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Chairman CDA visits Shaheen Chowk Underpass project

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP):Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, on Thursday visited the Shaheen Chowk Underpass project along with CDA Board Member Engineering, Syed Nafasat Raza.
On this occasion, the chairman CDA inspected the ongoing construction activities in various sections of the Shaheen Chowk Underpass project, said a press release.
The Project Director, Director Roads and consultants briefed Chairman CDA on the progress of the construction work. They apprised him that the launching of 48 girders for the Shaheen Chowk project has been completed, and the remaining girders will also be launched and completed soon. Similarly, 85 percent of the construction work for Ramp One included in the project has been finished.
During the briefing, the chairman CDA was informed that 30 percent of the construction work for Ramp Two of the Shaheen Chowk Underpass project has been completed. He was further informed that work on the bridges of the adjacent drains and the retaining walls is also progressing rapidly.
Randhawa expressed satisfaction with the progress of the construction work achieved so far on the Shaheen Chowk Underpass project. He directed that work on the project’s construction must continue day and night to ensure adherence to the timelines.
He also instructed the relevant officers to promptly begin work on aesthetic landscaping, digital SMDs and LED lights for the beautification of the project.
Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that the Shaheen Chowk Underpass project will be highly beneficial in reducing traffic congestion in Islamabad and will result in saving of fuel and time for commuters.
The chairman CDA said that upon completion, this project will provide signal-free travel facilities to students of nearby educational institutions and the general public.
He further directed the Project Director and Resident Engineers to ensure high quality and timely completion by effectively monitoring all ongoing construction activities on the project.

Hundreds receive free medical care at SAU camp in collaboration with Isra University

By
Asif Jalal
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HYDERABAD, Nov 27 (APP): Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam, in collaboration with Isra University, Hyderabad organized a large-scale free medical camp at the SAU residential colony, benefiting hundreds of men, women and children from Tandojam and nearby areas.
According to the SAU spokesperson, the camp was inaugurated by Registrar SAU Ghulam Mohiuddin Qureshi, who cut the ribbon in the presence of Colonel (R) Iftikhar Ahmed, Administrator of Isra University, Director Agriculture Research Institute Imdad Ali Sohu, senior officials of SAU and representatives from various departments.
Following inauguration, the registrar and guests visited the camp, where specialist teams provided consultations, diagnostic tests and treatment. Nearly 600 patients received medical attention and free medicines from experts in general medicine, pediatrics, orthopedics, ENT, ophthalmology, gynecology, pulmonology, dentistry, surgery and physiotherapy.
Speaking to the media, Registrar highlighted the rising impact of viral, vector-borne and seasonal diseases. “Climate variations and lack of public precautions have caused a sharp increase in illnesses including dengue and other viral infections. Camps like this are vital for community health and awareness,” he said.
Key officials present on the occasion included Senior Medical Superintendent Dr. Faisal Noor Ansari, Director Campus Muhammad Ashraf Rustmani, Director Sports Anwar Hussain Khanzada, Colony Welfare Officer Mukhtiar Ali Seelro, PRO Gul Sher Lochi and several others.
Doctors providing services at the camp included General Surgeon Prof. Dr. Tekchand, Gynecologist Prof. Dr. Gul Fareen, Senior Registrar General Medicine Dr. Sarwat Siddiqui, Orthopedic Specialist Dr. Fahad Jatoi, Chest Specialist Dr. Saima Jatoi, Eye and ENT Consultant Dr. Arsalan Ahmed as well as pediatric, dental, physiotherapy and other medical teams who examined and treated hundreds of patients.

Police Khidmat Marakaz serve 14,351 citizens in 24 hours

By
Asif Jalal
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LAHORE, Nov 27 (APP): Punjab Police Khidmat Marakaz continued to provide fast and efficient public services as 14,351 citizens benefited from various facilities during the past 24 hours under the directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab, Dr Usman Anwar.
According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, 5,844 citizens obtained police verification services, while 3,193 individuals received police character certificates. Likewise, 2,058 citizens completed tenant registration, and 385 people reported the loss of documents at the Khidmat Marakaz.
The spokesperson said that hundreds of thousands of citizens avail services from Khidmat Marakaz every month across Lahore and the rest of the province.
The IGP said the Khidmat Marakaz are playing a vital role in providing modern and accessible facilities to the public, reflecting the police’s commitment to service-oriented and people-friendly policies.

