Day: July 23, 2026

Abbottabad: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Prisons, Iftikhar Ullah Jan, visited Central Jail Haripur on Wednesday, where he inspected various departments and inaugurated several new facilities and development projects.

He was accompanied by Special Assistant for Tourism and Culture, Malik Adeel, Member Provincial Assembly, Akbar Ayub Khan, and Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Prisons, Rehan Gul Khattak.

During the visit, officials briefed the delegation that the prison currently housed around 1,100 inmates and has introduced modern security systems, digital governance, NRTC integration, a virtual court, pharmacy, Outpatient Department, diagnostic medical facilities, and a production laboratory. They also said Central Jail Haripur was now the third prison in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after Peshawar and Mardan, to have its own website.

The delegation was informed that the total approved cost of ongoing Annual Development Programme (ADP) schemes and two new projects stood at Rs 342 million, of which Rs153 million has already been spent, while overall progress has reached 55 percent.

The Special Assistant also inaugurated the Shaheed Zahir Sports Arena, the Staff Officers’ Mess, and the renovated Prison Industry Showroom.

Addressing officials, Iftikhar Ullah Jan directed that prison records be fully digitised, vocational training and prison industries be expanded, rehabilitation programmes for drug-dependent inmates be strengthened, and the vacant dentist post be filled without delay.

He also called for examining the transfer of low-risk prisoners to jails closer to their homes to facilitate family visits.

He said the government was committed to transforming prisons from detention facilities into centres of reform, rehabilitation, education, and skill development. During the visit, he also reviewed facilities for women and juvenile inmates, distributed commendation certificates among prison staff, while IGP, Prisons Khattak presented honorary souvenirs to Iftikhar Ullah Jan and Malik Adeel.

Sialkot: A delegation from COMSATS University Wah Campus,participating in the COMSATS Leader-SHIFT Program (CLP) 2026 on Wednesday visited the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) for an interactive session with representatives of the business community.

The delegation was led by Assistant Professor,Fasih-ur-Rehman and Dr.Amir Saeed.

The session was jointly organized by SCCI and the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sialkot (WCCIS).

During the meeting,participants highlighted the importance of strengthening industry-academia collaboration, leadership development,entrepreneurship and innovation. Business representatives shared insights into Sialkot’s export-driven economy,industrial progress and the private sector’s contribution to sustainable economic growth.

The visiting students and faculty members also interacted with business leaders and gained practical knowledge of the industrial sector, while discussing opportunities for closer cooperation between educational institutions and industry.

The session was attended by SCCI President,Syed Ahtesham Mazhar,Vice President(VP) Salman Sheikh,WCCIS President Dr.Mariam Saddiqa,Senior Vice President Gulzaib Waqas Awan,Vice President Rubina Naveed and other representatives.

Rawalpindi: Rawalpindi Police organised a training workshop on Wednesday at the Police Lines Headquarters to enhance the professional capacity of investigation officers and improve the quality of criminal investigations.

According to a police spokesman, investigation officers from various police stations participated in the workshop.

Assistant District Public Prosecutors and senior police officers delivered lectures on the investigation of different types of cases, with particular emphasis on narcotics-related offences.

Participants were trained in modern and coordinated investigation techniques, including tracing suspects, collecting and preserving evidence, preparing comprehensive case files and improving conviction rates. The sessions also highlighted common shortcomings in investigations and ways to address them.

The trainers emphasised the importance of adopting scientific methods of investigation to ensure effective prosecution and the delivery of justice.

The spokesman said effective investigation played a vital role in strengthening the criminal justice system and ensuring that offenders were brought to justice.

He added that, in line with the vision of the Inspector General of Police Punjab and the directions of City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera, continuous efforts were being made to enhance the professional skills and investigative capacity of police officers through regular training programmes.

Sukkur: A newly rehabilitated community bridge in Village Saeedabad, UC Allah Bachayo, Taluka Jhuddo has restored a vital connection for nearly 100 households, said a release issued here on Wednesday.

The bridge, used by around 825 people, was rehabilitated under the project title of Empowering Local Stakeholders and Communities for Diversified and Sustainable Livelihoods and Protection against Climate Risks for Vulnerable Communities in District Mirpurkhas.

The project is being implemented by the Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) with financial assistance from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Malteser International.

The scheme was identified, prioritized and implemented through a Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) approach, engaging Community Institutions, the Taluka administration and the concerned line departments of the Government of Sindh. The community-driven approach ensured ownership and sustainability of the infrastructure.

The bridge serves as a key route for daily life. Students use it to reach schools, patients to access health facilities, farmers to transport their crops to markets, and residents to move construction material and other essential goods. It has re-established the village’s link with nearby markets and public services.

With its restoration, community connectivity has improved, local livelihoods have been supported and resilience against climate-related disruptions has been strengthened, bringing lasting benefits to the entire village.

Faisalabad: The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) sprang into action immediately after monsoon rain lashed Faisalabad on Wednesday and deployed dewatering equipment, field staff and heavy machinery across all major waterlogging points.

According to WASA spokesperson, Managing Director WASA Engineer Saqib Raza personally inspected drainage operations to ensure uninterrupted rainwater disposal and maximum public relief.

During rainfall, he visited various parts of the city to personally monitor performance of drainage operations. He directed officers on the spot to keep all disposal stations operating at full capacity and ensure that standby generators remained functional in case of electricity outages so that pumping operations continued without interruption.

The managing director also instructed that all concerned WASA personnel should remain in the field until complete clearance of rainwater from roads and public places.

He emphasized that every available resource should be utilized to provide maximum relief to citizens and effectively tackle any emergency situation arising from the ongoing monsoon spell.

He said that WASA teams were on round-the-clock alert throughout monsoon season and they were making full use of available resources to maintain effective drainage services across the city.

Appealing to the public, Engineer Saqib Raza urged citizens to adopt necessary safety precautions during rainfall and immediately contact the relevant WASA control room in case of any emergency or complaints regarding rainwater drainage so that prompt action could be taken.

Sargodha: A motorcyclist was killed on Wednesday in a collision with a speeding dumper near the 85 Jhal area, close to G.O. Petroleum, within the jurisdiction of Factory Area Police Station.

According to Rescue 1122 sources, Muhammad Shareef, a resident of Abbaspur Colony, Shahpur, was traveling to Sargodha on his motorcycle when a fast-moving dumper struck his vehicle, killing him on the spot.

Upon receiving information, teams from Rescue 1122 and the local police reached the scene and shifted the body to the hospital for necessary legal formalities.

Police have registered a case and further investigation was underway.