Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

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PPL discovers gas, condensate at Shah Bandar Block in Sindh


Karachi: Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has announced a new gas and condensate discovery at its exploratory well Rahi X-1 in the Shah Bandar Block, located in Sujawal district of Sindh.



According to a press release issued on Friday, the discovery marks the fourth consecutive hydrocarbon find made by PPL as the operator of the Shah Bandar Block.



PPL holds a 63 per cent working interest in the block, while Mari Energies Limited has a 32 per cent stake. Sindh Energy Holding Company Limited and Government Holdings (Private) Limited each hold a 2.5 per cent working interest.



The statement said the Rahi X-1 exploratory well was spudded on June 17, 2026 and drilled to a measured depth of 2,612 metres to assess the hydrocarbon potential of the Upper Sands of the Lower Goru Formation.



Based on drilling results and interpretation of wireline log data, a hydrocarbon-bearing zone was identified and subsequently tested through a cased-hole drill stem test (DST).



During testing, the well produced 0.493 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscfd) and 12 barrels of condensate per day at a wellhead flowing pressure of 133 pounds per square inch through a 32/64-inch choke from the A-Sand of the Lower Goru Upper Sands.



PPL said the discovery reflected its continued commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s energy security through accelerated exploration and development activities.



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On her birth anniversary, President pays tribute to Fatima Jinnah for services to nation, democracy


Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday paid tribute to Madar-e-Millat Fatima Jinnah on her 133rd birth anniversary, recalling her as a trustworthy companion of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and a distinguished leader of the Pakistan Movement.



The president, in a statement, said that Fatima Jinnah was a strong champion of democratic values, who encouraged women to play an active and effective role in national life and the freedom movement.



Calling her struggle a guiding light for the nation even today, he said that the services of Fatima Jinnah to the nation, democracy and society would always be remembered with profound respect.



President Zardari prayed to Allah Almighty for the elevation of Fatima Jinnah’s ranks in paradise.



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Muqam seeks inquiry into Quetta mine disaster


Islamabad: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Engineer Amir Muqam, on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in a gas explosion at the Sorange coal mine near Quetta, where several miners were killed.



According to initial reports, a large number of the victims belonged to Shangla district.



The minister contacted Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti by telephone and urged a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the tragedy, while the provincial government assured a full inquiry into the incident.



Expressing heartfelt condolences, Mr Muqam said the nation stood with the bereaved families in their hour of grief and sorrow.



During his conversation with Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, the federal minister stressed the need to determine the causes of the explosion and ensure accountability through an impartial investigation.



The Balochistan chief minister assured him that a complete probe would be conducted and all aspects of the incident would be thoroughly examined.



Mr Muqam also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls, the elevation of their ranks, and strength and patience for the families left behind.



The deadly explosion has triggered widespread grief across the country, particularly in Shangla, from where many of the deceased miners are believed to have originated, according to preliminary information.



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Thar Foundation schools achieve 98.1pc pass rate in FBISE matric exams


Karachi: Students of Thar Foundation schools in Tharparkar achieved a 98.1 per cent pass rate in the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) Class 10 Annual Examination 2026, with 52 out of 53 candidates clearing the examination.



According to a statement issued here on Friday, the students from villages across Thar Block II appeared in the same national examination as candidates from leading urban schools across the country.



Among the successful candidates, five secured A1 grades and 23 obtained A grades, while the remaining students passed with B and C grades.



One of the top achievers, Rehana from Khororo village in Mithi, became the first member of her family to receive formal education. Expressing her ambition, she said she hoped to become an engineer and inspire other girls in Thar to pursue education and realise their dreams.



The statement said the schools were staffed by 249 locally trained female educators, including 228 teachers and 21 principals, serving 33 school units with an enrolment of 4,935 students, of whom 41 per cent were girls.



Principal of TCF Thar Foundation Dr Ashok Bakhtani Secondary Campus, Mithi, Kajal Dev Chouhan, said the students’ performance on a national board reflected the untapped potential of Thar and demonstrated the impact of sustained investment in education, committed teachers and community support.



General Manager of Thar Foundation Farhan Ansari said the results were a testament to the dedication of students, teachers, school leaders and parents.



He said the outcome demonstrated that high-quality educational standards could be achieved even in some of Pakistan’s most remote areas through consistent investment and sustained commitment.



