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41 held for power theft

By
Asif Jalal
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0
SARGODHGA, Dec 31 (APP): The Faisalabad Electric Power Company (FESCO), Circle office Sargodha teams, caught 41 power thieves across the circle in three days during an anti-theft operation.
The Fesco teams also arrested nine thieves on the spot and forwarded 17 cases for registration of FIRs with the concerned police stations. The team also imposed fine of Rs 1.021 million on the pilferers.
According to Fesco sources, 10 pilferers were caught in Sargodha circle, three in Sillanwali, two in Bhera sub division, two in Kotmomin sub division, eight in Sahiwal , nine in Bhulwal, two in Shah purr, while five power pilferers were nabbed in Rural area sub division Sargodha.
Under the supervision of Fesco circle Sargodhga Superiendant Engineir and Regional officials, a joint operation in kot Freed Sub-Division recovered Rs. 1.515 million from 36 running and dead defaulters. The team also disconnected ten connections with arrears exceeding Rs. 200,000 and seized the meters.

UAE to ring in 2026 with record-breaking fireworks, drone shows

By
NNPS Desk
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0

ABU DHABI, Dec 31 (WAM/APP): The United Arab Emirates is preparing to welcome the New Year 2026 with an unprecedented celebratory spectacle, featuring exceptional fireworks and light displays stretching from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah.

The events are set to create a global tableau of joy and wonder, reaffirming the UAE’s position as a capital of major celebrations and safe, world-class events.

Al Wathba area in Abu Dhabi will host one of the largest New Year’s Eve celebrations in the country and the region, as the Supreme Organising Committee of the Sheikh Zayed Festival has finalised preparations for an extraordinary programme combining the longest and largest fireworks displays with the world’s biggest drone shows, alongside heritage and cultural activities featuring country pavilions, sponsors and strategic partners.

The festival will present an unprecedented fireworks display lasting more than an hour, including attempts to set five new Guinness World Records across five time segments starting at 20:00 and culminating at midnight with a continuous main display lasting 62 minutes. The show will use the latest launch and visual synchronisation technologies to cover the Al Wathba sky with a remarkable spectacle.

Festival visitors will also witness a massive drone show featuring 6,500 drones flying simultaneously for 20 minutes, forming nine giant artistic scenes to be showcased globally for the first time, in visual harmony with the countdown and fireworks.

In Dubai, the emirate’s skyline will light up with more than 48 fireworks displays across 40 locations, supervised by the Security Industry Regulatory Agency in cooperation with relevant authorities. The displays will allow residents and visitors to enjoy diverse celebrations at the emirate’s most prominent tourism and entertainment landmarks.

These locations include Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Frame, Expo City Dubai, Global Village, Bluewaters, Al Seef, Dubai Festival City, Hatta, Atlantis The Palm and Marsa Al Arab, among other destinations.

As part of the celebrations, the Dubai Shopping Festival will present the region’s largest narrative aerial drone show at Bluewaters Island and The Beach JBR, featuring brighter and faster drones, innovative formations and fire effects.

Ras Al Khaimah is preparing to amaze the world with its largest-ever display, in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Records title. The show will extend over six kilometres from Al Marjan Island to Al Hamra Island.

Lasting 15 minutes, the display will combine advanced fireworks, illuminated drones and laser technologies, involving more than 2,300 drones and culminating in the launch of the largest fireworks shell ever at midnight.

Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Shurooq, announced a comprehensive celebratory programme in cooperation with the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. The programme includes ten-minute fireworks displays at Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Heera Beach and Khorfakkan Beach, in addition to six festive destinations, including Al Noor Island and Mleiha National Park.

The events will take place on Wednesday evening, 31st December 2025, starting at 20:00, in free and open settings for the public, as the emirate’s skies light up with joyful displays welcoming the New Year in a spirit of celebration and togetherness.

