Hepatitis awareness walk held at USKT


Sialkot: University of Sialkot (USKT), Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, under the auspices of the Blood Donor and Medical Aid Society, organized a “Hepatitis Awareness Walk” to commemorate Hepatitis Awareness Day and promote public awareness regarding the prevention, early detection, and timely management of hepatitis.



The walk was graced by the presence of the Vice Chancellor USKT Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rehman, along with the Head, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, faculty members, and students.



Their participation reflected a shared commitment to promoting health awareness and strengthening collective efforts towards a hepatitis-free society.



The event served as a meaningful platform to emphasize the importance of awareness, screening, early diagnosis, and preventive measures in combating hepatitis.



DIKhan AC orders drain clearance, repairs ahead of monsoon


Dera ismail khan: Assistant Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddiq on Wednesday conducted an emergency inspection of major drainage channels across the city and directed the authorities concerned to expedite cleaning, repair work and removal of encroachments to ensure an effective drainage system ahead of the monsoon season.



The inspection was carried out with officials of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC), Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) and the Revenue Department.



During the visit, the assistant commissioner reviewed arrangements for clearing encroachments from drainage channels, timely desilting of drains and completion of essential repair works to prevent urban flooding and minimise inconvenience to residents during heavy rains.



Dr. Siddiq inspected the Muryali -Hamza Town drain, where he met local farmers and residents to discuss drainage-related issues. Noticing damaged sections of the drain, he directed the PHED to undertake immediate repair work, while the WSSC launched cleaning operations on the spot.



The assistant commissioner also reviewed the Tariqabad drain outlet project. Construction work formally commenced after machinery was deployed to the site in his presence. Officials said the project was expected to be completed within the next few days, providing long-term relief from drainage problems in Tariqabad and adjoining localities.



At Shah Jahan Shaheed Town, he inspected another drain where an anti-encroachment operation was initiated after completion of demarcation by the Revenue Department. He appealed to the public to voluntarily remove illegal structures established within the drain limits to facilitate uninterrupted water flow and maintenance activities.



Later, Dr. Siddiq visited the Madina Colony drain, where the absence of a proper outlet was causing wastewater to flow into nearby agricultural land. He instructed the PHED to finalise the drain outlet design without delay and immediately start construction work.



The inspection also included the main drain on Mosamiyat Road, where a comprehensive cleaning operation was launched to improve the city’s primary drainage network.



During the final leg of the visit, the assistant commissioner inspected the drain located on Darya Band Road near Mela Ground, where encroachment removal and cleaning work had also begun. He urged residents to cooperate with the administration by voluntarily removing encroachments from the drain boundaries to ensure smooth drainage during the monsoon season.



Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddiq said the district administration was working in close coordination with all relevant departments to safeguard lives and property and ensure an efficient drainage system during the monsoon season.



He warned that encroachments on government drainage channels would not be tolerated and that legal action would be taken wherever necessary in accordance with the law.



Moulana Ashrafi urges ulema to join hands for peace, country’s sovereignty


Peshawar: Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, Moulana Tahir Ashrafi has urged ulema to join hands for country’s sovereignty and said that it is collective responsibility of every citizen to work for elimination of extremism.



He was addressing ‘ Paigham-e-Aman Ulema and Masaikh’ Conference that was organized by Peace Committee Pakistan here on Wednesday.



The conference was attended by leading ulema and scholars from all over the country including Chairman Islamic Ideology Council, Muhammad Raghib Naeemi, Mufti Abdul Rahim, Moulana Tayab Qureshi and many others. Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi also attended the conference as Chief Guest.



Reading communique of the conference, he said that we announce that protecting country’s sovereignty, autonomy, promotion of interfaith harmony and elimination of extremism in our collective responsibility.



He said that religion Islam gives due importance to protect humanity and rejects killing of innocents and guiltless people. We would continue struggle to promote peace and interfaith harmony in the country.



He said that we condemn extremism and sectarianism as these are some of the factors that negatively affects our national identity and solidarity.



He said that we pay tribute to our security forces, police and rangers for their sacrifices and stands beside the families of martyred who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.



