Lifestyle

The Punjab government has disbursed PKR 113 billion in home loans to 95,600 low-income families through the ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ Programme. The initiative, championed by CM Maryam Nawaz, aims to help 500,000 families over five years. Currently, 82,931 houses are under construction, with 20,940 already completed. The scheme emphasizes transparency and strict eligibility checks, benefiting both urban and rural areas.

The Punjab government is moving forward with an initial plan for Lahore's second airport to reduce pressure on the existing system and support urban growth. The Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) has identified a potential site near Ravi City, close to the M-3 Motorway, about 30 km from Allama Iqbal International Airport. The project is currently in the consultation stage to determine its cost and financing. While no timeline is set, the new facility is expected to boost employment and investment, strengthening Lahore's role as a major commercial hub.

The Ufone-Telenor merger has transformed Pakistan's telecom sector into a three-player market, creating a near two-horse race. The new entity, MergeCo (≈32.8% share), is now a powerful rival to the market leader, Jazz (≈43%). This consolidation is expected to spark intense competition, forcing both giants to invest heavily in 4G and 5G networks. Customers are set to benefit from better network quality and more competitive pricing, while Zong (≈24.1%) adapts as the third major competitor.

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has approved $475 million in financing for Pakistan's 306 km M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway, a crucial north-south corridor project. The $1.7 billion, six-lane motorway is part of CPEC's Eastern Alignment. While construction is planned for April 2026, the project faces delays and cost increases. The government is seeking further funding from institutions like the Saudi Fund for Development and the Asian Development Bank to cover the remaining costs.

The federal government has launched a massive, zero-markup scheme to finance 116,000 e-bikes and 3,170 e-rickshaws for FY26. The plan offers substantial capital subsidies (up to Rs. 50,000 for bikes and Rs. 200,000 for rickshaws) and waives all markup costs, with 25% of bikes specifically allocated to women.

The government has launched ‘Mera Ghar – Mera Ashiana,’ a new housing scheme offering 20-year home loans with heavily subsidized, fixed rates. Loans up to Rs2 million are available at just 5% for the first 10 years, and loans up to Rs3.5 million at 8%. The program is open to all non-homeowners and covers houses up to five marla.

The Islamabad IT Park, currently 71% complete, is scheduled to be largely finished by December 31, 2025. Funded by a $76.3 million loan from South Korea, the new 12-story facility is a critical step in the "Digital Pakistan" vision. It is expected to create 10,000 job opportunities, house around 120 startups, and serve as a national hub to boost technology transfer, R&D, and IT exports.

Islamabad's new $76.3 million IT Park is now 71% complete and scheduled to open by late December 2025. Funded by a South Korean loan, the state-of-the-art hub is a key part of the 'Digital Pakistan' vision, promising to generate 10,000 jobs and significantly boost IT exports by hosting up to 120 start-ups and SMEs.

New data from the State Bank of Pakistan shows that individuals now hold almost 50% of the country’s total bank deposits. As of August 2025, total deposits reached Rs. 33.8 trillion, with 49.4% (over Rs. 16 trillion) belonging to ordinary citizens. This highlights the dominant role of households in Pakistan’s financial system, with the private business sector and government holding a much smaller share.