Day: July 5, 2026

Abbottabad: A youth, identified as Rizwan, a resident of Berin Gali Sat has drowned while bathing at the Jandar Bari Waterfall in the Beringli area of Abbottabad on Saturday.

According to initial reports, the youth slipped into deep water while swimming in the waterfall. A search and rescue operation is underway, with local volunteers joined by Rescue 1122 teams from Galiyat and Abbottabad. The teams are continuing efforts to recover the body.

The incident once again highlights the recurring tragedies witnessed across the Hazara region during the monsoon season. Every year, dozens of people lose their lives in streams, waterfalls, ponds and lakes of Hazara Division despite official bans on swimming and bathing at such sites due to the heightened risks posed by strong currents and rising water levels.

Authorities have repeatedly appealed to the public to comply with safety restrictions, warning that ignoring the ban continues to result in avoidable loss of life each year.

Multan: Seeking to strengthen Pakistan’s horticulture sector through research, innovation and market linkages, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan (MNSUAM) on Saturday launched a two-day Mango and Dates Festival featuring business networking, scientific discussions,

cultural festivities and family entertainment.

The festival was jointly inaugurated by Commissioner Amir Kareem and MNSUAM Vice Chancellor Dr Asif Ali in the presence of farmers, exporters, processors, researchers and representatives of allied industries from across Pakistan. Vice chancellors of several public and private universities also attended the opening ceremony, along with Bangladesh High Commissioner MD Iqbal Hussain Khan underscoring the international interest in Pakistan’s world-renowned mangoes and rapidly expanding date industry.

An extensive exhibition showcasing dozens of mango and date varieties remained the centre

of attraction, with visitors thronging stalls displaying fresh produce, processed food products

and modern orchard technologies. Mango and date growers from different regions, besides leading agribusiness companies, established stalls highlighting improved cultivars, value-added products, post-harvest technologies, irrigation systems and farm inputs.

A key feature of the festival was the Business-to-Business (B2B) networking forum, which brought together growers, exporters, processors, traders and corporate representatives to explore investment opportunities, develop commercial partnerships and discuss strategies for increasing Pakistan’s exports of mangoes and dates.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Vice Chancellor Dr Asif Ali said agriculture was entering a new era where scientific research, technological innovation and market-oriented production would determine future success. He said MNSUAM was committed to connecting researchers with farmers and industry to ensure that modern agricultural technologies reached orchards and translated into higher productivity and better incomes.

He said Pakistan enjoys a natural advantage in producing premium-quality mangoes and dates, but sustained investment in climate-resilient farming, quality assurance, value addition and export-oriented production was essential to unlock the sector’s full economic potential. He added that the university would continue serving as a hub for research, innovation and stakeholder collaboration to support sustainable horticultural development.

Later, experts, scientists and horticulture specialists participated in a technical session titled “Oasis to Orchard Economy: Smart Climate-Resistant Mango and Date Production Systems.” The speakers highlighted the growing challenges posed by climate change and stressed the adoption of precision agriculture, efficient irrigation, improved orchard management, disease control and modern post-harvest practices to safeguard production and improve competitiveness in international markets.

Besides its commercial and academic activities, the festival offered a rich blend of infotainment and cultural celebrations. Families and children enjoyed a fun gala featuring cultural performances, recreational activities, food stalls and interactive exhibits, creating a festive atmosphere that celebrated the heritage and economic importance of Pakistan’s two signature fruits.

The two-day festival is expected to promote collaboration among academia, farmers, industry and policymakers while encouraging investment, technological advancement and export growth in the country’s mango and date sectors.

Peshawar: The 130th syndicate meeting of University of Agriculture Peshawar on Saturday approved recommendations of finance and planning committee and academic council meetings.

The syndicate meeting was chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Sarzamin Khan and attended by Chancellor’s representative Prof. Dr. Qibla Ayaz, former Justice Irshad Qaiser, Deputy Secretary Agriculture Department, Waseem Akhtar, Additional Secretary, Higher Education Department, Muhammad Farooq, Deputy Secretary, Finance Department Syed Ibrahim Shah, Director Higher Education Dr. Fareed Ullah Shah and Dean, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahman. Registrar Dr. Abdul Salam who served as the Secretary of the meeting presented the agenda before the forum.

The Syndicate approved the minutes and decisions of the 129th syndicate meeting, the recommendations of the 90th finance and planning committee meeting and the 60thacademic council meeting. The forum also approved the University Annual Work Plan 2026-27, Annual Report 2024-25 and the Laboratory Guidelines.

Addressing the participants, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Sarzamin Khan congratulated the members on the successful conduct of the meeting and thanked them for their valuable contributions. He appreciated the support of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in promoting academic and research activities.

He emphasized that faculty members and university employees should continue to play an active role in the institution’s development by promoting quality education, research, and co-curricular activities.

Multan: A woman was killed while her son sustained injuries after a speeding car hit their motorcycle near Adda Baseera on Bahawalpur Road in Basti Malook on Saturday,Rescue 1122 officials said.

According to Rescue 1122, the victims were crossing the road on a motorcycle when a speeding vehicle struck them.

As a result,Kulsoom Akhtar(45) died on the spot while her son Muhammad Aman(19) sustained injuries.

Rescue officials said an ambulance was immediately dispatched after receiving the emergency call.

The rescue team provided first aid to the injured and shifted him to Laeeque Rafique Hospital for further treatment.

Police reached the scene,completed legal formalities and handed over the body to the family.

Faisalabad: Lundianwala police have traced a blind murder and arrested the accused after one year.

Police spokesman said here on Monday that the victim Muhammad Parvez was fatally shot by the accused Umar Hayat during a robbery incident last year. The case had remained unresolved despite sustained efforts by investigators.

However, following a fresh investigation, Station House Officer (SHO) Lundianwala police station Adil Mustafa employed modern investigative techniques, technological support and professional expertise to trace the suspect and successfully arrest him.

The accused was taken into custody after collecting credible evidence linking him to the murder while further investigation was underway, he added.

Sargodha: The anti-power theft campaign continued across the district as task force teams of the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) detected six electricity theft cases and initiated legal proceedings against the accused on Saturday.

According to official data,FIRs have been recommended in all six cases.

During the operation,the accused consumers were charged with 9,936 detection units amounting to Rs.2,33,767,officials said.

FESCO officials urged the public to cooperate with authorities and report incidents of electricity theft to help reduce line losses and strengthen the power distribution system.