New Year’s Eve festivities will also extend to Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Qaiwain through international events combining visual splendour, cultural diversity and the highest safety standards.

Railway police athletes honoured for stellar performance at 35th national games

By
Asif Jalal
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0
LAHORE, Dec 31 (APP): Inspector General Railway Police Rai Tahir (Hilal-e-Shujaat, Sitara-e-Imtiaz) has awarded special prizes and certificates of appreciation to the athletes of Pakistan Railway Police for winning two gold and one silver medals at the 35th National Games held in Karachi.
According to the PR Police spokesman on Wednesday, a total of 15 male and female personnel of the Railway Police represented the department in the tug-of-war competition and brought pride to the force with their outstanding performance. The men’s team secured a gold medal, while another gold medal was won in the mixed men/women category. The women’s team clinched a silver medal.
The male personnel included Captain Yasir Abbas, Muhammad Hashim and Farrukh Abbas, while the women athletes comprised Captain Rimsha Sahar, Asma Ghaus, Kiran, Nimra Munawar, Rabia Tabassum, Saba, Maryam, Sumbal, Zainab Iqbal, Uzma Batool, Shahneiza and Momina Khalid.
In recognition of their achievements, the IG Railway Police invited the entire sports contingent to the Central Police Office Railways, where each athlete was awarded a cash prize of Rs100,000 along with a first-class certificate of appreciation.
Congratulating the players, IG Rai Tahir said that excelling in sports alongside professional duties is highly commendable. He assured that sportspersons within the Railway Police would be provided all necessary facilities and encouragement at every level to help them continue bringing honour to the department and the country through improved performance.

Over 74,000 outlets inspected, Rs62.1m fine imposed to curb profiteering

By
Asif Jalal
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0
LAHORE, Dec 31 (APP): The District Administration Lahore, under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza, carried out extensive operations against profiteering and hoarding during the year 2025, inspecting 74,706 locations across the city and imposing fines exceeding Rs62.1 million on violators.
According to an annual performance report, Assistant Commissioners and Price Control Magistrates, working under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner, conducted inspections at markets, shops, and storage points to curb artificial price hikes and hoarding, in line with Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s zero-tolerance policy against inflation.
The report revealed that official price lists were ensured to be prominently displayed at all sale points, while immediate legal action was taken against shopkeepers found violating price regulations. Warehouses used for hoarding essential commodities were sealed on the spot to maintain uninterrupted supply and market stability.
Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza said that the profiteering mafia would be dealt with an iron hand, warning that no negligence in the enforcement of price control laws would be tolerated. He added that the price control room and social media cell have been made fully functional to facilitate citizens and ensure prompt redressal of public complaints, adding that strict monitoring would continue to protect consumers from exploitation.

Food outlets penalised in Gujrat

By
Asif Jalal
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0
GUJRAT, Dec 31 (APP): The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has conducted district-wide food safety inspections to ensure public health.
According to a PFA spokesperson, a total of 105 inspections were carried out during the operation, resulting in the issuance of 27 improvement notices to food business operators.
Fines amounting to Rs125,000 were imposed in nine cases for violations of food safety laws.
The spokesperson said that nine food samples were collected for laboratory analysis, while 2.7 kilograms of substandard and expired food items were confiscated and destroyed.
Deputy Director Rizwan Saeed said inspection activities would continue regularly to safeguard public health, warning that strict action would be taken against those involved in the sale of unhygienic and substandard food.

Emirates carries 55.6 million passengers in 2025

By
NNPS Desk
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0

DUBAI, Dec 31 (WAM/APP): Emirates consolidated its position in 2025 as the world’s largest international airline after carrying 55.6 million passengers across nearly 180,580 flights, covering distances equivalent to circling the Earth more than 29,000 times, and placing orders for 73 new aircraft.

In a statement issued, the airliner said that 2025, during which it celebrated 40 years since the launch of its operations in October, was marked by a clear vision for shaping the future of travel through sustained excellence.

