Day: July 14, 2026

Kohat: The repatriation of Afghan refugees from Kohat continues following the expiration of the official deadline, with more than 12,208 families having returned to Afghanistan so far.

According to official sources, the process of return from various refugee camps in Kohat is being carried out in phases. Families undergo registration, verification of documents, and other necessary formalities before being facilitated in their journey back home.

Authorities confirmed that the repatriation is proceeding under established procedures, with relevant institutions supervising the process to ensure that returning families receive essential support. Large numbers of Afghan families have already departed from camps across Kohat, while the return of additional families remains ongoing.

Officials emphasized that the operation is being closely monitored to maintain order and provide humanitarian assistance during the transition, marking a significant step in the completion of the repatriation program.

Hyderabad: Shaheed Allah Bukhsh Soomro (SABS) University of Art, Design and Heritages, Jamshoro has taken a pioneering step in digital transformation by inaugurating Face2Attend, an AI-powered attendance management system, becoming the rare public sector university to introduce such an advanced application for employee attendance management.

The inauguration ceremony was held at SABS University Jamshoro and was attended by Additional Director, ICPC, SABS University, Dr. Adeel Abro and Chief Executive Officer of Ideal Autonetics (Pvt.) Limited, Aslam Pirzada. The successful implementation of the system reflects the University’s commitment to embracing innovative technologies and fostering a smart, efficient, and transparent working environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Adeel Abro appreciated the visionary guidance and dynamic leadership of Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Arabella Bhutto, noting that her unwavering support for innovation and digital transformation has enabled SABS University to remain at the forefront of technological advancement in higher education.

A shield was presented to the Vice Chancellor in recognition of her leadership, while a satisfactory performance certificate was awarded to the Face2Attend team in acknowledgment of the successful deployment and operation of the system.

Sialkot: Punjab Minister for Health and Population Welfare Khawaja Imran Nazir on Monday visited Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital Pasrur and directed administrative and service delivery reforms after identifying several shortcomings during a surprise inspection.

During the visit, the minister expressed displeasure over air conditioners operating below the prescribed temperature of 26 degrees Celsius in the administrative block and found ACs running in unoccupied offices. He also ordered the immediate installation of an air conditioner in the hospital’s drug store to ensure proper storage of medicines.

The minister further took notice of the unavailability of a government ambulance for a patient referred to another hospital and ordered the suspension of the Medical Superintendent over mismanagement.

He also directed the companies concerned to pay the pending salaries of sanitation workers and security personnel within three days after learning that they had not been paid for the last three months.

Talking to the media, Khawaja Imran Nazir said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had directed ministers to regularly visit public hospitals to monitor healthcare services. He said the government would revamp THQ Hospital Pasrur and strengthen the monitoring system to improve patient care.

Rajanpur: Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Dera Ghazi Khan on Monday arrested a police official red-handed for accepting a bribe of Rs15,000 in Jampur.

Circle Officer Headquarters Shahzad Gul conducted the raid on directions of ACE Regional Director Malik Ziaul Haq.

The accused, Hafeezullah, security in-charge constable at City Police Station Jampur, was caught accepting marked currency notes from complainant Muhammad Kamran, son of Muhammad Ramzan, a resident of Ejaz Sarwar Colony, Jampur.

According to the complaint, Kamran runs a motorcycle stand outside the Benazir Income Support Programme office in Jampur to support his family. He alleged that the constable had harassed him for weeks and had already extorted Rs40,000 from him earlier, besides threatening to shut down his stand and take other action if further payments were not made.

Under pressure, Kamran agreed to pay Rs15,000 but approached the ACE office instead, seeking a trap raid rather than paying the bribe.

Acting on the complaint, Circle Officer Shahzad Gul conducted the trap raid under the supervision of Yasir Rana, Magistrate Section 30, Jampur, and arrested the accused on the spot.

A case, FIR No. 33/2026, has been registered against the accused at ACE Police Station Headquarters, Dera Ghazi Khan. Further legal action is under way.

Multan: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) intensified its crackdown on the production and sale of substandard food in Multan, taking action against a papad manufacturing unit and a pan shop for serious food safety violations.

Acting on the directives of Director General PFA Syed Musa Raza, food safety teams conducted inspections at Fawara Chowk, Shujaabad, and Adda Bili Wala.

According to the PFA spokesperson, inspectors found dead insects in the mixture used for preparing papad, while the factory’s storage area was infested with insects and maintained under poor sanitary conditions. During the inspection of a nearby pan shop, officials also recovered banned gutka.

The enforcement teams destroyed 500 litres of contaminated, insect-infested papad mixture and 172 sachets of banned gutka on the spot. The papad factory was fined Rs50,000, while the pan shop was imposed a Rs10,000 penalty for violating food safety regulations.

Director General Syed Musa Raza reaffirmed that the Authority would continue its indiscriminate operations against those involved in producing or selling unsafe and adulterated food. He stressed that no leniency would be shown to those endangering public health, particularly that of children, and warned that strict legal action would be taken against all violators.

He also urged citizens to report the production or sale of unsafe, unhygienic, or prohibited food items by calling the Punjab Food Authority’s helpline 1223, enabling timely action to protect public health.

Faisalabad: As per the vision of Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif, beautification projects are being completed at a fast pace in the city. Commissioner Mussarat Jabeen along with Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Noman Siddique visited the beautification sites on Monday.

On the occasion, they were briefed about the beautification plan of Jhang Bazaar and Aminpur Bazaar in the next phase, while WASA will lay covers after de-silting the drains.

The commissioner ordered the completion of beautification projects in both bazaars within the stipulated time frame. She also inspected the ongoing beautification works from District Council Chowk to Kachhari Bazar Chowk and stressed on maintaining the quality construction while protecting the rights of the citizens.

The Commissioner also visited the 66-feet Mansoorabad bazaar and issued necessary directions to the Municipal Corporation officers.