Day: July 26, 2026

Sialkot: Provincial Minister for Labor and Human Resource Punjab Muhammad Manshaullah Butt, along with Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Chaudhry Faisal Ikram and Khawaja Sultan Tipu, conducted a visit to different areas of the city during the monsoon rains and reviewed the ongoing operation by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Sialkot to drain rainwater from low-lying areas.

During the visit, Managing Director WASA Sialkot Faisal Shehzad briefed the provincial minister on the drainage arrangements.

He informed him that Sialkot was experiencing its fourth consecutive day of monsoon rainfall and that WASA teams had remained in the field throughout the heavy rains to ensure uninterrupted drainage operations.

The MD said that with the help of modern machinery and pumping stations, rainwater was being cleared from low-lying areas within a few hours. He added that the combined capacity of the city’s pumping stations and dewatering machines had now reached 355 cusecs, significantly enhancing WASA’s ability to handle heavy rainfall.

Provincial Minister for Labour and Human Resource Punjab, Muhammad Manshaullah Butt, while appreciating the performance of WASA, said that the ongoing efforts for drainage during the rainy season are commendable.

He said that the main objective of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in establishing WASA is to ensure provision of quality municipal facilities to the citizens. Provincial Minister said that due to modern machinery, effective planning and sincere use of human resources, the fastest drainage of rainwater has been possible for the first time in history. He added that all the efforts of the Punjab government are aimed at creating convenience for the citizens so that the problems that were faced during the monsoon in the past can be effectively resolved.

Member of Provincial Assembly Chaudhry Faisal Ikram also appreciated the performance of WASA teams and said that all relevant agencies are working in complete coordination to provide relief to the citizens and immediate drainage of rainwater is being ensured.

Sargodha: Regional Police Officer (RPO) Muhammad Shehzad Asif Khan on Saturday held an open court to address public grievances. Accompanied by District Police Officer (DPO) Tauqeer Muhammad Naeem, the RPO listened to problems of the citizens individually and issued on-the-spot orders. Later, the RPO visited the newly constructed Urban Area Police Station where he inspected records and various sections of the building.

Multan: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration at Multan Airport arrested two passengers, including one wanted by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab for the past five years, officials said Saturday.

The arrested accused were identified as Qabil Khan and Muhammad Ashiq, hailing from Chiniot and Dera Ghazi Khan respectively.

Qabil Khan had been wanted by CTD police station Bhowana, Chiniot, since 2021. He attempted to fly to Saudi Arabia via flight FZ340, but was intercepted after his name surfaced on the stop list.

The second accused, Ashiq Hussain, was taken into custody after being deported from the United Arab Emirates. Officials said he had travelled abroad through fraudulent means and illegal channels, with no legitimate travel record found against his name.

FIA Immigration Multan handed over Qabil Khan to CTD and Ashiq Hussain to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (AHTC) Multan for further investigation.

Further investigation is under way.

Beijing: Lahore Chinese International Academy (LCIA) and the University of Management and Technology (UMT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration in academic exchange, cultural activities, and institutional support, a move that expands their academic cooperation networks and injects fresh momentum into China-Pakistan educational and cultural ties.

The agreement was signed by He Yubing, Vice Principal of LCIA, and Dr. Nadia Anwar, Acting Dean of the School of Liberal Arts at UMT, at a ceremony in Lahore. The agreement places an emphasis on Chinese language training, while also promoting cultural understanding among students and faculty at both institutions, CEN reported.

As a player in Chinese language education in Pakistan, LCIA has long been committed to building bridges for people-to-people exchanges between China and Pakistan. The academy has previously collaborated with local universities and institutions, including the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), on language training programs.

UMT has evolved into a premier institution of higher learning in Pakistan and is recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) as a ‘W4’ category university, the highest ranking awarded to institutions demonstrating exceptional research output and academic quality. The university’s commitment to internationalization and cross-cultural dialogue makes it an ideal partner for LCIA in advancing Chinese studies and cultural exchange in Pakistan.

Kohat: Newly appointed District Police Officer (DPO) Kohat, SSP Rai Mazhar Iqbal, has vowed strict action against anti-state elements and criminals, emphasizing that zero tolerance will be maintained for corruption, negligence, and abuse of authority.

He stated that the rule of law, merit, and public service would form the absolute cornerstone of policing in the district.

“The strict arm of the law will fall heavily on wrongdoers, while compassion, empathy, and justice for the oppressed remain our top priorities, ” the DPO declared.

He instructed officers to ensure prompt registration of First Information Reports (FIRs), transparent scientific investigations for untraced cases, and the resolution of public grievances within 15 days. Furthermore, all SHOs were directed to remain available to citizens at their police stations daily from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

DPO Rai Mazhar Iqbal visited the crime scene near the highway toll plaza following a tragic incident where unidentified terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on customs officials, resulting in the martyrdom of two officials and injuries to three others. Flanked by SP Investigation Niaz Muhammad Khan, SP Headquarters Rooh Amin, and local SHOs, the DPO inspected evidence and directed officials to utilize modern investigative techniques to swiftly apprehend and penalize the perpetrators.

Proclaimed Offender Arrested: In an ongoing crackdown against wanted criminals, SHO Darzi/Usterzai Adnan Khan and police teams successfully arrested an absconding proclaimed offender involved in a murder case, recovering the murder weapon from his possession.

Security and Anti-Narcotics Measures: The DPO ordered the swift completion of CCTV installations at sensitive locations and vital public-private infrastructure, reinforced night patrolling, mandated the use of bulletproof helmets and jackets during duty, and announced a decisive 15-day crackdown to eradicate narcotics, particularly ‘Ice’.

Concluding the session, DPO Rai Mazhar warned that any laxity, negligence, or non-compliance with the issued directives would invite strict departmental action without exception.

Kohat: District Administration Saturday banned illegal cutting of trees for 60 days aiming to fight environmental damage and protect local forest cover. In a notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Nawaz stated that illegal deforestation has shrinking green belts which severely harms natural ecosystems.

Meanwhile, DC warned that violators will face strict legal action under Section 188 of Pakistan Penal Code. Police and municipal bodies have been directed to strictly enforce the order.