LAHORE, APR 3: /DNA/ – Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned to ensure strict implementation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s comprehensive national savings and austerity program. She announced a major relief package for the people of Punjab amid historic global crisis, as citizenss will not have to buy tickets while traveling on Orange Line Train, Metro Bus Service, Speedo Bus, and Green Electro Bus. She decided to provide cash to protect agriculture, food, and farmers, as she announced a subsidy of Rs. 100 per liter of diesel per acre for farmers. She also directed to provide subsidy to motorcyclists, as every citizen with a registered bike will receive a subsidy of Rs. 100 on 20 liters.

Chief Minister Punjab paid tribute to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for maintaining supply and prices of petroleum products in Pakistan for one month despite global crisis. She said that by providing billions of rupees in relief in one month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has made a sincere effort to protect public from hardships, as he has provided relief to people amid the worst economic situation. She added that they will not leave people alone in difficult times. She appealed to the public to use public transport instead of private vehicles in these extraordinary circumstances, as the whole world is suffering from a severe global economic crisis as a result of war. She noted that Pakistan is being affected more by the impact of war due to its dependence on imported oil. She promised to relieve people of economic burden as soon as conditions improve.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 3: /DNA/ – Experts on Thursday stressed that institutional reform, technological integration and adherence to the principles of Maqasid al-Shariah were essential to revitalize Waqf and Zakat systems for socio-economic empowerment.

The views were expressed on the opening day of the Professor Khurshid Ahmad International Conference 2026, jointly organized by the Institute of Policy Studies and Allama Iqbal Open University. The two-day moot is focusing on mobilizing Waqf and Zakat as structured tools for sustainable and inclusive development.

Speakers highlighted that both Zakat and Waqf have historically played a vital role in equitable wealth distribution and social welfare, but their effectiveness in the Subcontinent has declined over time due to weak governance, corruption and lack of regulatory frameworks, eroding public trust.

They emphasized the need to enhance transparency and efficiency through modern tools, including financial technologies and artificial intelligence, citing examples from countries like Türkiye, Malaysia, Indonesia and Kuwait where reforms have improved outreach and institutional performance.

The participants underscored that Islam provides a comprehensive socio-economic framework, and any Islamic financial model must align with the country’s socio-political realities to ensure inclusive growth. They stressed that revitalized Waqf and Zakat systems could help address poverty and widening inequalities through sustainable mechanisms.

Experts also called for shifting the focus from mere financial assistance to skill development and entrepreneurship, enabling beneficiaries to achieve long-term economic independence.

Critiquing the prevailing market-driven development paradigm, speakers said Islamic economic principles offer a more balanced approach that integrates ethical and social considerations with economic progress.

They also reflected on the intellectual contributions of Professor Khurshid Ahmad, emphasizing the need to revisit his ideas to address contemporary challenges in a coherent and integrated manner.

Speaking on the occasion, IPS Chairman Khalid Rahman said growing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties have increased the need for alternative development models that prioritize collective well-being. He noted that institutions like Waqf and Zakat can play a critical role in reconstruction and development, particularly in post-crisis situations.

This package comes as part of ongoing efforts to promote public transport usage, reduce traffic congestion, and offer direct relief to the masses

Saifullah Ansar

ISLAMABAD, APR 3 /DNA/ – In a significant relief measure for citizens amid rising living costs, the federal government has announced that public transport in Islamabad will be completely free for one month. Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi stated that the government will bear all expenses for the initiative.

 He described the step as being in line with the directives of the Prime Minister to ease the burden on the common man.

The decision aims to provide immediate financial relief to daily commuters, students, and working-class families who rely on buses and other public transport services in the federal capital.

Provincial Governments Follow SuitThe move has triggered similar relief announcements from provincial governments:Punjab Chief Minister has announced free public transport in the province, aligning with the federal initiative to support commuters.

Sindh Chief Minister has announced a Rs 2,000 subsidy for all bike holders (motorcycle owners) to help offset rising fuel costs and provide targeted relief to two-wheeler users.

These coordinated steps across federal and provincial levels signal a broader government effort to support public mobility and reduce the financial pressure on ordinary Pakistanis during challenging economic times.

The one-month free transport period in Islamabad is expected to begin soon, with authorities working on implementation details. Officials have urged citizens to make full use of the facility responsibly.

This package comes as part of ongoing efforts to promote public transport usage, reduce traffic congestion, and offer direct relief to the masses.

ISLAMABAD, APR 3 /DNA/ – The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, through its National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), has successfully concluded a landmark nationwide faculty training initiative under the Fehm-e-Quran program. This achievement reaffirms HEC’s commitment to integrating meaningful religious understanding and ethical values within higher education across Pakistan.

Pursuant to the directive of the Chairman HEC issued on March 28, 2025, the Fehm-e-Quran course was introduced as a compulsory two-credit-hour subject for all undergraduate and graduate programs in HEC-recognized universities. In line with this national mandate, NAHE was tasked with preparing university faculty through a comprehensive and structured training program.  

The training was delivered in two phases — online orientations and in-person workshops at designated regional hubs — ensuring maximum outreach and participation from higher education institutions across the country. Out of a total of 267 universities, including 160 public and 107 private sector institutions, NAHE has successfully trained faculty from 229 universities, achieving an impressive 85.7 percent national coverage. Of these, 190 universities were covered through physical workshops, while 39 universities took part via online orientations.

Regionally, Punjab showed exceptional compliance, with 92 out of 97 universities, or 94.8 percent, successfully trained, the highest among all regions. Significant participation was also recorded from the Federal area, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. To ensure sustained academic support, Dr. Ubaid-ur-Rehman Bashir, Consultant for Fehm-e-Quran, has been offering continuous guidance, query resolution, and facilitation to universities through digital platforms and direct institutional coordination since May 2025.

With the successful completion of the core training mandate, NAHE now proposes transitioning the initiative into the implementation and compliance phase. Considering constraints on physical engagements, any additional training requests will be facilitated through online platforms such as MS Teams. This initiative marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s higher education landscape by fostering a deeper understanding of the Quran among students while promoting intellectual, ethical, and spiritual development.

The Higher Education Commission remains passionately committed to strengthening academic excellence and value-based education in line with national priorities and aspirations.