KP orders blacklist of corrupt, underperforming of…

The number of applicants for Pakistan’s Prime Minister Apna Ghar Housing Scheme has increased by 52%, according to the Ministry of Finance, reflecting growing demand for housing finance across the country. The development was discussed during a meeting of the Steering Committee on Access to Finance chaired by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday. The meeting reviewed progress in several priority sectors, including housing, agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), exports, information technology and renewable energy. According to officials housing finance increased from Rs294 billion at the end of June to Rs307 billion by mid-August. Applications under the Prime Minister Apna Ghar programme have risen by 52% since June, reaching approximately 139,000 applications. The number of approved applications also increased by 84%, exceeding 46,000. Officials said approved financing under the programme has nearly doubled rising from Rs144 billion to Rs279 billion. The number of loans disbursed through the Apna Ghar programme increased by 59% to more than 7,600 loans, with the total amount disbursed exceeding Rs38 billion. The meeting also reviewed regulatory and legal measures aimed at expanding access to housing finance. These include revised prudential regulations introduced by the State Bank of Pakistan. Under the updated framework housing finance includes a 90:10 loan-to-value ratio a 65% debt-burden ratio and new procedures for assessing informal income. Officials also discussed measures to simplify property valuation and documentation, expand digital processing and make long-term housing finance more accessible. The approval of the Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) Amendment Act 2026 was described as an important legal reform for improving the recovery and enforcement framework for mortgage-based lending. The government has also set ambitious targets for agriculture and SME financing. It aims to increase financing in these sectors to Rs1.5 trillion by June 2027 and Rs2 trillion by June 2028. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed the need to direct the financial sector toward productive investment, business expansion, home ownership, agricultural productivity and export-led economic growth.The number of applicants for Pakistan’s Prime Minister Apna Ghar Housing Scheme has increased by 52%, according to the Ministry of Finance, reflecting growing demand for housing finance across the country.

  At least 10 terrorists affiliated with the India-backed group Fitna al-Hindustan were killed during an exchange of fire with security forces in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, according to security sources. The sources said the operation was launched in the Shor Parod mountainous region after intelligence reports indicated the presence of militants linked to Fitna al-Hindustan, which Pakistani authorities describe as an Indian proxy group. During the operation, security personnel engaged the militants in an intense exchange of fire. At least 10 terrorists were killed, while several others sustained injuries, according to the security sources. The operation was carried out as part of ongoing efforts to counter militant activity in the province. Security officials reiterated their resolve to continue intelligence-based and targeted operations against terrorist groups until the threat of terrorism is eliminated from the country. They said security forces would remain vigilant and take action against militants involved in attacks and other violent activities. The latest development comes three days after another major security operation in Balochistan in which at least eight terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Hindustan were killed following the premature detonation of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). According to security officials, the explosive device detonated while the militants were reportedly preparing it in Surab district. The premature blast killed several terrorists and disrupted what was believed to be an attempt to prepare an attack. Security forces subsequently launched an operation in the area. During the operation, personnel detected the movement of terrorists who were attempting to flee from the area. The security forces pursued the militants and killed 10 of them, according to officials. The incidents highlight the continuing security challenges faced by Balochistan, which has witnessed repeated militant attacks and counterterrorism operations in recent years. Pakistan has experienced a significant increase in terrorist activity, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, since 2021, when the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. Both provinces have remained major areas of concern for Pakistani security authorities because of the frequency and intensity of militant attacks. According to a report published by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), KP and Balochistan continued to be the country’s primary hotspots for violence during the second quarter of 2026. The report identified Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the worst-affected region during the period. It said the two provinces together accounted for nearly 96% of all violence-related fatalities recorded across Pakistan during the quarter. Of the total number of deaths reported, more than 61%, or 475 fatalities, occurred in KP. Balochistan recorded 265 deaths, accounting for approximately 34% of the total. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also registered the highest number of violent incidents during the quarter. According to the CRSS report, the province recorded 151 incidents, representing 57% of all such incidents reported nationwide. Balochistan followed with 94 violent incidents, making up around 35% of the national total. The figures underline the concentration of militant activity and violence in the two provinces. Security forces have continued conducting operations in both regions to disrupt militant networks, prevent planned attacks and target individuals involved in terrorism. The latest operation in Khuzdar is part of these continuing counterterrorism efforts.

  Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is attempting to secure power in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) through electoral manipulation rather than the democratic process Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Memon strongly criticized the ruling party’s political approach and accused its leadership of relying on what he described as “backdoor” methods to gain power. He claimed that the PML-N was now trying to repeat the same strategy in Azad Kashmir ahead of the upcoming political developments in the region. “The Pakistan Muslim League-N wants to come to power in Azad Kashmir through rigging,” Memon said while addressing journalists. He argued that free and fair elections are essential for maintaining public trust in democratic institutions and urged all stakeholders to ensure transparency in the electoral process. During the press conference, Memon also took aim at former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He alleged that Nawaz Sharif had himself entered power through what he called the “backdoor,” adding that Maryam Nawaz had followed the same path. Referring to one of her recent public remarks, Memon criticized her statement asking, “When will the Day of Judgment come?” He said such expressions should not be used by political leaders, arguing that they were inappropriate in public discourse. The Sindh minister emphasized that politicians should exercise caution in their choice of words and avoid making statements that could create unnecessary controversy or distract from issues affecting the public. He said political leaders have a responsibility to maintain respectful and constructive dialogue, particularly during periods of heightened political activity. Memon also spoke about the challenges facing Karachi, describing the country’s largest city as unique in both its size and complexity. “Karachi has many challenges because Karachi is not just a city—it is like a country,” he remarked. He said the metropolis faces a wide range of issues, including infrastructure demands, traffic congestion, rapid population growth, and the need for improved public services. According to Memon, the Sindh government continues to work on addressing these longstanding challenges through development projects and administrative reforms. He stressed that managing Karachi requires coordinated efforts from both provincial and federal institutions due to the city’s economic significance and its role as Pakistan’s commercial hub. The press conference primarily focused on the current political environment, electoral transparency, and governance issues. Memon reiterated that democratic values must be upheld and that any attempt to influence election outcomes unfairly would undermine public confidence in the political system. His remarks come amid increasing political activity across the country, with parties positioning themselves ahead of future elections and regional political contests. The statements are expected to draw responses from the Pakistan Muslim League-N, which has previously rejected similar allegations and maintained that it believes in democratic and constitutional processes. The comments made by Sharjeel Memon add to the ongoing political debate in Pakistan, where electoral integrity, governance, and accountability continue to dominate public discussion. As political tensions persist, attention remains focused on ensuring transparent elections and promoting constructive political dialogue across the country.