Category: District

Rawalpindi: Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Salman Ghani on Friday directed the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) to take immediate measures to minimize the risk of electrocution during the monsoon season and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers.

Chairing a meeting at the Commissioner’s Office, Salman said the risk of electrocution increased significantly during rainfall as water could conduct electricity, posing serious hazards around utility poles, transformers and household wiring.

The commissioner directed IESCO to ensure the immediate repair or replacement of loose, damaged or fallen power lines and strengthen monitoring of rain-affected feeders and low-lying areas to prevent accidents.

He said uninterrupted electricity supply during the monsoon was the utility’s primary responsibility, adding that unnecessary load-shedding and prolonged outages during rainfall would not be tolerated.

Ghani also directed the power utility to ensure continuous monitoring of electricity poles, transformers and other installations submerged in rainwater and to take immediate precautionary measures wherever public safety was at risk.

He stressed that power supply to hospitals, educational institutions, markets, public places and major highways should remain uninterrupted. The commissioner further instructed IESCO to keep its emergency response and field teams on round-the-clock alert, maintain a fully functional control room for the prompt redressal of public complaints and ensure effective coordination with the district administration, Rescue 1122, WASA and other relevant departments to respond swiftly to any emergency. The meeting was attended by Chief Executive Officer IESCO, Additional Commissioner (Coordination) Zeinia Humayun, Director Development Syed Nazarat Ali Shah and other concerned officers.

United nations: Dismissing India’s “false” accusations against some of Pakistan’s actions, a Pakistani diplomat urged New Delhi to implement Security Council Resolution 2788, which calls for greater use of the UN Charter’s diplomatic tools for conflict settlement, honour its treaty obligations, and take steps aimed at resolving the Kashmir dispute to usher in peace in South Asia.

“The contrast between Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir is stark, ” Saima Saleem, a counsellor at the Pakistan Mission to the UN, told the 15-member Council after India’s Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni urged Islamabad to “look inward and address the real issues.”

In Azad Kashmir, she told the Indian ambassador, Kashmiris live freely, participate in political life and raise their voice.

“In Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, voices are silenced, dissent criminalized, thousands of cases of detentions, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and conflict-related sexual violence used as instruments of repression, demographic changes imposed, and the right to self-determination denied, ” the Pakistan delegate said while exercising her right of reply.

In his speech, the Indian ambassador responded to his Pakistani counterpart Asim Iftikhar Ahmad who earlier addressed the Security Council during which he highlighted Resolution 2788 and in that context reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the Council’s resolutions.

Ambassador Harish also claimed that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral and inalienable part of India. “The only outstanding issue with regard to Jammu and Kashmir is the naked aggression and illegal occupation of India’s sovereign territory by Pakistan, ” the Indian envoy added.

To this, Ms. Saleem, the Pakistani delegate, retorted that Jammu and Kashmir was neither an integral part of India nor its internal matter.

“India’s denial cannot rewrite history, change Jammu and Kashmir’s internationally-recognized disputed status, or conceal nearly eight decades of systematic human rights violations against the Kashmiri people, including denial of their inalienable right to self-determination, ” she said.

“India itself brought the Jammu and Kashmir dispute before the Security Council yet continues to defy its resolutions, ” the Pakistani delegate said, adding, “Let me remind the Indian delegation that Security Council resolutions do not have an expiry date.”

Ms. Saleem also decried India’s “unilateral and illegal’ decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.

“The water of the Indus rivers is a lifeline for 240 million people of Pakistan-not a weapon of war. Such reckless conduct by India can only endanger peace and security in South Asia.”

India, she added, was a State-sponsor of terrorism, perpetrated by the TTP, BLA and its Majeed Brigade-proxies financed, armed, aided and abetted by India.

“From serving Indian Naval Commander, Kulbhushan Jadhav to assassination plots and killings linked to Indian operatives in North America, India’s terrorist franchise has gone from regional to global.”

At home, Ms. Saleem pointed out India’s Hindutva-inspired right-wing fascist RSS-BJP government has turned Islamophobia into State policy, normalizing hate crimes and genocide against more than 200 million Muslims. Other minorities, including Christians are persecuted, Dalits dehumanized and Sikhs disenfranchised in the largest hypocrisy of the world, it was pointed out.

On its part, even in the face of provocation and aggression, Pakistan had exercised restraint, kept the door to dialogue always open, and consistently chosen peaceful settlement of disputes over confrontation in the region and beyond.

“The path to peace in South Asia lies neither in denial nor in defiance, but in adherence to the Charter and international law, ” the Pakistan delegate said.

“We hope India will introspect on the recommendations (on dispute settlement) presented today and demonstrate the moral courage to implement Resolution 2788 in letter and spirit, honour its treaty obligations, and engage sincerely in the peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the resolutions of the Security Council.”

Peshawar: Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has summoned the next session of the Provincial Assembly on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

According to a notification issued by the Provincial Assembly Secretariat, the session that was earlier scheduled to be held on July 27, 2026, has been rescheduled and will now convene on August 10, 2026.

