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Inauguration of two flyovers soon, capital to become Mulberry-free: CDA DG

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP):Deputy DG Environment at the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Irfan Azeem Khan Niazi on Friday announced that the prime minister was prioritizing beautification efforts, focusing on planting allergy-friendly trees and inaugurating two flyovers, to enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal and livability.
In an exclusive conversation with PTV News Channel, the DG disclosed that two new flyovers at D Chowk and Shaheen Chowk will be inaugurated within the next two to three days, depending on the Prime Minister’s availability.
He emphasized that these flyovers were part of the ongoing efforts to improve the capital’s infrastructure .
“The Interior Minister has strictly advised CDA DG that the focus remain not only on the timely construction of the flyovers but also on the beautification of the green spaces surrounding them. This includes the addition of flowering plants to enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal and environmental quality”.
He further added that the Faizabad remodeling project, which includes widening the roads and extending the loops, is nearing completion, adding, these upgrades will significantly enhance traffic flow in the area.
He also discussed the ongoing beautification of key interchanges, emphasizing that efforts to enhance their aesthetic appeal with greenery and landscaping are well underway.
Responding to a query about mulberry trees causing allergies for residents, he explained that when Islamabad was first developed, the population was much smaller, adding, however, with the growing population, the issue has become more prominent.
He assured that by Spring, Islamabad would be mulberry-free, with 75 percent of the work already completed.
Talking about park maintenance, he disclosed that there were 12 major parks in Islamabad, including the second phase of Lake View Park, which was set to begin soon.
He also mentioned that a comprehensive program is being introduced for community parks, along with the implementation of uniformed cards for food vendors.
In total, Islamabad has 320 parks total and efforts are underway to enhance their maintenance and facilities.
 When asked about tree cutting, he explained that no one, including citizens, can cut or trim trees without obtaining permission from the CDA.
He called for greater awareness of this policy to protect the city’s environment.
In his concluding remarks, he highlighted that social media platforms were actively being used to address the citizen’s concerns, with the Chairman of CDA personally overseeing the matters. He emphasized that if any citizen reports a complaint, they receive a response directly from the CDA.

Pakistan calls for strong International solidarity to safeguard World Heritage from climate catastrophe

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP):In a powerful appeal to the international community, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi Friday warned that millennia-old cultural treasures are being lost to climate change and called for urgent global action to protect humanity’s shared heritage before it vanishes forever.
Delivering a keynote statement at a high-level special event titled “Culture-Climate Nexus: The Missing Link”, held on the margins of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) General Assembly in Rome, the minister presented a stark picture of climate-induced devastation facing irreplaceable historical sites.
Speaking before international delegates, the Minister highlighted Pakistan’s vast and diverse cultural heritage—from the ancient urban civilizations of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa to the Buddhist sites of Taxila and Takht-i-Bahi, the Mughal-era Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens, and vibrant indigenous cultures—stressing that these treasures now stand on the frontline of the global climate crisis.
He underscored the severe impact of climate change on Pakistan’s heritage, recalling the 2022 floods that damaged more than 750 registered heritage sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mohenjo-Daro.
The minister further pointed to growing threats such as glacial lake outburst floods jeopardizing rock carvings along the Karakoram Highway and petroglyphs in the Diamer-Bhasha region, as well as coastal erosion and rising sea levels affecting Banbhore and the Makli Necropolis.
Calling for stronger international solidarity, Khichi urged the global community to formally recognize cultural heritage as a strategic asset within climate adaptation and mitigation frameworks.
He advocated integrating heritage protection into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and proposed the establishment of a dedicated funding window for climate-impacted heritage under the Loss and Damage Fund.
The minister also recommended the creation of an ICCROM-led global knowledge platform bringing together scientists, heritage professionals, indigenous communities, and youth to co-develop resilient, culture-centered solutions.
He proposed incorporating culture-based indicators into the UNFCCC Global Stocktake to measure cultural loss alongside rising global temperatures.
Aurangzeb Khan Khichi was leading Pakistan’s delegation to the ICCROM General Assembly Session, taking place in Rome, Italy from December 10–12, 2025.

