Day: July 18, 2026

Quetta: Inspector General (IG) of Police Balochistan Muhammad Tahir on Friday said that immediate relief could be provided to the common citizens by implementing modern policing.

He said that the atmosphere of security among the public should be further improved by strengthening the positive image of the police.

He expressed these views while addressing the introductory meeting of the newly appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police directly from the Balochistan Public Service Commission at the Central Police Office.

The IG Police said that it is the responsibility of the supervisory officers to improve the performance of the subordinate staff.

He directed that if the officers play their commanding role more effectively, then justice would be provided to a common citizen in a timely manner and their complaints would also be redressed.

IG Police Balochistan said that according to the guidelines of smart and community policing, all available resources should be utilized to provide quality services to the citizens and eliminate crimes so that the public’s trust in the police is further strengthened.

He said that prevention of crimes is possible only by timely action in fulfilling the responsibilities given in the duties of the police.

The officers participating in the meeting reiterated their commitment to serve the citizens, protect their lives and property and ensure the supremacy of law at all costs. DIG Headquarters Hassan Asad Alvi, DIG Quetta Imran Shaukat and other officers were also present on the occasion.

Quetta: The Balochistan Women Entrepreneurship Development Program has successfully completed its first phase, marking a historic milestone in the province’s efforts to empower women economically.

A total of 500 women from across Balochistan received tablets, tool kits, and certificates during a formal ceremony organized by the Women Development Department.

Advisor to the Chief Minister on Women Development, Dr. Rubaba Khan Buledi, distributed digital tool kits and certificates to women who had completed the training program. She praised their dedication, hard work, and determination, congratulating them on their achievement.

Women from all districts of Balochistan were trained in modern business skills, digital tools, marketing strategies, and business planning. Dr. Buledi emphasized that this initiative is the first comprehensive program of its kind in the province’s history, designed to equip women with the knowledge and resources needed to succeed in entrepreneurship.

Dr. Rubaba Buledi reiterated that the Balochistan government is taking practical steps to economically empower women. She added that women’s economic independence forms the foundation of family and societal progress, and assured that the government will continue to provide full support.

She further announced that the scope of the program will be expanded to create more opportunities for women in employment, business, and skills development. The initiative aims to ensure that women across the province can contribute meaningfully to economic growth and social development.

Quetta: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan has issued a weather alert warning of rain, windstorms, and thundershowers in several districts of the province between July 19 and July 23.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Islamabad, and the Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) Quetta, monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are continuously penetrating the upper parts of the country and are expected to strengthen over the weekend. A western disturbance is also likely to approach the upper regions on Monday, intensifying weather activity.

The advisory said that isolated rain, windstorms, and thundershowers, with heavy falls at certain places, are expected in the districts of Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Sibi, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Duki, Harnai, Loralai, Barkhan, Musakhail, Khuzdar, Dera Bugti, and surrounding areas.

Strong windstorms and thunderstorms may damage weak structures such as electricity poles, billboards, and solar panels. Heavy rainfall could generate flash floods in hill torrents, while lightning strikes may occur at isolated locations. The prevailing hot and humid conditions are likely to subside during the forecast period.

Farmers have been advised to manage their crop activities in line with the latest weather forecast. The general public has been urged to remain at safe places during heavy rains and windstorms. Authorities have been directed to remain alert and take precautionary measures to protect lives and property.

Quetta: Director General Social Welfare Balochistan, Mir Saifullah Khan Khetran, on Friday reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to the welfare, social protection, and empowerment of marginalized communities.

He stated that special persons, women, orphaned children, senior citizens, and other vulnerable groups would be provided equal opportunities and improved social services to ensure they live dignified lives.

Talking to reporter, Mir Saifullah Khetran explained that comprehensive reforms were being introduced to modernize the Social Welfare Department, enhance institutional capacity, and deliver effective services to the public. He emphasized that all welfare schemes were being advanced transparently and on merit, ensuring that genuine beneficiaries received government facilities in a timely manner.

The DG highlighted that in recent years, thousands of special persons have been provided with wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, special motorbikes (tricycles), and other assistive devices. He noted that the distribution process was ongoing, with the aim of enabling persons with disabilities to become confident, independent, and active members of society.

Khetran shared that last year, hundreds of deserving and skilled individuals received livelihood kits and vocational tools. These included sewing machines, washing machines, handicraft equipment, plumbing and electrician toolkits, mobile phone repair kits, and other professional materials.

He explained that these initiatives were designed to provide respectable employment opportunities, reduce poverty, and help young people achieve self-reliance.

On the issue of drug rehabilitation, the Director General stated that the department had played an effective role in treating and rehabilitating drug addicts. Through rehabilitation centers, numerous individuals had successfully undergone medical treatment, psychological counseling, and social reintegration. He noted that these efforts had contributed significantly to making Quetta a safer and healthier city, free from drug addiction.

Mir Saifullah Khetran concluded that the Social Welfare Department would continue to expand its welfare projects in line with the policies of the Balochistan government. The focus would remain on providing maximum facilities, skills, employment, and social protection to special persons, deserving families, and vulnerable groups. He stressed that public service, transparency, merit, and good governance were the department’s top priorities, and under this vision, the Social Welfare Department was being transformed into a strong, active, and people-friendly institution.

Quetta: Governor Balochistan Jaffar Khan Mandokhel on Friday said that Pakistan has always raised its voice at every responsible international forum and will always do so for the genuine autonomy of its Kashmiri brothers and sisters.

He said that we consider the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir as our brothers, here in our province of Balochistan, we respect their dignity and are also taking steps to meet their social and educational needs.

He expressed these views while talking to a delegation of political workers of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and prominent members of the Kashmiri community living in Quetta led by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) central leader and focal person Prime Minister Youth Program Balochistan Naeem Karim.

In response to a question, Governor Balochistan Jaffar Khan Mandokhel said that in view of our national values and traditions, it is satisfying to see pleasant and friendly relations with the local population and Kashmiri community in the provincial capital Quetta.

He said that this brotherly bond makes us realize that mutual respect and brotherhood are our greatest strengths.

Quetta: Secretary Communications and Works (CandW) Balochistan, Babar Khan, has emphasized that the department plays a pivotal role in the province’s development and prosperity.

He warned that any negligence or delay in performance could stall the wheel of progress, which is unacceptable under any circumstances.

Chairing a review meeting on the progress of ongoing strategic projects, the Secretary noted that the province’s infrastructure improvement and sustainable development depend on the effective performance of the CandW Department.

The meeting was attended via Zoom by chief engineers from all six zones, superintending engineers, and district executive engineers.

During the session, engineers from various districts presented detailed briefings on the progress of strategic projects in their respective areas. They also highlighted the financial and technical challenges faced during implementation.

Babar Khan instructed that no slowdown in the completion of critical projects would be tolerated. He stressed that time is short and challenges are many, therefore all engineers must ensure timely completion as the department’s top priority. He directed that all technical issues hindering progress should be resolved immediately.

The Secretary issued strict instructions to executive engineers (buildings) to ensure completion of projects within the stipulated timeframe, warning that failure to do so would result in stern action against responsible officials. He further emphasized that there must be no compromise on the quality of work.

Babar Khan directed chief engineers and superintending engineers to personally visit project sites regularly and submit progress reports every two weeks. These reports must also identify technical issues so that project speed remains unaffected and work continues without interruption.