Day: July 27, 2026

Lodhran: The district administration organized a vibrant three-day Family Mango Festival at the Fruit and Vegetable Market on Sunday, providing citizens with a lively recreational opportunity.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf formally inaugurated the festival. The festival featured amusement rides, puppet and magic shows, Qawwali performances, poetry recitals, live music, and diverse cultural entertainment, drawing enthusiastic participation from visitors of all ages. Families praised the festive atmosphere and commended the district administration for organizing a unique and enjoyable public event.

Speaking on the occasion, DC Muhammad Ashraf stated that the district administration remains fully committed to promoting healthy recreational activities across Lodhran. He noted that the cheerful turnout of families reflected the vibrant spirit and resilience of the local community.

He described mangoes as the hallmark of South Punjab, adding that their exceptional taste earned them international recognition. He said the festival aimed to showcase different mango varieties while projecting a positive and peaceful image of Pakistan to the world.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Liaqat Ali Gilani said that similar mega entertainment events would continue to be organized for families in the future. He also appreciated the active cooperation of various government departments and institutions that set up stalls and contributed to the success of the festival.

Additional Deputy Commissioner and Municipal Committee Administrator Liaqat Ali Gilani, along with prominent social and political figures, civil society representatives, and a large number of families were also present.

Muzaffargarh: In a bid to make early education more engaging, the Punjab government has decided to equip 302 schools across Muzaffargarh district with 55-inch LED screens in specially established Primary Classroom Environment (PCE) rooms.

According to a spokesperson for the District Education Department, the Punjab Management Improvement Unit (PMIU) has transferred Rs 120, 000 to each of the targeted schools for the procurement of standard LED screens.

These screens will be utilized to teach children through visual, screen-based lessons, shifting away from conventional teaching methods to a more modern approach.

The spokesperson for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Education in Muzaffargarh stated that the modern teaching model is specifically designed to capture the attention of young learners and foster a stronger inclination towards studies from an early age.

He categorically stated that no compromise would be tolerated regarding the quality or dimensions of the LED screens, and it is mandatory for all 302 schools to have them installed.

Written directives in this regard have been officially issued to the CEO, Deputy District Education Officers (DEOs), DEO Education, heads of all 302 schools and relevant school councils to ensure immediate compliance, he added.

Separately, under a Special Project, funds have also been released for 198 schools across the district to ensure the provision of missing basic facilities.

The spokesperson elaborated that these funds would be utilized for the construction of additional classrooms, latrines, and boundary walls, as well as for the repair and reconstruction of dangerous school buildings on a priority basis. All infrastructural work will be executed by the respective school councils under the direct supervision of the CEO Education to ensure complete transparency and merit, he concluded.

Burewala: The death toll from the gas cylinder explosion at Sweets shop near Chungi No. 5 in Burewala has risen to three after another critically injured youth succumbed to his burn injuries at Nishtar Hospital, Multan.

According to Rescue sources, Ali Raza died while undergoing treatment in the Burn Unit of Nishtar Hospital after suffering severe burns in the explosion.

The blast occurred nine days ago when a gas cylinder reportedly leaked at the upper story of the the bakery, leaving 13 people with severe burn injuries.

Earlier, Habib-ur-Rehman and Hassan Ali had also died from their injuries. Several other victims remain under treatment, some of them reported to be in critical condition.

Police and other relevant authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the explosion.

Peshawar: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested six suspects during a crackdown on an illegal passport agent network operating in Mardan and Swabi.

According to the FIA on Sunday, the suspects were involved in illegally facilitating passport issuance, processing travel documents and charging citizens large sums of money for their services.

An FIA spokesperson said that cash, mobile phones, passport-related records and other important items were recovered from the suspects during the raids.

Cases have been registered against the arrested individuals and further investigations are underway. The FIA added that efforts are continuing to arrest other people linked to the illegal network.

Dera ismail khan: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has called for province-wide intelligence-based operations to curb terrorism, urging the provincial and federal governments to work together.