Players in action during the Kabaddi match between Bandesha Kabaddi Club and Ali Raza Wahla Kabaddi Club in the Gold Kabaddi Cup, organized by the Divisional Kabaddi Association and Divisional Sports Department at Al-Fateh Sports Ground.

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Players in action during the Kabaddi match between Bandesha Kabaddi Club and Ali Raza Wahla Kabaddi Club in the Gold Kabaddi Cup, organized by the Divisional Kabaddi Association and Divisional Sports Department at Al-Fateh Sports Ground.
APP08-121225
FAISALABAD: December 12 – 
Players in action during the Kabaddi match between Bandesha Kabaddi Club and Ali Raza Wahla Kabaddi Club in the Gold Kabaddi Cup, organized by the Divisional Kabaddi Association and Divisional Sports Department at Al-Fateh Sports Ground.
APP09-121225
FAISALABAD: December 12 – Players in action during the Kabaddi match between Bandesha Kabaddi Club and Ali Raza Wahla Kabaddi Club in the Gold Kabaddi Cup, organized by the Divisional Kabaddi Association and Divisional Sports Department at Al-Fateh Sports Ground. APP/TWR/MAF/FHA
Players in action during the Kabaddi match between Bandesha Kabaddi Club and Ali Raza Wahla Kabaddi Club in the Gold Kabaddi Cup, organized by the Divisional Kabaddi Association and Divisional Sports Department at Al-Fateh Sports Ground.
APP10-121225
FAISALABAD: December 12 – Players in action during the Kabaddi match between Bandesha Kabaddi Club and Ali Raza Wahla Kabaddi Club in the Gold Kabaddi Cup, organized by the Divisional Kabaddi Association and Divisional Sports Department at Al-Fateh Sports Ground. APP/TWR/MAF/FHA

A farmer tends to blooming marigold flowers in his field ahead of the winter season.

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A farmer tends to blooming marigold flowers in his field ahead of the winter season.
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HYDERABAD: December 12 –

Women busy selecting and purchasing used warm clothes from a vendor during the winter season.

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Women busy selecting and purchasing used warm clothes from a vendor during the winter season.
APP04-121225
HYDERABAD: December 12 – 
Women busy selecting and purchasing used warm clothes from a vendor during the winter season.
APP05-121225
HYDERABAD: December 12 – People busy selecting and purchasing used warm clothes from a vendor during the winter season. APP/FHN/MAF/FHA

Elderly workers cut wood into pieces at their workplace in the Federal Capital, preparing it for sale.

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Elderly workers cut wood into pieces at their workplace in the Federal Capital, preparing it for sale.
APP02-121225
ISLAMABAD: December 12 –
Elderly workers cut wood into pieces at their workplace in the Federal Capital, preparing it for sale.
APP03-121225
ISLAMABAD: December 12 – Workers busy stacking wood onto a tall woodpile at a worksite in the Federal Capital. APP/SAK/MAF/FHA

