Karachi Division

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Sindh government and the federal government have agreed to launch coordinated measures to protect Mazar e Quaid, curb illegal garbage dumping in its vicinity and improve the management of other key national heritage institutions.
The commitment was made during a high level meeting in Karachi between Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi. The meeting reviewed administrative, security and maintenance issues relating to Mazar e Quaid and the National Library of Pakistan.
Officials discussed a range of concerns, including encroachments, sanitation, security arrangements and the overall upkeep of the mausoleum. Both sides agreed to immediately stop illegal dumping of municipal and construction waste around the site and address security threats posed by drug dealers and other anti-social elements.
The meeting also reviewed plans to remove encroachments in adjoining areas, including Lines Area and Khudadad Colony, while considering measures to enhance security, improve visitor facilities and ensure better allocation of resources.
Participants were briefed on the constitutional and administrative responsibilities of the Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum Management Board, which is responsible for the preservation, restoration and management of the 132 acre national monument.
Discussions also covered administrative matters concerning the Karachi regional office of the National Library of Pakistan. Authorities agreed to improve water supply and other public facilities, resolve outstanding issues through legal channels and examine proposals for expanding the regional office and establishing a copyright depository.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah described Mazar e Quaid and public libraries as invaluable national assets, reaffirming the Sindh government's commitment to their preservation, beautification and security.
Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi stressed that protecting the country's cultural heritage requires close coordination between federal and provincial institutions. He said joint efforts were essential to address encroachments, environmental concerns and security challenges surrounding the national monument.
The meeting concluded with both governments reaffirming their commitment to sustained cooperation and the timely resolution of pending administrative matters through mutual consultation.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
The Sindh government, in coordination with the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, has set June 2027 as the target for completing five major road infrastructure projects across the province. The projects, being implemented under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), carry a revised combined cost of PKR 140.91 billion and are expected to significantly improve regional connectivity, facilitate trade and accelerate economic growth throughout Sindh.
The completion timeline was finalized during a high level review meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, where progress on federally funded road schemes was assessed in the presence of members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, led by Chairman Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, along with provincial ministers and senior government officials.
According to officials, the revised cost of the five projects has reached PKR 140.91 billion, with the federal government contributing PKR 96.75 billion under the PSDP, while the Sindh government will finance PKR 44.15 billion.
The projects include the 36-kilometre Sindh Coastal Highway Extension, the 150-kilometre Mehran Highway, the 31.4 kilometre Tando Allahyar Tando Adam Dual Carriageway, the 135-kilometre Sanghar/Rohri Road (Nawabshah/Ranipur Dualisation) and the 221 kilometre Rohri/Guddu Road. These strategic road corridors are expected to strengthen transportation networks, reduce travel time and improve access between key commercial, industrial and rural areas of the province.
Officials informed the meeting that construction activities are progressing on all five projects. Work on the Sindh Coastal Highway Extension officially commenced after the issuance of the work order in June 2026, while asphalt base construction has already been completed on 44 kilometres of the Mehran Highway.
Construction is also advancing on the Tando Allahyar/Tando Adam Dual Carriageway, although relocation of utility services, shifting of transmission lines and pending approvals from Pakistan Railways continue to pose implementation challenges. Meanwhile, work is ongoing on the Sanghar/Rohri Road, while widening and base construction have been completed on major sections of the Rohri/Guddu Road, where asphalt laying is expected to begin shortly.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah emphasized that modern road infrastructure plays a vital role in strengthening connectivity, facilitating commercial activity and promoting long term economic development across Sindh.
He described the projects as more than conventional road schemes, stating that they would serve as economic corridors linking different regions of the province, encouraging trade, attracting investment and creating new opportunities for businesses and local communities.
The chief minister directed all relevant departments to resolve outstanding issues relating to utility relocation, regulatory clearances and project financing on a priority basis. He also stressed the importance of the timely release of federal PSDP funds to ensure uninterrupted construction and achieve the June 2027 completion target.
Officials expressed confidence that with continued coordination between the federal and provincial governments, the projects would significantly enhance Sindh's transport infrastructure, improve logistics and support sustainable economic growth across the province.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan’s cement industry recorded a strong recovery during the fiscal year 2025 26, with total dispatches reaching 50.58 million tons, reflecting an increase of approximately 8 percent compared with the previous financial year.
The improvement was primarily driven by a revival in domestic construction activity, lower average policy rates and stronger local demand. According to a report by AKD Securities, domestic cement sales increased by around 9 percent year on year to approximately 41.5 million tons during FY26.
Local cement dispatches rose sharply by 27 percent year on year to 3.54 million tons in June 2026. Cumulative domestic sales during the entire financial year stood at approximately 41.57 million tons, representing growth of around 10 percent.
Overall cement sales increased by 18.4 percent year on year to 4.33 million tons during June alone. Arif Habib Limited attributed part of the increase to a lower comparison base caused by Eid holidays during the corresponding period of the previous year.
Cement dispatches in the northern region increased by 16 percent to 3.01 million tons in June, while volumes in the southern region rose by 23 percent to 1.31 million tons.
Industry-wide capacity utilisation improved to 59 percent during FY26, compared with 56 percent in FY25. Capacity utilisation in the northern region rose from 49 percent to 53 percent, mainly due to stronger domestic demand.
Southern cement manufacturers recorded capacity utilisation of 84 percent, up from 79 percent during the previous year. The improvement was also supported by a 9 percent increase in sea-based cement exports.
Several leading cement manufacturers reported substantial growth in their dispatches. Lucky Cement’s total volumes increased by 31 percent year on year to 0.91 million tons in June, supported by a 40 percent increase in local sales. The company’s full-year dispatches reached 9.668 million tons, showing growth of 4 percent.
Fauji Cement’s June dispatches rose by 11 percent to 0.48 million tons, while DG Khan Cement recorded a 12 percent increase to 0.39 million tons. Kohinoor Cement and Pioneer Cement also reported double-digit growth during the period.
Power Cement emerged as one of the strongest performers, recording a 60 percent year on year increase in June dispatches to 0.28 million tons. Maple Leaf Cement posted a slight decline in June but still achieved 5 percent growth during the full financial year.
Market analysts expect cement demand to maintain its upward trajectory during FY27. The outlook is supported by recovering economic activity, lower financing costs, construction related relief announced in the federal budget and the potential expansion of housing finance.
AKD Securities has projected that domestic cement consumption may grow by around 8 percent during FY27. Lower construction costs and a possible decline in international coal prices are also expected to support the profitability of cement manufacturers.
However, analysts warned that renewed geopolitical tensions and any sharp increase in oil and coal prices could affect demand, production costs and profit margins.
With monetary easing, fiscal support and stronger housing and infrastructure activity, the cement industry is expected to contribute significantly to the recovery of Pakistan’s construction sector and the broader economy.