Day: July 12, 2026

Larkana: On the occasion of World Population Day 2026, a camp was organized by the Population Welfare Department, District Qambar-Shahdadkot, near the District RHS (Reproductive Health Services) DHO Office.

The camp was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Qambar-Shahdadkot, Kamran Mushtaq Sheikh, in the presence of various government officers.

A large number of participants from the Health Department, Population Welfare Department, Social Welfare Department, Center for Sustainable Development Society (CSDS), SRSO, SSPA, doctors, Lady Health Workers (LHWs), female staff, and representatives of civil society attended the event. The participants emphasized family planning, maternal and child health, challenges related to population growth, and the importance of collective efforts for sustainable development.

On this occasion, DPWO Karim Bakhsh Bhutto, Additional District Health Officer Dr. Syed Habib Shah, Medical Superintendent DHQ Hospital Dr. Sartaaj, Deputy Director Social Welfare Department Waqar Ahmed Soomro, District Population Welfare Officer Aurangzeb Bhutto, District Social Protection Coordinator Dr. Nirmala Oad, Imran Ali Buriro, Dr. Kanwal Shehnaz Sheikh, Taluka Officer Population Welfare Department Safdar Soomro, and President CSDS Babar Memon, along with other officers and representatives, participated.

Addressing the gathering, the speakers said that balanced population growth, family planning, safe motherhood, and public awareness were the fundamental pillars of sustainable development. They stated that the role of CSDS and other social organizations, alongside government institutions, is extremely important in spreading health and population-related awareness among the public, while Lady Health Workers and female staff are also rendering commendable services in this regard.

At the conclusion of the event, the district administration, Population Welfare Department, and CSDS reaffirmed their commitment that collective efforts for population welfare, maternal and child health, family planning, and the promotion of sustainable development would continue in the future as well.

Faisalabad: Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Nauman Siddique directed for immediate establishment and activation of heatwave relief camps at major locations of Faisalabad to provide timely assistance to citizens during the prevailing spell of intense heat.

Chairing a meeting, he instructed the relevant departments to set up relief camps at important public locations throughout the district and ensure them fully functional without delay.

He directed the authorities concerned to provide chilled drinking water, first-aid facilities and all other essential amenities at the heatwave camps so that the people could receive immediate relief during periods of extreme temperatures.

He emphasized that all departments should coordinate effectively to ensure uninterrupted public services and facilitate commuters and other vulnerable segments of the society.

Later, the deputy commissioner also visited construction site of the Jhang Road Metro Bus Project, where he was briefed on the pace of work and progress achieved so far.

He reviewed the ongoing shifting of utility services associated with the project and issued necessary instructions to expedite the process while ensuring smooth coordination among the departments concerned.

During visit, the deputy commissioner also inspected recently established e-library at Kaleem Shaheed Park and reviewed the facilities available for students, researchers and book enthusiasts.

He expressed satisfaction over the initiative aimed at promoting reading habits and providing modern learning environment for the public.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that such public facilities remain fully functional and accessible to citizens.

Multan: Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said on Saturday that all possible resources and means were being utilised to achieve the cotton production target.

He was chairing a meeting here to review measures for achieving the cotton production target and the current status of crops.

The meeting was attended by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asif Ali, Special Secretary Agriculture (South Punjab) Sarfraz Hussain Magsi, Director Generals of the Agriculture Department Abdul Hameed, Naveed Asmat Kahloon, Dr Aamir Rasool, Dr Sajid-ur-Rehman, Consultant Agriculture Department Muhammad Anjum Ali, and relevant officers of the Agriculture and Irrigation Departments.

Iftikhar Ali Sahoo directed that farmers be provided technical guidance on managing cotton and other crops during the ongoing severe heatwave.

He also directed that timely, need-based canal water supplies be ensured for the cotton crop.

The secretary directed the concerned officials to take strict action against those involved in the illegal trade of counterfeit agricultural pesticides. He further directed that Kissan Facilitation Centres and Cotton Technical Groups be made operational at the earliest.