Talking to media here at the Regional Police Office, the governor said the fight against militancy is a shared national responsibility that can only be won through unity and coordinated action.

On this occasion, Regional Police Officer Ghulam Mubashir Mekan, District Police Officer Dera Ziauddin Ahmad and Tank DPO Abdul Samad Khan were also present.

The governor said that more than 1, 300 kilograms of explosives were used in the recent terrorist attack on the Manjhi Khel check post in Tank district, reflecting the scale of planning and intent behind the assault.

Kundi said the attack claimed the lives of personnel from the Pakistan Army and police, as well as a Forest Department official, adding that their sacrifices would always be remembered by the nation.

He said Pakistan’s armed forces and security agencies, under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, were effectively combating both internal and external threats.

The governor said that India was supporting terrorism by using Afghan territory through “Fitna-al-Khawarij” to destabilize Pakistan. He reiterated his unwavering support for the armed forces, police and other security institutions, saying such cowardly attacks could never weaken the resolve of the country’s defenders or its people.

Kundi said he had visited the personnel injured in the attack and praised their courage and determination.

He added that the recommendations put forward by the Regional Police Officer would be conveyed to the federal government.

He also said he would raise the issue of enhancing compensation packages for the injured personnel with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The governor said the state had a responsibility to care for the families of the martyrs and the children of the injured personnel, assuring that every possible measure would be taken to support them.

Expressing concern over the resurgence of terrorism, Kundi said the evolving regional security environment had posed fresh challenges for Pakistan.

He claimed that some hostile forces were unhappy with Pakistan’s positive role during the recent Iran-United States tensions, while saying that India and Israel were engaged in efforts to undermine the country.

He further said that weapons abandoned by global powers in Afghanistan were frequently being used against Pakistan, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bearing the brunt of such attacks. Despite these challenges, he commended the provincial police for confronting terrorists with bravery, professionalism and high morale.

Reiterating the need for intelligence-led operations across the province, Kundi said he would soon discuss the matter with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister. He emphasized that defeating terrorism required close coordination between the federal and provincial governments, stressing that it was a national cause that demanded unity and collective resolve.

Earlier, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi arrived here and received by Regional Police Officer Ghulam Mubashir Mekan, Station Commander Brig. Abu Bakar, Pakistan Peoples Party District President Malik Farhan, senior district administration officials and police officers.

The governor also visited the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and met security personnel injured in the Manjhi Khel check post attack.

He inquired about their health, praised their courage and described those who had bravely confronted Fitna-al-Khawarij as the pride of the nation. He also prayed for their speedy recovery.

At the Regional Police Office, Governor Kundi was presented with a guard of honour before receiving a briefing on the Manjhi Khel check post attack from Tank District Police Officer Abdul Samad Khan.

The governor also met the families of the martyrs of the Manjhi Khel check post attack, offered prayers for the martyrs’ elevation of ranks and distributed financial awards among the bereaved families and injured personnel.

Paying tribute to the martyrs, Kundi said the martyrs of the Pakistan Army and police had sacrificed their lives to uphold the country’s green crescent flag. He also praised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, saying its services and sacrifices were unparalleled and that the nation could never fully repay the debt owed to its martyrs.

Gujrat: Deputy Commissioner Gujrat Noor-ul-Ain Qureshi on Sunday visited Kot Ghulam village to review ongoing protective measures at a site affected by erosion along the Chenab River. According to official sources, Executive Engineer (XEN) Irrigation briefed the deputy commissioner on the riverbank protection work and the progress of measures being taken to prevent further erosion.

The deputy commissioner had earlier approved the emergency construction of two additional stone studs at Kot Ghulam to strengthen the riverbank and protect nearby populated areas from erosion.

Officials said around 50 trolley-loads of stones were available at the site, while the protection work was continuing at a fast pace. During the visit, Noor-ul-Ain Qureshi directed the authorities to complete the protective work on an emergency basis and ensure maximum safety for the local population.