Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday stressed the need for timely completion of key highway projects in the province, saying modern road infrastructure was vital for economic growth, tourism promotion and regional connectivity.

He expressed these views during a meeting with National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Capt (Retd) Asadullah here, where they reviewed progress on ongoing and proposed highway projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The meeting discussed the Hazara Expressway, Chakdara-Dir-Chitral Road, the Paniala Interchange under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the Dera Ismail Khan-Tibbi Qaisrani-Dera Ghazi Khan road project.

Matters relating to timely completion of the projects, availability of funds and provision of improved travel facilities to the public also came under discussion.

The Governor said projects such as the Hazara Expressway and Chakdara-Dir-Chitral Road would not only improve connectivity for people in northern districts but also create new opportunities for tourism, trade and investment.

Describing the Paniala Interchange as an important project on the western route of CPEC, Kundi said its early completion would boost commercial activities in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Dera Ismail Khan, and strengthen links with the national highway network.

He urged NHA authorities to accelerate work on all development schemes so that people could benefit from them at the earliest.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the dualisation of the Dera Ismail Khan-Dera Ghazi Khan Road.

The Governor proposed inclusion of the Naiwela and Parova bypass roads in the project, calling them a longstanding demand of the local population.

The NHA chairman informed the meeting that work on the Sherwan Interchange on the Hazara Expressway in Abbottabad would begin after the release of Rs 3.36 million in funds.

He said work on the Lowari Tunnel was in progress, while development regarding the Shah Isa Interchange was also underway.

Governor Kundi directed the NHA to take action over the substandard work on the Mastung-Chitral Road project and ensure its early completion. He was also briefed on the planned repair work on the Hakla-Dera Ismail Khan section of the CPEC route.

Islamabad: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) here on Thursday extended by seven days the physical remand of two arrested facilitators in the suicide bombing case at Imambargah Khadija-tul-Kubra.

Judge Abusl Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the case. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) produced the two facilitators, Wasifullah and Muhammad Shafiq, before the court and requested a 10-day extension in their physical remand.

The investigative officer informed the court that the suspects had been taken into custody by CTD Mardan.

Following permission from ATC Mardan, Islamabad Police formally arrested them.

The officer told the court that during interrogation, the suspects had revealed their role in facilitating the attack on the imambargah. They were allegedly involved in planning the suicide attack and providing financial assistance. It was also stated that the suspects had received money in Binance accounts to support the terrorists. A letter has been sent to the Virtual Currency Investigation Cell (VCIC) to verify the suspects’ accounts, and further investigation is required upon receipt of records from the VCIC.

After hearing arguments, the court approved a seven-day extension in the physical remand of both facilitators. The case was subsequently adjourned. A case has been registered against the suspects at the relevant police station in Islamabad.

Islamabad: Assistant Director Safe City Abbas Mehdi on reviewed live monitoring operations at the Police Operations Hall, directing officials to further enhance the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and smart surveillance systems for crime prevention and public safety.

An official told reporter on Thursday that Abbas Mehdi inspected the real-time monitoring system and reviewed the performance of AI-enabled surveillance cameras and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras being used across the federal capital.

He directed the Police Operations Hall to ensure effective monitoring for maintaining smooth traffic flow, identifying traffic violators, tracking criminal elements, shifting professional beggars to police stations and responding promptly to criminal incidents.

Abbas Mehdi also instructed the Operations Hall in-charge to keep senior police officers regularly informed about the law and order situation across the city and ensure prompt assistance to citizens contacting the Pucar-15 emergency helpline.

He further emphasized the effective use of AI-enabled tracker systems installed in police patrol vehicles to strengthen 24/7 policing, improve patrol efficiency and ensure the protection of citizens’ lives and property throughout the federal capital.

Safe City would continue to utilize modern technology and intelligent policing solutions to enhance operational effectiveness and deliver timely public services.

Islamabad: A National Assembly (NA) committee reviewing women’s participation in the workforce has rejected two official presentations, raised concerns over a 30 percentage gender pay gap, and called for a comprehensive national policy on the care economy.

The committee also reviewed measures aimed at increasing women’s employment, including the reduction of the minimum age for female overseas workers from 35 years to 25 years.

The Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming met at Parliament House here on Thursday under the chairmanship of Member National Assembly (MNA) Dr. Nafisa Shah. The meeting focused on female labour force participation, unpaid care work, domestic work, and policy reforms needed to improve women’s economic participation.

Committee members discussed the role of paid and unpaid care work in the economy and examined existing support systems and policy measures. Members stressed that Pakistan should develop its own national framework for the care economy instead of relying heavily on international organizations for policy direction.

The committee expressed concern over the absence of federal secretaries from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, the Ministry of Human Rights, and the Ministry of Planning and Development. Members said representation by junior officials weakened parliamentary oversight and accountability. The chairperson stated that senior officials must personally attend meetings dealing with national policy issues.

