Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

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CTO announces license suspension for drivers of smoke-emitting vehicles


Lahore: Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi on Friday announced that the driving licenses of motorists operating smoke-emitting vehicles would be suspended as part of intensified measures to curb smog and air pollution in the provincial capital.



The CTO said route permits of commercial vehicles found violating anti-smog regulations would also be suspended, stressing that stringent measures were essential to safeguard public health and ensure environmental protection.



He said the entry of tractor-trolleys and dumpers carrying sand and soil without protective tarpaulin remained banned in Lahore.



According to the spokesperson, as part of the ongoing crackdown, 1,013 cases had been registered against violators.



To enforce the anti-smog campaign, CTPL had deployed special teams at 12 entry and exit points of the city, in addition to 45 dedicated enforcement teams carrying out inspections and action across Lahore.



The spokesperson said action was taken against 3,649 smoke-emitting vehicles and 2,183 vehicles causing environmental pollution during the current month. Moreover, 6,820 unfit and poorly maintained vehicles were proceeded against for violating traffic and environmental regulations.



Abdul Raheem Shirazi said tractor-trolleys would not be allowed to operate without tarpaulin, water sprinkling or other mandatory safety measures to prevent the spread of dust and pollution.



He added that the traffic police were also using an artificial intelligence-based system to detect and issue e-challans to smoke-emitting vehicles.



The CTO said notices had been issued to various government and semi-government organisations to ensure the repair of smoke-emitting vehicles, warning that strict legal action would now be taken against those failing to comply.



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Pakistan, IAEA conclude training on computer security inspections for nuclear facilities


Islamabad: Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), successfully concluded a five-day National Training Course (NTC) on Conducting Computer Security Inspections for Nuclear Facilities at PNRA.



The course, held from July 27-31, was organized by PNRA’s National Institute of Safety and Security (NISAS), as an IAEA Collaborating Centre.



It brought together national regulatory staff and security inspectors responsible for safeguarding the digital systems of Pakistan’s operational nuclear facilities, strengthening participants’ understanding of computer security methodologies, sharpening their ability to assess compliance, conduct security audits, and identify potential vulnerabilities in line with IAEA’s Nuclear Security Series guidance.



The course was led by three distinguished international experts; Mr. Louis Ebiotuno Tabai of the IAEA, Mr. Jeong Ho Lee of the Republic of Korea, and Mr. Ricardo Paulino Marques of Brazil, who provided participants with practical knowledge and global perspectives on computer security inspections.



“Computer security is one of the important aspects of regulatory oversight of safety and security of nuclear installations. This training has contributed in further enhancing our inspector’s ability to stay ahead in ensuring computer security against evolving threats. This is of course a reflection of partnership with IAEA to further strengthen regulatory oversight of facilities and activities’ said Chairman PNRA, Mr. Zia Hussain Shah, during his concluding remarks.



While speaking at the closing ceremony, the IAEA representative Mr. Louis Ebiotuno Tabai, acknowledged Pakistan’s continued collaboration with the Agency and emphasized the importance of building national expertise to address evolving computer security challenges in the nuclear sector.



The successful conclusion of the course marks another milestone in the longstanding cooperation between PNRA and the IAEA in building national regulatory capacity.



The knowledge and practical experience gained during the programme will further strengthen Pakistan’s capability to effectively oversee computer security at nuclear facilities in accordance with internationally recognized practices.



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Rain disrupts power supply on 84 PESCO feeders across KP


Peshawar: Heavy overnight rain temporarily disrupted electricity supply on 84 feeders across the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) region, affecting parts of the Peshawar, Khyber, Mardan, Swabi and Swat circles, according to a PESCO spokesperson.



The PESCO spokesperson said that 41 feeders were affected in the Peshawar Circle, followed by 22 in Khyber, 12 in Mardan, five in Swabi and four in the Swat Circle.



PESCO immediately launched repair work to restore power supply at the earliest.



On the directives of the PESCO Chief, the General Manager (Operations) is personally supervising the restoration and repair operations to ensure the earliest possible resumption of electricity supply.



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Illegal structures demolished in anti-encroachment drive along protected river zone in Havelian


Havelian: The district administration carried out a large-scale anti-encroachment operation in Havelian, demolishing dozens of illegal structures built within the protected river zone, as part of efforts to restore the natural flow of the river and mitigate flood risks during the monsoon season.



The operation was conducted on the directives of Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad Sarmad Saleem Akram and led by Additional Assistant Commissioner-II Havelian Muhammad Osama, in collaboration with police, the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA), the Irrigation Department, and Revenue field staff.



According to the district administration, the operation targeted illegal encroachments along the Dorr River and adjoining areas under the provisions of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa River Protection Ordinance, 2002 (as amended), and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Property (Removal of Encroachment) Act, 1977 (as amended).



During the operation, authorities demolished 10 illegally constructed residential houses, five boundary walls, and five shops in Mohalla Began, Havelian Town. In Langra-I, two crushing plants were inspected, and one was demolished after being found in violation of the River Protection Ordinance.



The administration also razed two illegal block factories and two shops established within the protected river zone in Havelian Town. Near Ayub Bridge, an illegally constructed school building and a park built inside the protected river corridor were also demolished.



Officials said the operation was aimed at restoring the river’s natural course, removing encroachments from the protected floodplain, protecting government land, and reducing the risk of flooding to safeguard lives and property during the ongoing monsoon season.



The district administration reiterated that indiscriminate legal action against all illegal encroachments established in violation of relevant provincial laws would continue across the district.



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Millat Tractors chairman donates tractors to GCU


Lahore: The Millat Tractors Limited Chairman Sikandar Mustafa Khan has donated two brand-new tractors to his alma mater, Government College University (GCU) Lahore.



The donation was made in response to a formal request by GCU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Omer Chaudhry. The heavy machinery is especially required to facilitate landscaping, agricultural upkeep, and ongoing development work at the university’s expansive new 370-acre campus situated at Kala Shah Kaku.



The two new tractors were officially handed over to the university administration today at the main campus.



Mr. Khan maintains an active association with his alma mater. Alongside this recent contribution, he is a serving member of the Executive Committee of the GCU Endowment Fund, which assists the university with institutional development and student financial aid.



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Governor Sindh Nihal Hashmi Visits Makhdoom Nooh Sarwar Shrine in Hala


Hyderabad: Governor Sindh Syed Muhammad Nihal Hashmi visited Hala on Wednesday and paid homage at the shrine of Hazrat Ghous-ul-Haq Makhdoom Nooh Sarwar.



He laid a floral wreath, offered Fateha and prayed for the peace, prosperity and stability of the country. The Governor also visited the grave of Makhdoom Shah Nawaz, where he offered Fateha.



According to a handout, talking to the media on the occasion, Nihal Hashmi said that visiting the shrine of Makhdoom Nooh Sarwar in Hala was a great honour and blessing for him. He said the Sufi saints had always preached the values of love, brotherhood, tolerance and peace.



He emphasized the need to promote the message of peace, love and harmony taught by the Sufi saints throughout society.