Month: August 2026

Dg khan: A polling station in Dera Ghazi Khan’s Mamoori town witnessed a rare electoral moment during elections for Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly constituency LA-34 Jammu-1, as it had only one registered woman voter on its electoral list, who cast her vote.

The polling station was set up at Government Elementary School Mamoori as per Election Commission directives, with full arrangements made for polling staff, election material and security. Despite there being only one registered voter at this particular polling station, all arrangements were kept in place in accordance with the electoral code of conduct to ensure a transparent, free and fair process.

The district administration made special arrangements to facilitate the sole woman voter in casting her ballot.

According to the returning officer, a total of 17 candidates contested the LA-34 Jammu-1 constituency seat overall.

Sukkur: A man was killed and three others sustained critical injuries in clash between two rivalry Kursi Jatoi groups in Kacha area of Muhammad Abagh, Shikarpur. According to police, the deceased was identified as Kandeero Kursi. The clash erupted between the groups led by Huzoor Kursi and Allahwasyo Kursi.

The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Police were informed about the incident and reached the area to bring the situation under control. Police have registered a case.

Peshawar: At least 14 people have been confirmed dead in the explosion that struck Kabal area of Swat district, according to Rescue 1122 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi said that nine bodies were shifted to Saidu Sharif Central Hospital, while doctors at Kabal Hospital confirmed the presence of five more bodies, taking the death toll to 14.

On the directives of Director General Rescue 1122 Shah Fahad, rescue and relief operations were continuing under the supervision of District Emergency Officer Swat Shoaib Mansoor.

A total of 13 Rescue 1122 ambulances and more than 45 rescue personnel were participating in the operation. Rescue teams had provided emergency medical treatment to more than 15 injured persons before shifting them to various hospitals for further care.

Murree: Due to the effective strategy and comprehensive administrative measures implemented by District Police Officer (DPO) Murree, Dr. Muhammad Raza Tanveer, Murree Police successfully provided complete security and protection to over 2. 42 million vehicles and millions of tourists visiting the hill station during the first seven months (January to July) of the current year, with zero untoward incidents reported.

According to a detailed analytical report submitted by DPO Murree to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab, July emerged as the peak tourism and traffic month, recording a groundbreaking 556, 679 vehicle entries and 455, 771 exits in Murree city alone. Data from the Intelligence Traffic Management System (ITMS) highlighted an unprecedented influx in July compared to June, with over one million combined entry-and-exit vehicle movements registered at both the district and city monitoring levels reflecting a sharp 107% surge in district entry points and a 35% increase in city core entries.

The month-wise ITMS data for vehicle entries into Murree City highlights a steady rise during the first quarter, recording 327, 944 entries in January, 277, 767 in February, 281, 283 in March, and 243, 303 in April. Traffic momentum accelerated significantly with the arrival of the summer season, climbing to 321, 171 entries in May, 411, 935 in June, and culminating in a record peak of 556, 679 entries in July. Despite this immense seasonal pressure, police personnel remained actively deployed in the field to guarantee smooth traffic circulation and public safety throughout the period.

DPO Murree Dr. Muhammad Raza Tanveer stated that a two-tier control framework has been operationalized for optimal traffic flow and law enforcement across the region. Under this model, outer district entries are continuously monitored to regulate vehicular inflow before saturation occurs, while dynamic deployments are maintained across high-density city corridors, including Mall Road approaches, key intersections, and parking zones. He reaffirmed that Murree Police will continue leveraging data-driven smart policing to ensure the safety and seamless travel of tourists during upcoming holiday seasons.

Faisalabad: Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal Khan on Sunday visited various polling stations established in Faisalabad for the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections and described the transparent and peaceful conduct of polling as essential for strengthening democratic institutions and public confidence in the electoral process.

During visit, he inspected polling stations and polling booths and reviewed the overall polling arrangements, security measures and facilities being provided to the voters.

He met polling staff, election officials and administrative authorities, who briefed him about the polling process, security arrangements and voter facilitation measures.

Expressing satisfaction over the arrangements, he directed the relevant officials to ensure transparent, well-organized and peaceful environment so that Kashmiri voters could exercise their democratic right without any hindrance.

He stressed that voter convenience, discipline and transparency should remain the foremost priorities throughout the polling process to ensure that every eligible voter could cast his vote freely and without fear.

Talking to media persons after visit, Rana Ehsan Afzal Khan said that free, fair and peaceful elections constituted the very foundation of a strong democratic system and reflected true spirit of the democracy.

He said that enthusiastic participation of voters from Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the electoral process demonstrated their democratic awareness and commitment which was encouraging and commendable.

Appreciating the arrangements made by the election staff, district administration and law enforcement agencies, he expressed confidence that polling would conclude peacefully and transparently and the results would genuinely reflect will of the people.

The government is committed to play its role at every level to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in accordance with democratic principles, he added.

Abbottabad: Renowned artist Nasir Shehzad from Abbottabad Sunday has won first place in the 3rd International Virtual Art Contest and Exhibition 2026, organized by MZR Art Studio Pakistan, after competing against artists from 50 countries.

According to the organizers, painters from around the world submitted their artwork for the international competition.

Nasir Shehzad’s portrait painting was selected as the best by the jury, earning him the First-Place Winner award.

The achievement has been warmly welcomed by members of the literary, cultural and artistic community across Abbottabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Prominent social and cultural figures congratulated the artist, saying his success has brought international recognition to both Abbottabad and Pakistan.

Expressing his gratitude, Nasir Shehzad said the award was the result of hard work, dedication and the prayers and support of his family and friends. He reaffirmed his commitment to representing Pakistan at international art events and said he would continue encouraging and mentoring young artists to excel in the field of fine arts.