Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS): central procession to emerge from Panjtani Imambargah, Attock on August 2; arrangements finalized,


Attock: All arrangements have been finalized for the central Chehlum procession of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), which will be taken out from Panjtani Imambargah in Attock city at 12:00 noon on Sunday, August 2.



Prior to the procession, a Majlis-e-Aza will be held at the Imambargah at 11:00 AM, which will be addressed by renowned religious scholar Allama Syed Muhammad Abbas Rizvi. Following the conclusion of the Majlis, the central mourning procession will commence from Panjtani Imambargah at its scheduled time.



In this connection, an important meeting was held at Panjtani Imambargah under the chairmanship of Raza Naqvi, President of Anjuman Jan Nisaran-e-Hussain. The meeting was attended by members of the organization’s cabinet, heads of volunteer teams, and officials responsible for various organizational and administrative affairs.



Addressing the meeting, Raza Naqvi said that the tragedy of Karbala remains an eternal symbol of the triumph of truth over falsehood, while the unparalleled sacrifices of the martyrs of Karbala will continue to serve as a beacon of guidance for humanity until the Day of Judgment.



He said that comprehensive arrangements have been completed to ensure the peaceful, disciplined and dignified conduct of the Chehlum procession of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS). Responsibilities have been assigned to various committees with instructions to perform their duties with dedication, discipline and mutual cooperation.



Raza Naqvi said that foolproof security arrangements have been made along the procession route. Refreshment stalls (Sabeels) for mourners, congregational Zuhrain prayers, facilities for participants in chain mourning (Zanjeer Zani) and other mourning rituals, as well as effective medical and first-aid services, have also been arranged. He added that the procession will pass through its traditional routes before concluding at its designated destination.



He further stated that continuous coordination and consultation are being maintained with the district administration, Attock Police and other relevant departments. In accordance with the directives of the Deputy Commissioner Attock and the District Police Officer (DPO) Attock, all necessary arrangements regarding security, traffic management, sanitation, Rescue 1122, the Health Department, the Municipal Committee and other concerned agencies are being finalized to ensure maximum facilitation for mourners and the peaceful, secure and well-organized completion of the procession.



Raza Naqvi urged all office-bearers and volunteers to maintain close coordination with the district administration, police, Rescue 1122 and other relevant institutions, uphold mutual respect, discipline and unity, and strictly follow all administrative and security guidelines during the procession. He also appealed to mourners to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies in promoting peace, religious harmony and orderly conduct so that all Chehlum observances of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) are concluded in a peaceful and dignified manner.



Kirmani pledges expanding embryo transfer facility to district level for livestock breed improvement


Khanewal: Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani on Friday directed the authorities to expand the embryo transfer facility to all districts in phases to promote the breeding of high-quality livestock and enable farmers to benefit from modern reproductive technology.



During a visit to the FonGrow Farm in Khanewal, the minister described the embryo transfer programme at the farm as a commendable initiative that would significantly improve the genetic quality of livestock and strengthen milk and meat production across Punjab. He instructed the relevant departments to ensure the gradual expansion of the facility throughout the province.



Kirmani said, Punjab government, under CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision, was committed to promote smarter technology adoption, aimed at giving a phenomenal boost to agriculture and livestock.



Reviewing the farm’s cotton crop, minister termed it a model of modern agricultural practices and directed officials to widely disseminate its successful cultivation techniques among farmers for result-oriented replication.



Highlighting the government’s livestock disease control efforts, he said, around 450,000 animals had been vaccinated against various diseases across Punjab during the previous year. He revealed that eight Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)-free compartments had also been established in the province, with Fon Grow farm being one of them.



The minister appreciated the farm’s embryo transfer and quality semen production facilities, saying these initiatives would help accelerate the breeding of superior livestock and enhance milk and meat output.



He further said the disease-free compartments would facilitate exports of milk, meat and semen in accordance with international standards, contributing to the growth of the livestock sector and strengthening the national economy.



Gujrat University holds open house for Fall 2026 admissions


Gujrat: The University of Gujrat (UoG) organised an open house at its Hafiz Hayat Campus to guide students seeking admission for the Fall 2026 semester.



