FIA,Drug Control Team bust fake medicine factory


Faisalabad: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Drug Control Team,in a joint operation,have unearthed a fake drug manufacturing factory and arrested two owners,officials said on Wednesday.



According to official sources,a case has been registered against the suspects,who were allegedly involved in manufacturing more than 40 types of medicines for human,veterinary and poultry use.



The raiding team recovered a large quantity of tablets,raw materials,labels,packing material and machinery from the factory.



The seized items were estimated to be worth around Rs.40 million,officials said.



Further investigation was underway.



Workshop urges greater public awareness to tackle climate change, heatwave risks


Bahawalpur: Speakers at a heat safety awareness workshop on Wednesday stressed the need to enhance public awareness about climate change and heatwave preparedness, highlighting the importance of collaboration between government institutions and academia to address growing environmental challenges.



The workshop was organised by the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur in collaboration with the district administration, according to an official university press release.



Addressing the participants, Commissioner Bahawalpur Division Irfan Ali Kathia said climate change had intensified extreme weather events and environmental challenges across the region. He noted that Punjab had suffered significant losses from recent floods, while Bahawalpur, being a desert region, remained particularly vulnerable to drought.



He said collaboration between government institutions and academia, in line with the vision of the Punjab chief minister, was essential for addressing climate-related challenges. He added that The Islamia University of Bahawalpur was playing a vital role in environmental research and public awareness and appreciated Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran, faculty members and researchers for organising the workshop.



Deputy Commissioner Syed Hassan Raza said the district administration was implementing a public awareness campaign on heatwave safety alongside other preventive measures. He described the university’s partnership with stakeholders in organising the workshop as a positive step towards improving community preparedness.



Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment Prof Dr Tanveer Hussain Turabi said the university’s researchers were making significant contributions to environmental research and public awareness in both natural and applied sciences as well as the social sciences. He also thanked the district and divisional administrations for their support in holding the workshop.



Bedari’s delegation visits GCWUS


Sialkot: A delegation from the Bedari Organization on Wednesday called on the Vice Chancellor of Government College Women University Sialkot (GCWUS), Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir, to discuss opportunities for mutual collaboration in the areas of women’s empowerment, education and student development.



According to a press release issued by the university, the meeting focused on establishing joint initiatives aimed at empowering female students, fostering leadership skills and broadening educational opportunities.



During the interaction, both sides discussed strategies to promote awareness on social issues, enhance gender equality and create platforms for capacity building and skill enhancement among young women.



Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir emphasized the varsity’s commitment to supporting holistic development for its students, noting that partnerships with civil society organizations play a pivotal role in strengthening community engagement and social progress.



The meeting concluded with a shared commitment between GCWUS and the Bedari Organization to forge long-term partnerships that promote awareness, leadership and sustainable opportunities for young women.



Murree Police Issue Red Alert for Tourists as 48-Hour Continuous Rain Triggers Landslide and Flood Risks


Islamabad: District Police Officer (DPO) Murree, Dr. Muhammad Raza Tanveer Sipra, has issued a comprehensive safety advisory for tourists and commuters following non-stop rainfall across the hill station for the past 48 hours.



DPO Sipra confirmed that while all major arteries leading into and around Murree remain fully open to traffic, the massive influx of visitors combined with wet road conditions has resulted in slow-moving vehicles and heightened traffic pressure across key routes.



In light of the persistent downpour, the Murree Police have strongly advised all travelers to plan their trips strictly in accordance with current weather updates. Tourists are urged to stay far away from seasonal nullahs, streams, and water channels due to the severe threat of sudden flash floods and rapidly rising water levels.



Furthermore, commuters are warned against stopping near steep mountain slopes and high-risk cliffs, as continuous rain significantly increases the likelihood of landslides and falling rocks.



To ensure safety on the roads, the police chief emphasized the necessity of cautious driving. Motorists are strictly instructed to reduce their speed, maintain a safe braking distance from other vehicles, and avoid dangerous overtaking on slippery surfaces. As dense fog and heavy rainfall are expected to impair visibility further, drivers must use fog lights and exercise extreme vigilance throughout their journey.



DPO Dr. Muhammad Raza Tanveer Sipra reassured the public that Murree Police personnel are actively deployed across all major choke points to manage traffic flow and assist visitors. He appealed to all tourists and drivers to fully cooperate with police officers on duty and strictly adhere to traffic rules to ensure a safe, hassle-free visit to the region.



Pakistani boxing team arrives in Scotland for Commonwealth Games


Islamabad: A five-member Pakistani boxing team has arrived in Glasgow to participate in the Commonwealth Games, which begin on Thursday, July 23. The squad, accompanied by officials and Pakistan Olympic Association Secretary General Haji Khalid Mahmood Chaudhry, will compete in five weight categories, said a press release



The team comprises three male and two female boxers. The male boxers are Samama Rehman (55kg), Qudrat Ullah (60kg), and Afzal Khan Pathan (65kg). The female boxers are Malaika Zahid (54kg) and Fatima Zahra (60kg).



Maj. Irfan Younis will serve as team manager, while Muhammad Nisar Khan of the Pakistan Army will perform coaching duties.



Pakistan Boxing Federation President Col. (R) Nasir Ijaz Tung said the national boxers have completed comprehensive preparations for the Games and expressed hope that they will deliver strong performances.



Boxing events at the Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, featuring boxers from various countries competing across multiple weight divisions.



Pakistan, Kazakhstan Agree to Deepen Strategic Cooperation in Higher Education


Islamabad: Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, held a productive meeting with the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Sayasat Nurbek, to explore new avenues of bilateral cooperation in higher education, science, research, innovation, and skills development.



During the meeting, Wajiha underscored that, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan has declared an Education Emergency to transform the country’s education landscape by improving access, enhancing quality, promoting innovation, and equipping young people with globally competitive skills. She emphasized that international academic partnerships are central to achieving these national objectives.



The two Ministers discussed strengthening collaboration in higher education through expanded academic exchanges, transnational education, joint and dual-degree programmes, faculty and student mobility, collaborative research, and stronger institutional linkages between universities of Pakistan and Kazakhstan.



Ms. Wajiha Qamar appreciated Kazakhstan’s remarkable progress in modernizing its higher education sector, particularly its success in attracting internationally renowned universities, expanding academic autonomy, strengthening research and innovation, digital transformation, and aligning educational programmes with international standards. She noted that these reforms offer valuable insights for Pakistan as it advances its own higher education agenda under the Education Emergency.



Highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to educational diplomacy, Ms. Wajiha Qamar reaffirmed the Government’s resolve to foster greater people-to-people connections through education, research, and innovation. She also encouraged enhanced opportunities for Pakistani students and scholars to pursue higher and postgraduate education in Kazakhstan while promoting reciprocal academic engagement between institutions of both countries.



The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to translating their shared vision into practical outcomes through joint educational and research initiatives, strengthened university-to-university partnerships, expanded academic mobility, and sustained cooperation in science, higher education, and innovation, further reinforcing the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.