Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

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Minister chairs second revenue policy meeting, approves major digital initiatives in KP


Peshawar: Provincial Minister for Revenue and Estate Tariq Mahmood Aryani here Saturday chaired second policy meeting of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Revenue and Estate Department.



The meeting was also attended by Member of National Assembly, Muhammad Atif Khan, , Member National Assembly Arbab Sher Ali, Senior Member Board of Revenue Zahir Shah Khan, digitalization expert Khalid Saeed, Director Land Records Yasir Hassan and other senior officials from Revenue Department and Board of Revenue.



The participants conducted a detailed review of the implementation of decisions taken during the previous policy meeting. The Revenue Working Group was briefed on progress made so far, while several important decisions were taken to accelerate revenue reforms and make public services more efficient, transparent and citizen-friendly.



Meeting decided that show cause notices would be issued to officials responsible for unnecessary delays or negligence in matters such as mutation of property, issuance of land records (Fard) and correction of names at Board of Revenue service delivery centers.



Meeting also directed the immediate resolution of the longstanding issue of Khana Kasht across the province. It was decided that separate counters would be established at all service delivery centers to handle matters related to Khana Kasht ensuring timely and convenient services for citizens.



To ensure the prompt resolution of public complaints and strengthen the monitoring of revenue services, the meeting approved the establishment of an complaints call centre that would be directly linked to the Revenue Dashboard and will collect feedback from citizens to help improve service delivery.



The meeting approved the early province wide implementation of e-Registry system to prevent duplicate and fraudulent mutations by ensuring that only land registered in the name of the relevant owner can be transferred.



Participants also decided to carry out Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping of government-owned land throughout the province and introduce an encroachment alert system.



To provide greater convenience to the public, the meeting approved the outsourcing and online provision of the land record issuance system. Under the proposed arrangement, citizens will be able to obtain land records through NADRA e-Sahulat centers, Revenue Dashboard and relevant Patwar offices.



The meeting further decided to digitally transform at least one district on a pilot basis and designate it as a ‘Model Digital District. ‘ All revenue records in the selected district will be maintained and made accessible through a modern digital system.



Moreover, directions were issued for the early completion of Computerized Land Record Management Integration System. The meeting was informed that once implemented, the system would fully computerize all stages of revenue administration. It would also enable overseas Pakistanis to legally complete the purchase, sale and transfer of their properties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from anywhere in the world.



Provincial Minister for Revenue and Estate Tariq Mahmood Aryani directed Senior Member Board of Revenue Zahir Shah Khan to immediately obtain comprehensive reports from all deputy commissioners regarding the facilities available and challenges faced at service delivery centers across the province.



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10 traffic inspectors penalised over weak enforcement in Lahore


Lahore: Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi on Saturday ordered departmental action against 10 traffic inspectors, including withholding their annual promotions for one year, over unsatisfactory enforcement of traffic laws, particularly helmet compliance, while dismissing a traffic warden from service on charges of misconduct.



According to a City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) spokesperson, the disciplinary action was taken after the CTO inspected various traffic sectors across the city to review enforcement performance and traffic management.



The spokesperson said sector in-charges of Anarkali, Mozang, Garhi Shahu and Niaz Baig were awarded departmental punishments for weak helmet enforcement, while sector in-charges of Sherakot and Manga Mandi were issued warnings and directed to improve their performance.



The CTO said violations of helmet rules, one-way traffic, lane discipline and underage driving would not be tolerated under any circumstances, adding that officers had been directed to ensure uniform enforcement across the city.



He said helmet compliance on Lahore’s model roads had reached 97. 11 per cent, while compliance stood at 98. 83 per cent on Davis Road, 98. 81 per cent at Faisal Chowk, 98. 63 per cent near Doctors Hospital, 97. 53 per cent at Canal View and 97. 23 per cent at Avari Hotel Chowk.



Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi said the increased use of helmets had reduced head trauma cases by up to 40 per cent. He noted that motorcyclists were involved in 73 per cent of fatal road accidents and stressed that strict enforcement was intended to protect human lives rather than generate revenue through fines.



He said that CTPL would continue taking strict action against negligence in enforcement while ensuring greater compliance with traffic laws to improve road safety across the provincial capital.



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CM congratulates Fatima Zahra on historic Commonwealth Games medal


Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has congratulated Pakistan’s first woman boxer, Fatima Zahra, on winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.



In her message, the chief minister felicitated Fatima Zahra for becoming the first Pakistani woman boxer to secure a medal at the Commonwealth Games, saying that her success had brought honour to the country and inspired young female athletes.



Expressing happiness over the achievement, Maryam Nawaz said it was encouraging to see Pakistan’s daughters advancing and proving their talent at the international level. She added that Fatima Zahra’s accomplishment would serve as a source of motivation for aspiring sportswomen across the country.



The chief minister praised the boxer’s dedication, hard work and determination, and expressed hope that Pakistani athletes would continue to earn laurels for the country in international competitions.



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Early cotton sowing can boost output, says official


Sargodha: Early sowing of cotton can help increase production and reduce crop losses caused by weather conditions and pest attacks, Director Agriculture Extension Sargodha Muhammad Ashfaq said on Saturday.



