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President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari held a meeting with Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, during which the two discussed the prevailing political situation in the country as well as a range of important national issues. According to sources familiar with the meeting, the discussion focused on matters of national importance and developments taking place on the political front. The two leaders exchanged views on the current situation and considered issues that require attention at the federal level. The meeting between President Zardari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi comes at a time when the country is facing a number of political, administrative, and security-related challenges. The Interior Ministry plays a key role in dealing with internal security, law and order, border management, immigration, and other matters directly linked to national stability. Sources said that the president and the interior minister also reviewed issues falling within the ministry’s domain. Although details of the discussion were not officially disclosed, the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the government’s priorities and the broader national situation. Political developments were also discussed during the meeting. President Zardari and Minister Naqvi reportedly considered the evolving political environment and its potential impact on governance and national affairs. Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining stability and addressing important issues through institutional and political channels. The meeting also highlighted the coordination required among key state institutions and government departments to effectively deal with challenges facing the country. In his capacity as federal interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi is responsible for a number of sensitive matters related to internal security and public order, making his discussions with the president significant in the context of national governance. President Asif Ali Zardari, who serves as the head of state, has also been engaged in consultations with senior government officials and political leaders on matters concerning the country. Such meetings provide a platform for reviewing national developments and exchanging views on issues of public and governmental importance. While no major decisions from the meeting were immediately announced, the discussions are understood to have covered several important matters. The meeting reflects the continued engagement between the presidency and the federal government on political and national issues. The exact details of the matters discussed have not been made public. However, sources described the meeting as an important consultation concerning the country’s political situation and other key national affairs. The meeting concluded with both sides exchanging views on the issues discussed. Further developments or decisions related to the matters raised during the meeting may become clearer through official statements or announcements from the government. The meeting between President Zardari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is therefore being viewed as part of ongoing consultations among senior government officials aimed at assessing the country’s political environment and addressing issues of national significance.

  The Sindh provincial cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, has approved the imposition of a toll tax on heavy commercial vehicles using the Mehran Highway. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting as part of the provincial government’s broader strategy to establish a sustainable financial system for the maintenance and development of road infrastructure across Sindh. According to the cabinet’s decision, the toll tax will apply exclusively to heavy and commercial vehicles traveling on the 135-kilometer-long Mehran Highway. Private passenger vehicles will not be subject to the new toll under the current policy. Officials stated that commercial transport vehicles place greater pressure on road infrastructure due to their size and weight, making it appropriate for them to contribute to the highway’s maintenance through toll payments. During the meeting, cabinet members received a detailed briefing on the ongoing development of the Mehran Highway. Officials informed the cabinet that the project to expand the highway into a dual carriageway is currently underway at an estimated cost of Rs41 billion. The project is intended to improve road safety, increase transportation efficiency, reduce travel time, and accommodate the growing volume of traffic, particularly heavy commercial vehicles that regularly use the route for the movement of goods. The briefing also highlighted the expected financial benefits of the toll collection system. It was estimated that the toll tax would generate approximately Rs2.14 billion in annual gross revenue. After deducting operational and administrative expenses associated with collecting the toll, the government expects a net annual income of around Rs1.48 billion. These funds are intended to support the regular maintenance, repair, and future upgrading of the highway, ensuring that it remains in good condition for years to come. The cabinet further approved a schedule of toll charges based on different categories of vehicles. Under this system, toll rates will vary according to the type, size, and classification of each vehicle. Heavy trucks, trailers, buses, and other commercial transport vehicles will be charged according to predetermined rates. Officials explained that this category-based approach is designed to make the toll system fair and proportionate, with larger vehicles contributing more because of the greater wear and tear they cause to road infrastructure. In another significant administrative decision, the Sindh cabinet approved the restoration of the traditional name of the provincial department responsible for road construction and public infrastructure. The department, which had previously been renamed the Works and Services Department will once again be known as the Communication and Works Department. The government stated that the name change is intended to align Sindh’s administrative structure with that of the federal government and other provinces, where the department is commonly known by the same title. Speaking after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah emphasized that the Sindh government is committed to introducing a self-sustaining financial model for the long-term maintenance of highways and road networks. He said that relying solely on government budget allocations is not sufficient to meet the increasing costs of maintaining modern transportation jobs infrastructure. According to him, the introduction of toll collection on major highways will provide a stable source of revenue that can be reinvested directly into road maintenance and improvement projects. The Chief Minister added that better roads are essential for economic growth, trade, and public safety. By ensuring a reliable funding mechanism for highway upkeep, the government aims to enhance transportation services, reduce infrastructure deterioration, and improve connectivity throughout the province. The approval of the toll tax and the continuation of the Mehran Highway expansion project represent important steps toward achieving these long-term development objectives while promoting a more efficient and financially sustainable road network in Sindh.