Day: July 19, 2026

Deraghazi khan: Two people killed while another sustained critical injuries in a collision between a chicken loaded pick-up and mini Mazda near Shadan Lund in the Notak Para area on the outskirts of Dera Ghazi Khan early on Saturday.

According to Rescue 1122,the accident occurred after the pickup driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, resulting in the head-on collision.

As a result,Muhammad Zahid(27),Muawiya(14) died on the spot while the injured,Farooq Ahmed (46) sustained multiple injuries.

Rescue 1122 reached on spot,shifted the bodies and injured to Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan.

Further investigation was underway.

Multan: Chairman Civil Society Forum (Saraiki Wasaib) Shahid Mehmood Ansari on Saturday paid tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan Army, acknowledging their sacrifices and services for the country’s defence, security and development.

In a statement, he said the Pakistan Army was safeguarding the country’s borders round the clock while facing challenging conditions and threats.

He said the armed forces had always stood by the nation during difficult times, including natural disasters, peace restoration efforts, and public service activities, adding that their professionalism and courage were a source of national pride.

Ansari said the sacrifices of the martyrs had strengthened national unity and confidence, adding that their commitment and loyalty to the motherland would always be remembered.

He said the entire nation and civil society paid tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs of Pakistan’s armed forces.

Faisalabad: Director General (DG) Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) Muhammad Asif Chaudhary has directed the FDA officers to take appropriate steps for prompt resolution of public complaints under open-door policy.

During a meeting in his office, he heard public complaints directly and directed the FDA officials to resolve the same promptly and strictly in accordance with law, merit and transparency.

A large number of citizens presented applications relating to residential schemes, plots, commercialization of properties, approval of building plans, issuance of No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) and other permissions, encroachments, problems being faced by FDA City allottees, property transfers, payment of outstanding dues and various administrative matters.

Reviewing each application individually, Muhammad Asif Chaudhary directed the concerned departments to process all cases within the stipulated timeframe in accordance with legal requirements, merit and transparency, ensuring immediate relief to applicants wherever possible.

He instructed the authorities to accord priority to pending applications for commercialization of properties and facilitate FDA City allottees in matters relating to payment of dues, construction of houses, approval of building plans, transfer of properties and other procedural requirements so that citizens would not face unnecessary delays or inconvenience.

He also ordered the continuation of indiscriminate operations against illegal constructions, land grabbers and encroachments. He stressed that violations of the law would not be tolerated under any circumstances and every available legal measure should be utilized to safeguard the rights of citizens.

He said that provision of timely, transparent, efficient and impartial public services is foremost priority of FDA.

He explained that objective of the strengthened open-door policy was to provide citizens with direct access to the authority for the prompt resolution of their legitimate grievances.

He warned FDA officers that negligence, unnecessary delays or laxity in addressing public complaints would not be tolerated. He directed them to ensure that every application was decided strictly on the basis of law, merit and transparency.

FDA chief said that earning and maintaining public trust through efficient service delivery was a collective responsibility of all officers. The authority would continue striving to evolve into a more responsive, accountable and people-friendly institution, he added.

Mirpur: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is set to observe the 79th Kashmir’s Accession to Pakistan Day on Sunday, July 19, with public rallies, seminars and commemorative events across the region. The observance will also include programmes organized by Kashmiri communities in other parts of the world.

According to an AJK government spokesperson, July 19 has been declared a public holiday in the territory to facilitate participation in official and public events marking the occasion. Organizers say the programmes are intended to commemorate the resolution adopted on July 19, 1947, by the then All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, which called for the accession of the princely state to Pakistan.

Ceremonies and rallies are planned in major towns and cities across AJK, while similar events are expected to be held by Kashmiri diaspora groups abroad. Participants are expected to reaffirm support for the right to self-determination and highlight the historical significance of the 1947 resolution from the perspective of those observing the day.

The annual observance is marked by authorities and pro-Pakistan groups in AJK as a symbol of their political position on the Kashmir dispute. The issue remains contested between India and Pakistan, both of which claim Kashmir in full but administer separate parts of the region.

Muzaffargarh: Climate change,water shortages in canals and the closure of trade routes through Afghanistan and Iran have adversely affected mango production and exports in Muzaffargarh this season,according to growers and agriculture officials.

Data released by the Agriculture Department showed a significant decline in mango production in the district while growers said exports to Afghanistan and Iran had dropped by around 15 per cent due to the suspension of trade through the neighbouring countries.

Growers said prolonged water shortages prevented the fruit from attaining its normal size,affecting both quality and yield.

“The crop suffered extensive damage due to mealybug infestation,strong windstorms and rains,resulting in nearly a 33 per cent decline in production,”said growers Farid Khan Sherwani,Malik Usman Jarrh,Malik Ghaznafar Bhutta and Malik Manzoor Bhutta.

They urged the Punjab government and the Agriculture Department to provide technical support and take measures to address water shortages and pest attacks to safeguard future harvests.

Rawalpindi: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF)on Saturday conducted eight operations in various cities across the country and arrested six suspects, including a woman, recovering 28.988 kilograms(kgs) of narcotics worth more than Rs 5.3 million.

According to an ANF spokesperson, during an international drug interdiction operation at Sialkot International Airport, the ANF recovered 940 grams of ice from the luggage of a passenger travelling to Jeddah and arrested the suspect.

At the Cargo Shed of Islamabad International Airport, officials recovered 995 grams of ice soaked in a paper sheet from a parcel destined for Dubai.

In another operation at Islamabad International Airport, ANF recovered one kilogram of Xanax tablets from the luggage of a passenger travelling to Riyadh.

At Sialkot International Airport, ANF recovered 125 heroin-filled capsules weighing 753 grams from the abdomens of a man and a woman travelling to Jeddah.

Under domestic drug interdiction efforts, ANF seized 12 kgs of hashish from a suspect near Estate Avenue Road in Karachi.

In another operation near GT Road in Peshawar, officials recovered 1.2 kgs of hashish from the possession of a suspect.

Near Sami in District Kech, ANF seized 10 kgs of ice concealed in bushes.

At a courier office on Ring Road in Peshawar, officials recovered 1.2 kgs of hashish and 900 grams of opium concealed inside two perfume boxes.

Cases have been registered under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act (CNSA), 1997, while further investigations are underway.