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Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has strongly opposed calls to abolish the reserved legislative seats for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan, saying the voting rights of displaced Kashmiris are protected by constitutional and democratic principles and must not be undermined. His remarks came after reports that a banned Action Committee had demanded the abolition of seats reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) legislative framework. The proposal has sparked debate and criticism from political and social circles on both sides of the Line of Control. In a statement, Mirwaiz said millions of Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan have a legitimate constitutional and democratic right to participate in the electoral process, adding that these rights cannot be ignored or sacrificed. “The voting rights of Kashmiri refugees are an integral part of their constitutional and democratic rights,” he said, stressing that displaced Kashmiris deserve equal respect, representation and protection. Mirwaiz argued that the rights of refugees are inseparable from the collective rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He maintained that any political movement claiming to represent Kashmiris must ensure equal representation for residents of every region and community without discrimination. He warned that protecting the interests of one group should never come at the cost of another group’s constitutional rights. According to the Hurriyat leader, justice, equality and mutual respect must remain the guiding principles in resolving issues affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Calling for dialogue, Mirwaiz urged all stakeholders to engage in consultations and meaningful discussions to find a balanced and widely acceptable solution. He said consensus-based decision-making was essential to preserving unity and protecting the democratic rights of all Kashmiris. The statement also criticized attempts to alter the existing representation of Kashmiri refugees, arguing that such moves risk deepening divisions rather than strengthening democratic participation. The controversy over refugee seats has emerged during a politically sensitive period in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with electoral issues drawing increased public attention. While supporters of the proposal argue that reforms are needed, opponents insist that any changes affecting refugee representation must respect constitutional guarantees and the political rights of displaced Kashmiris. Mirwaiz’s intervention adds a prominent voice to the debate, highlighting the need for dialogue and consensus rather than unilateral decisions on issues involving the constitutional and democratic rights of Kashmiri refugees.

KARACHI: For millions of teachers, clerks, nurses and daily-wage workers, owning a house has felt like a distant dream. Caught between skyrocketing rents and banks that rarely lend to them, they have spent years waiting for a break. Now, with the Prime Minister’s “Apna Ghar” scheme offering subsidized 20-year loans, that wait may finally be over — if the government can fix the loopholes that sank similar programs in the past. With rents climbing and home ownership slipping further out of reach, the government’s new housing finance push is back in focus. The Prime Minister’s “Apna Ghar” housing scheme unveils a 20-year financing plan backed by Rs 71 billion in federal subsidies allocated in the budget. The urgency is clear: Pakistan faces a housing shortfall of over 10 million units, with demand growing each year due to urbanization and population growth. The State Bank of Pakistan arranged a workshop on the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme — Wazir-e-Azam Apna Ghar Program — to roll out salient features including financing structure, loan amount, tenure, income requirements, and monthly installment. According to SBP officials Ghulam Muhammad Abbasi, Executive Director, and Dr. Muhammad Saleem, Additional Director, the scheme aims to finance 150,000 houses by June 2027. Under the program, banks will provide loans of up to Rs 10 million for purchase of a ready-made house, flat, or plot, or for construction on a plot. A house of up to 250 square yards and a flat of up to 1500 square feet will be eligible. The loan tenure is 20 years, with a fixed markup of 5% for the first 10 years. Who can apply and how? Salaried individuals can apply with a salary slip, while non-salaried applicants including shopkeepers and daily wage workers can use electricity bills, mobile top-ups, children’s fee challans or other expense receipts as income proof, the State Bank said. An applicant can apply with 3 to 4 co-borrowers — father with sons, brothers with sisters, or husband with wife. The main applicant must not own any property; if found otherwise, the loan will be cancelled. An online portal has been created for applications, and forms are also available at bank counters. “Banks will not charge any processing fee, nor any penalty on balloon payment,” an SBP official added. “Banks will process an application in 15 days. For any complaint, applicants can lodge it on the Prime Minister’s portal against the bank or officer.” To accelerate home ownership and boost construction, the government has expanded the scheme to include overseas Pakistanis. Overseas Pakistanis/Non-Resident Pakistanis holding NICOP/POC may also obtain financing. Participating Financial Institutions may also extend financing for private developer-led housing projects. Housing: A basic need slipping away For Pakistan’s lower and middle class, owning a home has become unaffordable. Rising property prices, inflation, and lack of access to formal credit have widened the 10-million-unit housing gap. Most families either live in rented accommodations, spending 40-50% of income on rent, or in informal settlements without basic facilities. For this segment, “Apna Ghar” could be the first real chance to move from rent to ownership — provided installments stay within budget. The Benefits: Housing for the missing middle 1. Affordability: 5% fixed markup for 10 years is significantly lower than market mortgage rates. 2. Inclusion: Alternate income proof and NICOP/POC access opens doors for informal workers and overseas Pakistanis. 