Month: July 2026

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US congressional delegation visits ISSI, discusses bilateral ties, regional issues


Islamabad: A United States congressional delegation visited the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Monday and held discussions on Pakistan-US relations, economic cooperation, educational exchanges and regional geopolitical developments.



The delegation included Rep. Ryan Zinke, Rep. Michael Baumgartner, along with Mr. Graham Gunter, Legislative Assistant to Rep. Ryan Zinke and Mr. Harris Cull, Legislative Aide to Rep. Baumgartner, said a press release.



The delegation was received by Chairman BoG, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood and Director General ISSI, Ambassador Moin Ul Haque. This was the first ever visit of a U. S. Congressional delegation to ISSI.



Director General briefed the delegation about ISSI and its work and expressed desire to establish more institutional linkages between ISSI and U. S. Congress and American think tanks.



The participants held an exchange of views on issues of mutual interest, including Pakistan-U. S. relations, focusing on economic cooperation, educational and cultural exchanges, and the broader geopolitical developments in the region.



The meeting was also joined by Ambassador Masood Khalid, Pakistan’s former Ambassador to China; Ambassador Masood Khan, Pakistan’s former Ambassador to the U. S. ; Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and also Pakistan’s former Ambassador to the U. S. ; and Ambassador Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan’s former Ambassador to Iran.



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Delegation of Punjab Bar Council calls on CJP


Islamabad: A delegation of the Punjab Bar Council called on the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) at the Supreme Court on Monday as part of the Court’s continuing engagement with the legal fraternity.



The delegation was led by Khawaja Qaiser Butt, Vice Chairman, Punjab Bar Council, and comprised Fakhar Hayat Awan, Chairman, Executive Committee; Malik Ghulam Abbas Nissoana, Chairman, Publication Committee; Sardar Abdul Basit Khan Baluch, Malik Maqsood Khokhar, Rana Sir Buland Khan, Ch. Umar Mahmood, Members, Rafaqat Ali Sohal, Secretary, Punjab Bar Council; Aftab Ahmad, Section Officer; and Ghulam Raza.



The delegation appreciated the justice sector reforms being undertaken across the country, particularly the establishment of e-libraries, solarization of court complexes, and development of Women Facilitation Centers to improve accessibility and service delivery.



The Chief Justice underscored the importance of digital literacy among all justice sector stakeholders, observing that effective use of technology was essential for transitioning towards an automated, efficient, and responsive justice system aligned with the needs of litigants and the public.



His Lordship also briefed the delegation on capacity-building initiatives being undertaken through the Federal Judicial Academy and encouraged members of the legal fraternity to make effective use of the available training and professional development opportunities.



The delegation thanked the Chief Justice for the interaction and presented login credentials for the Pakistan Law site to facilitate access to digital legal resources. The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on matters of professional and institutional interest, reaffirming the shared commitment of the Bench and the Bar to strengthening professional capacity, advancing technology-enabled reforms, and promoting an accessible and citizen-centric justice system.



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Tourists advised to avoid risky areas as monsoon intensifies in KP


Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Monday urged tourists to exercise extreme caution while travelling to scenic destinations across the province as persistent monsoon rains have heightened the risk of flash floods, landslides and road blockages.



Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Tourism and Culture, Malik Adil Iqbal, advised visitors to strictly follow official safety guidelines and avoid entering rivers, streams, waterfalls and lakes.



He warned that rapidly rising water levels and strong currents could prove fatal.



He urged tourists to stay away from landslide-prone mountain slopes, damaged roads and other vulnerable areas, and to postpone non-essential travel during periods of heavy rainfall or severe weather.



Malik Adil Iqbal said travellers should obtain the latest weather forecasts and road conditions before departing by contacting the PEHAL-911 emergency service or the Tourism Helpline 1422.



He also advised tourists to use only authorised boating facilities and wear life jackets at all times while participating in water-based recreational activities.



