Day: July 24, 2026

Peshawar: At least 22 people have lost their lives and 23 others have been injured in rain-related incidents and flash floods across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since July 19, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) informed on Thursday.

The ongoing monsoon spell has caused widespread damage across the province. The PDMA reported that the deceased include nine men, three women and ten children, while the injured comprise 11 men, five women and seven children.

The authority said 37 houses were damaged by heavy rains and flash floods, including 29 partially damaged and eight completely destroyed homes.

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

Rescue 1122, district administrations and relevant institutions remain on high alert and are continuing relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. Authorities have directed local administrations to ensure the prompt delivery of relief supplies and accelerate assistance for affected families.

According to officials, water levels in the province’s rivers and streams are currently within the normal range. However, intermittent rainfall is expected to continue and all district administrations have been instructed to remain vigilant.

The Director General of the PDMA has urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flood-prone and sensitive tourist areas and strictly follow official weather advisories and safety instructions.

Sukkur: The Sindh government has suspended five officials of the Food Department on charges of negligence, misconduct and alleged connivance with wheat hoarders, in a major step to ensure transparency in its province wide anti hoarding drive.

The action was taken on the directives of Provincial Minister for Food, Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman, after a detailed report was submitted by the Commissioner, Sukkur Division regarding anti hoarding operations in District Khairpur.

According to handout issued here on Thursday, the Minister has adopted a zero tolerance policy against corruption and collusion with hoarders.

He said the campaign against illegal wheat stockpiling aims to protect consumers, ensure uninterrupted supply of wheat and flour, and maintain price stability.

The Commissioner’s report revealed serious irregularities during recent raids. It stated that substantial quantities of wheat were shifted in the last two days from identified premises at Abul Wah Chowk, Gambat to properties owned by influential individuals to evade enforcement action.

The report further alleged that confidential information about planned raids was leaked in advance, enabling traders to conceal or relocate hoarded stocks. It termed the act, if proved, as gross misconduct and active facilitation of illegal hoarding.

It also alleged that an official disclosed the identity of Intelligence Branch personnel involved in the operation to traders in Kot Diji, compromising sensitive government operations.

The report pointed out poor coordination during the campaign, noting that despite repeated requests, administrative support for shifting confiscated wheat to government warehouses was not provided, affecting the momentum of the drive. It added that in several cases, traders locked their warehouses and fled, while officials only sealed the premises without taking legal measures like search, inventory and seizure as permissible under law.

Taking serious notice, the Food Department suspended Mr. Shafaat Baloch, Food Supervisor, Nara Taluka, Nadeem Ahmed Shaikh, Food Supervisor, Gambat, Khalil Ahmed Memon, Food Supervisor, Gambat, Naseer Ahmed Memon, Food Supervisor, Gambat, and Waheed Ahmed Shaikh, Food Inspector, Kot Diji. During suspension, their headquarters have been fixed at the office of Director Food Sindh, Karachi.

Minister Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman said the suspensions send a clear message that no official will be allowed to undermine public interest.

He warned that any official found leaking information, facilitating hoarders or obstructing operations would face strict disciplinary action without discrimination.

He directed all Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and Food Department officers to ensure transparency and coordination in the anti hoarding operations, adding that a fair and merit based inquiry will be conducted and those found guilty will be dealt with strictly in accordance with law.

Beijing: Loudi of Hunan Province and Gujrat of Punjab, Pakistan, signed a sister-city memorandum of understanding (MoU) on July 21, marking a new phase of institutionalized and pragmatic cooperation between the two cities.

The MoU was signed by Yang Wei, Mayor of Loudi City, and Shafay Hussain, Minister for the Industries, Commerce and Investment Department of the Government of Punjab, at a ceremony in Lahore, witnessed by Sun Yan, Consul General of China in Lahore.

The agreement established a framework for long-term collaboration in economic development, trade, investment and cultural exchange, reflecting the growing synergy between the two countries under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, CEN reported.