Moulana Ashrafi said that conference is agreed that disrespectful attitude towards sacred places of various sects is against norms of our religion adding that it is our collective responsibility to respect sacred places and personalities of each other.



He said that we have no political affiliations rather we are on a common platform to work for peace and promote harmony in the society.



He also urged ulema to play role for giving orientation to younger generation and inform them about supremacy of constitution and significance of country’s sovereignty and peace. He said that we must inform youngsters about their duties and instill in them patriotism.



Moulana Ashrafi also rejected killing of innocents on pretext of Jihad and said that we would also protect rights of minorities living in Pakistan.



He said that we are ready to negotiate anyone who accepts the writ of state and its constitution adding that we are against the elements that are opponents of country’s autonomy and solidarity.



Electric bus service inaugurated in Lodhran


Lodhran: Punjab Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, on Wednesday virtually inaugurated the electric bus service for Lodhran, marking the launch of district’s first eco-friendly public transport system.



A colorful inaugural ceremony was held at Kanju Hall, District Council Lodhran, with State Minister for Energy and Public Affairs, Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju, as the chief guest. The event was attended by MNA Muhammad Siddique Khan Baloch, MPA Shazia Hayat Tareen, Zawar Hussain Waraich, Pir Rafeeuddin Shah, Rajan Sultan Pirzada and Malik Shah Muhammad Joiya, along with Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf, DPO Ali Bin Tariq, senior district officials and members of civil society.



Addressing the ceremony, Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju, congratulated the people of Lodhran on the launch of the modern, environment-friendly bus service and thanked Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for introducing modern public transport facilities in the district. He said the provincial government’s development initiatives were raising the standard of living across Punjab.



The minister said the electric bus service would not only provide comfortable and affordable transportation but also create employment opportunities for local residents. He pledged that every possible facility would be extended to the people of Lodhran. Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju said that whenever the PML-N came into power, it successfully steered the country out of crises.Kanju said the current government’s day-and-night efforts would yield positive results.



About petroleum prices, Kanju said the government was making every possible effort to control inflation despite challenging circumstances. Following the ceremony, the state minister, accompanied by elected representatives and senior officials, formally inaugurated the electric bus service at the District Council ground. They also travelled on the inaugural electric bus to Kahror Pacca and later inaugurated the electric bus station at Kahror Chowk. Passengers and guests were welcomed with flower petals at various bus stations along the route, while special prayers were offered for the success of the bus service and for progress and prosperity of the country.



GCWUF syndicate approves annual budget 2026-27


Faisalabad: Syndicate of Government College Women University Faisalabad (GCWUF) has approved



annual budget 2026-27 and took key strategic decisions for institutional advancement.



The GCWUF spokesperson said that the 24th Meeting of the Syndicate of Government College Women University Faisalabad (GCWUF) was held in hybrid mode at the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), Lahore.



The meeting was chaired by Minister for Higher Education Punjab Rana Sikandar Hayat.



The meeting was co-chaired by Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Chairman, Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC). The meeting was attended by the syndicate members.



The Syndicate deliberated on a comprehensive agenda encompassing academic governance, institutional development, financial management, faculty affairs, human resource policies, research and innovation, appointments infrastructure, and administrative reforms.



Briefing the House, GCWUF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Kanwal Ameen presented a detailed report highlighting the University’s recent achievements in academics, research, governance, international collaborations, financial management, infrastructure development, student success, and community engagement.



The Syndicate appreciated the University’s remarkable progress and acknowledged the leadership of the Vice Chancellor in steering GCWUF towards academic excellence and institutional advancement.



Teacher held over physical violence


Khanewal: City police on Wednesday arrested a teacher over physical violence against a student at a private academy.



According to police, the team received an information that a teacher allegedly tortured and beat a 14-year-old student in the academy.



A case was registered following a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother. Acting swiftly on the complaint, police took the accused teacher into custody, while further investigation was underway.



District Police Officer (DPO) Khanewal Muhammad Abid asserted that violence, harassment, and any form of abuse directed against children will not be tolerated under any circumstances. He assured the victim’s family of comprehensive legal protection.