Month: July 2026

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.

Abbottabad: Superintendent of Police (SP) Cantt Police Station, Malik Suleman on Tuesday said Abbottabad Police (DIG) have launched targeted operations against convicted criminals, drug traffickers, habitual offenders, gamblers and those involved in immoral activities to maintain law and order in the district.

Speaking to journalists, he said the campaign was being carried out on the directives of the Deputy Inspector General ( Hazara Division) and the District Police Officer (DPO) Abbottabad. He added that action was also being taken against illegal Afghan nationals and those providing them shelter.

Malik Suleman said the repatriation of Afghan nationals from Abbottabad was being carried out in accordance with the national policy. He said only visa holders, individuals protected by court stay orders, and Afghan nationals married to Pakistani women were exempt from repatriation.

He said currently Abbottabad has hosting 869 Afghan families comprising 10, 356 individuals, of whom around 6, 000 have already returned. He added that search and strike operations were continuing across the district, while strict action is also being taken against drug traffickers, gamblers and those facilitating motorcycle theft.

The SP said police were monitoring the activities of suspects released by courts and urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement by identifying criminal elements. He termed the media the fourth pillar of the state and appreciated its role in promoting responsible journalism and supporting efforts to curb crime in society.

Faisalabad: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Noman Siddique directed the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to accelerate pace of the ongoing development projects and ensure their speedy completion within the stipulated timeframe as provision of improved sewerage and drainage facilities is one of the foremost priorities of district administration.

Chairing a review meeting on the progress of WASA’s ongoing development schemes, he was briefed in detail by Managing Director WASA Engineer Saqib Raza about the projects being executed under the Chief Minister’s Package and Provincial Development Program (PDP).

The deputy commissioner instructed the agency to further expedite work on all ongoing schemes and ensure their timely completion with strict adherence to quality standards and transparency.

He said every development project should be completed within the prescribed schedule so that residents could benefit from modern and efficient sewerage and drainage infrastructure without unnecessary delay.