The notification stated that members of the Provincial Assembly have been informed of the revised date and time for the session.

Peshawar: Special Assistant to KP Chief Minister on Tourism, Culture, Archaeology and Museums Malik Adeel Iqbal chaired a review meeting of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA)’s Annual Development Programme (ADP) for fiscal year 2026-27.

Director General (DG) Culture and Tourism Authority Shahid Khan and other senior officials attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed in detail the progress of ongoing and proposed development schemes under Authority’s Annual Development Programme.

Malik Adeel Iqbal directed the relevant officials to accelerate the pace of work and ensure that all development schemes are completed within the stipulated timeframe and in accordance with prescribed quality standards.

The meeting was informed that work is currently underway on seventeen ongoing and five new development schemes during the 2026-27 fiscal year. These projects focus on improving tourism infrastructure, developing new recreational destinations, promoting cultural activities and providing modern facilities for tourists.

Speaking on the occasion, Malik Adeel Iqbal said that under the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, provincial government is implementing effective and result-oriented measures to promote tourism across the province.

He directed officials to launch a comprehensive awareness campaign for Tourism Helpline 1422 so that both domestic and international tourists can fully benefit from service.

He further stressed that tangible progress on development projects must be visible on the ground and announced that regular review meetings would be held to closely monitor the implementation of Annual Development Programme.

The meeting reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing all ongoing projects on time and in line with highest quality standards to further promote tourism and culture in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, strengthen the local economy, create new employment opportunities and realise government’s vision of providing world-class facilities to domestic and international tourists.

Peshawar: Improved management, strengthened governance, upgraded medical facilities and a patient-centred approach have significantly enhanced healthcare services at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Wana, making it one of the most trusted healthcare institutions in South Waziristan.

Located in one of Pakistan’s most remote and strategically important regions, DHQ Hospital Wana has undergone a remarkable transformation since the Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation (MERF) assumed responsibility for its management under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s outsourcing initiative.

MERF, an international humanitarian organization, works with governments to improve access to quality, equitable, efficient and affordable healthcare services.

‘A key driver of this transformation has been the strengthening of the hospital’s human resources, ‘ says Dr. Abdul Basit, Provincial Manager MERF KP.

Every month, the hospital provides emergency care, trauma management, critical interventions and essential medical services to hundreds of patients from South Waziristan and adjoining areas.

Dr. Abdul Basit said the hospital is staffed by 14 specialist doctors providing expert care across multiple disciplines, while 24 medical officers ensure round-the-clock healthcare services. The workforce is further supported by 22 trained nurses, 38 paramedics and around 150 administrative and support staff.

Hospital performance indicators reflect substantial progress in service delivery as Outpatient Department (OPD) attendance increased from 64, 414 to 742, 964 patients, demonstrating growing public confidence and improved access to healthcare services.

Maternal health services also recorded significant improvement, with the number of normal and Caesarean-section deliveries increasing from 690 to 13, 547, contributing to safer childbirth and improved maternal and newborn care.

Diagnostic services expanded considerably, with laboratory investigations increasing from 9, 471 to 939, 693, enabling timely diagnosis and more effective treatment. Similarly, inpatient admissions rose from 2, 419 to 132, 162, reflecting improved access to quality hospital care.

The hospital’s surgical services also witnessed substantial growth, with the number of surgical procedures increasing from 677 to 29, 201, enabling thousands of patients to receive quality surgical care within their own district.

Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) services also improved, with the number of fully immunized children increasing from 161 to 1, 228, strengthening child health and protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

In addition to expanding healthcare services, MERF upgraded key hospital facilities, including the registration unit, emergency department, emergency ward, outpatient department, operation theatre, laboratory, labour room, inpatient wards and dental unit.

The improvements have enhanced patient flow, strengthened infection prevention measures and created a safer and more efficient healthcare environment.

Officials attributed these achievements to the joint efforts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, MERF, healthcare professionals and hospital staff, working together to improve healthcare delivery in South Waziristan.

They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening public healthcare services through improved governance, transparency, accountability and professional excellence, ensuring that quality healthcare remains accessible to communities living in one of the country’s most underserved regions.

Faisalabad: Khurarianwala police have solved a blind murder case by arresting three close relatives of the victim including his father-in-law.

Police spokesman said here on Friday that 29-year-old Azeem Abbas, a resident Chak No. 227-RB, was shot dead under mysterious circumstances while traveling on his motorcycle near Chak No. 205-RB Bypass when he was going to perform his duty in a local mill on Sheikhupura Road on July 7, 2026.

The police after registering a complaint started investigation and after using technical sources traced out the blind murder. The police arrested three relatives of the victim including his father-in-law Shahbaz, his brother-in-law Qasim and Qasim’s friend Ghulam Rasool over suspicion.

However, during interrogation, the accused confessed the offence and told the police that the killing was motivated by domestic disputes and resentment over restrictions on their daughter’s contact with her parental family.

Station House Officer (SHO) Khurarianwala police station Atif Shehzad locked the accused behind bars while further investigation was under progress, he added.