NA Standing Committee on Railways reviews performance

Lahore: A two-day meeting of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Railways, chaired by Chairman Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, was held in Lahore on Thursday.

The meeting focused on reviewing performance and progress of Pakistan Railways and included comprehensive briefings, site visits, and discussions on improving railway operations.

On the first day, the committee was given detailed briefings on the functioning of various departments of Pakistan Railways. The sessions were held at the offices of the Divisional Superintendent Lahore and Divisional Superintendent Workshops Mughalpura. Divisional Superintendent Lahore Hanif Gul provided an in-depth overview of the division's performance, operational challenges, and achievements.

The committee members, led by Chairman Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, also visited the Lahore Railway Station and the Old Diesel Locomotive Shed. They inspected the facilities provided at the railway station, lauding the Police Helpline Center and the newly established Executive Washroom, which was constructed under a public-private partnership. Chairman Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan emphasized the importance of ensuring the timely arrival and departure of trains and directed railway officials to take necessary measures in this regard.

During their visit to the Old Engine Shed Lahore, the members appreciated the installation of a modern fuel management system developed in collaboration with PSO.

The committee also attended a meeting at the Workshops Mughalpura, where Chairman Railways Syed Mazhar Ali Shah briefed them on various initiatives, including railway procurement, repair and maintenance operations, periodic overhauling of coaches, and the development of freight wagons equipped with modern technology. DS Mughalpura Kashif Farooq Butt also provided a detailed presentation on the structure and performance of the workshops.

The meeting was attended by members of the National Assembly Standing Committee, including Abrar Ahmed, Waseem Qadir, Zulfiqar Sattar Bachani, Ramesh Lal, Muhammad Ilyas Chaudhry, Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah, Muhammad Jamal Ahsan Khan, and Shafqat Abbas. Senior officials from Pakistan Railways, including Chairman Railways Syed Mazhar Ali Shah and CEO Pakistan Railways Amir Ali Baloch, were also present.

13 outlaws nabbed; drugs, illegal weapons seized


Islamabad:: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police arrested 13 outlaws involved in various criminal activities, including drug peddling and possession of illegal weapons, recovering firearms, ammunition, and narcotics during separate operations on Thursday.



A police spokesman told that the (ICT) Police Aabpara, Margalla, Shalimar, Industrial Area, Sabzi Mandi, Shams Colony, Khanna and Bhara Kahu police teams took legal action against accused involved in possessing illegal weapons, and drug peddling activities.



He said the police team arrested 11 accused and recovered 08 pistols, one 8mm rifle with ammunition and dagger from their possession. Moreover, 02 absconders were also arrested from various areas of the city during the last 24 hours.



SSP Operation Muhammad Arslan Shahzaib said that the Islamabad Police is actively working to ensure the safety of citizens’ lives and property in the federal capital, emphasizing that no elements will be allowed to disrupt citizens’ peace. Protecting the lives, property, and dignity of citizens is the Islamabad Police’s top priority.



Commissioner visits Dreams Project site to review progress


Rawalpindi: Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Aamir Khattak here on Thursday visited Dreams Project site and reviewed the progress.



During the visit, he gave necessary instructions regarding project completion and quality to the authorities concerned.



Director General (DG) Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Kinza Murtaza, Director Development Sania Safi, MD, Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf and other officers concerned were present on the occasion.



The WASA authorities briefed the Commissioner on the progress of the project.



The Commissioner was informed that the Punjab government in collaboration with Asian Development Bank (ADB) would complete the project.



About one million people would get clean drinking water under this Chahan Dam-based water supply project which would be completed at a cost of Rs 35 billion. The project would be completed by December 2027. The aim of the Dreams Project is to conserve groundwater and increase water from surface water sources. Under the project, 20 MW Eco-Friendly solar power system would also be installed. 92,000 house connections (based on water meters) would be provided under the DREAMS project. Through Dreams, WASA Rawalpindi’s revenue collection would also increase by Rs 100 million per month. In the Dreams project, water would be supplied to the citizens as per the standards of the World Health Organization, he was told.



The Commissioner on the occasion said that the work on the Dreams project was started last month and the physical progress so far is five percent. He said that the project was launched to meet water requirements of Rawalpindi city.