Speaking to media during the preparation of the Cotton Production Plan 2026, he said cotton remained a vital crop for Pakistan’s economy, with Punjab contributing a major share to national production.



He said early-sown cotton developed better resistance against climatic challenges and harmful insects, while also reducing attacks by sap-sucking pests, particularly whitefly, which was a major cause of leaf curl virus.



Muhammad Ashfaq stressed that farmers should treat seeds with recommended pesticides before sowing to protect crops during the initial growth stage.



He advised growers to use certified triple-gene cotton varieties for early sowing and ensure that seeds were approved by the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department.



The director warned that the use of glyphosate on non-triple-gene varieties could damage crops, while triple-gene varieties offered resistance against the herbicide.



He said the Agriculture Department would provide technical guidance and support to cotton growers across Punjab under the direction of the provincial agriculture minister and secretary.



Muhammad Ashfaq said the adoption of modern farming techniques and agricultural research was essential for increasing cotton production and strengthening the national economy.



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Advisor to CM Sindh Reviews Monsoon Preparations with Deputy Commissioners across Sindh


Karachi: Advisor to the Chief Minister Sindh for Rehabilitation, Gyanchand Essarani, chaired a high-level meeting with Deputy Commissioners from across Sindh to review monsoon preparedness, flood response arrangements, and district-level contingency measures.



The meeting was attended by Secretary Rehabilitation Rafiq Mustafa Shaikh, Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh Syed Salman Shah, Director General Rescue 1122 Sindh Wajid Sibghatullah, and Deputy Commissioners through video link.



During the meeting, Deputy Commissioners briefed the Advisor on precautionary measures, preparedness plans, drainage arrangements, and relief efforts undertaken in their respective districts to effectively respond to the ongoing monsoon spell.



Addressing the participants, Advisor to the Chief Minister Gyanchand Essarani directed all Deputy Commissioners to remain on high alert and ensure timely response to any emergency situation. He emphasized that negligence or complacency in disaster preparedness would not be tolerated.



He instructed district administrations to ensure the cleaning of rainwater drains, keep dewatering machinery fully operational, and maintain close coordination with all relevant departments.



He further directed Deputy Commissioners to upload complete details of relief items provided by PDMA Sindh on the designated online portal to ensure transparency and efficient monitoring.



The Advisor also stressed the importance of maintaining adequate stocks of relief goods in every district to enable immediate response in the event of flooding or any other emergency.



During the briefing, participants were informed that three people, including two men and one child, lost their lives due to lightning strikes in District Tharparkar, while five others sustained injuries. The meeting was further informed that from 3 July to 31 July 2026, monsoon-related incidents across Sindh resulted in five fatalities and seven injuries.



Director General PDMA Sindh Syed Salman Shah informed the meeting that the current weather system is expected to remain active over Sindh until 3 August, with Tharparkar and Umerkot likely to receive comparatively heavier rainfall. Heavy rainfall over Tharparkar and Umerkot may result in localized urban flooding and water accumulation in low-lying areas. Moderate rainfall is expected over Mirpurkhas and Badin, with temporary inundation possible in vulnerable locations. Light to moderate rainfall is likely across central Sindh, while only isolated light showers are expected over Karachi and upper Sindh. Gusty winds and lightning may accompany thunderstorms in affected districts. He stated that PDMA Sindh’s emergency response machinery and dewatering equipment are fully prepared and will be deployed immediately upon requests received from Deputy Commissioners.



The DG PDMA further informed the meeting that 250 tents, 250 Tarpaulin sheets, 250 jerry cans, 250 kitchen sets, 1000 mosquito nets, and other relief items have already been dispatched to the Deputy Commissioner Sanghar to strengthen emergency response capacity in the district.



He directed all Deputy Commissioners to reassess their available relief stocks and assured them that additional supplies would be provided wherever required to ensure uninterrupted emergency response during the ongoing monsoon season.



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PM Shehbaz reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen Azerbaijan ties


Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to further strengthening the brotherly ties with Azerbaijan, recalling the high-level exchanges between the two countries over the past two and a half years.



The prime minister, talking to Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov, who paid a farewell call on him, expressed confidence that the strong foundation laid during the envoy’s tenure would continue to guide the trajectory of bilateral ties in the years ahead.



The prime minister warmly acknowledged Ambassador Farhadov’s dedicated efforts to strengthen the deep-rooted, brotherly relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan during his tenure.



He commended the Ambassador’s contributions in expanding bilateral cooperation across political, trade, economic, defence, culture and people-to-people domains, including the launch of direct flights between the two countries.



Conveying his warm regards to President Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister Shehbaz fondly recalled his numerous visits to Azerbaijan over the past two and a half years, as well as the visit of President Aliyev to Pakistan in July 2024.



He also wished Ambassador Farhadov continued success in his future assignments.



Ambassador Farhadov thanked the prime minister for the warmth, hospitality, and support extended to him by the Government and people of Pakistan throughout his diplomatic assignment, describing his tenure in Pakistan as a cherished chapter of his diplomatic career.



He reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s continued commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with Pakistan. He also presented the prime minister with a book based on his family’s experiences of living in Pakistan.



Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch also attended the meeting.