ISLAMABAD: The federal government has given the green light to a high-speed rail project aimed at connecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi, cutting travel time between the twin cities to just 20 minutes.

The initiative is designed to provide commuters with a fast and affordable transport option while reducing fuel consumption and easing traffic congestion. Officials say the project will also support economic activity and environmental sustainability.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting on Monday, jointly chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the Federal Interior Secretary, Secretary Railways, CDA Chairman, Rawalpindi Commissioner, Islamabad Police Inspector General, and representatives of the Frontier Corps were also present.

According to the plan, the Ministry of Railways will develop the track infrastructure, while the Capital Development Authority (CDA) will manage the service. The framework agreement for the project is expected to be signed next week. The government has also decided to import modern trains to ensure efficient, safe, and comfortable travel.

Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi hailed the upcoming service as a landmark project for public welfare, saying it will make daily commuting between the two cities quick and convenient. Minister of State Talal Chaudhry added that the service would be a low-cost, high-speed solution that will ease the burden on existing road networks.

Officials emphasised that the rail link represents a transformative step in urban transportation, setting the stage for modernised, sustainable travel in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region.

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has intensified efforts to turn Islamabad into Pakistan’s first cashless city by rolling out the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Raast QR code system across markets and public spaces.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting held at CDA Headquarters on Thursday, chaired by Member Administration and Estate Talat Mehmood on the instructions of CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa. The session was attended by officials from commercial banks, the SBP, and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration.

Officials briefed participants that the Raast QR code, already operational at weekly bazaars, will now be introduced at Class III markets, shopping centres, and major commercial hubs. CDA Member Finance Tahir Naeem said strong measures were being implemented to ensure that one unified QR code is displayed for all categories of transactions throughout the capital.

To monitor the rollout, a digital dashboard has been created to gather real-time data from banks. The meeting also underlined the need for awareness campaigns to encourage citizens and traders to embrace Raast as a secure and transparent digital payment solution.

CDA officials noted that the Raast system would play a central role in Islamabad’s transition to a digital economy, ensuring faster, safer, and more reliable transactions. Talat Mehmood said the CDA was coordinating efforts through a steering committee comprising CDA, MCI, ICT, and partner banks.

Once again, the two traditional rivals and giants of cricket; India and Pakistan collide on the grand stage of Dubai for Asia Cup 2025. Rivalries are common in sport, but this one transcends the field, it’s culture, history, and passion rolled into one. 

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, the cricketing world will once again tune in as the two neighbors square off in the Asia Cup.

Time, Ticket, Date, Location

The Group A encounter has already set pulses racing. Scheduled for 6:30 PM local time (14:30 GMT) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the match is expected to attract not only sell-out crowds but also millions of viewers worldwide. 

Online tickets are available exclusively through Platinumlist.net, while offline tickets can be purchased from box offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As expected, demand is feverish, after all, who wouldn’t want to say they watched India and Pakistan live under the lights of Dubai?

Pakistan’s Winning Start | 93-Run Win Against Oman

Pakistan come into the clash high on confidence, having cruised past Oman in their opening game. A 93-run win sent a clear message: even without their biggest names, this team means business. 

Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive knock at the top set the tone, while Shaheen Afridi reminded everyone why he is among the most feared new-ball bowlers in the world. Captain Salman Agha led from the front, earning praise for a calm yet attacking approach. 

Analysts say the decisive factor was Pakistan’s bowling depth, with multiple options to squeeze the opposition.

Coach Mike Hesson echoed that view and explained Pakistan’s selection strategy after the controversial omission of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan:

“Being honest about your assessment of players is pretty important. Looking at things objectively is important. What I have alluded to is the way the modern game is played and the strike rates required, particularly in good conditions.”

Hesson also fired a quiet warning to India, highlighting Pakistan’s spin options:

“I guess the beauty of our side is we’ve got five spinners. We’ve got Mohammed Nawaz, who’s the best spin bowler in the world at the moment… and obviously we’ve had Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem doing as well as they have.”

India vs Pakistan Stats – Past Asia Cup Matches 

Whenever India and Pakistan meet, statistics are dusted off like old family albums. In 19 Asia Cup encounters, India has the edge with 10 wins, while Pakistan has claimed 6, and 3 matches ended without a result. 

The last time these two sides met earlier this year, India clinched victory in a tight finish, once again proving why this matchup is rarely one-sided.

Add to that the fact that India are the defending Asia Cup champions, having dismantled Sri Lanka in the 2023 final, and the storyline becomes even juicier. Numbers say India usually hold the upper hand, but Pakistan’s habit of springing surprises makes every clash unpredictable.