3. No hidden costs: Zero processing fee and a dedicated portal reduce bureaucratic hurdles. 4. Economic boost: Financing 1.5 lakh units will give a direct push to construction, cement, steel, and labor. The Shortcomings and Challenges The scheme may end up benefiting the middle class more than the poor it targets. Most low-income families live in katchi abadis with no legal land titles, which banks require. Without land regularization, the poorest remain excluded. Other challenges: 1. Scale vs Need: 150,000 homes by 2027 address only 1.5% of the 10-million-unit shortage. 2. Bank appetite: Banks have historically avoided mortgage lending due to documentation and recovery risks. 3. Land and title issues: The scheme assumes legal plots, a major bottleneck in cities like Karachi. 4. Affordability ceiling: Rs 10 million cap and installments may still be unaffordable for the poorest. 5. Implementation: SBP’s 15-day timeline will be tested, as past schemes struggled with delays. Skepticism on the ground But for many, doubt runs deep. “We pay Rs 25,000 rent every month. Owning a house feels like a dream,” said Ali, a private school teacher from Nazimabad. “Every time the government announces a scheme, I hear the same thing — in the end, the rich will take loans in the name of their drivers and peons. Let a few months pass. Then we’ll know if this system is transparent or just another test case.” That reflects three questions: Will it reach the right people? Will the process be clean? Will the intent hold? With the scheme only a few months old, experts say implementation will be the real test. Transparency concerns Applicants and housing experts pointed out banks’ history of demanding informal payments to process files. With “Apna Ghar” relying on banks, many wonder how SBP will ensure it remains bribe-free and trackable. The SBP Executive Director said an online portal has been launched and complaints can be registered directly with the Prime Minister’s or SBP portal. “Strict action will be taken against banks charging fees or demanding bribes,” he said. Economic boom Apna Ghar can bring Economists say the push can do more than provide roofs — it can revive construction and the economy. The sector contributes nearly 2.5% to GDP and employs over 8 million people directly. Every house is estimated to create 8-10 direct and 20-25 indirect jobs. With demand for 150,000 units against a backlog of 10 million, orders for cement, steel, bricks and labor are expected to rise. SBP notes housing has one of the highest fiscal multipliers. If targeted well, it could cut into the housing backlog while acting as a grassroots stimulus. An opportunity For Shahbaz-led government to

A major development has emerged in the investigation into the death of Karachi businessman Mir Raza Ali. Investigators have obtained further details about the guest house linked to the case. The premises is located near the place where Mir Raza’s body was recovered. According to investigation findings, the guest house was registered in the name of a man identified as Liaquat Ali. The property itself is reportedly owned by a woman. Police verification of the property was carried out on June 1, 2026. Investigators also found that the guest house was not registered on the Hotel Eye application. Police had made registration on the system mandatory for hotels and guest houses. After the discovery of Mir Raza’s body, police sealed the guest house. Six people working at the premises were taken into custody for questioning. Their statements are being recorded as investigators try to determine whether the guest house has any connection with the case. So far, police have detained 21 people in connection with the investigation. The detainees include Mir Raza’s friends and business partners. Investigators are examining their statements and movements. A five-member investigation committee also held a meeting under the leadership of DIG Crime Branch Amir Farooqi. The committee is reviewing the case in light of new medical and forensic evidence. Police have also expanded the charges in the case. Sections 365 and 302 were already included in the FIR. Section 201 has now been added. The provision relates to concealing, removing or destroying evidence connected to an offence. The development follows a second post-mortem conducted after Mir Raza’s grave was exhumed on August 8. The preliminary medical findings reportedly showed several injuries on his body. The report indicated a gunshot injury to the back. The entry wound was smaller, while the wound on the front side was larger. Medical findings suggest that the bullet entered from the rear and passed through the body. The examination also found fractured ribs. Several injuries were observed on Mir Raza’s head and face. A wound and fracture measuring about 12 centimetres were found on his right thigh. Blood marks were also detected in tissues in the lower part of his body. Further examination revealed a deep injury and fracture in his jaw. Injuries were also found on his nose and other parts of his face. Investigators collected 17 samples during the exhumation. Samples from Mir Raza’s parents were also obtained for DNA comparison. The samples are expected to be examined at the forensic laboratory of the University of Karachi. After the samples were collected, Mir Raza’s body was reburied on the same day. Mir Raza Ali Khan had gone missing from the PECHS area on July 28. Police said he left his home at around 4:09am in an online taxi. His body was found two days later in Gulistan-e-Johar. Police officials said the body was in a badly damaged condition. A gunshot wound was also found on his chest. Investigators also found that Mir Raza’s social media accounts had been deactivated a day before his body was recovered. His family has consistently maintained that he was murdered. His father said Mir Raza was preparing for his marriage and was excited about starting a new phase of his life. His nikah had been scheduled for August 30 at Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. The latest investigation has brought renewed attention to the guest house and the people associated with it. Police are now examining medical evidence, forensic samples, CCTV footage, statements and other available material.