Day: July 24, 2026

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Medium flood continues at Marala, Qadirabad Barrages


Muzaffargarh: A medium-level flood continued at Marala Headworks and Qadirabad Barrage on the Chenab River, while water flow at other major barrages remained stable, according to the Punjab Irrigation Department on Thursday.



A spokesperson for the department said that the inflow at Marala Barrage was recorded at 224,496 cusecs, while the outflow stood at 206,496 cusecs. Water levels at Marala Headworks continued to rise, where a medium-level flood was in progress.



At Qadirabad Barrage, the river discharge was recorded at 158,539 cusecs, with the flood remaining at a medium level and the overall situation reported to be stable.



The spokesperson said that 126,717 cusecs of water was passing through Khanki Barrage, where a low-level flood persisted, although the situation remained under control.



Meanwhile, 64,483 cusecs of water was recorded at Trimmu Barrage, where river conditions were reported to be normal.



The spokesperson added that water flow at all other rivers and barrages across Punjab remained within normal limits.



He said that the Punjab Irrigation Department had kept all its field teams on high alert and was continuously monitoring the situation at rivers, barrages and headworks to ensure timely response to any change in water levels.



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Pakistan, New Zealand vow to strengthen trade, investment ties


Manila: Pakistan and New Zealand on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors, including trade, investment, sports, and people-to-people exchanges.



The bilateral ties were discussed during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Foreign Minister of New Zealand Winston Peters, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum here.



In the meeting, the two leaders reviewed Pakistan-New Zealand bilateral relations, and emphasized enhancing institutional linkages, regular engagement, and high-level exchanges.



Besides exchanging views on regional and international developments, the two leaders agreed to remain in close contact.



Foreign Minister Peters appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role during the recent US-Iran tensions and its efforts to promote dialogue, de-escalation, and regional peace.



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China, Pakistan Launches joint Desert Horticulture Research Initiative


Beijing: Tarim University has inaugurated the China-Pakistan Science and Technology Backyard on Desert Horticulture in Multan, Pakistan.



Tailored to the local arid and semi-desert terrain, the project leverages Tarim University’s flagship disciplines to conduct joint research and teaching programs with Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, addressing key challenges in dryland agriculture.



Under this initiative, the two institutions will jointly develop drought-resistant horticultural crops, promote water-saving farming practices, and establish field demonstration bases.



Adopting an integrated field-research model, the project bridges classroom theory and on-farm practice to cultivate top agricultural talent, CEN reported on Thursday.



Furthermore, a regular joint postgraduate training scheme will be launched to facilitate faculty and student exchanges.



Both universities will also share crop germplasm resources and research findings, enabling Pakistani and Chinese students to sharpen their practical skills in real-world agricultural scenarios.



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DPO reviews security arrangements at Jhangi Check Post


Dera ghazi khan: District Police Officer (DPO) Dera Ghazi Khan paid a detailed visit to Jhangi Check Post on Thursday to review security arrangements, operational preparedness and the ongoing reconstruction of the facility, reaffirming the police’s commitment to strengthening security and combating terrorism.



During the visit, the DPO inspected the security measures in place and reviewed the progress of construction work on the check post, which had previously been damaged. Concerned officers briefed him on the pace of development and the overall operational performance of the facility.



The DPO directed the relevant authorities to ensure that the reconstruction project is completed within the stipulated timeframe while maintaining the highest standards of quality. He emphasized that providing a safe and improved working environment for police personnel remains one of the department’s top priorities.



He also met with officers and officials deployed at the check post, appreciated their professional dedication and instructed them to remain vigilant, alert and fully prepared to respond effectively to any potential security threat.



Addressing the personnel, the DPO said that cowardly acts of terrorism could never weaken the morale of Dera Ghazi Khan Police. He said the force would continue to perform its duties with courage, determination, professionalism and a spirit of sacrifice to eliminate the menace of terrorism and ensure lasting peace in the district.



The DPO further stated that all check posts across the district had been upgraded and strengthened in line with modern security requirements to enhance public safety and effectively thwart the nefarious designs of anti-state elements.



He reiterated that Dera Ghazi Khan Police would continue to take every possible measure to safeguard the lives and property of citizens and maintain peace and order across the district.



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Two Chenab heads remain in high flood


Gujrat: High flood levels continued at Head Khanki and Head Qadirabad on the Chenab River on Thursday, while Head Marala remained at medium flood level.



According to official sources, Head Marala recorded an upstream inflow of 174,404 cusecs against a downstream discharge of 157,404 cusecs, staying within medium flood conditions.



Downstream, water levels escalated as Head Khanki recorded an upstream inflow of 255,502 cusecs and a downstream outflow of 250,102 cusecs. Similarly, Head Qadirabad registered an inflow of 267,159 cusecs upstream and a discharge of 252,159 cusecs downstream, maintaining high flood status at both barrage points.



Meanwhile, the situation at Mangla Dam on the Jhelum River and across local streams remained normal. The water level in the Mangla Dam reservoir was recorded at 1,183.90 feet, with an incoming flow of 73,889 cusecs and a controlled outflow of 10,000 cusecs.



Official sources further confirmed that seasonal channels remained within safe operational bounds, with Bhimbar Nullah recorded a discharge of 1,874 cusecs and Munawar Tavi recording 7,547 cusecs.



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EPA launches crackdown on air pollution


Rawalpindi: The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Rawalpindi has intensified its enforcement drive against construction site dust and air pollution, ordering strict compliance with environmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all ongoing development projects in the city.



According to EPA, developers and contractors were legally bound to install 10-foot-high green safety netting, utilize water sprinkling systems for dust suppression, prevent dumping building materials on public roads, and ensure all construction material remains fully covered.



The agency officials said that notices were being issued to non-compliant sites, warning that legal action would continue against individuals and firms failing to adhere to environmental protection laws.



EPA also appealed to citizens to support clean-air initiatives by reporting construction-related environmental violations or excessive dust pollution through the EPA helpline 1373.