Day: July 23, 2026

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CandW minister directs field officers to stay vigilant during monsoon


Lahore: Punjab Minister for Communication and Works (CandW) Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth on Wednesday directed all field officers to remain in the field during the ongoing monsoon season and ensure prompt implementation of safety measures to minimise public inconvenience.



Chairing a meeting to review rain emergency arrangements here, the minister received online briefings from Executive Engineers (XENs) and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) across the province. Secretary Communication and Works Raja Jahangir Anwar, the Special Secretary, Additional Secretary and other senior officers attended the meeting, which also reviewed the field presence of CandW teams in all 38 districts.



The minister instructed officers to remain in the field instead of their offices during rainfall and directed that red warning cloths be placed at waterlogged locations on roads to alert motorists. He also ordered that all under-construction projects be properly covered, while beldars and overseers should remain present on roads to ensure public safety.



Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth directed the CandW Mechanical Division to keep its machinery operational in the field and ensure the immediate drainage of rainwater from underpasses, bypasses and other vulnerable locations. He stressed the need to give special attention to drainage arrangements during rain emergencies.



The minister warned that strict action would be taken against officers found negligent or those failing to ensure adequate safety measures or implement the prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs).



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CSA celebrates Urdu literary heritage with ‘Biyad-e-Dilli, Biyad-e-Lucknow’


Lahore: The Civil Services Academy (CSA) organised a literary and cultural event titled “Biyad-e-Dilli, Biyad-e-Lucknow” to celebrate the rich legacy of Urdu literature, the cultural traditions of Delhi and Lucknow as well as the civilisational heritage of the subcontinent.



The event, organised by the CSA’s Literature, Culture and Heritage Society, featured theatrical performances by probationary officers portraying renowned literary figures, including Mirza Ghalib, Mir Taqi Mir, Bahadur Shah Zafar and Momin Khan Momin. The performances recreated the atmosphere of classical mushairas and highlighted the literary and cultural traditions that flourished under Mughal patronage.



The programme aimed to promote the Urdu language and create awareness among future civil servants about the literary, cultural and historical traditions that shaped the civilization of the subcontinent. It also highlighted the enduring influence of Urdu poetry, literature, architecture, etiquette and artistic expression on Pakistan’s cultural identity.



Speaking on the occasion, guest of honour Kamran Lashari appreciated the initiative of the literature, culture and heritage society and praised the originality and presentation of the event.



He said such activities helped civil servants develop a deeper understanding of the country’s literary and cultural heritage. Addressing the ceremony, National School of Public Policy (NSPP) Rector and CSA Director General Farhan Aziz Khawaja said literature and cultural heritage played a vital role in shaping enlightened public servants.



He said future civil servants should remain connected to their cultural traditions and historical roots to serve society with wisdom, empathy and a broader understanding of its heritage.



At the conclusion of the event, honorary shields were presented to Farhan Aziz Khawaja, senior (retd) bureaucrat Kamran Lashari, Director Administration and Finance Bilal Akram, Director CTP Dr Shabbir Akbar Zaidi and resource person Dr Farzana Riaz in recognition of their contributions.



The ceremony was attended by literary, academic and artistic personalities, faculty members, officers and probationary officers of the Civil Services Academy.



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CTO orders action after 21 injured in Lahore road accident


Lahore: At least 21 people were injured when two factory coasters collided head-on near Chhajju Chowk on the road leading to Manga Bypass on Wednesday, prompting Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi to order legal action against the drivers and an inquiry into the incident.



According to the Lahore Traffic Police spokesperson, the accident occurred after both vehicles allegedly went out of control due to overseeding. CCTV footage of the crash also surfaced, showing the two coasters colliding head-on.



On the directions of the CTO, SP Saddar Hazar Zaman immediately reached the accident site, while DSP Saddar Farrukh Shah briefed him on the situation, rescue operation and the condition of the injured.



Rescue 1122 shifted all 21 injured victims to Indus Hospital, Raiwind, while some injured persons also reached hospitals on their own before rescue teams arrived. No fatalities were reported.



