Month: July 2026

Faisalabad: A high-level delegation from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia, headed by Yasin Mire Mohamud, the Deputy Head of Mission, visited University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) to explore opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation in higher education, agricultural research and capacity building.

The delegation held a meeting with UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali whereas Director Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization Prof Dr Sultan Habib Ullah, Dean Social Sciences Prof Dr Waqas Wakeel, Foreign Students’ Advisor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ahsan Khan, Principal Officer Jehanzaib Tariq, Asif Ali and others notables also attended.

Both sides discussed prospects for collaboration in student and faculty exchange, joint research initiatives, academic partnerships, and knowledge sharing in agriculture and allied sciences.

The Somali delegation appreciated the University’s outstanding contributions to agricultural education, research, and innovation, expressing keen interest in establishing long-term institutional linkages for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that as part of this collaboration, four Somali students are currently pursuing higher education at UAF. UAF is keen to expand partnerships with Somali universities and research institutions through joint research programs, faculty and student exchanges, professional training, and knowledge sharing to address common agricultural challenges and promote sustainable development.

UAF representatives reaffirmed the University’s commitment to expanding international partnerships and extending academic support to friendly nations through collaborative research, training programs, and higher education initiatives.

The visit concluded with a mutual resolve to strengthen cooperation and develop sustainable academic and research partnerships between the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and Somali institutions, UAF spokesman said.

Abbottabad: On the directions of Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad, Sarmad Saleem Akram, Additional Assistant Commissioner Kamran Ali Shah visited various private educational institutions in Mirpur-I to review implementation of the provincial government’s summer vacation notification.

During the inspection, schools found open in violation of official orders were immediately subjected to legal action. As a result of the operation, New Shaheen u Public School, Pakistan Muslim Academy, New Horizon School System and City Public School were sealed for violating the government’s directives.

The district administration has directed all private educational institutions to ensure full compliance with government orders, warning that strict action would continue against violators in accordance with the law.

Multan: Celebrated folk and classical singer, Surriya Multanikar, has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia three days ago. Her daughter, Rahat Bano Multanikar, shared an update on social media on Monday, saying that the veteran singer’s condition was not good. She said Surriya Multanikar was receiving treatment in the ICU at Mukhtiar A. Sheikh Hospital. Appealing to the singer’s admirers around the world, Rahat Bano requested prayers for the recovery of octogenarian artist. She also said that doctors have advised against any visitors and have restricted meetings with the ailing singer while she remains under intensive medical care.

Faisalabad: Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique visited Allied Hospital-II here on Monday. Vice Chancellor, Medical University Prof Dr. Zafar Ali Chaudhry was accompanied.

The minister was briefed by the Medical superintendent Dr Zafar Iqbal.

The minister inaugurated the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Department of Stomach, Liver and Endoscopy and Cardiac Center at the hospital. The minister also visited the Medical and Surgical Emergency and Gastroenterology Wards. Khawaja Salman Rafique met the patients and inquired about health and treatment facilities.

Peshawar: A two-day digital marketing workshop will be held in Battagram on July 8 and 9, 2026, as part of a broader initiative to promote technical and digital skills among young people, following an announcement made during the 8th Metrix Pakistan Youth Summit.

The workshop will take place at Hazara University Battagram Campus and is being organised by the District Youth Office Battagram in collaboration with RankingGrow and Metrix Pakistan.

According to organisers, the training programme is the first initiative to be launched in Battagram under commitments announced during the 8th Metrix Pakistan Youth Summit, where a series of technical skills development activities for the district’s youth were unveiled.

The initiative is aimed at expanding access to practical, market-oriented training and creating new opportunities for young people in the digital economy.

The programme is being conducted under the vision of Taj Muhammad Khan Tarand, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Youth Affairs and Sports, who has consistently advocated for equipping young people with modern technical skills.

‘Youth must embrace technical skills to remain competitive in today’s rapidly changing world. Digital knowledge and innovation have become essential tools for employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth,’ Mr Tarand said.

The workshop will provide practical training in digital marketing, search engine optimisation (SEO), social media marketing, content strategy, personal branding, artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and freelancing.

Organisers say the programme has been designed to equip participants with skills that can be directly applied in professional careers, online businesses and the freelance marketplace.

The training sessions will be led by Ammad Ali, Chief Executive Officer of RankingGrow, who will personally conduct the two-day workshop.

Drawing on his experience as a digital entrepreneur and trainer, he will deliver hands-on sessions covering current industry practices, digital business strategies and emerging opportunities in the online economy.

Officials from the District Youth Office said the initiative reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen youth development through practical skills and digital education.

They added that similar programmes are expected to be organised in the future to expand learning opportunities for young people across the region.

Students, graduates, freelancers and aspiring entrepreneurs from Battagram and neighbouring areas have been invited to participate in the workshop. The sessions will run from 9: 00am to 12: 00pm on both days, and participation will be free of charge.

Multan: A free medical camp was organized at the women jail, Multan, for the health of mother and child under the Punjab Jail Reforms initiative. The camp was organized by Social Welfare and Baitul Maal department Punjab. The initiative was supervised by Divisional Director Social Welfare, Multan, Umm-e-Farwah Hamdani.

During the camp, 50 women inmates and four children underwent medical examinations. Special measures were taken to safeguard the health and well-being of incarcerated women and children. Medical teams conducted blood pressure checks and diabetes screening, while necessary medicines were provided in accordance with doctors’ recommendations. To promote immunity and healthy nutrition, fresh seasonal fruits were distributed among the women inmates, while children received juice and biscuits.

Beneficiaries also attended a brief awareness session on personal hygiene, balanced nutrition, and basic healthcare practices. The camp was attended by Superintendent Women Jail Fareeha Ashraf, Deputy Director Social Welfare Multan Abdul Aziz Khan, Assistant Director Social Welfare (Community Development), Multan City Muhammad Iqbal Sahu, Assistant Director Imtiaz Feroz, and Assistant Director Women Jail Saba Zahra.