Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Abbottabad: Abbottabad Police on Friday launched a registration campaign under the Pehchaan mobile app, urging all taxi, online ride-hailing, and private transport drivers to register with the digital platform to enhance passenger safety and strengthen driver verification.

According to the police, registration through the Pehchaan mobile app is completely free of cost. Every registered driver will be issued a unique QR code, enabling passengers and law enforcement agencies to verify the driver’s identity quickly and efficiently, thereby improving the safety and security of both drivers and commuters.

The initiative is part of Abbottabad Police’s efforts to promote safe travel, build public confidence in transport services, and introduce a secure, technology-driven transportation system.

Police have advised drivers to complete their registration by contacting their respective Traffic Wardens or visiting the designated Pehchaan Desk. The Abbottabad Traffic Police said its personnel were available to provide guidance and assistance throughout the registration process.

The police urged all eligible drivers to register with the Pehchaan mobile app and contribute towards building a safer driver community and a more secure Abbottabad.

Mansehra: Authorities have closed the Naran-Lake Saif-ul-Malook Road to all types of traffic until further orders after heavy monsoon rains lashed the upper parts of Hazara Division, triggering landslides, flash flooding, and road blockages at several locations.

The precautionary closure was ordered in view of the ongoing heavy rainfall, the risk of cloudbursts, and weather advisories issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

The torrential downpour caused landslides and road obstructions along several mountainous routes in Upper Hazara, disrupting traffic and increasing the risk for commuters and tourists.

In District Mansehra, the River Kunhar and several seasonal streams swelled due to heavy rainfall, with authorities warning of the possibility of flash floods in vulnerable areas.

Officials said the closure of the Naran-Lake Saif-ul-Malook Road was a precautionary measure to safeguard tourists and local residents from potential hazards posed by adverse weather conditions and possible cloudburst incidents.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast that intermittent heavy rainfall is likely to continue in Hazara Division over the coming hours. The department has warned that intense downpours may trigger flash floods in rivers and streams, urban flooding in low-lying areas, and landslides in mountainous regions.

District authorities have advised tourists to postpone travel to Naran, Lake Saif-ul-Malook, Kaghan Valley, Babusar Top, and other upper tourist destinations until weather conditions improve. Local residents have also been urged to avoid unnecessary movement, particularly near rivers, streams, and landslide-prone areas, and to strictly follow official advisories.

The administration said road restoration work would commence as soon as weather conditions permit, while the Naran-Lake Saif-ul-Malook Road will remain closed to all traffic until further orders to ensure public safety.

Trkiye: Pakistan and Trkiye have agreed to significantly expand bilateral cooperation in the railway sector through investment, technology transfer, infrastructure modernization and enhanced regional connectivity, reaffirming their commitment to building a long-term strategic partnership.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, and Trkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, where both sides held wide-ranging discussions on strengthening cooperation in the railway sector.

A major focus of the talks was the early revival of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) Freight Corridor, with both countries agreeing to transform it into a sustainable regional trade route linking South Asia, Central Asia and Europe.

The corridor was described as a strategic initiative with the potential to substantially boost regional trade, logistics and economic integration.

The Pakistani delegation also briefed the Turkish side on the modernization of the Main Line-3 (ML-3) railway from Rohri to Taftan, highlighting its strategic importance in enhancing rail connectivity with Iran and facilitating future freight movement through the ITI Corridor.

Progress on the Karachi-Rohri section of Main Line-1 (ML-1) was also shared, while Turkish companies were invited to explore investment opportunities in the remaining phases of the landmark railway project.

The meeting further discussed Trkiye’s potential participation in the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Corridor (UAPRC), recognizing it as a key initiative for promoting future regional connectivity and economic cooperation.

Pakistan Railways gave a comprehensive presentation on its ongoing digital transformation programme, outlining reforms in signalling systems, rolling stock modernization, operational efficiency and increased private-sector participation.

Both sides agreed to deepen collaboration in digital railway solutions, technology transfer, institutional capacity building, advanced railway management systems and operational excellence.

The two delegations also explored opportunities for joint investment and industrial cooperation at the Carriage Factory Islamabad, Pakistan Railways’ concrete sleeper factories and engineering workshops. Discussions focused on joint ventures, localization of railway manufacturing and technology transfer for the production of passenger coaches, freight wagons and other railway equipment.

During the meeting, both countries exchanged detailed presentations on railway development projects, investment opportunities and regional connectivity initiatives. They agreed to maintain close institutional engagement through technical consultations and working-level coordination to translate shared proposals into practical projects.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Abbasi said Pakistan Railways is keen to benefit from Trkiye’s expertise in railway modernization, advanced technologies and infrastructure development.

He said enhanced Pakistan-Trkiye cooperation in the railway sector would not only accelerate the modernization of Pakistan Railways but also promote regional economic growth, sustainable connectivity and a stronger long-term strategic partnership between the two brotherly nations.

Sukkur: A two day Capacity Building Workshop for officers of Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur commenced today at the Seminar Hall, Institute of Business Administration (IBA).

The workshop, organized under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Hissamuddin Shaikh and Inspector of Colleges Syed Muneer Rashdi, aims to enhance professional, technical and leadership skills of administrative officers with special focus on use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in official work.

Addressing online, Vice Chancellor Meritorious Prof. Dr. Yousuf Khushk appreciated the organizing committee and said such programmes are vital for enhancing administrative efficiency.

He highlighted the transformative role of AI in official work, noting that learning has no age limit. He announced that similar workshops will be organized regularly for officers and ministerial staff.

In his presidential address, Prof. Dr. Noor Ahmed Shaikh, Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, emphasized the importance of AI in modern office management and urged participants to apply the acquired skills in their offices.

Prof. Dr. Irum Rani Shaikh and Prof. Dr. Masiullah Jatoi also attended the inaugural session.

The event was attended by Registrar, Director Finance, Inspector of Colleges, Additional Registrar, Director Admissions, Heads of Sections, Administrative Officers, Senior Data Processing Officers and other officials.

Technical sessions were conducted by Dr. Mohsin Kazmi and Dr. Farhan Shahzad with practical demonstrations on AI applications in administration.

The workshop will continue on 31 July 2026 with further technical sessions and practical exercises.