Month: August 2026

Faisalabad: Divisional Commissioner Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh on Sunday reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment to establish the highest standards of sustainable cleanliness across Faisalabad division and directed the officials to implement an effective, result-oriented sanitation mechanism in urban and rural areas in line with Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz’s vision of a clean and healthy Punjab.

Chairing a briefing during his visit to the office of ‘Suthra Punjab Agency’, he said that all available resources were being utilized under a comprehensive strategy to ensure durable improvements in sanitation services so that the people could fully benefit from Chief Minister’s flagship ‘Suthra Punjab’ program.

He received a detailed briefing about the proposed zoning plan for urban and rural areas of City and Saddar tehsils and stressed the need for a comprehensive sanitation mechanism capable of effectively serving the nearly six million population residing in the two major tehsils.

He said that the objective was to ensure that citizens witnessed a visible improvement in cleanliness standards and public complaints relating to sanitation were addressed without delay through an efficient response system.

He directed the officers of Suthra Punjab Agency to maintain strict monitoring of field staff performance and continue regular interaction with community stakeholders so that public feedback, practical suggestions and emerging issues could be incorporated into operational planning and resolved promptly.

He said that scientific zoning of City and Saddar tehsils, based on ground realities, would facilitate the achievement of sanitation targets, improve service delivery and provide tangible relief to the public.

He said reiterated that transforming Faisalabad into a model division in terms of cleanliness is top priority of the provincial government.

He urged all departments concerned to further intensify their efforts and ensure successful implementation of Suthra Punjab program through coordinated planning, effective supervision and sustained field operations.

Managing Director Suthra Punjab Agency Abid Hussain Bhatti, Director Local Government and Development Asif Iqbal Chauhan, Assistant Commissioner (AC) City Adil Umar, Chief Officer Municipal Corporation Usman Ghani, Deputy Director Local Government, District Manager Suthra Punjab Agency and other concerned officers also attended the meeting.

Rawalpindi: Rawalpindi Police have implemented comprehensive security arrangements at churches across the district in bid to ensure the safety of worshippers and maintain law and order.

Senior police officers remained present in the field to personally monitor and supervise the security arrangements. Strict security measures were put in place, including mandatory body searches of all visitors before they were allowed to enter church premises.

City Police Officer (CPO) Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera directed police personnel to ensure the security of worshippers while treating them with courtesy and respect throughout the services.

He said that the police were utilizing all available resources to safeguard the rights of religious minorities and ensure a peaceful and secure environment for members of the Christian community during their worship.

Peshawar: At least seven people including four policemen were killed and around 18 others injured in a suicide blast near a peace rally at the main gate of Kabal Police Station in Swat district on Sunday.

According to the District Police Officer (DPO) Swat, Umar Gandapur, the attacker attempted to enter the police station and police lines compound, however police personnel stopped him at the main gate where he detonated his explosive laden jacket.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Malakand Syed Fida Hassan Shah said that timely action by police averted a much larger tragedy, as casualties could have been significantly higher if the attacker had gained access to the compound. The police station is located close to police lines and other sensitive government buildings.

He said the blast occurred when a local youth protest was being held in the area. However, he clarified that the protest site was located some distance away from the explosion.

According to the DIG Malakand, the victims include four police officials and three civilians, including one child.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi said emergency teams and ambulances were dispatched immediately after receiving reports of the blast. The injured including policemen were shifted to Kabal Hospital and Saidu Sharif Hospital, while rescue and relief operations continued.

Security forces and police have cordoned off the area, collected evidence and launched an investigation into the incident.

Sargodha: Polling for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections in Constituency LA-34(1) began in Khushab on Sunday, with only 11 registered voters eligible to cast their ballots.

Polling started at 8am at three locations, Block No. 14 Joharabad, Chak No. 53/MB and Azam Colony (Chak No. 45/MB) amid tight security arrangements.

Officials said all necessary arrangements had been completed at polling stations, while election staff was performing duties under the supervision of presiding officers.

Law enforcement personnel were deployed to maintain a peaceful environment.

District Election Commissioner, Muhammad Ali visited the polling station at Government Primary School, Chak No. 53/MB, where he reviewed polling arrangements, election material and security measures.

He said the polling process was continuing smoothly and transparently, adding that mobile phones were prohibited inside polling stations and the Election Commission’s code of conduct was being strictly implemented. Polling will continue until 5pm.

Burewala: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Nasir Hussain Dar on Sunday secured the highest number of votes in polling conducted in Vehari district for the LA-34 Jammu-I constituency, while Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Muhammad Asim Sharif led the vote count for LA-42 Kashmir Valley-III, according to unofficial polling results from the district.

In LA-34 Jammu-I, Nasir Hussain Dar received 17 votes at Polling Station No. 44, ahead of Chaudhry Abdul Qadeer with six votes and Muhammad Saud Mukhtar with two. At Polling Station No. 45, Bilal Mukhtar Butt secured 10 votes, followed by Dar with seven and Abdul Qadeer with one. Dar also obtained four votes at Polling Station No. 46, while no votes were cast at Polling Stations No. 47 and 48 in Mailsi.

For LA-42 Kashmir Valley-III, PPP candidate Muhammad Asim Sharif secured 11 votes at Polling Station No. 12 in Vehari district. A total of 121 registered Kashmiri migrant voters, including 64 men and 57 women, were eligible to cast their ballots. Five polling stations with nine polling booths had been established to facilitate voting for the two refugee constituencies.

Polling remained peaceful throughout the day under stringent security arrangements. Police personnel remained deployed at and around all polling stations to maintain law and order and ensure the smooth conduct of voting for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly refugee seats.

Rawalpindi: Police have arrested two alleged drug peddlers in separate operations and recovered more than three kilograms of drugs as part of the ongoing crackdown against narcotics.

According to police spokesperson, the Pirwadhai Police apprehended drug supplier and recovered 2. 1 kg of hashish from his possession.

In another operation, the Westridge Police arrested another supplier and seized 1. 1 kg of hashish.

Separate cases have been registered against the arrested suspects, and further investigations are underway.

Police official said the crackdown on drug trafficking would continue, adding that all necessary measures were being taken to eliminate the menace of narcotics from society.