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ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has announced plans to introduce dedicated bicycle tracks across Islamabad as part of efforts to promote sustainable transportation and improve urban mobility.
According to officials, the initiative aims to develop a comprehensive network of cycling lanes across various sectors and major roads in the federal capital. The project is intended to provide residents with an alternative mode of transport while reducing traffic congestion and environmental impact.
The bicycle track plan is part of broader urban development measures focused on enhancing public infrastructure and encouraging healthier commuting options. Authorities indicated that the project will include proper planning for connectivity between different sectors, ensuring accessibility and usability for daily commuters.
In addition to promoting cycling culture, the initiative is expected to contribute to environmental goals by reducing carbon emissions associated with conventional transport. Officials also highlighted that the development of cycling infrastructure aligns with efforts to modernize the city’s transport system and improve the quality of life for residents.
The CDA has previously undertaken planning for large-scale cycling networks, including proposals for extensive bicycle lanes and supporting facilities such as parking stands and safety infrastructure.
While detailed timelines for the latest phase have not been disclosed, the authority has indicated that the project will be implemented in stages as part of ongoing development efforts in the capital.
The initiative reflects a continued focus on sustainable urban planning and the introduction of alternative transport solutions in Islamabad.
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ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan-bound oil tanker successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, marking the first recorded passage of a non-Iranian cargo vessel through the waterway since Iran close strait of hormuz and imposed restrictions on shipping following the outbreak of hostilities on February 28.
The Aframax-class tanker, operated by Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, completed its Strait of Hormuz transit on approximately March 15 after loading crude oil at Das Island in Abu Dhabi. The vessel was recorded navigating along the Iranian coastline of the Strait of Hormuz before altering course eastward toward Pakistan, where it is expected to dock on March 17.
Maritime intelligence firm MarineTraffic confirmed it was the first non-Iranian cargo ship to transit the Strait of Hormuz with its Automatic Identification System signal active, indicating that select nations have succeeded in securing negotiated passage through the strait.
Iran Strait of Hormuz Importance
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. At its narrowest navigable point, the Strait of Hormuz measures only 3.2 kilometres wide in each direction, yet serves as the transit corridor for approximately one-fifth of the world’s daily crude oil supply and one quarter of global seaborne liquefied natural gas exports.
There is no commercially viable alternative route for Gulf producers, making the Strait of Hormuz the most critical maritime chokepoint in the global energy system. Since Iranian forces effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to the majority of international shipping, Brent crude has surged more than 40 percent, trading above $100 per barrel as of this week.
Iran Publicly Thanks Pakistan for ‘Strong Support’
The successful Strait of Hormuz transit prompted an immediate public response from Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a post in Urdu on X formerly Twitter on Monday, extended his “heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their strong expression of solidarity and support with the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” He further affirmed that Iran stood with steadfastness in defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The statement reflects Iran’s policy of selectively permitting Strait of Hormuz passage to vessels from nations it regards as neutral or sympathetic. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has formally described Islamabad’s role throughout the conflict as that of a “bridge builder” a posture that has yielded a direct economic benefit in the form of access through the Strait of Hormuz that Western-aligned nations currently cannot secure.
Naval Operation and Selective Access
In the days preceding the Strait of Hormuz transit, Pakistan’s navy launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to safeguard commercial shipping lanes and Pakistani-flagged vessels in regional waters. Naval authorities established contact with Iranian counterparts ahead of the passage. A military source confirmed no escort was ultimately required for the vessel.
Iran’s selective approach to the Strait of Hormuz blockade has extended to other nations as well.
Pakistan’s Economic Exposure
Pakistan’s dependence on the Strait of Hormuz is among the most acute of any economy in the region. Approximately 80 percent of the country’s crude oil imports are ordinarily routed through the strait, and nearly 90 percent of its liquefied natural gas is sourced from Qatarall of which transits the Strait of Hormuz.
With strategic petroleum reserves of only 10 to 14 days, Pakistan has limited capacity to absorb prolonged disruption. The government has already enacted its largest single fuel price revision on record, raising petrol to Rs 321 per litre and diesel to Rs 335 per litre, an increase of 17 to 20 percent in a single adjustment.