Standard Chartered Bank Board calls on Finance Minister

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP):A delegation comprising Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Board led by Christopher Parsons, Chairman of the Board and Senior Executive Officer, DIFC & ADGM, along with senior members of the bank’s board and management Friday met with Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb.
The delegation noted that the board was convening in Islamabad after a considerable period and shared positive feedback from its engagements with international financial institutions and market participants regarding Pakistan’s improving economic outlook, said a press release.
The minister expressed appreciation for Standard Chartered’s continued support to Pakistan, particularly during the negotiation and implementation of the Extended Fund Facility, noting that the bank’s engagement played a constructive role in strengthening market confidence and supporting external financing.
He briefed the delegation on the Government’s reform priorities, emphasizing the importance of sustaining macroeconomic stability and converting it into investment-led and export-oriented growth.
The meeting focused on key areas of collaboration, including privatization, foreign direct investment and access to international capital markets. The minister highlighted the government’s renewed push on privatization, underscoring the need for credible sell-side advisory support to accelerate transactions and attract quality investors.
He also outlined efforts to diversify financing sources through capital market instruments, including progress on a potential Panda bond issuance and steps to refresh Pakistan’s Global Medium Term Note program.
The delegation conveyed that Pakistan remains a priority market for Standard Chartered and expressed readiness to support the government’s agenda through advisory services, syndications and by connecting Pakistan with investor pools, particularly in the GCC and other international markets.
Interest was also expressed in supporting investment inflows linked to major projects and sectors with strong growth potential.
The minister further shared that the government is addressing key constraints to investment, including taxation and energy sector challenges, while advancing institutional reforms to strengthen economic policy-making. Both sides agreed to maintain close engagement to support Pakistan’s reform momentum, enhance investor confidence and promote sustainable economic growth.

SAPM Haroon chairs meeting with SME clusters, discusses sectoral challenges

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP):Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan on Friday chaired a meeting with representatives of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) clusters and discussed major challenges faced by the industrial sectors, particularly the cutlery industry.
Representatives of SMEs cluster from Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Wazirabad briefed the SAPM on the severe shortage of high-quality raw material being faced by the cutlery sector, said a news release.
SAPM Haroon urged the State Bank of Pakistan to provide working capital facilities to SMEs, including special support for the cutlery sector. He further emphasized that issues related to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other relevant departments must be resolved on a priority basis to ensure smooth operations of SME clusters.
He stressed that all government institutions must extend support to SME clusters in strengthening research, innovation, and market competitiveness. He directed SMEDA to immediately take up the visa issues of SMEs with relevant embassies.
Haroon also instructed the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to provide full facilitation for SMEs participating in international exhibitions.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to promoting SMEs, the SAPM announced that SMEDA is organizing a national-level SME exhibition in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He urged all SMEs to participate actively in this major national event.
Earlier, the SMEs cluster representatives said despite possessing immense potential, the industry is unable to compete with China due to a continued reliance on handmade production and inadequate access to modern machinery.
They emphasized that the absence of advanced technology, research, and development remains a significant barrier to growth.
The Gujranwala Chamber informed that international exhibitions play a vital role in enhancing SME exports, but prolonged visa processes restrict SMEs from participating in global trade shows.
SME cluster representatives requested government support to resolve visa-related challenges that hinder international market access.
They  requested strong cooperation from Pakistan’s commercial attachés abroad to enhance export opportunities.
The SAPM directed SMEDA to include the relevant commercial attachés in the committee to strengthen coordination and support for SMEs.

FJWU launches initiative to boost Digital Literacy and Reintegrate Out-of-School Children

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RAWALPINDI, Dec 12 (APP):Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), in collaboration with Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) and the Education Department, Government of Punjab, has officially inaugurated a landmark initiative titled “Enhancing Digital Literacy and Mainstreaming Out-of-School Children in Primary Schools.”
FJWU launches initiative to boost Digital Literacy and Reintegrate Out-of-School Children
This pioneering project is designed to combat illiteracy by equipping community members with essential digital skills, creating supportive educational materials, and facilitating the reintegration of out-of-school children into the formal education system, said a press release issued here on Friday.
The pilot phase will be carried out in UC Ranyal, Rawalpindi, leveraging FJWU’s academic expertise and human resources through a robust Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Addressing the ceremony as chief guest, Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza (TI, Pride of Performance), Vice Chancellor FJWU emphasized the importance of inclusive education and the transformative role of digital literacy in empowering underserved communities.
This meaningful collaboration between FJWU, HHRD, and the Punjab Education Department reflects a shared commitment to advancing primary education, reducing educational disparities, and fostering digitally empowered communities.