Day: August 2, 2026

Sargodha: The Divisional Verification Committee on Saturday approved the majority of 10 rehabilitation and settlement cases after detailed scrutiny, officials said.

The meeting chaired by Commissioner Sargodha Division Hafiz Shaukat Ali at the Commissioner Office was attended by senior officials, including Additional Commissioner Coordination, Additional Deputy Commissioner(DC) Revenue, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Assistant Commissioner(AC) Sahiwal and Deputy District Accounts Officer.

Officials said the committee examined cases placed before it along with relevant records.

Most of the cases were approved after verification in accordance with government rules while directions were issued for further action on the remaining matters.

Hafiz Shaukat Ali directed officers to ensure complete transparency and merit-based decisions while reviewing cases.

He emphasized that all departments should maintain effective coordination and dispose of pending matters within the stipulated time-frame. The commissioner said timely completion of public-related cases was essential for improving administrative efficiency and strengthening public trust.

Faisalabad: A youth was drowned in rain-swollen drain near Jaranwala.

Rescue 1122 spokesman said here on Saturday that a group of youth was bathing in the drain near Faiz Pura Lundianwala Stop on Lahore Road when Ali Shehbaz (23), a resident of Syed Pura, jumped into the water and drowned.

Receiving information, Rescue 1122 team rushed to the spot but the local residents managed to retrieve the victim and transported hi to Tehsil Headquarter (THQ) Hospital Jaranwala.

Rescue 1122 team provided first aid to the victim and shifted him to THQ Hospital but in vain as the doctors pronounced him dead before providing him medical assistance.

The police took the body into custody while further investigation was under progress, he added.

Sargodha: Early sowing of cotton can help increase production and reduce crop losses caused by weather conditions and pest attacks, Director Agriculture Extension Sargodha Muhammad Ashfaq said on Saturday.

Speaking to media during the preparation of the Cotton Production Plan 2026, he said cotton remained a vital crop for Pakistan’s economy, with Punjab contributing a major share to national production.

He said early-sown cotton developed better resistance against climatic challenges and harmful insects, while also reducing attacks by sap-sucking pests, particularly whitefly, which was a major cause of leaf curl virus.

Muhammad Ashfaq stressed that farmers should treat seeds with recommended pesticides before sowing to protect crops during the initial growth stage.

He advised growers to use certified triple-gene cotton varieties for early sowing and ensure that seeds were approved by the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department.

The director warned that the use of glyphosate on non-triple-gene varieties could damage crops, while triple-gene varieties offered resistance against the herbicide.

He said the Agriculture Department would provide technical guidance and support to cotton growers across Punjab under the direction of the provincial agriculture minister and secretary.

Muhammad Ashfaq said the adoption of modern farming techniques and agricultural research was essential for increasing cotton production and strengthening the national economy.

Hyderabad: Hyderabad received a light rainfall on Saturday evening, preceded by a dust storm, in the ongoing monsoon season.

The amount of downpour was not immediately available from the local office of Pakistan Meteorological Department. However, a wall on the roof of a pre-partition building in downtown Hyderabad near Puqqa Qila fort collapsed during the light showers. According to the Rescue 1122, no person was hurt in the incident which took place near Mukhi House Museum in Ganga Ram Nawas building. The power outages immediately followed the rain in most parts of the city. There was no immediate word from the spokesman of Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO).

Sukkur: Additional Deputy Commissioner-I Shikarpur, Muhammad Faizan Zafar Cheema chaired a meeting to review and finalize administrative, security, sanitation and traffic arrangements for the observance of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and the martyrs of Karbala.

The meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Shikarpur which was attended by Assistant Commissioner Shikarpur Arfa Batool Rai, police officials, representatives of the Information Department, Local Government, SEPCO, Health Department, Public Health Engineering Department and other relevant government departments. Religious scholars representing different schools of thought also participated, said a press release.

Addressing the meeting, the ADC said that the Code of Conduct would be strictly enforced during the Chehlum to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of processions and religious gatherings.

He directed the concerned departments to make comprehensive arrangements for cleanliness and sanitation, particularly along the routes of Chehlum processions and around venues where religious gatherings and Majalis would be held.

Cheema further instructed the relevant authorities to ensure complete security for all processions and Majalis with the deployment of police and Rangers personnel. He emphasized that effective coordination among all concerned departments was essential to maintain law and order situation and prevent any untoward incident during the observances.

He also directed officials to develop an efficient traffic management plan to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and minimize inconvenience to the public.

The concerned departments were instructed to repair drainage crossings and address other civic issues along procession routes, near Imambargahs and at locations where Majalis would be organized.

The meeting also stressed the need for strict implementation of the Loudspeaker Act and other relevant regulations during the Chehlum.

The chair emphasized that all concerned departments should remain fully coordinated and carry out their assigned responsibilities effectively to ensure that the Chehlum processions are held peacefully, securely and in an organized manner.

Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Excise, Syed Fakhar Jehan, on Saturday formally inaugurated Kalpani to Takhta Band Chowk Road construction project in Tehsil Gagra, Buner.

The project costing Rs. 30 million would provide the local population with improved, safer and more efficient transportation facilities upon its completion.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the provincial government remains committed to its vision of public service and sustainable development adding that provision of basic infrastructure in remote and underdeveloped areas is among the government’s top priorities.

He said that the completion of this project would significantly reduce the travel difficulties faced by the local population. He also directed concerned authorities to ensure quality construction, transparency and timely completion of the project.