Month: July 2026

Quetta: Superintendent Engineer Irrigation Circle Naseerabad Division Mudassir Zafar Khosa has announced that water supply to Balochistan’s canals has increased due to close coordination with IRSA and Sindh Irrigation authorities, along with the continuous efforts of Provincial Irrigation Minister Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani and Provincial Irrigation Secretary Sohail-ur-Rehman Baloch.

Mudassir Khosa noted that Sindh’s reluctance had caused severe difficulties for Balochistan’s farmers, but the province remained active in pursuing its rightful share of water under IRSA regulations for the Pat Feeder Canal and Kirthar Canal.

He emphasized that under the supervision of Executive Engineer Pat Feeder Canal Fareed Ahmed Pindrani, fair distribution of agricultural water is ongoing.

According to Sub-Divisional Officer Haji Mumtaz Ali Soomro, who is monitoring in Sindh, water supply in the Pat Feeder Canal has increased from 4,000 cusecs to 5,400 cusecs, with expectations of further improvement.

Mudassir Khosa reaffirmed that the prosperity of farmers in Balochistan’s green belt is the top priority, and the provision of agricultural water according to their rightful share will be ensured at all costs.

He added that irrigation officers and staff are working tirelessly to monitor canal systems, guarantee fair distribution, and ensure water reaches the tail ends.

He pledged that Balochistan will continue to raise its voice at every forum for its rightful share of water under IRSA laws, safeguarding farmers’ interests to achieve greater agricultural output, prosperity, and economic stability.

Dera ismail khan : District Education Officer (Female) Syeda Anjum has declared the initial appointments of 23 female teachers in Dera Ismail Khan as fake, illegal and void ab initio, ordering the immediate termination of their services, recovery of all salaries drawn from the public exchequer and registration of criminal cases against the individuals concerned.

According to an official notification by DEO (F) issued on July 2, 2026, the action was taken in compliance with a joint judgment of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Service Tribunal dated October 3, 2025.

The tribunal had restored the teachers solely for the purpose of conducting an inquiry, following which the Education Department constituted an inquiry committee to examine the appointments.

The notification stated that the teachers were provided multiple opportunities to appear before the inquiry committee. Notices were served through registered post, legal counsel and newspaper advertisements, but none of the individuals appeared for personal hearings. Consequently, the committee proceeded ex parte and reached its findings on the basis of the available official record.

According to the inquiry report, the names of the teachers did not appear in the recommendations of the District Selection Committee (DSC), while they had either not appeared in the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA) recruitment test or had failed to qualify on merit. Despite this, they allegedly secured appointments through forged appointment orders and continued to receive government salaries.

The notification declared the purported appointment orders dated September 16 and September 27, 2022, null and void from the outset, resulting in the cancellation of all related appointments.

According to the notification, DEO (Female) Syeda Anjum also directed the District Accounts Officer to immediately stop the salary payments of the concerned employees. In addition, the relevant Sub-Divisional Education Officer (SDEO) has been instructed to initiate criminal proceedings under Sections 416, 417, 419 and 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on charges including cheating, impersonation, fraud and causing financial loss to the national exchequer, besides ensuring recovery of all salaries already paid.

Sargodha: Medical Social Welfare Officer Nadia Shah on Sunday met District Jail Superintendent Waheed Khan to discuss holding of medical camps and awareness sessions for welfare of inmates in Sargodha.

During the meeting, both officials deliberated on conducting counseling sessions for prisoners covering mental health, drug prevention, and general health awareness.

The MSWO also interacted with female inmates at the jail, providing them with counseling on mental health, the hazards of drug use, and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and positive thinking.

The female prisoners expressed keen interest in the sessions and sought further information through various questions.

She reiterated her commitment to regularly organizing such awareness programs and medical camps in the future to promote the physical and mental well-being and rehabilitation of the inmates.

