2026

ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a comprehensive review meeting on the Apna Ghar Programme on Wednesday. This high-level meeting focused on Pakistan’s federal housing initiative, which aims to provide affordable housing solutions nationwide. Progress Evaluation of the Housing Initiative The meeting assessed the progress and implementation of the Apna Ghar Programme. This initiative is designed to support citizens across Pakistan’s provinces, tackling the national housing shortage, a significant government priority. Prime Minister Sharif evaluated current developments and outlined strategic future directions. The programme’s primary objective is to help middle and lower-income families achieve homeownership. Key Focus Areas in Discussion Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, joined by senior officials, explored essential facets of the housing programme. Major Examination Highlights Current implementation progress across provinces Challenges encountered during the programme rollout Future expansion plans and timelines Affordability mechanisms for beneficiaries Upcoming Announcements from Islamabad Immediate details from the meeting were not provided. However, the Prime Minister’s Office is expected to release a detailed statement soon, which will focus on key policy directions and programme updates. Officials suggest that timelines and expansion plans will be announced post-review. Further information from Islamabad regarding the next phase of the Apna Ghar Programme is anticipated.

ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a crucial review meeting in Islamabad on the Apna Ghar Housing Programme. This initiative aims to offer affordable housing to eligible citizens across Pakistan. Progress and Implementation Assessment During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assessed the progress and implementation of the Apna Ghar Programme. The participation of high-level federal officials and representatives from various ministries underscored its significance in Islamabad. The programme forms a key part of the federal government’s social welfare agenda, highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to addressing the housing needs of underserved communities nationwide. Key Features of the Scheme The Apna Ghar Programme is designed to help low-income families obtain subsidised housing throughout the country. Supported by government funding, the programme enhances these families’ ability to achieve homeownership. It targets groups who have limited access to traditional mortgages, providing alternative solutions that operate outside conventional banking systems. Benefits for Citizens Subsidised housing options for low-income families Government-backed financing options Focus on underserved communities nationwide Alternative homeownership solutions beyond traditional banking Federal Housing Policy Priority Although specific conclusions from the meeting were not made public, affordable housing continues to be a key focus within the federal government’s policy framework. The Apna Ghar Programme remains central to Pakistan’s strategy to improve housing accessibility. Under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, it stands as a cornerstone of social welfare policy in Islamabad.

PESHAWAR — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is advocating for the establishment of a Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University campus in Dera Ismail Khan. This effort aims to expand higher education access for women in the southern districts of Pakistan. Expanding Higher Education Access The proposed women’s university campus will extend the reach of the Peshawar-based institution into underserved regions. Many women in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa face significant challenges in accessing university education. Governor Kundi is collaborating with provincial education authorities to expedite the campus development. This initiative aims to fill crucial gaps in educational infrastructure for women. Challenges for Women in Southern Districts Women in southern districts encounter numerous barriers to university education, including: Long distances from current university facilities Insufficient local educational infrastructure Lack of quality academic programs for women Cultural and logistical mobility limitations Improving Educational Infrastructure Dera Ismail Khan and similar areas have traditionally experienced deficiencies in educational infrastructure. Women’s enrollment in higher education is notably below the provincial average. The new campus represents a crucial step in closing the gender gap and providing local women with improved academic opportunities. Aligning with Government Initiatives This campus expansion supports both federal and provincial strategies to improve educational outcomes for women. It aims to eliminate educational disparities between northern and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reinforcing the provincial government’s commitment to educational equity. This project aligns with Pakistan’s national goals to empower women through education.

