Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan


Nearly 4.5 million international visitor arrivals were recorded in Pakistan during 2024 and 2025, according to figures presented in the National Assembly, with Afghanistan emerging as the largest source country, followed by the United Kingdom and the United States.
The figures showed that approximately 2.183 million international visitors arrived in 2024, while 2.29 million entered the country in 2025, bringing the combined total to around 4.473 million over the two years.
The information was presented during the question hour in response to a question by Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Dr Nafisa Shah. Parliamentary Secretary Kiran Imran Dar informed the House of the country wise figures provided by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination.
According to the statistics, arrivals from Afghanistan stood at 641,199 in 2024 and 575,674 in 2025, bringing the two-year total to 1,216,873.
The United Kingdom remained the second largest source of visitors, with 503,409 arrivals in 2024 and 514,412 in 2025, taking the combined figure to 1,017,821.
The United States accounted for 261,282 visitors in 2024 and 248,665 in 2025.
Arrivals from Iran increased from 106,835 in 2024 to 152,885 in 2025, while Canada contributed 116,529 and 117,600 visitors during the respective years.
The figures also showed that 74,093 visitors arrived from China in 2024, compared with 85,575 in 2025. Australian arrivals stood at 59,154 and 58,578, respectively.
Pakistan's major tourism attractions include the mountain destinations of Hunza, Skardu, Deosai National Park, Attabad Lake, Khunjerab Pass, Fairy Meadows and Astore in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Separate statistics compiled by the Gilgit Baltistan Tourism Department recorded 302,384 domestic tourist visits to Skardu district and 233,070 to Hunza district during 2024, illustrating the significance of these destinations for domestic tourism.
Other established tourist destinations include Swat, Malam Jabba, Kalam, Naran, Kaghan and Chitral in northern Pakistan, alongside Murree, Taxila and Lahore's historical attractions in Punjab.
Sindh offers heritage and coastal destinations, including Mohenjo daro, Makli and Karachi's beaches, while Islamabad attracts visitors to the Margalla Hills and Faisal Mosque.
Religious tourism is another important segment, with Kartarpur Sahib, Nankana Sahib and the Buddhist archaeological sites of Taxila attracting international interest.
However, the country wise arrival statistics presented in the National Assembly do not establish how many visitors travelled specifically for leisure tourism, as opposed to family visits, business, religious purposes or other forms of travel.

