Month: July 2026

Dera ismail khan: A suspected drug smuggler was arrested and 12. 2 kilograms of narcotics, including crystal meth (Ice) and heroin, were recovered during a major operation carried out by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department here on Monday.

According to the Excise Department, the Excise Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation (EBII) DI Khan Squad B-II launched the operation on the Dera-Daraban road after acting on credible intelligence. The officials intercepted a vehicle bearing registration number (AACZ-761) and recovered 10 kilograms of Ice drug and 2. 2 kilograms of heroin concealed inside the vehicle.

The suspect, identified as Zahir Khan son of Usman, a resident of Quetta, was arrested on the spot. A case has been registered against him at the Excise Police Station in DI Khan, while further investigation is underway to trace the origin and intended destination of the seized narcotics.

The Excise Department reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations against drug traffickers and smugglers to curb the spread of narcotics and protect the younger generation.

Hyderabad: The workers of Hyderabad Water and Sewerage Corporation (HWandSC) held a demonstration outside Hyderabad Press Club on Monday, calling for payment of their unpaid salaries and pensions of 19 months.

Led by Aftab Larik and Aashiq Qambrani, the protesters shared their ordeals and travails about surviving with their families without their monthly income.

They claimed that one of the corporation’s staff, Muhammad Waris, committed suicide due to his financial straits while another worker’s 6 years old son died because he could not afford his medical treatment.

They lamented that there was no shortage of funds for expenditures of the corporation’s top officers but when it came to payment of their monthly salaries, the HWandSC’s coffers were always shown to be empty.

The protesters said the top officers were allegedly exploiting funds of the HWandSC but the workers who were responsible for the city’s water supply and drainage had been kept high and dry.

They warned the authorities that if their salaries and pensions were not paid, they would intensify their protests.

Hyderabad: Deputy Commissioner Zain-ul-Abideen Memon on Monday chaired a meeting of the District Polio Eradication Committee at his office to review preparations for the upcoming polio booster dose (f-IPV and bOPV) campaign, scheduled to begin in the third week of August 2026 across the district.

Addressing the meeting, the deputy commissioner said the campaign was of great importance in the fight against polio and directed all concerned departments to complete necessary arrangements well in advance to ensure its 100 percent success.

EOC Sindh representative Abida Umar informed the meeting that children aged between four months and 10 years would receive the booster dose through a jet injector, a safe and painless method of vaccination.

She said the vaccination campaign would be conducted at schools, healthcare facilities and community vaccination centers, while children would also be administered oral polio vaccine (OPV) drops.

Abida Umar said the booster dose provides additional protection by strengthening children’s immunity against the poliovirus. She added that the IPV vaccine is completely safe and also helps protect children from complications, particularly those who are at higher risk.

She stressed the need to create public awareness about the booster dose campaign so that parents could confidently get their children vaccinated and help secure their future against polio.

On the occasion, a practical demonstration of the jet injector was arranged by administering an IPV booster dose to the deputy commissioner, highlighting the safety and effectiveness of the vaccination method.

Security officials and representatives of all relevant departments also attended the meeting.

Faisalabad: Four people including two children were injured in separate roof collapse incidents here on Monday. According to Rescue-1122, a roof of a dilapidated home caved in at Muzaffar colony, street no 35. Consequently, 12-year-old Rabeel Abid and 75-year-old Shaukat were buried under debris and suffered injuries.

Rescue team reached the site and shifted the injured to DHQ hospital. In a separate mishap, a 5-year-old child and his mother were injured as the roof of their home collapsed in Mohala Hussain Abad, Street no 6. The rescuers rescued and shifted them to Government General Hospital.

Mirpur: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived in Muzaffarabad on Monday to oversee his party’s campaign for the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, the party said.

According to a statement issued by the PPP media wing, Bilawal reached the AJK capital as the first phase of the elections was underway.

The statement said he was received by senior PPP leaders, including Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, PPP AJK Secretary General Humayun Khan and PPP Parliamentarians Secretary General Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, along with other party officials.

The party said Bilawal’s visit was aimed at reviewing the election campaign and monitoring political activities related to the AJK elections. No further details of his engagements were immediately available.

Bahawalpur: Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Syed Hasan Raza, visited Head Panjnad to review the water flow in the Panjnad River, assess the prevailing flood situation, and inspect precautionary arrangements made by the district administration ahead of any potential flooding.

During the visit, the chief engineer of the Irrigation Department briefed the commissioner on the latest flood situation, informing him that the current water flow at Head Panjnad stood at 140, 000 cusecs and that there was no major flood threat at present. He added that all relevant departments were fully prepared to respond effectively to any emergency situation.

The commissioner was also briefed on preparedness measures undertaken by Rescue 1122, PERA Force, the Suthra Punjab Authority, the Revenue Department, the Irrigation Department, the Health Department, the Livestock Department, and other relevant agencies, including the availability of manpower, machinery, rescue equipment, and relief resources.

Deputy Commissioner Syed Hasan Raza directed all concerned departments to remain on high alert and ensure timely evacuation of residents living in riverine areas to safer locations if the flood situation deteriorates. He said the district administration was fully capable of dealing with any emergency and that all institutions were prepared to respond promptly.

Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia instructed officials of the Suthra Punjab Programme, Rescue 1122, PERA Force, Health Department, Livestock Department, Revenue Department, Irrigation Department, and other relevant agencies to maintain a 24-hour field presence with essential medicines, relief supplies, heavy machinery,

rescue boats, and other emergency equipment to ensure a swift and effective response if required.

He directed that all flood relief camps established along protective embankments in vulnerable areas

remain fully equipped with essential facilities. He emphasized uninterrupted availability of medicines for epidemic prevention, pediatric treatment, anti-snake venom, and other critical healthcare services at health camps.

The commissioner also instructed the Livestock Department to continue vaccination campaigns for livestock in flood-prone areas without interruption to protect animals from disease and safeguard the livelihoods of local communities.