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Balochistan’s first mass transit train operation begins in Quetta

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The Jinnah People’s Train, a public mass transit train service, was formally inaugurated in Quetta to serve the people a low-cost, safe and convenient mode of public transportation.

The ceremony was attended by province and federal officials, railroad authorities, political personalities and residents. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Federal Minister for Railroads Hanif Abbasi jointly launched the service.

The Jinnah People’s Train will run on a railroad track of 32 kilometers between Sariab and Kuchlak and seven stations will be set up on the route so that passengers from different places will be able to travel on it.

The two-coach train can seat 198 passengers and allow 30 more to stand up. The service is meant for students, government and private sector personnel, laborers, traders and other citizens traveling routinely between Kuchlak, Sariab and Quetta.

The fare recommended is between Rs50 to Rs100, which would be affordable for regular commuters. At the inauguration it was announced that senior citizens and persons with disabilities would be permitted to travel for free.

Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, addressing the occasion, said the provincial administration has taken initiatives to provide improved transport facilities to the people of Balochistan.

Instead of waiting for an expensive and long arrangement to import a train from China, the government has decided to use locally available resources, he said.

Bugti claimed the Jinnah People’s Train would assist the common people and noted that the provincial administration was working to extend the service from Bostan to Mastung in the future.

He further added that the government would keep working for the development of Balochistan and betterment of public infrastructure.

“This is an important development for the public transport system of Balochistan,” Federal Minister for Railroads Hanif Abbasi said. He claimed the government has moved forward with a metro-style rail service.

Abbasi further urged for another train of similar sort to be started within 120 days. Work on the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project is set to start in January and the project is estimated to cost roughly $2 billion, he said.

The Jinnah People’s Train is designed to ease congestion on crowded roads in Quetta, and provide commuters with a comparatively low-cost alternative to vehicle transport.

The service comes after the launch of Green and Pink bus services in Quetta and is another effort to extend the city’s public transportation network.

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IHC direct Islamabad administration to issue domicile to Lakki Marwat citizen

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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Islamabad district administration to issue a residence certificate to Hamadulla, who lives in Lakkimarwat, within five days.

The order was issued while considering the citizen’s application for Islamabad Domicile Certificate.

The court also expressed strong displeasure over the district administration’s decision to send a lower division clerk (LDC) to represent the deputy commissioner’s office instead of a senior official.

During the proceedings, the clerk informed the court that a domicile certificate is issued one year after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the applicant’s previous district. Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar questioned the official about his appointment and asked why the junior officer was being sent to represent the district administration.

Expressing indignation, the Chief Justice pointed out that the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner were not present in the court. He questioned the rationale behind making citizens wait for a year after issuing NOC and directed the government to complete the household registration process within five days.

The court also warned that if the residence certificate is not issued within the stipulated time, the Deputy Commissioner will have to appear in person.

After issuing the directions, the IHC adjourned further proceedings until next week.

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PM Shehbaz to address COP31 summit in Turkiye, hold key meetings with world leaders

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the high-level climate conference COP31 in Antalya, Turkey today as he begins a busy schedule of engagements with international leaders.

The Prime Minister will attend a high-level meeting titled “Clean Energy Transition 2035: Powering the Future” hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He is expected to deliver an important address outlining his vision for renewable energy and the transition towards clean energy.

During the COP31 summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also present Pakistan’s National Statement, highlighting the country’s position on climate justice and the challenges faced by nations severely affected by climate change. The announcement is expected to underline Pakistan’s concerns about the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable countries and to emphasize the importance of global cooperation and climate justice.

In addition to the planned address, the Prime Minister will hold important bilateral meetings with several world leaders throughout the day. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing common environmental and climate-related challenges.

Later in the evening, Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif will attend a gala dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet world leaders. His participation in the summit provides an opportunity for Pakistan to highlight its climate priorities and strengthen diplomatic engagement with the international community.

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Saudi delegation eyes Karachi port investments as Pakistan expands maritime trade

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A Saudi business delegation led by Prince Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Saud has expressed interest in investing in Karachi’s port infrastructure, logistics links and green initiatives, Pakistani authorities said Monday, as Islamabad seeks to expand maritime cooperation with its longtime Gulf ally.

The visit comes amid efforts by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to expand economic partnership from traditional trade, remittances and financial support to investment-based cooperation in infrastructure, energy and other areas. Pakistan is also seeking to modernize its ports, improve connections with land transport networks and expand transshipment operations to strengthen its position in regional trade.

Prince Mansoor, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Chapter of the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council, led a high-level corporate delegation to Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Port Qasim and South Asia Pakistan Terminals Limited, where officials were briefed on investment opportunities and ongoing modernization projects.

The briefings focused on the proposed 140-acre Maritime Business District in Karachi and the development of Manora Shipyard.

“Prince Mansour expressed keen interest in KPT’s Maritime Business District, Green port initiatives, terminal infrastructure expansion and connectivity initiatives, recognizing their scope for mutually beneficial Saudi investment and joint ventures,” the KPT said in a statement. The Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council serves as a platform for companies and investors from both countries to identify commercial opportunities, develop partnerships and form joint ventures. Prince Mansour has led several delegations to Pakistan as the two governments seek to translate their long-standing political and defense ties into greater private sector investment. In June, KPT signed a memorandum of understanding with its Saudi Arabian and Pakistani partners to explore the development of a maritime business zone on MT Khan Road in Karachi.

The proposed development involves the Saudi Arabian Business Council – Najd Gateway Holding Company, Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited and a consortium of Pakistani companies and is intended to accommodate commercial and maritime businesses.

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