Day: July 28, 2026

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CM Punjab Kabaddi series to ignite sporting passion in August


Faisalabad: Punjab’s traditional sport of Kabaddi is set to take center stage next month as “CM Punjab Kabaddi Series” will bring together leading Kabaddi players from different areas in a high-profile competition aimed at reviving indigenous sports, promoting healthy recreational activities and discovering emerging talent.



According to a spokesman of sports department, the month-long Kabaddi series, scheduled from August 02 to August 23, 2026 will feature eight major contests at different sites of the district under the banner of “CM Punjab Kabaddi Series”.



The tournament is expected to attract large crowds of Kabaddi enthusiasts and provide a vibrant platform for seasoned players as well as young competitors to showcase their skills.



According to the event schedule, the opening bout would be held on August 02 at Sports Stadium Chak No. 188-RB.



The second event will take place on August 07 at Chak No. 86-GB Garala whereas Faisalabad City would witness Kabaddi competitions on August 08-09, 2026.



On August 13, another major competition will be organized at Chak No. 208-RB, featuring leading Kabaddi players in the main event.



The Kabaddi caravan will move to Chak No. 84-JB Sarshmeer on August 14, where organizer Asim Tarar will host the main contest featuring prominent Kabaddi players.



Another significant competition is scheduled for August 16 at Chak No. 225-RB Malkhanwala whereas next competitions would be held at Chak 75 Lohkay on August 21 and at Chak No. 8-JB Panjgarain on August 23, 2026.



The sports department would also organize a “Mega Dangal” at Chak No. 209-RB on September 06, 2026 to mark Yaum-e-Difa, he added.



The sports circles have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a positive step towards preserving Punjab’s rich Kabaddi heritage, encouraging youth participation in traditional games and providing local Kabaddi players with wide recognition through these competitions.



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Mango festival concludes in Lodhran


Lodhran: A three-day Mango Festival 2026 concluded with a grand closing ceremony held at the Fruit and Vegetable Market.



The festival featured a wide range of attractions, including mango exhibition showcasing South Punjab’s



renowned mango varieties, decorative lighting, family entertainment activities, a food court, puppet and magic shows, and live cultural performances.



Children actively participated in national song competitions, musical chairs, and various games throughout the festival.



Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest. Guests of honor included Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) and Administrator Municipal Committee Liaqat Ali Gilani, prominent mango grower Jafar Raza, Saifuddin Saifi, and Shaukat Raza.



The festival also featured performances by puppet artists, poets, and local singers, while visitors showed keen interest in the diverse varieties of mangoes on display.



Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf appreciated the successful organization of the mega entertainment event and said it highlighted not only the delicious taste of Pakistan’s famous mangoes but also the warmth, hospitality, and genuine spirit of the Pakistani people.



He added that the enthusiastic participation of citizens reflected the vibrant and lively culture of Lodhran and assured that similar events would be organized in the future.



Additional Deputy Commissioner Liaqat Ali Gilani praised the overwhelming public response and thanked all individuals and organizations who contributed to the successful organization of the festival.



At the conclusion of the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf distributed commemorative shields among the organizers, mango growers and others.



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KP facing worst governance, claims Sherpao


Peshawar: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Provincial Chairman Sikandar Sherpao has strongly criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, claiming that the province is suffering from the worst governance and that the law and order situation continues to deteriorate.



Addressing a party joining ceremony in Zaim area of Charsadda on Monday, Sherpao expressed concern over rising inflation, unemployment and terrorism in the province. He claimed that terrorist incidents have increased significantly, while soaring prices and joblessness have made life difficult for the public.



Sherpao said that millions of educated young people remain unemployed and accused the provincial government of failing to provide relief to the people.



Criticizing the ruling party, he alleged that the government is more focused on political confrontation than addressing public issues, adding that the people need practical relief instead of slogans.



During the gathering, Sherpao also claimed that several workers of the PTI had joined the Qaumi Watan Party. He reiterated that the QWP would continue its struggle to protect public rights and work for the resolution of people’s problems.



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Eight-year feud resolved through police-led reconciliation in Dera


Dera ismail khan: An eight-year-old feud between two families was amicably resolved through the joint efforts of police, the local reconciliation committee, and community elders here in the Chodhwan area.



According to a police spokesperson, the reconciliation was carried out under the special directives of Regional Police Officer (RPO) Dera Ismail Khan, Ghulam Mubashir Mekan.



SHO Chodhwan Salman Khan, with the support of the reconciliation committee and respected local elders, successfully mediated between Sanaullah Khan Babar, a resident of Chodhwan, and Muhammad Ramzan, a resident of Garah Akhwanzada.



The dispute had persisted for eight years and had resulted in the registration of several criminal cases, while some individuals involved had also been declared proclaimed offenders.



Through sustained dialogue, confidence-building efforts, and a series of negotiations, the parties were brought together and agreed to end their long-standing hostility.



Both families pledged to maintain brotherly relations, uphold peace, and respect the rule of law, marking the conclusion of a conflict that had affected the area for years.



The district police said they remain committed to promoting peaceful resolution of public disputes, strengthening social harmony, and ensuring lasting peace through community policing and cooperation with local elders.



