Day: July 12, 2026

Sukkur: Founder and Director of Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Captain (Retd) Dr. Raheem Bux Bhatti, has proposed the launch of a modern motorized boat service on the Rohri Canal connecting Gambat to Raipur.

Officials termed the initiative a ‘revolutionary step’ for improving healthcare access and promoting rural tourism in Sindh.

Dr Bhatti on Saturday presented the vision behind the project and urged the Sindh government to consider its expansion under a public-private partnership model.

Speaking about the proposal, he said the service was conceived to facilitate thousands of patients and their attendants who travel to GIMS each month from Khairpur, Sukkur, Naushahro Feroze and other districts.

‘This initiative is not limited to healthcare. It is about connecting people, reducing their travel burden, and creating new avenues for tourism and employment for the youth of rural Sindh,’ Dr Bhatti said.

Under the vision, the canal-front area will be developed into a public recreational zone featuring walking tracks, lighting, a food street and other amenities to attract visitors and stimulate the local economy.

Dr Bhatti added that integrating transport infrastructure with a tertiary care hospital could serve as a model for other public sector institutions across Pakistan. He called on the provincial government to support the project to maximize its social and economic impact.

Local residents and several social organizations welcomed the announcement, saying the boat service would ease travel for patients and open new opportunities in tourism, handicrafts and hospitality.

Established under the Government of Sindh, GIMS is one of the largest public sector hospitals in upper Sindh and provides several free-of-cost services, including robotic surgery, dialysis and advanced diagnostics.

Sialkot: A delegation of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI),led by President Syed Ahtesham Mazhar, on Saturday called on Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) Chairman Abdul Ghafoor Malik and Vice Chairman Syed Shahid Raza.

The delegation congratulated the newly appointed SIAL office-bearers on assuming their respective positions.

The delegation included SCCI Senior Vice President(VP),Mohammad Murad Arshad,Vice President Salman Sheikh and members of the chamber’s Executive Committee.

According to a statement, the meeting discussed matters of mutual interest and ways to enhance cooperation between the business community and SIAL.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening coordination between SCCI and SIAL for the promotion of trade,exports and economic development in the region.

Peshawar: Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday issued the Monsoon Contingency Plan 2026 to enhance preparedness and response to deal with situation during natural disasters and monsoon season.

The plan that has been prepared under KP government’s approved Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Policy aims to ensure timely preparedness, effective emergency response, protection of lives and property and coordinated action among all relevant departments and stakeholders.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), KP is expected to receive above normal rainfall during current monsoon season increasing the risk of flash floods, riverine flooding, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), cloudbursts, landslides, urban flooding and extreme heatwaves. In view of these forecasts, the PDMA has alerted all concerned departments and developed a comprehensive strategy to ensure a swift and effective response to any emergency.

The contingency plan has been formulated in consultation with Pakistan Meteorological Department, federal and provincial departments, district administrations, Rescue 1122, law enforcement agencies, Irrigation Department, Communication and Works Department, Local Government Department, Health Department, Livestock Department, Forest Department, Education Department, Tourism Department, National Highway Authority (NHA), WAPDA, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), humanitarian partners and other stakeholders. It is based on weather forecasts, previous disaster related data, district-level risk assessments and experiences from previous emergencies.

According to details, upper and mountainous districts including Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Swat, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, Kolai-Palas, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Torghar have been identified as highly vulnerable to GLOFs, landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods. Meanwhile, Nowshera, Charsadda, Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, and other plain districts are expected to remain at risk of riverine and urban flooding.

The PDMA has directed all concerned departments to strictly implement their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while district administrations have been instructed to keep emergency control rooms fully operational, continuously monitor vulnerable areas, ensure timely evacuations, issue public warnings and maintain close coordination among all relevant agencies.

Rescue 1122 has been directed to keep rescue teams, boats, ambulances, and emergency equipment on standby at all times. The health department has been instructed to ensure hospitals, ambulances, medicines and medical personnel remain fully prepared.

Similarly, irrigation department has been tasked with continuous monitoring of embankments, dams, canals and rivers, and Communication and Works Department, National Highway Authority and other construction agencies have been directed to ensure the prompt restoration of roads, bridges, and routes affected by landslides. Local government institutions have been instructed to improve drainage systems, clean water channels and ensure timely removal of rainwater from urban areas.

The PDMA has advised public to avoid unnecessary travel during the monsoon season, refrain from crossing flooded rivers, streams, waterways, exercise extreme caution in mountainous areas vulnerable to landslides and GLOFs, follow official weather advisories and government instructions, keep children away from floodwaters and immediately contact the relevant district administration, Rescue 1122, or the PDMA Helpline (1700) in case of any emergency.

Abbottabad: The District Administration Abbottabad has launched action against the illegal dumping of construction debris and hill-cutting waste along roadsides, reaffirming its commitment to environmental protection and public safety.

Acting on the directives of Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Saleem Akram, Additional Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) Afshin Rehman inspected an area near Shimla Hill Park after a complaint was received at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office.

During the visit, officials found that unidentified individuals had illegally dumped construction debris, soil, and rocks from hill-cutting along the roadside, posing environmental hazards and disrupting traffic flow while affecting road infrastructure.

The district administration installed warning notices at the site, informing the public that dumping construction or excavation waste at the location is prohibited under the law.

The concerned Station House Officer (SHO) was directed to take immediate legal action against anyone found dumping waste at the site in the future, including arresting offenders, presenting them before the court, and initiating proceedings under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Act, 2014.

Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Saleem Akram reiterated that protecting the environment, preserving the city’s natural beauty, and eliminating illegal dumping and pollution remain key priorities of the district administration. He urged residents to cooperate with the authorities by reporting those involved in such illegal activities to ensure effective enforcement of environmental laws.

The district administration also requested the public to report violations through the District Control Room at 0992-9310553.

Rawalpindi: Police have made special security and traffic arrangements for the Pak Test cricket team’s pre-series training camp at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ahead of the team’s tour of the West Indies.

According to a police spokesperson, a comprehensive security plan has been implemented on the directives of City Police Officer (CPO) Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera.

District Police and Traffic Police personnel are jointly executing the security arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the training sessions.

Senior police officers are supervising the arrangements in the field to ensure a secure environment for players, team officials and support staff.

The spokesperson said security in and around the stadium has been further strengthened, with police mobiles from the relevant police stations, the Elite Force and the Dolphin Squad conducting continuous patrolling. Special traffic deployments have also been made to monitor entry and exit routes and maintain the smooth flow of traffic around the venue.

Rawalpindi: Potohar Division Police have arrested four suspects belonging to three gangs allegedly involved in street crimes, motorcycle theft and recovered six stolen motorcycles, gold jewellery, Rs120,000 in cash, two LCD televisions, a mobile phone and a desktop computer during the operations.

According to police spokesperson, Cantt Police arrested two members of a motorcycle theft gang and recovered six stolen motorcycles along with Rs19,000 in cash.

In a separate operation, Morgah Police held a suspect involved in theft cases and recovered gold jewellery, Rs96,000 in cash, an LCD television and a mobile phone.

Meanwhile, R.A. Bazaar Police apprehended another suspect involved in a theft case and recovered a desktop computer, an LCD television and Rs 5,000 in cash.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Potohar Sardar Babar Mumtaz Khan said the arrested suspects would be presented before court with evidence.