The airline identified ten milestones that defined its year, starting with the entry into service of its first Airbus A350 aircraft in early January. The A350 network expanded rapidly to include 18 cities, currently served by 16 aircraft.

Emirates continued its expansion in Asia in 2025 with the launch of daily non-stop flights to Shenzhen and Hangzhou in mainland China, in addition to operating services to Da Nang in Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia via Bangkok.

The airline also continued introducing new Airbus A350 aircraft and refurbished Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, all featuring its award-winning Premium Economy cabin. The cabin now serves nearly 70 cities across more than 100 aircraft, representing around 40 percent of Emirates’ passenger fleet.

During the Dubai Airshow in November, Emirates announced the rollout of Starlink satellite internet connectivity across 232 aircraft, starting with Boeing 777s. Emirates will become the world’s first airline to operate Airbus A380 aircraft equipped with this technology in early 2026.

By the end of next year, more than 123 aircraft will offer complimentary ultra-fast connectivity for streaming, entertainment, work and browsing across all travel classes.

In 2025, Emirates announced nine major sports sponsorship agreements, including new deals and renewals. These included a seven-year agreement with FC Bayern Munich, making Emirates a Platinum Partner of one of the world’s leading football clubs, an extension of its partnership with World Rugby through 2035, and a new partnership with the European Professional Club Rugby to support top club rugby competitions across Europe, connecting the airline with more than 70 million rugby fans worldwide.

Other agreements included sponsorship of Real Madrid Basketball, renewal of its 18-year partnership with AC Milan, extensions with Olympique Lyonnais and the ATP Tour through 2030, and continued support for UAE Team Emirates XRG.

Emirates also launched Emirates Courier Express, which quickly expanded to serve 10 international markets, with plans for further expansion in 2026, achieving an average delivery time of no more than three days.

Emirates Skywards marked its silver jubilee in 2025. The award-winning programme now has 37 million members across 190 countries worldwide.

Over the past 20 years, Skywards has distributed nearly 400 billion reward miles through more than 100 partners, covering 1,400 flight destinations and 30,000 hotels. Members currently redeem more than 800 flight rewards daily, with one upgrade processed every minute, while the programme attracts around 78,000 new members each week.

In 2025, Emirates’ Aircrafted KIDS initiative distributed more than 3,700 handcrafted backpacks to underprivileged children in eight countries across Africa, West Asia and the Middle East, in cooperation with more than 12 non-governmental organisations supporting education.

The initiative included the distribution of more than 1,300 backpacks in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia; 700 backpacks in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan; and more than 1,600 backpacks in Egypt and Jordan. Each backpack contained essential school supplies and locally sourced books, with plans to expand the initiative to additional countries in 2026.

Emirates reinforced its leadership in accessible travel after becoming the world’s first airline to receive official certification as an Autism Certified Airline, following the training of more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff to support passengers with autism.

The airline also launched an Accessible and Inclusive Travel Hub on its website, offering user-friendly navigation tools, digital sensory guides and organised support based on disability type or journey stage.

Emirates expanded its pre-travel rehearsal programmes in 17 cities worldwide, enabling children with autism to simulate the airport experience before travel, alongside the introduction of new sensory products and calming toys onboard to support neurodiverse passengers.

Service enhancements introduced in 2025 included a safety-approved hooded mattress in Business Class to reduce the need for movement during flights for passengers with severe mobility impairments, in addition to offering more than 600 captioned films and 200 audio-described films on its inflight entertainment system to support passengers with visual and hearing impairments.

Emirates concluded 2025 by winning 25 prestigious awards, including Best Airline in the World for the eighth consecutive year at the ULTRAs, Best International Airline and Best International First Class at the Forbes Travel Guide Awards 2025, Best Long-Haul Airline by The Telegraph, and Best Airline Worldwide for the twelfth consecutive year at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards.