A second PNSC tanker, which loaded crude at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port of Yanbu, was approximately three sailing days from Pakistan at the time of reporting. Pakistan’s finance ministry confirmed petroleum stocks remain comfortable, with supply coverage extending into mid-April, while diversification of import routes beyond the Hormuz corridor remains actively underway.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Posture
The tanker’s Strait of Hormuz passage is the most concrete economic outcome of Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement since hostilities began. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif travelled to Saudi Arabia on March 12 for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
At the United Nations Security Council, Pakistan maintained a calibrated position condemning strikes on Iran, affirming solidarity with Gulf states, and consistently urging all parties toward a negotiated resolution to the Hormuz crisis.
Whether the access Pakistan has secured through the Hormuz can be sustained, and whether it proves sufficient to shield an economy so heavily dependent on this single passage, remains the defining economic question for Islamabad in the weeks ahead.
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TEHRAN/BEIJING: Iran is weighing a proposal to allow a limited number of oil tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz, provided the associated cargo is traded exclusively in Chinese yuan, according to a senior Iranian official cited by CNN.
The condition would mark a significant departure from the dollar-denominated conventions that govern the vast majority of global oil transactions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has confirmed that the strait remains open to international shipping, with the explicit exclusion of vessels linked to the United States and Israel.
The proposal aligns with Beijing’s longstanding objective of internationalising the yuan in global commodity markets. Approximately 45 per cent of China’s crude oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making uninterrupted access a strategic priority for the world’s second-largest economy.
For Tehran, the arrangement offers a means of circumventing US sanctions that have severely constrained its economy, while deepening financial ties with one of its principal oil importers and reducing dependence on the dollar-dominated financial system.
The Strait’s effective closure, following joint US-Israeli military operations that began on 28 February, has severely disrupted global energy markets. Brent crude surpassed $100 per barrel on 8 March, peaking at $126. Vessel traffic has declined by approximately 97 per cent since 2 March, with only ships from nations Iran considers friendly, including India, China, and Turkey, granted limited passage.
US President Donald Trump has announced that the Navy will begin escorting oil tankers through the waterway and has claimed that American forces conducted strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s primary oil export terminal.
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ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a formal weather advisory on Friday, warning of widespread rain, strong winds, and thunderstorm activity across the upper regions of Pakistan from March 14 to March 16, 2026.
A westerly wave is expected to approach the northwestern regions on Saturday evening and persist through the early hours of Monday. A second western disturbance is forecast to affect western Pakistan by the night of March 17.
Areas likely to experience significant impact include Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sialkot, and parts of Punjab, as well as Zhob, Barkhan, and Chaman in Balochistan. Isolated hailstorm activity is also anticipated during this period.
Daytime temperatures are expected to fall by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius in northern and upper regions. The authority has further warned of an elevated risk of landslides in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The NDMA has urged the public to seek shelter in sturdy buildings or vehicles during hailstorms, stay away from windows, and avoid driving under heavy hail due to reduced visibility and slippery road conditions. Tourists have been advised to refrain from non-essential travel to affected areas, while farmers have been directed to take appropriate measures to protect their crops.
The authority has called upon federal ministries, provincial governments, and local administrations to implement precautionary measures to safeguard public safety and minimise property damage during the forecast period.
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KARACHI: Pakistan’s petroleum dealers have issued a stern warning to the federal government, threatening to suspend the sale of petrol and diesel immediately after Eid al-Fitr if their longstanding demand for revised profit margins is not met.
The ultimatum was delivered by the leadership of the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) at a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club on Friday, March 13, 2026.
The PPDA has given the government until March 26 to increase dealers’ profit margins from the current 2.59 percent to 8 percent, a demand that has gained urgency in the wake of a steep Rs55-per-litre hike in petrol and diesel prices. At present, dealers earn approximately Rs8.64 per litre on fuel sales, a figure the association describes as wholly inadequate given the rising cost pressures on the sector.
