Day: July 14, 2026

Faisalabad: Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) has established a dedicated emergency coordination mechanism by appointing focal persons at headquarters and field levels to ensure uninterrupted power distribution and prompt response to any weather-related disruptions during monsoon season and potential flood emergencies.

According to FESCO spokesman Muhammad Saeed Raza, the appointments were made on the directives of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) FESCO Engineer Muhammad Amir, who ordered comprehensive preparedness measures to effectively tackle monsoon rains and possible flooding while maintaining the stability of the power distribution system.

Under an official notification, Chief Engineer (Operation) Engineer Muhammad Munawar Khan, Additional Director (Distribution Control Centre) Syed Saqib Hussain Gilani, and Additional Director (Operation) Ghulam Nabi Memon have been designated as headquarters focal persons. The appointed officers will supervise precautionary measures during the monsoon season, monitor emergency operations, and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in affected areas.

They will also maintain close coordination with the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), district administrations, FESCO field formations and other relevant agencies to facilitate timely and effective emergency response.

FESCO has also nominated technical officers posted in all operational circles as circle-level focal persons.

They will remain in constant liaison with the headquarters, compile and promptly report damage to the power distribution network caused by heavy rains or flooding, and supervise regional emergency response teams to ensure the earliest possible restoration of electricity in affected areas.

The FESCO spokesman said that CEO Engineer Muhammad Amir had directed all officers to remain on high alert throughout the monsoon season, maintain close coordination with field teams, strictly enforce safety protocols and utilize all available resources to ensure improved and uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers.

He said that FESCO administration has completed all necessary preparations to keep the power transmission and distribution network safe, operational and resilient in view of the expected monsoon rains and potential flood situation, ensuring the continuous provision of electricity to consumers across the region.

Bahawalpur: Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia and Regional Police Officer (RPO) Ghazi Muhammad Salahuddin jointly chaired a meeting to review traffic management across the division and approved a series of measures aimed at improving traffic flow, reducing road accidents, ensuring safer travel for citizens, and strengthening coordination among relevant departments.

The meeting was attended by District Police Officer (DPO) Bahawalpur Rana Abdul Wahab, while Deputy Commissioner Bahawalnagar Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhoun, Deputy Commissioner Rahim Yar Khan Zaheer Anwar Jappa, DPO Bahawalnagar, and DPO Rahim Yar Khan participated via video link. Additional Commissioner (Coordination) Dr. Nayyar Mustafa, Assistant Commissioner (General) Khizar Razzaq Manj, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) Dr. Ayesha Khan, and representatives of the Traffic Police, Highway Police, Health Department, Rescue 1122, National Highway Authority (NHA), Safe City Authority, Municipal Corporation, and other relevant departments were also present.

Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia emphasized that protecting human lives is a fundamental responsibility of the Punjab government and stressed the need to modernize the traffic management system to provide citizens with safe, efficient, and convenient transportation facilities.

During the meeting, the Chief Traffic Officer presented a detailed briefing on traffic flow within Bahawalpur city, alternative traffic routes, and the existing traffic management plan. Representatives of the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Safe City Authority also briefed participants on their operational performance, key challenges, and proposed measures to improve road safety and traffic management.

Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia directed the concerned departments to immediately activate all non-functional traffic signals in Bahawalpur city and adopt an effective strategy to ensure the uninterrupted flow of traffic.

Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi on Monday expressed serious concern over unannounced power outages, low voltage, delays in electricity schemes, and the difficulties being faced by consumers, directing the authorities concerned to clear all pending electricity-related cases on a priority basis.

Chairing a meeting on power supply and energy-related issues, the Chief Minister reviewed the performance of electricity distribution companies and the progress of ongoing power projects. Provincial Minister for Energy Nazir Abbasi, Members of the National Assembly Arbab Sher Ali and Shandana Gulzar Khan, MPA Akbar Ayub Khan, and senior officials of the Energy Department, Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO), Tribal Electric Supply Company (TESCO), and Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO) attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed that 1,638 electricity-related cases were pending with the power distribution companies. The Chief Minister directed PESCO, TESCO, and HAZECO to dispose of all pending cases without delay, emphasizing that decisions should be based on public interest, merit, and fairness.

Expressing concern over delays in the supply of poles, transformers, and other electrical equipment despite the release of funds, he said such delays after receiving payments from government departments amounted to a waste of public resources.

The Chief Minister directed the authorities to complete and operationalize all ongoing electricity schemes by September in the hottest areas and by December in the remaining parts of the province.

He warned that if procurement delays despite the availability of funds resulted in cost overruns, the concerned department would be held responsible for the additional financial burden.

He said administrative delays should not deprive people of electricity connections, adding that despite generating nearly twice its electricity requirements, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued to face discrimination in power distribution.

The Chief Minister said consumers across the province were suffering from prolonged load-shedding and low voltage, while the federal government had yet to fulfill the province’s constitutional and financial obligations. He said billions of rupees in net hydel profit were still outstanding against the federal government.

He added that although Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produced surplus natural gas for the federation, CNG stations in the province remained closed, urging the federal government to address weaknesses in its energy system instead of passing the burden on to the public.

Faisalabad: District Officer, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), Tajammul Hussain Langrial inspected the rainwater storage tank at the Rifaa University here on Monday.

Director Campus Dr Muhammad Khalilur Rehman, faculty and others were also present on the occasion.

District Officer Tajammul Langrial said that the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources will support the university in saving and providing clean water to students.

Multan: Commissioner Multan division, Aamir Karim Khan, visited the Rescue 1122 flood mobile workshop on Monday to review emergency preparedness measures in connection with monsoon season.

During the visit, the Commissioner inspected the readiness of the Flood Mobile Workshop for rapid deployment to flood-affected areas. He reviewed the availability and operational condition of flood rescue equipment, including rescue boats, dewatering pumps, generators, and other emergency machinery. He also examined the functionality of emergency communication systems, including walkie-talkies.

District Emergency Officer Rescue 1122, Dr. Hussain Mian, briefed the Commissioner on the district’s flood emergency plan, available rescue resources, machinery, and the department’s strategy for ensuring a swift response during any flood-related emergency.

Commissioner Aamir Karim Khan directed Rescue 1122 and all concerned departments to keep staff, machinery, and emergency equipment completely ready throughout the monsoon season. He emphasized the importance of ensuring a prompt and effective response to any emergency situation and all departments remained alert.

“The protection of citizens’ lives and property is the top priority of the district administration and all relevant departments,” the Commissioner said.

Assistant Commissioner (General) Javed Khan and other concerned officials were also present.

Sukkur: Provincial Leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Functional Sindh, Syed Shafqat Ali Shah, on Monday paid tribute to 22 Kashmiris who were martyred in Srinagar in 1931, and reiterated Pakistan’s continued support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination.

In a statement issued on the anniversary of the 1931 Srinagar martyrs, Shah said the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people could never be forgotten. The Kashmir issue must be resolved in a just and lasting manner in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, he said.

He added that Pakistan stood firmly with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle.

We fully support the Kashmiri people’s struggle for the right to self-determination. The international community must take notice of the ongoing human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and play its role for a peaceful resolution of the dispute, he said.

The PML-F Provincial leader further said that lasting peace in South Asia was linked to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.