Lifestyle

Airblue has launched a new twice-weekly direct flight between Islamabad and Dammam, operating on Thursdays and Saturdays to improve connectivity with Saudi Arabia. The route was inaugurated at Islamabad International Airport, where the airline said the service targets growing demand from business travellers and expatriates and marks a further expansion of its international network.

Pakistan and the UAE have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen strategic, economic, and defence cooperation, with a strong focus on trade, investment, and people-to-people ties. In a meeting in Islamabad, UAE Ambassador Salem Al Zaabi and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb discussed expanding Emirati investment in sectors such as ports, digital banking, logistics, technology, agriculture, and minerals, aligned with Pakistan’s shift toward an investment-driven, private-sector-led growth model. Al Zaabi also outlined new visa facilitation measures for Pakistanis, including online and e-visa systems and a dedicated visa centre, through which nearly 500 visas are now being processed daily to support business and visitor travel between the two countries

Sindh Tajir Ittehad Chairman Sheikh Habib has criticised the Sindh government for failing to issue number plates to new motorcycles despite charging registration fees, calling it a clear case of misgovernance. He acknowledged that the e-challan system has helped curb roadside corruption but warned that its effectiveness is undermined by a weak vehicle registration database and thousands of unregistered bikes. Habib urged reforms including mandatory registration in the actual owner’s name, lower initial fines for bikers, a government-backed helmet scheme, biometric verification for vehicle transactions, and continuous updating of ownership records.

Islamabad is fast-tracking a new international-standard cricket stadium in sector D-12, with the Capital Development Authority directed to complete the project within a year. The venue will feature Dubai-style modern facilities, including advanced security, upgraded access roads, and large parking areas, along with a luxury hotel next door to house visiting teams and officials. Authorities expect the out-of-centre location to ease match-day traffic jams in the capital and help Islamabad emerge as a key host for high-profile international cricket events in the coming years

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has approved a comprehensive citywide upgrade plan for all sectors of Islamabad. The initiative includes uniform road repairs, resurfacing, and patchwork, as well as restoration and expansion of footpaths. Streetlights and poles will be repaired or newly installed to enhance safety. Key commercial areas like Super Market, Jinnah Super, Aabpara, Karachi Company, and Blue Area will receive prioritized upgrades with minimized disruptions. The project also covers new signage, lane markings, speed breakers, and improvements to sewerage and drainage systems. The plan aims to improve civic services, beautify the city with the help of architects, and restore Islamabad’s environment using modern machinery and internal resources.

The PKR 14 billion Kachehri Chowk infrastructure project in Rawalpindi is expanding with the launch of construction on three new underpasses (at Qasim Market, Race Course, and Cheering Cross), costing PKR 7.20 billion. This crucial phase, set to begin by early December, is part of the larger effort to create a signal-free corridor from Kachehri Chowk to Motorway Chowk. With round-the-clock work by the C&W Department and FWO, the entire corridor is targeting completion by June or July of next year to significantly ease traffic congestion.

The new electric bus service launched in Rawalpindi by CM Maryam Nawaz introduced 45 buses (out of a planned 80-bus fleet) to operate on four key routes. These buses offer significant upgrades over traditional transit, featuring air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, charging ports, and wheelchair accessibility. The standard fare is Rs 20, but the service prioritizes social welfare by offering free travel for women, the elderly, and children with special needs. This initiative is positioned as a part of a broader infrastructure improvement plan for Punjab.

The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has finalized a plan to commercialize six major roads in Lahore to support the city’s growing commercial activities. Roads included are Sabzazar Liaquat Chowk to Multan Road, College Road to UET Roundabout, Defence Road to Kahna, GT Road to BRB Canal, LOS Road from Ferozepur Road to Multan Road, and Barki Road from Ring Road to BRB Canal. This move aims to create designated business corridors that meet increasing urban demand. Public feedback was sought, and enforcement teams also worked to remove illegal constructions in Johar Town to ensure proper urban development management.

A Cloudflare configuration error caused a global network outage, briefly taking down major sites like X and ChatGPT. The incident, which exposed the fragility of the internet's core infrastructure, affected users worldwide before services were restored.