Speaking at the press conference, PPDA leaders Abdul Sami Khan, Tariq Hasan, and Ameer Khan Masood argued that the combined effect of the petroleum levy and recent price increases has placed an unsustainable burden on both dealers and end consumers. The association further accused oil marketing companies (OMCs) of deliberately capping oil supplies to retail outlets, a practice it claims has led to fuel shortages at numerous pumps across the country.
The PPDA leadership also called for a formal government investigation into the conduct of OMCs, alleging that these companies have reaped significant inventory gains from profits on old fuel stocks, profits dealers say have come at the expense of those operating at the retail level.
This is not the first time dealers have raised these concerns. According to the PPDA, they have been pressing the government for upward margin revisions for over two years, with little to no response. Industry observers warn that a post-Eid strike, if carried out, could cause considerable disruption to fuel supply chains at a time when transport and economic activity typically surge.
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ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan joyfully enters the final days of Ramazan, vibrant and bustling markets across the country are painting an encouraging picture of economic resilience and renewed consumer confidence.
From the lively streets of Karachi to the colourful bazaars of Gilgit-Baltistan, late-night shoppers are flooding markets with remarkable enthusiasm, signalling a heartening revival in grassroots economic activity.
The festive shopping surge spanning traditional clothing, Kashmiri bangles, handcrafted footwear, and sparkling jewellery is delivering a powerful and welcome boost to Pakistan’s vast informal retail sector.
Hardworking vendors, skilled artisans, and dedicated small business owners are reaping the rewards of months of careful preparation, with sales climbing impressively after each evening’s iftar. This seasonal wave of spending is injecting vital and much-needed liquidity into millions of small and medium enterprises that proudly form the beating heart of Pakistan’s economy.
Economists and market observers view the extraordinary consumer turnout as a deeply encouraging indicator of household resilience. Despite navigating challenging economic conditions over the past few years, Pakistani families are demonstrating admirable determination to celebrate their traditions, sustain their communities, and support local businesses.
The strong footfall across both traditional bazaars and modern shopping malls reflects a pleasing and growing confidence among urban consumers, a confidence that bodes exceptionally well for economic momentum in the months ahead.
Particularly uplifting is the surging popularity of domestically crafted goods. The overwhelming demand for Kashmiri bangles, Peshawari chappals, and handwoven khussas is celebrating and empowering local artisans, strengthening cottage industries, and championing the rich cultural heritage of Pakistani craftsmanship.
The glowing, laughter-filled bazaars of Ramazan’s final nights beautifully capture the spirit of a nation that remains energetic, hopeful, and forward-looking. They stand as a shining testament to Pakistan’s enduring economic vitality and the unbreakable spirit of its people.
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ISLAMABAD: The State Bank of Pakistan has issued a comprehensive advisory ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, urging citizens to use official banking channels to obtain new currency notes and to refrain from purchasing them from black-market vendors at inflated prices.
The central bank confirmed that arrangements for the distribution of freshly printed currency notes were finalised ahead of the festive season, with Eid expected around March 20. Citizens are encouraged to submit their requests well in advance to avoid last-minute difficulties.
The SBP has outlined several official methods for the public to obtain new notes. The primary channel is the bank’s dedicated SMS service on the short code 8877, which is activated during the second week of Ramadan. Citizens are required to send their CNIC number and preferred bank branch code to 8877, after which the system generates a unique transaction code along with the address of the designated branch.
Upon visiting the specified branch, citizens must present their original CNIC and a photocopy for verification. The SBP has explicitly stated that no additional charges or service fees are applicable during this process. In addition to branch services, many commercial banks load newer denomination notes, particularly Rs500 and Rs1,000 bills, into ATMs during the final ten days of Ramadan. SBP Banking Services Corporation offices in major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, also distribute new notes on a first-come, first-served basis.
Despite the availability of official channels, a segment of the public continues to turn to open-market vendors for convenience or due to limited bank quotas. Authorities have flagged that traders are selling new notes at significantly inflated premiums and have called upon citizens to report such illegal activity to the relevant authorities.