Dera ismail khan : Police claimed to have arrested an alleged drug trafficker and recovered more than 10 kilograms of hashish during a snap checking operation carried out in Dera Ismail Khan as part of the district police’s ongoing campaign against narcotics and other criminal activities.

According to a police spokesman, the successful operation was conducted by Station House Officer (SHO) Town Malik Imran Marhal under the supervision of Superintendent of Police (SP) City Muhammad Nauman and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Suburb Circle Hafiz Muhammad Adnan.

The operation was launched on the directives of District Police Officer (DPO) Ziauddin Ahmed, who has instructed all field formations to intensify efforts against drug trafficking and other crimes across the district.

The spokesman said that during routine snap checking, police personnel intercepted a suspect identified as Muhammad Rizwan son of Shah Jahan and a resident of Shorkot. Acting on suspicion, the police conducted a thorough search of the suspect, which resulted in the recovery of 10.425 kilograms of hashish allegedly concealed in his possession.

The accused was immediately taken into custody, while the recovered narcotics were seized as evidence. Police registered a case against the suspect under the relevant provisions of the law and shifted him to the police station for further legal proceedings.

The spokesman said investigators were questioning the suspect to ascertain the source of the narcotics, identify possible accomplices, and determine whether he was linked to any organized drug trafficking network operating within or outside the district. Further investigation into the case is in progress.

Speaking on the occasion, DSP Suburb Circle Hafiz Muhammad Adnan reiterated the district police’s resolve to eliminate the menace of narcotics from society. He said drug dealers were playing with the lives and future of the younger generation, adding that strict and indiscriminate action would continue against all those involved in the illegal drug trade.

He emphasized that Dera Ismail Khan Police remained committed to protecting society from narcotics and ensuring that no individual involved in drug trafficking would be allowed to escape the law. He also urged members of the public to cooperate with the police by sharing information about drug peddlers and other criminal elements so that timely action could be taken to curb such illegal activities.

Multan: A three-day Mango and Dates Festival, organised by Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Multan (MNSUAM), concluded here on Sunday after bringing together stake-holders on a common platform to promote Pakistan’s mango and date sectors.

The final day featured a series of activities, including an international policy dialogue, agribusiness networking, value addition, innovative food products, family entertainment and an awards ceremony, highlighting the festival’s growing importance as a national and international platform for horticultural development.

The day’s flagship event was a high-level dialogue titled “From Farm to Global Market: Value Chain Transformation and Agribusiness Opportunities in Mango and Dates,” jointly organized by the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company and MNSUAM.

The session was chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asif Ali while Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Chairman Punjab Higher Education Commission, graced the dialogue as the chief guest.

The dialogue brought together PHDEC Chief Executive Officer Athar Hussain Khokhar, Khawar Nadeem, representatives of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, and more than 50 leading mango and date growers, exporters, processors, researchers and agribusiness professionals.

Trade and investment officers and commercial representatives from Iran, China, Australia and other important export destinations also participated, sharing market intelligence, global consumer trends and practical recommendations for enhancing Pakistan’s horticultural exports.

Speakers emphasized that compliance with international quality standards, phytosanitary requirements, food safety protocols, traceability systems and hot water treatment is essential for gaining sustainable access to global markets.

Participants were informed that Iran has strong demand, particularly for late-season mango varieties, while value-added products such as mango pulp and mango paste also offer significant export opportunities. Chinese trade representatives highlighted consumer preference for comparatively less sweet, lower-Brix mango varieties, creating a niche market for selected Pakistani cultivars. Tajikistan was also identified as an emerging and promising destination for dried date exports.

The discussion focused on post-harvest management, strengthening value chains, food processing, value addition, market access and strategies to improve Pakistan’s export competitiveness. Former Federal Minister Hussain Jahanian Gardezi also attended the session.

The Mango and Dates Dish Competition remained one of the festival’s major attractions. Renowned hotels, food brands, educational institutions and food businesses presented innovative and value-added products prepared from mangoes and dates.

