The First Lady, Asifa Bhutto Zardari, asserted that housing is a basic right and that the promise of the People’s Party includes food, clothing, and shelter. During her address at the Asia-Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum 2026, Asifa Bhutto emphasized that the impact of safe housing is particularly profound for women and children, as benefits from secure homes and financial inclusion extend beyond the home. She stated that millions of families in the region are affected by climate change and social challenges, and that the lack of safe housing is not just a material issue but also a loss of dignity and opportunities. Housing, she stressed, is not just a roof but a foundation for health, education, and stability.
Asifa Bhutto underscored that permanent housing is the place where families thrive, children dream, and communities progress. Women, she emphasized, play a crucial role in families, social cohesion, and long-term development, and that by placing women at the center of plans, the overall sustainability of society is ensured. The Asia-Pacific region, she noted, is one of the world’s most climate-sensitive areas, with floods, storms, earthquakes, and extreme heat putting communities at risk of displacement and destruction.
Addressing the forum, Asifa Bhutto expressed her gratitude to Benazir Bhutto, saying that her mother’s vision has established a network of thousands of women. She emphasized that environmental sustainability should be integrated into all aspects, from design to community governance, and that Sindh is a powerful example of this approach, having launched the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affected Persons Program in 2022. This massive program aims to provide 21 million environmentally resilient homes, benefiting 15 million people directly, with houses and land being registered in the names of women to enhance their dignity, protection, and financial inclusion.
Asifa Bhutto stressed that this rehabilitation is not just about infrastructure but about designing life and the future. Sustainable shelters, she emphasized, are built on social cohesion, which is essential for strong communities that foster trust, participation, and a sense of ownership. Decision-making and future investment are critical for rapid and sustainable development, and this forum offers a unique opportunity for governments, partners, civil society, private sector, and communities to work together.
She also stated that our responsibility is to include low-cost, local, and environmentally resilient and vulnerable individuals in solutions and that we must move beyond mere discussions to action, adopting solutions that benefit low-cost, local, environmentally resilient, and marginalized people. Asifa Bhutto concluded by saying that the success of such forums should be measured not by statements but by improved lives on the ground, where every child is safe and every woman is treated with dignity and respect. She expressed hope that this forum would be a successful and impactful one, where every community can not only cope with crises but also thrive.
In other news, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has reiterated its commitment to enforcing the policy of capping fees at medical and dental colleges across the country. The policy aims to ensure that students do not face excessive financial burdens. The council has reaffirmed its stance after a meeting with the two leaders.
The opposition leader, Rana Sanaullah, said that the country would not progress until a local and civic system is established. He added that the government has been awakened from its slumber after the events of the Glittering Plaza incident. The Minister of Information said that the PTI chief is being provided with all facilities and that he is being given many more privileges than a regular prisoner.
The report on the inquiry into the death of a mother and child at the Mithi Civil Hospital has been released. The Steering Committee meeting decided that the admissions for the ninth class will begin from March 1 to March 31, while the admissions for colleges will begin from June 1.
The chairperson of the Pakistan Ulema Council said that Pakistan’s history is incomplete without women. The First Lady of Pakistan said that the workers and opponents of ANP clashed during the rally, and there were cases of violence and several workers were injured.
The Sindh government has decided to seal high-risk buildings that violate fire safety laws. In Karachi, more than 650 cases of dog bites have been reported this month alone. The federal government has formed a high-level committee to draft amendments to the Pharmacy Act of
