Day: July 15, 2026

Sukkur: The Sindh government’s Directorate of Urban and Regional Policy and Strategic Planning held a consultative seminar on Tuesday to discuss the Shikarpur Town Master Plan.

Chaired by Deputy Commissioner Shakeel Ahmed Abro, the seminar included MPA Arif Khan Mahar, District Council Chairman Sardar Zulfiqar Khan Kumario, district officials and civil society members.

Director (Planning) Zulfiqar Ali Kumbhar said the plan aims to address housing, water supply, sanitation, and environmental issues while boosting the local economy and creating jobs.

The Sindh government has already completed master plans for 17 secondary cities and is preparing plans for 14 more, including Shikarpur.

Consultant Tariq Ahmed Rind presented the Existing Situation Report. Stakeholder feedback will be incorporated before the final plan which will include a future vision, economic strategies, disaster protocols and an implementation framework is completed. Local representatives praised the URPSP’s efforts and pledged full support for the planning process.

Faisalabad: Director General Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) Muhammad Asif Chaudhary said that FDA One Window Counter has provided relief to 492 applicants during last six months while 40 applications are currently under process in different sections.

Chairing a meeting, he reviewed the performance of One Window Counter, the Khidmat Markaz, e-Buz Punjab, and the progress of official action on applications received through other departmental channels.

Additional Director General FDA Qaiser Abas Rind, Directors Junaid Hassan Manj, Asma Mohsin, Sohail Maqsood Pannu, Yasir Ejaz Chattha, Afnan Saeed Sandhu, Deputy Director IT Abdullah Noor and other officers were also present in the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that 367 applications related to the Estate Management-I Directorate, 40 applications pertaining to Town Planning-I, 60 applications of Town Planning-II, and 25 applications concerning the Katchi Abadi had been processed.

The services provided to applicants included approval of commercial and residential building plans, property transfers, inheritance mutations, commercialization approvals for properties, issuance of ownership clearance certificates, town planning reports, No Objection Certificates (NOCs), matters relating to housing schemes and various other departmental services, he added.

Expressing satisfaction over the overall performance of One Window Counter, Director General FDA Muhammad Asif Chaudhary directed that the high standard of departmental services should be maintained and that modern reforms and information technology be utilized to the fullest extent to ensure prompt public service delivery.

He further instructed that the One Window Counter system be made even more efficient to provide citizens with fast, transparent, and high-quality services, emphasizing the continuous improvement of service delivery through modern technology.

He stressed that all public applications must be processed within the prescribed timelines, warning that negligence or unnecessary delays would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

He also directed the Additional Director General FDA to continue strict monitoring of departmental performance, conduct daily reviews of official work, ensure the immediate resolution of unnecessary delays, and take impartial disciplinary action against negligent staff to further strengthen public confidence in the authority.

Sialkot: The Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SIMAP), in collaboration with GIZ, organized a seminar under the chairmanship of Zeshan Tariq, Chairman of SIMAP.

It focused on sustainability, investment and funding opportunities for export-oriented surgical small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Participants were briefed on ways to improve compliance with international standards, access green financing, and enhance their competitiveness in global markets.

Addressing the participants, the speakers emphasized the importance of adopting sustainable business practices and encouraged SIMAP members to take advantage of the available investment and funding opportunities.

SIMAP also urged its members to watch the Chairman’s video message and register through the official registration link to participate in future initiatives and support programmes.

Sargodha: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested three accused involved in bank fraud and human smuggling cases. According to an FIA spokesperson here on Tuesday, proclaimed offender Muhammad Nasir of Khushab was arrested in connection with FIR No 29/2024 (CBC). The suspect is accused of conspiring with certain bank officials and other accomplices to prepare forged agricultural passbooks, which were allegedly used to defraud multiple individuals and cause financial losses amounting to millions of rupees to Habib Bank Limited (HBL). In another operation, FIA arrested Muhammad Zulifqar of Jhawarian who was wanted in FIR No 141/2026 on charges of human smuggling. Investigators said the accused, along with his accomplices, allegedly collected Rs1 million from a complainant on the pretext of arranging employment in abroad. In a separate raid, FIA also apprehended Imran Khan of Nowshera who was wanted in FIR No. 94/2025. He is accused of receiving Rs 6.8 million from a complainant after promising to arran
ge employment visas.

Abbottabad: The District Administration Abbottabad has intensified inspections of rivers, streams and other vulnerable sites and directed strict implementation of precautionary measures under Section 144 in view of the ongoing monsoon rains.

Acting on the instructions of Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Saleem Akram, officials are conducting regular inspections of River Haro, Harno River, Siran River, Neelum-Jhelum River, Bakot, Beerot Kalan, Sherwan, Lower Tanawal and other seasonal waterways. Red warning flags and public awareness banners have also been installed at vulnerable locations to alert visitors and residents.

The district administration has directed all concerned departments to remain on high alert, ensure the availability of machinery and staff, and stay prepared to respond promptly to any emergency.

Officials said advance planning, continuous monitoring and effective coordination among departments were underway to protect lives and property throughout the monsoon season.