Day: July 24, 2026

Astore: Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Amjad Hussain Advocate, has directed all relevant departments and district administrations to further accelerate relief and rehabilitation operations in areas affected by recent heavy rains, glacier melting, and flash floods across the region.

The Chief Minister instructed all concerned departments and district administrations to remain on 24-hour alert and ensure the protection of lives and property under all circumstances.

He directed the Food and Health Departments to ensure the uninterrupted supply of food rations, safe drinking water, tents, medicines, and other essential items to the affected communities.

Mr. Amjad also ordered the immediate mobilization of heavy machinery for the emergency repair of flood-damaged infrastructure, including bridges, main highways, and link roads, to restore transportation at the earliest.

The Chief Minister further directed the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) and district administrations to maintain close coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and take all necessary measures to effectively respond to the emergency situation.

He reaffirmed that the provincial government would not leave the affected people alone during this difficult time and would utilize all available resources to ensure relief, rehabilitation, and every possible assistance for flood victims.

The Chief Minister also instructed all Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to personally visit the affected areas, continuously monitor relief operations, and submit daily progress reports to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

Faisalabad: Regional Police signed an agreement with National Hospital for providing healthcare facilities to families of police officials at subsidized rates, here on Thursday.

RPO Suhail Ahmad Sukhra and Chairman National Hospital signed the agreement.

According to police spokesperson, under the agreement, all types of treatment for martyrs’ families will be free of cost, while the families of the officials who died during service will avail health facilities on 75 percent concessional rates, Ghazi police officers and their families on 50 percent, retired and in-service employees and their families will avail medical treatment in the hospital on 25 percent concession.

Sialkot: Punjab Minister for Labor and Human Resources Muhammad Manshaullah Butt expressed gratitude to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for providing modern machinery to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Sialkot to improve timely drainage of rainwater during the ongoing monsoon season.

The minister said that, under the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, providing relief to citizens remains the government’s top priority. He said that the provision of modern machinery to WASA Sialkot as a timely and significant initiative to enhance the agency’s operational capacity during heavy rainfall.

Manshaullah Butt said the newly supplied machinery would significantly improve the rapid disposal of rainwater, help address waterlogging in low-lying areas, and enhance the delivery of municipal services to residents. He added that the Punjab government is utilizing modern resources to implement sustainable solutions to urban challenges.

The minister said development projects aimed at improving public services, modern infrastructure, and urban facilities are being implemented across Punjab. He assured that every possible resource would be provided to further strengthen Sialkot’s drainage system.

He also appreciated the efforts of the WASA Sialkot administration and field staff for their dedicated services during recent rains.

Dera ismail khan: Police in Dera Ismail Khan have launched a district-wide crackdown against unregistered tenants residing in rented houses, registering cases against 14 individuals and arresting several others for violating the National Action Plan (NAP).

According to the district police spokesperson, the operation was carried out on the directives of Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed under the supervision of District Police Officer (DPO) Dera Ismail Khan Ziauddin Ahmed.

Police teams conducted raids across various police station jurisdictions in the district and took action against tenants who had failed to register their tenancy with the concerned police stations as required under the law.

During the campaign, cases were registered against 14 unregistered tenants, while several others were taken into custody in accordance with legal procedures.

DPO Ziauddin Ahmed said the crackdown against unregistered tenants would continue as part of ongoing efforts to ensure effective implementation of the National Action Plan and maintain law and order.

He urged citizens, house owners and tenants to cooperate with the police by completing the mandatory tenant registration process at their respective police stations without delay, warning that strict legal action would be taken against those found violating the regulations.

Abbottabad: Adviser to the Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Zakat and Ushr, Social Welfare, Special Education and Women Development, Malik Liaqat Khan on Thursday said that appointments made in violation of the disability quota would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken against those involved if proved.

He was addressing an open public forum held at the District Social Welfare Office in Abbottabad.

The forum was attended by officials of the Social Welfare, Zakat, Education and Benazir Income Support Programme, along with persons with disabilities, members of the transgender community, minority representatives and civil society organizations.

Participants highlighted issues including recruitment under the disability quota, establishment of a school for visually impaired girls in Hazara, transport facilities, monthly financial assistance, market access for handicrafts and the transfer of visually impaired teachers to nearby schools. The Transgender Association also sought action against the harassment of registered transgender persons and requested a regional support centre.

Addressing the participants, Malik Liaqat Khan said the provincial government would introduce a clear framework for safeguarding the rights of women with disabilities and allocate funds in the next budget for establishing Zamung Kor and rehabilitation centers. He added that handicraft centers would be upgraded to help people become economically self-reliant instead of depending on charity.

The adviser directed the Social Welfare and Zakat Department to prepare village council-level data on persons with disabilities, widows, orphans and other vulnerable groups to improve welfare delivery. He added that efforts were underway to resolve delays in Non-Government Organizations’ registration and banking issues, while emphasizing that the department would be transformed into a model institution focused on empowerment rather than financial assistance alone.

Earlier, District Social Welfare Officer, Syed Sabir Shah briefed the adviser on departmental performance, challenges and vacant posts, while Zakat officials presented details of welfare initiatives, including the Umeed Card, Sahara Card and dowry assistance schemes. Malik Liaqat Khan later visited Dar-ul-Aman Abbottabad and Zamung Kor Havelian to review facilities and check the concerns of residents and staff.