He emphasised that professional expertise be fully utilised to ensure successful implementation of the Apna Khait Apna Rozgar Programme, and issued directions to all field formations to remain fully prepared to protect farmers from any flood-related damage.

Later, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo visited the Model Agriculture Mall, Multan, and directed officers concerned to further improve its operational activities.

Hyderabad: Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) Central Information Secretary Shazia Marri has said that the Indus Waters Treaty is a binding international agreement that cannot be suspended or terminated unilaterally, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to defending its water rights through legal, diplomatic and international forums.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ms Marri said, “Water is life, not a weapon,” adding that Pakistan would safeguard every drop of its water and all its rights under the treaty at any cost.

She warned that weaponising transboundary waterways posed a serious threat to regional peace and global stability, urging the international community to take practical steps to protect the Indus Waters Treaty. She said that just as the world had played a role in ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, similar efforts were needed to uphold international commitments governing shared river systems.

Ms Marri described the Indus Waters Treaty as a legally binding international agreement rather than a political concession, maintaining that no country could suspend or revoke it unilaterally.

She said Pakistan sought peace but would not compromise on its water rights, describing the Indus River as the lifeline of the country’s economy, agriculture and millions of people. She added that water security was an essential component of national security.

The PPPP spokesperson said Pakistan would continue pursuing its rights under the treaty through all available legal, diplomatic and international mechanisms. She stressed that cooperation over shared rivers had become increasingly important in the era of climate change and called on the international community to discourage the use of transboundary rivers as political leverage.

She further said Pakistan would continue strengthening water conservation, storage capacity and modern irrigation systems, while emphasising that national unity was vital for protecting the country’s water interests.

Referring to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s stance, Ms Marri said the treaty could not be suspended or terminated unilaterally and that Pakistan would defend its water rights in accordance with international law through diplomacy and global forums.

She said Pakistan believed dialogue should be based on respect for international law, treaty obligations and mutual responsibilities, adding that lasting peace in South Asia depended on justice, adherence to international law and respect for international agreements.

Ms Marri said the Indus River was a trust for future generations and must not be used as a tool of political pressure or coercion. She also called for the establishment of a stronger international legal framework to prevent the weaponisation of waterways.

She concluded by saying that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s slogan, “Marsoon Marsoon, Sindhu Na Desoon” (“We may die, but we will not surrender the Indus”), symbolised Pakistan’s resolve to protect its water rights, national dignity and the Indus River.

Gujrat: Police arrested a kite seller and recovered 150 kites and 15 metallic strings during a crackdown in Kunjah. According to a police spokesperson, In-charge Khojianwali Police Post ASI Jabbar Ahmed, along with his team, conducted a raid and arrested the accused, identified as Shan Ali. Police also seized 150 kites and 15 metallic and chemical-coated kite strings from his possession.

District Police Officer (DPO) Akhtar Farooq said kite flying was a dangerous practice that had claimed many precious lives and warned that strict action would continue against those involved in the illegal business.

A case has been registered against the accused, and further investigation is underway.

Peshawar: Prof. Dr. Rashid Mahmood, President Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has expressed deep concern over the alarming findings of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Status Report on Cancer 2026.

According to the report, women in Pakistan experience an average delay of 111.5 days between the diagnosis of breast cancer and the start of treatment. This long delay can be life-threatening and greatly reduces the chances of survival.

The main reasons for this delay include the lack of breast cancer screening facilities at Basic Health Units (BHUs), low public awareness, and shortages of cancer medicines and radiotherapy equipment.

While survival rates in developed countries are above 85% because of early diagnosis and timely treatment, the survival rate in Pakistan is below 30%.

Prof. Dr. Rashid Mahmood urged the federal and provincial governments to take immediate action by establishing free breast cancer screening and diagnostic centers at district and tehsil levels.

He also recommended reducing time between diagnosis and treatment to less than 60 days, in line with international standards.

Ensuring uninterrupted funding and supply of cancer medicines to government hospitals besides launching nationwide awareness campaigns to remove the social stigma associated with breast cancer.

Dr. Rashid said that these delays are costing the lives of many mothers and sisters. The government must move beyond routine measures and make women’s health a national priority.