LAHORE: The Punjab government has unveiled plans to digitize all toll plazas across the province in a move to improve efficiency, transparency, and the overall experience for commuters.

During a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the government approved the replacement of the manual receipt system with a fully digital toll collection mechanism.

The initiative, named ‘One App, One System’, will be implemented at 38 toll plazas in Punjab, operating similarly to the existing system on national motorways.

This digital transition aims to eliminate manual irregularities, reduce congestion at entry and exit points, and enhance transparency in revenue management. The Chief Minister emphasized that the new system would offer greater convenience to travelers while ensuring more efficient toll collection.

The meeting also covered progress on several development projects, with the approval of five major road projects to be developed through public-private partnerships. These projects are expected to reduce costs and accelerate completion timelines.

Additionally, the Punjab government reported saving PKR 40 billion through e-tendering, which has strengthened procurement transparency. The Chief Minister also directed the installation of solar-powered streetlights along new roads to promote sustainability and energy efficiency.

In urban development, the government approved beautification initiatives in Lahore, including the installation of a decorative fountain and a miniature train for children near the railway station park. New roads and pedestrian pathways in the area will enhance accessibility and the city’s visual appeal.

Finally, progress was shared on the restoration of flood-affected infrastructure, with repairs completed on 54 major bridges, 142 small bridges, and 858 damaged roads, while rehabilitation in Murree, Chakwal, and Sahiwal has been finalized.

The toll digitization project marks a significant step toward modernizing Punjab’s infrastructure, integrating technology into public management systems, and improving service delivery for residents and travelers alike.

ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Islamabad have announced a series of measures to curb smog, reduce air pollution, and protect the environment in the capital. The directives were issued during a high-level meeting at CDA Headquarters, jointly chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa and Pak-EPA Director General Nazia Zeb Ali.

Officials said a comprehensive joint strategy will be implemented to tackle pollution, focusing on the transport, industrial, and brick kiln sectors. Vehicle emission tests are being conducted across the city, with real-time data monitored through an integrated digital dashboard. Additional checkpoints will be established to strengthen monitoring.

All brick kilns and industrial units in Islamabad have been directed to adopt modern, eco-friendly technology, with a deadline of 20 October 2025 for kilns to switch to the zigzag system. Repeat violators contributing to air pollution may face legal action or the dismantling of their facilities. The ICT administration will also coordinate with Rawalpindi authorities to manage kilns located near the boundary areas.

To expand air quality monitoring, one station is already functional in Sector H-8, with more stations planned across the city. Open-air waste burning has been banned, and legal action will be taken against violators. All ongoing construction projects are required to implement water sprinkling systems and adhere to mitigation measures outlined in their Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).

Chairman Randhawa emphasized that these initiatives, in line with directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, aim to maintain a cleaner, healthier, and safer environment for residents of Islamabad.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved the construction of a new Convention Centre in Islamabad ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2027, officials confirmed. The proposed facility will be located adjacent to the existing Jinnah Convention Centre and is intended to meet international standards for hosting major global conferences.

The decision was announced following a meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at CDA Headquarters, which was attended by Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, Interior Secretary Mohammad Khurram Agha, and senior officials from the district administration and CDA. The new centre will feature a spacious convention hall, along with multiple large conference and meeting rooms, with design work to be handled by both international and local architects.

The move comes after it was observed that the current Jinnah Convention Centre, covering 7.59 acres with 4.13 acres of built-up space, is insufficient to host large-scale international events. Earlier plans to privatise the existing centre were reconsidered in light of this need.

During the meeting, the interior minister also reviewed ongoing infrastructure projects, including the construction of six new police stations in Islamabad, which have been given a 45-day completion deadline. 

CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa briefed officials that tenders for 10 additional police stations have been issued, the new block of Parliament Lodges will be finished on schedule, and all piles for the T-Chowk Flyover Project have been completed, with the foundation stone for Shaheen Chowk to be laid shortly.

