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DC orders full effort to protect Rawalpindi from dengue before September

By
Samina Ch
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RAWALPINDI, Jul 24 (APP):Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema on Thursday has warned that no negligence or carelessness will not be tolerated in dealing with dengue cases. He stressed all relevant departments must fulfill their responsibilities diligently ensuring Rawalpindi is safeguarded from dengue before the onset of September, the month favouring dengue’s growth and spread.
The deputy commissioner remarked this during a routine meeting on dengue prevention measures.
District Coordinator Dr. Sajjad Ahmed informed the meeting that 1,287 FIRs have been registered for violations of dengue SOPs. Additionally, 802 homes, shops, and other premises have been sealed while 2,869 challans issued and a fine of Rs. 23,20,000.0 have been imposed.
The Deputy Commissioner directed strict departmental action against officials found negligent while reviewing the previous performance. He ordered fogging in nullahs, cemeteries, and open spaces.
He also instructed the concerned quarters to write to the DG MLC regarding the delay in initiating anti-dengue operations in Rawalpindi Chaklala Cantt, ensuring no effort is spared to protect the city from dengue.
The meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioner Saddar Hakim Khan, Assistant Commissioner Cantt Saad Rahman, and representatives from the Health, Education, RDA, Municipal Corporation, and other relevant departments, including dengue focal persons.

PM forms committee for improving civil service structure

By
Najam ul Hassan
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 24 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday formed a committee under the chairmanship of Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal to develop recommendations for aligning the civil services with modern-day requirements and improving the civil service structure.

The prime minister directed the committee to present comprehensive reform-based recommendations after detailed consultations within one month.

Presiding over a meeting regarding civil services reforms here, the prime minister directed to develop recommendations regarding merit-based recruitment of top talent, development of KPI-based performance targets for promotions, and improvement of the ACR (Annual Confidential Report) system and suggestions for effective alternatives.

The recommendations should also include a plan to enhance officers’ capacity through modern technology and systems, he said, stressing that recommendations must aim at laying the foundation for a sustainable system, ensuring improved governance, and establishing a continuous mechanism to align the civil services with contemporary demands.

He said reforms that aimed to simplify the lives of ordinary citizens and make the civil service more people-friendly were among the top priorities of the government.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Advisor to PM Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistants Haroon Akhtar, Tariq Bajwa, Dr. Jehanzeb Khan (Secretary Apex Committee, SIFC), and other senior officials.

During the briefing on civil service reforms, it was stated that suggestions were being developed following consultation on recruitment, training, performance evaluation, salary improvement, and promotions in the civil service.

A comparative analysis of civil service reforms in other countries of the region with Pakistan was also presented.

The meeting was informed that the final recommendations will focus on improving governance, enhancing the quality of life of the common citizen, and ensuring merit-based recruitment of top talent at the core of civil service reforms.

Two dead, 17 injured as bus overturns

By
Samina Ch
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MULTAN, Jul 24 (APP):Two persons were killed while 17 others sustained injuries when
a bus overturned near Sher Shah Interchange on Wednesday late night.
According to rescue officials, the accident occurred when the bus driver fell asleep. The bus was travelling towards Lahore via Sadiqabad route.
The dead were identified as Noman Shahid (22) and Jameel (35).
The injured are: Waqas Mehmood (45), Jameel Akhtar (56), Riba (19),
Sahir Bibi (24), Akram (36), Areeba (24), Abdul Ghaffar (32), Arslan (32),
Imam Bux (40), Ali Raza (10), Ameer (45), Imran Razzak (32), Ahsan (14),
Asif Ali (22), Ghulam Abbas (40), Ali Hassan (25), and Nargis Yameen (5).
The injured were shifted to Nishtar-II Hospital.
Investigation was underway.

