Islamabad Capital Territory

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

Islamabad’s newspaper market has reopened after remaining sealed for two days, allowing newspaper distribution to resume across the federal capital.

Speaking to the daily Jang, Tikka Khan, lifetime secretary general of the newspaper vendors’ federation, said there was no dispute with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) or any other government agency over the market.

He said 400 newspaper vendors were associated with the market, which had been established approximately 47 years ago. According to Khan, the premises had been sealed without prior notice.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Chairman and World Muslim Congress Secretary General Raja Muhammad Zafarul Haq said certain elements were deliberately adopting an unfriendly attitude towards the media and creating problems for the government.

Haq said he had arranged for the market to be allotted to the newspaper vendors’ union in 1982 while serving as minister for information and broadcasting.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

The essential documentation required by banks for housing loans under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Programme has been reduced to five documents, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing and Works.

In a statement, the spokesperson said the State Bank of Pakistan had issued instructions to banks to limit and standardise the documentation required for housing finance.

The five essential documents are the transfer letter, possession letter, site plan, permission to mortgage letter and mortgage registration.

The spokesperson said the changes were intended to simplify the borrowing process, spare applicants unnecessary documentation requirements and improve access to financing for home construction.

According to the ministry, the nationwide Apna Ghar Programme provides loans of up to Rs 10 million for people building their first home.

The spokesperson said complaints had previously been received about banks asking housing loan applicants to submit a large number of documents. Limiting and standardising the essential paperwork was aimed at addressing those difficulties.

The ministry said the revised requirements would particularly benefit first time homebuilders seeking financing and make it easier for eligible applicants to access the programme.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

The first phase of the model jail in Islamabad’s Sector H 16 has been completed and is ready for inauguration, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expected to formally open the facility soon.

Once the prison becomes operational, all Islamabad prisoners currently held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi will be transferred to the new facility.

Sources said Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf founder Imran Khan could also be moved to the Islamabad jail. However, no final decision on his transfer has been confirmed.

The prison project covers 90 acres, with its first phase providing capacity for 1,000 inmates in three barracks. A residence for the jail superintendent, 12 flats for officers and a three-storey barracks building for staff have also been completed.

The facility includes a 32 bed hospital, an administration block and a kitchen, along with two watchtowers and 34 security posts. Construction has cost Rs 7 billion. Prison staff have been appointed, while CDA personnel will operate the hospital.

CDA Chairman and Islamabad Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf visited the project site a day earlier to inspect its various sections and review ongoing construction, infrastructure development, the project’s status and its completion schedule.

He was accompanied by CDA Director General Services Mashooq Ali Sheikh, the relevant assistant commissioner and senior Islamabad jail officials.

Officials briefed the CDA chairman on progress during the visit. Ashraf also discussed construction quality with the project team and issued instructions.