Day: July 22, 2026

Islamabad: A high-level meeting was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Federal Minister for Planning and the Federal Minister for Health, where they agreed to prepare the National Population Stabilization Plan 2026-2036.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary Health, the DG Population, a Member of the Population Ministry of Planning, and other relevant authorities.

During the meeting, the draft of National Population Stabilization Plan 2026-2036 was reviewed in detail. In detail, it was decided that the final draft of the plan would be prepared jointly by the Ministry of Planning and the Ministry of Health. The final draft will be sent to all provinces for approval and consultation Agreed in the meeting. After which it will be presented before the National Population Council for consideration.

The meeting also highlighted that close cooperation and coordination between the federal and provincial governments is crucial to ensure effective implementation of the plan

Both federal ministers reiterated their commitment to effectively address the population challenge facing the country. The meeting concluded with shared resolve to work together to stabilize population, and a coordinated national strategy is essential to achieve the goals of sustainable population stability and socio-economic development.

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday cancelled the cause list of cases fixed before Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar due to his unavailability.

As a result, the hearing of a petition filed by former National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Director General Waqaruddin Syed against a departmental inquiry could not take place.

In the case, the court had earlier issued notices to the Establishment Division and the Ministry of Interior, seeking their reports while restraining the authorities from taking any disciplinary action against the petitioner. The court had also directed the law officer to assist it in the proceedings.

In addition to the departmental inquiry case, several matters relating to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), as well as transit bail petitions, were also listed before the Chief Justice’s bench. Following the cancellation of the cause list, fresh hearing dates for the affected cases will be fixed by the Registrar’s Office.

Islamabad: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday issued a nationwide alert warning of flash floods, urban flooding, landslides and rising river flows across several parts of Pakistan from July 21 to 24, directing provincial and district authorities to remain on high alert, deploy emergency teams and ensure preventive measures in vulnerable areas amid forecasts of heavy monsoon rains.

The NDMA warned of flash floods in rivers, local streams and mountain waterways in Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and northeastern Balochistan.

In Gilgit Baltistan, districts of Hunza, Shigar and Ghanche face the risk of flash floods in the Shimshal, Hunza, Chapursan, Kilik, Shigar, Shyok and Hushe rivers.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, water levels are expected to rise dangerously in the Jhelum, Neelum, Poonch and Mahl rivers, as well as in Betar and Bhimber nullahs, Kanshi River and tributaries of the Jhelum and Poonch rivers.

The NDMA said flash floods may occur in the Chitral, Kabul, Swat and Panjkora rivers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Local streams in Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Kohat, Bannu, Karak, Hangu, Lakki Marwat, North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Mansehra, Buner and Swabi are also at risk of flooding.

In Punjab, hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan, the Soan River and the Potohar region may witness high water flows. Flooding is also expected in rivers and seasonal streams of northeastern Balochistan.

The NDMA forecast high-level flooding at Marala on the Chenab River and in the upper reaches of Mangla on the Jhelum River. Water levels may also rise suddenly in the Dora, Dota, Dwara, Bhimber, Halsi, Aik, Plakho, Bein, Basantar, Dek and Sukhi nullahs.

It warned that additional water releases from India’s Thein, Pong and Bhakra dams could increase flows in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers.

Urban flooding is feared in low-lying areas of Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Khushab, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Chakwal and Attock.

The NDMA has directed district administrations to continuously monitor rivers and streams, pre-position rescue teams and implement precautionary measures in sensitive areas.

The authority urged people to avoid crossing rivers, streams and flood channels during periods of strong water flow and to strictly follow safety advisories. Separately, the NDMA has issued a landslide alert for Chitral and various mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan from July 21 to 23.

The alert covers Zangram to Ayun, Bamburet, Drosh to Lowi, Hindur to Barkulti, Qarghalti, Upper Yasin, Badswat to Bellahans, Puriyan Sar, Shamsabad, Ultar to Shispar, Karimabad to Altit, Hopper Nagar, Rama to Astore, Tarishing to Rupal and the Jaglot Skardu Road between RD 20 and RD 80, where landslides, falling rocks and debris flows may disrupt traffic.

The NDMA has advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable and mountainous areas during the forecast period.

It has also directed all relevant authorities to ensure continuous monitoring of sensitive locations, maintain emergency response readiness and make arrangements for the immediate restoration of roads in case of blockages.

The NDMA urged citizens to stay updated through its official mobile application, Pak NDMA Disaster Alert, and directed all provincial and district institutions to remain vigilant to deal with the evolving weather situation.

Islamabad: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Meta have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to establish a collaborative framework for promoting youth online safety, digital literacy, and the responsible use of digital platforms in Pakistan.

The collaboration will also support open and constructive dialogue to foster a shared understanding of content safety practices in Pakistan.

Chairman PTA, Maj Gen (R) Hafeez ur Rehman, HI (M), SI, stated that through this partnership, PTA aims to promote digital literacy, encourage responsible online behavior, and foster a safer and more secure digital environment for the people of Pakistan, particularly children and young users.

Under this collaboration, PTA and Meta will work together on capacity building, policy dialogue, awareness campaigns, and the exchange of global best practices related to youth online safety and digital well-being. The collaboration will also facilitate engagement on online content governance, regulatory compliance, and initiatives aimed at strengthening digital safety across Pakistan.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Tuesday extended heartfelt congratulations to King Philippe, the Government and the people of Belgium on the occasion of Belgium’s National Day.

In a congratulatory message, the minister said that the longstanding relations between Pakistan and Belgium, founded on mutual respect, friendship and cooperation, had continued to grow stronger over the years.

He said Pakistan was keen to further expand collaboration with Belgium in diverse fields, including economic, trade, education and people-to-people exchanges.

Hanif Abbasi said Belgium as an important partner of Pakistan within the European Union and noted that significant opportunities existed to further enhance bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries.

The minister also conveyed his best wishes for lasting peace, stronger bilateral relations and shared prosperity between Pakistan and Belgium.