The injured included Muhammad Azeem, Naveed, Sunny, Muhammad Afzal, Ansaar, Babar, Shan, Liaqat, Irfan, Ashraf, Akram, Iram, Lubna, Waqas, Shehbaz, Ali Hasnain, Irfan, Azmat, Yasir, Javid and Arif. Rescue officials said several victims sustained fractures, including injuries to the legs, hands and feet.



The CTO directed traffic police teams to remain at the scene to facilitate rescue activities and ensure smooth traffic flow. He also ordered an investigation into the causes of the accident and directed that legal proceedings be initiated against both drivers, along with the suspension of their driving licenses.



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Two injured as roof collapses


Lahore: Two people were injured after the roof of a house collapsed near Shell Petrol Pump on Manga-Raiwind Road on Wednesday. According to Rescue 1122, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team responded promptly after receiving information about the incident. The roof, constructed with TR girders, collapsed, affecting four people.



Rescue officials said two occupants remained safe, while two others sustained injuries in the incident. One of the injured was shifted to a hospital by relatives, while Rescue 1122 provided first aid to an injured woman before transporting her to the Rural Health Centre (RHC), Raiwind. The injured woman was identified as 25-year-old Shahida.



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Meeting held to assess progress on reducing gender gap between male ,female voters


Nawabshah: District Election Commissioner Shaheed Benazirabad, Muhammad Yousuf Majeedano, chaired a review meeting at his office to assess progress on reducing the gender gap between male and female voters, the Inclusive National Voter Registration Phase-V (INVR-V) campaign, and the registration and renewal of Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) through Pak ID.



During the meeting, officials from concerned departments briefed participants on the current status of female voter registration in the district, ongoing measures to reduce the gender gap, awareness campaigns, door-to-door outreach activities, and the issuance and renewal of CNICs in collaboration with NADRA. The meeting was informed that the objective of the INVR-V campaign is to facilitate women in obtaining CNICs and ensure their inclusion in electoral rolls, thereby reducing the gap between male and female registered voters.



Addressing the participants, the District Election Commissioner emphasized the need for stronger coordination among all relevant institutions. He directed officials to enhance awareness activities at the Union Council level, educate women about the convenience of submitting online applications through Pak ID, and focus special attention on areas where female voter registration remains low. At the conclusion of the meeting, participants reaffirmed their commitment to making the INVR-V campaign a success through close cooperation between the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and NADRA, enabling more eligible women to obtain CNICs, register as voters, and actively participate in the democratic process.



The meeting was attended by officials and committee members from NADRA, Education, Colleges, Health, Local Government, Revenue, Information Department, and other relevant departments.



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SU announces M.Phil, Ph.D interview schedule


Hyderabad: The University of Sindh has announced the schedule for interviews of candidates seeking admission to its M.Phil and Ph.D. programs in political science, botany and zoology for the academic session 2026.



The interviews will be held on July 27, 2026 at the respective academic departments of the university.



According to the official schedule issued by the Chairman of the Department of Political Science, Professor Dr G. Akbar Mahesar, interviews for M.Phil and PhD political science candidates will be conducted at the Department of Political Science, where M.Phil interviews will commence at 10:00 a.m, followed by PhD interviews at 12:00 noon.



The Institute of plant sciences (Botany) has also scheduled interviews for eligible M.Phil and Ph.D. applicants on July 27 at 10:00 a.m at the institute of plant sciences. Director of the institute Prof. Dr. Rabia Asma Memon advised all shortlisted candidates to appear before the interview committee at the designated time to complete the admission process.



Meanwhile, the department of zoology will conduct interviews of candidates who qualified the pre-entry test for admission to its M.Phil and Ph.D. programs at 9:00 a.m sharp on the same day in the office of the chairperson, department of zoology. Chairperson of the department Prof. Dr. Riffat Sultana directed candidates to bring one printed copy of their admission form along with all original academic documents and supporting credentials for verification during the interview.



The SU spokesperson informed that the university administration has advised all eligible candidates to report to their respective departments well before the scheduled time and ensure that all required documents are available to facilitate the smooth and timely completion of the admission process for the 2026 postgraduate programs.