Court issues arrest warrants for DPO Sheikhupura in land grab case

Fri, 28 Nov 2025, 7:44 PM

LAHORE, Nov 28 (APP): An anti-corruption court on Friday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Sheikhupura DPO Bilal Zafar Sheikh in a case involving the alleged illegal occupation of 525 kanals of land.

Anti-Corruption Court Judge Muhammad Jamil issued the orders while hearing a private complaint filed by citizen Shaheen Jadoon.

The complainant alleged that the DPO, along with other accused, prepared fake documents to seize his grandmother’s inherited land and fraudulently became owners of the property. He further claimed that Bilal Zafar Sheikh, during his tenure as SP Cantt, facilitated the land grab.

The court also ordered the suspension of Bilal Zafar Sheikh’s salary and directed the IG Punjab to ensure the officer’s appearance. The court rejected the DPO’s plea for exemption from attendance.

The court has ordered that the accused be produced on December 17.

Shaheryar Memon receives global mining leader’s delegation

Zaka Ullah Ch

Fri, 28 Nov 2025, 7:41 PM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 (APP):Focal Person to the Chairman, PM Youth Program for Overseas Affairs and Business and Trade Linkages Muhammad Shaheryar Memon on Friday received Ms. Angela List, Ghanaian multi-billionaire, global mining leaders, along with her distinguished delegation at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Ms. Angela List, Ghanaian multi-billionaire, global mining leader, and one of Africa’s most influential business figures, along with her distinguished delegation at the Prime Minister’s Office, said a release issued here.

Shaheryar Memon in statement said that Ms. Angela List, five-day visit to Pakistan marks an important milestone following two years of sustained engagement aimed at exploring high-value investment opportunities and long-term economic cooperation between Pakistan and her international enterprises.

As the Focal Person for Overseas Affairs and Business and Trade Linkages, “I had the privilege of attending this high-level meeting alongside Syeda Amnah Batool, MNA (PML-N) and Focal Person, where discussions focused on FDI opportunities, mining sector collaboration, and Pakistan’s professional human resource potential in the extractives industry, he said.

“We look forward to advancing meaningful partnerships that contribute to economic growth, job creation, and stronger ties between Pakistan and West Africa” he said.

Muhammad Shaheryar Memon, said that Angela List is the CEO of the African mining giant Nguvu Mining Limited, and a significant figure in the global mining industry, not a multi-billionaire. Her company, Nguvu Mining, operates in countries like Mali, Liberia, and Burkina Faso, and she has received numerous accolades, including the 2025 Global Power Female Award.

It is pertinent to mention that she is the founder and CEO of Nguvu Mining Limited, a group of mining companies and Nguvu Mining operates assets in West Africa, including Ghana, Mali, Liberia, and Burkina Faso.

Her portfolio includes Adamus Resources Limited in Ghana and Northern Ashanti Mines which is set to start production in early 2026 and List has over 25 years of experience in the mining industry, including managing large projects like the Loulo Contract in Mali and the Tonkolili iron ore mine in Sierra Leone.

She is industrial leader and served as the 2nd Vice President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and passionate about increasing women’s representation in the mining industry.

Russian media delegation visits APP Headquarters, paves way for enhanced cooperation

NNPS Desk

Fri, 28 Nov 2025, 7:31 PM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 (APP): A high-level Russian media delegation, led by Vasily Pushkov, Director for International Cooperation of Rossiya Segodnia, visited the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Headquarters on Friday.

The delegation, accompanied by Russian Embassy Press Attaché Igor Kolesnikov, was received by Muhammad Asim Khichi, Managing Director of APP and Executive Director General External Publicity Wing, Ms. Raisa Adil.

During the meeting, MD APP Muhammad Asim Khichi briefed the delegation about APP’s functions and showcased a documentary highlighting the agency’s work, which was highly appreciated by the Russian side.

The two parties signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between APP and Sputnik News Agency, paving the way for cooperation in the field of media, during a signing ceremony held yesterday.

Pushkov expressed keen interest in APP’s functioning and vowed to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the media sector including private media sector so that both countries can be more beneficial partnerships between two countries.

