Month: August 2026

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Overseas Pakistanis’ welfare a top government priority: Imran Ahmad Shah


Islamabad: Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah Friday said the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and the provision of quality public services remained among the government’s top priorities, stressing that Pakistani missions abroad must provide efficient, accessible, timely and people-centric consular services.



He made these remarks while addressing a gathering during his visit to the Consulate General of Pakistan in Chicago, where he inaugurated a photo exhibition highlighting the rights and struggle of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).



The minister was received by Consul General Zaman Mehdi along with officers and staff of the Consulate. Members of the Pakistani-American community also attended the event.



Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said overseas Pakistanis should be treated with dignity, respect, compassion and sincerity.



He stressed the need to further simplify consular procedures, eliminate unnecessary delays and ensure timely assistance to applicants, adding that public service delivery should be guided by the principles of humanity, justice and Islamic values.



According to a news release, the minister appreciated the invaluable contribution of overseas Pakistanis to Pakistan’s economy, national development and the country’s positive image around the world.



He said consular services could be further improved by addressing the concerns and suggestions of overseas Pakistanis, strengthening institutional engagement, enhancing public communication and making greater use of modern technology.



During the visit, Consul General Zaman Mehdi briefed the federal minister on the Consulate’s initiatives to facilitate the Pakistani community across the American Midwest.



He highlighted efforts including organizing consular camps in different cities, maintaining regular engagement with the community, ensuring timely dissemination of information and improving access to consular services for Pakistanis residing in areas distant from Chicago.



The Consul General reaffirmed the Consulate’s commitment to providing transparent, timely and community-oriented services while maintaining close engagement with Pakistanis living within its jurisdiction.



Later, the federal minister interacted with members of the Pakistani-American community, who welcomed him and shared their views and suggestions regarding the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and further improvement of consular services.



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Abbasi puts railways on high alert amid flood threat to ensure safe train operations


Islamabad: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi Saturday placed the Ministry of Railways on high alert to ensure the safety of passengers, protection of railway tracks and uninterrupted train operations amid the prevailing flood situation across parts of the country.



The minister also cancelled the weekly holidays of railway officers and staff and directed all officials to remain on duty until further notice to effectively respond to any emergency, said a news release.



Hanif Abbasi instructed senior railway officers to remain present in the field, while emergency measures were enforced at all field offices to closely monitor the situation and ensure an immediate response to any damage caused by heavy rains or flooding.



He warned that he would personally supervise the performance of officers and directed strict action against officials found negligent in addressing public complaints or carrying out their responsibilities.



The minister directed all Divisional Superintendents (DSs) to personally oversee repair, restoration and maintenance work in flood-affected areas to ensure the earliest possible resumption of rail services.



He further ordered Pakistan Railways’ control rooms to remain operational round the clock for continuous monitoring of the situation, adding that he would conduct surprise inspections to review the implementation of emergency directives.



Hanif Abbasi urged railway officials to demonstrate exceptional dedication in serving the public during the emergency, saying efficient officers would be appreciated while those showing negligence would face disciplinary action.



He said the safety and convenience of passengers, along with the full restoration of train operations, would remain the ministry’s top priority.



The minister also directed the railway administration to utilise all available resources and technical capabilities for the rehabilitation of flood-affected railway infrastructure and the restoration of train services at the earliest.



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Security Forces kill seven terrorists: ISPR


Islamabad: Security Forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Nushki District of Balochistan, on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to an Indian proxy, Fitna al Hindustan, neutralising seven Indian sponsored terrorists, including a suicide bomber.



During the conduct of operation, terrorists’ hideout was identified, monitored and busted through prompt surgical action by own forces killing all seven Indian sponsored terrorists including a suicide bomber. Cache of ammunitions and improvised explosive devices were also destroyed on-site, according to a press release issued by the ISPR.



Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorist found in the area. Relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm e Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.



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Additional commissioner inspects Farmer Facilitation Center


Multan: Additional Commissioner (Revenue) Multan Hafiz Muhammad Mudassar Nawaz on Saturday visited the Farmer Facilitation Center here.



Deputy Director Agriculture (Extension) Shahid Iqbal Cheema and Deputy Director Agriculture (Pest Warning and Quality Control) Syed Ismat Hussain Shah accompanied him during the visit.



The additional commissioner met farmers present at the center, listened to their issues and reviewed the facilities being provided. He directed the Agriculture (Extension) department staff to effectively guide visiting farmers and create awareness about quality agricultural inputs and other facilities available at subsidized rates.



During the visit, he also inspected the advisory register and stock register, directing officials to maintain accuracy and transparency of records.



