Police arrest 4 kite sellers, recovered over 700 kites, string rolls

Rawalpindi: Rawalpindi District Police on the directives of City Police Officer, Rawalpindi are making efforts to control kite flying and managed to arrest four kite sellers on recovery of over 700 kites and seven kite flying string rolls, said a police spokesman here on Saturday.

He informed that Taxila police arrested Masood for having 350 kites and string rolls while Race Course netted Nisar for possessing 300 kites and three string rolls.

R.A.Bazar police also arrested an accused namely Waqas with 70 kite and a string rolls while Dhamial police netted Fahad Shoukat for having 40 kites and two string rolls.

Separate cases have been registered against the accused and further investigations are under process.

Divisional Superintendents of Police directed the police teams to accelerate operations against kite sellers and flyers.

The spokesman informed that Rawalpindi district police on the directives of City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Hamdani, are also organizing awareness walks in different areas against kite flying and aerial firing.

An awareness walk was organized in R.A.Bazar area to sensitize the masses regarding the hazards and prevention of kite flying.

The awareness walk was conducted in the area of R.A.Bazar police station.

A large number of traders, students, citizens and SHO R.A.Bazar Police Station, SDPO Cantt, Mirza Javed Iqbal participated in the awareness walk.

The aim of the walk was to provide awareness to the citizens about the harms of the kite flying and its prevention.

Special awareness pamphlets were distributed during the walk and awareness banners were also displayed at different points.

The kite flying is a dangerous game and a crime. After the amendment in the law, kite flying is a non-bailable crime, which could be punished with imprisonment from 03 to 07 years and a fine of Rs 500,000 to 5 million.

Rawalpindi District Police on the directives of the CPO are utilizing all available resources to prevent kite flying, he said adding, the civil society, citizens especially parents should discourage kite flying.

Kashmiris to observe 41st martyrdom anniversary of Maqbool Butt on February 11

Mirpur: Preparations are underway to commemorate the 41st martyrdom anniversary of Muhammad Maqbool Butt, a veteran Kashmiri freedom fighter, on February 11.

The day will be marked by anti-India and pro-freedom rallies, demonstrations, and processions across Azad Jammu Kashmir and Indian-occupied Kashmir.

According to organizers, the events will pay tribute to Butt, who was hanged by India in 1984 for demanding the right to self-determination for the people of Jammu Kashmir. The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, Jammu Kashmir Plebiscite Front, and other freedom-loving outfits have announced a capacious program to observe the day, the local correspondent of reported this from Mirpur on Saturday.

In occupied Kashmir, a complete strike will be followed by rallies, seminars, conferences, and processions. Memorandums will be handed over to the nearest UN observers' missions, reiterating the Kashmiris' demand for a resolution to the Kashmir issue under UN resolutions.

Major ceremonies will be held in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Kotli, and other cities, with processions and rallies marching through major city streets. Speakers will pay tribute to Butt's heroic struggle for liberation and his sacrifice for the cause.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has also appealed to the people of occupied Kashmir to observe a complete shutdown on February 11 to memorize Butt and other martyrs.

Police launch awareness campaign

Lodhran: In an ongoing effort to combat incidents of sexual violence, Lodhran police have launched an awareness campaign focusing on the Anti-Rape Act.

As part of the initiative, police officers delivered an informative session at a private college, educating female students on safety measures and their legal rights. Lady Sub-Inspector Quratul Ain and Traffic Warden Amjad Masood engaged in an interactive discussion with students, highlighting the importance of police helpline and emergency services. The students were also given a guided visit to the Sadar Police Station and the Protection Center. During the visit, they were briefed on the support services available for women and transgender individuals.

According to a police spokesperson, the campaign aimed to familiarize young women with the operational procedures of police departments, including fieldwork and public service delivery.

District Police Officer (DPO) Kamran Mumtaz emphasized the importance of vigilance, urging students to remain cautious of strangers and report any suspicious activities immediately to the police or their parents. He stated, "The primary objective of the awareness campaign was to ensure the protection of children and make them aware of their legal rights."

The awareness sessions were also being conducted in schools to spread knowledge about the Anti-Rape Act and enhance awareness regarding personal safety.

Ali Muhammad Soomro condoles with former Chairman Senate Muhammad Mian Soomro over his mother’s death

Sukkur: Central Chairman of Shaheed Dodo Soomro Welfare Organization (SDSWO) Pakistan, Ali Muhammad Soomro, along with other dignitaries, visited the Karachi residence of ex Senate Chairman Sardar Muhammad Mian Soomro and offered condolences on the demise of his mother, said a news release issued here on Saturday.

Those in attendance included Sindh President Gulzar Soomro, Senior Vice President Nazeer Soomro, Vice President Sardar Abdul Jabbar Soomro, Media Coordinator Ghulam Hussain Soomro, Youth Wing Central President Fida Hussain Soomro, and others. They offered prayers for the departed soul to rest in peace.

Ali Muhammad Soomro expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss and prayed that May Allah Almighty grant the deceased a high place in paradise.

All set to kick off 20th Desert Jeep Rally

Bahawalpur: Arrangements have been finalized for the 20th TDCP International Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally in the Cholistan desert.

Official sources in the Tourism Development Corporation Punjab said that several committees have been formed to make final arrangements for the rally from the Derawar Fort. They said that racers and drivers from across the country as well as abroad would participate in the event, adding that big vehicles as well as motorcycle rallies would be organized. 'Woman drivers will also be participating in the jeep rally,' they said.

They said that event schedule included several other programs including cultural show, sport events, handicrafts stalls, food stalls and others. The major event is also being supported by several other stakeholders including the divisional management of Bahawalpur division, the district management, Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Education Department, Cholistan Development Authority, Punjab Emergency Service, Rescue 1122, Hobara Foundation, the Police Department and civil society. The main event will start from February 12 and continuous till February 16. Over 100 drivers will participate in the race. The racers will cover the route extended to 500 kilometers that will also pass through Dingarh Fort, Marot Fort, Khan Garth Fort, Bijnot Fort, Mojgarh Fort and Jamgarh Fort.

AJK concludes successful 5-day Polio eradication drive, vaccinates thousands of children

Mirpur: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has successfully concluded its 5-day integrated national polio eradication drive, administering polio vaccine drops to a significant number of children under 5 years of age.

The drive, which started on December 16, vaccinated a major portion of the targeted 742,500 children across AJK's 10 districts, the AJK State Health sources told reporter on Saturday.

Sources further revealed that in Muzaffarabad, over 120,000 children were targeted for vaccination, while in Mirpur district, at least 76,650 children under 5 years of age received the polio vaccine. The drive was conducted by 3,995 mobile teams of paramedics, who visited door-to-door, and 450 fixed centers set up at local government hospitals and health facilities.

The AJK State Health Services Department, in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), made adequate arrangements to execute the polio-eradication campaign . A central polio control room was set up in Muzaffarabad to monitor the drive and receive complaints.

District Health Officer Dr Fida Hussain while exclusively talking to reporter, confirmed the successful conclusion of the drive in Mirpur district, where over 400 mobile teams of paramedics visited door-to-door and served at 41 fixed centers and 14 transit points.