Day: July 10, 2026

Burewala: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA), acting on confidential information provided by the Special Branch, raided a fake spice manufacturing factory in Chak No. 259-EB near Burewala and seized a large quantity of counterfeit spices and packaging material bearing the name of a leading national brand.

According to the Punjab Food Authority, the raid resulted in the recovery of fake National brand Chaat Masala, Biryani Recipe Mix and other counterfeit spice products, along with packaging material carrying the labels of various well-known brands. The operation was conducted following a tip-off regarding the illegal production and sale of adulterated food products.

The PFA sealed the factory on the spot and registered a case against the factory owner, identified as Khadim Hussain, at Saddar Police Station. Further legal proceedings have been initiated.

A spokesperson for the Punjab Food Authority said the authority remains committed to protecting public health and will continue taking strict action against
those involved in the manufacture and sale of counterfeit and unsafe food products. He added that no leniency would be shown towards individuals endangering consumers’ health.

Peshawar: Muhammad Atif Haleem, a Founding Member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) has served notice to party leadership for taking legal action and initiate massive protest against the passage of a controversial legislation in KP assembly, granting extended powers and privileges to members.

‘If concrete steps are not taken within seven days after serving of notice, I reserve the right to approach the High Court and initiate a massive protest alongside fellow ideological workers against leadership,’ warns Atif Haleem in the legal notice shared with media.

Remember, the ideology is greater than the party, and PTI was formed solely for the release of Imran Khan and the establishment of a State of Madinah, not for your luxuries, Atif reminded party leadership.

The legal notice has been served to PTI leadership including Babar Saleem Swati, Speaker Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Salman Akram Raja, Secretary General, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

It merits a mention here that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government recently enacted a law on July 7, 2026 expanding provincial assembly members’ powers and immunities, including the issuance of lifetime official passports to them and their spouses.

The KP Assembly had passed the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, on April 30.

On the same day, it also passed two other laws: the KP Province Speaker and Deputy Speaker (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, and the KP Province (Salaries and Allowances of Members) Act, 2026.

The legislation attracted sever clash from general public and even from PTI ideological members over granting extended privileges to lawmakers.

‘It breaks my heart to witness the betrayal of the very ideology I helped build alongside Imran Khan in 1996. Your recent “Privilege Bill” is not a testament to the struggle of PTI, but a chronicle of “elite indulgence,” Atif wrote in the legal notice.

Atif demanded of party leadership to immediately withdraw all unconstitutional and exploitative clauses of the Privilege Bill (blue passports, VIP protocol, lifelong privileges).

Announce an immediate financial package for the families of the martyrs and the prisoners. End the monopoly of parliamentarians over the party’s organizational structure.

He said contrary to PTI Chairman, Imran Khan’s directives restricting take over of party politics by parliamentary officeholders, the corruption allegation within the party and expulsion of ideological workers prove that the party has transformed from an ideological movement into a `lobby’.

‘The families of our movement’s martyrs are living in misery and our loyal comrades are languishing in prisons unjustly. We secured reserved seats for them, but you prioritized your own interests. Parliamentarians’ monthly salaries of hundreds of thousands of rupees should be deposited into the party fund to financially support these oppressed families.

The justice system in Pakhtunkhwa is paralyzed, while party lawmakers are solely concerned with their security, housing, and protocol.

If they value their lives so much, resign as we have no shortage of workers ready to serve the public, Atif added.

Atif reiterated his demand of immediate withdrawal of all unconstitutional and exploitative clauses of the Privilege Bill (blue passports, VIP protocol, lifelong privileges).

He also demanded end of monopoly of parliamentarians over the party’s organizational structure.

Mirpurkhas: On the announcement and special directives of Sindh Minister for Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, the Sindhi Language Authority has established a Sindhi Language Learning Center at the Mirpurkhas Arts Council.

The center was inaugurated by the Chairman of the Sindhi Language Authority, Dr. Sher Maharani, along with Additional Deputy Commissioner Mirpurkhas, Faisal Soomro.

Addressing the ceremony, chairman Dr. Sher Maharani said that the Sindhi language is a symbol of Sindh’s identity, history, and cultural heritage. He stated that, under the vision of the Sindh Government, Sindhi language learning centers are being established across different parts of the province to provide interested individuals with a structured and high-quality opportunity to learn the language.

He further said that the newly established center in Mirpurkhas would play an important role in promoting and developing the Sindhi language while introducing it to people from diverse linguistic backgrounds. He added that such centers would not only strengthen the Sindhi language but also foster stronger academic, literary, and cultural ties.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional Deputy Commissioner Faisal Soomro appreciated the efforts of the Sindhi Language Authority and said that such initiatives are the need of the hour for the promotion and preservation of the mother tongue.

Professor Makhmoor Bukhari and Urdu poet Naveed Surosh also expressed their views, welcoming the establishment of the Sindhi Language Learning Center and expressing hope that it would become an effective institution for the promotion of the Sindhi language.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the guests visited different sections of the center and appreciated the arrangements made for teaching and learning the Sindhi language.

Peshawar: The Chinese Cultural and Information Center, China Window, established in the provincial capital, has achieved another important milestone.

During the first six months this year, more than 50,000 visitors visited China Window, bringing the total number of visitors to this state-of-the-art Chinese cultural center to 450,000.

According to the management of China Window, extensive social media coverage has played a key role in attracting a large number of people to the center.

China Window is playing an important role in further strengthening Pakistan-China friendship and has especially contributed to enhancing people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

Talking to the media, China Window Director, Naz Parvin said that during the current year, more than seven foreign delegations also visited China Window. These included delegations from Trkiye, China, Germany, the Netherlands, Iran, Canada and other countries. In addition, a large number of students from schools, colleges and universities have also visited the center.

She said that it was the desire of China Window that students of government schools should also visit the center. However, due to transport issues, many of them were currently unable to come. She expressed confidence that efforts would be made to bring them to China Window in the near future.

China Window has now become a hub of academic, literary, social and cultural activities. All possible facilities for organizing events are provided free of cost so that more and more people may visit the center and learn about Pakistan’s brotherly neighbouring country, China.

So far, eight provincial governors, seven chief ministers, federal and provincial ministers, members of the Senate, National Assembly and provincial assemblies, as well as a large number of people from all walks of life, have visited China Window.

According to the management, it would not be wrong to say that China Window has also become an attractive recreational center for the citizens of Peshawar.

Sialkot: Sialkot is set to launch an eco-friendly electric bus service later this month, providing residents with a cleaner, more comfortable and affordable mode of public transport on two major routes, officials said on Thursday.

According to a spokesperson for the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, the first phase of the project will comprise 10 electric buses, including four to operate on the Sialkot-Daska route and six on the Sialkot-Pasrur route.

Deputy Commissioner Saba Asghar Ali said the buses had arrived in the city, while installation of the charging infrastructure had been completed ahead of the service launch.

She said 46 bus shelters had been established across the district to facilitate commuters. Teams of the relevant department would soon finalize and geo-tag designated bus stops on both routes to ensure smooth operations and easy access for passengers, she added.

According to the District Regional Transport Authority (DRTA), the electric bus service is expected to benefit around 10,000 passengers daily by improving public transport facilities, reducing travel costs and promoting environmentally friendly transportation.

The spokesperson said the initiative was part of the Punjab government’s broader plan to modernize the public transport network through sustainable and emission-free mobility solutions, with Sialkot among the latest districts to benefit from the programme.