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28th death anniversary of music composer Khalil Ahmed  observed

By
Samina Ch
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP):The 28th death anniversary of renowned Pakistani music composer Khalil Ahmed observed on Monday.
Khalil Ahmed was born on March 3, 1936, in Agra, British India. After the partition, he migrated to Pakistan and settled in Karachi, where he began his musical career.
His breakthrough came with the song “Kisi Chaman Mein Raho” from the film Shaam Dhalay. Some of his timeless compositions include “Insha Jee Uthho”, “Main Nahi Manta”, and “Chand Se Chandni”.
He worked with top poets like Ibn-e-Insha and performed for both radio and TV. He also composed for the famous TV program Andaz-e-Bayan Aur, hosted by Zia Mohyeddin.
Throughout his career, Khalil Ahmed received multiple awards and accolades for his musical excellence, including Nigar Awards for best music direction.
He passed away on July 21, 1997, at the age of 61.

Youth Affairs Directorate holds youth engagement initiatives across KP

By
Samina Ch
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0
PESHAWAR, Jul 21 (APP):The Directorate of Youth Affairs, under  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports and Youth Affairs Department, organized a wide array of seminars, training sessions, skill development programs, exposure visits and awareness campaigns across the province during the month of June 2025.
These initiatives aimed to foster leadership, enhance life skills, promote social responsibility and prepare youth for constructive roles in societysaid a press release issued here on Monday.
A two-day capacity-building workshop under the Ehsaas Youth Scheme was held at the Business Incubation Center, University of Peshawar. Director Youth Affairs Dr. Nauman Mujahid highlighted the government’s vision for youth development during the session.
In Bara Gali, Hazara, a three-day youth awareness camp was successfully conducted with the participation of various student bodies. Additionally, a week-long “Peace  and Development Tour” was arranged in Naran and Batakundi to provide leadership exposure and team-building opportunities for young participants.
At the district level, vibrant youth-focused programs were held. In Peshawar, a Financial Year Project Youth Summit was organized, while in Swabi, students visited the Rescue 1122 headquarters for emergency preparedness awareness. The district also hosted a cleanliness campaign during Eid and a World Labour Day awareness event.
Dir Upper witnessed a poetic symposium and the Youth Business Expo 2025 at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal. In Bajaur, inter-school declamation contests were held in collaboration with the local administration and partner organizations.
Charsadda hosted seminars on electoral awareness and youth participation, along with an event to mark World Blood Donor Day. In Mohmand, sessions were held on mental health, drug abuse awareness through a stage play, a book fair and competitions in Naat and Qiraat.
In Mansehra, a seminar was conducted on women’s leadership, while in Karak, a series of trainings were held on social media use, firefighting, cancer awareness and mushroom farming at Khushal Khan Khattak University.
Batagram organized a seminar on plantation awareness and forest fire prevention. Malakand hosted an anti-drug campaign and a four-day digital skills camp in Thana.
 In Hangu, seminars were held on public health and climate change,l  and Lower Dir featured sessions on entrepreneurship and fiber optics training.
Haripur hosted emergency preparedness training, while Bannu arranged seminars on cyber security, drug awareness and held a book fair. In Nowshera, sessions were held on communication skills, emergency response training and climate action.
Swat featured a seminar on enhancing mathematical thinking through collective learning and another on drug prevention. In Khyber, digital marketing training was organized for male and female youth, while South Waziristan (Lower) conducted sessions on education, vocational training and career counseling.
In Shangla, a youth seminar focused on eco-friendly tourism, while Abbottabad held events on social harmony and peace in collaboration with the district administration, youth office and other organizations. A Family Day and Rescue 1122 training session were also part of the program.
Furthermore, a climate change awareness seminar was held in Hangu and Kohat hosted sessions on first aid, safety and an open youth forum (Khuli Kacheri) to facilitate direct dialogue with local authorities.
These widespread initiatives reflect the provincial government’s continued commitment to engaging and equipping youth across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the tools, skills and awareness needed to become active, responsible contributors to national development.

PSB imposes strict measures to curb age fraud in Jr events

By
NNPS Desk
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0

ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has declared age fraud in junior-level sports events a serious violation of its Code of Ethics and Governance in Sports, announcing stringent new measures to combat the issue.
According to a notification issued by the PSB, all athletes under the age of 21 participating in junior events must now submit either a National Identity Card (CNIC) or a B-Form, along with names of the selection committee members, dental examinations, and radiological tests. In addition, medical reports verified by the president and secretary general of the respective sports federation, along with all supporting documents, must be submitted to the PSB for verification.
The notification states that any athlete found submitting fake or suspicious documents will be declared ineligible for participation in training camps, financial assistance, or cash awards. Further disciplinary action may also be taken.
Highlighting international concerns, the PSB underscored that age fraud at the junior level not only leads to unfair competition but also jeopardizes the physical safety of athletes and undermines the integrity of sports systems. The notification pointed out that some athletes allegedly participate in age-specific categories using forged documents, depriving genuine athletes of opportunities and increasing the risk of injuries due to physical mismatches.
The PSB further noted that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other global sports bodies have repeatedly stressed the need for transparency and integrity in sports, calling for a zero-tolerance approach to age falsification.
Only athletes who submit verified and accurate documentation will now be eligible to participate in PSB training camps and receive financial support or cash awards, the notification concluded.

