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CM condoles demise of Omar Cheema’s mother

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LAHORE, Jul 23 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed sorrow and grief over the demise of the mother of senior journalist Omar Cheema.
The CM extended her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family during this time of grief.
She prayed for the departed soul’s eternal peace and strength for the family to bear this irreparable loss.

PDWP approves seven development schemes, position paper worth Rs. 16.822b

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LAHORE, Jul 23 (APP): The 10th meeting of Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) for fiscal year 2025–26, here Wednesday, approved seven development schemes and one position paper across various sectors, with a cumulative estimated cost of Rs. 16,822.252 million.
Chaired by Planning & Development Board Punjab’s Chairman Dr. Naeem Rauf, the forum approved following development schemes:
1. Chief Minister’s Program for Water Efficient Agriculture at an estimated cost of Rs. 7,821.480 million
2. Establishment of Mobile Laboratories under the Soil Fertility Research Institute, Punjab, Lahore (2025–26 to 2026–27) at an estimated cost of Rs. 873.380 million
3. Progressive Control of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Punjab under the CM Punjab initiative at an estimated cost of Rs. 808.726 million
4. Upgradation of Al-Hamra Arts Council at Mall Road and Cultural Complex near Gaddafi Stadium (LAC) at an estimated cost of Rs. 2,458.060 million
5. Mechanization of Forestry Operations in Punjab at an estimated cost of Rs. 881 million
6. Afforestation along Linear Plantation at an estimated cost of Rs. 2,842.300 million
7. Establishment of Makerspace Punjab at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,137.306 million
Position Paper:
Modernization of Policing System (MPS) Phase-I – Position paper for the creation of posts and procurement of vehicles
The meeting was attended by P&D Board Secretary Rafaqat Ali, Chief Economist Masood Anwar, the board members and other senior officers.

Punjab health minister inaugurates Chief Minister’s Health Vigilance Squad

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LAHORE, Jul 23 (APP):Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique inaugurated the Chief Minister’s Health Vigilance Squad on Wednesday at the Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, aiming to enhance patient care and monitoring in public hospitals across the province.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Khawaja Salman Rafique said the initiative is part of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision to provide improved healthcare facilities to the public. He emphasized that the primary objective of launching this squad is to strengthen hospital monitoring systems and ensure better facilities for patients.
The minister highlighted that significant improvements have already been witnessed in healthcare services through better hospital monitoring. He added that the Punjab government spends billions of rupees annually on medicines and medical supplies to provide free treatment to patients. “Negligence or delay in patient care at any hospital will not be tolerated,” he warned.
Khawaja Salman Rafique further said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken a personal interest in uplifting the health sector, and ensuring quality treatment for patients remains one of the government’s top priorities. The newly launched Health Vigilance Squad will visit hospitals regularly and collect feedback from patients about healthcare services being provided.
Secretary of the Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, Azmat Mahmood Khan, stated that the squad will play a crucial role in ensuring transparency and accountability in hospital services. He noted that various teams comprising department officers will conduct field visits to monitor and assess the performance of healthcare facilities.
The event was attended by Special Secretary Operations Tariq Mahmood Rahmani, Special Secretary Development Zeeshan Shabbir Rana, Additional Secretary Admin Khadija Al-Kubra, Director Monitoring Atiq-ur-Rehman, Deputy Secretary Admin Sara Loni, and other officials including videographers.

Sindh CM takes notice of sewerage issues in Scheme 33

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KARACHI, Jul 23 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken serious notice of the deteriorating sewerage situation in four union councils of Scheme 33.
He also directed the Karachi Water Board to urgently address and resolve the issue in the best interest of the residents.
The Chief Minister emphasised that any failure in the city’s sewerage system must be promptly rectified to prevent hardships for the people. He urged that the sewerage infrastructure in Scheme 33 be improved without delay.
Highlighting the provincial government’s commitment, Shah stated that quality civic services are a priority and that negligence or inefficiency will not be tolerated under any circumstance.
In line with this, the Chief Minister instructed the Minister for Local Government, the Commissioner Karachi, and the Karachi Water Board to conduct a comprehensive survey of the affected union councils. Repair and rehabilitation work must commence immediately based on the findings.
Furthermore, the relevant departments have been directed to submit a detailed report on the sewerage situation within three days.

