Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Posted on

No flour shortage in Punjab, supply continues uninterrupted: official


Lahore: The supply of flour across the province is continuing uninterrupted and there is no shortage of flour in the market.



A spokesperson for the Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department said this here on Friday: “Certain elements are spreading false rumours to mislead the public.”



The Punjab government was continuously and closely monitoring the situation to ensure the uninterrupted supply of quality flour to the public, spokesperson said and sharing the latest figures, he stated that after grinding government wheat, flour mills in Punjab supplied 109,799 bags of 10-kg flour to the market at a price of Rs 1,100 per bag. In addition, after purchasing wheat from the private sector and milling it, 396,196 bags of 10-kg flour were supplied across all districts of Punjab. Likewise, 78,996 bags of 20-kg flour were also supplied.



The spokesperson further said that a total of 663,987 bags of 10-kg flour have been supplied across all districts of the province, which clearly demonstrates that all flour mills in Punjab were operating normally and flour production was continuing without interruption.



The spokesperson said that all necessary and effective measures were being taken to maintain the flour supply chain, and no disruption in the supply of flour to the public would be allowed.



He also made it clear that strict legal action would be taken against hoarders, profiteers without any discrimination and no leniency would be shown towards them.



Posted on

34 colliers died in Quetta’s Surranj coalmine explosion due to poisonous gas


Quetta: Casualties in coal mine explosion caused by poisonous gas here in Spain Kariz Surranj has reached 34 while the rescue operation was still ongoing to evacuate any more trapped workers.



According to the data released by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan, rescue teams have so far recovered the bodies of 34 miners from the mine in the rescue operations after the coal mine accident that occurred in Surranj, while rescue teams are continuously engaged in searching any more affectees trapped due to the accident.



According to officials, the explosion occurred due to the filling of toxic gas in the coal mine, as a result of which a part of the mine collapsed and several miners were buried under the debris.



Rescue teams are continuously working to remove debris from the mine with the help of heavy machinery and special equipment.



Official authorities said that the rescue operation would continue until all the affected miners would be pulled out of the mine.



During the rescue operations, the rescue personnel were carrying out operations with utmost caution due to the toxic gas and other hazards present inside the mine.



On the other hand, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, taking notice of the Surranj coal mine accident, has sought a report on the incident from the Mines and Minerals Department, and also directed the concerned authorities have also been directed to further expedite the rescue operations and provide all possible assistance to the affected miners.



According to sources, arrangements were being made to send the bodies of the deceased miners to their native areas after necessary procedures, while the affected families were also being kept informed of the situation.



Posted on

Shehryar Arif Khan appointed LWMC CEO


Lahore: Shehryar Arif Khan has assumed charge as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) and immediately began extensive field visits to review the city’s sanitation operations.



Soon after taking charge, the CEO visited several key locations, including Samanabad, Jail Road, Mall Road, Canal Road, Adda Plot, Multan Road, Thokar Niaz Baig and adjoining areas, to assess the performance of the waste management operation.



During the inspections, Mr. Khan reviewed the attendance of sanitation workers, examined the operational status of waste collection vehicles, and received detailed briefings on the deployment and formation of operational teams.



He also inspected cleanliness arrangements and emphasized the importance of maintaining high service standards, said LWMC spokesperson Umar Chaudhry.



At the Thokar Workshop, the CEO checked the arrival and departure timings of operational machinery and directed officials to ensure that all available machinery remains fully operational in the field throughout the monsoon season.



Posted on

Massive crackdown on illegal fuel depots in DI Khan


Dera ismail khan: The district administration launched a major crackdown on illegal diesel agencies and suspected smuggled petroleum products in the district, seizing around 200,000 litres of fuel and shutting down several unauthorized dispensing units during a joint operation.



The operation was led by Assistant Commissioner Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddiq in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistan Customs, district police and Civil Defence. The raids were carried out at multiple locations, including Eastern Circular Road, Bannu Road and Bypass Road, where authorities inspected premises allegedly involved in the illegal storage and sale of diesel and petrol.



During the operation, five illegal diesel dispensing units were confiscated while 12 others were sealed. Officials also recovered approximately 150,000 litres of diesel and 50,000 litres of petrol suspected to have been smuggled into the country.



Authorities further seized dispensing equipment, pipelines, fittings, fire extinguishers and five expired fire extinguishers. Later, all seized petroleum products and equipment were handed over to Pakistan Customs for safe custody and further legal action.