He also highlighted the potential for cooperation in radio, music, culture, art, literature, and people-to-people contact. “Pakistan is a very hospitable country, and it’s a great pleasure to be here,” he said.

MD Khichi assured the delegation of APP’s support in relevant fields and vowed to further cooperation in the media sector.

The meeting discussed potential areas of collaboration, attended by officials from the Ministry of Information and private media representatives.

The visit marks a significant milestone in strengthening media ties between Pakistan and Russia, with both sides expressing commitment to enhance cooperation in the field of media and beyond.

SAU scholar joins University of Minnesota for postdoctoral research

Asif Jalal

Fri, 28 Nov 2025, 7:29 PM

HYDERABAD, Nov 28 (APP): Prof. Dr. Ghulam Murtaza Jamro, a distinguished scholar from the Department of Soil Science at the Umerkot Campus of Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam has embarked on his postdoctoral research at the University of Minnesota, USA. Dr. Jamro has joined the Department of Soil, Water and Climate as a visiting fellow under the HEC Postdoctoral Fellowship.

According to the SAU spokesperson, under the supervision of Prof. Kyungsoo Yoo, Dr. Jamro will focus on innovative strategies for phosphorus management in calcareous soils, soils rich in calcium carbonate that often limit phosphorus availability to crops. His research aims to enhance fertilizer efficiency, increase crop yields and promote sustainable farming practices with significant applications for farmers across Sindh and other regions of Pakistan.

Congratulating Dr. Jamro, the Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University Engr. Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal said, “This is a proud moment for the university. A large number of our scholars are now pursuing higher education at reputed institutions across the world including Italy, Turkia, Australia, Malaysia, China, the USA, Indonesia and other countries. With over 90% of our faculty holding PhDs, we are confident that the quality of higher education at SAU will continue to rise.

KU launches transport safety assessment, compliance, risk mitigation plan

Asif Jalal

Fri, 28 Nov 2025, 7:27 PM

KARACHI, Nov 28 (APP): The University of Karachi has formally launched a comprehensive KU’s Transport Safety Management Plan on Friday aimed at elevating the KU’s transport safety standards to align with national and international benchmarks under the supervision of Vertex HSE (Pvt) Ltd.

The initiative was approved during a recent meeting on transport safety management, chaired by the KU’s Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi.

The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi was briefed that in the first phase, a complete assessment of the transport system will be carried out to identify existing shortcomings and develop effective strategies for improvement.

The project aims to enhance campus transport safety, reduce risks, and ensure full compliance with national and international standards, particularly ISO 39001:2012.

On this occasion, the KU’s faculty member, and the focal person of safety assessment project Dr Waqar Ahmed shared that the assessment will cover conditions and physical fitness of university buses, routes, terminals, control points, driver behavior, vehicle condition, safety management practices, and operational procedures. Route maps, documentation, and maintenance records will also be reviewed to highlight high-risk areas and critical deficiencies.

He mentioned that compliance will be evaluated against local transport laws, National Highway and Motorway Police standards, and international guidelines. This includes driver qualifications, licensing and medical fitness, seatbelt use, and speed limit enforcement.

The Director Vertex HSE Syed Hassan Habib informed the meeting that a comprehensive risk mitigation plan will be developed to address root causes of potential hazards such as accidents, driver fatigue, and maintenance failures. The plan will incorporate engineering, administrative, and behavioral control measures.

He added that in the second phase, practical steps will be implemented, including defensive driving and safety awareness training sessions for drivers and transport supervisors. Workshops on incident reporting, vehicle inspections and emergency response will also be conducted. Management will receive training on improved monitoring and continuous enhancement of safety systems.

KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi was informed that the KU’s transport unit is further working on establishing a Transport Safety Management System (TSMS) based on ISO 45001 and ISO 39001 principles.

This includes developing suitable KPIs for safety performance, reviewing accident trends, and forming a Transport Safety Committee to ensure sustained compliance.

At the conclusion of the project, deliverables will include a comprehensive assessment report, compliance gap analysis, risk register, risk mitigation plan, training records, policies and SOPs, a Transport Safety Management Framework, and a final executive summary.

