ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Wednesday opposed a proposed park project that the government plans to set up at the foothills of the Margalla Hills on 1,000 kanal. A press release issued by the Interior Ministry stated that a new park would be established at the foothills of the Margallas. According to the press release, the decision to develop the park was made in a meeting on CDA issues chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Reacting to the proposal, General Secretary PPP Human Rights Cell Malaika Raza issued a statement and strongly opposed the plan. “The proposed Margalla Park plan amounts to ecological terrorism, an assault on Islamabad’s geography, environment and social fabric with long-term repercussions,” she said. Pakistan is already facing a climate crisis. Islamabad, once celebrated as one of the most beautiful capitals in the world due to its greenery and hills, is under urgent threat as tree felling accelerates and natural beauty erodes, she a...
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed that efforts for promoting electric vehicles (EVs) in the country be accelerated. He expressed these views while chairing a review meeting on promoting electric vehicles in the country, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement. “In view of the prevailing regional situation and the requirements of the future, the promotion of EVs will not only reduce the fuel import bill, but it is also extremely important for protecting the environment and energy security,” the prime minister was quoted as saying. According to the statement, the prime minister directed that transparency be ensured in the subsidy provided on electric motorcycles for low-income individuals under the National Electric Vehicle Policy. It added that the meeting was also briefed on ongoing steps to promote EVs nationwide. The meeting was told that 72 certificates were issued for the manufacturing electric motorcycles and rickshaws, while four certificates ...