Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

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Suthra Punjab Authority intensifies flood relief and sanitation operations in Ferozewala


Lahore: In line with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision, the Suthra Punjab Authority has stepped up its relief and sanitation efforts in flood-affected areas, working closely with the district administration to provide timely assistance to affected communities.



Director General of the Suthra Punjab Authority, Umar Javed, paid an emergency visit to a flood relief camp in Ferozewala to review ongoing sanitation operations and assess field arrangements.



During the visit, the DG inspected the performance of sanitation workers deployed under the Suthra Punjab initiative and evaluated the effectiveness of cleanliness operations in the affected areas. He directed the concerned officers to remain present in the field and ensure strict monitoring of all operational activities.



Javed emphasized the need for further improvement in sanitation operations through effective supervision and instructed officials to ensure the timely provision of high-quality sanitation services to residents.



He said that the district administration and the Suthra Punjab Authority are working round the clock to maintain cleanliness in flood-hit areas and provide maximum relief to the public.



The Director General also met with the frontline sanitation workers, appreciating their dedication and commitment to delivering essential public services under challenging conditions. He described their contribution to operational activities and public service delivery as commendable.



Reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to public welfare, Umar Javed stated that serving the people remains the organization’s top priority and that all available resources are being utilized to provide relief and restore sanitation services in flood-affected areas.



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GIMS cardiology department holds academic session for medical students


Sukkur: Department of Cardiology at the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Friday organized an academic program for medical students under the supervision of renowned consultant cardiologist and interventionist, Dr. Niaz Abbasi.



The session aimed at enhancing clinical knowledge and professional grooming of young doctors. Medical students participated with great enthusiasm and engaged in a detailed discussion on key concepts of cardiology and modern interventional practices.



The interactive session provided a valuable platform for learning, knowledge-sharing, and question-answer interaction between the consultant and students. At the conclusion of the program, souvenirs were distributed among the speakers as a token of appreciation for their contribution.



Participants lauded the efforts of Dr. Niaz Abbasi and the Cardiology Department of GIMS for organizing such an informative and academically enriching activity and termed it highly beneficial for the future doctors.



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Minister calls for collective efforts to accelerate Pakistan’s development


Islamabad: Federal Minister for Board of Investment, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh on Friday emphasized the need for collective efforts to ensure rapid progress and prosperity for the people of Pakistan.



Speaking to a news channel program, the minister said that all political parties, including the opposition, have a shared responsibility to work together for the country’s development and to improve the living standards of the common people. He urged the opposition, particularly the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to move beyond political differences and engage in constructive dialogue on the key challenges faced by the nation.



Commenting on the proposal for creating new provinces or administrative units, he said such reforms could strengthen governance, improve administrative efficiency, and enhance the delivery of public services across the country. He reiterated that national development required cooperation among all stakeholders and stressed the importance of prioritizing the public interest over political divisions.



In reply to a question, he said the government under the leadership and dynamic vision of the prime minister Shehbaz Sharif was working to increase foreign investment in the country.



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Police kill two wanted suspects, rescue kidnapped woman in joint operation


Attock: The police killed two alleged proclaimed offenders during a joint operation and rescued a woman abducted for a Rs 50 million ransom, the police said on Friday.



The operation, carried out by the Crime Control Department (CCD) in cooperation with Haripur police, targeted suspects accused of involvement in kidnapping for ransom, terrorism, armed robbery, targeted killings, sexual assault and extortion.



The police said the raid took place in the Dhenda Bypass area within the jurisdiction of Khallabat police station, Haripur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.



The operation was led by CCD Attock District Officer, Yasir Matloob Kiani and Inspector Syed Imran Haider Kazmi, with support from Haripur Police and the Elite Police Force.



According to police, the main target, identified as Zarghamullah, his father Khalid Mehmood Khan allegedly opened fire on security personnel when the police team attempted to arrest them.



The police said the exchange of gunfire lasted for more than two hours.



They that the suspects used members of their own family as human shields during the confrontation, but officers safely evacuated the family before continuing the operation.



After the shooting ended, the police recovered the bodies of Zarghamullah and his father. Several other alleged accomplices escaped during the exchange of fire, and a search operation was launched to trace them.



