Day: July 16, 2026

Muzaffargarh: Punjab Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, inaugurated the green electric bus service in Layyah, through online.

According to a spokesperson for the district administration, the inaugural ceremony was held at the Sports Complex, where Deputy Commissioner Asif Ali Dogar, political representatives and other dignitaries participated. The Deputy Commissioner and political leaders formally launched the service by cutting the ribbon.

The launch was celebrated across the city, with residents welcoming the new buses enthusiastically.

Speaking on the occasion, DC Asif Ali Dogar, said the Green Electric Bus Service would greatly benefit students, women, senior citizens and job holders by providing better transport facilities.

He added that the low fares and modern facilities would help reduce commuters’ travel expenses, while the air-conditioned buses would ensure a safe, comfortable and dignified travel experience.

He said the eco-friendly electric buses would help reduce air pollution and support the vision of a cleaner and greener Punjab.

The DC termed the launch of the Green Electric Bus Service as a major milestone in providing the public with modern and secure public transportation.

Multan: Tehsil Multan City clinched the title of the Inter-Tehsil Under-23 Badminton Championship organized by the Youth Affairs and Sports Department under the Youth Affairs 2026 annual sports calendar at the Sports Gymnasium, Multan.

The championship was held as part of the Chief Minister Punjab Inter-District Badminton Championship, with Under-23 boys’ and girls’ teams from different tehsils of the district participating in the competition.

National badminton player Khalid Mehmood attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest. He was introduced to the participating teams and joined the players for a group photograph.

In the Under-23 Boys category, Abdullah Tahir of Tehsil Multan City secured first position, followed by Muhammad Abdullah as runner-up, while Muhammad Hassan claimed third place. All three medal winners represented Tehsil Multan City.

In the Under-23 Girls category, Samia Ejaz of Tehsil Multan City won the championship title, Kashmain Nadeem finished as runner-up, while Maryam Fatima of Tehsil Multan Saddar secured third position.

The prize distribution ceremony was attended by Divisional Sports Officer Multan Ata-ur-Rehman Khan as chief guest, along with District Sports Officer Bahawalpur Muhammad Fawad. District Sports Officer Multan Adnan Naeem, coach Nasir Hussain and Waqar Ahmed were also present on the occasion. The guests distributed trophies and prizes among the winning players.

A selection committee comprising Anis Khan, Muhammad Iqbal and Muhammad Shahid finalized the Multan district teams for the upcoming Chief Minister Punjab Inter-District Badminton Championship.

The boys’ team includes Abdullah Tahir, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Hassan, Shahzeb and Fahad Hussaini, while the girls’ team comprises Samia Ejaz, Kashmain Nadeem, Maryam Fatima, Noor-ul-Ain and Mehr-un-Nigar Lodhi.

The selected teams will represent Multan district in the Chief Minister Punjab Inter-District Badminton Championship scheduled to commence on July 16.

Mirpur (ajk): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Wednesday accused the banned Awami Action Committee of attempting to disrupt peace, stability, and the writ of the state through a series of activities carried out over recent days.

Addressing a joint press conference in the State metropolis on Wednesday, Special Secretary Home of AJK government Chaudhry Guftar Hussain and AJK Police spokesperson DIG Irfan Masood Kashfi alleged that the organization was using the guise of public rights activism to spread unrest, exert pressure on the government, and create fear among the population.

Chaudhry Guftar Hussain said the banned committee had begun using women, children, and students from schools, colleges, and universities as ‘human shields’ during its protest activities.

‘The government will continue to take all necessary measures to maintain law and order, uphold the rule of law, protect the lives and property of citizens, and restore normalcy,’ he said.

The Home Department official also claimed that armed groups associated with the banned committee had directly opened fire on law enforcement personnel in an attempt to escalate tensions. He reiterated that the AJK general elections scheduled for July 27 would be held on time and that the government was committed to ensuring free, fair, and impartial polls.

He warned that no leniency would be shown towards armed and violent groups and that those involved in violating the law would not succeed in their objectives.

Speaking on the occasion, AJK Police spokesperson DIG Irfan Masood Kashfi said that following incidents of firing by armed groups linked to the banned committee, a misleading and false propaganda campaign had been launched on social media.

He alleged that videos circulating online were being used to falsely portray armed individuals as security personnel in civilian clothing. According to the police spokesperson, attempts were being made to distort facts after evidence emerged regarding attacks, firing incidents, and casualties among state personnel and civilians.

Kashfi stated that weapons had been recovered from several leaders and activists of the banned committee and that numerous videos and photographs had also surfaced. He further alleged that the group’s leaders incite the public and subsequently disappear from the scene.

Astore: Deputy Commissioner Astore, Neelam Ali has taken a firm stance against the artificial shortage of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), profiteering, and violations of the officially notified price list, declaring that the supply of LPG to the public at government approved rates would be ensured across the district.

Rejecting the demands of local LPG dealers, the Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned authorities not to tolerate any exploitation of consumers. She warned that if local dealers refused to supply LPG at the officially notified prices or attempt to create an artificial shortage, the district administration would bring in new LPG dealers from the district headquarters of Chilas, Diamer, to ensure uninterrupted supply to the public at prescribed rates.

Neelam Ali emphasized that the foremost priority of the district administration was to ensure the uninterrupted availability of essential commodities at affordable prices. She stated that no individual or group would be allowed to act against the public interest.

The Deputy Commissioner further warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found involved in hoarding, or creating artificial shortage. She instructed the relevant departments to maintain continuous market inspections and ensure indiscriminate action against violators.

She also appealed to the public to immediately report any incidents where LPG was being sold above the official price or an artificial shortage, enabling the district administration to take timely legal action against those responsible.

Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has released more than Rs80 billion for ongoing development projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026-27.

According to KP Finance Secretary Kamran Ahmad Afridi on Wednesday, the funds will be utilized for development schemes across various sectors of the province.

The Finance Department said Rs61 billion has been allocated for ongoing projects in the settled districts. Sector-wise allocations include Rs12 billion for roads, Rs8.8 billion for urban development, Rs5.8 billion for irrigation, Rs4.5 billion for health, Rs3 billion for drinking water, Rs2 billion for local government, Rs1.9 billion for elementary and secondary education, Rs1.7 billion for higher education and Rs1.7 billion for law and order.

For the merged districts, the provincial government has released Rs11 billion under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP). The allocation includes Rs2.3 billion for roads, Rs1.6 billion for law and order, Rs1.2 billion for health, Rs1 billion for elementary and secondary education and Rs700 million for drinking water projects.

Additionally, Rs7.9 billion has been released under the Merged Districts Development Programme, including Rs1.5 billion for roads, Rs1.3 billion for law and order, Rs460 million for irrigation and Rs330 million for drinking water schemes.

Muzaffargarh: A 17-year-old girl died after suffering an electric shock while switching on a pedestal fan at her home in the Head Taunsa Barrage area of Kot Addu district, Rescue 1122 sources said on Wednesday.

According to Rescue 1122, the victim, identified as Mishal Bibi, received a severe electric shock while attempting to turn on the fan at her residence in Pull Magsan.

A Rescue 1122 team rushed to the scene and administered first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), before shifting her to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, Kot Addu.

Despite the rescue team’s efforts, doctors at the hospital pronounced the teenager dead upon arrival, Rescue sources confirmed.