Plumber nabbed for stealing money

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RAWALPINDI, Jul 23 (APP):The New Town Police on Wednesday arrested a plumber for allegedly for stealing money from a citizen’s house last month.
The stolen money of Rs 200,000 was also recovered from the detained suspect, a Rawalpindi Police spokesman said.
He said the suspect had stolen the money while doing plumbing work in the house. The New Town Police used all resources to nab the accused, he added.

A vendor decorates pears on his hand card to attract passerby to sell at Meezan Chowk in the Provincial Capital

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A vendor decorates pears on his hand card to attract passerby to sell at Meezan Chowk in the Provincial Capital
APP49-230725 QUETTA: July 23 – A vendor decorates pears on his hand card to attract passerby to sell at Meezan Chowk in the Provincial Capital. APP/MNN/MAF/ABB/SSH
A vendor decorates pears on his hand card to attract passerby to sell at Meezan Chowk in the Provincial Capital
APP49-230725
QUETTA

Balochistan Minister for Education Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani inaugurates a teacher training program at the Virtual Academy in the Provincial Capital

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Balochistan Minister for Education Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani inaugurates a teacher training program at the Virtual Academy in the Provincial Capital
APP50-230725 QUETTA: July 23 – Balochistan Minister for Education Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani inaugurates a teacher training program at the Virtual Academy in the Provincial Capital. APP/MNN/MAF/ABB/SSH
Balochistan Minister for Education Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani inaugurates a teacher training program at the Virtual Academy in the Provincial Capital
APP50-230725
QUETTA

DSP Irfan assumes charge as Acting Regional Officer of Patrolling Police

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RAWALPINDI, Jul 23 (APP):Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Muhammad Irfan Butt has taken over the charge of Acting Regional Officer of Patrolling Police Rawalpindi.
He would perform the duties as Acting Regional Officer till the appointment of a permanent one, a Punjab Highway Patrolling Police news release said.

KP CM reviews preparedness for monsoon situation at PDMA

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PESHAWAR, Jul 23 (APP):Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Wednesday visited the Provincial Disaster Management Authority’s (PDMA) Emergency Operation Centre in Peshawar to review the preparedness amid the ongoing monsoon-induced flood situation.
Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and senior officials were also present on this occasion.
The chief minister was briefed by PDMA officials on river flow levels across the province, damages caused by recent heavy rains, the status of the early warning system, and emergency response mechanisms in place.
Officials informed that the PDMA helpline is functional 24/7, with a coordinated system active at the district level to ensure effective inter-agency response.
 Continuous monitoring of river discharges is underway, and early warnings are relayed promptly to district administrations wherever needed.
Rescue equipment and relief supplies have been positioned across districts, and all previously blocked roads have now been cleared except for two.
The CM was told that 60 fatalities have been reported across the province due to rain-related incidents, while 35 homes have been completely destroyed and another 212 partially damaged. Compensation payments for these losses have been disbursed to respective deputy commissioners.
Gandapur directed that fresh damage reports be collected from all districts and any pending compensation payments be released without delay. He stressed strict vigilance on river flows and ordered immediate post-monsoon clearance of encroachments along rivers and canals, as well as removal of any barriers obstructing water flow.
The chief minister also instructed the preparation of a proposal for setting up rescue substations in remote tehsils to strengthen emergency coverage. He further directed authorities to upgrade the PDMA Emergency Operations Centre and complete groundwork for acquiring modern equipment.
Additionally, CM Gandapur called for the upgradation of the irrigation department’s early warning system, assuring full financial support from the provincial government to strengthen the province’s disaster response capacity.

Anti-Dengue campaign intensifies in Taxila

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WAH CANTT, Jul 23 (APP):The health authorities in Taxila have accelerated their efforts to combat the spread of dengue fever, particularly in urban areas, as the rainy season increases the risk of the disease.
In this regard,  Chief Executive District Health Authority Dr. Ehsan Ghani on Wednesday led a field visit to THQ Hospital Taxila and various areas to monitor the anti-dengue initiatives. The teams conducted thorough checks for dengue larvae and eliminated breeding sites to prevent the spread of the disease.
According to the details, the health workers visited door-to-door to identify and destroy active mosquito breeding sites. They used chemical treatments, including Tempo One Percent granules, to break the mosquito life cycle. Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) was also performed in affected households to halt the virus’s reproduction.
The health authorities also informed shop owners, managers, and the general public about the dangers of dengue fever and the need for collective action to prevent its spread.