The sister city partnership was expected to facilitate knowledge sharing and technical cooperation in key sectors, particularly in agricultural modernization where Loudi’s manufacturing strengths complement Gujrat’s industrial and agricultural base.

During the visit, Mayor Yang Wei led a delegation of chairpersons from five leading agricultural machinery enterprises from Loudi for a three-day business mission in Lahore. The delegation conducted on-site inspections and held substantive discussions with their Pakistani counterparts to explore cooperation projects in the agricultural machinery sector.

In a parallel development, the Loudi Branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) signed a friendship and cooperation agreement with the Pakistan-Hunan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Under the agreement, the two sides would strengthen exchanges and cooperation in economic development, science and technology, cultural engagement, investment promotion and personnel visits, further facilitating business-to-business ties and fostering a more robust bilateral trade ecosystem.

Peshawar: Armed robbers deprived a gold trader of Rs17.8 million in Bhana Mari area here on Thursday, police said. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the trader had sold 488 grams of gold before the incident and placed the cash amounting to Rs17.8 million in the trunk of his vehicle.

Police said the traders stopped near a shop in Civil Quarter area to purchase some items when armed men riding a motorcycle intercepted him. The suspects held the trader at gunpoint opened the vehicle’s trunk and took the cash before fleeing the scene.

A case has been registered at Bhana Mari Police Station and police have launched an investigation. CCTV footage from the crime scene and nearby areas is being reviewed to identify and arrest the suspects.

Sargodha: Deputy Commissioner Hussain Ahmad Raza Chaudhry on Thursday ordered all relevant departments to accelerate measures aimed at eliminating malnutrition among children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

He issued these orders while chairing a meeting of the District Malnutrition Alleviation Committee (DMAC) here, which reviewed the prevailing situation of malnutrition in the district, ongoing initiatives and future strategy.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Headquarters Arshad Ahmad Wattoo, CEO Health Dr Kashif Nabeel Azam and officers from the Food Authority, Social Welfare, Education, Livestock, Local Government, Public Health Engineering, Agriculture and other departments.

The DC directed that malnourished children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers be identified, examined and provided timely treatment.

He said eliminating malnutrition was a collective responsibility of all concerned departments, requiring coordinated efforts, effective liaison and continuous monitoring.

He also directed the departments to intensify public awareness campaigns regarding balanced diets, the importance of breastfeeding, the use of clean drinking water and hygiene practices.

On the occasion, the officials of various departments briefed the meeting on their performance and ongoing measures, while the Deputy Commissioner directed all institutions to enhance coordination, achieve assigned targets and regularly review progress.

Mirpur (ajk): The authorities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have intensified preparations to ensure the July 27 elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner, a senior district official said on Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner Chaudhry Sajid Aslam chaired a meeting in Mirpur to review election arrangements with officials from the district administration, police and key government departments, according to an official statement.

The representatives from the health, education, local government, civil defence, highways, buildings, social welfare, Auqaf and information departments briefed the meeting on logistical preparations, assigned responsibilities and measures to support polling operations.

The meeting decided to strengthen the election monitoring and control system to enable timely coordination and response to any emerging situation.

The departments were instructed to appoint focal persons to maintain constant communication and ensure rapid information sharing throughout polling day.

Addressing the meeting, Sajid Aslam directed all departments to complete election-related arrangements well before the vote and carry out their responsibilities with diligence.

He also directed the education department to provide administrative support where required for election management.

The deputy commissioner said close coordination among the district administration, police and other departments would be essential to ensuring a transparent and orderly electoral process.

He called on officials to remain in regular contact through designated focal persons and make full use of available resources to provide voters with a safe and peaceful environment.

Appealing to the public, Sajid Aslam urged eligible voters to cast their ballots peacefully on July 27 and participate actively in the electoral process, adding it would help strengthen democratic institutions.

The meeting concluded with participating departments reaffirming their commitment to coordinated efforts for the peaceful, secure and successful conduct of the AJK elections.