Livestock Department to launch herd transformation initiative in Sargodha

By
Asif Jalal
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0
SARGODHGA, Dec 31 (APP): The Livestock Department is set to launch a comprehensive flagship initiative aimed at herd transformation in the district to strengthen the dairy and meat sectors.
Talking to APP here on Wednesday, Additional Director Livestock Dr Tanveer Ashraf Klyar said that the department was implementing a wide-ranging breed improvement programme for cattle and buffalo. Under the initiative, high-genetic-potential semen of both exotic and indigenous breeds is being made available at all veterinary hospitals across Punjab, including Sargodha, on a cost-to-cost basis and at subsidized rates.
He said the pioneering programme focuses on developing specialized breeds for dairy and beef production. Special emphasis is being laid on beef semen propagation, coupled with feed-lot fattening through the Livestock Card, to boost meat production in the province.
Dr Tanveer Ashraf Klyar further stated that, in the near future, and as part of the Chief Minister’s initiative, several innovative steps would be introduced. These include the provision of sex-sorted Holstein Friesian (HF) semen at a 70 percent subsidy in 10 selected districts, including Sargodha. Meanwhile, sex-sorted semen of indigenous breeds such as Sahiwal, Cholistani, Dhani and Nili Ravi will be provided free of cost for PTP-registered animals.
He added that Dajal semen would be made available in the districts of Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur and tribal areas to support local livestock farmers. The department also plans to adopt advanced technologies such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and genomics to further enhance breed improvement efforts.
Dr Klyar urged that the initiative be widely publicized through social media and by displaying panaflexes at Union Council offices, DC and AC offices, Zila Council buildings and other areas frequented by farmers, to ensure maximum awareness and participation by livestock farmers.

Pharma company receives Rs. 322m pending payment after Ombudsman’s intervention

By
Asif Jalal
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0
LAHORE, Dec 31 (APP): The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab successfully resolved a long-pending payment dispute, ensuring the release of Rs322 million to a private pharmaceutical company following its formal complaint.
According to details, the complainant informed the Ombudsman Punjab that his company had supplied medicines worth Rs. 322 million to Mayo Hospital Lahore during the fiscal year 2022–23 against a duly issued government purchase order.
Despite the timely supply of medicines and completion of all mandatory documentation, the payment remained pending, causing serious disruption to the company’s business operations.
Taking notice of the complaint, the Ombudsman Punjab sought a detailed report from the authorities concerned and examined the reasons for the delay. The relevant department was directed to immediately verify records and expedite the payment process.
Following the Ombudsman’s directives and sustained follow-up, the matter was resolved through a transparent procedure, and the hospital administration released the entire outstanding amount of Rs322 million to the complainant’s company.
The complainant expressed gratitude to the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab for its timely and effective intervention, stating that the action helped protect business interests and restored confidence in public institutions.

Drug dealer arrested, ice seized

By
Asif Jalal
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0
MULTAN, Dec 31 (APP): Police at Mumtazabad police station conducted a raid and arrested a notorious drug dealer, recovering over one kilogram of ice.
A case has been registered against the suspect, named Amir, official source said on Wednesday.
The accused was apprehended from Fatima Colony area of Mumtazabad during the operation.
According to SHO Mumtazabad Police Station Muhammad Faisal Ghouri, Assistant Sub-Inspector Muhammad Rauf and the police team conducted the operation during patrol, arrested the drug dealer, and recovered the narcotics. Legal action is underway against the arrested suspect at Mumtazabad Police Station.

Abu Dhabi Government issues new HR legislation, modernising employment, embedding meritocracy in public sector

By
NNPS Desk
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0

ABU DHABI, Dec 31 (WAM/APP): Abu Dhabi Government issues new HR legislation, modernising employment, embedding meritocracy in public sector.

