, droughts, heatwaves and other climate-related hazards.

Pakistan’s population is estimated at around 259 million and is growing at approximately 2.55 per cent annually. If the current trend continues, the population could exceed 300m within the next five years and approach 400m by 2050, he said.

‘Every additional million people requires more water, food, energy, housing, schools, hospitals, transport infrastructure and employment opportunities,’ Shaikh said.

He described population growth as a ‘climate risk multiplier’, arguing that rising demand for natural resources was coinciding with declining water availability and environmental degradation.

Pakistan records nearly 6.7m births annually. According to figures cited by the official, wider access to voluntary family planning could reduce annual population growth by around 1.5m people while improving maternal and child health outcomes.

The country’s total fertility rate stands at 3.6 children per woman. Nearly 40 per cent of children under five are stunted, 18pc are wasted and 29pc are underweight.

Around 11,000 women die from pregnancy-related causes each year, while approximately 140,000 infants die before their first birthday, according to figures cited by the ministry.

Shaikh said improved access to reproductive healthcare and voluntary family planning could help prevent thousands of maternal and infant deaths.

The demographic outlook also poses significant infrastructure and employment challenges. Population Council estimates suggest the country could require another 57,000 primary schools, 15.5m houses and nearly 104m new jobs by 2050 if current population trends persist.

Shaikh said rapid urbanisation and population growth were also contributing to groundwater depletion, deforestation, land degradation, biodiversity loss, waste generation and air pollution.

Although Pakistan contributes less than one per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains highly exposed to the effects of climate change, making efficient management of natural resources increasingly important, he said.

Climate adaptation, he added, could not be confined to flood protection infrastructure and tree plantation programmes.

‘It also requires investing in voluntary family planning, girls’ education, women’s empowerment, reproductive healthcare, clean water, sanitation and sustainable urban planning,’ he said.

Shaikh said federal and provincial institutions were considering policy options, in consultation with development partners and civil society organisations, to address population pressures and improve resource efficiency.

He called for closer coordination between population, climate and development policies, saying population stabilisation was essential to environmental sustainability and long-term economic development.

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari, Saturday, extended felicitations to the President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, the Government and the people of Mongolia on their National Day.

‘In his message, the President highlighted that this occasion commemorates Mongolia’s proud history, rich cultural heritage and the enduring spirit of its people.

He noted that the Naadam Festival, renowned for its traditional sports of wrestling, archery and horse racing, beautifully reflects Mongolia’s vibrant civilization and the deep pride of its people,’ President Secretariat Media Wing said in a press release.

President Zardari said that Pakistan and Mongolia enjoyed warm and cordial relations founded on mutual trust, shared values and cooperation at regional and multilateral fora.

He emphasised that growing collaboration in trade and commerce, agriculture, capacity building and people-to-people exchanges reflects the positive momentum in their bilateral relations.

The president expressed his firm confidence that the friendship between the two countries would continue to grow stronger in the years ahead, guided by shared aspirations for peace, amity and sustainable development.

Islamabad: Balochistan coal miners and their families received over Rs260 million in welfare assistance under the death and marriage grant schemes during the seven-year period from 2019 to 26.

According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, a total of 641 cases were supported during the period, including 307 death grant cases and 334 marriage grant cases.

The disbursements highlight the continued dependence of mine workers and their families on welfare support in a province where coal mining remains one of the most difficult and hazardous occupations.

According to the data, death grants accounted for the largest share of assistance, with Rs173.24 million disbursed in 307 cases.

For the 2019-20 fiscal year, the document lists two separate entries under death grants: 72 cases totaling Rs 36 million and 64 cases totaling Rs 32 million. Combined, these represent 136 cases and Rs 68 million in disbursements.

In 2020-21, death grant support was provided in 29 cases, with Rs15.3 million released. The number declined to 25 cases in 2021-22, involving Rs15 million. In 2022-23, 27 cases were supported with Rs14.8 million, while 18 cases were covered in 2023-24 with Rs11 million disbursed.

The death grant cases rose again in 2024-25, when 53 cases were provided with Rs33.94 million. During 2025-26, 19 death grant cases were recorded, with Rs15.2 million disbursed.

Marriage grants were provided in 334 cases, totaling Rs 87.7 million during the period. This includes 33 cases receiving Rs 3.3 million in 2019-20, and 58 cases supported with Rs 7.8 million in 2020-21.

In 2021-22, Rs9.6 million was released in 48 marriage grant cases. The number fell to 31 cases in 2022-23, with Rs6.2 million disbursed. However, the amount increased sharply in 2023-24, when 61 cases received Rs23.60 million.

