Day: July 22, 2026

Multan: A 53-year-old factory worker lost his life after a lift fell down after its cable broke at a brush and vaporizers manufacturing unit near Chungi No 11, on Tuesday. According to Rescue 1122, the lift crashed when its wire suddenly broke, leaving the worker, identified as Mustafa s/o Muhammad Hanif, injured.

Rescue teams, including a motorcycle ambulance and a regular ambulance, rushed to the scene immediately after receiving the emergency call. Paramedics administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before shifting the victim to Nishtar hospital.

Doctors at Nishtar hospital pronounced Mustafa dead upon examination. Rescue officials said preliminary findings suggest the accident occurred after the lift cable snapped. The relevant departments were busy in investigation into the incident.

Rawalpindi: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF)on Tuesday conducted four operations in different parts of the country and arrested three suspects, including a woman, recovering 42.7 kilograms(kgs) of narcotics worth more than Rs 8.2 million.

According to an ANF spokesperson, the operations targeted both international drug trafficking and domestic narcotics smuggling networks.

In an international drug interdiction operation at Islamabad International Airport, ANF recovered 42,000 ecstasy tablets weighing 5.6 kgs from the luggage of a passenger travelling to Riyadh. In a domestic operation near GT Road in Dina, Jhelum district, officials recovered 19.1 kgs of ice concealed in six carton rolls and arrested the suspect.

In another raid near Faisalabad, ANF seized 12 kgs of hashish, two pistols, four magazines and 33 rounds of ammunition from a house and arrested a woman. In a separate operation near Hayatabad, Peshawar, officials recovered six kgs of hashish from a motorcycle.

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

Peshawar: Heavy rainfall across the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) region disrupted electricity supply to 148 feeders, affecting several districts, a PESCO spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The spokesperson said rain had continued for the past 12 hours in Peshawar, Khyber, Mardan, Swabi and Swat, resulting in widespread feeder tripping. According to PESCO, 71 feeders were affected in Peshawar Circle, 33 in Khyber Circle, 22 in Mardan Circle, 12 in Swabi Circle and 10 in Swat Circle.

Power outages were reported in several areas of Peshawar, including Gulberg, University Town, Cantt, Warsak and Shabqadar. The spokesperson said restoration efforts were being hampered by the ongoing rain. However, PESCO teams worked throughout the night and successfully restored electricity to 42 affected feeders.

The PESCO Control Room is continuously monitoring the situation, while Chief Executive Akhtar Hameed Khan has directed all operation teams to remain on high alert and ensure the earliest possible restoration of power supply.

He also instructed that all necessary equipment be provided to field teams and advised staff to observe strict safety measures while carrying out restoration work during the rain.

Sargodha: Deputy Commissioner Hussain Ahmad Raza Chaudhry paid a surprise visit to Government Mola Bakhsh Hospital to review medical facilities, cleanliness and the availability of medicines.

During the visit here on Tuesday, he inspected the emergency ward, nursery and other sections, met patients and their attendants, and inquired about treatment, medicine availability and the conduct of doctors and paramedical staff. He also checked the hospital’s medical store and reviewed its medicine stock and records.

The deputy commissioner directed the hospital administration to ensure an uninterrupted supply of medicines and the provision of all healthcare facilities announced by the Punjab government.

Mansehra: A fresh cloudburst triggered flash flooding in vulnerable areas of Kaghan Valley on Tuesday, but timely evacuation by the District Administration, assisted by Rescue 1122, Police and other field formations, prevented any loss of life, according to an official report.

The report said community-based Early Warning System (EWS) teams detected rising water levels and immediately alerted residents and tourists. Following the directions of Deputy Commissioner Mansehra, officials evacuated people from low-lying areas, including Darmiana Garan, Kaghan Bazaar, Gulbagh and nearby settlements, before floodwaters reached populated areas.

Authorities temporarily closed the main Kaghan Bridge on the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad (MNJ) Road as a precaution, while a landslide at Soach blocked the highway. National Highway Authority (NHA) teams launched clearance work, and stranded tourists and residents were shifted to safer locations.

Meanwhile, torrential rains washed away the only bridge connecting around 12 villages in Siran Valley of Tehsil Baffa Pakhal, disrupting road access. Debris was cleared from the Siran Road, while the Communication and Works (CandW) Department was approached for reconstruction of the damaged bridge.

The report noted that TMA machinery could not reach the affected site because the damaged access road was impassable. However, debris, stones and mud deposited on the Siran Road by floodwaters were removed to restore traffic flow.

In view of repeated monsoon-related emergencies, Deputy Commissioner Mansehra has directed all revenue officers, field staff and heads of line departments to remain available round the clock, including weekends, to ensure a prompt response to any future disaster.

Officials maintained continuous coordination between the Tehsil Administration Balakot, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), District Administration and all field formations throughout the emergency, enabling real-time monitoring and swift decision-making. The report said hundreds of people were evacuated before the flood peak, preventing any deaths or injuries.

Rawalpindi: The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi has remained on high alert as intermittent monsoon rain continued in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with field staff and heavy machinery deployed in low-lying areas to ensure smooth drainage.

Managing Director WASA Rawalpindi Azizullah Khan said heavy machinery had been stationed at vulnerable locations, including Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk Underpass, Murree Road and Sadiqabad, to respond promptly to any rain-related emergency.

He said the flow of water in Nullah Lai was being monitored continuously and remained normal.

According to the latest rainfall data, 64 millimeters(mm) of rain was recorded in Saidpur, 32 mm in Golra, 29 mm in Bokra, 33 mm at the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 34 mm in Shamsabad, 21 mm in Katcheri, 26 mm in Pirwadhai, 25 mm in Gawalmandi and 33 mm in New Katarian.

The MD appealed to citizens not to dispose of garbage in drains and sewers or remove manhole covers, as such practices could obstruct the drainage system and create hazardous conditions. He also urged the public to contact the WASA helpline immediately in case of any emergency.