ISLAMABAD
Stunning Farmers’ Festival held at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University
RAWALPINDI, Oct 22 (APP):Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi organized a Farmers’ Festival at its University Research Farm to raise awareness and provide guidance to farmers.
The festival aimed to promote methods for reducing agricultural costs, encouraging balanced use of fertilizers, making farming more profitable, and strengthening academia-industry linkages.
The event was jointly inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman and former MNA Raja Muhammad Javed Ikhlas. The festival was attended by international and national agricultural experts, farmers, representatives from the State Bank of Pakistan, Green Pakistan Initiative, and Fatima Fertilizers, along with deans, directors, administrative staff, faculty members, and a large number of students.
Addressing the festival, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman emphasized the urgent need for Pakistan to take concrete steps in agriculture, noting that the world has advanced significantly in this field while Pakistan still relies on traditional farming methods.
“Precision agriculture and smart IoT technologies are the future of farming”, he highlighted and also pointed out the unique fertile land of the Potohar region.
He urged farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices to maximize productivity and increase agricultural output. Regarding the Punjab government’s agricultural reforms program, he assured that Arid Agriculture University is ready to provide full support, adding that the program will significantly contribute to boosting agricultural exports.
Former MNA Raja Muhammad Javed Ikhlas, in his address, commended the efforts of Arid Agriculture University and stressed the need for farmers to move beyond traditional methods and embrace modern agriculture. He said that the shift to modern technological methodology would not only bring financial benefits to farmers but also contribute to national food security and earn valuable foreign exchange.
Describing the event as a beacon of hope, he expressed optimism about Pakistan’s agricultural future, predicting that the country would soon join the ranks of developed nations exporting agricultural commodities. He also lauded the invaluable contributions of Arid Agriculture University, particularly in the Pothohar region, which he said would always be remembered.
Farmers attending the festival appreciated the university’s training and guidance initiatives, which have helped them address agricultural challenges and gain access to new farming technologies and research. The festival featured awareness stalls and displays of modern agricultural technologies.
Additionally, traditional farmers’ games such as horse riding, spear-throwing and bull racing were organized for entertainment, attracting hundreds of participants. Prizes were distributed among the participants, and farmers were also provided with high-quality seeds of various crops.
Main suspect held after video of citizen’s torture in Gawalmandi goes viral
RAWALPINDI, Oct 22 (APP):Police on Wednesday arrested the main suspect involved in torturing and manhandling a citizen in the Gawalmandi area of City Police Station after a video of the incident went viral on social media, while raids were under way to apprehend his accomplices.
According to a Rawalpindi Police spokesperson, a case was registered on behalf of the police soon after the footage surfaced online. The prime suspect, who appeared armed in the video, had been taken into custody and the weapon used in the incident recovered from his possession.
City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Hamdani said that no act of violence against any citizen would be tolerated as protecting the lives and property of the people was the police’s foremost duty. He further stated that all those involved in the incident would be arrested and brought to justice so that no one dared to commit such an act in future.
The spokesperson added that, on the direction of the CPO, an investigation team had been constituted to probe the incident from all angles, and further arrests would be made based on the available evidence.
AJK Govt urged to make laws Islamic
MIRPUR, Oct 22 (APP):Chief Justice of Azad Jammu Kashmir and Chairman of the AJK Islamic Ideological Council Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan has advised the AJK State government to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the AJK Islamic Ideological Council so that the state laws could be fully harmonized with the teachings of the religion of Islam.
He was chairing the inaugural meeting of the newly formed AJK Islamic Ideological Council here on Wednesday.
Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan said that it was a great honor for him to be the Chairman of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council of Islamic Ideology. “Despite financial difficulties, the Council of Islamic Ideology has played an effective and active role in fulfilling its duties assigned under the Constitution and law and has sent recommendations to the AJK government on several laws of the state and government references.
“The government should ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Council so that the state laws can be fully harmonized with the religion of Islam,” he advised.
The AJK CJ welcomed the new members of the Council and expressed the hope that they will play a full role for the Council by utilizing their academic abilities and capabilities with great enthusiasm and devotion.
Earlier, Secretary of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council of Islamic Ideology Hafiz Rehmatullah presented the agenda of the meeting, while the meeting was attended by Secretary of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Sajjad; Secretary of Religious Affairs and Aqaf Aamir Mahmood Mirza; esteemed members of the council Mufti Syed Kifayat Hussain Naqvi, Maulana Saeed Yousaf Khan, Maulana Sahibzada Pir Muhammad Habib-ur-Rehman Mehboobi, Maulana Qari Atiq-ur-Rehman, Maulana Syed Atiq-ur-Rehman Shah, and other senior officers of the AJK government.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Justice of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Justice Raja Akram Khan further said that under Article 3 of the Interim Constitution of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 1974, “Islam” was declared as the state religion, which provided the basis for the formation of an Islamic society and an Islamic system in the state.
He said that this commitment was an extraordinary step towards the implementation of Islamic laws in the independent state, which is a strong foundation for the promotion of Islamic identity and values ??and the observance of Sharia law.
NADRA and TMC Gulberg Town sign MoU for Establishment of Karachi’s Largest Mega Centre
ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) and Town Municipal Corporation (TMC) Gulberg Town have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a state-of-the-art NADRA Mega Centre in Gulberg Town, Karachi.
Under this collaboration, NADRA Regional Head Office Karachi will set up the city’s largest Mega Centre. The facility will operate 24 hours a day, six days a week, ensuring enhanced convenience and greater access to services for citizens.
The Mega Centre will feature a fully air-conditioned environment with a central cooling system and a spacious waiting area for visitors.
Dedicated counters for passport services, Thalassemia Test, Arms Licence and Senior Citizens will also be established. Additionally, Zonal Offices will be housed within the centre to serve residents of Central District more efficiently.
The new Mega Centre will benefit citizens of Ayesha Manzil, Sakhi Hasan, North Nazimabad, New Karachi, FB Area and Liaquatabad, offering multiple public services under one roof with enhanced comfort, accessibility and efficiency.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chairs a meeting on the promotion and revival of hockey
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