The highest number of marriage grant cases was recorded in 2024-25, with 70 cases receiving Rs24 million. During 2025-26, 33 cases were supported with Rs13.2 million.

Overall, death grants represented about two-thirds of total welfare disbursements, reflecting the financial support extended to families after the loss of life in the mining sector.

Marriage grants made up the remaining share and were aimed at supporting miners’ families in meeting social and household expenses.

The figures indicate that welfare disbursements for Balochistan’s coal miners have continued across successive years, though annual amounts and case numbers varied. The data also underlines the need for stronger safety, monitoring, and social protection mechanisms for coal miners, whose work remains exposed to serious occupational risks.

Islamabad: With young people facing growing challenges ranging from unemployment and climate vulnerability to limited opportunities to participate in public decision-making, a new EUR 1.2 million initiative co-funded by the European Union aimed to equip the next generation with the skills, opportunities and leadership needed to drive inclusive economic growth and sustainable development across Pakistan.

Launched in Lahore and Karachi, the project MANZIL (Youth Leadership Transforming Communities for Inclusive Economic Growth, Climate Action and Good Governance) will directly support approximately 4,000 vulnerable young women and men and strengthen 40 youth-led organizations across Rawalpindi, Lahore, Mirpurkhas and Sanghar.

The initiative is designed to help young people move beyond being beneficiaries of development programmes to becoming entrepreneurs, climate champions, community leaders and active partners in local governance, said a press release.

Pakistan is home to one of the world’s largest youth populations, presenting both a significant opportunity and a pressing development challenge. While young people possess the energy and potential to drive economic growth and social progress, many continue to face barriers to employment, entrepreneurship, civic participation and access to resources.

At the same time, climate change is placing increasing pressure on livelihoods and communities, particularly in vulnerable districts. MANZIL responds to these interconnected challenges by investing in youth as drivers of long-term resilience and inclusive development.

Financially supported by the European Union, the initiative is being implemented by Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) in partnership with Civil Society Support Programme (CSSP) and Shirakat Foundation.

MANZIL will help young people develop market-relevant skills, establish and expand livelihoods, strengthen leadership capacities and design locally led climate solutions that address challenges within their own communities. The programme will also strengthen youth-led organisations so they can deliver sustainable development initiatives, mobilise communities and engage constructively with public institutions long after the project concludes.

Recognising that inclusive development requires inclusive participation, MANZIL places particular emphasis on ensuring opportunities for women and girls, persons with disabilities, transgender persons, faith minorities and young people from historically marginalised communities.

Speaking at the launch, representatives highlighted that investing in youth is essential to Pakistan’s future prosperity and resilience.

Dr. Sebastien Lorion, Acting Head of Cooperation, the European Union Delegation in Pakistan said, ‘European Union proudly supports MANZIL. When young people have a voice, opportunities and recognition, societies become more innovative, more resilient and more just. And in Pakistan, this matters enormously. This is a country with extraordinary youth potential.’

Stephen Kent, County Director, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) said, “MANZIL is built on the belief that young people are not simply beneficiaries of development, they are leaders, innovators and partners in creating lasting change. By strengthening their skills, organizations and connections with public institutions, we are investing in solutions that will continue benefiting communities well beyond the life of this project.”

The initiative adopts an integrated approach that combines entrepreneurship development, leadership and management training, climate resilience, organisational strengthening and youth-led community action. It will also facilitate stronger collaboration between young people, civil society organisations and relevant government institutions to improve dialogue, encourage inclusive decision-making and create an enabling environment for youth leadership.

Building on partnerships and community engagement structures established through previous initiatives, MANZIL seeks to strengthen local ownership and institutional capacity, ensuring that youth-led organisations continue contributing to inclusive governance, climate resilience and local economic development after the project ends.

By investing in young people’s ideas, leadership and potential today, MANZIL aims to create stronger local institutions, more resilient communities and greater economic opportunities for the next generation, demonstrating that empowering youth is not only a social investment, but a strategic investment in Pakistan’s future.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Saturday said the digital capabilities and technical skills of young people were the guarantee of Pakistan’s bright future.

In her message on World Population Day, the minister said efforts were underway to equip the country’s youth with modern technology and world-class digital facilities.

Shaza Fatima said empowering women economically through digital education and IT training was among the government’s top priorities.

She said Pakistani women were playing a positive role globally, with support from the IT sector.

In line with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s vision, she said the government was working to improve internet connectivity and build a Digital Pakistan.