Day: August 2, 2026

Burewala: A Kissan Sahulat Center was inaugurated at the Grain Market in Burewala on Saturday to provide farmers with subsidized agricultural inputs, technical assistance and modern farming guidance under one roof.

Member of the Punjab Assembly Malik Nosher Khan Anjum Langrial formally inaugurated the facility in the presence of agriculture officials, representatives of the Pesticide Dealers Association and a large number of local farmers. Among those attending were Assistant Director Agriculture (Extension) Rana Tariq Hussain, Deputy Director Pest Warning and Quality Control of Pesticides Muhammad Tahir, Association President Nadeem Mushtaq Ramay and General Secretary Muhammad Nasir.

Officials said the center would offer quality agricultural pesticides and farm machinery at a 20 per cent discount. Trained Agriculture Department staff will also be available to provide technical guidance, advisory services and information on modern farming techniques to help farmers improve crop management.

Rawalpindi: Fifteen martial arts students successfully passed their belt tests under the supervision of Third Dan Japan Black Belt Instructor Muhammad Zeeshan Umair, earning new rank certificates and performance awards.

Organized by Abbas Mirza at Khayaban Martial Arts Academy in Rawalpindi on Saturday, the promotion ceremony was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Culture Punjab, MPA Shazia Rizwan, as the chief guest, alongside PML-N PP-16 Deputy General Secretary Malik Rizwan Afsar.

Addressing attendees, Shazia Rizwan stressed that promoting youth athletics reduces drug abuse and health risks, reiterating provincial government backing for sports initiatives.

Sargodha: Commissioner Hafiz Shaukat Ali visited various areas of the city and reviewed ongoing city beautification projects, road improvement, sanitation, drainage system and other civic amenities. The commissioner visited Sillanwali Disposal Station, Eidgah Disposal, City Road Beautification, Shaheen Chowk and directed the concerned officers to complete all the projects within stipulated time.

He directed the WASA officials to ensure prompt drainage of rainwater in low-lying areas during monsoon, keep all disposal stations functional at full capacity and take immediate action on any complaint.

Chiniot: WASA Chiniot on Saturday launched a monsoon emergency operation after the city received 26 millimetres of rainfall, with field teams and heavy machinery deployed to ensure the swift drainage of rainwater from roads and low-lying areas.

Officials said emergency camps were activated as soon as the rain began, while field staff moved promptly to different parts of the city to carry out drainage operations. Timely action helped clear water from major roads and vulnerable areas, allowing traffic to continue with minimal disruption and reducing inconvenience for residents.

Speaking to the media, WASA Chiniot Media Coordinator Ali Zain Noor said the drainage process began immediately during and after the rainfall. He said field teams remained on duty throughout the operation, while the drainage system was continuously monitored to respond swiftly to any emergency situation.

Noor said WASA staff remained deployed around the clock at emergency camps and in the field during the monsoon season. He added that all available resources were being utilized to ensure the timely disposal of rainwater and to provide uninterrupted municipal services to citizens.

Chiniot: Deputy Commissioner Ayesha Rizwan on Saturday inspected low-lying areas of Chiniot city to review rainwater drainage operations and directed authorities to ensure prompt disposal of accumulated water throughout the ongoing monsoon season.

During the visit, the deputy commissioner assessed the performance of WASA officers, field staff and operational machinery, reviewing the effectiveness of drainage efforts in vulnerable areas. She instructed officials to keep all machinery fully operational and maintain a continuous field presence to monitor and expedite drainage activities.

Ayesha Rizwan stressed that no area should be allowed to remain waterlogged and directed officials to take immediate action wherever rainwater accumulates. She emphasized that uninterrupted drainage operations were essential to minimize inconvenience to residents during periods of heavy rainfall.

The deputy commissioner warned that negligence or delays in carrying out drainage duties would not be tolerated and said strict departmental action would be taken against any officer or official found responsible for lapses in the performance of their responsibilities.

Rawalpindi: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has intensified its campaign against food adulteration by destroying more than 10 maunds of adulterated butter during an operation against an illegal butter production unit operating in a house in Gujar Khan.

According to a PFA spokesperson, food safety teams conducted the raid and collected butter samples for laboratory analysis. The laboratory report later confirmed the presence of banaspati ghee and edible oil in the butter, declaring the product adulterated and unfit for human consumption.

Following the laboratory findings, the Punjab Food Authority lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against those responsible under the relevant provisions of the law.

The spokesperson said the authority has launched a province-wide sampling campaign of butter and desi ghee to curb adulteration and ensure the availability of safe, hygienic and quality food for consumers across Punjab.

He reaffirmed that the Punjab Food Authority would continue taking strict legal action against food business operators involved in adulteration, warning that no compromise would be made on public health and food safety.

The public has been urged to report the sale or production of adulterated or substandard food by calling the Punjab Food Authority’s helpline 1223, enabling the authority to take prompt action against violators.