Category: District

Rawalpindi: Rawalpindi district police have accelerated their ongoing operation against kite flyers and sellers, said a police spokesman here on Thursday.

He informed that police on the directives of City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Hamdani, are also running an awareness campaign and making all-out efforts to prevent kite flying and aerial firing.

He said that the monitoring is being done with announcements from high-rise buildings to prevent kite flying and aerial firing.

Announcements are also being made from mosques and door-to-door pamphlets are being distributed to educate the citizens.

Police officers are giving lectures in educational institutions on the harms and prevention of kite flying, he said.

The spokesman informed that a crackdown is underway against kite flying and kite sellers and this year, so far more than 100 kite flyers and sellers have been arrested and nearly 30,000 kites and over 450 string rolls were recovered.

Monitoring is also underway against online kite sellers, he said adding, kite flying is a non-bailable offense and the violators will be punished with a sentence of 3 to 7 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 500,000.

Immediate legal action will be taken in case of aerial firing and kite flying, he warned.

A full-scale crackdown against kite flying and kite sellers is underway and cases will also be registered against the owners of the buildings from where kite flying or aerial firing will be done.

He urged the citizens particularly parents to stop their children from this deadly game. No one will be allowed to endanger the lives of others for their temporary pleasure, he said.

Multan: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) continued its crackdown on businesses selling substandard and hazardous food items. In a recent operation, food safety teams inspected two sweets and bakery units and a restaurant in various areas of Multan, leading to impose fines and destroyed unsafe food products. During inspections at 11 Number Chungi, Al-Falah Town, Muzaffargarh Road, and MD Chowk, authorities discovered serious violations. Two bakeries were fined a total of Rs 75,000 for using unidentified ingredients in their products and failing to label their food items properly. Meanwhile, a restaurant was penalized Rs 40,000 for using rancid oil in food preparation. The officials also seized and destroyed 40-kg substandard Sohan Halwa and 10-kg expired food items on the spot. Speaking on the matter, PFA Director General Muhammad Asim Javed emphasized the authority's commitment to ensuring availability of safe and high-quality food for the residents of Multan. He reiterated that all food businesses must comply with the Punjab Food Authority regulations, warning that strict action will be taken against violators.

Peshawar: A transgender was shot dead by unknown assailants in Charsadda district, police informed on Thursday.

Police said unidentified assailants opened fire in the jurisdiction of City Police Station in Tehsil Bazaar, Charsadda, killing a transgender.

The transgender, identified as Gorgora, who was inside his room died instantly.

Following the incident, the police took the body into custody and transferred it to DHQ Hospital for post-mortem examination.

City Police have registered a case against an unknown accused and started an investigation.

Gujrat: A crackdown on sugar hoarding is in progress in Gujrat under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Safdar Hussain Virk, on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

According to official sources, Assistant Commissioner Bilal Zubair conducted a raid at Ahmed Traders in Mangowal West, Tehsil Gujrat, recovering 810 bags of sugar (50-kg each) illegally stockpiled. The warehouse, owned by one Parvez Iqbal, was sealed for violating hoarding regulations.

The assistant commissioner said hoarding would not be tolerated under any circumstances and strict legal action would be taken against violators.

Peshawar: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Red Crescent Society and the College of Tourism and Hotel Management to provide technical courses in tourism and hospitality at Governor House.

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi, was the chief guest at the ceremony.

The agreement outlines the establishment of an institution in Swat where young people will be provided with technical courses in tourism and hospitality. These courses will be offered in collaboration with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC).

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Chairperson of NAVTTC, Gulmeena Bilal, Chairman of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Red Crescent Society, Habib Malik Orakzai, and Zaheer Ahmed from the College of Tourism and Hotel Management.

Governor Kundi congratulated the institutions on signing of the agreement, calling it a historic and significant step that continues the mission of the late leader Benazir Bhutto in promoting women empowerment and youth engagement.

He said that this MoU marks the beginning of a strong partnership between the institutions, which will enhance the tourism sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and create job opportunities for the youth.

The Governor emphasized the importance of focusing on skills development, saying the global demand for a trained workforce.

He highlighted the vast economic opportunities in both tourism and hospitality sectors within the province, adding that the agreement will play a crucial role in promoting tourism and contribute to economic prosperity.

The Governor also praised the collaboration, saying that the project in Swat will benefit the Red Crescent and the College of Tourism and Hotel Management, will be beneficial for the region's underprivileged and remote areas as well.

He expressed his heartfelt congratulations for the agreement, believing it will play a significant role in the province's development and economic progress.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the Artist Action Forum Peshawar met with Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.

The delegation, including senior vice president Tariq Jamal, Shazma Haleem, Abid Hussain Lala, Fauzia Gulali, Dr. Irfan, and Ilyas, discussed the challenges faced by individuals associated with art and culture in the province. These included financial difficulties, lack of cultural programs, and inadequate platforms for artists.

The delegation urged the government to take special measures to promote art and introduce welfare projects for artists.

Governor Kundi assured full support and announced plans for an art exhibition on February 18 at the Governor House.

He also mentioned efforts to activate the Academy of Letters' Peshawar office as a center for arts and suggested establishing an instrument-making institute in the province.

The delegation expressed satisfaction with the Governor's positive response, hoping for a resolution of their issues and the promotion of art and culture in the province.

Mirpur (ajk): Medical Superintendent (MS) District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ), Dr. Amir Aziz on Thursday said under the spirit to deliver swift medical services to the patients, state of the art filter clinics had been set up in the hospital .

He told reporter here that the prime objectives of the clinics was to lessen the burden on emergency (Accident and Trauma) department in the hospital and facilitate the highly serious patients who needed immediate critical care could immediately be treated accordingly.

Elaborating the salient features of the clinics, the MS said under the broad-based vision of the AJK Prime Minister Ch Anwar ul Haq about delivery of quality quick medical aid to serious patients landing at the Accident and Emergency Wing of the Hospital, the hospital's administration was determined to expedite the health care services to masses both for in and outdoor patients in line with the need of the modern era.

He reaffirmed the State Health Department was taking measures to deliver to the best possible medical facilities to the people in the district.

Dr. Amir Aziz while stressing the need of continuous learning and educational sessions for postgraduate resident doctors and house officers, underlined that the hospital was simultaneously managing the capacity building training programs for the doctors besides for nursing officers adding such learning programs were being held under the auspices of the hospital through the professional senior staff on weekly basis.