Tragedy struck the riverine village of Khanote in the Jamshoro district when a devastating fire claimed the lives of two young boys on Thursday. This heartbreaking incident severely impacted a peasant family residing in Sindh province. Victims of the Jamshoro Fire The police identified the victims as Soorjaj, aged four, and Netal Das, aged five. Both boys were the sons of Khameso Kolhi, a peasant worker. The family recently relocated to the area for agricultural work, residing in makeshift accommodations when the fire erupted. Origin of the Khanote Hut Fire Authorities suspect that the fire began from a cooking stove inside the hut. The flames rapidly engulfed the structure due to the highly flammable thatched materials. This rapid escalation left no opportunity for rescue efforts. Rural Sindh’s Housing Challenges Khameso Kolhi, originally from Tando Muhammad Khan, worked as an agricultural laborer in Jamshoro’s riverine area. Substandard housing conditions significantly contributed to this tragedy, a risk commonly faced by agricultural workers in rural Sindh. Safety Concerns for Farm Workers The Jamshoro fire highlights several critical safety issues faced by seasonal agricultural workers, including: Use of flammable thatched structures lacking fire-resistant materials Insufficient safety provisions in temporary shelters Limited access to emergency services in remote areas Cooking stoves used in poorly ventilated huts Many rural families in Pakistan live under these conditions, facing similar fire hazards and safety risks daily.

RAWALPINDI — General Metin Tokel, Commander of Turkish Land Forces, met with Pakistan’s top military leaders, including Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at the General Headquarters on Thursday. This high-level meeting emphasizes the ongoing defence cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey, which remain steadfast allies. The interactions highlight the deepening military ties developed over decades of strategic partnership. Both nations consistently enhance their bilateral defence relations through regular high-level exchanges. Engagement with Pakistan’s Leadership During his visit to Pakistan, General Tokel engaged with the country’s tri-services leadership. He held separate meetings with the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff. The discussions focused on extensive defence engagement, emphasizing the coordination of mutual security interests and operational matters across all military branches. The General Headquarters in Rawalpindi served as the venue for crucial talks on bilateral military cooperation and strategic security challenges. Key Defence Cooperation Areas Pakistan and Turkey maintain strong military ties through their enduring strategic partnership. Their bilateral relationship involves cooperation in several critical areas: Defence production and manufacturing initiatives Military training and capacity-building programs Strategic coordination on regional security challenges Joint exercises and operational readiness activities Enhancing Regional Security High-level exchanges are a hallmark of Pakistan-Turkey defence cooperation. Both countries view their defence partnership as essential for broader bilateral ties and regional stability. Turkey remains a key partner for Pakistan in defence modernization and strategic security matters. This dialogue reflects their shared interests in regional peace and achieving mutual defence objectives through sustained cooperation.

RAWALPINDI — A significant cybercrime operation in Pakistan has led to the arrest of 11 individuals, including foreign nationals. This crackdown targeted a network involved in producing and streaming explicit content on adult websites and was detailed on Wednesday. Organized Network Raids Authorities conducted coordinated raids, detaining two foreign men, two local men, and seven women, one of whom is a foreign national. These arrests signal major progress in combating organized online obscenity. Evidence seized during the raids includes: A pistol and ammunition Multiple mobile phones and a laptop Specialized equipment for live streaming Devices used to upload explicit videos Investigation into Network Funding Police have registered a case at the Rawat police station. Investigators aim to uncover the network’s funding sources and financial activities, potentially exposing links to other regional criminal networks. Efforts are underway to identify and arrest additional associates and facilitators involved in the cybercrime. The main objective is to dismantle the network’s operations and halt unlawful activities. Collaboration with NCCIA Authorities are collaborating with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to examine digital aspects of the case. This partnership aims to trace online activities and financial transactions related to the operation. Digital forensic experts are scrutinizing the seized devices to understand the full scope of the network’s activities. They are analyzing upload histories, financial records, and communication patterns. Commitment to Combat Digital Crime Officials are dedicated to tackling digital crime, promising firm legal action against offenders, regardless of their background or status. This crackdown underscores the heightened vigilance against online obscenity and cybercrime in Pakistan. Law enforcement agencies are intensifying digital platform surveillance to effectively combat organized digital crime. Authorities are resolute in their efforts to identify and prosecute those involved in the production and distribution of illegal online content.