Additionally, restoration work on the R-Block of the Pak Secretariat is nearing completion, and plans for the commercialisation of the Islamabad Expressway are being prepared.

PESHAWAR: The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) has sanctioned 45 major development projects, valued at over PKR 66 billion, across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, spanning key sectors including agriculture, livestock, transport, infrastructure, irrigation, health, and population welfare.

The approval was given during the PDWP’s fourth meeting, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Planning and Development) Ikramullah Khan, with senior officials from the relevant departments in attendance. The projects aim to strengthen public welfare, enhance connectivity, and stimulate provincial economic growth.

In line with directives from Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, the PDWP also endorsed a PKR 1 billion beautification project for Peshawar, which will focus on upgrading road networks, rehabilitating streetlights, expanding green belts, and installing modern urban amenities to improve the city’s aesthetic and functional appeal.

In the agriculture sector, initiatives were approved to promote dryland farming in southern districts, expand sunflower cultivation, and introduce advanced mechanization. For livestock development, the body approved schemes for genetic improvement through artificial insemination and cross-breeding with high-quality foreign breeds, with a particular focus on enhancing livelihoods in the merged districts.

A significant portion of the development budget has been allocated to road and infrastructure improvement, including feasibility studies and construction of new bypass routes such as Kurram Pul–Miranshah (via Kot Brara and Hashni Kala), the dualization of Provincial Highway S-8 in Dera Ismail Khan, and the rehabilitation of the Zafarabad irrigation channel from Dakhan Bypass.

Officials emphasized that these projects reflect the provincial government’s commitment to balanced regional development, improved service delivery, and the creation of sustainable economic opportunities across both settled and merged districts.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has unveiled a comprehensive reform plan for the National Highway Authority (NHA), focusing on removing encroachments and standardizing land use policies along motorways and highways.

Speaking at a high-level meeting at NHA headquarters, Aleem Khan said the reforms aim to make the authority self-sustaining and profitable, targeting annual revenues of PKR 500 billion. He noted that the NHA had already achieved a historic increase of PKR 50 billion in its own resources over the past year.

The minister directed that funds previously allocated for patchwork and road repairs be redirected toward new road construction, calling the former practice a source of corruption. He also emphasized restructuring the NHA along corporate lines by involving private-sector experts, implementing performance-based evaluations, and rewarding officers who meet targets with cash incentives.

Aleem Khan further instructed the strict enforcement of encroachment removal, the timely completion of projects, and the outsourcing of commercial rights on NHA land, with quarterly reviews to ensure transparency and efficiency. The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretary for Communications, the NHA Chairman, and senior officials who updated the minister on the progress of these directives.

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Ring Road Project Management Unit (PMU) has completed 72 percent of the work and prepared a revised PC-I, increasing the project cost from Rs33 billion to Rs45 billion due to rising material prices, design changes, and new additions.

The revision includes an additional interchange at Thalian to connect the Ring Road with the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway, construction of toll plazas at key entry and exit points, and expanded road sizes at interchanges. The updated PC-I will be submitted to the Punjab government through the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) for final approval.

Deputy Project Director Ashfaq Sulheri said construction is now being accelerated in three shifts to recover delays caused by the monsoon. Key milestones include completion of the Soan Bridge, ongoing girder casting for the railway bridge, and asphalt work on the road.

The 38.3-kilometer Ring Road will feature six lanes, a design speed of 120 km/h, five interchanges at Banth, Chak Baili Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, and Thalian, and an industrial zone along the corridor.

MURREE: The Murree district administration has imposed a three-month ban on all construction and related activities to protect the environment and implement the Murree Master Plan, officials announced on Monday.

Under Section 144 and directed by the Punjab Home Secretary, the ban covers the construction of houses, shops, markets, plazas, factories, roads, and alleys. It also extends to stone crushing, drilling, mining, mountain cutting, and the transport or delivery of construction materials, including sand, gravel, steel, bricks, blocks, and machinery.

Authorities warned that violations will result in criminal cases and arrests. The ban, effective immediately, will remain in force for 90 days or until the Murree Master Plan is fully executed.

