Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal met on Tuesday with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Alexander De Croo in New York and discussed Pakistan’s development priorities and ways to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the UNDP. Speaking during the meeting, the minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to its […]
UNDP
Afghanistan faces escalating humanitarian crisis: UN
Three in four people in Afghanistan are unable to meet their basic needs, a senior United Nations official has warned, highlighting the country’s worsening humanitarian crisis. The assessment underscores the scale of hardship facing millions of Afghans after years of conflict, economic instability, and natural disasters. The UN also stressed the need for long-term development […]
UNDP, Japan to support community resilience, disaster preparedness
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Government of Japan, is strengthening community resilience and disaster preparedness in Pakistan, particularly for vulnerable communities in Punjab province, through a project supported by a generous contribution of US$400,000 from the Government of Japan. Pakistan continues to face increasing risks from climate-induced disasters, including recurrent […]
IFIs warn Pakistan of severe climate risks
ISLAMABAD: International Financial Institutions (IFIs) have expressed deep concern over Pakistan’s worsening climate vulnerability, environmental degradation, and unchecked population growth, warning that these factors could significantly undermine the country’s stability and economic future if left unaddressed. The warnings were issued during the closing plenary of the 28th Sustainable Development Conference on Friday, attended by experts […]
UNDP, Punjab govt collaborate with academia to climate resilience
Punjab, with a population exceeding 125 million and over 150 cities and towns, faces a critical stage in its urban and environmental development. Rapid, unplanned urban growth has amplified environmental damage, worsened air quality, depleted groundwater reserves, and increased vulnerability to climate shocks. According to the World Bank’s Poverty, Equity, and Resilience Assessment (2025), Pakistan’s […]
Pakistan still using Euro-II emission standards
ISLAMABAD / GILGIT: A parliamentary committee on Wednesday expressed serious concern over Pakistan’s outdated Euro-II vehicle emission standards, terming them a glaring example of the country’s environmental oversight failures. During a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, lawmakers were told that Pakistan’s National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) still […]
UNDP, CDA launch mega solid waste management project
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a mega solid waste management project under which garbage would be divided into two categories from the source point. Member Admin CDA Amir Abbas said that the project was initially introduced in E-7, Margalla Retreat, Park Enclave and […]
UNDP, South Punjab Secretariat launch two landmark SDGs Reports for equitable development in region
MULTAN: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and South Punjab Secretariat on Monday launched two landmark reports detailing existing socio-economic situation and development requirements of South Punjab providing a foundation for data-driven and evidence based policies and plans for area’s regional development, and driving an initial Rs 400 million investment to achieve development goals. A Rs […]
Afghan banking system on brink of collapse, UNDP warns
UNITED NATIONS: A UN agency has warned that Afghanistan’s banking system is on the verge of collapse because of consumers’ inability to repay loans, fewer deposits, and other liquidity problems, leading to a social crisis in an already fragile economy. “Afghanistan’s financial and bank payment systems are in disarray. The bank-run problem must be resolved […]
Govt making efforts to protect children’s rights through reforms: Dr Mazari
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr. Shireen Mazari on Friday outlined the government’s efforts to protect the rights of children through institutional mechanisms, evidence generation, awareness campaigns and legal and policy reforms. She expressed these words in a webinar held here marking the commemoration of international year for the elimination of child labor organized […]