Day: July 17, 2026

Sialkot: Representatives of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) participated in a Zoom meeting on Access to Finance organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to discuss measures aimed at improving financial accessibility for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The meeting was attended by Chairman of the Committee on Banking Affairs Akmal Javed, Executive Committee Member of SCCI and Chairman of the Committee on Small Business Development Muhammad Shahid Inam and Deputy Secretary (RandD) Omair Nisar.

The session was chaired by Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production.

During the meeting, participants discussed key challenges faced by SMEs in obtaining financing and explored policy measures to enhance access to financial resources, promote business growth, and strengthen the country’s SME sector.

The participation of SCCI representatives reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to supporting initiatives that facilitate improved access to finance and foster sustainable development for Pakistan’s small and medium-sized businesses.

Sialkot: The Department of Pharmacy, University of Sialkot (USKT), successfully organized its Open House Session 2026, providing prospective students with valuable insights into pharmacy education, career opportunities, and the profession’s vital role in healthcare. According to the USKT, the event featured an informative departmental overview, a career roadmap session by Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy Hazima and an enlightening guest lecture by Assistant Professor, Mukabbir University of Science and Technology, Gujrat Dr Shumaila Sarwar on the responsible use of antibiotics and combating antimicrobial resistance. Adding creativity to the occasion, Pharm D students presented an awareness video and a theatrical skit highlighting the essential role of pharmacists in patient care and medication safety. The event concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, celebrating the contributions of guests, faculty, and students while reaffirming the department’s commitment to excellence in pharmacy education and
public health awareness.

Rawalpindi: The City Traffic Police (CTP) Rawalpindi has finalized a comprehensive crackdown against the illegal Friday car market operating on Murree Road, following directives from Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Farhan Aslam, to ease persistent traffic congestion and ensure the uninterrupted flow of traffic.

According to the CTP, special traffic squads have been deployed and all operational arrangements completed to remove illegally parked vehicles and enforce traffic regulations without discrimination.

The illegal car market has been operating every Friday for several years, with hundreds of vehicles parked along the main carriageway, service roads, and adjoining areas for sale. The practice regularly causes severe traffic congestion on one of Rawalpindi’s busiest arteries, resulting in prolonged delays and inconvenience for commuters.

Residents noted that while the CTP had carried out enforcement operations against the market on several occasions in the past, those efforts were largely temporary, with the market reappearing the following Friday and the underlying issue remaining unresolved.

Thousands of commuters, including government and private-sector employees, students, patients, and business operators, rely on Murree Road daily. However, the weekly illegal market significantly disrupts traffic flow, delaying emergency services, including ambulances, and adversely affecting commercial activity in the area.

Citizens have urged CTO Farhan Aslam and the relevant authorities to adopt a long-term strategy through sustained enforcement, continuous monitoring, and strict implementation of traffic laws rather than one-off operations, saying such measures are essential to permanently eliminate the illegal market and restore smooth traffic movement.

The CTP reaffirmed that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found obstructing traffic, illegally parking vehicles, or violating traffic regulations. It added that all available resources would be utilized to ensure safe, orderly, and uninterrupted traffic flow on Murree Road.

Gujrat: District Police Officer (DPO) Gujrat Akhtar Farooq chaired a meeting with officers of the Traffic Police and Motorway Police to review measures for improving traffic management and preventing road accidents.

According to police sources, the meeting reviewed traffic flow, causes of road accidents and measures to ensure effective enforcement of traffic laws. Strategies to improve traffic movement and enhance road safety were also discussed.

The DPO directed the officers to take strict action against traffic violations and ensure effective implementation of traffic laws to safeguard human lives. He also stressed coordinated efforts to reduce road accidents and improve traffic discipline across the district.

Sukkur: Divisional Commissioner Sukkur, Abid Saleem Qureshi on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Divisional Task Force to review preparations for the Polio Booster Dose Campaign scheduled for August 2026.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Health Department, PPHI, Education Department, Sindh Education Foundation (SEF), Divisional Task Force (DTF), and other relevant stakeholders.

During the meeting, the Divisional Polio Officer briefed participants on the preparedness of the campaign, with particular focus on the riverine areas. Expressing satisfaction with the overall preparations, the Commissioner issued a number of key directives to ensure the effective implementation of the campaign.

He directed that competent and experienced Social Mobilizers be selected and that the household registration process be closely monitored. He further instructed that campaign activities be integrated with PPHI health camps to provide a comprehensive package of healthcare services to children and families in the targeted areas.

Considering the prevailing hot weather conditions, the Commissioner emphasized strict implementation of cold chain protocols to maintain vaccine potency up to the child level. He directed that additional ice packs be provided to every vaccination team and that home-based solar refrigerators be mapped for emergency cold chain support.

The Commissioner also instructed all districts to keep UC Support Teams fully engaged throughout the campaign to continuously monitor cold chain management and ensure the timely provision of additional ice wherever required.

The meeting decided that official letters would be issued to the Education Department and PPHI outlining the specific areas and nature of support required during the campaign. PPHI will also be requested to extend duty hours at health facilities designated as Team Support Centers, nominate trained and adequately equipped AEFI focal persons at district and health facility levels, and provide ambulance services throughout the campaign.

Appreciating the efforts of the Deputy Commissioners, District Health Officers, Assistant Commissioners and DEOC partners in the selection of human resources and overall campaign preparedness, Commissioner Qureshi stressed the importance of sustained interdepartmental coordination, effective communication, and collective responsibility to ensure the successful implementation of a high-quality Polio Booster Dose Campaign and the timely vaccination of every eligible child.

Sargodha: Commissioner Sargodha Division Hafiz Shoukat Ali on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Executive Committee of Cadet College Isa Khel to review the institution’s administrative, financial, academic and development affairs.

According to the spokesperson for the Commissioner’s office here, during the meeting, Colonel Adam Khan, Principal of Cadet College Isa Khel, gave a comprehensive briefing on the college’s overall performance, ongoing development projects, financial requirements for the upcoming fiscal year, educational and training facilities for cadets, and administrative matters.

The Commissioner directed the college administration to ensure the provision of high-quality education and training facilities and to complete all ongoing development projects within the stipulated timeline. He said cadet colleges play a vital role in nation-building, character development of talented youth and the promotion of quality education, stressing that the welfare of students and institutional improvement should remain top priorities.

The Executive Committee deliberated on various agenda items, approved key administrative decisions, and presented several recommendations aimed at further enhancing the institution’s performance. The meeting concluded with instructions to the college administration to ensure the timely implementation of all approved decisions.