Day: July 23, 2026

Hyderabad: On the directives of deputy commissioner Hyderabad Zain-ul-Abideen Memon, a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) was held under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner-I Gada Hussain Soomro and Additional Deputy Commissioner-II Mehwish Buriro to review preparedness for the 2026 monsoon season.

The meeting reviewed the preparedness of relevant departments, coordination, drainage arrangements, safety measures and contingency plans to effectively deal with expected rainfall and any emergency situation during the monsoon.

According to a handout issued here on Wednesday, officials from WASA, HESCO, the health department, sindh building control authority, irrigation, SIDA, HMC, town municipal corporations and other relevant departments attended the meeting.

Addressing the participants, Additional Deputy Commissioner-I Gada Hussain Soomro directed all departments to complete their preparations in view of the forecast of rainfall on July 26 and 27 and work under a coordinated strategy to respond effectively to any emergency.

During the meeting, officials informed that cleaning of major rain-water drains including Wadhu Wah had been completed, while desilting work at Churi Bazaar and other locations was progressing rapidly.

WASA officials said drainage lines in different areas of Qasimabad were being cleaned through machinery, while the Fasadi Wah pumping station was fully operational.

The meeting also reviewed the strengthening of protective embankments, drainage arrangements in railway colony, medical emergency preparedness, HESCO’s priority power supply to pumping stations, contingency plans for dilapidated buildings, cattle colony and new cattle colony, the availability of registered NGO volunteers and the immediate removal of hazardous billboards across the city.

Soomro directed all departments to complete their assigned responsibilities well before the expected rains, ensure full implementation of the monsoon emergency plan, immediately submit lists of registered NGO volunteers and complete the clearance of billboards and other safety measures without delay.

He also directed that another review meeting be held before the expected rainfall to reassess preparedness and ensure an effective response to any possible emergency.

Faisalabad: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Drug Control Team,in a joint operation,have unearthed a fake drug manufacturing factory and arrested two owners,officials said on Wednesday.

According to official sources,a case has been registered against the suspects,who were allegedly involved in manufacturing more than 40 types of medicines for human,veterinary and poultry use.

The raiding team recovered a large quantity of tablets,raw materials,labels,packing material and machinery from the factory.

The seized items were estimated to be worth around Rs.40 million,officials said.

Further investigation was underway.

Bahawalpur: Speakers at a heat safety awareness workshop on Wednesday stressed the need to enhance public awareness about climate change and heatwave preparedness, highlighting the importance of collaboration between government institutions and academia to address growing environmental challenges.

The workshop was organised by the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur in collaboration with the district administration, according to an official university press release.

Addressing the participants, Commissioner Bahawalpur Division Irfan Ali Kathia said climate change had intensified extreme weather events and environmental challenges across the region. He noted that Punjab had suffered significant losses from recent floods, while Bahawalpur, being a desert region, remained particularly vulnerable to drought.

He said collaboration between government institutions and academia, in line with the vision of the Punjab chief minister, was essential for addressing climate-related challenges. He added that The Islamia University of Bahawalpur was playing a vital role in environmental research and public awareness and appreciated Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran, faculty members and researchers for organising the workshop.

Deputy Commissioner Syed Hassan Raza said the district administration was implementing a public awareness campaign on heatwave safety alongside other preventive measures. He described the university’s partnership with stakeholders in organising the workshop as a positive step towards improving community preparedness.

Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment Prof Dr Tanveer Hussain Turabi said the university’s researchers were making significant contributions to environmental research and public awareness in both natural and applied sciences as well as the social sciences. He also thanked the district and divisional administrations for their support in holding the workshop.

Sialkot: A delegation from the Bedari Organization on Wednesday called on the Vice Chancellor of Government College Women University Sialkot (GCWUS), Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir, to discuss opportunities for mutual collaboration in the areas of women’s empowerment, education and student development.

According to a press release issued by the university, the meeting focused on establishing joint initiatives aimed at empowering female students, fostering leadership skills and broadening educational opportunities.

During the interaction, both sides discussed strategies to promote awareness on social issues, enhance gender equality and create platforms for capacity building and skill enhancement among young women.

Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir emphasized the varsity’s commitment to supporting holistic development for its students, noting that partnerships with civil society organizations play a pivotal role in strengthening community engagement and social progress.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment between GCWUS and the Bedari Organization to forge long-term partnerships that promote awareness, leadership and sustainable opportunities for young women.