During the session, presentations were delivered by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, and development partners. Members questioned inconsistencies in female labour force participation data and sought explanations regarding survey methods, unpaid care work, domestic work, and women working in informal agriculture, including those engaged under the sharecropping system.

The committee was informed that investment in the care economy could create jobs, increase labour force participation, and contribute to economic growth. Members also reviewed the implementation of the Protection of Domestic Workers Act, 2022, and voiced concern over weak enforcement despite the notification of rules.

Discussions also covered the lack of legal recognition for care workers, insufficient registration systems for domestic workers, limited childcare facilities, and risks linked to unregulated domestic work.

Following deliberations, the committee recommended amendments to the Industrial Relations Act, 2012, to adopt gender-neutral language and formally recognize care workers. It also proposed a Care Worker Scorecard to monitor integration into the formal economy, a registration system for domestic workers, and expansion of daycare services.

The Ministry of Human Rights was directed to coordinate a joint policy briefing involving relevant ministries. PBS was instructed to clarify its statistical methodology and provide distinctions between unpaid work, domestic work, and care work.

The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development was asked to prepare policy proposals for training and overseas placement of female care workers, while the Planning Commission was tasked with developing a national policy framework for the care economy.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the quality of information provided, the committee formally rejected the presentations by PBS and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. Further discussion on the agenda was postponed until the next meeting, and the committee directed the concerned federal secretaries to attend personally with complete policy proposals.

The committee was also informed that the Pakistan Gender Pay Gap Report 2025 found women earn 30 percent less in monthly wages and 25 percent less in hourly wages than men. Officials highlighted ongoing initiatives under national and international labour programmes aimed at improving social protection, skills development, and formal employment opportunities.

Members were further briefed on overseas employment opportunities for women. Officials stated that reducing the minimum age requirement for female domestic workers seeking overseas jobs from 35 to 25 years is intended to expand regulated employment opportunities and increase women’s participation in the workforce.

The committee approved the minutes of its previous meetings before concluding the session. The meeting was

attended by senators, members of the National Assembly, and representatives from relevant ministries and government departments.

Islamabad: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) VVIP Security/Red Zone Capt. (R) Syed Zeeshan Haider visited the Foreign Office security checkpoints to inspect security arrangements and review the performance of police personnel deployed at the site.

An official told reporter on Thursday that the SSP Zeeshan inspected the security deployment and assessed the checking mechanism to ensure effective security at the sensitive installation.

Zeeshan briefed the officers on the nature of their duties and directed them to remain vigilant while performing security checks.

He also issued instructions to further improve the checking process, enhance professionalism, and ensure strict compliance with security protocols.

The SSP Zeeshan emphasized that maintaining high security standards at key installations remained a top priority and directed the deployed personnel to perform their duties with dedication, alertness and professionalism, the official added.

Islamabad: As political activity continues ahead of the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured another boost in Kotli’s LA-8 Raj Mahal constituency, where a senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader, local government representatives, lawyers, and community figures announced their decision to join the party.

The joining ceremony was held in Raj Mahal, Kotli, in the presence of Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam. The event saw the inclusion of several political figures and elected local representatives, adding to PML-N’s campaign efforts in the constituency.

Among the prominent leaders joining PML-N was senior PPP leader Chaudhry Muhammad Zaman Jangi, who entered the party along with hundreds of supporters. District councillors, union council chairmen, councillors, lawyers, and other local figures also announced their affiliation with PML-N.

Those who joined the party included Malik Shah Nawaz Zirayat, Malik Shahid Rashid Advocate, Chaudhry Ghulam Mustafa, Engineer Labib Aslam, council candidate Malik Sajid Habib, Malik Israr Fida, and Malik Sajid Manzoor Advocate, along with several other political workers and community leaders.

Engineer Amir Muqam welcomed the new members by presenting them with party caps and scarves. He said the central leadership of PML-N welcomed all new entrants and valued their decision to join the party.

Addressing the gathering, Amir Muqam said public trust remains the foundation of political work and pledged that the confidence shown by people would be respected. He noted that his own political career began through local government elections and said grassroots politics plays an important role in strengthening democratic institutions.

The federal minister also acknowledged party workers and candidates who withdrew from electoral contests in the interest of party discipline. He stated that unity, sacrifice, and organizational discipline remain important factors behind the party’s political progress.

Amir Muqam said the federal government is taking practical steps to address public issues and improve service delivery. He added that political stability and cooperation are necessary for achieving development goals and addressing the needs of citizens.

PML-N legislative assembly candidate Malik Nawaz thanked the newly joined leaders and workers for their support. He said the growing support for the party reflected public confidence in its policies and development agenda.

Malik Nawaz urged party workers to remain united and work collectively for the success of PML-N in the LA-8 constituency. He expressed confidence that cooperation among party leaders and workers would strengthen the election campaign in the area.

The ceremony was attended by Abdul Rehman Arain, Hanif Malik, Fateh Mahmood-ul-Hassan, party workers, community elders, and a large number of supporters.