Squads & Selection | Who’s in Who’s Out

Both teams arrive in Dubai with lineups that have stirred plenty of chatter.

For India, captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill headline a youthful but balanced squad. Exciting names like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma are in, alongside experienced campaigners Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav. Yet, several established players are missing: Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul were left out, Rishabh Pant continues his recovery, and Mohammed Siraj didn’t make the cut. 

It’s a bold approach by selectors, prioritizing form and flexibility over reputation.

After India’s comfortable win over UAE in their opener, Surya Kumar Yadav praised the team’s clinical approach:

“Wanted to see how the wicket was playing. It was the same in the second innings. Clinical performance from the boys, we wanted good attitude and energy on the field and that’s what we got.”

He also underlined the importance of spinners in Dubai’s heat:

“The wicket looked good but it was on the slower side and the spinners have a role. Here it is very hot right now and Kuldeep did well, got good support from Hardik, Dube and Bumrah.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s clash, the Indian skipper kept it simple but exciting:

“Everyone is excited for the game against Pakistan.”

Pakistan’s squad selection stole even bigger headlines. Longtime batting pillars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were both dropped, a decision that raised eyebrows across cricketing circles. 

Stepping in as captain is Salman Agha, with Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf carrying the responsibility. 

Former greats have weighed in: Wasim Akram called the decision to drop Babar “a brave gamble,” while Harbhajan Singh suggested India’s squad was “refreshingly balanced, with youth and experience in harmony.”

Views of General Public and Analysts

While fans are hyped, politics has added its usual layer of noise. Some voices in India have called for boycotts of cricketing ties with Pakistan, especially after tensions spiked between the two nations in May 2025. 

To sidestep complications, the Asian Cricket Council settled on Dubai as the neutral venue, a city that has long hosted this high-stakes rivalry with relative ease.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal also reminded both sides that while aggression is natural, it must stay in check:

“Aggression is the beauty of an India-Pakistan match. How to take that aggression is the key. Respect should be there. Players will have to remember cricket is a gentleman’s game. If they keep that in mind, I am sure Sunday’s match will go untroubled.”

Weather & Pitch Report

Fortunately for the organizers and fans, Sunday’s forecast is clear skies and pleasant conditions, no rain clouds to spoil the party. The Dubai pitch is traditionally friendly to batsmen, though the dew factor in the second innings often makes chasing easier. 

Expect spinners to come into play during the middle overs, while fast bowlers like Bumrah and Shaheen will look to make early inroads with the new ball.

The Final Word

India vs Pakistan is never just another cricket match. It’s a spectacle, a carnival, sometimes even a stress test for fans’ heart rates. Both sides come armed with new lineups, bold strategies, and points to prove. 

India wants to defend its crown, Pakistan wants to show that life after Babar and Rizwan can still sparkle.

Whatever happens on Sunday, one thing is certain: when these two teams collide, cricket takes center stage. Politics can wait, calculators can rest, and fans can simply enjoy the drama. 

Because India–Pakistan matches are not just contests, they’re chapters in a never-ending story, and the next one is about to be written under the Dubai lights.

For more informative and interesting articles e.g Flash Floods in Punjab 2025, visit Chakor blogs!

This is the 17th edition of the Asia Cup, first held in 1983 as an ODI tournament. Since 2016, the event has alternated between the ODI and T20I formats. The 2025 edition returns to the 20-over format as a lead-up to the T20 World Cup next year.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s flagship Reko Diq copper and gold mining venture is set to achieve long-awaited financial closure by late September or early October, according to senior officials, marking a milestone for the country’s mining and investment sector.

Situated in Balochistan’s Chagai district, the project is projected to generate nearly $74 billion in free cash flows over a 37-year span, positioning it as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s future economic framework.

At recent Annual General Meetings, the boards of state-owned OGDCL, PPL, and GHPL formally approved an additional $715 million in costs, bringing the total to $7.48 billion. The revised figure accounts for inflation, commodity price volatility, and lender-imposed contingencies. Officials, however, stressed that strict cost discipline could still keep execution within the original $6.765 billion estimate.

Construction is slated to begin in December 2025, with commercial production targeted for 2028. The project’s financing plan rests on a 50:50 equity-to-debt ratio, providing room for both domestic and international investment without excessive borrowing. Oversight lies with the Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC), a special-purpose entity jointly owned by Barrick Gold and the governments of Pakistan and Balochistan.

Barrick Gold, the lead operator, controls 50 percent of the venture. The remaining half is split equally, with the Government of Pakistan holding its share through OGDCL, PPL, and GHPL, while the Government of Balochistan retains 25 percent. That provincial share includes a 10 percent free-carried interest and 15 percent fully funded equity underwritten by the federal government, ensuring Balochistan’s participation without financial exposure.

