Category: District

Gujrat: Rescue 1122 personnel rescued five people who became stranded in floodwaters after their private boat developed a mechanical fault in the Manawar Tawi River near Surkhpur.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, the rescued individuals were identified as Ali Raza, 32, Muhammad Zaheer, 34, Irfan Iqbal, 30, Maqsood Alam, 47, and Muhammad Bashir, 45, all residents of Surkhpur.

Rescue teams launched an operation and, after four hours of continuous efforts, safely rescued all five people and shifted them to a secure location. No casualties were reported.

Sukkur: The Sindh government has suspended five officials of the Food Department on charges of negligence, misconduct and alleged connivance with wheat hoarders, in a major step to ensure transparency in its province wide anti hoarding drive.

The action was taken on the directives of Provincial Minister for Food, Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman, after a detailed report was submitted by the Commissioner, Sukkur Division regarding anti hoarding operations in District Khairpur.

According to handout issued here on Thursday, the Minister has adopted a zero tolerance policy against corruption and collusion with hoarders.

He said the campaign against illegal wheat stockpiling aims to protect consumers, ensure uninterrupted supply of wheat and flour, and maintain price stability.

The Commissioner’s report revealed serious irregularities during recent raids. It stated that substantial quantities of wheat were shifted in the last two days from identified premises at Abul Wah Chowk, Gambat to properties owned by influential individuals to evade enforcement action.

The report further alleged that confidential information about planned raids was leaked in advance, enabling traders to conceal or relocate hoarded stocks. It termed the act, if proved, as gross misconduct and active facilitation of illegal hoarding.

It also alleged that an official disclosed the identity of Intelligence Branch personnel involved in the operation to traders in Kot Diji, compromising sensitive government operations.

The report pointed out poor coordination during the campaign, noting that despite repeated requests, administrative support for shifting confiscated wheat to government warehouses was not provided, affecting the momentum of the drive. It added that in several cases, traders locked their warehouses and fled, while officials only sealed the premises without taking legal measures like search, inventory and seizure as permissible under law.

Taking serious notice, the Food Department suspended Mr. Shafaat Baloch, Food Supervisor, Nara Taluka, Nadeem Ahmed Shaikh, Food Supervisor, Gambat, Khalil Ahmed Memon, Food Supervisor, Gambat, Naseer Ahmed Memon, Food Supervisor, Gambat, and Waheed Ahmed Shaikh, Food Inspector, Kot Diji. During suspension, their headquarters have been fixed at the office of Director Food Sindh, Karachi.

Minister Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman said the suspensions send a clear message that no official will be allowed to undermine public interest.

He warned that any official found leaking information, facilitating hoarders or obstructing operations would face strict disciplinary action without discrimination.

He directed all Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and Food Department officers to ensure transparency and coordination in the anti hoarding operations, adding that a fair and merit based inquiry will be conducted and those found guilty will be dealt with strictly in accordance with law.

Peshawar: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday assured representatives of the FATA/PATA business community that he would take up their concerns over the recently imposed taxes with the relevant authorities, saying dialogue was the only way to resolve such issues.

The assurance came during a meeting with a delegation led by Khalid Khan Afridi, President of the Core Committee FATA and PATA, and President of the Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yousaf Afridi, at the Governor House.

The delegation informed the Governor that a large number of industrial units in the erstwhile FATA and PATA had been shut down due to the heavy tax burden, adversely affecting businesses, employment and the regional economy.

Governor Kundi said he had already written to the Prime Minister regarding the concerns of the business community and would continue to pursue the matter with the concerned authorities.

The Governor said lasting peace was indispensable for sustainable development and economic prosperity, adding that a peaceful environment was necessary to attract investment and restore business confidence.

He stressed that negotiations and consultation were the best way to address all issues and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting efforts aimed at resolving the problems being faced by traders and industrialists.

Dera ismail khan: Police in Dera Ismail Khan have launched a district-wide crackdown against unregistered tenants residing in rented houses, registering cases against 14 individuals and arresting several others for violating the National Action Plan (NAP).

According to the district police spokesperson, the operation was carried out on the directives of Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed under the supervision of District Police Officer (DPO) Dera Ismail Khan Ziauddin Ahmed.

Police teams conducted raids across various police station jurisdictions in the district and took action against tenants who had failed to register their tenancy with the concerned police stations as required under the law.

During the campaign, cases were registered against 14 unregistered tenants, while several others were taken into custody in accordance with legal procedures.

DPO Ziauddin Ahmed said the crackdown against unregistered tenants would continue as part of ongoing efforts to ensure effective implementation of the National Action Plan and maintain law and order.

He urged citizens, house owners and tenants to cooperate with the police by completing the mandatory tenant registration process at their respective police stations without delay, warning that strict legal action would be taken against those found violating the regulations.

Multan: A number of people, mostly youngsters with smartphones or cameras in hands, walked through Walled City, enjoying the sight of timeworn monuments and clicking their cameras to preserve images of Multan’s historic edifices as part of ‘Heritage Photo Walk’, organised by Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) here Thursday.

The Heritage Photo Walk was meant to highlight the historical, cultural, and architectural heritage of the Walled City of Multan and was led by TDCP Multan Regional Manager Syed Haider Raza Shah that attracted enthusiastic participation from local students, community members, photography enthusiasts, and people from different walks of life.

During the event, participants explored the historic streets of the old city, visiting centuries-old buildings, heritage sites, and landmarks while capturing the city’s rich architectural and cultural legacy through their cameras.

Speaking on the occasion, Syed Haider Raza Shah described Multan is a city with a history and civilization spanning centuries, and declared preserving its rich heritage as a shared responsibility. He said, the Heritage Photo Walk was aimed at introducing the younger generation to the city’s historical identity, cultural heritage, and tourist attractions, while fostering a sense of responsibility for preserving these valuable assets.

He added that such initiatives not only promote awareness of cultural heritage but also project a positive image of Multan and contribute to the promotion of domestic and international tourism, ultimately strengthening the local economy.

The participants appreciated the initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to playing an active role in preserving and promoting Multan’s historical heritage and supporting tourism development in the region.

Peshawar: At least 22 people have lost their lives and 23 others have been injured in rain-related incidents and flash floods across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since July 19, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) informed on Thursday.

The ongoing monsoon spell has caused widespread damage across the province. The PDMA reported that the deceased include nine men, three women and ten children, while the injured comprise 11 men, five women and seven children.

The authority said 37 houses were damaged by heavy rains and flash floods, including 29 partially damaged and eight completely destroyed homes.

The affected districts include Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber, Mardan, Buner, Bajaur, Shangla, Swabi, Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Tank, Torghar, Kurram and North and South Waziristan.

Rescue 1122, district administrations and relevant institutions remain on high alert and are continuing relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. Authorities have directed local administrations to ensure the prompt delivery of relief supplies and accelerate assistance for affected families.

According to officials, water levels in the province’s rivers and streams are currently within the normal range. However, intermittent rainfall is expected to continue and all district administrations have been instructed to remain vigilant.

The Director General of the PDMA has urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flood-prone and sensitive tourist areas and strictly follow official weather advisories and safety instructions.