Lahore: The Punjab government has given the green light to a large-scale project aimed at strengthening flood defenses along the Ravi River. The initiative seeks to protect Lahore’s population from the recurring threat of seasonal flooding.

According to officials from the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), the scheme carries an estimated cost of PKR 214 billion. Of this amount, PKR 150 billion will be financed through a government loan, while RUDA will contribute PKR 64 billion from its own resources.

The plan includes construction of a 90-kilometre-long protective embankment on both banks of the river. The retaining wall will measure 300 feet in width and stand 27 feet high, with water-regulating structures designed to control river flow and minimize the risk of inundation.

The decision was formally endorsed during a meeting chaired by the Secretary of Housing, with senior RUDA representatives present.

Officials expressed confidence that the project will not only safeguard urban communities but also enhance Lahore’s long-term resilience against climate-related flooding challenges.

Islamabad: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has given the green light to a sweeping upgrade of Islamabad’s emergency services, promising faster response times, modern equipment, and stronger coordination across the capital.

The decision came during the 15th CDA Board meeting held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Muhammad Ali Randhawa. Among the key measures approved is the establishment of 12 new rescue stations strategically placed throughout the city. To further boost rapid intervention, a motorbike rescue fleet of 50 bikes will soon hit the roads, ensuring first responders can reach critical incidents without delay.

To strengthen the system from within, the Board endorsed a fresh recruitment drive and professional training programs for rescue staff. In addition, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will be consulted to vet and standardize the new equipment being acquired.

A major highlight of the plan is the creation of a state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to enhance monitoring, communication, and inter-agency coordination. The CDA also approved procurement of modern rescue vehicles, specialized water rescue vans, and advanced gear to better handle complex emergencies.

Institutional reforms are also underway, with the Board approving the finalization of the Capital Emergency Service Regulations, ensuring that the upgraded framework becomes a permanent part of the city’s governance. Chairman Randhawa stressed that “all available resources must be utilized to equip emergency services with cutting-edge facilities to safeguard citizens more effectively.”

Beyond emergency management, the meeting cleared several strategic initiatives. These include appointing a consultant to help CDA secure carbon credits for its conservation projects—covering afforestation, pollution control, and forest preservation—bringing the authority’s environmental efforts in line with global conventions.

The Board also decided to engage consultants for the design and planning of Phase I of the Jinnah Medical Complex, while simultaneously allocating land for a new teaching hospital in Islamabad, further expanding the city’s healthcare infrastructure.

Strategic allocations prioritise Rawalpindi Ring Road, Nullah Leh, and sustainable infrastructure projects

Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has finalized its annual budget for the fiscal year 2025–26, setting the outlay at PKR 3,953 million. The Finance Sub-Committee, chaired by RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza, reviewed and approved the estimates before submitting them to the Government of Punjab for final approval.

The budget preparation involved representatives from the Finance Department, the Planning & Development (P&D) Department, and the Housing, Urban Development & Public Health Engineering (HUD&PHE) Department. Officials emphasized the need to align financial planning with Rawalpindi’s long-term urban and infrastructure needs.

In addition to the annual budget, PKR 8,808 million has been earmarked for ongoing and new development schemes, marking a strong push toward sustainable growth. Key initiatives include the Rawalpindi Ring Road (R3 Project) with an allocation of PKR 32,997.054 million, the Nullah Leh Project worth PKR 1,000 million, and Ring Road Phase II feasibility and design works, also allocated PKR 1,000 million.

DG RDA Kinza Murtaza highlighted that the proposed financial plan reflects the authority’s commitment to boosting infrastructure and ensuring sustainable development, positioning Rawalpindi as a modern, livable city for the future.

The digital connectivity initiative aims to transform the capital into Pakistan’s first free Wi-Fi city

Islamabad: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has unveiled a plan to provide free Wi-Fi services across Islamabad, beginning with 30 prime locations in the first phase.

The initiative, aligned with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision and the directives of Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, was finalized in a meeting chaired by Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Chairman and Chief Commissioner of Islamabad. Senior officials, including NTC Managing Director Major General (r) Ali Farhan, Member Finance Tahir Naeem, Member Planning Dr. Khalid Hafiz, and Member Engineering Syed Nafasat Raza, also participated.

Free Wi-Fi will be available at major commercial centers, Metro and Electric Feeder Bus stations, and popular parks, ensuring public accessibility. While NTC will operate and maintain the system, CDA’s technical team will provide ongoing support.

Randhawa emphasized the development of a self-sustaining operational and marketing model, where revenue generated will fund maintenance and upgrades. Officials noted that the initiative marks a step toward transforming Islamabad into a “free Wi-Fi city.”

The meeting also reviewed civic projects, including rainwater harvesting, removal of allergy-causing paper mulberry trees, and a large-scale tree plantation drive with third-party monitoring.

Proposed layout changes spark environmental and community concerns in Islamabad

Islamabad: The Federal Government Employees Housing Authority’s (FGEHA) Kuri Road housing project has once again come under scrutiny as residents strongly oppose a proposed revision to its layout plan. The Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHAF) has submitted a request to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) seeking approval for over 20 new residential plots and the relocation of 13 existing ones.

Originally launched in 2012 for federal officers of BPS-20 to BPS-22, the scheme was designed with greenbelts, parks, and playgrounds to preserve the area’s environment and livability. Residents, many of them retired senior bureaucrats, argue that carving out additional plots on reserved green spaces would violate the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) cleared by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In a joint statement, residents appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to halt the plan, calling it contrary to his government’s environmental agenda, including the “One daughter, one shajr” campaign.

The CDA, through a public notice on August 11, invited objections from stakeholders, confirming the proposal is under review. Residents warn approval would set a damaging precedent, reducing quality of life and threatening Islamabad’s green character.

