CBD PUNJAB DEMONSTRATES ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AMID RECORD MONSOON RAINS

The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA) also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab), has once again demonstrated the strength and resilience of its world-class infrastructure as Lahore received an unprecedented 450mm of rainfall over the past three days. Despite one of the most intense monsoon spells in the city's history, CBD Route 47 and the CBD Quaid District remained fully operational, ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow and efficient stormwater management.

Throughout the prolonged rainfall, CBD Punjab's engineering, operations and emergency response teams remained deployed in the field, continuously monitoring critical infrastructure and coordinating technical operations. The authority's modern drainage network, high-capacity pumping systems and proactive response mechanisms performed effectively, allowing the project area to remain functional despite the extreme weather conditions.

The successful performance of CBD Route 47 and the Walton Road Upgradation Project reflects CBD Punjab's long-term vision of developing climate-resilient urban infrastructure that is capable of withstanding increasingly severe weather events while ensuring public convenience and safety.

Although the Kalma Chowk Underpass has been handed over to WASA and the Walton Road Upgradation Project is now under the operational jurisdiction of the Walton Cantonment Board, CBD Punjab continued to extend comprehensive technical support and close coordination throughout the monsoon spell. This collaborative effort ensured efficient water management and helped maintain smooth traffic operations despite record-breaking rainfall across Lahore.

Commenting on the performance CEO CBD Punjab Imran Amin said: “Infrastructure proves its value when it performs under the most demanding conditions. The successful operation of CBD Route 47 during this historic rainfall reflects the quality of planning, engineering excellence and sustainable design that define CBD Punjab's projects. While the operational responsibility of Kalma Chowk Underpass and Walton Road rests with WASA and the Walton Cantonment Board, CBD Punjab remained fully committed by providing technical expertise, operational coordination, and engineering support to safeguard public mobility and minimize the impact of heavy rainfall."

As Pakistan's first LEED Gold Precertified Mega Development, CBD Punjab continues to redefine urban development standards by delivering sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure that supports environmental responsibility, operational efficiency, and long-term urban resilience. The Authority remains committed to building future-ready infrastructure that serves the people of Punjab under all weather conditions while setting new benchmarks for smart and sustainable city development.

PAAPAM Chairman Usman Aslam Malik Urges Government to Prioritize Localization in New Auto Policy

The Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) has expressed deep concern over the prolonged delay in finalizing Pakistan's new Auto Industry Development Policy, warning that continued uncertainty is adversely affecting the country's automotive manufacturing ecosystem.

PAAPAM Chairman Usman Aslam Malik said the delay in finalizing the new auto policy has created significant uncertainty among the association's member industries, many of which are already facing considerable financial and operational challenges.

"The new Auto Industry Development Policy must prioritize the development and strengthening of Pakistan's auto parts and components manufacturing base, which is the backbone of the country's automotive value chain," said Malik.

He noted that the last two auto policies primarily focused on attracting new vehicle assemblers. While this approach expanded the number of automotive brands in the market, it did not sufficiently promote localization, indigenous engineering capabilities, or domestic technology development, resulting in a weakened local auto parts manufacturing ecosystem.

Malik urged the Government of Pakistan to adopt a policy direction centered on localization, technology upgradation, engineering capability enhancement, and employment generation. He emphasized that without this strategic shift, Pakistan risks eroding its industrial base and becoming increasingly dependent on imported vehicles and components instead of strengthening domestic manufacturing.

He further called for a stable, long-term 10-year Auto Industry Development Policy that provides policy continuity, enhances investor confidence, and enables predictable industrial planning to support sustainable growth and industrial competitiveness.

What's Really Behind the "Made in Pakistan" Label?

        

"Made in Pakistan" sounds simple enough, right? So if smartphones are now going through Local Assembly in Pakistan, why haven't prices dropped the way many people expected? It's a fair question, but the answer starts long before a phone reaches a local assembly line.