CCP raids transformer material suppliers over suspected bid rigging

By
Samina Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP):The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) teams have raided the offices of four suppliers involved in the provision of transformer reclamation materials to various power distribution companies (DISCOs).
The raids were carried out simultaneously in Lahore and Gujranwala.
These companies are suspected of being part of a cartel that manipulated bidding processes for transformer-related tenders.
The CCP launched the raids as part of an ongoing enquiry into bid rigging practices in DISCO procurement.
The enquiry was initiated after LESCO raised concerns with the CCP regarding identical bids submitted by various suppliers. A review of bidding data revealed that the companies often quoted identical prices and appeared to rotate tenders among themselves.
Such practices fall under Section 4(2)(e) of the Competition Act, 2010, which prohibits collusion in tendering. Bid rigging not only distorts fair competition but also causes significant financial losses to the public exchequer.
If the ongoing enquiry confirms any form of collusion, the CCP will issue show-cause notices to the companies involved.
The CCP has also urged the public to report any such anti-competitive behaviour.
Whistleblowers may be eligible for cash rewards ranging from Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 2,000,000, depending on the value and verifiability of the information provided.

ANF seizes over 88 kg drugs in six operations

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) while conducting six operations across the country managed to recover over 88 kg drugs worth more than Rs 12.9 million and arrested 10 accused.
According to an ANF Headquarters spokesperson, ANF in a crackdown against drug traffickers near a school on Adiala Road, Rawalpindi, recovered 1.2 kg hashish from two motorcyclists.
The arrested suspects confessed selling drugs to the students of educational institutions.
In another operation near Mandi Mor, Islamabad, 14.4 kgs hashish was confiscated from a vehicle and motorcyclists while four accused were rounded up.
In third operation near Sabzi Mandi, Islamabad, 22.8 kgs hashish was recovered from a vehicle and two individuals were apprehended.
Near the Kech area of Mand, three kgs heroin, six kgs ice, & nine kgs hashish hidden for smuggling were recovered.
In 5th operation near Sheikhupura Toll Plaza, 22.8 kg hashish & 7.2 kg opium were recovered from secret cavities of a vehicle and a drug trafficker was apprehended.
In 6th operation near Islamabad Motorway Toll Plaza, 2 kgs ice was recovered from secret cavities of a vehicle and a drug smuggler was rounded up during the raid.
Separate cases have been registered against the accused under the CNS Act, the spokesperson informed.

Tarar terms officers of Information Ministry as first defenders of ideological frontiers of Pakistan

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Monday that it was the job of the Information Ministry to promote and project a positive perception of the country.

Speaking as the chief guest at the passing out ceremony of the 41st Specialized Training Programme (STP) of the Information Group, he congratulated all the officers who have successfully completed this rigorous and highly important training.

He said he was not only delighted but highly encouraged, and he has a great sense of hope after meeting the young probationers here today. The minister said that the future of this country and the Information Service was very bright. He said the Information group played a vital role not only in the functioning of the government but also in highlighting its policies and projecting its narrative, improving the country’s image abroad, and building a narrative in regard to the country’s progress, prosperity, development, and who we are as people.

The job of the officers of the Information Service was not only to defend the ideology of the country but the basis of the creation of Pakistan, but also to promote a soft image of the country.

More often than not, this is a very thankless job as in this service you require utmost dedication and hard work, he said, adding that the contribution made by this group to the progress of the country had been immense.

The minister said more recently, it gives me immense pride to acknowledge that in recent Indo-Pak standoff was a testimony to the overall success of Pakistan, but the contribution that the Information Ministry had made in Pakistan’s success was immense, as the first war was the information war.

“The first was the challenge of narrative, and I am very proud to say that we passed in flying colours. Our services, our contribution to that war, were acknowledged at the highest level. Despite certain limitations, we made innovations, because if you don’t change with time, time will change you.”

The transformation of Digital Media Wing into the Digital Communication Department has enabled the ministry to
perform its duties more effectively. He said that the officers of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting have to perform in different ministries and departments, at the provincial level, and even outside Pakistan.

“You have reached here after a great struggle, and you carry great aspirations, and you have become part of this after passing a competitive examination and passing courses in the service as well.”
After completion of training, the probationers of this group will start practical life. This service demands its officers to perform in all spheres and all sectors. The officers of Information Service are posted in various ministries, departments provincial governments, and all over the world.

