Day: July 11, 2026

Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Communications and Works, Shakeel Ahmad has directed the concerned authorities to ensure the timely completion of all ongoing public development projects being executed by the Communications and Works Department.

He further instructed that officers must personally supervise work at project sites to ensure strict adherence to quality standards and timely completion.

He issued these directives while chairing an important review meeting in Peshawar regarding development projects being implemented under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Roads Development Project (KPRRDP) and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Improvement Project (KPIP).

The meeting was attended by Member of the National Assembly Sher Ali Arbab, Member of the National Assembly Shandana Gulzar, Chief Minister’s Advisor on Tourism Malik Adil, Member of the Provincial Assembly Sharafat Khan, Secretary Communications and Works Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Additional Secretary Communications and Works Noor-ul-Amin, Chief Engineer (
Foreign Fund), Chief Engineer (West), and other senior officials.

The participants reviewed in detail the ongoing and proposed road construction, rehabilitation, and expansion projects across the province.

A comprehensive briefing was also presented on the progress of these projects, the effective utilization of funds, timely completion, and measures to ensure quality standards.

Addressing the meeting, Minister Shakeel Ahmad emphasized that providing improved transportation facilities to the public, strengthening connectivity between rural and urban areas, and developing modern infrastructure are among the government’s foremost priorities. He stated that all development projects would be completed within the stipulated timeframe with transparency and in accordance with the highest quality standards.

The meeting also stressed the importance of continuous monitoring of development projects, timely release of funds, and effective coordination among relevant departments to ensure the optimal utilization of pu
blic resources so that the benefits of these projects reach the people directly.

The participants directed the concerned departments to remove all obstacles hindering the ongoing projects without delay, further accelerate the pace of work, and ensure transparency, accountability, and quality at every stage to achieve the province’s goals of sustainable development and public prosperity.

Mirpur: The authorities and civil society groups Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are preparing to observe the 95th Kashmir Martyrs’ Day on July 13 with commemorative events across the region, the officials and organizers said on Friday.

THe prayer gatherings, seminars, rallies and tribute ceremonies are scheduled at district and tehsil headquarters, including Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bagh, Rawalakot, Sudhanoti, Neelum Valley, Haveli, Hattian Bala and Bhimber.

The organizers said that the participants were expected to include representatives of civil society, political and religious groups, lawyers, business organizations and the media.

The annual observance commemorates 22 Kashmiris’ martyrdom outside Srinagar’s Central Jail on July 13, 1931, during protests linked to the trial of Abdul Qadeer. The anniversary is regarded by many Kashmiris as a significant event in the region’s political history.

The AJK government has declared July 13 a public holiday to facilitate public participation in the commemorative events.

The reports from across the Line of Control said that the similar observances, including prayer meetings and visits to the graves of those commemorated, were expected in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The organizers there have also called for a shutdown to mark the anniversary.

THe speakers at events in AJK are expected to reiterate support for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Peshawar: An important meeting regarding the control and prevention of dengue virus was held here on Friday under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Captain (R) Sanaullah Khan.

Besides, Member of National Assembly Arbab Sher Ali, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Finance) Muhammad Asghar Sorani and administrative officers, the officers of the relevant departments including the Department of Health also participated in the meeting.

Deputy Commissioner Peshawar issued clear instructions and said that all necessary measures should be taken to eliminate dengue and actions should be taken on a daily basis to eliminate dengue and public awareness and communication campaigns should also be conducted.

It was told in the meeting that the dengue mosquito lays its eggs in clean water, so people should not allow stagnant water in their homes, cover the water tanks and do not leave water open in any vessel including air coolers.

Netted doors and windows should be installed in houses so that mosquitoes cannot enter, while all persons including children were instructed to wear full-sleeved clothes.

Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Captain (R) Sanaullah Khan said that all necessary measures are being taken to eradicate dengue in Peshawar according to Dengue Action Plan 2026. The public is advised to strictly follow precautionary measures to avoid this disease.

He further said that in the upcoming meeting, all departments will submit a report according to their responsibilities in the light of Dengue Action Plan 2026.

Faisalabad: National Textile University Faisalabad (NTUF) and BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) Dhaka have signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote academic excellence, cutting-edge research and institutional collaboration between the two premier institutions for textile and fashion education in South Asia.

NTUF spokesman said that the virtual signing ceremony, held earlier today, brought together senior administrators, distinguished faculty members and key officials from both universities, underscoring the significance of this cross-border academic alliance.

Dr. Ahsan Nazir Director of the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) at NTUF and Mr. Faruque Hassan Chairman of the Board of Trustees at BUFT formally signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. The ceremony witnessed significant participation from both sides, he added.

He said that BUFT was represented by Prof. Engr. Dr. Ayub Nabi Khan, Vice Chancellor (Designate), alongside other senior officials.

NTUF’s delegation was led by prominent academic leaders including Prof. Dr. Hafsa Jamshaid, Chairperson of the Department of Textile Engineering; Dr. Qamar Khan, Chairman of the Department of Clothing; Dr. Usman Zubair, Chairman of the Department of Materials; and Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology.

They were joined by Dr. Habib Awais, Dr. Abdul Basit, and other distinguished faculty members and officials, reflecting the broad institutional commitment to this partnership.

Abbottabad: Following the recent reduction in petroleum prices by the federal government, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Hazara Division has announced revised fares for Suzuki pick-up vehicles operating on local urban routes in Abbottabad.

The revised fare schedule has been issued in compliance with the directions of the Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad and the recommendations of a committee constituted to review transport fares in light of the decline in fuel prices. The new fares will come into immediate effect and are aimed at providing relief to commuters.

Under the revised notification, the fare from Abbottabad to Mandian (Complex) has been fixed at Rs. 30, while passengers travelling up to Sethi Masjid will pay Rs. 20. The fare to Mirpur has been reduced to Rs. 35, while Abbottabad to Nawan Shehr (Bani) has been fixed at Rs. 30, with an intermediate fare of Rs. 20 up to Kala Pul on Murree Road.

The fare to Garhi Panah has been set at Rs. 30, Dhamtor Rs. 35, Harnoi Rs. 40, Azizabad Rs. 45, Kakul Main Gate Rs. 25, PT School Rs. 35, Kakul Village Rs. 40, Kala Pul Rs. 35, Dobather Rs. 30, Salhad Rs. 30, Kotha Qabar Rs. 35, Banda Amlok Rs. 20, Malikpura (Upper, Lower and Charri) Rs. 20, Nawan Shehr (Bani) to Complex via Bilal Town Rs. 40, and Banda Phagwarian Rs. 20.

The RTA has also retained the existing 50 percent fare concession for students of educational institutions and religious seminaries, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens aged 60 years and above.

According to the notification, the revised fare list must be displayed prominently inside all Suzuki pick-up vehicles as well as at the General Suzuki Stand in Abbottabad. The Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) has been made responsible for ensuring compliance.

The authority further directed the Traffic Police, Assistant Commissioners and Additional Assistant Commissioners, acting as Special Magistrates, to ensure strict implementation of the revised fares. Legal action will be taken against transporters found overcharging passengers or violating the notified fare schedule.

Gujrat: A group of students from the University of Gujrat (UoG) visited the Traffic Office here under an internship programme to gain practical knowledge of traffic management and public service operations.

According to official sources, Inspector Imran Akram briefed the students on the working of various traffic police units, including the Police Driving School, Licensing Branch, Challaning Section and Traffic Regulation Wing. He also responded to the students’ queries regarding traffic policing and road safety.

Later, the students visited the Driving School, Driving Licence Section and Traffic Simulator facility, where they observed the training and licensing process.