The SBP has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring smooth and equitable access to new currency notes for all citizens during the Eid festivities.
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ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has initiated a series of pre-monsoon measures to prevent urban flooding in Islamabad, following the severe flood damage the city experienced last year.
A high-level meeting chaired by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa brought together board members, senior engineers, environmental officials, and representatives of the Islamabad administration to formalize an emergency preparedness strategy ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.
Among the primary decisions taken was the removal of illegal encroachments along nullahs and streams, which have long obstructed the natural flow of water across the capital. Authorities also resolved to map all areas that experienced rainwater accumulation during last year’s flooding, particularly around Saidpur, the Sohan River, and Nullah Korang.
The Capital Emergency Service has been designated as the lead department during the monsoon period. In preparation, the department has already conducted water rescue training for its personnel in collaboration with Chinese experts and the Pakistan Navy. Staff have additionally been trained to respond to flash flooding scenarios. Specialised water rescue teams, each comprising 12 members, have been formed to handle emergencies.
Further measures include the establishment of a dedicated flood control room to facilitate inter-departmental coordination, the identification of low-lying and flood-prone areas across the city, and the deployment of an effective early warning system. Authorities have also been directed to ensure the availability of water pumps and dewatering equipment ahead of both the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods.
CDA Chairman Randhawa emphasised that thorough planning before the arrival of the monsoon season is essential and that pre-emptive measures must be guided by last year’s experience.
Islamabad has been increasingly affected by climate change in recent years, with urban flooding and extreme weather events posing growing challenges to the city’s infrastructure and residents.
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RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has initiated construction work on a slip road rehabilitation project at Faizabad Interchange, marking a significant step toward alleviating persistent traffic congestion in one of the city’s busiest transit corridors.
The project, valued at Rs. 15.490 million, falls under the supervision of the RDA Engineering Directorate and was set in motion following directives from Rawalpindi Commissioner and RDA Director General, Engineer Aamir Khattak. The inauguration was presided over by Raja Hanif, Chairman of the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team, Punjab, and Provincial Assembly member for constituency PP-17.
Works outlined under the project include the repair and rehabilitation of the existing slip road surface, alongside the installation of informational signboards at designated points around the interchange. The signage is intended to streamline vehicular movement and reduce navigational confusion during peak hours.
Authority officials stated that upon completion, the infrastructure improvements will contribute to smoother traffic regulation at the interchange, providing tangible relief to the thousands of daily commuters passing through the area. The project is also seen as part of RDA’s wider mandate to modernize urban road infrastructure across Rawalpindi.
Faizabad Interchange, which serves as a critical junction connecting Rawalpindi and Islamabad, has long been a flashpoint for traffic bottlenecks, particularly during rush hours. Civic authorities have faced mounting pressure to address the interchange’s deteriorating road conditions and inadequate directional guidance for motorists.
Officials confirmed that work is progressing on schedule and expressed confidence in meeting the project’s completion timeline. The RDA further indicated that several additional development schemes targeting urban mobility are currently in the pipeline for the region.
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ISLAMABAD: The provincial government has commenced construction on Phase-II of the Swat Motorway, initiating a project expected to significantly improve road connectivity and boost tourism across the Swat Valley.
Officials confirmed the launch, describing it as a key milestone in the government’s broader push to modernize transportation infrastructure throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Chief Minister stated that the motorway would ease travel across the region while generating new economic opportunities for local communities through increased visitor numbers and investment.
Authorities have linked the project to a wider provincial strategy aimed at reducing barriers to trade and development. Improved road access, officials noted, is expected to benefit multiple sectors, with tourism identified as a primary driver of anticipated growth.
The government has emphasized its commitment to quality construction and timely delivery. However, no specific completion date or project budget has been made public at this stage.
Local stakeholders have responded positively to the announcement, citing longstanding demand for reliable road infrastructure in the area. The motorway is expected to make the Swat Valley more accessible to both domestic and international visitors, strengthening its position as one of the province’s key tourism destinations.
Provincial authorities say construction will proceed under direct government supervision, with progress subject to ongoing review.
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