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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Over 139,902 illegal Afghan nationals repatriated from Punjab


Lahore: Punjab Home Department on Friday said that 139,902 illegally residing Afghan nationals had been repatriated from the province as part of the government’s ongoing drive against illegal foreign nationals.



According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, the Foreign National Security Cell continued to coordinate and monitor the repatriation campaign across the province in line with the federal government’s policy.



The spokesperson said around 2.66 million Afghan nationals had so far been repatriated from Pakistan, including 139,902 from Punjab.



He said illegally residing Afghan nationals were being apprehended and shifted to holding centers, where temporary accommodation, registration, and documentation formalities were completed before their repatriation through the Torkham border crossing.



Currently, 39 holding centers are operational across the province, where 284 Afghan nationals are being housed. They will be repatriated after the completion of the required procedures, the spokesperson added.



The spokesperson said that, under the government’s policy, the stay of Afghan nationals in Pakistan without a valid visa was illegal. He added that inspections had been carried out in residential areas and markets across the province as part of the ongoing crackdown.



He urged citizens to report the illegal stay of Afghan nationals, identity fraud or any suspicious activity by calling the Police Emergency Helpline 15, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept confidential.



The spokesperson clarified that the ongoing action was being taken only against illegally residing foreign nationals, while the Punjab Home Department’s Foreign National Security Cell continued to oversee and coordinate the repatriation process across the province.



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Pakistan, FAO commit to joint action for sustainable agriculture, rural development


Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain on Friday chaired a high-level meeting with Robert Simpson, Deputy Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and reviewed ongoing cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration in climate-resilient agriculture, food security and sustainable agricultural development.



Welcoming the FAO delegation, the Federal Minister appreciated FAO’s longstanding partnership with Pakistan and acknowledged its valuable support in strengthening the country’s agriculture and food systems.



He noted that Pakistan was among the countries most vulnerable to climate change despite its negligible contribution to global carbon emissions and emphasized the need for enhanced technical assistance and timely implementation of ongoing projects.



The FAO delegation briefed the minister on key areas of collaboration, including the One Health Programme, food safety and phytosanitary (SPS) systems, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), sustainable agricultural mechanization, climate resilience under the Indus River Basin Programme, and the use of GIS, remote sensing and agrometeorological technologies to support climate-smart agriculture.



Robert Simpson also proposed organizing a National Climate Forum in collaboration with the Ministry to bring together government, development partners and the private sector to strengthen climate action in agriculture.



The minister welcomed the proposal and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to climate-resilient agricultural development.



Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted the government’s priorities, including strengthening food safety and SPS systems, promoting climate-resilient certified seeds through NASDRA, expanding agricultural mechanization and storage infrastructure, establishing Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), implementing the One District, One Product initiative in selected underdeveloped districts, enhancing livestock exports through improved disease control, and reducing dependence on imported wheat and edible oil.



The FAO delegation informed the minister that it would continue supporting Pakistan in mobilizing funding from international financial institutions and development partners. Both sides also discussed FAO’s upcoming policy report on Pakistan’s food production and nutrition needs, as well as the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative, under which Pakistan was participating with Chilgoza, while Chaunsa Mango has been proposed for inclusion.



The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation in climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, livestock development and food security for the benefit of Pakistan’s farming community.



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Shaza lauds Kazakhstan envoy’s role in strengthening Pakistan-Kazakhstan tech ties


Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Friday appreciated Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, for his role in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.



During a farewell meeting, the two sides discussed cooperation in the information technology and telecommunications sectors and explored ways to further expand collaboration.



Shaza Fatima praised Ambassador Kistafin’s efforts to promote Pakistan-Kazakhstan ties, particularly in the field of technology. She said he had played an important role in enhancing cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations during his tenure.



The minister acknowledged the ambassador’s contributions and wished him success in his future assignments.



She also presented the Ambassador with a commemorative shield in recognition of his services and contributions to strengthening ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.



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Creating new provinces,key to strengthening democracy in country: Abdul Aleem Khan


Islamabad: Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, has strongly reiterated that the creation of new administrative provinces is the ultimate key to strengthening democracy, revitalizing the economy, and delivering effective governance in Pakistan.



Reacting to the statement made yesterday by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi-who highlighted the urgent need for structural governance reforms and the establishment of new administrative units-Minister Abdul Aleem Khan emphasized that he has long advocated for this vital national requirement to address Pakistan’s rapidly growing population and complex administrative challenges.



Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan reaffirmed his proposed framework to reorganize Pakistan’s existing four provinces-Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan-into three provinces (administrative units) each, named North, Central, and South. He underscored that this strategic reorganization will fully preserve the historic and cultural identities of all regions without altering existing provincial names, while providing a permanent and sustainable solution to longstanding public grievances.



Addressing the daily hardships faced by ordinary citizens, the Federal Minister pointed out that people are currently forced to undertake long, exhausting, and expensive journeys covering hundreds of kilometers just to reach provincial capitals for minor administrative or legal matters.



Reorganizing the administrative setup will bring public offices directly to the citizens’ doorsteps, drastically streamlining public service delivery. The Minister noted that while decentralization may challenge entrenched political monopolies or centralized mindsets, Pakistan is a democratic republic where autocracy has no place.



Under this proposed administrative model, key state institutions-including the offices of the Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, and the High Courts-will be able to deliver immediate, efficient, and accountable justice and administration within manageable jurisdictions.



Transitioning the debate on new provinces from political slogans to concrete action will not divide the nation; rather, it will strengthen national unity, ensure equitable distribution of resources, and foster balanced development across every corner of Pakistan.



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11 unsafe buildings sealed in Sialkot during monsoon safety drive


Sialkot: The Municipal Corporation Sialkot has sealed 11 dangerous and dilapidated buildings during a citywide safety drive launched on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Awais Mushtaq to protect lives and property during the ongoing monsoon season.



According to a spokesperson for the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, the campaign is aimed at preventing accidents caused by unsafe structures during heavy rains. Chief Officer Municipal Corporation Sialkot Zubair Wattoo said building and enforcement inspectors had carried out inspections in different parts of the city and sealed 11 hazardous buildings.



He said the owners had been directed to safely demolish the unsafe buildings within the stipulated period. He warned that if they failed to comply, the Municipal Corporation would demolish the structures under the law and recover the cost from the owners.



The chief officer said the operation was being conducted under the Punjab Local Government Act, 2025, adding that the identification of other dangerous buildings and legal action against them would continue across the city.



He appealed to citizens to avoid living in or unnecessarily visiting dilapidated buildings during the rainy season and to immediately report any unsafe structure to the Municipal Corporation so prompt action could be taken. He said public cooperation was essential for safeguarding lives and property.