Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

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Food Dept digitizes 131,821 official files in paperless governance breakthrough : Secretary


Lahore: The Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department has digitised more than 131,000 official files, marking a major step towards paperless governance under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s e-Vision initiative. Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khurshid told media on Wednesday that 131,821 official files had been successfully scanned and uploaded to the department’s digital record management system, significantly reducing reliance on physical documentation. She said seven of the department’s eight attached organisations had achieved Level-4 digitalization, while the Directorate General of Food had reached Level-3, with work continuing to convert its extensive backlog of legacy records.



According to the secretary, the Punjab Food Authority, Directorate General of Enforcement, PAYAM, and Punjab Sahulat Bazar Authority had completed 100 per cent digitization of records at both headquarters and field offices. To accelerate the remaining work, the Directorate General of Food has been equipped with seven additional high-speed scanners, with officials tasked to digitise 25,000 pages daily until all pending records are converted.



Dr Khurshid said major departments, including the Punjab Food Authority, PAMRA, the Directorate General of Food and Cane Commissioner, and the Punjab Sahulat Bazar Authority, had also been integrated with the e-Biz portal, enabling online processing of business-related services.



She added that the Directorate General of Food had already received its first three online applications through the portal, describing the development as an important milestone in improving transparency, efficiency and digital public service delivery in Punjab.



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PSX extends losses, sheds over 1,580 points


Islamabad: The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained under selling pressure on Wednesday, losing 1,580.90 points, a negative change of 0.89 percent, to close at 176,042.99 points against 177,623.88 points recorded in the previous trading session.



The ready market witnessed a trading volume of 574.076 million shares, compared to 958.014 million shares traded on Tuesday, while the traded value declined to Rs25.369 billion from Rs41.566 billion. Market capitalisation also fell to Rs19.778 trillion from Rs19.951 trillion recorded a day earlier.



Out of 495 companies that traded in the ready market, 129 posted gains, 330 suffered losses, while 36 remained unchanged, reflecting a predominantly bearish trend across the market.



Cnergyico PK led the volume chart with 58.656 million shares, followed by Siddiqsons Tin with 50.224 million shares and WorldCall Telecom with 48.952 million shares.



Among the top gainers, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited surged by Rs177.08 to close at Rs25,480.00, while Khyber Textile Mills Limited advanced by Rs90.12 to settle at Rs2,088.41.



On the losing side, PIA Holding Company LimitedB declined by Rs495.32 to close at Rs17,674.68, while Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited fell by Rs133.71 to Rs1,203.44.



In the futures (DFC) market, turnover stood at 400.821 million shares with a traded value of Rs18.079 billion, compared with 510.216 million shares worth Rs21.937 billion in the previous session.



Of the 304 companies traded in the futures market, 37 advanced, 266 declined and one remained unchanged.



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ERC orders high alert ahead of fresh monsoon onslaught


Islamabad: The Emergency Response Committee (ERC) on Wednesday reviewed Pakistan’s monsoon preparedness and ongoing response efforts at its sixth meeting in Islamabad, warning that a fresh weather system from July 29 to August 5 could trigger heavy rains, urban flooding and rising river flows across the country, as the nationwide death toll from monsoon related incidents climbed to 109 and injuries reached 362.



The meeting, held at the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) at NDMA headquarters, was chaired via video link by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal. It was attended by Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik and senior officials from relevant ministries and departments.



The committee was informed that a new monsoon system is expected to affect Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh, bringing widespread rainfall with isolated heavy downpours.



Officials warned that the weather system could cause rapid rises in river flows, medium to high flows in the Chenab River and its associated nullahs, flash floods in hill torrents and seasonal streams, and urban flooding in vulnerable cities.



According to the latest situation report, 109 people lost their lives and 362 were injured nationwide between June 26 and July 28. House, roof and wall collapses remained the leading cause of fatalities, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported the highest number of deaths, followed by Punjab.



