Day: July 22, 2026

Sanghar: District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), chaired by Deputy Commissioner Sarah Javed, on Tuesday reviewed contingency arrangements for the impending monsoon season and directed all departments to remain on high alert to deal with any emergency.

The meeting was attended by officials of the local government, irrigation, drainage, health, rescue and other relevant departments, who briefed participants on preparedness measures, including rescue and relief operations, drainage of rainwater, restoration of roads, electricity supply and emergency healthcare services.

Ms. Javed instructed the local government, irrigation and drainage departments to keep machinery and field staff on standby and complete the desilting and cleaning of storm-water drains, canals and municipal drainage networks on a priority basis to prevent urban flooding and minimize inconvenience to residents. She also ordered post-rain anti-mosquito spraying campaigns.

The deputy commissioner directed the health department to ensure the availability of ambulances, emergency medicines and anti-snake venom at hospitals and health facilities, saying that safeguarding lives and property remained the district administration’s foremost responsibility.

She emphasized the need for close coordination among all departments and instructed them to ensure a swift response to any emergency during the monsoon season. The meeting decided that the district control room would remain operational round the clock to monitor the situation and coordinate timely rescue and relief efforts. Ms. Javed also directed the livestock department to make adequate arrangements for the treatment and protection of animals during the rainy season to reduce potential losses to livestock.

Kohat: The Kohat district administration has intensified efforts to improve public service delivery, enforce environmental regulations and curb profiteering through a series of inspections and administrative reviews led by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Nawaz.

Chairing a high-level meeting under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s District Service Delivery initiative, the deputy commissioner reviewed the progress of public welfare projects with officials from the district administration and line departments. He directed all departments to ensure the timely delivery of essential public services, resolve citizens’ complaints promptly and submit regular progress reports on development schemes, warning that negligence and unnecessary delays would not be tolerated.

As part of the district administration’s enforcement drive, the Additional Assistant Commissioner-II inspected several crush plants in Gulshanabad to verify Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approvals and other required documents. Officials said the inspections were aimed at ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and safety standards.

Additional Assistant Commissioner Gambat Syed Mukhtiyar Shah also conducted surprise inspections of markets along Pindi Road, checking grocery stores, vegetable and fruit shops, poultry outlets and fast-food businesses. Several shopkeepers were fined for failing to display official price lists and for poor hygiene standards, while vendors were directed to sell quality products at government-approved prices.

In a separate operation, the Additional Assistant Commissioner inspected petrol pumps on Pindi Road following public complaints. Officials said one filling station was temporarily closed due to a fuel shortage, while the remaining pumps were found to be supplying fuel with accurate measurements. Pump owners were instructed to maintain transparency and ensure uninterrupted services.

Hyderabad: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday visited Sehwan and offered condolences to the bereaved families of several prominent personalities who passed away in different areas of the district.

According to an official handout, while talking to the media in Bhan Syedabad, the chief minister said that the case of Priya Kumari was being personally monitored by the provincial home minister. He said the Sindh government was taking the matter seriously and expressed hope that it would be resolved soon.

Commenting on the increase in petroleum prices, Murad Ali Shah said the hike was driven by the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which had affected economies across the world. He urged the public to minimize the use of petrol.

Expressing concern over unannounced power outages in various cities, the chief minister said prolonged load-shedding during the intense heat was causing severe hardship to the people. He said he would take up the issue with the federal government to ensure relief for the people of Sindh.

Earlier, the chief minister visited the graves of his parents in Wahur, where he offered Fateha and prayed for the departed souls.

Later, in Jhangara, he offered condolences to Dr. Iqbal Chandio and his family over the demise of Mushtaq Chandio. He also met Syed Aijaz Ali Shah and his family to express sympathies over the death of Syed Khair Ali Shah and prayed for the deceased. In Bhan, he also visited the family of the late Munawar Memon to offer condolences.

Murad Ali Shah also expressed sympathies with the family of the late Muhammad Saleh Panhwar and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

Among those present on the occasion were Makhdoom Zameer Abbasi, Saleem Bajari, Tariq Bajari, Deputy Commissioner Jamshoro Ghazanfar Ali Qadri, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Muhammad Zafar Siddique Chhanga and other notable personalities of the area.

Chiniot: District Police Officer (DPO) Dr. Naveed Atif on Tuesday reviewed the progress of investigations in important criminal cases and reiterated the police’s commitment to ensuring timely justice and improving public service delivery.

During a meeting held to hear complaints from petitioners in significant cases, the DPO examined the status of investigations and the arrest of suspects. He directed the concerned police officers to conduct investigations strictly on merit and ensure that all cases were handled impartially and without unnecessary delay.

Dr. Naveed Atif said the district police were taking practical steps to improve public service delivery and provide timely justice in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He said senior police officers were closely supervising the investigation of important cases to ensure transparency and accountability.

The DPO urged citizens to approach his office directly if their grievances were not addressed at the police station level, assuring them that their complaints would be heard without hesitation. He said the district police would utilize all available resources to ensure the provision of justice and the protection of citizens’ rights.