Day: July 29, 2026

Astore: Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Amjad Hussain Advocate has lauded the Pakistan Army, Frontier Works Organization (FWO), National Highway Authority (NHA), district administrations, Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), Commissioner Baltistan, and the Deputy Commissioners of Gilgit and Skardu, along with all other concerned departments, for their outstanding efforts in restoring the Jaglot-Skardu Road and installing the Bailey Bridge.

The Chief Minister said that continuous rainfall and accelerated glacier melting had created severe challenges in restoring the highways, causing considerable inconvenience to local residents and tourists. Despite limited resources, he said, the Gilgit-Baltistan Government worked tirelessly in close coordination with all relevant institutions, ensuring the earliest possible restoration of the road network through round-the-clock efforts.

He also appreciated the timely restoration of the Astore Valley Road, acknowledging the dedicated services of the district administration and the Communication and Works (CandW) Department in reopening the vital route.

The Chief Minister further commended the patience and cooperation shown by stranded tourists and local residents during the road closures. He stated that the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan had taken immediate measures to minimize the difficulties faced by tourists and to provide them with every possible assistance and facility during the emergency.

Peshawar: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Junaid Altaf, urged the government to make more conducive policies for promoting entrepreneurship in youth that will enhance their self-employment and pave the way for sustainable economic growth of the country.

Chairing a meeting of the SCCI’s Standing Committee on Education, the SCCI chief emphasized the need for promotion of young entrepreneurship and startup businesses, describing it as the backbone of the national economy and a central pillar of the economic transformation agenda.

Meeting was attended by SCCI’s Standing Committee Chairman Sanan Sethi, executive committee member Sajjad Zaheer, WCCIP President Qurtul Ain, SVP Zara Imtiaz, VP Zareen Akthar, young male and female entrepreneurs and startups, and others.

On the occasion, a multimedia presentation highlighted SCCI’s role, its objective, overall activities and welfare initiatives for uplift of the businesses, trade and economic growth.

President Junaid Altaf called upon the commercial banks to also come up with low cost business loan schemes for youth to facilitate them in launching business start-ups.

He was of the view that by becoming entrepreneurs, they would not only achieve a prosperous career for themselves, they would create jobs for others and make useful contributions towards the economic development of the country.

The SCCI chief highlighted that the future of global competitiveness would be shaped by artificial intelligence, digital transformation and innovation, stressing that nations embracing technological advancement and entrepreneurship would emerge as future economic leaders.

President Junaid Altaf highlighted that KP has immense potential to enhance Pakistan’s export and trade, stressing that it is pragmatic to take advantage of untapped potential for economic and business growth.

On the occasion, SCCI chief also enlightened the participants about traders’ ordeals due to the prolonged closure of trade routes.

Earlier, the SCCI’s Standing Committee Chairman, Sanan Sethi and others also spoke on the occasion and briefed the participants on overall initiatives for promotion of young entrepreneurship and startup businesses.

Dera ismail khan: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to immediately release funds for the repair and rehabilitation of the Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC), warning that the deteriorating irrigation system is severely affecting agriculture in Dera Ismail Khan and Taunsa.

Talking to the media, Fazlur Rehman said the CRBC Canal serves as the backbone of the agricultural economy of Dera Ismail Khan and Taunsa, but has remained neglected for nearly two decades, resulting in significant damage to farming and livelihoods across the region.

He said the canal’s poor condition has reduced water supply from the designated 5, 000 cusecs to around 3, 500 cusecs. He said that some influential landowners along the western bank of the canal were illegally diverting large quantities of water, depriving farmers in the command area of their rightful share.

The JUI-F chief said the water shortage and its inequitable distribution have left farmers living at the tail-end of the canal in Taunsa without sufficient irrigation water, while in some areas even drinking water has become scarce.

He added that prolonged drought conditions have forced many families to migrate, causing serious losses to agricultural production and the rural economy.

