Day: July 11, 2026

Faisalabad: Divisional Commissioner Mussarat Jabeen has directed that all departmental hurdles delaying the completion of files for private housing schemes under the approval process of the Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) should be removed through a coordinated strategy.

She instructed all concerned departments to ensure the timely issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs), permits and the fulfillment of all other official requirements on a priority basis so that housing schemes can be approved without delay and citizens’ problems can be resolved.

She issued these directives while presiding over a high-level meeting held at the Commissioner Office to review the approval process of private housing schemes and the issues hindering their progress.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Nauman Siddique also attended the meeting. Briefing the participants, Director General FDA Muhammad Asif Chaudhary informed the meeting that the approval of several private housing schemes remained pending due to the non-issuance of NOCs and the incomplete fulfillment of other legal requirements by various concerned departments.

He explained the approval procedure for housing schemes and said that if the relevant institutions ensured close coordination and timely action, the approval process could be significantly expedited.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), FESCO, WASA, the Revenue Department, the Irrigation Department, the Environment Protection Department, the Horticulture Agency, and other relevant institutions.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Shareena Junaijo, Additional Commissioner (Coordination) Tanveer Murtaza, Additional Director General FDA Qaiser Abbas Rind, Director Local Government Muhammad Sarwar, Assistant Commissioner (General) Atiya Inayat, Directors Asma Mohsin, Junaid Hassan Manj, Sohail Maqsood Pannu, Yasir Ejaz Chattha, Afnan Saeed Sandhu, and other concerned officers were also present.

Divisional Commissioner Masrat Jabeen said that the timely provision of quality residential facilities to citizens is among the top priorities of the Government of Punjab.

She directed all concerned institutions to strengthen mutual coordination and complete pending NOCs and other legal formalities at the earliest so that obstacles to the approval of housing schemes could be removed and citizens could receive electricity, natural gas, and other essential civic facilities without unnecessary delay.

She also instructed the Deputy Commissioner to regularly review all matters relating to private housing schemes undergoing the FDA approval process and ensure that the relevant departments are mobilized to promptly remove obstacles in the issuance of NOCs and completion of other legal requirements so that unnecessary delays in approvals are avoided.

She further stated that the timely resolution of public complaints regarding private housing schemes is a collective responsibility of all concerned departments. Therefore, every institution must fulfill its responsibilities and play an effective role in addressing citizens’ concerns.

She directed that the 100 percent installation of protective covers on sewerage manholes in all private housing schemes be ensured, and wherever necessary, additional safety measures, including the installation of strong protective nets and other safety arrangements, should also be completed.

She emphasized that matters concerning the protection of human lives must be treated with the utmost seriousness, as the Government of Punjab has adopted a zero-tolerance policy in this regard.

If any citizen suffers loss of life or property due to an uncovered manhole or negligence in safety measures, strict action will be taken against those responsible, she warned.

Rawalpindi: Divisional trials for the selection of the Rawalpindi Division cricket team for the Chief Minister Punjab Champions League 2026 will be held on Sunday, July 12, at 8: 00 a.m. at Rawal Park Cricket Ground, Rawal Road, Rawalpindi.

Players from all six districts of the Rawalpindi Division will participate in the trials.

Divisional Sports Officer Chaudhry Waheed Ahmed said the team would be selected strictly on merit. He added that the selection committee would include representatives from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Directorate General Sports Punjab.

Trials will be conducted in three categories: Open, Under-23, and Under-19. Players born on or after August 1, 2003, will be eligible for the Under-23 category, while those born on or after August 1, 2007, will qualify for the Under-19 category.

Chaudhry Waheed Ahmed advised all participants to bring their original Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and Family Registration Certificate (FRC) to the trials.

The selected team will represent Rawalpindi Division in the Punjab-level inter-district and inter-division competitions of the Chief Minister Punjab Champions League 2026.

Houston: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday held a series of high-level meetings with NASA officials and representatives of leading US aerospace companies to explore cooperation in space science, education, research and technology.

During the meetings, the two sides discussed advancing Pakistan’s long-term space vision, promoting scientific research and innovation, and creating opportunities for young Pakistanis to receive world-class education, training and research exposure in the fields of science and technology, a news release said.