The committee was also informed that 148 rescue operations had been carried out across the country, resulting in the evacuation of 4,111 people to safer locations through coordinated efforts of the NDMA, provincial disaster management authorities and partner agencies.



Participants stressed the need for close coordination among federal ministries, provincial governments, district administrations and emergency response agencies to ensure timely implementation of preparedness measures.



The meeting emphasized continuous monitoring of vulnerable areas, effective dissemination of early warning alerts and proactive public awareness campaigns to reduce risks from monsoon related hazards.



The ERC directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert and ensure the availability of emergency resources, rescue equipment, relief supplies and uninterrupted essential services in high risk areas.



Chairing the meeting, Prof Ahsan Iqbal directed that chief secretaries of all provinces, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir attend future ERC meetings to strengthen coordination, accelerate decision making and improve implementation of preparedness and response measures.



The committee reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure through coordinated action and timely response throughout the ongoing monsoon season. NDMA said it would continue monitoring the evolving situation through the NEOC and maintain close coordination with all stakeholders to ensure a unified national response.



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RPO orders zero-lapse protection for Chehlum processions


Faisalabad: Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sohail Akhtar Sukhaira ordered uncompromising security arrangements for Muharram Chehlum and directed police officers to enforce foolproof measures at all sensitive locations and procession routes to ensure complete safety of mourners across the region.



According to spokesperson,the RPO visited Central Imambargah Dhobi Ghatt and undertook a comprehensive review of security arrangements made for Chehlum observances.



City Police Officer (CPO) Faisalabad Tanveer Hussain, SP Lyallpur Town Abid Hussain Zafar and City Traffic Officer (CTO) Nasir Javed also accompanied the RPO during the inspection.



During visit, SP Lyallpur Town Abid Hussain Zafar gave a detailed briefing about the security plan and operational arrangements for Chehlum procession routes, highlighting deployment strategies and monitoring mechanisms designed to ensure smooth and secure religious observances.



The RPO inspected the security arrangements at Central Imambargah as well as other sensitive points and reviewed the deployment of police personnel, surveillance measures and overall preparedness.



Addressing the police officers, RPO Sohail Akhtar Sukhaira directed that additional police force should be deployed at sensitive locations and strict security measures should be enforced around Imambargahs.



He stressed that mourners must be provided a peaceful and secure environment. He instructed police officers to ensure foolproof security for all religious gatherings and mourning processions.



He categorically stated that there would be no compromise on maintaining law and order during Muharram Chehlum and directed all field officers to remain vigilant and ensure effective coordination for the peaceful conduct of the religious event.



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National inter-departmental netball championship commences from August 1


Karachi: National Inter-Departmental Netball Championship will begin from August 1, at PSB Coaching Center, Karachi.



President, Pakistan Netball Federation, Sameen Malik said that preparations for the championship are in full swing and four men’s and women’s teams are participating in the championship including teams from Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Police and Elite Academy.



The draw will be announced on July 30, and the championship will continue till August 2 and prizes will be distributed among the winning players at the end of the championship.



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DICE Forum partner with BECS to launch KITAB Project for ICT Schools


Islamabad: The DICE Forum and the Directorate General of Basic Education Community Schools(BECS), Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly implement the KITAB Project (Knowledge and Inclusion Through Access to Books), a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing foundational literacy and reducing learning poverty through the establishment of portable libraries in registered informal, non-formal and community-based schools across the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).



The signing ceremony brought together senior representatives of The DICE Forum, officials of the the BECS, and the Ministry of Education reflecting a shared commitment to improving educational opportunities for children from underserved and marginalised communities.



The collaboration is founded on a shared recognition that Pakistan faces a significant learning crisis, with many children unable to acquire foundational literacy skills despite attending school, said a press release.



Informal and community-based schools play a vital role in reaching children who are often excluded from mainstream educational opportunities, making them an important platform for targeted literacy interventions.



Guided by Pakistan’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and national priorities to reduce learning poverty, the KITAB Project seeks to improve equitable access to books and learning resources while creating sustainable reading environments within schools.