Lahore | Riaz Hussain | ReNews Pakistan


Al Kabir Developers Chairman Chaudhry Aurangzeb has claimed that the company achieved more development progress in 2026 than it had during the previous 10 years, announcing that possession of plots in key sectors and zones would begin in January 2027.
Speaking to the media, Aurangzeb said that Golf Enclave and Overseas Prime were two relatively small blocks and that plots in both had been adjusted within Sector A. He announced that possession of these plots would be handed over in January 2027.
He further stated that possession in Zones A and B would also begin in January 2027, followed by Zones C and D in subsequent phases.
Regarding Kings Town, the chairman said that the project's final layout plan was expected to be available by October 15, after which plots would be allotted to customers who had kept their payments up to date.
Highlighting the company's development activities, Aurangzeb said Al-Kabir Developers had made exceptional progress during 2026, surpassing the development achieved over the preceding decade.
He expressed confidence that the company would announce several more positive developments before the end of 2026, adding that the number of such announcements could double or triple in the following year.
Aurangzeb also expressed his ambition for Al-Kabir Town to secure the title of "Best Developer of Pakistan" before the end of 2026.
"God willing, Al Kabir Town will achieve the title of Best Developer of Pakistan before the end of this year, and I will dedicate that title to you," he said.
The chairman's announcements outlined the company's planned possession schedule, upcoming plot allotments and development targets for its residential projects.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan is seeking to position itself as a major global destination for critical minerals, aiming to transform its estimated $8 trillion mineral wealth into a substantial source of foreign investment, export earnings and industrial development as international demand for strategic raw materials continues to increase.
According to the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMA), the country has 92 identified minerals, of which 52 are currently being extracted commercially. Pakistan's mineral-bearing areas extend across approximately 600,000 square kilometres, containing resources including copper, gold, lithium, cobalt, chromite, rare earth elements, marble, granite, coal and gypsum.
Despite this extensive resource base, the mining sector has historically contributed less than 3 per cent to Pakistan's gross domestic product (GDP), indicating a significant gap between the country's geological potential and its commercial utilisation.
ICMA estimates suggest that stronger governance, improved security, modern technology, infrastructure development and increased investment could help raise annual mineral exports from approximately $3 billion to $8 billion.
Under favourable economic conditions and broader structural reforms, overall GDP growth could potentially increase from around 3 per cent to 6 per cent. However, these figures represent conditional economic projections rather than guaranteed outcomes or officially achieved targets.
Among Pakistan's major mineral development initiatives, the Reko Diq copper and gold project in Balochistan's Chagai district remains particularly significant.
Considered one of the world's largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits, Reko Diq is expected to begin initial production by the end of 2028. The project could contribute substantially to mineral exports, foreign exchange earnings and employment once commercial operations commence.
The international market for critical minerals is expanding as countries invest in electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, renewable energy systems, electronics and advanced industrial technologies.
These developments have increased the strategic importance of copper, lithium, rare earth elements and other minerals essential for modern manufacturing and energy infrastructure.
Pakistan is seeking to capitalise on its mineral resources and geological position by attracting international mining companies, securing technical partnerships and expanding its participation in global mineral supply chains.
However, economic analysts maintain that exporting unprocessed minerals alone will not allow Pakistan to realise the full economic value of its geological resources.
Domestic mineral processing, refining, manufacturing and the production of higher-value industrial materials are considered essential for maximising export revenues and creating sustainable employment opportunities.
ICMA has highlighted several structural challenges affecting the mining industry, including fragmented governance, unclear regulatory frameworks, inadequate infrastructure, limited local processing facilities, security concerns and shortages of technically skilled workers.
The institute has also emphasised the need for transparent licensing procedures, reliable geological information, environmental safeguards, protection of local communities and consistent investment policies.
Addressing these challenges would help improve investor confidence and support the development of commercially viable mining projects.
Pakistan has also been pursuing mineral sector cooperation with international partners, including the United States, China and Türkiye, to attract capital, obtain advanced technology and develop exploration and processing capabilities.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
The sealing of Aabpara's Akhbar Market in Islamabad has triggered strong protests from newspaper publishers, vendors and traders' organisations, with representatives of the print media industry condemning the action as a threat to press freedom and the public's right of access to information.
The closure disrupted newspaper distribution across the federal capital, while newspaper vendors and hawkers' organisations threatened to suspend supplies throughout Islamabad and Rawalpindi if the market was not reopened immediately.
According to available reports, the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) of the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) sealed the newspaper distribution market on October 16, 2026.
The market has served for decades as a central distribution hub for newspapers in the federal capital, facilitating the collection, sorting and delivery of publications to residential neighbourhoods, government offices, commercial establishments and other institutions.
The closure affected the normal circulation of newspapers, leaving residents and several institutions without their regular supplies. Reports indicated that newspaper deliveries to the Prime Minister's Office, President's Office and diplomatic missions were also disrupted.
The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) strongly condemned the action. In a joint statement, APNS President Senator Sarmad Ali and Secretary General Muhammad Athar Qazi said the market had been sealed without prior notice or an explanation from the authorities.
They described the move as an unwarranted restriction on newspaper circulation that could undermine press freedom, disrupt timely access to information and cause substantial financial losses to publishers, distributors and newspaper vendors.
The APNS leadership urged the federal interior minister to intervene personally and direct the relevant authorities to immediately de-seal the market and restore its normal operations.
Meanwhile, a municipal administration official defended the closure, claiming that approximately Rs 10 million in outstanding charges were owed by the market.
However, representatives of the All Pakistan Akhbar Farosh Federation disputed the claim, maintaining that the market's rent had already been paid.
According to federation representatives, the disputed amount allegedly relates to an adjoining vacant plot that was neither allotted nor leased to the organisation. They called for clarification of the claimed liabilities and questioned the justification for sealing the newspaper distribution centre.
Federation Secretary General Tikka Khan and other representatives met Chief Commissioner Islamabad and CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf to seek his intervention and demand the market's reopening.
Newspaper vendors and hawkers also staged demonstrations at Aabpara Chowk, demanding restoration of their business activities and the return of newspapers reportedly confiscated during the operation.
The protesters warned that they would organise sit-ins outside the National Press Club and CDA headquarters if their demands remained unresolved.
The Markazi Akhbar Faroshan Karachi also condemned the closure. In a joint statement, its President Muhammad Iqbal Noon and General Secretary Abdul Hameed Dada expressed concern that actions affecting newspaper distribution could further weaken an industry already facing financial pressures.
The controversy also reached the Senate, where Senator Sadia Abbasi raised concerns about the disruption of newspaper distribution in the federal capital.
Speaking during Senate proceedings, she called for an explanation from the interior ministry regarding the action against the market and its consequences for newspaper circulation.

Lahore | Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan received a proposed Punjab Real Estate Regulatory Authority bill during a visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) yesterday, assuring the business community of his full cooperation in pursuing the proposed legislation.

The speaker met LCCI President Ali Hassam Asghar and other newly elected office-bearers and members. Shah Behram, an LCCI associate-class member and prominent real estate developer, presented the proposed bill through the chamber’s platform.

Speaking on the occasion, Asghar urged the speaker to support legislation that would benefit the real estate sector.

“The Lahore Chamber and the Punjab Assembly enjoy an exemplary partnership. This bill would benefit the business community and contribute to improvements across the province,” he said.

In an exclusive interview with ReNews following the meeting, Behram said presenting the proposed bill marked the beginning of efforts to fulfil commitments he had made to the real estate community during his election campaign.

“During the election campaign, I promised our community that we would take positive steps for its benefit. By presenting this bill to the Punjab Assembly speaker today, we have begun delivering on those promises,” he said.

Behram expressed confidence that the proposed legislation would secure approval and be implemented.

“This is a dream, and, God willing, we hope to see it realised in the coming days,” he added.

Responding to a question from ReNews, Behram said the proposed legislation would provide protection to realtors and cover builders, developers and tenants.

“It will give our sector a new identity,” he said.

The speaker assured participants of his full cooperation on the proposed Real Estate Regulatory Authority bill. He also welcomed other proposals submitted by the chamber and pledged to convey them to the relevant institutions.

Those attending the meeting included senior chamber members Amjad Ali Chaudhry, Khawaja Shahzeb Akram and Sohail Nisar, alongside executive committee members Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim, Shah Behram, Mardan Ali Zaidi, Naila Nadeem, Shahzad Mahmood, Zulfiqar Ali Chaudhry, Tariq Mahmood, Muhammad Ijaz Ghori, Malik Zaman Naseeb, Muhammad Umair, Abdullah Chaudhry, Chaudhry Fargham, Adeel Babar Khan, Sahir Mushtaq, Ali Raza, Hameed Raza, Shahzad Ali Shah and others.