Day: July 19, 2026

Sialkot: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday inaugurated the one-kilometre-long Faiz Ahmed Faiz Flyover,built at a cost of Rs1.984 billion in the Adalat Garha area of Sialkot.

Punjab Minister for Labour and Human Resource,Muhammad Mansha Ullah Butt, MPA Chaudhry Faisal Ikram, Deputy Commissioner(DC),Owais Mushtaq and other officials attended the inauguration ceremony.

Speaking to media persons after the ceremony,Khawaja Asif said the flyover would help reduce traffic congestion in the city and provide a major facility to residents of Sialkot and surrounding areas.

He said the project had been a long-standing demand of the people and thanked Punjab Chief Minister(CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif for its completion.

The defence minister announced that work on the first phase of the Sialkot Ring Road would commence soon.

He said the project would connect Wazirabad Road, Daska Road, Eminabad Road and Pasrur Road, improving connectivity across the city.

He added that the flyover would eventually be linked with the Ring Road, making travel easier for citizens, boosting industrial activity and improving access to Sialkot International Airport.

Khawaja Asif also announced that the contract for the Rs.250 billion Kharian-Rawat Motorway project had been awarded to the Frontier Works Organization (FWO),describing it as an important project for regional economic growth and national defence.

He said Sialkot had long remained deprived of major infrastructure projects,adding that the motorway would be a historic milestone for the city.

The minister said he had worked to fulfil his responsibilities as a representative of Sialkot during his current term and would present details of development projects completed during his tenure before the next elections.

He also urged the newly appointed deputy commissioner to ensure close coordination with elected representatives and provincial authorities for timely completion of ongoing and proposed development schemes.

Khawaja Asif said the flyover was named after Faiz Ahmed Faiz, describing the renowned poet as one of Sialkot’s greatest figures whose work continued to inspire generations.

Multan: Pakistan recorded a strong start to the 2026-27 cotton season as cotton arrivals at ginning factories surged by 77.3 percent compared to the corresponding period last year, indicating improved crop prospects and providing a positive outlook for the textile industry.

Chairman Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) Punjab Malik Talat Sohail, while briefing the media on the first cotton arrival report issued by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), said 527,900 bales had reached ginning factories across the country by July 15, compared with 297,751 bales during the same period last year, an increase of 230,149 bales.

Punjab recorded cotton arrivals of 201,497 bales against 145,101 bales a year earlier, showing an increase of 56,396 bales, or 38.87 percent.

Among Punjab’s cotton-producing districts, Vehari led with 41,367 bales, followed by Dera Ghazi Khan (36,340), Khanewal (32,521), Bahawalpur (16,686), Sahiwal (16,305) and Layyah (14,993). Cotton arrivals also increased in Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar and Lodhran, while Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur recorded lower arrivals than the corresponding period last year.

Sindh posted an even stronger performance, with arrivals rising to 326,403 bales from 152,650 bales last year, reflecting an increase of 113.82 percent. Sanghar remained the leading district with 280,393 bales, while significant gains were also recorded in Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Jamshoro and Nawabshah.

The report also showed that 82,121 bales remained unsold at ginning factories, compared with 47,771 bales during the same period last year.

Malik Talat Sohail said the substantial increase in cotton arrivals reflected a revival of the cotton sector and would help ensure greater availability of raw material for the textile industry, supporting economic activity and exports.

Bahawalpur: A tractor-trolley driver was crushed to death after his vehicle overturned at Chattay Wala Pul in Uch area of the district on Saturday.

According to Rescue 1122, the tractor-trolley, carrying around 900 maunds of poultry waste, veered about eight feet off the road after the driver, identified as Asif, 25, a resident of Butt Chowk, allegedly fell asleep while driving.

The vehicle overturned, burying the driver under the heavy load of poultry waste. Further investigation into the incident was underway.

Dera ismail khan: The district administration launched round-the-clock inspections of filling stations to ensure the uninterrupted supply of petroleum products and prevent artificial shortages, hoarding and profiteering.

On the directives of Deputy Commissioner Hikmat Ullah Khan, Assistant Commissioner Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddiq inspected filling stations across the city to check fuel availability, official prices, dispensing accuracy and compliance with legal requirements.

One filling station was sealed for violating regulations, while legal action was initiated against those responsible.

Later, the assistant commissioner, accompanied by FIA officials, conducted a late-night joint operation, during which the nozzle gauge and related equipment of another filling station were sealed over regulatory violations.

The district administration said inspections and enforcement operations would continue to ensure the uninterrupted supply of petroleum products at officially notified prices.