Category: District

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.

Sialkot: A delegation from COMSATS University Wah Campus,participating in the COMSATS Leader-SHIFT Program (CLP) 2026 on Wednesday visited the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) for an interactive session with representatives of the business community.

The delegation was led by Assistant Professor,Fasih-ur-Rehman and Dr.Amir Saeed.

The session was jointly organized by SCCI and the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sialkot (WCCIS).

During the meeting,participants highlighted the importance of strengthening industry-academia collaboration, leadership development,entrepreneurship and innovation. Business representatives shared insights into Sialkot’s export-driven economy,industrial progress and the private sector’s contribution to sustainable economic growth.

The visiting students and faculty members also interacted with business leaders and gained practical knowledge of the industrial sector, while discussing opportunities for closer cooperation between educational institutions and industry.

The session was attended by SCCI President,Syed Ahtesham Mazhar,Vice President(VP) Salman Sheikh,WCCIS President Dr.Mariam Saddiqa,Senior Vice President Gulzaib Waqas Awan,Vice President Rubina Naveed and other representatives.

Gujrat: Low-level flood conditions continued at Head Marala, Head Khanki and Head Qadirabad, while the situation at Mangla Dam and local nullahs remained normal.

According to official sources, Head Marala recorded an inflow of 128,128 cusecs and an outflow of 108,078 cusecs. Head Khanki recorded an inflow of 157,874 cusecs and an outflow of 152,024 cusecs, while Head Qadirabad registered an inflow of 160,280 cusecs and an outflow of 141,748 cusecs. Low-level flood conditions persisted at all three barrages.

The sources said Mangla Dam’s water level was recorded at 1,181.60 feet , with an inflow of 90,342 cusecs and an outflow of 10,000 cusecs, adding that the reservoir remained within the normal operating range.

Meanwhile, water flow in Bhimber Nullah was recorded at 1,874 cusecs, while Manawar Tawi recorded 7,875 cusecs. The situation at both locations remained normal.

Muzaffargarh: An 18-year-old youth was allegedly poisoned to death in Basti Tangwani, Ali Pur tehsil. Police said on Wednesday, Gulfam, working as Driver, was found in critical condition outside his house at night. He told his mother that Saifullah, Nomi with the connivance of two unidentified accomplices had mixed wheat-preservation pills into a cold drink and made him consume it.

He was rushed to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital and later referred to Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, where he died. Police concerned took the body into custody for a postmortem and registered a case.

The victim’s mother stated that few days ago,her son had been beaten by the two accused.They also snatched his mobile phone and demanded Rs 100,000. Police were investigating.

Gujrat: Deputy Commissioner Noor-ul-Ain Qureshi chaired a meeting to review the measures for promoting tree plantation, improving greenbelts and implementing plantation plans under ongoing development projects. According to official sources, the meeting decided that horticulture funds allocated under ongoing development schemes would be utilized for large-scale plantation across the district.

In the first phase, trees will be planted on the central medians of Gujrat-Sargodha Road and Kotla Arab Ali Khan Road to enhance the beauty of the roads and promote a greener environment.The deputy commissioner directed the relevant departments to complete the plantation drive at the earliest and ensure proper care, irrigation and protection of the saplings to ensure the project’s long-term success. Deputy Conservator Forest, Deputy Director Development Tasawar Abbas, Chief Officer District Council Syed Faraz Mehdi, officials of the Highways Department and other officers concerned attended the meeting.