Day: July 24, 2026

Rawalpindi: Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi, Babar Sarfraz Alpa held an open court (Khuli Katchery) at City Police Station and listened to citizens’ complaints and grievances besides directing the relevant officers to take immediate legal action.

Addressing on the occasion, the RPO instructed that all public applications be processed promptly and reports on the action taken be submitted within the prescribed timeframe.

He emphasized that ensuring timely justice and the swift resolution of citizens’ issues remains the top priority of Rawalpindi Region Police.

Babar Sarfraz Alpa said the purpose of holding open courts is to strengthen trust and cooperation between the public and the police.

He warned that negligence or unnecessary delays in addressing public complaints would not be tolerated.

Later, the RPO visited City Police Station and inspected the police station building, front desk, duty officer’s office, and other operational sections.

During the visit, he directed investigating officers to ensure the timely disposal of pending cases and stressed the importance of treating all visitors to the police station with courtesy, professionalism, and respect.

Sargodha: Deputy Commissioner Hussain Ahmad Raza Chaudhry on Thursday conducted a detailed visit to Bhera and Bhalwal tehsils to review ongoing and completed development projects being executed under the Punjab Development Programme (PDP).

According to a spokesperson, the DC inspected various critical sites of PDP projects in Bhera to evaluate the pace of work, quality standards and adherence to timeliness. He directed the officers concerned to ensure all development schemes are completed within the stipulated time frame, strictly adhering to approved standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

He reviewed progress on the Walled City initiatives in Bhera, issuing directives to accelerate the restoration and rehabilitation of the historic Bagwi Mosque, ancient city gates and other heritage structures. He also examined the ongoing project aimed at transforming the historic railway station into a regional tourism and recreational hub.

In light of the recent monsoon rains, the Deputy Commissioner inspected the Mona Drain, directing relevant departments to ensure smooth water discharge and the immediate clearance of accumulated rainwater. He ordered that desilting operations at the drain be accelerated and that relief activities continue unabated in affected areas.

During his visit to Bhalwal, Hussain Ahmad Raza Chaudhry inspected the Salem Drain and instructed the Executive Engineer Irrigation to ensure round-the-clock desilting and continuous monitoring of the water channel.

He also reviewed the completed components of PDP projects in Bhalwal and interacted with shopkeepers and local residents to gather direct feedback on the impact of these development schemes. He instructed the authorities concerned to execute the remaining works with complete transparency, quality assurance, and strict compliance with target deadlines.

Rawalpindi: Police have conducted a major anti-narcotics operation, arresting two drug traffickers, including a woman and recovered a total of 11 kilograms of drugs from their possession.

According to police spokesperson, the Airport police officers on patrolling duty recovered 10 kilograms of ice from the possession of a male drug supplier, while 1 kilogram of ice was seized from a female suspect during separate operations.

Cases have been registered against both suspects under the relevant provisions of the law, and they have been taken into custody.

During the initial investigation, the suspects allegedly disclosed that they had been supplying narcotics to various parts of the city, including educational institutions.

The suspects will be presented before the court with solid evidence following the completion of the investigation and would be dealt according to law.

City Police Officer CPO Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera commended police teams and said the Rawalpindi Police are taking all necessary measures to eliminate the menace of narcotics and will continue to intensify operations against drug traffickers.

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.