“We must acknowledge that no work can be accomplished without collective efforts and teamwork. Good work done by the officers creates a good name for themselves, their families, but also for the Information Group”, he added.

He said in recent times, there has been a great shift from mainstream media to digital media. This is a transformation that the senior officers of the Ministry had learnt with time, but you have grown up in the age of digital media.” Senior officers of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting are digital migrants and you are digital natives”, he added.

The minister said there must be a great connection between the newcomers and the seniors, as there will be great learning that they will attain in the job after going through this rigorous training process.

The minister opined that the digital wave carries with it new challenges because the mainstream media evolved from print to electronic media through the process of organized evolution. When electronic news channels were launched in Pakistan, and they were seen as a means of news communication and mass communication, it was an evolution which carried with it whole processes like content control, editorial boards, editorial policy and certain codes of conduct.

But the new media, which is digital media, has not evolved from any old institution of any old institution or any old method, so the new media has its own peculiarities as it was developed on its own, so was carrying great challenges with it.
He said there will be great expectations from the new officers to tackle these challenges as the greatest challenge of present times was fake news, propaganda and disinformation.

The burden that the officers of the Information Ministry carried on their shoulders was much heavier than it was perceived.
Information Service group had a long list of unsung heroes who had done wonders for the country.
“Recently we have started a series in which we are going to acknowledge those unsung heroes who dedicated their lives to service of Pakistan”, he announced.

He assured the information officers that as long as he was the minister the services of the group will be acknowledged in Pakistan and abroad.

He wished all the best the probationers for future career who had been assigned ministries and departments. He said that the reputation that they will earn in start of service will carry throughout their career.
He expressed the hope that the new officers will earn laurels for not only information group but the country as well.
The role of Information Ministry in projection of the image of the country and the performance of the government had grown in due course of time and it will continue to grow.

In the he expressed the hope that new officers of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will carry the mantle that was passed on by their seniors to them.

Polling for Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in progress

By
Samina Ch
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0
PESHAWAR, Jul 21 (APP):The polling process is underway for 11 Senate seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa here Monday.
Polling began at 11:00 AM and will continue until 4:00 PM. The jirga hall of the KP Assembly has been designated as the election room, and strict security arrangements have been made for the Senate elections.
To prevent horse-trading during the Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the government and opposition have agreed on a 6-5 seat formula. According to this arrangement, the government will get 6 seats, while the opposition will get 5.
Four out of five dissident PTI candidates have withdrawn from the Senate election in KP.
On the general seats from KP, four candidates from the government and three from the opposition are contesting. For the women’s and technocrat seats, both the government and the opposition have fielded two candidates each.
PTI has nominated Murad Saeed, Faisal Javed, Mirza Afridi, and Noorul Haq Qadri for general seats, while Rubina Naz and Azam Swati are also among the party’s candidates.
From the opposition, the general seat candidates include Niaz Ahmed from PML-N, Talha Mahmood from PPP, and Ata-ul-Haq from JUI. Rubina Khalid (PPP) and Dilawar Khan (JUI) are also in the race.
The KP Assembly has 92 members supporting the government and 53 supporting the opposition. A total of 19 votes are required to win a general seat, while 49 votes are needed for the women and technocrat seats.
The opposition will need 4 additional votes to win a third general seat. After the withdrawal of 4 out of 5 dissident members, Khurram Zeeshan remains in the race for a general seat.

Man electrocuted

By
Samina Ch
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0
SIALKOT, Jul 21 (APP):A man electrocuted in Model Town near Muradia road,here on Monday.
According to a spokesperson,Akhtar(30) was working on the roof of a building when he accidentally came into contact with overhead electric wires passing nearby.As a result,he died on the spot.
Rescue 1122 reached on the spot,shifted the body to hospital.
The body was handover to their heirs.

Tarar condoles with PML-N social media team member Kashif Awan on mother’s death

By
Samina Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Monday visited the residence Kashif Awan, an active member of the social media team of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and expressed his condolences on the death of his mother.
The minister also extended his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the other family members of the deceased.
Tarar said he was deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of Kashif Awan’s mother, and he shared the grief of the bereaved family.
The minister said that the death of a great personality like a mother was a grief that cannot be compensated for.
He prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude.

Lachin hosts roundtable on “AZERTAC at 105: The Past, Present, and Future of Cooperation”

By
NNPS Desk
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0

Lachin, July 21 (AZERTAC/APP) : The Roundtable on “AZERTAC at 105: The Past, Present, and Future of Cooperation was held as part of the 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum in the city of Lachin.