27,292 driving licences issued in 24 hours

By
Asif Jalal
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LAHORE, Nov 27 (APP): Punjab Police issued 27,292 driving licences during the past 24 hours as part of efforts to strengthen traffic law enforcement across the province.
According to a police spokesperson on Thursday, a total of 38,736 traffic challans were issued for various violations, while fines amounting to Rs 28 million were imposed. Challans were also issued to 4,375 smoke-emitting vehicles, whereas 160 vehicles were impounded at police stations, he added.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar directed officers to continue strict action against traffic law violators. He said crackdowns should be intensified against overloading, over-speeding, underage driving, and wrong-way violations.
The IGP said Punjab Police’s 127 Driving Training Schools are providing driving education to citizens. He further instructed that effective measures be taken to ensure the recovery of unpaid traffic fines.

Standardized form launched for registration of Transgender in KP

By
Asif Jalal
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0
PESHAWAR, Nov 27 (APP): A standardized form has been launched to facilitate registration of transgender community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Social Welfare Department with the objective of enhancing the access of marginalized community to social protection program, relief measures and other government led welfare initiatives.
The launching of Standardized Form was a joint effort by Blue Veins organization, Social Welfare Department, National Commissioner for Human Rights (NCHR) and Canada Fund for Local Initiative (CFLI).
The launching ceremony was attended by Umara Khan, Additional Secretary Social Welfare, Rizwanullah Shah, Provincial Coordinator National Commissioner for Human Rights (NCHR), Shahid Khan, Deputy Director NADRA, Qamar Naseem, Programme Manager, Blue Veins, Ms. Farzan, Arzoo and Sobia from transgender community.
District Officers of Social Welfare Department attended the ceremony virtually from different districts of the province.
Speaking on the occasion, Qamar Naseem apprised participants that registration of transgender with Social Welfare department will help in generating the data of trans community in the province.
He said currently there are only 173 number of transgender who have obtained officially designated X cards while the number of registered transgender with Social Welfare department is 450.
Contrary to the registered number of transgender, the strength of the community in the province is between 50,000 to 70,000.
Due to complications in registration with NADRA for issuance of X cards, the community is avoiding it inclusion in official data, Qamar added.
He said the standardized registration with Social Welfare department is a step towards bringing them into to official record, making it easy for their access to social welfare programme and other initiatives taken by government for benefit of the community.
The forms are also circulated to all the district officers of Social Welfare Department for registration of transgender in different parts of the province.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Coordinator NCHR Rizwanullah Shah said transgender community is facing numerous problems from security point of view to lack of livelihood sources, health issuance, social acceptance and others.
Data collection through standardized registration will help a lot formulation of policies for all the transgender community for resolution of their problems.
He said majority of transgender lack identity documents and could not avail welfare schemes announced by government and even by private organizations.
Deputy Director NADRA, Shahid Khan appreciated the step and offered transgender to get themselves registered with NADRA for availing government welfare schemes for the community at national level.
He also offered services from NADRA for registration of transgender even at their homes and deras which they live in groups.
Additional Secretary Social Welfare, Umara Khan said objective of the initiative is to provide opportunity to transgender community of availing from government schemes by bringing themselves into official system.
Trans representatives including Farzana, Arzoo and Sobia also appreciated the initiative taken by Social Welfare Department with cooperation of partner organizations.
They expressed the hope that such initiatives will help them availing schemes including two percent quota in jobs and other welfare schemes.

