Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, on Wednesday directed the federal and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) governments to fast-track implementation of the Rs24.9 billion, 100MW Distributed Solar Photovoltaic (DPV) project, with solar, transmission and access-road components executed simultaneously.

Chairing the second meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee on development concerns of Gilgit-Baltistan, the minister directed the GB government to immediately commence work on access roads and transmission infrastructure falling within its share.

The meeting was informed that the solar project includes rooftop and utility-scale installations along with associated transmission lines and access roads.

Ahsan Iqbal further directed that third-party validation of the project should proceed concurrently with implementation to ensure independent quality and compliance checks without delaying ongoing work.

Terming energy the “number one crisis” in Gilgit-Baltistan, the minister stressed that the region could not afford any delay in addressing its acute electricity shortage.

He directed all concerned authorities to maintain close coordination and remove procedural bottlenecks to ensure fast-track progress.

The meeting was also informed that the Rs10.6 billion Naltar Power Project was nearing completion, while the

Rs12.9 billion Hanzel Power Project was at an advanced stage of completion.

Reviewing tourism-related issues, Ahsan Iqbal directed the GB government to consider an appropriate taxation and regulatory framework for the tourism sector to generate additional revenue while ensuring sustainable and environmentally responsible growth.

He also ordered a comprehensive study of the tourism carrying capacity of Gilgit-Baltistan to determine the level of tourism that its fragile natural environment could sustainably support.

The minister proposed constitution of a task force comprising the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Ministry of Climate Change and the GB government, with support from relevant experts and institutions, including the Aga Khan Development Network, to undertake the study and formulate recommendations.

He stressed the need for a comprehensive mechanism to regulate tourism, discourage unplanned construction and protect the ecological balance of the region.

Ahsan Iqbal also directed formation of a committee comprising representatives and experts from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Finance Division and GB government to assist the region in developing and implementing an appropriate tourism taxation framework.

On financing constraints, the minister said the Ministry of Planning had already recommended to the Prime Minister in February 2025 that GB be provided a financing framework on the lines of provinces under the National Finance Commission (NFC) mechanism.

He said pending finalisation of the NFC Award, alternative financing arrangements should be examined to meet GB’s immediate development needs.

The minister directed that all decisions, recommendations and instructions of the meeting be consolidated into an interim report within two weeks, enabling relevant ministries, departments and the GB government to undertake required regulatory, administrative and development measures without delay.

Chief Minister GB Amjad Hussain Azaar, Leader of the Opposition in the GB Assembly, Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, who participated virtually, and senior federal and GB officials attended the meeting.

I am writing to draw attention to an issue that is rarely discussed openly: the financial burden that death can place on Pakistani families.

Losing a loved one is already one of the most painful experiences a family can face. Yet afterwards, families often have to manage expenses for kafan, ghusl, transportation, grave charges and burial arrangements. For middle-class and low-income families, these costs can be difficult to bear, particularly when the deceased was the household’s main earner.

The financial pressure may continue after the burial. In different parts of Pakistan, families follow various mourning customs and gatherings, including Soyum, Daswan, Chaliswan and other local traditions. These practices have different meanings for different communities and should be respected. The problem arises when social expectations turn them into financial obligations.

Families may feel pressured to arrange food, seating and other gatherings because they fear criticism from relatives or neighbours. Some may even borrow money to meet social expectations at a time when they are already emotionally and financially vulnerable.

We need to ask ourselves whether we are truly supporting grieving families or unintentionally adding to their burden. Offering condolences should not become a competition over how much a family can spend.

Relatives and neighbours can help by providing food, contributing towards necessary expenses or simply being present. Authorities should also ensure transparent and affordable burial charges and better management of public graveyards. Death is unavoidable, but the financial hardship that follows does not have to be. A person’s final farewell should be based on dignity, prayer and love, not on how much money the family can afford to spend.

BATOOL FATIMA,

Karachi.

WASHINGTON: U.S. ​Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday said airlines, ‌the maritime industry and digital assets could be possible targets as the Trump administration ​continues its planned efforts to ​squeeze Iran’s economy.

Bessent, asked about Russian ⁠support for Iran in an interview ​on Fox News following a G20 gathering ​in North Carolina this week, also warned “everyone” against backing Tehran.

“My message to everyone is stay ​away. We all want this ​conflict to end, and the fastest way for ‌the ⁠conflict to end is for no one to provide any support to this regime,” he told “Fox & Friends” one day ​after Russian ​President ⁠Vladimir Putin threw his support behind Iran.

“We are having very fulsome ​talks with anyone supporting the ​regime,” ⁠he added.

On Tuesday, Bessent said the administration could also target airline leasing ⁠companies ​and that more Iran bank ​sanctions could come this week.