The district administration also recommended that Pakistan Customs confiscate the suspected smuggled petroleum products under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act and initiate legal proceedings against those involved.



Speaking on the occasion, Assistant Commissioner Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddiq said the district administration remained committed to protecting public safety, curbing illegal businesses, preventing the sale of smuggled petroleum products, safeguarding government revenue and ensuring strict enforcement of the law. He said indiscriminate action against those involved in unauthorized fuel storage, illegal petroleum trade and the sale of smuggled fuel would be continue.



Posted on

State opens its door for those who want to give up arms and join national mainstream: CM Bugti


Quetta: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti on Friday said that the state is keeping its doors open for those who want to give up arms and join the national mainstream and there is a comprehensive plan for their rehabilitation, education, employment and social integration.



He said that the blood of the brave security forces would not go in vain for the stability of the state. Under an organized conspiracy, where on the one hand, terrorist incidents occur to destabilize the state, the blame is also placed on the state and propaganda is being spread to spread chaos.



He expressed these views while addressing the passing out parade of the 20th training course at the Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) Training School in Quetta.



Inspector General of Police Balochistan Muhammad Tahir Khan and Commandant ATF Asad Khan also addressed the ceremony, while earlier, ATF personnel presented a brilliant demonstration of professional training, combat skills and operational capabilities in counter-terrorism.



He said that the youth are being pushed towards a futile war, every conspiracy to destabilize Balochistan and Pakistan would be foiled, those who want to divide the country live in a fool’s paradise, the state could not back down even an inch against terrorism.



He urged political parties not to link terrorism with politics because at this time the state would not need politics but stability of the state, national unity and solidarity of the people.



Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that Balochistan Police, ATF, CTD and Special Operations Wing are playing a frontline role in the war against terrorism and the government is shaping these forces into a stronger, more modern and effective striking force.



He said that these forces would be provided with modern weapons, equipment, training and all necessary resources so that they could effectively eradicate the scourge of terrorism.



He paid special tribute to the three women constables who joined the ATF and said that the daughters of Balochistan are moving forward alongside their brothers for peace, rule of law and defense of the homeland, which is a source of pride for the entire society and a beacon for other young women.



Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the sacrifices of the martyrs in the war against terrorism are the nation’s capital and their sacred blood would never go in vain.



He said that terrorist elements wanted to halt Balochistan from its journey of development, education and prosperity, but with the unity of the government, security forces and the people, all their nefarious intentions would be thwarted.



The Chief Minister urged to political parties not to sacrifice a national issue like terrorism for political differences.



He said that the police and security personnel who serve in extreme heat, cold and difficult conditions to protect the homeland are heroes of the entire nation, linking their sacrifices with politics is against the national interest.



He said that the Baloch youth have been pushed into a futile war which has only brought them unrest, backwardness, deprivation of education and development opportunities.



The Chief Minister made it clear that if someone wants to impose his ideology at the power of a gun, he would not succeed, saying that the government, Balochistan Police and law enforcement agencies will never surrender in the face of terrorism, violence and brutality and would not retreat even an inch in this war.



Mir Sarfraz announced that the salaries and benefits of ATF, CTD and SOW personnel would be increased, while the Balochistan government could also take the responsibility of providing further assistance to the families of the martyrs and supporting the children.



He also announced a grant of Rs. 150 million for the improvement of the infrastructure of the ATF Training School, an increase in the basic salaries of trainers and a review of feeding charges, and said that the government will provide all possible resources to increase the capacity of the police force and provide them with modern facilities.



The Chief Minister, while congratulating the passing-out soldiers, expressed the hope that they would perform their duties with complete honesty, professionalism and bravery to protect the people, the province and the national flag without fear and danger and play their effective role in ensuring the establishment of peace in the war against terrorism.



Posted on

Leopard recovered from Soye Asal; two arrested for parrot trade


Lahore: On the instructions of Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, the Department of Punjab Wildlife Conservation and Parks is carrying out a crackdown to protect protected wild animals and birds across the province.



In this regard, wildlife teams raided a private breeding farm in Soye Asal area of Lahore and safely recovered a young leopard cub that was kept illegally.



The rescued leopard has been shifted to Safari Zoo Raiwind Road for special care and an FIR has been registered against the accused at Kahna Police Station.



In other operations, Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Sialkot arrested the accused involved in illegal trade of singing parrots and recovered 5 parrots. They were later released in the natural environment. Similarly, 2 illegal quail knitting gears have been recovered from the Saifan area in Vehari and legal action has been initiated.