Referring to the farmers’ protest, Fazlur Rehman said thousands of growers from Taunsa had reached Dera Ismail Khan in a tractor-trolley march to demand an end to water theft, immediate rehabilitation of the canal, restoration of its full carrying capacity, and the supply of the allocated 5, 000 cusecs of water.

He called on the provincial government to release emergency funds for the canal’s restoration and direct the irrigation department to complete rehabilitation work without delay so that the region’s struggling agricultural sector could recover and thousands of farmers in the command area could continue contributing to the national economy.

Criticising the government, Fazlur Rehman said it was regrettable that instead of strengthening agricultural production and addressing farmers’ needs, the authorities were neglecting one of the country’s most vital sectors, pushing the region and the province deeper into an irrigation crisis.

Hyderabad: A cake-cutting ceremony to mark the 71st birthday of Asif Ali Zardari was held at Peoples Secretariat in Nawabshah with enthusiasm and reverence.

The event was organized by local leaders and workers of Pakistan Peoples Party, where a birthday cake was cut in honour of the President. Special prayers were offered for his good health, long life, continued success, and for the prosperity, stability, and development of Pakistan.

Among those in attendance were District President Muhammad Salim Zardari, City President Khan Bahadur Bhatti, Rais Zamin Hussain Zardari, Sherbaz Khan Mari, District General Secretary Syed Ali Haider Shah, Mir Muhammad Siyal, Rashid Chandio, Qazi Muhammad Rasheed Bhatti, Mubashir Arain, City General Secretary Syed Atif Zaidi, Muhammad Hayat Kakapoto, Muhammad Yaqoob Arain, Amjad Haider Shah, Lala Arshad Khasakheli, Ali Ahmed Jatt, Syed Rustam Shah, Munir Abbas Zardari, Nauman Brohi, Bashir Ahmed Keerio, Nazir Ahmed Memon, Asif Brohi, and others. Members of the party’s women’s wing, affiliated organisations, and a large number of workers also participated.

Participants extended heartfelt greetings to President Zardari and reaffirmed their commitment to continue the party’s mission of public service, democratic values, and national development.

Speakers paid tribute to President Zardari’s contributions to strengthening democracy, serving people, promoting national unity, and his valuable services to Pakistan Peoples Party.

Sargodha: Deputy Commissioner Hussain Ahmad Raza Chaudhry on Tuesday reiterated a zero-tolerance policy towards overpricing, poor sanitation, waterlogging and encroachments, directing all field officers to remain active and ensure prompt resolution of public issues. He was chairing a meeting to review the implementation of the Punjab government’s public welfare initiatives.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Ahmad Haroon, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Ghulam Sarwar, all assistant commissioners, the chief officers of the District Council and Municipal Corporation, and officers from the Highways Department, WASA, Local Government, Civil Defence and other relevant departments.

Addressing the participants, the DC said providing relief to the public remained the district administration’s foremost priority. He directed the authorities to further strengthen price control measures and ensure the availability of flour, bread, roti and other essential commodities at officially notified prices. The meeting was informed that, owing to effective price control enforcement, Sargodha had secured the first position across Punjab in price control inspections, improving from second place in the previous month.

Appreciating the performance, Hussain Ahmed Raza Chaudhry instructed officers to continue daily inspections, take immediate action against violators and maintain uninterrupted efforts to provide relief to consumers.

He also emphasised the effective implementation of the Suthra Punjab Programme, directing WASA and other relevant departments to ensure visible improvements in cleanliness and drainage.

Dera ismail khan: The body of an unidentified elderly man was found near the Sadrah Sharif Morr on Dera-Bannu road within the jurisdiction of Yarik Police Station.

According to police, the local residents informed the police after spotting the body lying near the roadside close to the Sadrah Sharif Morr. A police team promptly reached the scene, took the body into custody, and shifted it to a hospital for legal formalities and identification.

However, the identity of the deceased had not yet been ascertained.