Month: August 2026

Rawalpindi: Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Babar Sarfraz Alpa on Friday held the monthly meeting of the Regional Police Coordination Committee (RPCC) to review the law and order situation and measures to curb crime across the region, while directing foolproof security arrangements for Chehlum processions and religious gatherings as well as the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections.

The RPO directed all district police and units to strengthen coordination and upgrade policing in line with modern requirements to ensure effective law enforcement.

He also ordered enhanced security for Chinese nationals, other foreign citizens, CPEC projects, and key installations, directing officers to conduct daily inspections and warning that negligence would not be tolerated.

Babar Sarfraz Alpa instructed supervisory officers to personally monitor investigations into cases involving women and children and ensure the early disposal of pending cases.

He also directed police to intensify efforts to arrest proclaimed offenders, trace absconding suspects in cases with incomplete challans, and improve investigations to secure convictions.

The meeting also decided to intensify the crackdown on illegally residing foreigners and stressed strict implementation of the Tenancy Act through the effective use of the Hotel Eye and Travel Eye software systems.

The RPO further ordered tighter security at inter-provincial and riverine checkpoints and called for increased search, combing, intelligence-based operations, and snap checking across the region.

Emphasizing the force’s commitment to public safety, Babar Sarfraz Alpa said protecting the lives and property of citizens remained the top priority of Rawalpindi Region Police, adding that the force was fully prepared to respond to any untoward situation.

He said the RPCC had significantly improved coordination among law enforcement and other institutions, further strengthening policing across the region.

Rawalpindi: Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi has been placed on high alert as heavy monsoon rain continue to lash Rawalpindi and Islamabad, according to Rescue 1122 Media Coordinator Muhammad Usman Gujjar.

He said rescue personnel have been deployed along Nullah Lai and in low-lying areas, including Katarian, Gawalmandi, and other flood-prone locations. The teams will remain on duty throughout the rainfall period to respond promptly to any emergency situation.

Muhammad Usman Gujjar urged the public to exercise extreme caution during the monsoon season. He advised parents to keep children away from Nullah Lai and electricity poles during rain.

Motorists were also urged to drive at reduced speeds and remain vigilant on waterlogged roads. Residents living in vulnerable areas have been advised to move to safer locations before the onset of urban flooding. The Rescue 1122 spokesperson further warned people to avoid taking shelter under weak or dilapidated roofs, refrain from crossing streams and flood channels, and stay away from tourist destinations due to the risk of heavy rainfall.

He appealed to citizens to immediately contact the Rescue 1122 emergency helpline by dialing 1122 in case of any emergency.

Dera ismail khan: The district administration launched a major crackdown on illegal diesel agencies and suspected smuggled petroleum products in the district, seizing around 200,000 litres of fuel and shutting down several unauthorized dispensing units during a joint operation.

The operation was led by Assistant Commissioner Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddiq in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistan Customs, district police and Civil Defence. The raids were carried out at multiple locations, including Eastern Circular Road, Bannu Road and Bypass Road, where authorities inspected premises allegedly involved in the illegal storage and sale of diesel and petrol.

During the operation, five illegal diesel dispensing units were confiscated while 12 others were sealed. Officials also recovered approximately 150,000 litres of diesel and 50,000 litres of petrol suspected to have been smuggled into the country.

Authorities further seized dispensing equipment, pipelines, fittings, fire extinguishers and five expired fire extinguishers. Later, all seized petroleum products and equipment were handed over to Pakistan Customs for safe custody and further legal action.

The district administration also recommended that Pakistan Customs confiscate the suspected smuggled petroleum products under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act and initiate legal proceedings against those involved.

Speaking on the occasion, Assistant Commissioner Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddiq said the district administration remained committed to protecting public safety, curbing illegal businesses, preventing the sale of smuggled petroleum products, safeguarding government revenue and ensuring strict enforcement of the law. He said indiscriminate action against those involved in unauthorized fuel storage, illegal petroleum trade and the sale of smuggled fuel would be continue.

Rawalpindi: Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Salman Ghani on Friday directed all relevant departments to remain alert to protect the lives and property of citizens during the ongoing monsoon spell, as intermittent rain continued across Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The commissioner instructed deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners to maintain continuous field monitoring and ensure immediate response during and after rainfall.