He directed the authorities to ensure transparency and quality of construction work. He said that the project should be completed within stipulated time frame.



Commissioner visits Dreams Project site to review progress


Rawalpindi: Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Aamir Khattak here on Thursday visited Dreams Project site and reviewed the progress.



During the visit, he gave necessary instructions regarding project completion and quality to the authorities concerned.



Director General (DG) Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Kinza Murtaza, Director Development Sania Safi, MD, Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf and other officers concerned were present on the occasion.



The WASA authorities briefed the Commissioner on the progress of the project.



The Commissioner was informed that the Punjab government in collaboration with Asian Development Bank (ADB) would complete the project.



About one million people would get clean drinking water under this Chahan Dam-based water supply project which would be completed at a cost of Rs 35 billion. The project would be completed by December 2027. The aim of the Dreams Project is to conserve groundwater and increase water from surface water sources. Under the project, 20 MW Eco-Friendly solar power system would also be installed. 92,000 house connections (based on water meters) would be provided under the DREAMS project. Through Dreams, WASA Rawalpindi’s revenue collection would also increase by Rs 100 million per month. In the Dreams project, water would be supplied to the citizens as per the standards of the World Health Organization, he was told.



The Commissioner on the occasion said that the work on the Dreams project was started last month and the physical progress so far is five percent. He said that the project was launched to meet water requirements of Rawalpindi city.



He directed the authorities to ensure transparency and quality of construction work. He said that the project should be completed within stipulated time frame.



Commissioner visits Dreams Project site to review progress


Rawalpindi: Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Aamir Khattak here on Thursday visited Dreams Project site and reviewed the progress.



During the visit, he gave necessary instructions regarding project completion and quality to the authorities concerned.



Director General (DG) Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Kinza Murtaza, Director Development Sania Safi, MD, Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf and other officers concerned were present on the occasion.



The WASA authorities briefed the Commissioner on the progress of the project.



The Commissioner was informed that the Punjab government in collaboration with Asian Development Bank (ADB) would complete the project.



About one million people would get clean drinking water under this Chahan Dam-based water supply project which would be completed at a cost of Rs 35 billion. The project would be completed by December 2027. The aim of the Dreams Project is to conserve groundwater and increase water from surface water sources. Under the project, 20 MW Eco-Friendly solar power system would also be installed. 92,000 house connections (based on water meters) would be provided under the DREAMS project. Through Dreams, WASA Rawalpindi’s revenue collection would also increase by Rs 100 million per month. In the Dreams project, water would be supplied to the citizens as per the standards of the World Health Organization, he was told.



The Commissioner on the occasion said that the work on the Dreams project was started last month and the physical progress so far is five percent. He said that the project was launched to meet water requirements of Rawalpindi city.



He directed the authorities to ensure transparency and quality of construction work. He said that the project should be completed within stipulated time frame.



BUMHS launches ‘Bolan Journal of Medical & Allied Health Sciences’


Quetta: The Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences (BUMHS) marked a significant milestone with the inaugural ceremony of its first research publication, the Bolan Journal of Medical and Allied Health Sciences.



The event was graced by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Shabir Ahmed Lehri, as the Chief Guest, and the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Farida Kakar, as the Guest of Honor.



Addressing at the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Shabir Ahmed Lehri congratulated the editorial team and urged students to actively engage in research activities from the early stages of their academic journey.



He highlighted the vital role of research in fostering intellectual growth and advancing the frontiers of knowledge.



The Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Farida Kakar, lauded the initiative, expressing her belief that the Bolan Journal of Medical and Allied Health Sciences would set a benchmark for academic excellence and research in the region.



She reiterated the university’s commitment to fostering a culture of inquiry and innovation.



It was announced during the ceremony that the Bolan Journal of Medical and Allied Health Sciences will be a quarterly publication, released every three months, providing regular opportunities for scholars to share their groundbreaking work.



The journal aims to cover a wide range of topics in medicine and allied health sciences, ensuring its contributions remain relevant and impactful.



The event was attended by all deans, directors, faculty members, and a large number of enthusiastic students, signifying the university’s unified commitment to advancing research and academic excellence.



The inaugural ceremony concluded with a renewed dedication to cultivating a vibrant research culture at BUMHS.