Day: July 17, 2026

Hyderabad: President Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSI) Muhammad Saleem Memon has termed the daily traffic accidents on Autobhan Road as worrisome and said that the loss of precious human lives and continuous damage to property have made this important road a serious public problem, which requires urgent and effective measures.

He said that in this regard, a detailed letter has been sent by the Chamber to Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Asif Haider Shah, in which the increasing dangers of traffic on Autobhan Road, daily accidents and comprehensive suggestions have been presented for their permanent solution.

According to a press release issued on Thursday, HCSTSI President Saleem Memon said that the construction and expansion of the Autobhan Road by the Sindh government is a commendable project that has improved the infrastructure of the city and brought significant improvement in the flow of traffic, however, the real success of the project will be possible only when this highway is made completely safe.

He said that the chamber had submitted several safety suggestions to the Sindh government last year as well, but unfortunately, most of them have not been implemented yet. Today, while citizens are losing their lives or getting seriously injured in accidents every day, immediate implementation of these suggestions has become the need of the hour.

The chamber president demanded from the chief secretary that safety grilles be installed in the middle of the road to prevent illegal crossings, more foot over bridges should be constructed at different places for pedestrians, modern traffic surveillance cameras should be installed, while a special traffic police unit should be formed for the Autobhan Road to ensure effective patrolling around the clock.

He further demanded that indiscriminate action be taken against one-way violations, wrong-way driving, illegal parking, encroachments, speeding and other traffic law violations, adding clear road markings, reflective sign boards, zebra crossings, proper street lights and other modern safety arrangements should also be provided immediately on the road so that the accident rate can be significantly reduced.

Saleem Memon said that the Autobhan is an important commercial road of Hyderabad where thousands of vehicles, motorcycles, students, employees, traders and citizens commute daily. If timely safety measures are not taken, there will be a risk of further loss of precious lives.

He appealed to the chief secretary to issue immediate instructions to the concerned departments to ensure implementation of comprehensive traffic management and road safety plan on priority basis. He said that HCSTSI will continue to extend all possible cooperation to all the concerned government institutions for the protection of lives and property of the citizens, better urban infrastructure and establishment of a safe traffic system.

Abbottabad: Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad Sarmad Saleem Akram on Thursday directed authorities to intensify indiscriminate action against narcotics, hoarding, illegal weapons, unauthorized SIMs, online gambling, and other criminal activities, reaffirming the district administration’s commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property.

He issued the directives while chairing a meeting of the District Coordination Committee (DCC) to review the district’s security situation, implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) and Provincial Action Plan (PAP), and measures to prevent terrorism and illegal activities.

The meeting was attended by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), SSP Traffic, officials of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), SP Cantt, Special Branch, FIA, Social Welfare, Industries, Cantonment Board and other law enforcement agencies.

The forum emphasized stronger inter-agency coordination and discussed monitoring of social media and cyberspace, action against hate speech, drug trafficking, illegal weapons, unauthorized spectrum usage and hoarding.

It also directed authorities to expedite the registration of unregistered seminaries, strengthen the monitoring mechanism, prevent drug use in educational institutions, curb forest timber smuggling, resolve signal-related issues and ensure strict action against violations.

Expressing concern over the increasing trend of online gambling and illegal websites, the meeting instructed the relevant departments to launch awareness campaigns and accelerate legal action to protect young people.

Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Relief, Aqib Ullah Khan on Thursday inaugurated newly constructed Rescue 1122 Center in Shabqadar Tehsil, Charsadda District.

Provincial Minister for Mines, Ahmadzai and Member of National Assembly Malik Anwar Taj, 122 officials, district administration officers, local elders and local elders attended the inauguration ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, the provincial minister stated that establishment of the new center in Shabqadar is a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring availability of emergency medical and relief services in the remote areas of the province.

He said that the operationalization of the Shabqadar 1122 center would provide immediate relief to the local population during accidents and emergencies.