The concluding day also featured family-oriented entertainment, including a ramp walk, mango eating competition, mango cutting competition, musical chairs, spoon walk and glass tower challenge, attracting enthusiastic participation from children and families.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Chairman Punjab Higher Education Commission, congratulated the university administration on successfully organizing the festival. He said that stronger collaboration among young researchers, agricultural experts and orchard growers is essential to address the challenges facing Pakistan’s mango industry. He appreciated the university’s research contributions and emphasized that modern research, field trials and stronger market linkages can significantly enhance both the productivity and quality of Pakistani mangoes

Speaking on the successful conclusion of the festival, VC Prof. Dr. Asif Ali thanked growers, exporters, commercial diplomats, scientists, students, industrial partners, food businesses, the hospitality industry, collaborating organizations and the public for their active participation and support.

Rawalpindi: President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) Major General Irfan Arshad Khan said Pakistan’s identity on the global stage is increasingly being defined by positive achievements, noting that Pakistani women have earned international recognition for the country through their outstanding accomplishments in diverse fields.

He made these remarks while announcing the launch of the Second Women Khusar Gang Expedition 2026, reaffirming the club’s commitment to promoting women’s participation in mountaineering, adventure sports, and outdoor leadership across Pakistan.

Addressing a ceremony in Rawalpindi, Major General Irfan Arshad Khan said the all-women expedition reflects the ACP’s continued efforts to empower female mountaineers and encourage greater participation in high-altitude climbing and adventure sports.

Marking the club’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, he also announced the issuance of a Rs50 commemorative postage stamp featuring four of Pakistan’s iconic mountain peaks. He described the stamp as a symbol of the country’s natural beauty and a tribute to its rich mountaineering heritage.

The ceremony was attended by Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Managing Director Aftab Rana, Green Tourism representative Brigadier Irfan Akhtar, Commodore Akhtar Shahid Wain, Brigadier Mehdi, Khalid Mahmood, and other distinguished guests.

The expedition will see a team of female climbers attempt to summit Khusar Gang (6,040 metres), located in the scenic Shigar Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan’s Karakoram mountain range.

The initiative follows the successful all-women Bari La Expedition conducted during the ACP’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, which received widespread appreciation both nationally and internationally.

ACP officials said the Khusar Gang Expedition aims to provide women climbers with practical high-altitude mountaineering experience, develop leadership skills, and promote greater female participation in adventure sports across Pakistan.

Participants were selected through a transparent process by a committee of experienced women climbers led by renowned Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani. The selected team comprises Zeba Batool and Bibi Afzoon from Gilgit-Baltistan, Amara Sharif from Islamabad, Asma Bashir Bangash from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Bisma Hassan and Sadia Maqbool from Punjab, Natasha Fateh Muhammad from Sindh, Bibi Malika from Balochistan, and Laiba Shakeel from Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The team is scheduled to depart from Skardu during the first week of July 2026, with all planning, coordination, and logistical arrangements being managed by the Alpine Club of Pakistan.

Reaffirming the club’s broader vision, ACP leadership said it remains committed to promoting mountaineering, adventure tourism, environmental awareness, and gender inclusion in outdoor sports. Officials added that the club will continue creating opportunities for young Pakistanis, particularly women, to showcase their talent in the country’s mountainous regions.

The ACP also announced that it will organize the K2 Baltoro Clean-Up Campaign 2026 in September. The environmental initiative will focus on preserving the fragile mountain ecosystem, removing waste from trekking routes, and raising public awareness about responsible mountain tourism and environmental conservation.

Major General Irfan Arshad Khan further said the Alpine Club would seek new sponsors this year to expand adventure sports initiatives and strengthen Pakistan’s profile as a premier destination for mountaineering and eco-tourism. He emphasized that the country’s towering mountain ranges are among its most valuable natural assets and pledged the club’s continued commitment to preserving them for future generations.