Day: July 26, 2026

Sialkot: Government College Women University Sialkot (GCWUS), Vice Chancellor(VC), Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir attended an interactive session with Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof. Dr. Niaz Akhtar and vice chancellors of public sector universities from across Punjab to discuss reforms in the higher education sector.

According to a statement issued on Saturday, the session focused on key policy priorities, including the post-National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) framework, competency-based skills development, curriculum reforms aligned with the Ministry of Planning and Development’s vision and measures to strengthen quality assurance and academic standards.

Participants also discussed strategies to improve institutional performance, promote academic excellence and equip graduates with skills aligned with evolving national development priorities.

The university said it remained committed to implementing progressive reforms, enhancing academic standards and preparing students with future-ready skills under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir.

Bahawalpur: Vice Chancellor, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran appreciated the announcement of providing scholarships to six female students of the Department of Social Work under the ‘Omar Khayyam Scholarship’ for the first semester fees.

According to an official press release issued here, this welfare initiative was made possible by the efforts of Muhammad Mahmood Ahmed (Examination Branch, Islamia University of Bahawalpur), an alumnus of the Department of Social Work. On this occasion, a cheque for the scholarship amount was presented to the Vice Chancellor, which he handed over to the Chairman of the Department of Social Work, Prof. Dr. Asif Naveed Ranjha.

Umar Khayyam also expressed his determination that the number of scholarships and financial assistance would be further increased in the future so that more and more deserving female students could benefit.

The Vice Chancellor appreciated the commendable efforts of Omar Khayyam, Professor Dr Asif Naveed Ranjha and Muhammad Mahmood Ahmed and said that such initiatives not only help in the promotion of higher education for female students but are also an excellent example of the strong relationship between the university and its alumni.

Faisalabad: Divisional Commissioner Imran Hamid Sheikh has imposed stringent regulations on the sale, purchase, storage and distribution of aluminium phosphide (commonly known as wheat preserving pills) across Faisalabad division, making mandatory the maintenance of complete purchaser records before any sale to prevent avoidable deaths and restrict access to one of the deadliest toxic substances.

In an official order issued by the Divisional Commissioner under Section 15 of the Punjab Civil Administration Act, 2017, he said that the decision had been taken in greater public interest to safeguard human lives and prevent the misuse of the highly toxic pesticide.

He said that aluminium phosphide, widely used for protecting stored wheat from pests, posed a serious threat to human life due to its extreme toxicity.

He said that research conducted by Faisalabad Medical University had revealed that emotionally distressed and mentally troubled youths were purchasing the tablets from medical stores, pesticide shops and grocery outlets to commit suicide.

According to the research findings, ingestion of the toxic tablets generally results in death within two to three hours while no effective antidote is currently available, making the mortality rate nearly 100 percent.

To regulate its sale and prevent misuse, the order makes it mandatory for every individual, firm, dealer, distributor, pesticide seller and licensed outlet dealing in aluminium phosphide to maintain a complete sales register before selling the product.

The record must include the purchaser’s name, Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) number, complete residential address, contact number, quantity purchased, date of sale and the intended purpose of use.

He further directs all licensed dealers and retailers to keep the sales record readily available for inspection by the district administration, agriculture department, police and any other authorized officer.

Divisional Commissioner Imran Hamid Sheikh instructed all deputy commissioners of the division to ensure regular inspections and strict monitoring of every outlet dealing in aluminium phosphide within their respective districts.

Any violation of the order would invite legal action under the relevant laws, he warned.

He also directed the district administration, agriculture department, drug control wing and law enforcement agencies to work in close coordination to ensure effective enforcement of the order and prevent the unlawful sale or misuse of the pesticide.

The regulatory measures have come into force with immediate effect and would remain applicable until further orders, he added.

Dera ismail khan: Assistant Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan, Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddiq, chaired a meeting to review traffic management, public transport, parking facilities and other civic issues, directing the relevant departments to ensure timely implementation of measures aimed at improving urban mobility and public convenience.

The meeting was convened following issues highlighted by the DSP Traffic Warden regarding traffic management, encroachments, parking, public transport, rickshaw registration, fare regulation and the illegal use of LPG cylinders in public transport vehicles.

Officials from the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA), Excise and Taxation Department, Industries Department and Traffic Police attended the meeting.

The participants decided to revise public transport fares through a transparent and scientific mechanism based on travel distance. A revised fare schedule will be prepared in consultation with transport unions to ensure fairness and public convenience.

The meeting also approved a comprehensive plan to improve parking facilities at hospitals, commercial plazas and other busy locations, remove illegal encroachments, upgrade basic amenities at bus terminals and improve the flow of traffic across the city.

It was further decided to launch a special campaign for the registration of unregistered Qingqi and auto-rickshaws, conduct joint operations against unregistered vehicles, establish designated vending areas for handcart vendors, and utilise government land retrieved from encroachers for public parking and other welfare purposes.

The participants also resolved to continue strict legal action against the illegal use of LPG cylinders in public transport vehicles as well as unlawful LPG business activities in the district.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddiq directed all concerned departments to implement the decisions within the stipulated timeframe, strengthen inter-departmental coordination and submit regular progress reports.

He said the initiatives were aimed at developing a safe, organised and modern traffic system, improving civic facilities and providing maximum relief to the people of Dera Ismail Khan.

Peshawar: Peshawar High Court (PHC) has promoted thirteen Civil Judges/Illaqa Qazis (BPS-18) to posts of Senior Civil Judges/A’alla Illaqa Qazis (BPS-19) with immediate effect.

According to an official notification issued by Registrar PHC on Saturday, promotions have been made under provisions of KP Judicial Service Rules, 2001 on recommendations of Departmental Promotion Committee in its meeting.

The officers promoted include Sareer Shah, Salman Nadir Muhammad, Syed Furqan Mashwani, Murtaza Khan, Muhammad Farooq Ahmad, Muhammad Ikram, Muhammad Imtiaz, Mazhar Ali Khan, Sadiq Ullah, Abdul Haleem, Ms. Alia Bibi, Muhammad Waqar, and Alam Zeb Khan.

Sialkot: Commissioner Gujranwala Muhammad Ali visited Daska on Saturday along with Deputy Commissioner Sialkot Awais Mushtaq to review rainwater drainage arrangements after the town received heavy rain.

The visit was made on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

During the visit, the commissioner inspected Jinnah Chowk and other low-lying areas and reviewed ongoing drainage work. He directed that three dewatering units be sent from Sialkot to Daska immediately to help remove standing rainwater. He also instructed the Assistant Commissioner Sambrial to reach Daska and assist in the operation.

The commissioner said all available resources should be used to ensure the quick drainage of rainwater and directed officials to speed up the operation after the rain stopped so that people could get relief as early as possible.

According to a spokesperson for the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Deputy Commissioner Awais Mushtaq said WASA, the district administration and other departments were working in the field and drainage operations were continuing. He said restoring normal traffic and providing relief to citizens were the administration’s top priorities, adding that low-lying areas were being monitored continuously.