Officials said the step aims to promote eco-friendly practices, safeguard forests, and ensure a peaceful environment for residents and visitors alike

LAHORE: The Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) has launched a Vocational Training Centre and a Lower Primary School at the Maskan-e-Ravi Low-Cost Housing Project, aiming to empower local communities.

The inauguration ceremony, held on Thursday, was attended by RUDA Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mansoor Ahmed Janjua, who highlighted the significance of the project. The initiative is part of RUDA’s broader vision to provide essential services and opportunities to underserved communities. The housing project, which includes 100 residential units, aims to offer a comfortable living environment alongside educational and vocational support.

The Vocational Training Centre, developed in collaboration with the Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC), is designed to equip local women with practical skills, such as sewing and tailoring, thereby creating new employment opportunities and fostering economic independence. RUDA Director of Special Initiatives, Fatima Ali Khan, emphasized the centre’s role in empowering women and providing them with tools to build a sustainable livelihood.

This initiative is aligned with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who has been supportive of efforts to uplift marginalized communities. The collaboration between RUDA, PVTC, and other stakeholders is expected to serve as a model for integrated community development.

Earlier this year, on January 13, 2025, the Maskan-e-Ravi Housing Scheme was inaugurated by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, marking a significant step toward providing affordable housing for the needy and deserving families in the region.

Once again, it’s Pakistan vs India, and this time, it’s for the FINAL MATCH. Cricket fans all around the world are excited to see these age-old rivals in the finals. It’s going to be a historic event, as this is the first time in 41 years of Asia Cup history that these two teams will meet in the final.

Throughout Asia Cup 2025, both teams have clashed twice, with India claiming victory on both occasions. However, this time, things aren’t as predictable as they might seem. 

Against all odds, Pakistan has managed to reach the final, and here’s how they got there.

Group Stage Results

In the Super Four, team Pakistan and team India both continued to impress

Super Four Results

India finished the Super Four top of the table with 6 points, while Pakistan secured their place in the final with 4 points, finishing second.

Key Players to Watch

Abhishek Sharma has been in outstanding form for India, setting a record for the most runs in a single Asia Cup T20 edition, and his consistency will be vital in the final. 

For Pakistan, Haris Rauf has been a key bowler, with his pace and knack for breaking partnerships playing a crucial role. 

As both teams prepare for the historic final, all eyes will be on this thrilling showdown. Will India continue their dominance, or will Pakistan create an upset?

ISLAMABAD: City managers have decided to strictly enforce energy-efficient building codes in the capital, making adherence to the National Energy Conservation Building Codes 2023 mandatory for all upcoming construction projects.

At a meeting held at CDA Headquarters on Tuesday, chaired by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa and attended by National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) Managing Director Sardar Moazzam along with CDA board members, officials reviewed the adoption and implementation of the new codes and by-laws of the Pakistan Engineering Council.

Under the plan, building owners will be required to use energy-efficient materials and install low-voltage, energy-saving electrical systems. New building plans will not receive approval unless they comply with the updated standards. CDA has already issued a notification for their enforcement.

Officials noted that compliance will not only improve energy conservation but also reduce electricity costs for citizens. The meeting also discussed the establishment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city, including at petrol pumps, government facilities, and commercial areas.

NEECA informed participants that it has developed software tools such as the Building Performance Database, ECBC Compliance Tool, and Residential Load Factor Tool to monitor implementation. Training programmes are also being conducted in relevant institutions.

CDA has directed the creation of a financial model to gradually bring older residential and commercial buildings into compliance, with phased implementation after financial reviews. Meanwhile, NEECA announced that electricity would be supplied to registered EV charging stations at subsidised rates, and CDA’s electric feeder buses would be registered with NEECA.

The meeting concluded with consensus on energy conservation, strict enforcement of energy-efficient building codes, and expanding EV charging infrastructure in Islamabad, in line with the prime minister’s vision of sustainable urban development.