The additional commissioner, later on, visited a vegetable demonstration plot set up by the Agriculture (Extension) department under the Punjab government’s Sanjhi Sabzi Program, and formally inaugurated the sowing of winter vegetables.



At the conclusion of the visit, he launched a tree plantation drive by planting a fruit sapling at the office of the Deputy Director Agriculture (Extension).



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Rawalpindi region completes security, electoral arrangements for AJK refugee seats election tomorrow


Rawalpindi: Elections for three refugee seats of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will be held tomorrow (Sunday), for which electoral and security arrangements in the Rawalpindi region have been finalized.



The Election Commission has completed all preparations for peaceful, transparent and orderly polling, while the district administration and police have finalized arrangements to implement a foolproof security plan.



According to the Election Commission, a total of 27, 907 registered voters, including 14, 917 men and 12, 990 women, will exercise their right to vote on the refugee seats LA-39 Jammu-6, LA-43 Valley-4 and LA-44 Valley-5. LA-39 Jammu-6 has 20, 807 registered voters, LA-43 Valley-4 has 3, 346, and LA-44 Valley-5 has 3, 754.



A total of 34 candidates are contesting the polls across the three constituencies. In LA-39 Jammu-6, 14 candidates are in the race, including Raja Muhammad Siddique of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Chaudhry Fakhar Zaman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Muhammad Tahir Khokhar of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP). In LA-43 Valley-4, 12 candidates are contesting, including PML-N’s Muhammad Yasin Lone, PPP’s Javed Butt, and IPP’s Hamza Majeed. In LA-44 Valley-5, eight candidates are in the field, including PML-N’s Muhammad Ahmed Raza Qadri, PPP’s Muhammad Rashid Islam, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Hanif Manzoor Dar, and Muslim Conference’s Mehr-un-Nisa.



The Election Commission has set up 192 polling stations for the three constituencies, comprising 155 for LA-39 Jammu-6, 10 for LA-43 Valley-4, and 27 for LA-44 Valley-5. Of the 100 polling stations established in Rawalpindi district for these constituencies, 18 have been declared sensitive, where additional security measures have been put in place.



RPO Babar Sarfraz Alpa said that more than 4, 000 police officers and personnel have been deployed to secure polling stations in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and Murree.



He said providing voters with a peaceful, safe and conducive environment to exercise their right to vote was the top priority of the regional police, and that all available resources were being utilized to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.



The RPO said special monitoring, effective patrolling and strict implementation of the approved security plan would be ensured at sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations. Suspicious individuals, suspicious activities and those found in possession of illegal weapons would be kept under close watch, while strict legal action would be taken against anyone violating electoral laws and the code of conduct, without discrimination.



He added that close coordination was being maintained with the district administration, the Election Commission and other concerned institutions, and that senior police officers would personally remain in the field to supervise election security. He also appealed to citizens to abide by the code of conduct and immediately report any suspicious activity to police, so that the electoral process could be made peaceful, transparent and secure in every respect.



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Commissioner reviews RDA projects, orders immediate finalisation of 2026-27 budget


Rawalpindi: Commissioner Rawalpindi Division and Director General of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Salman Ghani, on Saturday reviewed the progress of ongoing and proposed development projects and directed officials to immediately finalise the Authority’s budget for the financial year 2026-27.



Chairing a high-level meeting at the RDA headquarters, the commissioner reviewed the status of various development schemes being executed by the Authority and stressed the need to complete all ongoing projects within the approved timelines while ensuring quality, transparency and compliance with relevant standards.



The meeting was attended by Additional Director General RDA, Chief Planner Muhammad Tahir Meo, Director Administration Nosheen Israr, Director Finance Masood Arshad, Director Engineering Komal Chaudhry, Director Land Ghazanfar Ali Awan, Director Land Use and Building Control Iftikhar Ali, and other senior officers.



The participants also reviewed the planning and implementation strategy for upcoming development projects to improve urban infrastructure and public facilities in Rawalpindi.



Reviewing the Authority’s financial affairs, Salman Ghani directed the Director Finance and other concerned directors to finalise the RDA budget for 2026-27 without delay.



The commissioner directed all concerned officers to maintain close coordination to expedite the budget preparation process so that development activities and public service delivery could continue without interruption.



Reiterating the Authority’s commitment to planned urban development, he said RDA would continue to focus on improving civic infrastructure and ensuring the effective execution of development projects in the public interest.



He emphasised that regular monitoring, prompt decision-making and strict adherence to administrative and financial rules were essential to achieving the Authority’s development objectives and delivering transparent, accountable and efficient public services.