Quetta | ReNews Pakistan
The Government of Balochistan has issued a formal notification revising the operating hours of markets, wedding halls, and restaurants as part of measures aimed at conserving energy and providing relief to the public. Immediate implementation of the decision has begun.
The move was approved during an austerity-related meeting chaired by Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti, following which relevant departments were directed to enforce the new guidelines.
According to Additional Chief Secretary Interior Hamza Shafqaat, all markets and shopping centres across the province will close by 8 pm. However, pharmacies, tandoors, and naan shops have been exempted from these restrictions.
He further stated that all events at wedding halls, banquet halls, and hotels must conclude by 10 pm, while restaurants and hotels will also be required to close at the same time.
Authorities have directed district administrations and law enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance with the new timings. The public has also been urged to cooperate with these measures to help tackle the energy crisis and provide relief to citizens.

Quetta | ReNews Pakistan
The Director General of Quetta Development Authority (QDA), Aurangzeb Kasi, has said that 50 percent of the Quetta Master Plan (2025–2055) has been completed, while the remaining work is expected to be finalized by June.
He stated that commercial plots in Zarghoon Housing Scheme and other projects will be auctioned on April 6, 8, and 13. Providing facilities to the business community remains a top priority, he added. He further informed that development work is ongoing on Sariab Link Road, Karachi Bus Terminal, and a 64-acre land near Radio Pakistan on Sariab Road, where a public park, commercial areas, and multi-billion-rupee residential projects are being developed.
He expressed these views during a meeting with office bearers and members of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Earlier, Chamber President Haji Muhammad Ayub Maryani, Senior Vice President Haji Akhtar Kakar, and others said that the meeting was highly significant as it provided detailed information regarding the public auction of commercial plots by QDA. They termed the initiative a positive step towards the development of Quetta and an opportunity for the business community to explore new avenues of investment.
They noted that commercial plots are available at key locations, including Zarghoon Housing Scheme, Karachi Bus Terminal, and Sariab Link Road areas expected to witness significant commercial growth in the future. Investment in these areas, they said, is likely to be both secure and profitable.
The business community was urged to take full advantage of such opportunities, emphasizing that economic stability and growth depend on timely and informed investments. They also expressed hope that QDA would maintain close coordination with the business community and ensure transparency, facilitation, and trust in its development projects.
Aurangzeb Kasi further stated that his visit to the Chamber aimed to bridge the communication gap between QDA and the business community. He explained that all decisions of QDA are made by its governing body, which includes provincial ministers, members of the provincial assembly, the Commissioner of Quetta Division, and the Secretary of S&GAD, among others.
He added that plot prices are determined after surveying rates set by the Deputy Commissioner, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and property dealers. The per square foot rates for plots in Sariab Link Road, Karachi Bus Terminal, and Zarghoon Housing Scheme range from Rs6,000 to Rs20,000.
He reiterated that QDA is committed to facilitating the province’s business community and announced that the auction of plots in the mentioned areas will be held at Milan Marriage Hall on Sariab Road, Quetta, from 9:00 AM onwards.

Quetta | ReNews Pakistan
A major step toward transforming Gwadar into a modern economic hub has been taken as authorities allocate 2,585 acres of land for the development of the city’s Central Business District (CBD).
The progress on the flagship project was reviewed during a high-level meeting chaired by Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) Director General Moin-ur-Rehman Khan. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Chief Engineer Haji Syed Muhammad and Director Town Planning Shahid Ali, who discussed the project’s scope, significance, and expected timeline.
Officials confirmed that the land allocation by the provincial government has cleared a major hurdle, paving the way for the formal launch of the CBD project. Once initiated, the development is expected to significantly boost economic, commercial, tourism, and real estate activities in Gwadar.
The CBD is a key component of the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan and will be developed in the West Bay area. Envisioned as the city’s future downtown, it will feature a mix of corporate offices, residential apartments, hotels, shopping malls, and conference facilities.
The project will also include cultural and recreational amenities such as a museum, theatre, library, expo centre, marina park, and seaside resorts. Modern urban mobility solutions, including advanced traffic management systems, pedestrian walkways, cycling tracks, and public transport infrastructure, are also part of the plan.
Speaking on the occasion, Moin-ur-Rehman Khan highlighted Gwadar’s growing global importance, emphasizing its strategic location and operational deep-sea port. He expressed confidence that the CBD project will enhance investor confidence and position Gwadar as a competitive destination for international investment.
The project will be financed through a combination of land sales, public-private partnerships (PPP), and joint ventures (JV), and will be developed in phases over an eight-year period, starting with essential infrastructure.
Officials noted that the initiative is expected to create employment opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and support sustainable urban development in the region.