In his opening remarks, Vugar Aliyev, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC), noted that for over a century, the agency has operated without interruption. “Founded in 1920 by the first democratic state in the East, AZERTAC initially served as the independent news source of a sovereign country for just two months. However, even during the Soviet era, its news feed continued, creating a valuable archive of hundreds of thousands of photos and reports about our country. Looking back on the agency’s century-long history, we recognize the immense significance of this legacy,” the Chairman of Board mentioned.

“The value and relevance of our agency continue to grow with each passing year. In today’s modern and fast-paced information age – where content spreads with a single click – the role of news agencies has never been more vital. In such a flood of information, we are faced with one of the most serious problems of our time: fake news and disinformation. Agencies do not just react – they actively fight fake news. Fact-checking activities are now an integral part of the agency. Artificial intelligence and verification technologies are widely used to detect fake images, deepfake videos, and manipulated content,” Vugar Aliyev emphasized.

Masim Mammadov, Special Representative of the Azerbaijani President in Lachin district, mentioned that note Lachin has become a host city for high-profile international events. “The city recently welcomed the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Türkiye, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan for a Summit.”

The Special Representative of the President highlighted Lachin’s restoration and remarkable development. “In just the past two years, the city has expanded significantly, boasting new infrastructure like an airport and tunnels of international importance,” he mentioned.

“This event, marking AZERTAC’s 105th anniversary, is truly special. It’s remarkable to see so many international news agencies gathered here. AZERTAC’s celebration of its 105th anniversary is a great achievement,” said Alexandru Ion Giboi, Secretary General of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA).

EANA Secretary General highlighted the importance of focusing on the future. “We live in an era where today’s realities are more challenging than it has ever been,” he mentioned. “It is vital for us to properly plan for the future, because swift technological development brings forth new challenges. The modern era is full of uncertainties, and it is crucial that we keep up with these developments,” Alexandru Giboi underlined.

“The relationship between AZERTAC and the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) spans 21 years, rooted in the Memorandum of cooperation signed between the news agencies in 2004. We are maintaining exchange of news, expanding our collaboration,” said Kiril Valchev, BTA Director General.

Noting that news agencies embody responsibility, the BTA Director General emphasized their crucial role not only in practical journalism but also in fostering peace. “I enjoy a long-standing relationship with AZERTAC, spanning half of its history. We must know the history, draw conclusions and benefit from it. It is crucial to delve into the past of a news agency with a legacy as rich as AZERTAC’s, said Mikhail Gusman, TASS First Deputy Director General.

He noted that National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev always placed a great importance to AZERTAC, constantly keeping its activities in spotlight. “During his leadership, AZERTAC was the primary channel for delivering crucial national news regarding the country to the public. Heydar Aliyev always paid special attention to this news agency,” he mentioned.

“This tradition is still being continued by President Ilham Aliyev, who attaches great importance to AZERTAC’s activities. The 105th anniversary marks not merely a date, but a testament to the extensive professional expertise, unwavering commitment, and evolution of the national press. Azerbaijan’s most distinguished journalists and photo correspondents honed their craft at AZERTAC.

Muhammad Asim Khichi, Managing Director of Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), underlined that AZERTAC has transformed into one of the world’s leading news agencies, describing it as a significant achievement.

Elmir Huremović, General Manager of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Federal News Agency FENA, described the joint celebration of AZERTAC’s 105th anniversary in Lachin as a milestone event, noting that this event is not merely an anniversary for a news agency, it’s also an example of international news cooperation and friendship.
Cristina Mihaela Tatu, Deputy Director General of Romania’s AGERPRES news agency, said that AZERTAC has established successful cooperation with news agencies of various countries, including AGERPRES.
“For 105 years, AZERTAC has remained committed to delivering accurate news. I’d like to note that this year, Anadolu Agency is also celebrating its 105th anniversary,” said Bilgehan Öztürk, Anadolu Agency’s Strategic Communications and International Relations Manager.
Highlighting the importance of news agencies in responding to modern challenges, Öztürk described collaboration as key in achieving this goal. He mentioned that amidst the global transformation, cooperation becomes indispensable.

Jamil Qadalrah, Director of the News Department at Jordan’s Petra News Agency, emphasized that maintaining public trust is among the most crucial issues, which is incredibly valuable for media organizations, and remarkably easy to lose. “We must ensure that ethical and professional values are at the heart the media activities,” he added.
Emphasizing the importance of responsible journalists delivering accurate, swift, and with quality news to the public, Agha Iqrar Haroon, Director of Pakistan’s DND news agency noted that collaboration in this area is crucial and plays a significant role in disseminating unbiased news.
Congratulating AZERTAC on its 105th anniversary, Agha Iqrar Haroon stressed that DND news agency and AZERTAC has been maintaining cooperation since 2018. He also hailed the active news exchange between the two countries. Over 40 media representatives from various countries joined the roundtable discussion.

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