Islamabad Capital Territory

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader and former Punjab chief minister Hamza Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the Shah Allah Ditta Buddha Caves Preservation Project in Islamabad on Wednesday, marking a step towards conserving the historic site and promoting Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage.

After the ceremony, Hamza visited the caves, where Secretary of the National Heritage and Culture Division Asad Rehman Gillani briefed him on the project’s completion, features and cost. A documentary on the caves’ history and archaeological significance was also screened, highlighting their association with Buddhist worship and the region’s cultural legacy.

Addressing the gathering, Hamza Shahbaz praised the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture for its efforts to preserve the site. He said Islam teaches respect for other religions, protection of minorities’ rights and safeguarding their places of worship. The project, he added, could improve Pakistan’s international image and make the caves a destination where visitors can learn about the country’s heritage.

Hamza Shahbaz urged the authorities to improve road access to the caves and asked the Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi to pursue a better, more direct route with the relevant departments. Improved connectivity, he said, would make visits easier, support tourism and create jobs and economic opportunities for nearby communities.
He also welcomed the development of commercial activity in the area, saying families should have recreational spaces where they can enjoy the country’s history and natural scenery. Hamza Shahbaz invited diplomats and visitors, particularly from Buddhist countries, to visit the caves and expressed hope that the site would represent religious harmony and mutual respect.

Aurangzeb Khan Khichi thanked Hamza for inaugurating the project and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Buddhist heritage sites across Pakistan. He called on the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation and media organisations to raise awareness of the caves’ historical and religious importance and promote them to local and international visitors.

The ceremony was attended by Federal Minister Rana Mubashar, MNA Anjam Aqeel Khan, former Islamabad deputy mayor Syed Zeeshan Shah, Special Assistants to the Prime Minister Aon Chaudhary and Talha Barki, senior officials, diplomats from Buddhist countries and other guests. At the conclusion, Shah presented Hamza with a souvenir.

The Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Programme has disbursed more than Rs 104 billion in housing loans to 17,697 families, crossing a key milestone in the government’s effort to expand access to affordable housing finance.

Figures shared by Khurram Schehzad, Adviser to the Finance Minister, show that as of October 30, 2026, the programme had received 220,715 applications. Of these, 90,405 had been approved, giving an approval rate of about 41%. The approved loans are worth a total of Rs 533 billion.
Loan disbursements have grown from Rs 21 billion in June to Rs 104 billion by the end of October. The value of approved financing has also increased from Rs 144 billion to Rs 533 billion over the same period.

Launched by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in April 2026, the nationwide scheme is designed to help low and middle-income families purchase or build homes. The five-year programme aims to finance 500,000 houses and is backed by a government allocation of Rs 3.2 trillion. Eligible applicants can access loans of up to Rs 10 million, repayable over 20 years. The scheme provides a fixed subsidised markup rate of 5% for the first 10 years; market rates apply thereafter.

Financing is offered through participating commercial and Islamic banks, microfinance institutions and the House Building Finance Company.

A joint investigation team (JIT) has identified former advisor finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, as the alleged mastermind behind the One Constitution Avenue scandal in Islamabad and named several former Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials for their alleged involvement.
According to the JIT report, Shaikh worked in coordination with former CDA chairman Kamran Lashari, Faisal Awan and Azhar Ali Chaudhry.

The report alleges that the project caused financial losses to the national exchequer while enabling certain individuals and their associates to receive undue benefits. The JIT has recommended that Shaikh be blacklisted from participating in government projects. It has also urged the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to speed up its investigation and file a reference within three months. The team called for further investigation and action against those found responsible.

Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal confirmed the JIT’s findings at a press conference, saying the government would not protect anyone involved in the scandal. He also said the government would arrange a transparent re-auction of the project.

The allegations and recommendations are set out in the JIT report; any further action will depend on the investigation and relevant legal proceedings.