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PM expresses national resolve to eliminate hepatitis, ensure equitable health facilities to all


Islamabad: Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif while reaffirming commitment to eliminating hepatitis, said ensuring equitable access for every citizen to quality screening, diagnosis and treatment services for the prevention and control of the most severe and life-threatening forms of hepatitis remained one of the Government’s foremost priorities.



In a message on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day being observed on July 28, he said, Pakistan joined the international community in reaffirming its unwavering commitment to eliminating hepatitis and protecting its people from the devastating disease.



He said the federal government remained committed to making the best possible use of available resources while further strengthening collaboration with provincial governments, development partners, healthcare professionals and the private sector to minimize the impact of this disease and ensure that no deserving patient was deprived of treatment.



The prime minister further observed that success in the fight against hepatitis and other communicable diseases required not only the government’s efforts but also the active participation of every individual and the wider community, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.



He urged all Pakistanis to undergo timely Hepatitis C screening, encourage their family members, friends and colleagues to get tested, and adopt safe healthcare and hygiene practices that help prevent the spread of infection. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment saved lives.



Commending doctors, nurses, laboratory professionals and frontline healthcare workers, he said they were at the forefront of this national effort to prevent and combat disease, adding their dedication and service deserved the highest appreciation.



The prime minister urged them to continue setting exemplary standards of professional excellence, commitment and compassion in the discharge of their duties.



‘On this World Hepatitis Day, let us renew our pledge to build a healthier Pakistan. I am confident that through collective efforts, close cooperation, scientific innovation, public participation and the blessings of Almighty Allah, we will achieve our national commitment and global goal of eliminating Hepatitis C as a major public health threat by 2030, Insha’Allah, ‘ he added.



The prime minister opined that Pakistan remained among the countries with the highest burden of Hepatitis C and had been confronting this serious public health challenge for decades.



He further said recognising that Hepatitis C was both preventable and curable, the Government of Pakistan launched the Prime Minister’s National Programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C Infection in 2025.



‘This historic and unprecedented initiative aims to provide millions of Pakistanis with free and timely screening, confirmatory testing and effective treatment, ‘ he added.



He said under this Programme’s implementation, screening, diagnostic and treatment services had already commenced in Islamabad, with all major public healthcare facilities and hospitals actively participating, adding furthermore, mobile screening had also been launched to ensure these essential services reach communities more effectively.



Individuals requiring further diagnostic evaluation and treatment were being enrolled in the Programme without any financial burden.



To curb the spread of this deadly disease, the prime minister said the government had imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, distribution and reuse of substandard syringes.



In this regard, strict directives had been issued to ensure compliance with infection prevention and hygiene protocols in hospitals and healthcare facilities while accountability had been strengthened for any negligence in their implementation, he added.



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SNGPL launches golf sponsorship for ten AJGL juniors


Islamabad: Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) on Monday announced sponsorship of ten outstanding golfers from the Ace Junior Golf League (AJGL), marking the company’s first-ever support for golf in Pakistan.



The initiative includes a monthly stipend and travel support, enabling the young players to compete regularly in national championships and accelerate their development into future champions.



Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chairman SNGPL Ismail Qureshi said the organisation had a long tradition of promoting sports in Pakistan and the initiative reflected its commitment to developing young golfing talent.



He said the pioneering role played by Dr. Asma Afzal Shami in grassroots golf development across Pakistan was highly commendable, adding that her efforts had laid a strong foundation for nurturing young talent and that private-sector initiatives of this nature deserved every encouragement and support.



Qureshi expressed confidence that with sustained financial support, structured coaching and regular competitive opportunities, Pakistan’s talented juniors could excel on the international stage and bring honour to the country.



Dr. Asma Afzal Shami thanked the Chairman and management of SNGPL for placing their confidence in junior golf and recognising the importance of long-term player development. She said the sponsorship was not merely a scholarship but a recognition of talent and an honour bestowed upon the young golfers, adding that it would serve as a powerful incentive for them to work hard, remain committed and deliver the results expected of future champions.



Lt. Gen. Hilal Hussain (Retd. ), Patron-in-Chief AJGL, termed it a bold and visionary initiative by Chairman Ismail Qureshi that deserved the highest appreciation, expressing confidence that the generous and forward-looking step would bear fruit in the near future and contribute significantly to the growth of junior golf in Pakistan.



Parents of the sponsored golfers thanked SNGPL for believing in their children and investing in their future, noting that financial constraints often restrict young golfers from competing regularly and describing the sponsorship as a significant step towards helping talented juniors realise their full potential.



As a symbol of partnership, SNGPL presented official caps to the sponsored golfers and the AJGL management team. The players were encouraged to wear the organisation’s colours with pride, remain disciplined and strive for excellence.



Over the past three years, AJGL has emerged as Pakistan’s leading junior golf development platform, organising nearly one hundred tournaments across four cities and successfully conducting two World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) championships. The league continues to create opportunities for young golfers regardless of background while building pathways towards international competition.



Officials said the partnership between SNGPL and AJGL represented an investment in Pakistan’s sporting future, giving talented juniors the confidence to dream bigger, compete harder and aspire to represent their organisation and country on the global golfing stage.