While many smartphones sold locally carry an "assembled in Pakistan" label, local factories use SKD (Semi-Knocked Down) and CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits to assemble phones, high-tech components like processors, OLED displays, and camera modules are still made abroad accounting for 70% to 80% of total manufacturing costs.

CBD PUNJAB'S MONSOON PREPAREDNESS KEEPS CBD ROUTE 47 FULLY OPERATIONAL DURING HEAVY RAINFALL

The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab), successfully ensured uninterrupted traffic flow on CBD Route 47 during the recent monsoon spell, demonstrating the Authority's commitment to developing climate-resilient and future-ready urban infrastructure. Despite heavy rainfall across Lahore, CBD Route 47 remained fully operational and free from water accumulation, providing commuters with a safe and smooth travelling experience.

Over the 48-hour monsoon spell, Lahore received nearly 300 mm of cumulative rainfall across different parts of the city, creating significant challenges for traffic movement and urban drainage. Despite these extreme weather conditions, the dedicated management, Operations and Maintenance teams of CBD Punjab remained fully mobilized and successfully delivered the desired results. CBD Route 47, Kalma Chowk Underpass and Walton Road remained operational with uninterrupted traffic flow and minimal disruption throughout the rainfall. The effective drainage management also brought long-awaited relief to the residents of Walton by addressing a waterlogging issue that had persisted for more than four decades.

The provincial capital received average 88 mm of rainfall in 2 days while the highest rainfall of 263 mm was recorded in the Airport vicinity, creating challenges for traffic movement across various parts of the city. However, CBD Route 47 continued to perform efficiently due to its advanced stormwater drainage infrastructure and resilient engineering design. Built in accordance with international standards, the project features a state-of-the-art drainage network that enables rapid rainwater disposal, preventing waterlogging and ensuring uninterrupted traffic even during intense monsoon showers.

CBD Punjab's Operations and Maintenance teams remained on high alert throughout the rainfall, continuously monitoring road conditions, drainage performance and traffic flow. Regular field inspections and timely operational responses ensured the route remained safe and accessible. The integrated drainage system continues to play a vital role in minimizing urban flooding and maintaining seamless connectivity along one of Lahore's key urban corridors.

Chief Executive Officer CBD Punjab, Imran Amin, said, "The uninterrupted operation of CBD Route 47 during heavy rainfall reflects CBD Punjab's commitment to resilient infrastructure, proactive planning and sustainable urban development. We remain dedicated to delivering world-class infrastructure that serves the public efficiently under all weather conditions."

CBD Punjab also continued to extend technical and operational support to WASA and the Walton Cantonment Board during the monsoon season. While the Kalma Chowk Underpass and Walton Road have been handed over to the respective agencies for operations and maintenance, CBD Punjab remains in close coordination with both organizations to facilitate efficient drainage management, smooth traffic flow and commuter safety during heavy rainfall. This collaborative approach reinforces CBD Punjab's commitment to building a resilient and sustainable urban transport network for Lahore.
 

CBD PUNJAB MAKES HISTORY WITH PAKISTAN'S FIRST LEED FOR COMMUNITIES GOLD PRECERTIFICATION

 

The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab), has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first development in Pakistan to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), for Communities Gold Precertification for its Quaid & Bab District from the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The international recognition places CBD Punjab at the forefront of sustainable urban planning and reinforces its commitment to developing environmentally responsible, resilient, and future-ready communities.

LEED for Communities is one of the world's most respected sustainability certification frameworks, assessing districts on key performance indicators including environmental stewardship, resilience, infrastructure, quality of life, mobility, governance and long-term economic sustainability. The Gold Level Precertification reflects the strength of CBD Punjab's master planning approach and its alignment with internationally recognized green development standards.

Following a comprehensive technical review, the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) officially awarded the Gold Level Precertification after determining that the Quaid & Bab District of CBD Punjab successfully meets the rigorous sustainability criteria established under the LEED for Communities rating system. This recognition highlights CBD Punjab's integrated planning model, which emphasizes smart infrastructure, efficient resource management, sustainable mobility, green public spaces and enhanced livability.