Abu Dhabi Government has enacted comprehensive human resources legislation to modernise its employment framework, positioning the government as an employer of choice for high-performing professionals, and embedding meritocracy across its workforce of more than 25,000. The law takes effect on 1st January 2026.

The 2026 Human Resources Law transforms how Abu Dhabi Government attracts, develops, and retains talent. It establishes merit-based systems for recruitment and advancement, introduces competitive benefits that appeal to top performers, and creates clear pathways for career progression based on capability and results rather than tenure.

The legislation reflects a strategic shift toward building a high-performing, agile workforce equipped to deliver modern public services. By aligning government employment with best practices in talent management, the law strengthens Abu Dhabi’s ability to compete for skilled professionals and experts in critical fields including AI, technology, policy, and specialised services.

Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement (DGE), said, “This law fundamentally modernises how we approach human resources in government. We’re creating an environment where exceptional talent chooses public service, where merit drives advancement, and where high performers are recognised and rewarded.

“The best professionals seek organisations that invest in their development, reward excellence, and provide clear career pathways. This legislation ensures we meet those expectations. It’s about attracting the calibre of talent that will drive our continued progress towards an AI Native Government.”

Ibrahim Nassir, Under-Secretary of DGE, said, “This legislation addresses a practical reality: the most talented professionals have options. They can work anywhere. Government must compete not just on mission, but on how we develop careers and support employees throughout their journey with us.

“We’ve built comprehensive learning programmes that ensure our people stay ahead of technological change. We’ve introduced accelerated pathways, so high performers aren’t held back by rigid timelines. We’ve created work-life balance provisions that recognise employees have lives, families, and ambitions beyond their desks. This is how modern organisations attract and keep exceptional people, through this law, that is how Abu Dhabi Government operates.”

The law establishes merit-based systems across the employee lifecycle. High performers benefit from accelerated promotion pathways that recognise exceptional work rather than requiring standard tenure periods. Performance-based allowances provide tangible recognition for distinguished contributions. Outstanding new graduates face reduced probation periods, enabling faster progression for those who demonstrate capability.

These provisions signal a clear commitment to rewarding results. Employees who excel advance faster, earn recognition, and access opportunities based on what they achieve, not only how long they serve.

To compete for high-performing professionals, the law introduces benefits that reflect what top talent values. Entrepreneurship leave enables employees to pursue business ventures while maintaining government careers, appealing to innovative professionals who seek diverse experiences. Enhanced and flexible parental leave, including doubled paternity provisions and extended maternity support, recognises that talented professionals prioritise family wellbeing. Flexible work arrangements, including compressed schedules, optimised hours and enhanced remote work options, provide the adaptability that skilled professionals expect from modern employers in an agile ecosystem such as Abu Dhabi.

These provisions address a fundamental challenge: talented individuals have choices about where to work. This law ensures government employment offers compelling reasons to choose and stay in public service.

The legislation modernises core HR systems to reflect contemporary workforce needs. Comprehensive learning and development programmes provide continuous reskilling opportunities, ensuring employees remain current with evolving requirements. Updated leave provisions, including marriage leave, enhanced bereavement support, and caregiving flexibility, recognise the full scope of employees’ lives beyond work. Tailored arrangements for People of Determination ensure accessibility and inclusion across workplaces within the government.

These modernisations create an employment framework that attracts diverse talent while supporting sustained high performance. The law replaces outdated approaches with systems designed for today’s workforce expectations and tomorrow’s public service needs.

By embedding meritocracy, modernising systems, and positioning government as an employer of choice, the law provides mechanisms for retaining high performers, establishing a culture where excellence is recognised, developed, and rewarded.

The result is a human resources framework aligned with Abu Dhabi’s ambitions for a capable, agile, high-performing and future-ready government workforce.

The Human Resources Law No. (08) of 2025 takes effect on 1st January 2026. DGE will work with government entities across Abu Dhabi to ensure effective implementation and provide comprehensive support to integrate the new systems and approaches.

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