PUASA holds annual sports gala

Asif Jalal

Fri, 28 Nov 2025, 7:25 PM

LAHORE, Nov 28 (APP): The Punjab University Academic Staff Association (PUASA) organised its annual sports gala on Friday, bringing together faculty members and their families for a day of recreational and competitive activities.

The opening ceremony was attended by PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali, ASA President Dr. Amjad Abbas Magsi, Secretary Dr. Muhammad Islam, Chief Organizer Dr. Aamir Masood Chishti, and a large number of teachers.

Addressing the participants, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali emphasised the importance of extracurricular and recreational opportunities for teachers, noting that he was even prepared to arrange such activities from personal resources if needed. He said teachers are agents of change whose well-being directly contributes to nation-building and the development of quality students.

Dr. Amjad Abbas Magsi said the sports gala aims to provide teachers with a healthy break from academic responsibilities, adding that sports are as essential for educators as teaching and research.

Faculty members, along with the VC, took part in various competitions including badminton, table tennis, and tug of war. Free food stalls were also arranged for teachers and their families as part of the event.

25 city’s parks to be renovated by Jan 30

Asif Jalal

Fri, 28 Nov 2025, 7:23 PM

FAISALABAD, Nov 28 (APP): Under the vision of CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the divisional administration is actively working to make the city’s parks a real recreational place.

In this regard, a meeting was held under the chair of Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar here on Friday, in which a target to equip 25 parks was given to the Parks and Horticulture Authority.

The renovation will be completed in Qasim Park Gulberg, Jinnah Park Madina Town, Rabbani Park, Lady Park Shadab Colony, Mohammadi Park Gulistan Colony, 80 Square Park, Mohammadi Park Sheikh Colony, Park Pratap Nagar, Main Park Johar Colony, Osmania Park Samanabad, Madani Park Madina Town, Ali Park D-Type Colony, Elahi Park D-Type Colony, Khawaja Islam Park Razabad, Hijri Park Jaranwala Road, Riyadh Park Allama Iqbal Colony, Rehmaniya Park Allama Iqbal Colony, Mahfouz Park Batala Colony, National Park People’s Colony 1, Haji Park Nazim Abad, Pinto Park Waris Pura, Muslim Park People’s Colony No. 2, Abu Bakar Park Sheikh Colony, Abdullah Park Jinnah Colony and Islam Nagar Park.

The work will start from 1st of next month and it will complete within two months till January 30, 2026, under which boundary walls, paint work of iron grill, installation of gates, repair of benches, electrical and mechanical as well as horticulture work will be completed.

Additional Commissioner Coordination Aamir Raza, DG PHA Dilawar Khan and other officers were also present.

3 kidnapped men recovered in Rajanpur’s Katcha Area

Asif Jalal

Fri, 28 Nov 2025, 7:23 PM

MUZAFFARGARH, Nov 28 (APP): Muzaffargarh police, with active support from Rajanpur’s Umar Kot police, recovered three kidnapped men after a fierce encounter in the Katcha area of district Rajanpur.

DPO Muzaffargarh Syed Ghazanfar Ali Shah told a news conference on Friday that Junaid, Mashooq and Rasheed were kidnapped on Oct 8, 2025 by the Zafri Jhabeel–Gumni Gopang gang. He praised the coordinated efforts of both districts’ police teams.

To a question, the DPO said the kidnapping of Sadiq Hussain Malana, father of Vela Munda, was a planned operation carried out by criminals after reconnaissance, and the abductors demanded Rs 50 million ransom. Forensic evidence revealed torture videos and links of criminals with banned militant outfits. DPO added that two federal agencies are assisting the investigation and a grand operation was ongoing against the kidnappers involved, three of whom have been identified.

He said that the success in recovery of three kidnapped persons came in the wake of continued efforts of Muzaffargarh police that remained active against criminals and did not allow them to set up their hideouts in Katcha area.

DPO Shah said Muzaffargarh Police will not hesitate to use lawful force when attacked. He vowed continued action against Kacha gangs to ensure citizens’ safety and uphold state authority.