Lifestyle

Rawalpindi Ring Road Phase 1, now estimated to cost PKR 50 billion, has been delayed, with its completion deadline pushed from December 2025 to March 2026 and about 75% of work done so far. The 38.6km stretch from Banth Mor to Thalian Interchange faces construction and land acquisition hurdles, especially for upgrading Thalian into a broad-based interchange. The cost has risen from PKR 33 billion due to scope revisions, and officials warn the interchange works may extend beyond March 2026. A feasibility study and PC-I for Phase 2, from Thalian to GT Road (M-5), are also due by March 2026.

PIA’s privatisation moves ahead on December 23, with three bidders still competing after Fauji Fertiliser’s withdrawal. The bidders will submit and open bids the same day under a live-televised process, seeking a 75pc stake, while 25pc shares remain with the government. The winning bidder will pay in two tranches and assume key liabilities, with no layoffs allowed for one year and staff benefits protected.

Lahore is preparing to celebrate Basant 2026 from February 6 to 8, with major venues including Greater Iqbal Park, Jallo Park, and Model Town Park. Authorities have finalized safety and administrative plans, banning metallic and chemical-coated kite strings and offering Rs. 5,000 rewards for reporting violations. Special monitoring teams will ensure public safety, and citizens are urged to follow regulations for a safe and joyful celebration.

TikTok has launched a new self-serve advertising platform in Pakistan to help small and medium-sized businesses create and manage their own ad campaigns more easily and affordably. The TikTok For Business Ads Manager gives local entrepreneurs flexible tools, creative resources and performance targeting to reach new audiences without needing specialist expertise. The company says Pakistani SMBs can now better tap into TikTok’s highly engaged user base, building brand visibility at home and abroad while using flexible budgets and intelligent targeting to improve campaign results.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has launched the province’s first women-only Pink Bus Service in Quetta to provide safer and more dignified public transport for women, building on initiatives like the Pink Scooties scheme and scholarship programs that support women’s empowerment. The chief minister praised women deputy commissioners for their effective leadership, vowed to counter “extremist elements” he says mislead Baloch women, and announced plans to extend the Green Bus Service to Pishin, Mastung, and Turbat while working on introducing electric buses to improve public transport and reduce pollution.

MCB Bank is offering the iPhone 17 lineup on a 0% markup installment plan for credit card customers, with tenures of up to 36 months and no processing fee. The iPhone 17 Pro is available in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver, and eligible purchases come with Shield+ perks, including a one-year extended warranty plus one-time front screen and back-glass replacement. The offer runs until December 31, 2025, and includes a limited complimentary gift while stocks last.

NayaPay has launched global QR payments via partnership with Alipay+, enabling Pakistani users to scan and pay at merchants in 50+ countries.Millions of NayaPay customers gain seamless access to retail, dining, transport, healthcare, and entertainment abroad, with lower costs and faster checkouts compared to traditional methods.Building on 2024's China rollout, this expands NayaPay's services like Visa cards and remittances. CEO Danish Lakhani calls it a step toward global payment freedom for Pakistanis traveling or shopping internationally.

Yango Delivery has quickly become Pakistan's leading express service, surpassing rivals like Bykea in 18 months with fast, cheap deliveries via red-helmeted bikes in major cities.Dubai-based Yango entered in 2023 with ride-hailing post-Uber and Careem exits, pivoting to parcels under exec Mohammad Ahsan Akbar, who scaled Foodpanda's logistics. Features like real-time tracking, free insurance, multi-stops, and diverse vehicles (bikes to trucks) drive dominance, plus grocery/cargo expansions. Navigating inflation and fuel woes with tech efficiency and bonuses, Yango aims for a "super app" unifying Pakistan's fragmented logistics for urban consumers and SMBs.

Pakistan is launching a state-of-the-art weather alert system on the Islamabad–Lahore Motorway through the "Weather on the Way" project. It provides real-time, local weather updates on hazards like fog and rain via mobile apps and toll displays to improve road safety. The system also supports agriculture, environmental monitoring, and public safety agencies across the country. This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing Pakistan's climate intelligence and early-warning capabilities.