Day: July 30, 2026

Multan: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) foiled an attempt to manufacture thousands of litres of substandard mango juice using rotten and fungus-infested mangoes during raids on two juice processing plants in Khanewal.

Acting on the directives of Director General PFA Raja Mansoor Ahmed, PFA inspection teams conducted raids on juice plants located on Kabirwala road and 6-Kassi road. During the operation, officials seized and destroyed 23,000 kilograms of rotten and fungus-contaminated mangoes that were intended for the production of mango juice and mango pulp.

The authority also imposed fine Rs250,000 on the owners of the two juice plants for violating food safety regulations.

According to the PFA, the spoiled fruit was to be processed into thousands of litres of unhealthy juice and mango pulp for sale in the market.

Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmed said that the crackdown against anti- health elements was underway on large scale basis. He reiterated that no leniency would be shown to those endangering public health.

Peshawar: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday said that promotion of peace, religious harmony and national unity was essential for the country’s stability and socio-economic development.

Addressing the National Message of Peace Ulema and Mashayikh Conference here as Chief Guest, the governor said Pakistan needed collective efforts to eliminate terrorism, extremism and sectarianism from society.

He said the country’s leadership and armed forces were making all-out efforts for national security, sovereignty and dignity. ‘We are proud of our brave armed forces, which have safeguarded the country’s honour and given a befitting response to threats,’ he added.

Governor Kundi said Pakistan played an important diplomatic role during regional tensions and appreciated the efforts of national leadership for promoting peace and stability.

He said the doors of Governor House were always open for the National Message of Peace Committee, adding that the mission of establishing peace was a collective responsibility of all segments of society.

The governor emphasised the vital role of religious scholars in guiding the youth and countering extremist narratives. He said the state could eliminate terrorist networks, but the eradication of extremist thinking required the active role of scholars, mosques and religious institutions.

He stressed the need for promoting interfaith and inter-sect harmony, saying that Pakistan’s diversity was its strength. He also paid tribute to the patriotic contributions of the country’s minorities.

Talking about Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Governor Kundi said the province was rich in natural resources and sustainable peace was indispensable for development and prosperity. He said peace in the province would open new avenues for investment and economic growth.

He said Pakistan had always supported Afghan people and welcomed them, but the use of Afghan territory for terrorism against Pakistan was unacceptable.

The governor said peace and stability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were necessary for benefiting from the region’s resources and development potential. He called upon all political forces to rise above differences and work together for peace, progress and prosperity.

Talagang: Deputy Commissioner, Sarah Hayat has inaugurated a solar power system here at a government girls’ high school No. 1as part of an initiative to expand renewable energy use in public schools across Punjab.

The ceremony attended by Assistant Commissioner, Suleman Mansha, Chief Executive Officer (Education) Dr. Muhammad Akhlaq, education officials, teachers, students and the local residents.

Speaking at the event, the deputy commissioner said the project aligned with the Punjab government’s efforts to improve public education infrastructure and promote environmentally sustainable energy.

She said that solar power systems would provide a reliable electricity supply, improve classroom conditions and support more efficient use of public resources.

She also urged teachers to focus on quality education and character development, while encouraging students to value hard work, discipline and service to the country.

Chief Executive Officer (Education), Dr. Muhammad Akhlaq said solar power systems were planned for 128 government schools across Talagang .

He said installations have already been completed at 28 schools at a cost of about Rs 24 million, while work was underway at three additional schools and progressing at another 15.

The deputy commissioner eulogized the tehsil administration, school management and donors for their contributions, reaffirming the district administration’s commitment to strengthening educational infrastructure and improving learning opportunities.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, she presented appreciation certificates to philanthropists supporting the project, adding the cooperation between public institutions and the community would help advance reforms in the education sector.

Faisalabad: The police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested two members of a gang and recovered cash and valuables. A police spokesman said that Nishatabad police following an investigation into a house theft case conducted raids and arrested two accused including ringleader Adil along with his accomplice Sabir Ali.

Nishatabad police station arrested the accused and recovered items from their possession.

Gujrat: The Finance and Planning Committee of the University of Gujrat (UoG) reviewed a proposed budget of more than Rs6 billion for the fiscal year 2026-27, which will be presented to the university syndicate for final approval.

The 36th meeting of the committee was held at the Hafiz Hayat Campus under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zahoor Ul Haq. According to university sources, the committee reviewed the budget with a focus on financial discipline, resource mobilization and sustainable development.

The meeting was informed that the university generated about Rs3.75 billion from its own resources, while governance reforms saved around Rs400 million during the previous year. The savings were used for student welfare, including scholarships worth Rs370 million.

The proposed budget also allocates Rs450 million for the purchase of 18 new buses to improve transport facilities and reduce transport costs.The committee decided to place the proposed budget before the syndicate for final approval.

Registrar Muhammad Naeem Butt, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Prof Dr Faisal Mahmood Mirza, Director ORIC Prof Dr Adil Rashid and other committee members attended the meeting.

Peshawar: A suspected robber wanted in 22 criminal cases was killed during a police encounter in Mardan district, while his accomplice managed to escape, police said on Wednesday.

According to police, the exchange of fire took place in Afzal Colony, where police confronted two suspected robbers.

During the retaliatory action, one suspect was killed, while the second fled the scene.

The dead suspect was identified as Hamza, son of Rashid, a resident of Sharif Abad. Police said a pistol was recovered from his possession and taken into custody.

The suspect was wanted in 22 criminal cases, including robbery, mobile phone snatching, theft and other offences.

Police have launched a search operation to arrest the escaped suspect. Meanwhile, the body of the deceased was shifted to a hospital after the completion of legal formalities.