Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Saturday, said that late Supreme Leader Shaheed Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei’s wisdom, leadership and profound influence on Iran and the wider region would be remembered for generations.

‘Paid my respects and conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan, to the Government and brotherly people of Iran at the funeral ceremony of the late Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Shaheed Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei,’ the prime minister posted a message on X handle.

He further said to demonstrate solidarity with the Iranian people, he was accompanied by a high powered delegation including DPM Ishaq Dar, CDF and COAS Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, senior Parliamentarians, including Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, as well as senior Ministers and government officials.

‘As a brotherly neighbor, Pakistan stands with Iran in this time of grief,’ he added.

Islamabad: The prices of gold witnessed a decline in the local market on Saturday, with 24 karat gold per tola decreasing by Rs1,100 to settle at Rs439,836, according to rates issued by the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association.

Similarly, the price of 10 grams of 24 karat gold fell by Rs943 to Rs377,088, whereas 10 grams of 22 karat gold declined by Rs865 to Rs345,676.

In the international market, the price of gold decreased by $11 to $4,174 per ounce.

Meanwhile, the price of silver per tola decreased by Rs48 to Rs6,716, while the price of 10 grams of silver fell by Rs42 to Rs5,757.

The price of silver in the international market also decreased by $0.48 to $62.37 per ounce, the association reported.

Islamabad: Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law, said on Saturday that transparent and timely elections are the only way forward for resolving Azad Kashmir’s challenges, stressing that the elections will be conducted strictly under the constitution with no delay or postponement and reaffirmed confidence in the PML-N’s performance.

Speaking to a local media outlet, he said the PML-N remains committed to addressing Azad Kashmir’s issues on priority and ensuring development and prosperity.

Aqeel Malik said that preparations for the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections are in full swing as political activity intensifies.

He further said that the elections will be held in a peaceful and transparent manner under the legal and constitutional framework.

Responding to a question, he said PTI needs to demonstrate political maturity instead of making baseless allegations regarding the facilities being provided to its founder in jail.

He clarified that all basic and required facilities, including exercise, breakfast and a healthy routine are being provided in accordance with prison rules. He added that arrangements for communication with family members are also in place under legal procedures.

He further said that meetings have also been facilitated within the permitted framework, including interactions with family members and emphasized that all arrangements are being ensured in line with safety and security requirements.

To another question, he said that all prisoners are equal before the law and are treated in accordance with established legal and prison regulations.

He added that the Punjab government is taking commendable steps for prison reforms, aimed at improving facilities and ensuring better management of correctional institutions.

Islamabad: ‘Kahuta’ is a scenic hill destination in the Rawalpindi District where lush green landscapes cool mountain air and flowing waterfalls make it a popular summer attraction for tourists seeking relief from the intense heat of the plains and a peaceful escape into nature.

Kahuta has recently drawn growing attention as media reports continue to capture its untouched natural beauty, highlighting its lush green valleys, flowing waterfalls and refreshing mountain air that make it a standout summer destination in the Rawalpindi region.

Journalists and travel features describe it as a rising tourist hotspot where visitors seek relief from the intense heat of the plains and experience a peaceful escape into nature.

At the same time, vloggers and content creators have showcased Kahuta in travel videos, capturing moments of tourists enjoying the scenic views, trekking along green trails, and relaxing near waterfalls.

These vlogs have played a major role in promoting the area, visually presenting its charm and turning Kahuta into a popular attraction for viewers searching for new summer getaway spots.

‘Kahuta is a hidden gem near Islamabad and Rawalpindi, highly recommended for anyone looking for a quick nature escape,’ said one visitor, praising its cool weather, scenic waterfalls and peaceful surroundings as an ideal short trip destination close to the city.

‘Absolutely breathtaking place Kahuta’ s waterfalls and green hills are even more beautiful in real life than in pictures. Perfect summer escape from the heat,’ said a woman visitor while describing her comments in media report.

‘Visited with family and had a wonderful time. The cool breeze, natural views and peaceful environment make Kahuta a must-visit spot near Rawalpindi,’ said a young visitor with his friends.

