Category: District

Peshawar: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur formally launched the Spring 2025 Tree Plantation Campaign by planting a sapling on the lawn of the CM House.

Provincial Minister for Local Government Arshad Ayub, Special Assistant to CM for Environment and Forests Musawir Khan, as well as senior officials from the Environment and Forest Department and Peshawar Development Authority (PDA).

During a briefing on the campaign, officials informed the chief minister that the province has set a target of 2.6 million trees to be planted across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the campaign adding that the initiative includes both regular and fruit-bearing trees. It was further informed that 892,000 saplings would be planted in the Central-Southern Forest Region,

1,057,000 saplings in Northern Forest Region and 864,000 saplings in Malakand Forest Region.

To achieve this target, 2 million saplings will be distributed among the public for plantation while the Forest Department itself will plant 560,000 saplings.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister also launched a special tree plantation drive under the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA).

Officials briefed him that under this initiative, 82,544 trees will be planted in the provincial capital this year, along with 480,000 seasonal plants, which will be planted twice a year. These plantations will be carried out in Hayatabad, Regi Model Town, GT Road, Jamrud Road, Ring Road, Motorway, and Northern Bypass. Additionally, 1,300 climbers will be planted on BRT flyovers and pillars.

Officials further said that in the last three years, 191,202 trees have been planted under the PDA.

Talking on this occasion, the Chief Minister directed the officials to prioritize environment-friendly and fruit-bearing trees in the plantation drive.

He also emphasized the need to plant trees within educational institutions and to ensure the proper maintenance and care of the saplings.

He termed tree plantation as a national duty and urged the public to actively participate in the campaign to achieve its objectives.

He reaffirmed his government's commitment to transforming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into a green province, in line with the vision of the founding chairman. He stressed that tree plantation is the most effective way to combat the negative impacts of climate change and urged citizens to play their role in this crucial initiative.

Multan: Preparations for the construction of the Multan-Vehari dual carriageway have gained momentum, with the Communication and Works Department initiating groundwork and removed encroachments.

The 93-kilometer-long highway, announced by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, is set to enhance regional connectivity. The authorities have launched an operation to remove encroachments from both sides of the road. As part of the effort, encroachments on 64 petrol pumps along the route have been cleared, and illegal structures and signboards have been demolished.

Punjab Minister for Communication and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmad was briefed on the progress of the operation. The project's tender is scheduled for February 18. The 94-kilometer-long highway spans 61 kilometers in Vehari district, 7 kilometers in Khanewal, and 26 kilometers in Multan. Speaking about the project, Minister Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bhartha described it as a "gift from CM Maryam Nawaz to South Punjab".

He stated that Maryam Nawaz would inaugurate multiple road infrastructure projects in Narowal later this month. "Every day, Punjab is witnessing rapid infrastructure development, with record-breaking progress in various sectors," he added.

Sargodha: The Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) task force caught 11 power pilferers during an ongoing crackdown here on Sunday.

According to official sources, teams raided areas of the district and caught 11 accused involved in electricity theft from main lines and meter tampering .

The arrested accused were identified as Sohail, Imran, Umar, Waheed, Shoaib, Saeed, Akaash, Tayab, Qasim, Ibrahim and Nouman Ali. The teams also imposed hefty fines on the pilferers. On a report of FESCO, police also registered cases against them.

Chiniot: SHO Police Station Bhawana Inspector Sajid Mahmood, ASI Ijaz Ahmed, along with a team, arrested the drug dealer accused Fakhar, a resident of Chak No. 158 JB. 11kg of hashish was recovered from the possession of the arrested drug dealer.

A case of narcotics provisions has been registered against the accused in Bhawana Police Station and further investigation is underway.

In this regard, District Police Officer Abdullah Ahmed said that practical steps are being taken across the district to save our generations from the scourge of drugs.

A crackdown against drug dealers is underway across the district under a special campaign.

Rawalpindi: Naseerabad police here on Sunday arrested an arm smuggler and recovered weapons from their possession, said a police spokesman.

He informed that police recovered a Kalashnikov, a repeater gun, 10 pistols and hundreds of bulletsfrom the possession of the arrested accused namely Haider Khan. Police also impounded the vehicle being used by the accused for arms smuggling.

Naseerabad police in snap checking stopped a suspicious vehicle and during search of the vehicle recovered weapons.

The accused revealed that he brought weapons from KPK to supply in Rawalpindi.

Superintendent of Police, Potohar appreciated SHO Naseerabad and his team for netting the smuggler and recovering weapons.

He said that crackdown against criminals, arms and drug smugglers would continue.