Fire erupts in Islamabad’s Margalla Hills, containment efforts underway

Smoke rises after a fire broke at the Margalla Hills National Park, amid hot weather in Islamabad, Pakistan, on May 19, 2025. (AN)
Short Url
Updated 19 May 2025
Follow

Fire erupts in Islamabad’s Margalla Hills, containment efforts underway

  • The blaze erupted near Saidpur Darra, Jungle Number 15 and Rumli areas
  • Over 70 firefighters are participating in the operation to put out the blaze

ISLAMABAD: A wildfire erupted in the Margalla Hills in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Monday, the Islamabad district administration said, with efforts underway to put out the blaze.

The Margalla range, part of the Himalayan foothills, often experiences bushfires in the summer months. Last year, several incidents of forest fire were reported at the hills as various parts of the country remained in the grip of intense heatwaves.

On Monday, a fire broke out near Saidpur Darra, Jungle Number 15 and Rumli areas on the hills, prompting an immediate response from the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) fire brigade and officials of the district administration.

“More than 70 firefighters are participating in the operation to control the fire,” the district administration said in a statement.

“The fire was brought under control once, but it broke out again.”

No casualties or property damage have been reported in the wake of the fire, according to authorities.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

“The fire will be brought under control again soon,” the district administration added.


Pakistan’s first female central bank governor dies at 71

Updated 19 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan’s first female central bank governor dies at 71

  • Shamshad Akhtar led the State Bank of Pakistan from 2006 to 2009 and later served twice as caretaker finance minister
  • Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb describes Akhtar as an accomplished economist and an outstanding human being

KARACHI: Shamshad Akhtar, Pakistan’s first woman to serve as governor of the central bank and one of the country’s most internationally experienced economic policymakers, died at the age of 71, officials said on Saturday.

Akhtar led the State Bank of Pakistan from 2006 to 2009, becoming the first and only woman to lead the institution since its establishment in 1948. She later served twice as caretaker finance minister, overseeing fiscal management during transitional governments ahead of the 2018 and 2024 general elections.

According to local media reports, Akhtar died of cardiac arrest.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over her passing in a statement.

“The president paid tribute to her services in the field of economics and financial management, noting her contribution to strengthening economic governance in the country,” the presidency said, adding that he extended condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb described Akhtar as a highly accomplished economist and an outstanding human being.

“Dr. Shamshad Akhtar was a dignified, principled and wise voice in Pakistan’s economic history,” he said.

He said she served Pakistan with integrity and dedication across several senior economic roles, adding that her national service would always be remembered with respect.

At the time of her death, Akhtar was serving as chairperson of the Pakistan Stock Exchange, a role that placed her at the intersection of Pakistan’s monetary policy, fiscal management and capital markets.

Beyond Pakistan, she held senior positions at major international institutions, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

Born in Hyderabad, she was educated in Karachi and Islamabad and held advanced degrees in economics from institutions in Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

Akhtar was widely regarded as a technocrat known for institutional discipline, policy continuity and a strong commitment to economic reform.

With input from Reuters