Day: July 23, 2026

Lodhran: Acting on the directions of the Punjab government,the district administration has stepped up efforts to ensure the uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across the district,here on Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner(DC),Muhammad Ashraf chaired a meeting with owners of petrol pumps to review the fuel supply chain and discuss measures to maintain a smooth supply of petroleum products.

Addressing the meeting,the DC said the district administration was working to strengthen the fuel supply chain, stressing that close monitoring of supply and demand was essential to prevent shortages.

He urged petrol pump owners to act responsibly in the national interest and give priority to the collective interest during challenging circumstances.

Muhammad Ashraf said the business interests of petrol pump owners were linked to the uninterrupted sale.

He informed participants that responsible staff had been assigned for stock inspections and directed pump owners to provide demand and supply data to the District Officer (Industries) for effective monitoring.

The DC also called upon petrol pump owners to support the district administration’s tree plantation campaign, noting that trees play a vital role in reducing air pollution and improving the environment.

He said designated areas would be allocated for plantation and maintenance to pump owners.

Additional Deputy Commissioners Liaqat Ali Gilani and Hafiz Muhammad Zafar along with Civil Defence Officer Tahir Abbas Bhutta also attended the meeting.

Peshawar: Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Suhail Afridi on Wednesday strongly condemned the attack on tribal elder and Peace Committee member Haji Izzat Gul in Hangu, expressing profound grief over his martyrdom.

The Chief Minister extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, stating that the attack was not only an assault on a respected tribal leader but also on peace, stability and tribal traditions. He described the incident as a cowardly act deserving the strongest condemnation.

Afridi paid tribute to Haji Izzat Gul’s valuable contributions to maintaining peace and combating terrorism, saying his sacrifices would always be remembered. He also acknowledged the remarkable role and sacrifices of tribal elders in the fight against terrorism, calling them unforgettable and worthy of the nation’s respect.

Reaffirming the government’s resolve, the Chief Minister said terrorists would never succeed in their malicious designs and that the government, together with the public would continue efforts to eradicate terrorism completely.

He also announced a Shaheed Package for the family of Haji Izzat Gul, assuring that the sacrifices of martyrs would not go in vain and that all possible measures would continue to ensure lasting peace across the province.

Mirpur (ajk): The chief election commissioner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Wednesday called on polling officials to uphold neutrality and transparency as authorities intensified preparations for the region’s July 27 general elections.

Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd.), Ghulam Mustafa Mughal told an orientation session for presiding officers in Mirpur that free, fair and transparent elections depended largely on the professionalism and integrity of polling staff.

“Conducting transparent and impartial elections is both a major responsibility and a challenge for the Election Commission,” Mughal said, urging election officials to perform their duties with honesty, dedication and impartiality.

Accompanied by Election Commission Secretary, Raja Muhammad Shakeel Khan, Mughal inspected training arrangements for presiding officers at election training centers.

Additional District and Sessions Judge, Chaudhry Munir Hussain, Returning Officers Sardar Ghazanfar Khan and Aftab Tariq Mir addressed the participants, while Election Tribunal Judge Liaqat Ali Khan attended the session.

Mughal said the government elected for the next five years would reflect the credibility and professionalism of polling officials, describing government employees as the backbone of the state’s administrative system.

He urged presiding officers to remain completely neutral and loyal only to the state, without any affiliation to political parties or candidates, adding that election duty should be carried out with the same sense of responsibility as a sacred trust.

Bahawalpur: The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) has opened admissions for LLB programme Fall 2026 and candidates have been offered to apply for the admissions. According to an official press release, candidates are invited to submit their applications online through the IUB E-Portal.

‘Applicants seeking further information or assistance regarding the admission process are advised to visit the Admission Cell at Abbasia Campus IUB, where university staff will provide guidance on admissions, eligibility criteria, and the application procedure, it said. The university has encouraged interested candidates to complete the online application process within the stipulated admission schedule to secure their place in the LLB programme, press release concluded.

Dera ismail khan: The Water and Sanitation Services Company Dera Ismail Khan (WSSC DI Khan) on Wednesday has launched a citywide drainage and sanitation operation following rainfall, with sanitation workers and machinery deployed on high alert to ensure the timely removal of rainwater from roads, markets and residential streets.

WSSC officials said sanitation staff were working in day and night shifts under the Monsoon Contingency Plan, while heavy machinery and dewatering equipment were continuously engaged in removing accumulated rainwater from bazaars, markets and different localities to minimise inconvenience to the public and maintain the smooth flow of traffic.

The officials said field teams were also carrying out desilting and clearance of drainage channels and monitoring vulnerable points across the city to prevent urban flooding and ensure effective drainage.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) WSSC DI Khan, Naimat Ullah Khan, said the company was implementing its Monsoon Plan in full spirit and would continue round-the-clock operations throughout the rainy season.

He urged citizens to avoid dumping household waste, construction debris and other solid waste into drains and nullahs, saying blocked drains were a major cause of waterlogging during rainfall.

“The success of the drainage system depends not only on institutional efforts but also on public cooperation. Clean drains ensure a safer and cleaner city for everyone,” he said.

The CEO reiterated that WSSC DI Khan would continue providing uninterrupted sanitation and drainage services during the monsoon season and appealed to residents to support the civic body’s cleanliness efforts by disposing of waste responsibly.