The minister said the government was working on a national space education programme to foster scientific curiosity, research and innovation among the country’s youth.

He said the proposed establishment of a Space Exploration Centre in Narowal formed an integral part of this vision, aiming to introduce students to astronomy, space science and research while inspiring a new generation of scientists, researchers and innovators.

Ahsan Iqbal said the proposed Space Learning Centre would serve as a national platform for promoting knowledge, research and innovation rather than functioning merely as an educational facility.

He said investing in space education was an investment in Pakistan’s future, as it would help develop the scientists, engineers and innovators needed to drive the country’s scientific and technological progress.

Highlighting the potential of Pakistan’s youth, the minister said the country possessed a talented pool of engineers, scientists and information technology professionals capable of making significant contributions to the global space industry if provided with quality training, mentorship and international exposure.

He invited American aerospace companies to establish development centres in Pakistan to benefit from the country’s young talent and skilled workforce.

The minister said Pakistan was keen to benefit from NASA’s experience, training programmes and scientific expertise to strengthen its capabilities in space science and technology.

He described the positive response from NASA officials and representatives of the US aerospace industry as an encouraging sign that could open a new chapter of scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.

Outlining Pakistan’s long-term ambitions, Ahsan Iqbal said the country aimed to send a national mission to the Moon by 2035 and establish a sustained lunar presence by 2047.

He said the vision extended beyond space exploration and formed part of a broader national strategy to build a knowledge-based, research-driven and innovation-led economy through global partnerships and advanced scientific research.

The minister said enhanced cooperation with NASA and the US aerospace industry could usher in a new era of science, research and space education in Pakistan.

He added that Pakistan-US relations should increasingly be anchored in education, climate cooperation, scientific research, innovation and space technology, stressing the need to expand bilateral ties beyond geopolitics towards geo-economics and technology partnerships.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to investing in young people, Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan was laying the foundations for a brighter future through science, innovation and international collaboration to emerge as a regional hub of scientific excellence and innovation-led growth.

Faisalabad: A day-long workshop titled ‘Child Protection and Security’ was organised for children and caretakers at children home under the auspices of the Social Welfare and Baitul Mal Department in collaboration with the Social Welfare Training Institute Lahore and Community World Service Asia.

The aim of the workshop was to enhance the skills of the staff in the light of the UN Global Compact and to provide children with an environment free from violence and exploitation.

In the event, Principal Social Welfare Training Institute Lahore, Zeb Waseem highlighted the revolutionary vision of Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif and said that every child of Punjab is the responsibility of the state and providing them with the best education, health and a safe environment is the top priority of the government.

Similarly, as per the clear instructions of Secretary Social Welfare Saira Umar, no compromise will be made on the protection of children and a zero tolerance policy will be adopted for negligence.

He stressed on modern training of staff and further tightening of the monitoring system in the institutions.

Director Social Welfare Khalida Rafique said that training of staff is indispensable for the goal of ‘Safe Children-Strong Future’.

She said that the training program is being expanded across the province.

Syed Saleem Abbas and Burhan performed the duties as master trainers in the workshop while Assistant Director (Headquarters) Tayyab Bhatti and Assistant Director Children’s Home Asad Sarfaraz Khokhar were also present.

Muzaffargarh: A 12-year-old girl on Friday was killed after a room wall collapsed and buried her under the rubble the district, the Rescue 1122 officials said.

The incident occurred near Thatha Sialan Bridge on the outskirts of Muzaffargarh, where the victim, identified as Haseeba Bibi, daughter of Muhammad Abid, was trapped beneath the debris.

The Rescue officials said the mud wall collapsed due to pressure from accumulated soil.

The Rescue 1122 teams provided first aid at the scene, but were unable to revive her, the officials added.

Rawalpindi: Police have arrested a man accused of fatally stabbing his cousin during a dispute over unpaid wages three days ago.

According to police spokesperson, the victim was employed at the suspect’s shop and had demanded payment of his wages when an argument reportedly turned violent.

The suspect allegedly attacked him with a knife, causing fatal injuries, before fleeing the scene.

Saddar Wah Police launched an investigation and using technical surveillance and human intelligence traced and arrested the suspect.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Rawal Saad Arshad said the accused will be presented before the court with substantial evidence to face legal proceedings.