Quetta | ReNews Pakistan
The district administration and police in Balochistan have intensified operations against illegal Afghan migrants residing in the Karezat area. According to officials, the operation was formally launched after the expiry of a 24-hour deadline given to migrants to vacate the area.
According to an official report, approximately 60,000 Afghan migrants are currently living in Karezat, a large number of whom do not possess valid legal documents. The administration maintains that illegal residence is contributing to security concerns and placing a strain on local resources.
DSP Inayat Kakar, while speaking to the media, said that migrants had been issued prior notice to voluntarily leave the area. However, following the expiry of the deadline, strict action has now been initiated.
He confirmed that more than 100 illegal houses have so far been demolished, adding that the operation will continue to ensure the complete elimination of illegal settlements.

Quetta | ReNews Pakistan
A review meeting on the Quetta Master Plan was held under the chairmanship of Commissioner Quetta Division Shahzeb Khan Kakar, in which detailed deliberations were made on the city’s master planning, survey work, digital mapping, geotechnical testing, and digitization process, as well as future development, expansion, and solutions to core urban issues.
Officials from the QDA and the concerned consultant firm, along with other relevant officers, attended the meeting. During the session, the consultant firm provided a comprehensive briefing on short-term, mid term, and long term planning under the Quetta Master Plan. The briefing also covered the land survey report, Digital Mapping Information System, results of field surveys, urban boundary demarcation, land utilization, and proposed improvements in road infrastructure as well as sewerage and drainage systems.
The Commissioner directed the concerned firm to finalize all measures at the earliest and present them for implementation, stressing that timely execution of the master plan must be ensured at all costs. He emphasized that city planning should be carried out in light of population growth and future needs, and instructed that all relevant institutions, departments, and stakeholders be taken on board to formulate a practical and workable plan.
He further directed that an effective strategy be developed to relocate commercial and industrial activities from the city center to outer areas in order to reduce increasing traffic congestion and urban pressure.
The Commissioner also highlighted that water scarcity and other civic issues remain major challenges for Quetta, and therefore their sustainable solutions must be prioritized in the master plan. He instructed that short-term projects be implemented immediately, while the pace of mid term and long-term projects should also be accelerated.
Commissioner Shahzeb Khan Kakar stated that through a comprehensive master plan, Quetta will be developed on modern lines, leading to improved civic facilities, organized urban expansion, and enhanced economic activity. He added that the plan will not only address current urban needs but will also play a key role in managing future population growth and increasing urban pressures.

Quetta | ReNews Pakistan
The Government of Balochistan has issued a formal notification revising the operating hours of markets, wedding halls, and restaurants as part of measures aimed at conserving energy and providing relief to the public. Immediate implementation of the decision has begun.
The move was approved during an austerity-related meeting chaired by Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti, following which relevant departments were directed to enforce the new guidelines.
According to Additional Chief Secretary Interior Hamza Shafqaat, all markets and shopping centres across the province will close by 8 pm. However, pharmacies, tandoors, and naan shops have been exempted from these restrictions.
He further stated that all events at wedding halls, banquet halls, and hotels must conclude by 10 pm, while restaurants and hotels will also be required to close at the same time.
Authorities have directed district administrations and law enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance with the new timings. The public has also been urged to cooperate with these measures to help tackle the energy crisis and provide relief to citizens.