Month: July 2026

Peshawar: The Accountability Court has ordered the transfer of Nauman Afzal, the alleged frontman of main accused Qaiser Iqbal in the Kohistan financial scandal, to jail on judicial remand after the completion of his 14-day physical remand.

During the hearing, the NAB prosecutor informed the court that Nauman Afzal was allegedly acting as a frontman for Qaiser Iqbal and that assets worth millions of rupees in Islamabad had been acquired in his name.

According to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday, all properties and assets purchased under Afzal’s name have been frozen. NAB officials further stated that an inquiry is underway into financial transactions exceeding Rs160 million linked to the accused.

Sources said Nauman Afzal was arrested in Lahore 14 days ago and was subsequently handed over to NAB on physical remand for investigation.

Upon completion of the remand period, the accused was produced before the Accountability Court. The court rejected NAB’s request for an extension of physical remand and ordered that Afzal be sent to jail on judicial remand.

NAB has continued its investigation into the case, with further developments expected regarding alleged financial irregularities and illegal assets.

Peshawar: A domestic dispute turned deadly in Jangal Korona area of Pabbi Tehsil, Nowshera district, where two sons killed their father before opening fire on police, leading to their on the scene deaths on Tuesday.

Police said their team rushed to the scene after receiving information about the incident and attempted to arrest the suspects.

However, the accused fired at the police team, seriously injuring Constable Abdul Haleem.

Police returned the fire, killing both suspects, identified as Talha and Zubair.

The bodies of the deceased father and the two sons were shifted to Mian Rashid Shaheed Hospital in Pabbi, while the injured police official is receiving medical treatment.

Following the incident, police deployed additional personnel to secure the area. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances and motive behind the deadly family dispute.

Faisalabad: Director Livestock Dr. Haider Ali Khan directed field officers to ensure 100 percent recovery under Punjab Livestock Card (PLC) Program on emergency basis.

Chairing a comprehensive review meeting at the office of Additional Director Livestock Jhang, the director reviewed the district’s overall performance, implementation of various departmental initiatives, delivery of veterinary services, field operations and progress on ongoing development programs.

He emphasized improving service delivery and directed the Livestock officers to maintain effective monitoring of field activities to achieve departmental targets within the stipulated timeframe.

Later, Dr. Haider Ali Khan visited District Diagnostic Laboratory Jhang where he inspected the ongoing civil works and reviewed the pace and quality of construction. During inspection, he directed the authorities concerned to ensure high construction standards and timely completion of the project. He also offered technical suggestions to ensure that the development work was completed in accordance with prescribed departmental specifications and quality standards.

He subsequently chaired a separate meeting with Veterinary Officers of Tehsil Jhang to review progress under Punjab Livestock Card (PLC) Program, particularly the recovery position.

Expressing satisfaction over the efforts made so far, he stressed the need for further improvement. He also instructed the officers concerned to ensure 100 percent recovery under PLC program on priority basis.

Dr. Haider Ali Khan directed that all pending recoveries should be completed within the prescribed timeline through effective field monitoring, close supervision and enhanced coordination among the concerned officials.

He also instructed the officers to strictly implement the directions of higher authorities and maintain continuous follow-up to achieve objectives of the program efficiently. Strict monitoring and accountability were imperative for successful implementation of government initiatives to strengthen the livestock sector, he added.

Sargodha: Punjab Minister for Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, Provincial Minister for Communications Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth, and Adviser to the Chief Minister on Political Affairs Zeeshan Ashiq Malik visited the Government Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology (NSIC) in Sargodha on Tuesday to review the progress of the under-construction cardiac hospital.

They were accompanied by Secretary Coordination to the Chief Minister Punjab Syed Wajid Ali Shah and Deputy Commissioner Hussain Ahmad Raza Choudhry.

During the visit, NSIC Chief Executive Officer Major General Khurram Shahzad, Hospital Director Brigadier Asif Cheema, and officials of the Infrastructure Development Authority Punjab (IDAP) briefed the delegation on the construction progress, medical facilities, and operational preparedness of the institute.

The delegation was informed that all major hospital departments have been completed, while the installation of state-of-the-art medical equipment is progressing rapidly.

Officials said the catheterization laboratories (Cath Labs) are fully operational, four operation theatres have been completed, a modern pathology laboratory is ready, a gamma camera has been installed, and the ETD system has also been completed.

According to the briefing, the hospital’s Outpatient Department (OPD) is currently examining more than 150 patients daily, while the recruitment of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff is continuing.

The visiting delegation inspected various sections of the hospital, reviewed the quality of construction, assessed the available medical facilities, and expressed satisfaction over the pace of work and overall progress of the project.

Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is expected to inaugurate the state-of-the-art Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha later this month.

He said providing modern healthcare facilities across the province remains the government’s top priority.

He added that the institute would be equipped with the latest medical technology and high-quality healthcare services, benefiting not only the residents of Sargodha but also patients from Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar, and adjoining districts by providing advanced cardiac treatment closer to their homes.

Provincial Minister for Communications Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth said the mega healthcare projects launched under the leadership of the Chief Minister reflect the government’s commitment to public welfare.

He said the cardiac institute would serve as a major milestone in strengthening the healthcare sector and that the Punjab government is maintaining close coordination with all relevant departments to ensure the project’s timely completion and full operationalisation.

Adviser to the Chief Minister Zeeshan Ashiq Malik said the Punjab government is taking practical measures to improve public healthcare.

He also directed the concerned authorities to ensure that the remaining work is completed within the stipulated timeframe so that the hospital can become fully functional for the public at the earliest.

Nausharo feroze: A man was killed and another seriously injured after a speeding car overturned while attempting to overtake another vehicle on the Moro Bypass, the Rescue 1122 sources said on Tuesday.

The car was travelling from Karachi to Bahawalnagar in Punjab when the driver lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre, causing the vehicle to overturn, the police said.

The Rescue officials identified the deceased as Iftikhar, who died at the scene, while the injured man, identified as Shahid Imran, sustained serious injuries.

The rescue teams rushed to the site and provided first aid to the injured before being shifted to the Taluka Hospital, Moro, they added.

The body of the deceased was also transported to the hospital to complete legal formalities.

The police registered a case and launched investigation.

Rawalpindi: Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Region, Babar Sarfraz Alpa on Tuesday met with a high-level delegation of the Anjuman-e-Tajiran Rawalpindi Cantonment to review and address challenges faced by the business community.

The delegation, led by Anjuman-e-Tajiran President, Munir Baig Mirza, included prominent business leaders from Saddar Bazar, Tench Bhatta, Dheri Hasanabad, Rahmanabad, and Chaklala Scheme III, including Chaudhry Azhar Mahmood, Raja Pervez Akhtar, and others.

Speaking on the occasion, RPO Babar Sarfraz Alpa termed the business community the backbone of the national economy and assured them that resolving their security and administrative issues was a top priority of the Punjab government.

He highlighted that strict directives have been issued to field officers to implement the traders’ feedback. The RPO also appreciated the business community’s proactive cooperation in anti-encroachment drives and improving traffic management across commercial hubs.