Day: July 11, 2026

Peshawar: Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has expressed reservations over the financial implications of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Privileges Law in written observations issued while signing the legislation.

In a note addressed to the Speaker of the KP Assembly, the Governor said the law’s financial impact should be viewed in light of the prevailing national and global economic situation.

He stressed that during the implementation of the law, the Provincial Assembly’s Finance Committee should ensure strict adherence to the Prime Minister’s 14-point austerity programme.

The Governor directed that official expenditures of lawmakers and government officers be reduced immediately and significantly, a strict fuel quota be enforced, and all unnecessary privileges and additional luxuries be eliminated.

Referring to the fragile regional environment and continued global economic uncertainty, Faisal Karim Kundi said the province needed to adopt strict fiscal discipline under the prevailing circumstances.

He further emphasized that provincial legislation and the system of privileges should remain consistent with the federal government’s economic emergency framework.

The Governor also directed the Provincial Assembly’s Finance Committee to review the administrative and financial mechanisms of the law to ensure effective implementation of these principles.

Sargodha: The fourth national conference on ‘The Future of Education’, organised by the University of Sargodha, commenced on Friday at Kohsar University Murree, bringing together vice chancellors, educationists and researchers from across the country to discuss emerging trends and challenges in higher education.

COMSATS University founding Rector Prof Dr Syed Muhammad Junaid Zaidi, who inaugurated the two-day conference as chief guest, said Pakistan’s future depended on educational advancement, innovation and the effective use of technology in teaching and learning.

He said the country had no shortage of talented teachers and young people, but stressed the need for proper guidance and modern educational approaches to harness their potential.

He also underscored the importance of expanding technology-driven and online learning systems.

Speaking on the occasion, University of Sargodha Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qaisar Abbas said the conference was aimed at reviewing developments in higher education and identifying priorities for the coming years.

He said the university had made significant progress in research and academic performance over the past three years, adding that it had secured a place among Pakistan’s top 10 public-sector universities and was ranked among the top 400 universities in Asia. He also said the university had registered 86 patents during the period.

Earlier, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Masood Sarwar Awan welcomed the participants and highlighted the university’s focus on community engagement and research-led development.

The conference was also addressed by senior faculty members, including deans of various faculties, who discussed developments in research, information technology, agriculture, pharmacy and quality assurance.

Among those attending the inaugural session were vice chancellors of several public-sector universities, including Government College University Faisalabad, Government College Women University Faisalabad, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Thal University Bhakkar, Kohsar University Murree, Ghazi University Dera Ghazi Khan, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Government College University Lahore, Government Sadiq College Women University Bahawalpur, Women University Multan and Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi, along with senior academics and administrative officials.

Muzaffargarh: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Friday seized 16,700 kilogram of rotten mangoes during a raid on a juice processing unit on Jatoi Road and imposed a Rs.200,000 fine on the factory administration for violating food safety regulations.

The raid was conducted on the directives of PFA Director General(DG),Syed Musa Raza under the supervision of Director Operations South-I,a spokesperson said.

Officials said the spoiled mangoes were allegedly being processed into mango pulp for the manufacture of juice meant for public consumption.

The inspection team also found rotten fruit mixed with fresh stock in an apparent attempt to conceal its poor quality.

The authority reported multiple hygiene violations at the facility,including the presence of insects and dead flies in the storage area,terming the conditions a serious threat to public health.

The confiscated mangoes were discarded on the spot while the factory was fined Rs.200,000 for breaching food safety standards.

The PFA reiterated that action against food businesses compromising public health would continue without discrimination.

DG Musa Raza urged consumers to opt for freshly prepared homemade juices,saying the authority remained committed to ensuring the supply of safe food across the province.

Dera ismail khan: The District Committee on the Status of Women (DCSW), Dera Ismail Khan, visited the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital to strengthen institutional coordination aimed at improving protection, emergency response and support services for women.

The delegation comprised DCSW Chairperson Humaira Nawaz, committee member Samina Bibi and Social Welfare Department Focal Person Amjad Perwaiz.

During the visit, the delegation met with Maria, Legal Advisor at DHQ Hospital and a member of the District Anti-Rape Committee. The meeting discussed ways to enhance coordination between DCSW and the hospital to ensure better legal, social and institutional support for women.

Legal Adviser appreciated the role of the DCSW in promoting women’s rights and welfare and assured the committee of her full cooperation in strengthening coordinated efforts for the protection and empowerment of women.

The delegation also visited the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department (Trauma Center) , where it held a meeting with Umair Khan Kharoti, Manager Trauma Center and DHQ Hospital Focal Person for the District Anti-Rape Committee.

The participants discussed mechanisms to improve coordination in providing timely emergency care, assistance and support to women requiring medical and legal intervention.

Umair Khan reaffirmed commitment to working closely with the DCSW and assured full cooperation in ensuring prompt assistance and effective coordination for women in need.

The visit concluded with both sides reiterating their commitment to maintaining close institutional coordination to strengthen protection, support and welfare services for women across the district.

Sialkot: The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Friday held a productive Zoom meeting with Syed Shakeel Shah,Member (Customs Operations),FBR to discuss key issues relating to the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) particularly the requirement of Bank and Insurance Guarantees for enhancement of import quotas.

The meeting was attended by M.Jawed Bilwani,Ex-President KCCI and Khurram Mukhtar,Patron-in-Chief PTEA, along with representatives of Pakistan Customs and SCCI.

During the discussion,SCCI strongly advocated the acceptance of Indemnity Bonds and Post-Dated Cheques (PDCs) for Category-A exporters seeking enhancement of their import entitlement beyond the average imports of the preceding two years.

The proposal aims to ease financial pressures on exporters while ensuring uninterrupted execution of export orders.

Syed Shakeel Shah responded positively to the proposal and assured that the matter would be pursued to facilitate genuine exporters.

He also reaffirmed Customs’ commitment to resolving operational issues through close coordination with the business community.

SCCI welcomed the constructive approach of Pakistan Customs and appreciated the Member (Customs Operations) for his continued support towards creating a more business-friendly export environment.

Faisalabad: Regional police have signed a memorandum of understanding with a private educational institute to impart modern education to children of martyred, Ghazis, retired and in-service employees on concessional fee.

According to a spokesperson to the RPO office here Friday, the agreement was signed by RPO Suhail Akhtar Sukhera and Managing Director Phoenix Educational Institute Syed Sufra Kazmi.

Under the agreement, 100 percent tuition fee will be waived to children of martyred and those who died during service policemen, while 60 to children of Ghazis and 50 percent fee concession will be given to children of in-service employees.

According to the agreement, policemen will also be provided with the facility to pay tuition fees in easy installments. Scholarships will be given on merit basis to the children who will show outstanding performance.