Excise deptt cracks down: 158 vehicles fines over Rs 9.5 mln

By
Samina Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jul 24 (APP):The Excise and Taxation Department of Islamabad has stepped up its drive against tinted windows, unauthorized number plates, and unregistered vehicles, aiming to enforce road safety and vehicle compliance across the Federal Capital.
Talking to APP, Director Excise, Bilal Azam said that as many as five checkpoints were set up across Islamabad where teams conducted inspections throughout the day.
He said that the operations were carried out in key areas including Zero Point, Faizabad, F-7, F-6, and G-14. A total of 158 vehicles were fined for violations. These included the use of tinted windows and non-standard number plates.
Bilal Azam said heavy fines were imposed, and Rs 904,000 was collected in token tax recovery during the operations. Vehicles with decorative or colored glass and fancy plates had their registrations suspended on the spot. These registrations will only be restored once the vehicle owners remove the tinted windows or unauthorized plates and pay the applicable fines.
He warned that the vehicles found using colored glass or plates that do not comply with the prescribed format of the Excise Department will not be allowed to operate on the roads until they meet all legal requirements.
Bilal Azam, Director Excise Islamabad, appealed to residents of the capital to deposit their token taxes on time and remove any non-compliant number plates. He urged citizens to use only department-approved number plates to avoid penalties and legal action.
The director also stated that the enforcement operation is being carried out on a daily basis and will continue without interruption.
The ongoing drive reflects the department’s efforts to ensure that all vehicles in Islamabad meet legal standards for registration, identification, and roadworthiness.

KSrelief distributes 4,000 relief kits across AJK, reaching over 28,000 disaster-affected residents

By
NNPS Desk
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0

By Rehan Khan

ISLAMABAD, July 24 (APP): The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has successfully distributed 4,000 Shelter Non-Food Item (NFI) kits to internally displaced and disaster-affected families across seven districts in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in a significant humanitarian effort.

The large-scale distribution, carried out in close coordination with the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) AJK, targeted vulnerable communities in Muzaffarabad (325 kits), Jhelum Valley (542), Neelum (433), Kotli (766), Bhimber (151), Poonch (881), and Haveli (902).

Each NFI kit contained critical emergency supplies, including shelter materials, solar panels with LED lights, warm blankets, kitchen sets, water coolers, plastic mats, and antibacterial soap – for providing both immediate relief and long-term support to households facing harsh conditions.

The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), SDMA, and local partner Hayat Foundation, has directly benefited more than 28,155 individuals, reinforcing KSrelief’s growing humanitarian footprint in Pakistan.

SDMA Director General Sardar Waheed, who participated in the distribution ceremony in Muzaffarabad, lauded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and KSrelief for their timely and impactful assistance.

“This collaboration is a testament to the deep bonds between Saudi Arabia and the people of AJK. The relief has reached the most vulnerable communities with transparency, efficiency, and dignity,” he noted.

The distribution reflects KSrelief’s ongoing commitment to disaster response and resilience building, particularly in regions vulnerable to natural calamities. The organization continues to play a vital role in alleviating human suffering in Pakistan through coordinated, needs-based humanitarian assistance.

Solid evidence against accused in May 9 incidents case resulted in award of punishment to accused: Tarar

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 24 (APP): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Thursday that there was solid evidence against the accused of May 9 tragedy and they were awarded punishment on its basis.

Talking to the media, he said CCTV footage was available, and it was known who were involved in these incidents.

To a question, he said in the 190 million pound case, the founding chairman of PTI could not present any evidence in his favour.

The minister said that the PTI leadership having no defence in 190 million pounds case, so they were trying to hide behind religion and the State of Medina.

“They say that we were talking about the state of Medina, so we were convicted in the 190 million pound case”, Attaullah Tarar added.

“The answer to the 190 million pound case is not religious, nor is the state of Medina. They should tell the nation how they used billions of rupees of the business tycoon.

The minister said that the sons of the founding chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had the right to campaign, but wherever they are going, they should tell people that their father had been convicted in the 190 million pound corruption case.

He said the sons of PTI founding chairman should carry the fact sheet of the 190 million pound case with them and tell anyone they meet that this was a corruption case, not a political one.

He remarked that the PTI leadership was trying to give the impression that the 190 million pound case is a politically motivated case, which was wrong.