‘One of the most refreshing places I have been to. Vlogs do not do it justice as the scenery is truly mesmerizing and relaxing,’ said a young vlogger.

‘Great experience overall. Clean, calm and full of natural beauty. Definitely coming back again in the summer,’ said another young traveler.

‘Waterfalls are surprisingly clean and well-preserved. Locals are really taking care of the area and it feels peaceful and safe,’ said a local resident.

‘Kahuta’ s natural streams are crystal clear and we make sure visitors keep it clean. It’s our pride,’ said another local.

In conclusion, Kahuta stands out as a naturally gifted destination where tourism is steadily gaining momentum due to its scenic waterfalls, cool climate, and untouched hill landscapes. The growing presence of visitors, media coverage and social media vlogs reflects its rising popularity as a summer escape.

Moving forward, the area’s appeal is expected to grow further as more travelers discover its beauty and share their experiences, making Kahuta an increasingly recognized spot for nature-based tourism and short recreational trips in the region.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Saturday, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, predictable and investment-friendly business environment, supported by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), to facilitate strategic investments in high-value sectors, particularly information and communication technologies.

The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with Chief Executive Officer of Turkcell, Ali Taha Koc, who called on him in Istanbul, Turkiye.

During the meeting, the prime minister underscored the importance of deepening Pakistan-Turkiye cooperation in the digital and technology sectors.

He shared the government’s vision of establishing a Pakistan-Turkiye Digital Corridor to strengthen regional digital connectivity, facilitate secure cross-border data flows, and advance the integration of digital infrastructure, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

Highlighting Pakistan’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the prime minister invited Turkcell to explore long-term collaboration with Pakistani institutions in areas including 5G deployment, network optimization, spectrum management, digital infrastructure and technology transfer.

He also encouraged the company to consider partnerships in the local manufacturing of telecommunications equipment, software development, digital skills development and capacity building, noting that such cooperation would strengthen Pakistan’s technology ecosystem while generating opportunities for innovation, employment and sustainable growth.

Ali Taha Koc appreciated the Government of Pakistan’s forward-looking digital transformation agenda and expressed Turkcell’s keen interest in exploring opportunities for collaboration in telecommunications, digital infrastructure and emerging technologies.

He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to working closely with the relevant Pakistani stakeholders to develop mutually beneficial partnerships that contribute to the shared economic and technological aspirations of Pakistan and Turkiye.

Islamabad: Access to affordable housing finance is set to become easier for citizens, particularly underserved and non-banking segments, as the Federal Government has approved the inclusion of lending Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) as Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Program (PM-APG).

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), recognizing the potential of NBFCs to expand housing finance, proposed their inclusion in the program.

The initiative will not only enhance the availability of housing loans but also strengthen the role of NBFCs in Pakistan’s financial sector, said a press release issued by the SECP on Saturday.

Under the scheme, non-banking housing finance companies and investment finance companies will provide housing loans of up to PKR 10 million, while microfinance companies will offer loans of up to PKR 5 million.

The inclusion of NBFCs will provide people with additional channels to access subsidized housing finance, especially those with limited access to traditional banking services. With their wider outreach, flexible financing models, and focus on underserved customers, NBFCs are expected to help more families move towards owning their first homes.

The Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Program aims to promote affordable housing by providing mark-up subsidies and risk coverage for housing finance. Under the scheme, eligible first-time home buyers can obtain loans for a maximum period of 20 years at a subsidized mark-up rate of 5 percent for the first 10 years.

To facilitate effective implementation, SECP has introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework enabling eligible lending NBFCs to provide housing finance directly through their own resources or in collaboration with other NBFCs, commercial banks, and development finance institutions.

SECP has also issued detailed guidelines covering eligibility criteria, operational procedures, prudential requirements, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure responsible and sustainable lending under the scheme.

The inclusion of NBFCs marks an important step towards improving financial inclusion and supporting the government’s vision of making home ownership more accessible and affordable for citizens across Pakistan.