According to university sources, the event was arranged to help prospective students and their families learn about the university’s academic programmes, admission process and campus facilities. Visitors met faculty members and received information about academic, research and student support services.



The Convener of the Admission Committee welcomed participants and encouraged them to benefit from the counselling sessions. University officials also briefed students about scholarships, financial assistance and admission procedures.



Information desks were set up by 33 academic departments, providing details of 147 undergraduate and graduate degree programmes. The Scholarship Office and IT Services Department also assisted visitors.



Students and their families visited laboratories, libraries and other facilities and interacted with teachers, students and administrative staff. Free shuttle service was provided between Gujrat city, Jalalpur Jattan and the campus throughout the day.



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.



Syedaal Khan commends contributions of Kashmiri community in Balochistan


Islamabad: Deputy Chairman of the Senate, Syedaal Khan Nasar, said on Friday that the services rendered by the Kashmiri community residing in Balochistan for the province’s development and prosperity were invaluable and deserve due recognition.



He reaffirmed that every possible effort would be made to address the issues faced by the Kashmiri community, emphasising that Balochistan was the shared home of all its people and that its progress and prosperity required collective efforts.



He expressed these views while meeting with various delegations in Quetta, including representatives of the Kashmiri community residing in Balochistan, said a message received here.



The delegations included Advocate Tariq Butt, Javed Ahmed Khan, Jahangir Khan Khuroti, Sameera Khan, Mir Zaman Lehri, Mir Liaquat, Liaquat Rajput, and others.



During the meetings, discussions were held on the country’s overall political situation, ongoing federally funded development projects in Balochistan, and other matters of public importance.



The delegations apprised the Deputy Chairman Senate in detail of the issues being faced by the local population, upon which he assured them that all possible measures would be taken to resolve their concerns.



Deputy Chairman, Senate Syedaal Khan Nasar reiterated that Pakistan had consistently extended its unwavering support for the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people and had always strongly condemned the atrocities committed against them by India. He affirmed that Pakistan would continue to stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.



He further stated that the Kashmiri community had been living in Balochistan for centuries in an atmosphere of brotherhood and harmony, making significant contributions to the province’s socio-economic development.



He emphasised that Balochistan belonged to all communities residing in the province and that safeguarding its development and prosperity was a shared responsibility.



He assured that every possible effort would be made to address the issues faced by Kashmiris living in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. During the meeting, the Deputy Chairman Senate’s Coordinators briefed him on their performance over the past month and provided a detailed overview of the public issues brought to their attention across the province.



Syedaal Khan Nasar said that Coordinators had been appointed to maintain close contact with the people, identify their problems, and communicate them directly to him so that practical and timely measures could be taken for their resolution.



He further stated that President Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif attached special importance to the development of Balochistan and had allocated substantial funds in the federal budget for development projects in the province.



He expressed confidence that the completion of these projects would significantly improve the provision of essential public services and enhance the quality of life of the people.



The Deputy Chairman Senate concluded by assuring the Coordinators and the visiting delegations that every possible step would be taken to resolve the issues they had highlighted.



CM GB orders immediate rescue operation after contact lost with international climbing team on broad peak


Gilgit: Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Amjad Hussain has ordered an immediate and effective rescue operation after taking notice of reports that contact had been lost with a 10-member international mountaineering team following an avalanche on Broad Peak (8,047 metres).



According to official information from the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) and the district administration of Shigar, the Chief Minister directed all relevant departments and the district administration to remain on high alert and to expedite search-and-rescue efforts in close coordination with the Pakistan Army.



The Chief Minister said that every possible resource should be utilized to ensure the safety of the international expedition led by renowned mountaineer Nirmal “Nims” Purja. The team includes Hunza-based Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, along with mountaineers from Nepal, the United States, Oman, China and other countries.



Despite adverse weather conditions, he instructed the authorities to keep both aerial and ground rescue teams fully prepared so that immediate assistance could be provided as soon as weather conditions permit.



Expressing deep concern over the incident, Chief Minister Amjad Hussain prayed for the safety of all climbers. He directed the concerned authorities to keep him informed of the rescue operation’s progress on a moment-to-moment basis.