Category: District

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chiniot: Deputy Commissioner Chiniot Safiullah Gondal on Saturday visited Lalian, Chenab Nagar. He visited different areas, markets and streets of both cities on foot and reviewed the cleanliness situation and the implementation of the encroachment operation.

On this occasion, the DC directed the concerned authorities to conduct a strict operation against encroachments and get 100 percent cleanliness of all areas. Cases were registered against the shopkeepers who were found involved in violations on the spot and orders were issued to seal the shops.

On this occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said that to avoid civil action, the encroachments should be removed voluntarily. The government’s orders will be implemented at all costs, he said.