Category: District

Multan: Secretary Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal department Punjab, Saira Umar, paid a visit city to review the performance of welfare institutions and assess facilities being provided to vulnerable segments of society under the Punjab government’s social welfare initiatives.

Accompanied by Divisional Director Social Welfare Multan Um-e-Farwa Hamdani and Deputy Director Social Welfare Abdul Aziz Khan, the secretary visited the Social Welfare Complex, including the Shelter Home, Drug Rehabilitation Centre, Violence Against Women Centre, Nasheman, Women Protection Centre, Women Transitional Home, Old Age Home, Sanatzar Vocational Centre and the Divisional Director’s Office.

During the visit, Saira Umar inspected administrative arrangements, reviewed service delivery and interacted with children, senior citizens, women and persons with disabilities residing in the institutions. She listened to their problems and examined the facilities being provided for their care and rehabilitation.

She directed the heads of all welfare institutions to treat residents with dignity and ensure strict implementation of the minimum service standards set by the Punjab government.

The secretary also reviewed ongoing repair, renovation and beautification work at various institutions and issued necessary instructions for timely completion. She appreciated the maintenance and renovation work carried out at the Women Transitional Home.

Later, Ms. Saira Umar held a meeting with Fadia Kashif, Chief Executive Officer of Taray Zameen Par Trust, to discuss matters related to the welfare institutions operating under the Social welfare department.

Sukkur: The Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) organized community dialogue sessions on the Sindh Social Protection Policy and the Climate-Social Protection Nexus in Jacobabad and Sukkur districts in Wednesday.

The Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were facilitated by Masood Lohar, noted environmentalist and climate change consultant, and Ghulam Sakina, Senior Social Protection Officer at GIZ.

In Jacobabad, the session was held at LSO Nai Roshni, Village Ranjhapur, Taluka Thul, while in Sukkur, it was organized at the SRSO District Office, Rohri. The delegates interacted with community members to understand the local impacts of climate change, existing adaptation practices, and the linkages between climate vulnerabilities and social protection needs.

Community members actively participated and shared their experiences, observations and recommendations regarding climate change impacts and disasters, particularly heavy rainfall and flooding in their areas.

The discussions was focused on identifying and documenting key issues, challenges and recommendations to strengthen the nexus between climate resilience and social protection.

At the conclusion of the field visits, the delegates appreciated SRSO for its support in organizing the visits, facilitating community outreach and ensuring the successful completion of the assessment.

Rawalpindi: Rawalpindi Police organised a training workshop on Wednesday at the Police Lines Headquarters to enhance the professional capacity of investigation officers and improve the quality of criminal investigations.

According to a police spokesman, investigation officers from various police stations participated in the workshop.

Assistant District Public Prosecutors and senior police officers delivered lectures on the investigation of different types of cases, with particular emphasis on narcotics-related offences.

Participants were trained in modern and coordinated investigation techniques, including tracing suspects, collecting and preserving evidence, preparing comprehensive case files and improving conviction rates. The sessions also highlighted common shortcomings in investigations and ways to address them.

The trainers emphasised the importance of adopting scientific methods of investigation to ensure effective prosecution and the delivery of justice.

The spokesman said effective investigation played a vital role in strengthening the criminal justice system and ensuring that offenders were brought to justice.

He added that, in line with the vision of the Inspector General of Police Punjab and the directions of City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera, continuous efforts were being made to enhance the professional skills and investigative capacity of police officers through regular training programmes.

Sialkot: Vice Chancellor of Government College Women University Sialkot (GCWUS), Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir, on Wednesday reviewed the ongoing admission arrangements and facilities being provided to prospective applicants at the university campus.

According to a press release issued by the university, Convener of the Central Admission Committee, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ilyas, briefed the Vice Chancellor on the overall progress of the admission process, current application statistics and the comprehensive measures implemented to facilitate students. Co-Convener Dr. Shahbaz was also present during the briefing.

Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir also met with prospective students and their parents visiting the Admission Office. She inquired about their experience, sought feedback regarding the available facilities and directed the staff to continue providing prompt guidance and maximum facilitation to all applicants.

She reiterated that GCWUS remains committed to maintaining a transparent, efficient, and welcoming admission environment while delivering high-quality academic services to students and their families.

Mirpur: Deputy Commissioner Mirpur Chaudhry Sajid Aslam on Wednesday reviewed preparations for the July 27 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, directing all departments to complete arrangements in time to ensure the polls are conducted in a peaceful, free, fair and transparent manner. The meeting was attended by officials from the district administration, police, health, education, local government, civil defence, highways, social welfare, Auqaf and other relevant departments.

Officials briefed the deputy commissioner on the preparedness of their respective departments, including election management, logistical arrangements and contingency plans. The meeting decided to further strengthen the district’s control and monitoring system, while all departments were instructed to nominate focal persons to ensure effective coordination, timely exchange of information and a swift response to any emergency on polling day.

Addressing the meeting, Sajid Aslam said the peaceful conduct of the elections was a shared responsibility of all stakeholders and stressed the need for close coordination among the district administration, police and other government departments. He directed officials to remain in constant contact through designated focal persons, complete all arrangements before the stipulated deadline and utilize all available resources to facilitate voters. The Education Department was also asked to provide necessary administrative support for election management.

The deputy commissioner appealed to citizens to exercise their right to vote peacefully on July 27 and actively participate in the electoral process to strengthen democratic institutions. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation by all participating departments of their commitment to work in close coordination to ensure the peaceful, secure and successful conduct of the AJK elections.

Manila: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday arrived here along with his delegation to participate in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting.

On his arrival at the airport, the deputy prime minister was received by Elmer G. Cato, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Intelligence and Security Services (OISS), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Ambassador Asima Rabbani, and officials of the Embassy of Pakistan.

The ministerial moot will bring together foreign ministers and delegates from the 27 ARF member states, including the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Dar will participate in discussions on political and security issues affecting the Asia-Pacific region, with a special focus on promoting peace, stability, and mutual cooperation through sustained dialogue and diplomacy.

He will also hold bilateral meetings with his Philippine counterpart and several other participating dignitaries on the sidelines of the meeting.