Day: July 16, 2026

Kurram: At least seven policemen were injured after unidentified assailants attacked a police check post in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, according to police sources cited by television channels.

Initial reports said the attackers opened fire on the check post, leaving seven police personnel injured at the scene.

The injured policemen were shifted to a nearby hospital, where they are receiving medical treatment.

Following the attack, police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace and apprehend the assailants. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances and motive behind the attack.

Chiniot: In line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, practical steps are being taken to resolve public problems, District Police Officer Dr. Naveed Atif said while hearing issues of plaintiffs in important cases.

The DPO reviewed the progress on arrest and investigation of accused in the cases.

He directed concerned officers to deal with all cases on the basis of merit and ensure thorough investigations.

Dr. Naveed Atif said all possible steps are being taken to provide timely justice and improve public service delivery as per the Chief Minister’s vision.

He added that investigation of important cases is underway under the supervision of senior police officers. “If for any reason citizens’ problems are not resolved in the police stations, they should come to my office without hesitation.

Their problems will be resolved,” the DPO stated.

He assured that provision of justice will be ensured by utilizing all available means, and stressed that protecting citizens’ rights remains a key priority of Punjab Police.

Kohistan: Deputy Commissioner Lower Kohistan Zohaib Hayat on Wednesday directed all departments concerned to expedite work on ongoing development projects and ensure their completion within the stipulated timeframe without compromising on quality.

The directives were issued while chairing a meeting to review the progress of various development schemes in the district. The meeting was attended by heads of line departments and other relevant officials.

During the meeting, officials presented detailed briefings on the status of ongoing projects, the pace and quality of construction work, and challenges affecting their implementation.

The Deputy Commissioner instructed all departments to utilize available resources for the timely completion of development schemes, emphasizing that no compromise would be made on the quality of construction materials.

He warned that strict disciplinary action would be taken against contractors found responsible for substandard work and directed the departments to remove obstacles delaying project implementation through close coordination and mutual cooperation.

Zohaib Hayat said the development projects were aimed at providing maximum relief to the public and made it clear that negligence or unnecessary delays in projects of public importance would not be tolerated.

Hyderabad: Hyderabad police detained two suspected Afghan nationals during a combing operation in the jurisdiction of site police station as part of an ongoing drive against illegally residing foreign nationals.

A police spokesman informed on Wednesday that the operation was conducted on the directives of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hyderabad, Shahzeb Chachar.

The joint search operation was led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Latifabad, Muhammad Khan Birahmani and carried out by police, Rangers and the Special Branch in junejo colony, Shah Latif town and various areas of the site. The operation was joined by DSP (Special Branch), Aamir Jaafri, Station House Officer (SHO) site, Sub-Inspector Shoukat Malukhani, SHO Hali Road Inspector Agha Asadullah Pathan, SHO women Inspector, Sakina Bhatti along with personnel of the rapid response force, rangers, special branch and police.

During the operation, biometric verification of several individuals was carried out using a digital verification device. Two suspicious persons were taken into custody and their identity and legal status were being verified, the spokesman added.

Bahawalpur: Commissioner Bahawalpur Division Irfan Ali Kathia visited the office of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Bahawalpur to review administrative operations, service delivery, and the agency’s preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season.

During the visit, WASA officials briefed the Commissioner on the Monsoon Emergency Plan, drainage arrangements, availability of machinery, preparedness of operational teams, and contingency measures designed to deal with heavy rainfall and urban flooding. Officials informed the Commissioner that all disposal stations, dewatering pumps, heavy machinery, and operational staff have been placed on full alert to ensure the swift drainage of rainwater during the monsoon season.

Special emergency response teams have also been constituted to respond promptly to any emergency situation and minimize inconvenience to the public.

Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia directed WASA to ensure the immediate removal of rainwater from urban areas during rainfall and instructed officials to respond without delay to complaints of water accumulation in low-lying areas or on major roads. He further directed all operational teams to remain on 24-hour alert and ensure the effective implementation of the Monsoon Emergency Plan throughout the rainy season.

The Commissioner also inspected various sections of the WASA office and reviewed administrative procedures, service delivery, record management, and the public complaint redressal mechanism. He instructed the concerned officers to maintain transparency, discipline, and timely decision-making in official affairs to ensure uninterrupted delivery of quality public services. During the visit, Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia met citizens who had visited the WASA office to seek corrections to their utility bills. He listened to their complaints in detail and directed the concerned officials to resolve all billing-related issues on a priority basis. He emphasized that citizens should not be subjected to unnecessary visits to government offices and instructed officials to address billing complaints promptly, fairly, and transparently.

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia said that the provision of timely, transparent, and high-quality public services is WASA’s foremost responsibility and warned that negligence or administrative lapses would not be tolerated. He further directed the agency to ensure effective planning, advance preparedness, and swift operational response throughout the monsoon season so that citizens receive maximum relief. He stressed that the drainage system must remain fully operational at all times to prevent disruption to daily life caused by heavy rainfall.

Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has released Rs80.7 billion for ongoing development projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026-27, with priority accorded to road infrastructure, health, education and other key public sectors.

According to the Finance Department here on Wednesday, 40 percent of the allocated funds for ongoing schemes have been released in a single tranche to accelerate the pace of development across the province.

Secretary Finance Kamran Ahmed Afridi said funds for new development projects would be released after their formal approval, adding that the timely provision of financial resources would ensure more effective implementation of development initiatives.

The department said Rs 61 billion had been allocated for ongoing development projects in the settled districts, while Rs 11 billion had been released under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP) for the merged districts. An additional Rs 7.9 billion has been provided for development schemes under the merged districts’ Annual Development Programme.

Among the released funds, Rs 12 billion has been earmarked for roads, Rs 5.8 billion for irrigation, Rs 8.8 billion for urban development and Rs two billion for local government projects.

The government has also released Rs three billion for drinking water schemes, Rs 1.9 billion for elementary and secondary education, Rs 4.5 billion for the health sector, Rs 1.7 billion for higher education and Rs 1.7 billion for law and order.

For the merged districts, Rs 2.3 billion has been allocated for road projects under the AIP, Rs 1.2 billion for health and Rs one billion for elementary and secondary education.

According to the Finance Secretary, Rs1.6 billion has been released for law and order and Rs 705 million for drinking water projects in the merged districts. Under the ADP, Rs 1.5 billion has been allocated for roads, Rs 460 million for irrigation, Rs 1.3 billion for law and order and Rs 330 million for drinking water schemes.

The Finance Department said the large-scale release of development funds reflected the provincial government’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure development, improving public services and ensuring timely completion of ongoing projects across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.