The Special Assistant emphasised that visitors to hilly regions should remain alert to the dangers of falling rocks, landslides and sudden flash floods, and cooperate fully with the Tourism Police and emergency response agencies in the event of any emergency.



He said public safety remains the provincial government’s top priority and urged tourists to act responsibly to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tourist attractions.



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Youth Internship Programme starts in Gujrat


Gujrat: The fifth batch of the Youth Internship Programme commenced at the District Police Office (DPO) Complex in Gujrat to provide students with practical exposure to modern policing and public service.



According to a police spokesperson, students from various departments of the University of Gujrat were welcomed at the DPO Complex at the start of the internship.



The spokesperson said the programme aims to familiarize students with police services, legal procedures and the use of modern technology in policing. It is designed to enhance their understanding of the police system and the role of law enforcement in serving the public.



During the internship, the students will also receive practical knowledge about community policing and the functioning of various police departments.



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Rescue 1122 teams work around the clock to evacuate flood victims in district


Sheikhupura: The rescue teams in district are continuing round-the-clock operations to evacuate people stranded by floodwaters after heavy monsoon rains caused seasonal streams to overflow, the official sources said on Monday.



According to Rescue 1122, intense rainfall led to the overflowing of the Dek and Bhed seasonal streams, inundating several villages and urban neighbourhoods in the Muridke and Ferozewala tehsils.



Under the directives of Emergency Services Department Secretary, Dr Rizwan Naseer and the supervision of District Emergency Officer, Rana Ejaz Ahmed, the Rescue 1122 launched relief operations to move stranded residents to safer locations.



They said that the Commissioner, Lahore visited the flood-hit areas alongside Sheikhupura Deputy Commissioner Rana Adil Tasawur and the Assistant Commissioner, Muridke to review the rescue efforts.



During the visit, District Emergency Officer, Rana Ejaz Ahmed briefed the officials on the ongoing operation.



The Rescue 1122 said it had established 12 relief camps to support the emergency response, deploying 59 rescuers, 31 rescue scouts and nine boats. So far, 70 people have been evacuated to safety, while six livestock animals have also been rescued.



The emergency service added that boat transport had been provided to 286 residents to help them retrieve essential belongings from their flooded homes.



District Emergency Officer Rana Ejaz Ahmed said that the rescue personnel remained on duty 24 hours a day to assist flood-affected communities as relief operations continue.



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Commissioner visits health clinic, water filtration facilities


Bahawalpur: Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Bahawalpur Syed Hasan Raza, visited the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic and the Water Filtration Plant in Basti Bahawalpur Ghulwan to review healthcare and clean drinking water facilities being provided to local residents.



During the visit to the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic, the commissioner inspected medical services, cleanliness arrangements, the availability of medicines, and overall administrative management. Assistant Commissioner Ahmedpur East Iqra Nasir briefed him on the healthcare services, available resources, and operational affairs of the facility.



Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia also met patients and their attendants, sought feedback on the quality of healthcare services, and reviewed treatment standards at the clinic. He directed the health authorities to improve cleanliness standards further, maintain a hygienic and patient-friendly environment at all times, and ensure effective daily monitoring of sanitation arrangements and staff attendance.



The Commissioner emphasized that every patient visiting the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic must receive timely, high-quality medical care without any negligence. He said providing quality healthcare services to the public remains a top priority of the Punjab government in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.



Later, the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner visited the Water Filtration Plant established in Basti Bahawalpur Ghulwan under the Punjab Chief Minister’s Clean Drinking Water Programme.



Assistant Commissioner Iqra Nasir briefed the visiting officials on the project’s progress, facilities, and operational performance. Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia directed the concerned departments to work in close coordination to ensure an uninterrupted supply of clean, safe, and quality drinking water to residents.



He also instructed authorities to expedite the installation of additional water filtration plants where needed and ensure the timely completion of all related projects.