Thar Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Block II entities, operates schools and implements programmes in education, healthcare and livelihoods across Thar Block II and surrounding villages, the statement added.



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OIC-COMSTECH launches second phase of Somalia capacity-building programme


Islamabad: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia in federal capital, on Friday launched the second phase of the COMSTECH-Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) Somalia Programme to strengthen the capacity of Somali scientists, researchers and professionals through fully funded fellowships, research, and technical training.



Speaking at the launching ceremony held here at the OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary said human resource development remained one of COMSTECH’s highest priorities, stressing that sustainable development in the Muslim world depended on investment in education, scientific research, innovation and advanced technical skills.



He said the COMSTECH-CCoE Somalia Programme marked another significant milestone in COMSTECH’s efforts to empower Somali youth, researchers, scientists and professionals through quality education, specialized training and institutional collaboration.



He appreciated the cooperation of the Embassy of Somalia and member institutions of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence for supporting the initiative and expressed confidence that it would contribute significantly to Somalia’s socio-economic development and institutional capacity.



Somalia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Sheikhnur Mohamed Hassan, thanked COMSTECH, the Government of Pakistan and member institutions of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence for their continued support to Somalia in higher education, science, technology and capacity building.



He said the fellowship programme would enable Somali scientists, researchers and professionals to acquire advanced knowledge and practical skills to strengthen the country’s academic, scientific and development sectors. He described the initiative as a reflection of the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Somalia and appreciated COMSTECH’s leadership in promoting scientific cooperation among OIC member states.



Under the second phase of the programme, 25 fully funded fellowships have been announced for Somali nationals currently living and working in Somalia. The fellowships are being offered by leading member institutions of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence in collaboration with the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP).



The programme includes three- and six-month research fellowships in STEM disciplines and public health, technical training in industrial settings, short courses in allied health sciences and nursing, and specialized training in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Cyber Security, Remote Sensing, Biotechnology, Digital Skills, Precision Agriculture, Food Processing and Agricultural Research.



It also promotes faculty exchanges, joint research supervision, curriculum development, laboratory support, institutional partnerships and academic collaboration between Pakistani and Somali universities.



The programme is open to Somali nationals pursuing or holding Master’s, PhD and postdoctoral qualifications, with the objective of equipping them with advanced knowledge, research expertise and practical skills to contribute to Somalia’s national development.



The capacity-building initiative will be jointly coordinated by COMSTECH and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia to ensure transparent application processing, selection and placement of candidates.



The ceremony was attended by vice chancellors and rectors of leading public and private universities, ambassadors of Sudan, Tajikistan, Yemen and Rwanda, senior officials of the Somali Embassy, representatives of partner institutions and senior officials of OIC-COMSTECH.



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Two martyred policemen laid to rest with full state honours in DI Khan


Dera ismail khan: The funeral prayers for two policemen martyred in a terrorist attack at Shah Alam Morr in the jurisdiction of Chaudhwan Police Station were offered with full state honours here at Ejaz Shaheed Police Lines on Friday.



Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Faqir Ahmad and Constable Wazir Ahmad embraced martyrdom in the terrorist attack earlier today. The funeral was attended by Station Commander Brigadier Muhammad Abu Bakar, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Dera Ghulam Mubashir Mekan, District Police Officer (DPO) Dera Ziauddin Ahmad, Deputy Commissioner Hikmatullah Wazir, SP CTD Iftikhar Ali Shah, senior civil and police officials, Pakistan Army officers, government representatives, local elders, members of civil society, and the families of the martyrs.



A smartly turned-out police contingent presented a guard of honour to the coffins wrapped in the national flag, while floral wreaths were laid in tribute. Special prayers were offered for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks, lasting peace in the country, and the safety of the nation.



Following the funeral, RPO Ghulam Mubashir Mekan and DPO Ziauddin Ahmad met the bereaved families, expressed heartfelt condolences, and assured them of the police department’s full support during this difficult time.



Speaking on the occasion, the RPO paid tribute to the martyrs, describing them as a source of pride for both the nation and the police force. He said their sacrifices would never be forgotten and vowed that the perpetrators of the attack, along with their facilitators, would be arrested and brought to justice at the earliest.



He reaffirmed that the Dera Region Police would continue its fight against terrorism with unwavering determination, professionalism, and national spirit until the menace was completely eradicated.