2026

PESHAWAR — In the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly, opposition parties have fiercely condemned the newly presented KP provincial budget. They criticized it for failing to address the needs of ordinary citizens. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led administration faces accusations from the opposition for using a ‘jugglery of words’ strategy in the budget proposal. Opposition Lawmakers Critique the Budget Opposition lawmakers contend that the budget does not fulfill the fundamental requirements of the people, particularly neglecting the poor. They argue that the government has failed to implement necessary relief measures for the underprivileged segments of society. Neglected Sectors Healthcare Education Infrastructure These critical sectors are seen as needing immediate and focused attention to improve citizen welfare effectively. Political Tensions Persist in KP The budget rejection highlights the persistent political tensions within KP. Opposition groups continue to clash with the governing party over financial priorities and governance strategies, exacerbating divisions in the provincial assembly.

ISLAMABAD — The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has scheduled a power outage this Saturday. This is essential for maintenance and development work across various areas. Details of Power Suspension An IESCO spokesperson stated that the power disruption will impact the Islamabad Circle, particularly the Ghouri Garden feeder. The outage is planned from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Reasons for Scheduled Outages The scheduled outages are crucial for upgrading the power infrastructure and improving reliability. IESCO encourages consumers to prepare for this short-term inconvenience.

ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s dedication to supporting refugees and called upon the global community to assist countries hosting displaced populations. He stressed the importance of a dignified repatriation process for Afghan refugees. These remarks were delivered on World Refugee Day, under the theme “Until Everyone is Safe.” Pakistan’s Efforts in Refugee Support Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif detailed Pakistan’s longstanding role in sheltering Afghan refugees. He emphasized the joint responsibility of the international community to aid in their safe return and reintegration into Afghanistan. Need for International Cooperation The Prime Minister appealed for stronger international collaboration and backing for host nations like Pakistan, which have managed large refugee inflows. His call for shared global responsibility aligns with Pakistan’s enduring stance on refugee issues.

FAISALABAD — The Punjab government has approved the deployment of the innovative bio-artificial ‘OxyGenix Tree’ technology. This initiative aims to tackle the increasing concerns of smog and air pollution across the province. Enhancing Environmental Quality The implementation of OxyGenix Tree technology is pivotal for improving environmental quality and safeguarding public health throughout Punjab. This technology mimics natural processes, providing an effective solution against the harmful effects of smog. Technology Announcement On Friday, Dr. Sarfraz Ahmad, CEO of Terra Spark, announced this significant development. He emphasized how this technology can accelerate efforts to purify air in urban settings. Impact on Urban Communities With the deployment of OxyGenix Trees, urban areas in Punjab could see a drastic improvement in air quality. This initiative positions Punjab as a leader in environmental technology.

RAWALPINDI — The Punjab Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department hosted a ceremony to distribute educational scholarship cheques to deserving minority students on Thursday. Ceremony Highlights The event was led by Ziaullah Shah, the Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs, alongside Additional Deputy Commissioner (HQ) Abdul Rehman Khan. It aimed to promote educational support to minority communities. Educational Support for Minorities The provincial government awarded scholarship cheques to both male and female students. This demonstrates their commitment to enhancing educational opportunities within minority communities and fostering an inclusive educational environment. Efforts Towards Inclusivity This initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve access to education for minorities in the region. The ceremony highlighted the crucial role of education in societal progress and aimed to alleviate the financial challenges faced by minority students in pursuing their academic goals.