Awareness session on HPV & MR vaccination held in Lodhran

By
Samina Ch
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LODHRAN, Jul 24 (APP):An awareness session on the upcoming Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaigns was organised by District Health Authority Lodhran for health managers of the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics and medical officers from the government healthcare facilities across the district.
The session was conducted as part of preparations for the district-wide HPV and MR vaccination drives, aimed at protecting children, particularly girls aged 9 to 14, from preventable and life-threatening diseases such as cervical cancer.
The session was led by Dr Riaz Hussain, District Health Officer (Preventive Services), and Dr Umar Iqbal, District EPI Focal Person. The officers provided guidance on the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, essential safety protocols, micro-planning techniques, and strategies for conducting impactful awareness campaigns at the community level.
Dr Riaz Hussain said the HPV vaccination was foundation for a healthier society. “The role of our medical officers in mobilising and educating the community was critical for the success of this campaign.” Dr Umar Iqbal added that the vaccine was a guarantee of a safer future for our daughters. “We must dedicate our full energy and commitment to ensure the campaign’s success.”
The participants were advised to hold community awareness sessions in their respective areas to aware the citizens about importance of vaccine and it’s advantages.

Mandra Police arrest main accused of July 2024 murder

By
Samina Ch
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0
RAWALPINDI, Jul 24 (APP):The Mandra Police have arrested the main accused of kidnapping and killing a citizen over a monetary dispute in July 2024.
According to the Rawalpindi Police spokesman, the accused, along with his associates, had murdered the citizen and hidden his body after chopping it into pieces.
The accused had gone into hiding, however, one of his accomplices of the accused  had already been nabbed and on whose pointation the victim’s body was recovered by the police, the spokesman said.
The Mandra Police used all means including human intelligence to trace and arrest the accused, he added.
Superintendent of Police Saddar Muhammad Nabeel Khokhar appreciated the Mandra Police for arresting the proclaimed offender and directed them to prepare a challan against him with solid evidence to get him convicted from the court of law.

Woman among three drug suppliers arrested, 5 kg charas recovered

By
Ali Ali
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RAWALPINDI, Jul 24 (APP):The Rawalpindi Police during the ongoing crackdown against drug suppliers have arrested three accused, including a woman, with more than 5 kilograms of charas.
According to the police spokesman on Thursday, the Dhamial Police nabbed a woman lady drug supplier and recovered 2.3 kg charas from her possession.
Similarly, the Ganjmandi Police caught an accused on the recovery of 1.6 kg of the contraband item from him.
Likewise, the Pirwadhai Police detained a suspect for having 1.5 kg charas.

OIC-COMSTECH, Ningbo University launch Global Certificate Course on Applied Biomedical AI

By
Ali Ali
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jul 24 (APP):A landmark international certificate course on Applied Biomedical Artificial Intelligence was launched today at the COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad.
Jointly organized by OIC-COMSTECH and Ningbo University, China, the 19-day hybrid-format program has drawn participation from over 1,000 young scientists, researchers, and professionals from 30 countries.
The course aims to equip participants, especially from low- and middle-income OIC member states, with practical skills in applying AI technologies to biomedical research and healthcare innovation.
The participants, attending both physically and virtually, are required to complete at least 80% of the sessions to receive certification.
The inauguration ceremony began with the welcome address from Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH.
He emphasized the transformative role of AI in disease diagnosis, drug discovery, predictive analytics, and personalized medicine, calling the initiative a milestone in international scientific collaboration.
Prominent Chinese scientists delivered keynote addresses, including Prof. Dr. Liu Xinmin, Chief Scientist at the Institute of Drug Discovery, Ningbo University, who stressed the importance of global partnerships in advancing biomedical research.
Joining virtually, Academician Prof. Dr. Zhao Yufen, Director at the Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, served as guest of honour and highlighted the need to cultivate AI-driven talent for global health challenges.
The technical session featured Prof. Dr. Yuzong Chen, Deputy Director of the State Key Lab of Chemical Oncogenomics, who provided an overview of the course and delivered the first lecture, focusing on advanced AI applications in chemical genomics and drug development.
The event concluded with an interactive Question and Answer session, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a high-impact initiative to promote long-term scientific cooperation between the OIC and China.
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