The project has already drawn major international financiers. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has committed $700 million, including a $400 million subordinated loan secured on the balance sheets of Pakistan’s SOEs—structured without sovereign guarantees, a first for projects of this scale. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has followed with a $300 million loan, its first mining-sector financing in four decades, along with a $110 million credit guarantee to strengthen Balochistan’s stake.

Talks are also advancing with US EXIM Bank, Export Development Canada, and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), with further commitments expected soon.

Beyond mining, RDMC has pledged $350–400 million in bridge financing for Pakistan Railways’ ML-2 and ML-3 upgrades, creating a direct link from the mine to Port Qasim for mineral exports. The upgrades are expected to be ready by the time production begins in 2028.

Lahore – The historic Neela Gumbad is set for a Rs. 2.45 billion redevelopment to ease traffic, resolve parking woes, and revive its cultural value.

Located near Anarkali and King Edward Medical College, the site houses the 17th-century shrine of Sheikh Abdul Razzak Maki. Despite its heritage, the area has long suffered from congestion and encroachments.

TEPA’s plan includes a three-level underground facility over 16 kanals: two basements for 374 cars and 790 motorcycles, and one for 69 shops. The project will also feature walkways, elevators, CCTV, and firefighting systems.

With Rs. 300 million already released, work is expected to finish in 18 months, transforming Neela Gumbad into Lahore’s first fully walk-friendly zone and a new cultural landmark.

Islamabad: The Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHAF) has launched fast-paced development and construction activities at the site of PHAF Residencia in Peshawar, in collaboration with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Housing Authority (KPHA).

According to the agreement between the two bodies, work on the boundary wall, main boulevard, and main entrance is already underway. To strengthen security at the site, a permanent police station has been established, with deployment carried out by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

Spread across more than 8,000 kanal, PHAF Residencia is being described as one of the largest government-led housing projects not only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also nationwide. The initiative is a joint venture of the federal and provincial governments and is being positioned as a secure and reliable investment in the housing sector.

The project is situated on Kohat Road, about 15 kilometers from Peshawar city, and will feature over 8,000 residential units, including grey structures and apartments, divided into categories I, II, III, and IV. Development will take place in four phases, with contracts for 400 housing units already awarded out of 885 planned in the first phase. Heavy machinery has been mobilized to accelerate the work.

Meanwhile, PHAF has urged allottees and members to begin paying their dues under the three-year installment schedule. Officials noted that timely contributions will ensure smooth financial flows, allowing construction and development to continue without delays.

Beijing: The Pakistan–China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing concluded with the signing of agreements worth USD 8.5 billion, signaling a major boost in bilateral economic cooperation. The event, reported by China Economic Net (CEN), marked a significant step toward strengthening trade and industrial partnerships between the two countries.

The conference, held on September 4 at the China World Hotel, was the second edition of the forum and brought together leading business figures from Pakistan and China. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who addressed the gathering, hailed the outcome as a “long march of economic growth.” He assured participants that he would personally oversee facilitation for investors, stressing that unnecessary delays in approvals would not be tolerated.

Out of the total commitments, USD 7 billion were finalized through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), while USD 1.54 billion was secured in joint ventures. The agreements cover a wide range of sectors including agriculture, textiles, electric vehicles, solar power, healthcare, chemicals, minerals, and steel.

Pakistani delegates — including Osama Abid of Al-Hammd International, Engr. Asad Ahmed of PMDC, and Kashif Mehtab Chawla of Al-Karam Textiles — highlighted Pakistan’s advantages such as abundant raw materials, a competitive workforce, and GSP+ trade access to Europe. They also pointed out challenges in regulation, outdated machinery, and logistical infrastructure.

On the Chinese side, Ren Hongbin of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and Xu Guimin of Zhongjing Kehui emphasized that leveraging China’s industrial know-how in Pakistan could generate mutual benefits, provided facilitation and streamlined processes continue.

To address investor concerns, Pakistani officials highlighted the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), designed to accelerate approvals and guarantee state-level support for foreign investors.

Participants agreed that beyond the financial commitments, the agreements represent a long-term shift toward positioning Pakistan as a regional manufacturing hub, driven by Chinese capital, technology transfer, and industrial cooperation.

Islamabad: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has announced that a shopping festival will be organized in Blue Area in collaboration with the Traders Welfare Association to encourage business activity and provide citizens with reasonably priced shopping options.

ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, while speaking to a delegation of the Traders Welfare Association led by its President Raja Hassan Akhtar, said that Blue Area is the capital’s largest commercial hub and plays an important role in the national economy. He added that the festival would not only promote trade but also attract more visitors to the market.

Bakhtawari pointed out that traders face serious challenges in Blue Area, particularly insufficient parking arrangements. He proposed that temporary parking should be allowed on the green belt along Fazal Haq Road until a permanent parking plaza is built. He also called on the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to resolve civic issues, including outdated sewage systems and non-functioning streetlights.

Raja Hassan Akhtar stressed the need to address infrastructure shortcomings such as parking, drainage, and lighting. He also suggested developing a flower market and ensuring proper maintenance of greenery in the area. He assured ICCI of full cooperation from traders, acknowledging that efforts under Bakhtawari’s leadership had strengthened coordination with the business community.

Khalid Iqbal Malik, Group Leader ICCI, noted that the Blue Area Traders Welfare Association is one of the most influential bodies in trade politics, with a larger membership than other markets. He reaffirmed ICCI’s support for traders and urged CDA to take practical steps to address their concerns.

ICCI leaders said they expect CDA’s collaboration in resolving key infrastructure issues, adding that such measures would not only facilitate business activity but also contribute to the success of the planned shopping festival.

Islamabad: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has declared that businesses not integrating their billing systems with its electronic platform will face strict financial penalties from September 1, 2025.

In line with Section 25A of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, registered taxpayers — including importers, listed companies, and firms recording an annual turnover above PKR 1 billion during the past twelve tax periods — are bound to issue digital invoices carrying an FBR verification number, QR code, and logo.

The enforcement mechanism prescribes fines of PKR 500,000 for the first violation, escalating to PKR 1 million, PKR 2 million, and eventually PKR 3 million for repeated non-compliance.

Tax consultants have cautioned that any invoice generated outside the official system after the September deadline will be considered invalid. Purchasers of such invoices will also lose the right to claim input adjustments, directly impacting their compliance status and tax credits.

While major corporations and publicly listed enterprises are believed to be in a stronger position to comply with the new rules under SRO 1413(I)/2025, small and seasonal importers may struggle to meet the integration deadline.

Advisors have urged the revenue authority to provide additional relief, particularly in view of the widespread flooding that has disrupted commercial activity nationwide. However, they also underscored the urgency for taxpayers to adopt e-invoicing, which is expected to eliminate fake and “flying” invoices.

The FBR has maintained that the transition is aimed at tightening documentation, improving enforcement, and curbing revenue losses within the sales tax regime.

Lahore: Acting on the directives of the Chief Minister, the Punjab government has launched a large-scale plantation and environmental conservation programme under the “Friends of Forest” banner. The initiative is designed to increase tree cover, promote eco-tourism, and improve forest protection through modern monitoring technologies.

The drive was formally inaugurated at Jallo by Parliamentary Secretary for Forests Kanwal Liaqat. Under the Chief Minister’s “Plant for Pakistan” scheme, over 51 million trees are set to be planted across 50,869 acres. Parallel efforts under the CM Agroforestry Initiative include the cultivation of 1.37 million saplings on nearly 3,800 acres of barren forest land. In addition, the Green Pakistan Programme has been scaled up with a target of 466 million trees over 251,000 acres, while five million saplings will be planted along more than 10,000 miles of canal banks.

Eco-tourism development is also a key focus, with new facilities planned at Lal Suhanra National Park and the Salt Range. A LEED-certified eco-friendly complex is under construction to house both visitors and staff. Supporting infrastructure includes wireless connectivity, GPS tracking, CCTV systems, and digital surveillance for effective management.

In hill stations such as Murree and Kahuta, the “Shielding Summits” programme has been initiated to mitigate natural hazards. This includes the induction of 600 fire watchers, deployment of fire-fighting vehicles, construction of watchtowers, restoration of forest trails, and the installation of water tanks to safeguard natural springs.

The Forest Department is adopting high-tech monitoring solutions, including a GIS-based system with drones, satellites, and LiDAR to detect wildfires and encroachments at an early stage. Forestry records are being digitised, while operations are being mechanised with modern equipment. A province-wide network of 104 command and control centres is now functional to ensure round-the-clock vigilance.

Forest Director General Azfar Zia said these innovations would considerably enhance real-time protection and management of forest resources. Environmental expert Dr. Salman Tariq, while welcoming the scale of the plan, advised caution against planting in flood-hit areas, warning that saplings risk being washed away before taking root. He urged delaying drives in inundated regions until water levels subside.

Officials stressed that the campaign underlines the Punjab government’s resolve to strengthen climate resilience, protect natural ecosystems, and promote environmentally responsible tourism.