Punjab CM announces 750 flats in Kasur and Lahore under the labor welfare scheme, with special quotas for widows and disabled workers.

Lahore: Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has initiated the allotment of free-of-cost flats for industrial workers, terming it a milestone in her labor-friendly vision.

Under the scheme, applications are now open for 750 flats in the Workers Welfare Complex, Sundar Industrial Estate Kasur (Phase-I). A special three percent quota has been set aside for widows of deceased workers and two percent for disabled workers.

In this first phase, workers from Lahore and Kasur districts are eligible, with two-thirds of the quota for Kasur and one-third for Lahore. The deadline for applications is September 8.

Maryam Nawaz directed that application forms be made freely accessible on the official websites www.pwwf.punjab.gov.pk and www.labour.punjab.gov.pk. Forms are also available at the offices of the Director of Labour Welfare (North) and Deputy Director Labour Welfare (South). Helplines 049-2724261, 0331-4436944, and 042-99260240 have been set up for assistance.

Separately, during her meeting with Expo Association GM Achinoki Manatsu, Maryam Nawaz praised the theme of World Expo 2025: “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” She emphasized Punjab’s strengths in handicrafts, natural resources, and skilled artisans, highlighting the province’s growing global recognition

The framework aims to direct finance into sustainable growth and climate resilience, ensuring transparency in green projects

Islamabad: Pakistan has formally approved the Pakistan Green Taxonomy, a landmark framework designed to channel investment toward climate resilience and sustainable growth. Backed by the World Bank, the initiative introduces a clear system to classify and prioritize green projects, enhancing transparency in sustainable finance.

Developed by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, the State Bank of Pakistan, and the World Bank, the taxonomy was reviewed by key ministries before receiving final approval from the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).

Officials highlighted that the taxonomy will help policymakers, banks, and investors align financial decisions with national climate goals while preventing “greenwashing” and ensuring credibility in green financing.

The approval comes as Pakistan faces growing climate risks, including heavy rains, flash floods, and declining crop yields. Authorities believe the taxonomy will steer investment into renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, and environmental protection projects—helping bridge the country’s sustainable development financing gap.

By unlocking private capital, particularly from commercial banks, Pakistan aims to position itself as a competitive destination for global green investment. Officials noted this marks a significant step toward embedding climate considerations into economic planning and achieving long-term sustainable growth.

Federal Minister Hanif Abbasi unveils digital ticketing, freight expansion, and infrastructure upgrades to revive Pakistan Railways.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi announced on Sunday that 11 passenger trains will be outsourced as part of Pakistan Railways’ wider modernization agenda aimed at improving efficiency, services, and revenue.

Speaking to journalists, Abbasi said the state-run enterprise, long criticized for stagnation, is now entering a phase of transformation. Ticketing has already been digitized, allowing passengers to book through 16 banks, Easypaisa, and Ufone Bank. To tackle fare evasion, ticket checkers will soon be equipped with handheld devices, a move expected to save nearly Rs1 billion annually.

The ministry has also shifted to an e-office system to streamline internal operations. Freight operations, Abbasi emphasized, will be prioritized to generate additional revenue that will be reinvested into passenger facilities.

On the infrastructure front, work is progressing on the 480-kilometer Rohri–Karachi track upgrade, with support anticipated from the Asian Development Bank. Further projects are also being coordinated with provincial governments in Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan.

Abbasi reiterated that these reforms are intended to restore public confidence in Pakistan Railways while aligning the sector with modern, sustainable practices.

Rising inflation, monsoon rains, and design hurdles push back completion of city’s flagship road project.

Rawalpindi: The much-awaited Rawalpindi Ring Road project is facing another major setback, with its December 2025 completion deadline now unlikely to be achieved. Officials confirmed that inflation, soaring material costs, and heavy monsoon rains have slowed progress and pushed project expenses significantly higher.

Initially budgeted at PKR 32.9 billion, the project cost is now projected to rise by 40–50%. Nearly 70% of the 38.3-kilometer stretch has been completed, but continuous rainfall in recent weeks has hindered construction. Authorities plan to submit a revised PC-I to adjust for escalating costs, which will be reviewed by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) and later forwarded to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) for approval.

Another challenge is linking Thalian traffic to the motorway, where congestion remains unresolved. While the National Highway Authority (NHA) intends to expand lanes, its scheme has yet to progress. To ease pressure, the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) has volunteered to finance a one-kilometer merging road itself.

Despite cost hikes and delays, officials emphasized the project’s priority status, highlighting its role in reshaping regional connectivity through five planned interchanges at Baanth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, and Thalian.

Non-compliance with monitoring rules may lead to suspension and blacklisting under new amendments.

Islamabad – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a stern warning to sales taxpayers, announcing that those who refuse tax officers access to their business premises for stock, production, or clearance monitoring will face suspension or even blacklisting.

Under the revised Sales Tax Rules 2006, FBR now has the authority to suspend a taxpayer’s registration without prior notice if evidence suggests involvement in tax evasion, fake invoicing, or fraudulent practices. Suspensions will remain effective until inquiries are completed.

The amendments emphasize uniform enforcement across Large Taxpayer Offices (LTOs) and Regional Tax Offices (RTOs). Taxpayers may face suspension for denying access under sections 40B and 40C of the Sales Tax Act or for failing to provide mandatory records to Inland Revenue Officers.

Other triggers for suspension include business activity discrepancies exceeding five times declared capital, excessive transactions with already suspended taxpayers, non-filing of returns for three months, or submitting fraudulent returns.

While enforcement has been tightened, FBR clarified that taxpayers will still be given a chance for a public hearing before any final blacklisting or further punitive action.