Month: July 2026

Peshawar: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday said that lasting peace in the merged districts, particularly Waziristan, was inseparable from sustainable development, assuring tribal elders that he would take their concerns to the highest authorities.

Talking to a North Waziristan jirga led by Noor Rehman Dawar at the Governor House, the Governor said Waziristan is his own area and reiterated that the Governor House would always remain open to the people of the tribal districts.

He said the people of the erstwhile FATA had rendered unparalleled sacrifices for the country and deserved lasting peace, development and improved public services.

The Governor stressed to address the issues of the merged districts through consultation and consensus, saying only collective efforts could pave the way for mega development projects in the region.

Referring to the constitutional merger of the tribal districts, Kundi said all powers had been transferred to the provincial government, urging the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to effectively utilize the development funds allocated for the merged areas.

He said the annual Rs100 billion allocation and the three percent share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award should be spent transparently for the welfare of the tribal population, adding that funds meant for the merged districts should not be diverted elsewhere.

The Governor also called for addressing issues relating to taxes in the former FATA and PATA regions, high electricity tariffs, and the construction of dams to ensure affordable energy and water security.

Highlighting the economic potential of the province, Kundi said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was rich in minerals, oil, gas and tourism resources, but these sectors required a comprehensive mechanism and effective planning to fully benefit the people.

He emphasized the need to reopen border crossings with Afghanistan to promote bilateral trade and economic activity, saying enhanced trade would create employment opportunities and contribute to regional stability.

The Governor said NADRA facilitation centres have been established in the merged districts to improve access to essential public services. He added that issues such as CNG supply and wheat shortages had previously been resolved through consultation and cooperation among political parties.

Kundi said the Pakistan Peoples Party had always made sacrifices for the welfare of the people and would continue to raise its voice for the rights and development of the tribal districts.

Speaking on the occasion, members of the jirga said the people of Waziristan were facing severe hardships due to the deteriorating law and order situation, prolonged curfews and security challenges, including the growing threat posed by quadcopters.

They said peace was directly linked with development and urged the Governor, as the representative of the federation, to take up their concerns with the relevant authorities. The jirga members reaffirmed that the tribal people were patriotic citizens who had made immense sacrifices for the country and deserved urgent attention to their longstanding issues.

Abbottabad: Additional Assistant Commissioner-I Kamran Ali Shah, along with the Assistant Director Mines, a representative of the CandW Department and the girdawar of the circle, visited a mining site in the Kattara area of Sheikh Bandi to review a public complaint regarding hill cutting and alleged damage to residential houses.

During the inspection, the complainants, representatives of the concerned departments and the mining lease holder were heard. Initial scrutiny showed that the complaint had been filed by only three households, while according to the relevant departments, the houses in question fall within the leased mining area and the lease was issued before the construction of those houses.

Officials also observed that vibrations were being felt in the complainants’ houses during mining operations, prompting the need for further technical examination of the matter.

As a precautionary measure, the lease holder was ordered to immediately suspend drilling in the area adjacent to the complainants’ houses. A temporary boundary was also demarcated, beyond which drilling will remain prohibited until further orders.

The Assistant Director Mines, the CandW Department and the girdawar have been directed to submit detailed technical reports. The complainants have also been summoned to the office along with the relevant revenue record, ownership documents and other evidence so that a final decision can be taken in accordance with the law after all reports are received.

Sanghar: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sanghar district General Secretary Jahangir Junejo has said that the Indus Waters Treaty is an international agreement that cannot be unilaterally violated by any country.

Speaking to reporter, Mr Junejo said water was vital to Pakistan’s survival, agriculture and economy, adding that any attempt by India to stop Pakistan’s share of water would amount to a breach of an international treaty and a move aimed at pushing the country towards water scarcity.

He said Pakistan would safeguard its water rights at all costs and expressed confidence in the country’s armed forces, stating that the nation stood united in defence of its interests.

Mr Junejo warned that any act of aggression or violation of Pakistan’s rights would receive an appropriate response, while reiterating that the country remained committed to protecting its sovereignty and vital national resources.

Rawalpindi: City Police Officer (CPO) Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera visited the Rawalpindi Safe City headquarters on Monday to review its surveillance and operational capabilities aimed at enhancing public safety and crime prevention.

During the visit, SSP Safe City Amina Baig briefed the CPO on the project’s performance and ongoing operations.

She informed him that more than 2,000 surveillance cameras are operating round the clock across Rawalpindi, providing continuous monitoring to support policing and public security.

Speaking on the occasion, CPO Hasan Mushtaq Sukhera said the Safe City system plays a vital role in crime prevention, investigation, and detection. He emphasized that the use of modern technology is essential not only for combating crime but also for improving traffic management and addressing urban mobility challenges.

The CPO directed officers to make maximum use of the Safe City facilities and technological resources to further enhance policing efficiency and public service delivery.

Multan: The Women University Multan (WUM) has opened admissions for the 2026 academic session, offering scholarships for deserving students, university spokesperson Anam Zahra said on Monday.

Applications are being accepted online till July 17 for undergraduate, postgraduate, MPhil, PhD, Pharm-D, B.Ed, PGD, diploma and certificate programmes, the spokesperson said, adding that applications will only be received through the university’s online portal.

Alongside the four-year degree programmes, diploma courses will also begin this year, with special scholarships reserved for deserving students, university officials said.

Admissions are being offered in Associate Degree, four-year BS, Post-ADP/BS 5th Semester, Doctor of Pharmacy, MS, MPhil and PhD programmes across a wide range of disciplines, including biotechnology, business administration, English, education, physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, economics, Urdu, history, Islamic studies, media and communication, mathematics, microbiology and public health.

All programmes are recognized by the Higher Education Commission, officials said, adding that students will have access to modern laboratories, a digital library, experienced faculty, a secure campus, hostel and transport facilities, along with need- and merit-based financial assistance.

Diploma and certificate courses have also been introduced for students interested in arts and design, including graphic design, digital painting, photography, calligraphy, oil painting and sculpture.

The university has advised prospective students to complete their online applications before the deadline, upload the required documents, and check the admission portal for details on the schedule, eligibility criteria, entry test and merit list.

Rawalpindi: Superintendent of Police (SP) Rawal Saad Arshad chaired a meeting at the Rawal Office to review the progress of ongoing investigations and issue operational directives to police officers.

The meeting was attended by Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) and Station House Officers (SHOs) of Rawal Division. During the meeting, SP Saad Arshad conducted an individual review of pending investigation cases with each officer and issued instructions to improve the pace and quality of investigations.

Addressing the participants, the SP directed senior officers to ensure daily follow-up and close monitoring of murder and other heinous crime investigations. He also instructed officers to launch coordinated operations against gangs involved in vehicle thefts, emphasizing the need for an effective and intelligence-based strategy.

SP Saad Arshad further ordered that all under-investigation cases be decided strictly on the basis of evidence and facts, while efforts should be accelerated to clear the backlog of pending challans. He also called for intensified operations against proclaimed offenders and their facilitators.

The SP directed investigators to include habitual offenders with previous criminal records in investigations related to dacoity, robbery, and theft cases, and to maintain strict surveillance over their activities.

He also stressed the importance of addressing citizens’ complaints at police stations on a priority basis, stating that maintaining law and order and ensuring the delivery of justice remain the police’s foremost responsibilities, with all available resources being utilized to achieve these objectives.