Students can counter false narratives through digital literacy: DG PID

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
LAHORE, Nov 27 (APP):Director General Press Information Department (PID) Lahore Shafqat Abbas has said that students can effectively counter the spread of false narratives by equipping themselves with media literacy, critical thinking, and digital verification skills, ensuring that truth prevails over propaganda.
He stressed that universities and colleges must integrate digital awareness and ethical communication into their learning environments.
He expressed these views on Thursday while addressing a seminar titled “Peace Diplomacy in the Age of Digital Extremism”, organised by PID Lahore at the Department of Media Development Communication, Punjab University.
A large number of students attended the event. Assistant Professor Dr. Ayesha Ashfaq and senior journalist Muhammad Dilawar Chaudhry also addressed the seminar, which included an interactive question-and-answer session.
Welcoming participants, the DG PID said it was an honour to speak at this important session. He noted that the today’s world faces a new kind of conflict—one that does not begin on the battlefield but in the digital arena, where narratives are distorted and truths manipulated, turning perceptions into weapons even before the first shot is fired.
Referring to recent events, he said that within minutes of the Pahalgam attack and the May tensions between Pakistan and India, India launched a coordinated digital propaganda campaign. In an era where misinformation, doctored videos, and anonymous accounts influence public sentiment faster than verified facts, he stressed the need to engage youth through media literacy programmes to ensure Pakistan’s voice and truth are heard globally in a timely and credible manner.
Addressing the seminar, senior journalist Muhammad Dilawar Chaudhry said that people must acknowledge their own mistakes, as individuals are responsible for spreading content on social media. Extremism, he noted, involves imposing one’s thoughts and ideology on others. He emphasised that combating digital extremism requires verifying information, expanding one’s reading, and refraining from sharing unverified material. Educational institutions, particularly media departments, can play a key role in raising awareness, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ayesha said that reliance on authentic information sources has declined, while social media usage continues to rise. She noted that 66.9 million people in Pakistan use TikTok, followed by 55.9 million YouTube users and 49.4 million Facebook users. She warned that misinformation and disinformation have become more dangerous than conventional weapons in today’s world. She stressed the need for discussion on how to effectively counter these threats, adding that it is unfortunate that while most young people have mobile phones, they lack digital literacy—a skill urgently required.
At the end of the seminar, shields were presented to the guest speakers.

Media literacy essential to counter digital propaganda, says DG PID Lahore

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
LAHORE, Nov 27 (APP):Director General PID Lahore Shafqat Abbas has said that students can play a vital role in curbing the spread of false narratives and ensuring that truth prevails over propaganda by equipping themselves with media literacy, critical thinking and digital verification skills.
He stressed that universities and colleges must integrate digital awareness and ethical communication into their learning environments.
He expressed these views while addressing a seminar titled “Peace Diplomacy in the Age of Digital Extremism”, organized by PID Lahore at the Department of Media Development Communication, Punjab University, on Thursday. Assistant Professor Dr. Ayesha Ashfaq and senior journalist Muhammad Dilawar Chaudhry also spoke on the occasion, while a question-and-answer session allowed students to engage directly with the speakers.
Shafqat Abbas said the world is now confronting a new kind of conflict that begins in the digital sphere rather than on traditional battlefields. Narratives are distorted, facts manipulated and perceptions weaponized long before any physical conflict begins. He noted that within minutes of the Pahalgam attack and the May tension between Pakistan and India, India launched a coordinated digital propaganda campaign. In such circumstances, where misinformation and fake videos spread faster than verified facts, it becomes crucial to empower youth with media literacy so Pakistan’s voice and truth can be conveyed globally in a timely and credible manner.
Senior journalist Muhammad Dilawar Chaudhry said that society must acknowledge its own mistakes, emphasizing that individuals sharing content on social media are responsible for what they disseminate. He said extremism begins when people attempt to impose their ideas and beliefs on others by force. He urged students to verify information, expand their knowledge and avoid sharing unverified content. Educational institutions, especially media departments, can play a key role in creating awareness, he added.
Dr. Ayesha highlighted that people increasingly rely on social media rather than credible sources for information. She pointed out that 66.9 million Pakistanis use TikTok, 55.9 million use YouTube, and 49.4 million use Facebook. She said misinformation and disinformation have become more dangerous than conventional weapons in today’s world, making it necessary to discuss ways to tackle this growing threat. She added that although young people have mobile phones, a lack of digital literacy remains a major concern.
At the end of the seminar, shields were presented to the guests. A large number of students from the department attended the event.

