Day: July 18, 2026

Sargodha: The Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) has intensified its crackdown on electricity theft to reduce line losses and improve the power distribution system across the region.

A FESCO Sargodha Circle spokesperson said on Friday that special monitoring teams conducted more than 250 raids against power thieves during the last month, detecting 10,276 stolen units and issuing detection bills worth Rs5.18 million.

He said FESCO had also registered 542 FIRs against electricity thieves, with challans submitted to relevant courts for legal proceedings.

He further said work was underway to modernize FESCO’s infrastructure, with funds allocated for the replacement and maintenance of damaged electricity wires and other development projects.

Faisalabad: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday arrested an alleged human trafficker and recovered a passport, cash, a cell phone, and a car from his possession.

According to official sources, the accused, identified as Mubeen, son of Muhammad Nawaz and resident of Nankana Sahib, was apprehended red-handed while receiving money from a citizen at a juice corner in the Guttwala Chowk area.

During the preliminary interrogation, the accused confessed of receiving Rs 3 million from a citizen under the false pretense of arranging a work permit for Canada.

Sources added that the accused was an active member of an organized human trafficking network operating from Malaysia.

The FIA registered a case and initiated further legal action.

Faisalabad: A motorcyclist was killed and two pillion-riders were injured in a road accident on Kamalpur Road on Friday.

According to Rescue-1122, three young boys were riding a motorcycle near Meeranwala Bunglow when a speeding mini truck knocked them down.

Consequently, 15-year-old Muhammad Rehan died on the spot while other two 28-year-old Atif and

18-year-old Subhan suffered injuries. They were rushed to Allied Hospital.

Separately, a 27-year-old lineman of the Faisalabad Electric supply Company (FESCO) was electrocuted while repairing electric lines at a village in tehsil Samundri.

The victim Obaidullah was working on live electric lines in Chak No 390-GB, tehsil Samundri when he received fatal electric shock and died instantly.

The body was moved to THQ hospital.

Peshawar: Commissioner Kohat, Syed Motasim Billah Shah here on Friday chaired a meeting to review ongoing and proposed development projects being implemented with support of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL).

The meeting that was attended by Member National Assembly Shehryar Afridi, former Chairman Tehsil Gumbat Sajid Iqbal, OGDCL Managing Director, Regional Coordinator and senior officials from relevant government departments. Participants reviewed progress on projects including education, healthcare, clean drinking water, infrastructure and other public welfare sectors.

Officials were also briefed on the ongoing schemes, proposed development initiatives and projects being undertaken with support of OGDCL. The meeting agreed on practical measures to ensure that all ongoing projects were completed within the stipulated timeframe and development funds were utilized transparently and effective coordination was maintained among all stakeholders to maximize public benefit.

OGDCL officials reaffirmed commitment to continuing its support for public welfare, basic infrastructure and community development projects in Kohat through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

Peshawar: Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar, has achieved another landmark in international research collaboration as the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences (IBMS) successfully signed a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) with the University College London (UCL), UK for the advanced molecular analysis of rare genetic diseases.

Under this agreement, UCL will perform Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of patients with rare genetic disorders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa free of cost.

This collaboration will significantly enhance the diagnosis of previously undiagnosed and complex inherited disorders, including primary microcephaly, inherited neurodevelopmental disorders, muscular dystrophies, hereditary ataxias, leukodystrophy, metabolic disorders, epilepsy syndromes, Parkinson’s diseases and other rare congenital conditions.

The initiative is expected to transform the diagnostic landscape for rare diseases in the province, offering hope to countless patients and families.

The collaborative research will be conducted under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Musharaf Jelani and Prof. Dr. Inayat Shah, further strengthening the long-standing research partnership between KMU and UCL and promoting cutting-edge genomic medicine in Pakistan.

This achievement reflects KMU’s expanding global research footprint and is fully aligned with the visionary leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq, whose commitment to research excellence, innovation, and international collaboration continues to elevate the University’s standing on the global stage.

Heartiest congratulations to Prof. Dr. Musharraf Jelani, Prof. Dr. Inayat Shah, Dr. Zohaib Khan, the teams at IBMS and ORIC, and the entire KMU family on this remarkable accomplishment.

This partnership marks another proud step toward advancing precision medicine, strengthening global scientific collaboration, and improving healthcare outcomes for the people of Pakistan.

Kohat: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Health Mian Khaliqur Rahman has announced that the provincial government is taking concrete steps to modernize the healthcare sector in the Kohat Division, including the establishment of a 1,000-bed mega hospital.

Presiding over a divisional health review meeting at the Commissioner’s Office, the Health Minister stated that the site for the proposed mega hospital would be finalized soon in consultation with elected public representatives. The facility is expected to serve as a milestone in providing modern medical services to residents of the Kohat Division and neighboring districts.

Furthermore, the minister announced the official approval for the installation of an MRI machine, a CT scan machine, and a cardiac catheterization (Cath) lab at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, Kohat.

The meeting was attended by KP Minister for Information Shafi Jan, DEDAC Chairman and Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Dawood Shah Afridi, Commissioner Kohat Division Syed Mohtasim Billah Shah, Deputy Commissioner Kohat Muhammad Nawaz Wazir, along with district health officers, medical superintendents, and other relevant authorities.

During the session, the Health Minister directed the relevant departments to ensure the timely completion of the Liaquat Memorial Women and Children Hospital. He also ordered the immediate resolution of operational issues at Type-C and Type-D hospitals, Basic Health Units (BHUs), and Rural Health Centres (RHCs) in areas including Lachi and Shakardara. Additionally, he issued instructions to repair faulty X-ray machines and procure necessary diagnostic equipment.

Commissioner Kohat Syed Mohtasim Billah Shah briefed the meeting on the current health infrastructure, noting that a total of 289 public health facilities, including one Category-A hospital, are operational across the division.

Information Minister Shafi Jan emphasized that the provincial government has prioritized health sector reforms, the provision of modern medical equipment, and the delivery of quality healthcare. He urged relevant institutions to ensure transparency and quality in the execution of these development projects.

Following the meeting, the Health Minister visited the under-construction Liaquat Memorial Women and Children Hospital and the DHQ Hospital, where he inspected construction progress, emergency services, and other departments, directing authorities to further improve the standard of patient care.