Day: July 24, 2026

Manila: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday met with the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Edward Miliband, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum here.

The deputy prime minister congratulated Foreign Secretary Miliband on his appointment and wished him success in his new role.

The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the longstanding Pakistan-UK partnership.

Foreign Secretary Miliband appreciated the valuable contribution of the Pakistani diaspora to the United Kingdom and its role in further strengthening bilateral ties.

The two leaders discussed regional and international developments, including the security situation in the region.

Foreign Secretary Miliband appreciated Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation during the recent US-Iran tensions.

Both sides noted with concern the recent escalations in the region and underscored the importance of continued dialogue, diplomacy, and sustained efforts towards lasting peace and stability.

Peshawar: At least 22 people have been killed and 23 others injured in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province since July 19 as heavy monsoon rains and flash floods triggered house collapses and swept away people, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Thursday.

According to the PDMA, the death toll included nine men, 10 children and three women, while the injured comprised 11 men, five women and seven children.

The severe weather also damaged 37 houses across the province, with 29 sustaining partial damage and eight completely destroyed.

The affected districts included Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber, Mardan, Buner, Bajaur, Shangla, Swabi, Lower Chitral, Lower and Upper Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Tank, Tor Ghar, Kurram, and North and South Waziristan.

The PDMA said it was coordinating relief efforts with Rescue 1122, the district administrations and other relevant agencies, adding that emergency assistance was continuing in the affected areas.

The district authorities have been directed to expedite relief operations and ensure the prompt delivery of aid to victims.

The authority said water levels and flows in the province’s major rivers and streams remained within normal limits despite the rainfall.

The intermittent heavy rain is expected to continue through Thursday, prompting authorities to keep district administrations on alert.

The PDMA urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from vulnerable tourist destinations, and follow official weather advisories.

It said its Emergency Operations Centre remained fully operational, and the public could obtain weather updates or report emergencies through the toll-free helpline 1700.

Peshawar: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday assured representatives of the FATA/PATA business community that he would take up their concerns over the recently imposed taxes with the relevant authorities, saying dialogue was the only way to resolve such issues.

The assurance came during a meeting with a delegation led by Khalid Khan Afridi, President of the Core Committee FATA and PATA, and President of the Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yousaf Afridi, at the Governor House.

The delegation informed the Governor that a large number of industrial units in the erstwhile FATA and PATA had been shut down due to the heavy tax burden, adversely affecting businesses, employment and the regional economy.

Governor Kundi said he had already written to the Prime Minister regarding the concerns of the business community and would continue to pursue the matter with the concerned authorities.

The Governor said lasting peace was indispensable for sustainable development and economic prosperity, adding that a peaceful environment was necessary to attract investment and restore business confidence.

He stressed that negotiations and consultation were the best way to address all issues and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting efforts aimed at resolving the problems being faced by traders and industrialists.

Rawalpindi: Police have arrested a two-member gang allegedly involved in motorcycle theft and recovered seven stolen motorcycles during a successful operation here on Thursday. According to police spokesperson, the suspects were taken into custody following an investigation into motorcycle theft cases in the Taxila area.

The arrested suspects will be presented in the court with solid evidence after the completion of the investigation. SP Potohar Sardar Babar Mumtaz Khan commended police team and said those involved in depriving citizens of their valuable property would not escape the law.

He added that Rawalpindi Police remain committed to take strict action against criminal elements and to ensure the protection of lives and public property.

Peshawar: Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid, visited Maulvi Ji Hospital in Peshawar on Wednesday to review the Benazir Nashonuma Programme and announced further reforms aimed at improving transparency and service delivery.

During her visit, she inspected the Benazir Nashonuma Centre operating at the hospital, interacted with staff, and reviewed facilities being provided to women and children enrolled in the programme.

Hospital officials also briefed her on the centre’s performance and the progress of the nutrition initiative.

Addressing reporters, the BISP chairperson said the Nashonuma Programme was an important welfare initiative designed to improve maternal and child nutrition, adding that BISP currently supports more than 10 million deserving families across Pakistan.

She urged media organisations to verify information before publishing reports about the programme, saying inaccurate reporting could negatively affect deserving beneficiaries.

She reiterated that BISP assistance is a right of eligible families under the government’s social protection programme and should not be portrayed as charity.

Rubina Khalid said SIM cards related to the programme are issued free of cost only through authorised BISP offices and warned beneficiaries against paying any individual for such services.

She said the government was introducing reforms to reduce human intervention in the payment process.

Following the current payment cycle, beneficiaries would also be able to collect their financial assistance from authorised retail outlets across the country as part of the programme’s ongoing digitalisation efforts.

The chairperson warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone using the name of BISP to deceive the public.

She said dedicated teams had been formed to curb fraud and ensure greater transparency, reaffirming the government’s commitment to making the programme more efficient, transparent and accessible for deserving families.

Abbottabad: Commissioner Hazara Shahidullah Khan Thursday visited the proposed route and site of the Shimla Hill Resort Project, a tourism initiative aimed at promoting eco-tourism and improving recreational facilities in Abbottabad, officials said.

Accompanied by Secretary to the Commissioner Shabbir Ahmed Akash and Assistant to the Commissioner (Pool/Development) Jahanzeb, the commissioner carried out a detailed inspection of the proposed access route and project site, reviewing the area’s terrain, accessibility and overall feasibility for the planned resort.

Later, the commissioner visited Shimla Hill, a popular scenic viewpoint overlooking Abbottabad that attracts visitors for its pleasant weather, panoramic views and natural surroundings. He reviewed the facilities available for tourists and emphasized the need to further improve tourism infrastructure to enhance the visitor experience.

The proposed Shimla Hill Resort is expected to boost tourism, create employment opportunities and contribute to the local economy by developing the hilltop into a modern tourist destination while preserving its natural environment.