The Punjab government has launched a citywide cleanliness and anti-smog campaign, “Chamkta Lahore,” to reduce airborne dust, improve sanitation and keep roads and public spaces clean.
Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique inaugurated the campaign at Liberty Chowk. It was launched on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Under the initiative, authorities have identified 100 major roads, locations and commercial markets for targeted cleaning. The plan calls for washing around 648 kilometres of roads each week, with a daily target of 100 kilometres. The cleaning operation will use 16 mechanical washing machines for roads and 46 rickshaw-mounted washers for footpaths. Ten rickshaw-mounted anti-smog mist guns will also spray water into the air to help suppress dust particles.

Speaking to the media, Zeeshan Rafique said anti-smog measures introduced over the past two years had produced encouraging results. He claimed that smog levels in November were noticeably lower than they had been two years earlier, and said the new campaign would further improve Lahore’s air quality and cleanliness.

The minister also highlighted development projects under way across Punjab, including work on roads, healthcare, education and urban beautification. He said initiatives were being carried out in major cities and union councils to improve public facilities and residents’ quality of life.

Pakistan has earmarked 1,000 acres at Karachi Industrial Park for Turkish enterprises, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said on Wednesday, as the government seeks to attract investment and deepen industrial cooperation with Türkiye.

Speaking during a bilateral meeting with Türkiye’s Trade Minister, Prof. Ömer Bolat, on the sidelines of the 42nd session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) in Istanbul, Jam Kamal invited Turkish companies to use the land for industrial units and expand their manufacturing and investment footprint in Pakistan.
The two ministers discussed issues of mutual economic and commercial interest and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade relations. The land allocation was presented as an opportunity for Turkish businesses to establish a presence in Pakistan and contribute to closer industrial ties between the countries.

Jam Kamal also appreciated Türkiye’s support for Pakistan’s claims concerning basmati rice and called for continued cooperation to protect and promote Pakistani agricultural products in international markets. He sought Türkiye’s support in improving market access for Pakistani mangoes. Bolat stressed the importance of marketing and branding Pakistani basmati rice in Türkiye to strengthen its market presence and consumer recognition. He also assured support for increasing imports of Pakistani mangoes. Bolat agreed to send a delegation of Turkish officials to Pakistan to review existing trade mechanisms and consider practical steps to improve bilateral trade. Both sides stressed the need for continued institutional engagement, closer business cooperation and coordination to turn investment and trade opportunities into concrete outcomes.

Separately, Jam Kamal met Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, Director General of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC). Selçuk briefed him on the centre’s research, reports and statistical work related to trade among members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The minister said accurate and reliable data was essential for economic research and policy decisions. He added that stronger trade analysis could help OIC members identify opportunities, understand market trends, address barriers and develop strategies to increase trade and economic integration.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved inviting fresh applications for the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar housing programme, as a review meeting reported progress on loan disbursements, house construction and repayments. More than 1.7 million people have registered on the programme’s online portal, the meeting was told. The scheme has disbursed over 225,000 loans, while 128,718 houses have been completed. A further 62,600 homes are nearing completion.

The briefing also reported that 171,597 beneficiaries had received the second instalment of their loans. The programme’s loan recovery rate was recorded at 97.6%, with Rs 22.29 billion recovered in instalments. The chief minister directed officials to meet the scheme’s completion targets and ensure timely progress. The programme has also received recognition from international institutions, according to the briefing.

Separately, the application process for the Apni Chhat, Mehfooz Chhat initiative has been completed. Under that programme, 3,055 applicants received loans totalling Rs 1.216 billion, and construction or expansion work on 532 houses has been completed.

The Kashmir Chowk Underpass in Islamabad will open to traffic (tomorrow) on Thursday, November 5, after being completed in 27 days, according to media reports.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the site late Wednesday night to inspect the completed project and review finishing work ahead of the opening. During the visit, he met construction workers and praised their round-the-clock efforts, describing them as the project’s “real heroes.”

The project also includes landscaping around the underpass. Authorities have planted 6,000 trees and plants in the surrounding area.
The underpass is expected to improve traffic flow at the busy Kashmir Chowk intersection and provide motorists with a smoother route. Its opening adds to Islamabad’s road infrastructure, with construction completed in less than a month.

Pakistan’s cement exports declined 9.51% during the first four months of FY27, even as domestic sales increased, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).
Total cement dispatches rose 2.93% to 17.953 million tons from 17.442 million tons in July–October of the previous fiscal year. Domestic dispatches increased 5.93% to 14.889 million tons, while exports fell to 3.064 million tons from 3.385 million tons.
In October, total dispatches edged up 0.37% year on year to 4.810 million tons.

Domestic dispatches grew 1.17% to 4.041 million tons, compared with 3.994 million tons in October 2025. Exports, however, declined 3.67% to 768,754 tons from 798,019 tons.
The regional figures showed different trends. North-based mills dispatched 3.397 million tons in October, down 3.13% from 3.507 million tons a year earlier. Their domestic dispatches were nearly unchanged, rising 0.13% to 3.397 million tons, while exports fell to zero from 114,082 tons.
South-based mills dispatched approximately 1.41 million tons in October, up 9.90% from 1.29 million tons in the same month last year. Domestic dispatches rose 7.05% to 643,816 tons, while exports increased 12.40% to 768,754 tons from 683,937 tons.

For July to October, north-based mills’ domestic dispatches grew 4.87% to 12.344 million tons. With no exports recorded during the period, their total dispatches fell 1.61% to 12.344 million tons from 12.546 million tons a year earlier. South-based mills recorded a stronger overall performance. Their domestic dispatches rose 11.36% to 2.545 million tons, and exports increased 17.38% to 3.064 million tons. Total dispatches from the southern mills grew 14.57% to 5.610 million tons, compared with 4.896 million tons in the corresponding period last fiscal year.