Day: July 17, 2026

Faisalabad: The Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) has urged the government to create a more competitive environment for the industrial sector, stressing that immediate policy intervention is essential to achieve the country’s export targets.

Speaking after the announcement of PBF’s new Faisalabad chapter office-bearers for a two-year term, PBF leaders highlighted the mounting challenges facing Pakistan’s textile industry, including rising energy tariffs, high financing costs, increasing production expenses and stiff regional competition. They called for industry-friendly measures on a war footing to safeguard the country’s largest export-oriented sector.

According to a notification issued by Chief Organiser Ahmad Jawad, Director FIEDMC Mian Kashif Zia has been appointed President of the PBF Faisalabad chapter, while Senior Vice Chairman of PHMA (North Zone) Ahmed Afzal Awan will serve as Senior Vice President. Mian Tanvir Ahmed and Muhammad Abdullah Qadri have been named Vice Presidents, and senior trade leader Mian Tanveer Riaz has been appointed General Secretary.

Addressing the business community, PBF Faisalabad President Mian Kashif Zia described Faisalabad as the backbone of Pakistan’s industrial economy, contributing around $5.5 billion in textile exports annually-about 45 percent of the national total. He warned that rising electricity and gas tariffs, unreliable energy supplies, high borrowing costs and liquidity constraints have eroded exporters’ competitiveness and placed many SMEs under severe financial pressure.

He urged the government to lower the cost of doing business through affordable energy, easier access to finance, stable tax policies, timely sales tax refunds and improved export facilitation to restore investor confidence and revive industrial growth.

Senior Vice President Ahmed Afzal Awan noted that Faisalabad’s industrial base extends beyond textiles to include garments, hosiery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, food processing and agricultural machinery, making the city a key contributor to Pakistan’s exports and employment.

He stressed the need to strengthen infrastructure, ensure reliable energy supplies, expand industrial estates, improve logistics, accelerate technology adoption and invest in skilled manpower. He also called for closer public-private collaboration to address structural challenges and create a more predictable, investment-friendly business environment.

The newly elected office-bearers reaffirmed their commitment to representing the business community, promoting investment, boosting exports, generating employment and reinforcing Faisalabad’s position as Pakistan’s leading industrial and textile hub.

Muzaffargarh: A 40-year-old rickshaw driver was killed after a speeding truck rammed into the stationary loading rickshaw on Muzaffargarh-Dera Ghazi Khan Road. According to Rescue 1122, a truck that had developed a mechanical fault had been parked on the roadside since the previous night. A goods-laden rickshaw was also parked alongside the broken-down truck.

Meanwhile, another speeding truck crashed into the stationary rickshaw with such force that it overturned. The rickshaw driver, Muhammad Ibrahim, died on the spot. Three passengers travelling in the rickshaw namely 18-year-old Moeen, 25-year-old Zubair, and 25-year-old Muhammad Jahangir sustained injuries. Rescuers shifted the injured along with the body to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital. Police reached the scene after being informed, while the truck driver fled the spot.

Chiniot: To review steps taken for cleaning cemeteries and eliminating encroachments, Assistant Commissioner Lalian Dr. Muhammad Anas Saeed visited Mian Shaian cemetery and Noor Bangar Thathi Bala Raja cemetery in the city.

According to reporter correspondent, the AC conducted a detailed inspection of the overall condition, cleanliness, internal and external routes, and protective walls of both cemeteries. He was accompanied by staff from the Municipal Committee and Shatra Punjab.

Dr. Muhammad Anas Saeed directed officials on the spot to ensure cleanliness in the cemeteries and timely disposal of garbage and grass. He ordered that internal routes be kept free from encroachments so citizens do not face difficulty during burials.

He also instructed that proper arrangements be made for water drainage to prevent stagnation after rain, and that repair of protective walls and lighting arrangements be completed. ‘Cemeteries are a public trust.

It is the responsibility of all of us to take care of their sanctity and cleanliness. No negligence will be tolerated in this regard,’ the Assistant Commissioner said. On the occasion, residents of the area informed Dr. Muhammad Anas Saeed about problems faced at the cemeteries.

He issued orders to the relevant departments for immediate resolution of the issues and said a return visit would be made soon to review progress.

Sialkot: DPO Dost Muhammad, SP Investigation Muhammad Haseeb Raja, and DSP Headquarters Muhammad Khalil Malik participated in a blood donation camp for children with thalassemia at the District Police Lines. In view of the growing problem of blood shortages, personnel from the Sialkot Police, Elite Force, Traffic Police, and volunteers from Dawat-e-Islami enthusiastically donated blood, a release of the police said on Thursday. Alongside protecting lives and property of citizens, the Sialkot Police are also playing an active role in helping save the lives of innocent children.

Sukkur: Vice Chancellor, Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU) Prof. Dr. Yousuf Khushk on Thursday chaired a high level meeting to review campus preparedness ahead of the University’s reopening on August 3, after summer vacation.

Dr. Khushk directed officials to complete upgradation and maintenance of hostels, classrooms, labs, sanitation and other facilities within the vacation period to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment from day one. He ordered comprehensive inspections and stressed uninterrupted internet connectivity across campus.

He said continuous improvement in campus management and academic infrastructure was vital for institutional performance and international rankings, and called upon all officers to treat the task as a collective responsibility.

Noting that SALU would celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, the VC said the milestone should be welcomed with a well-maintained, vibrant and student-friendly campus.

The meeting was attended by Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Wahid Bux Jatoi, Deans, Registrar, Director Finance, and senior faculty and administrative officers.

On the occasion, the Vice Chancellor presented appreciation certificates to Prof. Dr. Irum Rani, Prof. Dr. Riaz Ahmed Shaikh, Dr. Munir Ahmed Qazi, Dr. Shaista Pathan, Dr. Raffaqat Arain, Dr. Allah Wassayo Soomro, Dr. Tahira Jatt, Dr. Hira Rani, Dr. Zahid Sahito, Dr. Akhlaq Larik and Hallar Malik for their contribution to institutional quality enhancement.

Gujrat: Deputy Commissioner Noor-ul-Ain Qureshi supervised the plantation of 600 saplings in the central median of GT Road at Pabbi, Sarai Alamgir, as part of the district administration’s

ongoing tree plantation campaign. According to official sources, the saplings included Amaltas, Kachnar and Gul-e-Chin, selected to enhance the roadside landscape and increase green cover. The district administration said the campaign was aimed at promoting environmental conservation, improving the district’s green cover and creating a cleaner environment.