In a follow-up intelligence-based raid on another hideout linked to the suspects, the police rescued a woman who had allegedly been kidnapped in a case registered on July 14 at Attock City Police Station.



The victim was allegedly abducted for a ransom demand of 50 million rupees, the police said.



They said the area was sealed off during the operation to minimise risks to civilians. The bodies were transferred to the Trauma Centre in Haripur for post-mortem examinations, while investigations continued.



District Police Officer Attock eulogized the CCD team for its handling of the operation. Senior CCD Punjab officials also commended the officers for their professionalism and bravery.



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Sindh health minister pledges enforcement of laws at Breastfeeding Week launch


Karachi: Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho on Friday launched World Breastfeeding Week, pledging stricter enforcement of laws regulating infant formula promotion and expansion of baby-friendly hospitals to improve breastfeeding practices across the province.



Launching the week-long observance, with breastfeeding promotion activities continuing throughout August, Dr Pechuho said breastfeeding remained one of the most effective interventions for protecting newborns, improving child nutrition and reducing infant mortality.



She said the government would strengthen implementation of the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breast-feeding and Young Child Nutrition Act, which prohibits the promotion, advertising and marketing of infant formula, breastmilk substitutes and commercial complementary foods intended for children up to three years of age.



Dr Pechuho said the government would remain vigilant in enforcing the law to protect families from unethical commercial practices that discourage breastfeeding and undermine mothers’ confidence.



She said Sindh was also expanding the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative by transforming tertiary, district and regional hospitals into facilities where mothers are supported to initiate breastfeeding within an hour of birth, newborns receive immediate skin-to-skin contact and unnecessary formula feeding is discouraged.



More than 3,000 healthcare providers have already been trained in clinical lactation management, breastfeeding counselling and maternal nutrition to strengthen breastfeeding support at public health facilities, she added.



Dr Pechuho said exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, followed by safe and nutrient-rich homemade complementary foods alongside continued breastfeeding, protected children against severe diarrhoea, pneumonia and acute malnutrition.



Along with routine immunisation, she said, optimal breastfeeding remained one of the most effective ways to improve child survival and health.



Marking World Breastfeeding Week under the theme ‘Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,’ the minister urged healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, the media and families to help create an environment in which every mother received the support needed to breastfeed successfully.



Supporting the campaign, UNICEF described breastfeeding as a shared responsibility and a cornerstone of child survival, nutrition and development, calling upon governments, health professionals, employers, communities and families to strengthen support systems for mothers.



UNICEF Sindh Chief of Field Office Prem Bahadur Chand said investing in evidence-based policies and services and protecting breastfeeding would help ensure that every child received the healthiest possible start in life.



He said UNICEF would support advocacy, awareness, community engagement and media activities across the country throughout August to promote and support breastfeeding.



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CS vows to implement price control Act 2026


Quetta: Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan on Friday chaired a meeting regarding the Balochistan Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act 2026.



In the meeting, the provincial government has prepared a comprehensive legal draft ‘Balochistan Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act 2026’ to stabilize prices in the province, prevent illegal profiteering and protect public interests.



On this occasion, the meeting was informed that this proposed law would replace the old federal framework of 1977 and lays down modern and robust administrative structures and procedures for effective implementation at the provincial level.



After the 18th Amendment, price control is a provincial subject; the existing 1977 Act is a relic of the federal era, the proposed 2026 Act has been completely tailored to provincial powers and needs.



The proposed law has a coherent command structure including the Price Control Council, Provincial Controller General and Deputy Commissioners as District Controllers to ensure speedy, coordinated and accountable action, and the draft law would be presented to the current provincial cabinet for consideration and necessary amendments before it is tablet to the provincial assembly.



Relevant stakeholders including the Ministry of Law, Commodity Management Department, District Administration, and trade representatives would be included for consultation.



The Chief Secretary said that the provincial government is keen to implement these legal reforms to provide relief to the public, ensure fair treatment in the market and take effective action against hoarding and profiteering.



He said that the proposed act would ensure price stability, availability of fertilizers, food and essential food items in the province.



Secretary Industries Khalid Sarpara, Secretary Commodity Management Arshad Hussain Bugti, Special Secretary Home Abdul Salam Achakzai and others attended the meeting.