Expressing his views on the achievement, CEO CBD Punjab, Imran Amin, said, "Receiving the LEED for Communities Gold Precertification is a defining moment for CBD Punjab and a proud achievement for Pakistan. It validates our vision of creating internationally competitive business districts that are environmentally sustainable, economically vibrant, and designed around the needs of people. Quaid & Bab District is setting a new benchmark in urban development by incorporating global best practices that will deliver lasting environmental, social, and economic benefits for generations to come."

He congratulated the entire CBD Punjab team, consultants and project partners for their dedication and collaborative efforts in achieving this international recognition. He reaffirmed that CBD Punjab will continue to pursue excellence in sustainable development, smart urban infrastructure, and innovative planning practices that attract investment while improving the quality of life for citizens.

The achievement further strengthens CBD Punjab's vision of transforming Punjab into a hub of modern, sustainable, and investment-friendly urban development, positioning the Quaid & Bab District as a benchmark for future cities across Pakistan.

AI driving increased use of real-time data by accountants enabling better business decisions, but integrity concerns widespread

 

CFOs and finance teams are harnessing an explosion in data and AI technology to drive better business insights. But a new survey shows most have concerns over the integrity of AI-generated analysis

 

A major report, Enabling finance insight, from two of the world’s leading accountancy bodies, reveals a clear trend towards greater use of real-time operational data, with more than 60 per cent of finance teams increasing its use over the past two years to support better business insight and decision-making.

 

This shift from retrospective reporting towards current and forward-looking insights is driven by a greater breadth of data– from real-time operational metrics to unstructured internal text data – and increased use of AI technologies to reshape how data is analysed and interpreted.

 

The global survey of 1,600 finance professionals also reveals a real shift in the way that finance teams are working with data and IT across an organisation. Traditional silos are breaking down, with almost 60 per cent reporting close collaboration with data and IT teams.

 

But the research from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) shows that 93 per cent of finance professionals are concerned by the integrity and verifiability of AI-generated insights. Issues include AI hallucinations, inaccuracies, incomplete data sets, lack of transparency and bias.

 

These findings underline that awareness must be followed by upskilling in this fast-developing area.

 

ACCA Chief Executive Helen Brand OBE said: “This research shows how finance teams are evolving from retrospective reporting engines into strategic enablers of enterprise-wide insight. This is a great opportunity, but upskilling is critical. CFOs and finance teams need to lead in the responsible adoption of AI across organisations, ensuring robust training and governance is in place. Critical thinking, sceptical validation and an ethical approach is vital.”

 

CA ANZ Chief Executive Officer Ainslie van Onselen said: “AI is now a core part of the finance toolkit, but it's not a shortcut. CFOs and finance teams need to use it to sharpen judgement and generate real value, not just speed up old processes. That means investing in structured learning and working more closely with IT and data teams. Upskilling isn't optional. It's how you manage the risk.”

 

Data from the survey shows a growing skills gap, with 72 per cent of respondents reporting only basic or no GenAI skills, however 41 per cent  are seeking training and upskilling in their own time.  

 

As real-time data becomes central to decision-making, thinking critically about its limits is becoming a core skill.

 

Globally, the survey showed strategic priorities (45 per cent) and regulatory requirements (43 per cent) are the key drivers of the increase in data analysis to produce insights. While progress is significant, the report highlights the key areas finance functions need to address to improve business insights: data quality issues (42 per cent), lack of appropriate skills (42 per cent), and difficulty integrating multiple sources (40 per cent).

 

Realising finance’s potential as a strategic enabler of insight hinges on developing the right skills and strengthening collaboration. The research examined the talent profile of the modern finance function and found that while ambition is high, execution is threatened by a misalignment between skills and capabilities in areas such as generative AI literacy, predictive analytics, collaboration over coding, storytelling and data governance/ethics.

 

The report aims to equip CFOs and finance leaders with actionable recommendations to help their teams provide trusted insight, effectively steward data, govern AI responsibly, and drive measurable value for the entire organisation.