He said that the provincial cabinet members are visiting various districts to gain firsthand knowledge of public issues and closely review ongoing development projects.

The minister said that government is taking serious steps for welfare of people in Charsadda District particularly Shabqadar adding that development projects have been started in all districts of the province without any discrimination.

Dera ismail khan: Assistant Commissioner Sarai Naurang, Lakki Marwat Mehboob-ur-Rehman paid a surprise visit to bazaar to ensure compliance with official price regulations and protect consumer rights.

According to the administration, he inspected a number of general stores, checking the prices of essential food items and carefully examining the expiry dates of products.

The inspection was aimed at ensuring that shopkeepers were complying with government regulations and maintaining quality standards.

Addressing traders during the visit, Mehboob-ur-Rehman directed all shopkeepers to strictly implement the official price list and provide maximum relief to consumers by selling essential commodities at government-approved rates.

He warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found overcharging customers or selling expired products.

The district administration said the inspection campaign will continue across the subdivision to curb profiteering, enforce price control measures, and ensure the availability of safe and quality food items for people.

Peshawar: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday stressed that the provincial government and all relevant stakeholders should adopt a unified strategy to address the issues related to tax in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA).

He expressed these views while talking to a delegation of industrialists under the banner of the Pakistan Border Trade Council, led by Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry Group Leader and Pakistan Border Trade Council Chairman Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, at the Governor House.

The delegation apprised the Governor of its concerns over the taxes, imposed from July 1, on business activities in the erstwhile tribal areas and PATA.

Governor Kundi said as the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the merged districts, remained fragile, there was a need to safeguard the people and business community from any financial burden.

He said that he had already conveyed these concerns to the federal government and was in contact with the provincial government on the issue.

Referring to a meeting being held at the Chief Minister’s House on the issue, the Governor appreciated the initiative of President Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha for convening the recent All Parties Conference in Chakdara on the taxation issue.

He said previous provincial governments had failed to effectively utilize resources received under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and funds allocated for the war against terrorism due to poor planning.

Governor Kundi urged the provincial government to form a joint committee to negotiate with the federal government.

He also called on all political parties to unite in the larger interest of the province and proposed the establishment of a permanent joint committee to address key provincial issues instead of adopting ad hoc measures.

He invited the business community to submit proposals regarding difficulties in obtaining bank loans, assuring them that their concerns would be taken up at the relevant forums.

Paying tribute to the business community, Governor Kundi said traders and industrialists of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued their economic activities despite terrorism, insecurity and extortion, adding that sustaining businesses under such circumstances was “no less than a struggle.”

The Governor also directed officials to immediately contact the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to address admission-related issues being faced by MBBS and BDS students against seats reserved for the merged districts.

The delegation appreciated Governor Kundi’s efforts and role in safeguarding the rights of the people of the erstwhile FATA and PATA and defending the province’s interests on the issue.

Dera ismail khan: The district administration has intensified its campaign against profiteering, sealing four liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shops and sending three dealers to jail for selling the commodity at prices higher than the government-approved rates.

According to the administration,

the action was carried out on the directives of deputy commissioner during a surprise inspection led by Assistant Commissioner Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddique, who was acting as special magistrate.

Accompanied by police and enforcement teams, the Assistant Commissioner inspected LPG outlets in the Zafarabad area, where several dealers were found charging customers above the officially notified prices.

Following the inspection, the violators were arrested and produced before the Special Magistrate’s court.

After legal proceedings, three dealers were awarded 15-day jail terms, while four LPG shops involved in overcharging were sealed.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddique said the district administration would not tolerate public exploitation, hoarding, or profiteering under any circumstances.

He warned that strict legal action would continue against anyone violating government price regulations, adding that those exploiting consumers would be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.

The district administration has urged LPG dealers to adhere to official price lists, warning that inspections and enforcement operations will continue across the district to protect consumers from unfair trade practices.