He directed all departments to ensure the timely drainage of rainwater from roads, streets and low-lying areas to minimise inconvenience to the public. He also ordered enhanced surveillance of Nullah Lai and other stormwater drains and called for strengthened safety arrangements at vulnerable locations.

Salman urged residents of low-lying areas to adopt precautionary measures and follow official advisories. He also advised citizens to stay away from electricity poles and broken power lines to avoid the risk of electrocution, avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain, and remain updated on weather conditions.

He further appealed to parents to prevent children from going near rivers, rainwater channels and open manholes during the monsoon.

According to official rainfall data, 103 millimetres of rain was recorded at Rawalpindi Kutchery, 68 at Saidpur, 52 mm at Golra, 42 mm at Bokra, 65 mm at the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), 73 mm at Shamsabad, 60 mm at Pirwadhai and 59 mm at New Katarian.

Meanwhile, civic agencies remained on high alert as the rain continued across the twin cities.

Managing Director Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi Azizullah Khan said WASA personnel and heavy machinery had been deployed in low-lying areas, including Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk Underpass, Murree Road and Sadiqabad, to ensure uninterrupted drainage.

He said Nullah Lai was under continuous monitoring and the water flow remained normal.

Khan said field officers were personally supervising drainage operations. He also urged citizens not to throw garbage into drains or sewer lines and not to remove manhole covers to ensure the smooth flow of rainwater.

The Suthra Punjab Agency(SPA) also continued drain cleaning, waste collection, waste lifting and manual sweeping despite the rain to prevent waterlogging in vulnerable areas.

The agency said sanitation workers remained deployed across the city, while awareness campaigns were conducted in residential neighbourhoods and markets, urging citizens not to dump garbage or construction debris into drains and to dispose of waste through designated containers or sanitation workers.

Managing Director SPA Rawalpindi Rana Sajid Safdar said maintaining cleanliness during the monsoon remained the agency’s top priority.

He said sanitation workers were ensuring timely drainage in low-lying areas, while the Clean Punjab Helpline 1139 enabled citizens to register sanitation-related complaints without delay.

Media Coordinator Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi Muhammad Usman Gujar said rescue personnel had been deployed along Nullah Lai and in low-lying areas, including Katarian and Gawalmandi, and would remain on duty throughout the rainy spell.

He advised the public to exercise caution during the monsoon, urging parents not to allow children near Nullah Lai or electricity poles during rainfall, motorists to drive carefully, residents to avoid weak structures, flooded areas, rivers and streams, and tourists to avoid travelling to vulnerable destinations during periods of heavy rain and possible cloudbursts. He urged citizens to contact the Rescue 1122 helpline immediately in case of any emergency.

Sargodha: The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) foiled an attempt to steal a government-installed safety fence on the motorway and arrested the suspect red-handed before handing him over to the local police.

According to an NHMP spokesperson, officials of Beat No. 12, Faizpur, of MC-One Zone in the M-2 South Sector were on routine patrol when they spotted a man attempting to steal a section of the safety fence at kilometre 5 southbound near Lima.

Upon seeing the Motorway Police patrol vehicle, the suspect attempted to flee. However, the officials acted swiftly and apprehended him at the scene.

During the initial investigation, the suspect was identified as Zeeshan, son of Allah Ditta, a resident of Mason Colony.

The accused was later handed over to Kot Abdul Malik Police Station for further legal proceedings, where a case was registered against him.

Rawalpindi: PMAS-AAUR to implement KPI-based performance tracking, transparent governance, and HEC-aligned academic benchmarks under a new institutional framework aimed at transforming the varsity into a model institution.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman announced these structural reforms while chairing the inaugural Institutional Quality Circle (IQC) Board meeting at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR).

Organized by the university’s Directorate of Quality Enhancement (DQE), the high-level session brought together university deans, directors, department chairpersons, and administrative heads.

Speaking at the forum, Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman emphasized that continuous quality evaluation, systematic stakeholder feedback, and high-impact research are central to driving the university’s academic elevation.

Director DQE Prof. Dr. Muhammad Javaid Asad briefed attendees on aligning instructional methodologies and administrative workflows with national accreditation standards.

The board concluded by approving an actionable monitoring mechanism to enforce quality control protocols across all academic and operational departments.