Safari Park: two rare deer calves born, number reaches 23

By
Asif Jalal
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0
LAHORE, Nov 27 (APP): The birth of Addax and Arabian Oryx deer calves in the Safari Park has brought a welcome increase in the number of herds.
According to the administration, after the arrival of one calf each in both species, the total number of Addax has reached 14 while the number of Arabian Oryx has reached 9.
The Addax herd includes 4 males, 7 females and 3 calves, while the Oryx herd has 3 males, 3 females and 3 calves.
According to Dr. Rizwan Khan, Director of Veterinary Services, these non-native animals were shifted to Lahore in March 2024 under the Safari up-gradation Project, where they are being provided with round-the-clock veterinary care, spacious enclosures and a safe environment.
The Addax, found in the deserts of North Africa, is a critically endangered animal whose wild population has declined to an alarming level due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting.

Govt collects over Rs 66b through petroleum levy hike; Senate told

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP): The government has collected over Rs66 billion through the recent increase in the petroleum levy, the Senate was informed on Thursday, as a lawmaker questioned why fuel prices have not decreased despite a fall in global oil rates.

Responding to a query raised by Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government had increased the petroleum levy (PL) by Rs8 per liter on petrol and Rs7 per liter on diesel, effective April 16, 2025.

The senator noted that the prime minister had indicated the additional revenue would be used for upgrading the N-25 Highway and sought details of the amount collected and funds transferred for that purpose.

The minister informed the House that the enhanced levy generated Rs66.13 billion from 16 April to 30 September 2025. However, he clarified that the PL—once collected—is deposited into the Federal Consolidated Fund, and its allocation for public infrastructure projects does not fall under the Petroleum Division’s mandate.

He said questions regarding the utilization of the levy for the N-25 project must be addressed to the relevant ministry responsible for public sector development and budgeting.

Later, responding to a question from Senator Jan Muhammad, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry briefed the Senate on the electricity import arrangement between Pakistan and Iran, particularly for supply to the Makran Division.

He said the electricity import contract, originally signed on November 6, 2002, underwent its 10th amendment on December 27, 2024.

Under the latest revision, Pakistan can draw up to 204MW through four interconnection lines, with a contractual take-or-pay obligation of 30 million kWh per month.

He further informed the House that the Makran–Gwadar region has already been connected to the National Grid, reducing its reliance on imported electricity.

The project, titled “Interconnection of Isolated Makran/Gwadar Area with National Grid System”, was completed in June 2023 at a cost of Rs12.157 million, adding 80MW of capacity.

With this development, the minister said, the National Grid now serves as the fifth source of electricity for the region, in addition to the four interconnections with Iran.

CCP signs MoU with Russian antitrust authority

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP):The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of the Russian Federation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of competition policy.
The MoU was signed by Chairman CCP Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu and FAS Deputy Head Mr. Andrey Tsyganov during the 10th session of the Russia–Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Investment, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, said a release issued here on Friday.
The signing marks a significant step toward deepening institutional coordination, promoting fair market practices, and strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
The MoU provides a structured framework for collaboration, including the exchange of expertise, best practices, and regulatory experience in areas such as cartel investigations, abuse of dominance, merger control, deceptive marketing, and sectoral competition assessments. Under the agreement, both authorities will engage through regular meetings, consultations, workshops, expert exchanges, and joint research initiatives.
FAS was established 35 years ago and operates with a significantly wider mandate compared to the CCP. It has nearly 1,000 employees at its headquarters, whereas the CCP has around 250 staff members in Islamabad.
FAS also maintains independent regional offices that play a highly effective role in curbing cartelization and deceptive marketing practices.
The CCP stands to learn a great deal from Russia’s extensive regulatory experience, and both sides will hold joint sessions in the near future to deepen cooperation and knowledge sharing.
The cooperation is expected to pave the way for stronger regulatory coordination, enhanced enforcement capacity, and more competitive and consumer-friendly markets in both Pakistan and Russia.
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