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Governor thanks UAE Ambassador for issuance of five-year visa policy for Pakistanis

By
NNPS Desk
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KARACHI, Jul 22 (APP): Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori expressed gratitude to the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, for the introduction of a five-year visa policy for Pakistani citizens.
He stated that Pakistan and the UAE share decades-long relations that have grown stronger over time.
Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori made these remarks during a meeting with the UAE Ambassador at the Governor House Karachi.
The Consul General of the UAE, Bakheet Ateeq Al-Remeithi, was also present on the occasion. During the meeting, both sides held detailed discussions on bilateral relations, trade, investment, and matters of mutual interest.
Tessori said that Pakistan, particularly the province of Sindh, is keen to further enhance its trade and economic ties with the United Arab Emirates.
Ambassador Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi congratulated Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori and his family on the successful performance of Hajj and acknowledged the Governor Sindh’s significant role in the implementation of the five-year visa policy. He emphasized that the United Arab Emirates envisions Pakistan as a growing economic and defense power in the region.
Consul General Bakheet Ateeq Al-Remeithi also appreciated the support of Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori and noted that over the past two months, a large number of Pakistanis have been traveling to the UAE, where they are being provided with maximum facilities and assistance.

ICC launches plantation campaign to keep the city clean

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 22 (APP): Islamabad Citizens Committee (ICC) has launched a planation campaign to facilitate providing good living conditions to the citizens of Islamabad, including clean, neat and pollution free environment for their healthy growth.
The campaign will continue till this week. “Our first plantation project was undertaken at Sukh Chain Park in G10/2, Islamabad, said Syed M Siddiq Hasan, President ICC in a statement issued here on Tuesday.
As per the statement, the plants were contributed by Col (R) Syed Zafar Uddin Ahmad, Chairman & CEO of Sigma Motors Ltd, Islamabad.
The startup campaign was attended by the Chairman & CEO of Sigma Motors Ltd, President, Vice President, Gen Secretary and members of Executive Committee of ICC.
All the participants planted one sapling each followed by general plantation carried out by gardeners of the park.
The, ”Rooh i Rawan” of this park, Mr Nadeem had made necessary arrangements for planting these saplings under his personal supervision.
It was a simple but an impressive ceremony. The participants were subsequently entertained to a sumptuous hi-tea arranged by M. Ashraf Malik, Gen Secretary, ICC at his residence.
The ceremony ended with a note of thanks by the President, ICC to all the participants, specially, Col (R) Zafar, Nadeem and Ashraf Malik.
Insha Allah, soon we will be proceeding ahead with this campaign and our next target is plantation in the Model Schools of Islamabad.
The ICC’s Sub Committee on Plantation Campaign will be updating its future course of action in the forthcoming meeting of Executive Committee due on 23rd July, the statement added.

Students’ record correction system digitized

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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RAWALPINDI, Jul 22 (APP):The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Rawalpindi has introduced a fully online system for correcting student records including names, father’s names, dates of birth, and other key details.
The initiative, aligned with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision and guided by Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, aims to digitize the education system and enhance student convenience, said a press release issued on Tuesday.
The new system allows students to submit rectification applications online, promoting transparency, efficiency, and accessibility. “We are striving to make Rawalpindi Board a model institution that combines transparency, speed, and technology,” said Chairman Khan. The board has also digitized verification processes and NOCs, enabling students to access services from home with ease.
“The initiative eliminates the need for intermediaries, saving students time, money, and resources while ensuring trust and confidentiality”, said Chairman BISE Rawalpindi, Muhammad Adnan Khan

RPO visits safe city project

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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Sargodha, Jul 22 (APP):Regional Police Officer (RPO) Muhammad Shahzad Asif Khan on Tuesday visited the Safe City Sargodha project and reviewed the ongoing construction work.
Deputy Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Suhaib Ashraf was also present during the visit. The SP Operations Safe City Sargodha briefed the RPO on the project’s progress, stating that the installation of CCTV cameras and software has been completed.
The RPO stated that the Safe City Sargodha project is in its final stages and will soon be operational, enhancing crime prevention, traffic management, and city surveillance.
The RPO directed the relevant officers to complete all tasks within the specified timeframe.

Bannu celebrates Pakistan’s historic win in under-16  Volleyball championship

By
Ahmed Waheed
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PESHAWAR, Jul 22 (APP):The District Sports Association expressed immense joy over Pakistan’s thrilling victory against Iran in the Under-16 Volleyball Championship held in Thailand.
The players from Bannu played a pivotal role in the team’s success, earning praise from officials and locals alike.
A special ceremony was held to honor the young athletes, attended by players, officials of the Bannu Sports Association, and proud parents. The father of volleyball player Junaid spoke at the event, saying, “Bannu’s soil nurtures talented youth who bring glory to the nation.” He highlighted that despite limited resources, athletes from the region have excelled not only in volleyball but also in hockey and cricket.
He dedicated the victory to Pakistan’s security forces and victims of terrorism, acknowledging their sacrifices for the country’s peace. “Given the right opportunities, our youth can compete with the best in the world,” he added.
The triumphant players were given a hero’s welcome upon their return to Bannu. The city erupted in celebration, with drum beats, garlands, and cheers filling the streets. The historic win has reignited pride in local sports and renewed calls for better facilities to nurture young talent.

Pakistan’s young golfers shine at ISF World School Golf C’ship in Morocco

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 22 (APP): Pakistan’s Ace Junior Golf League (AJGL) concluded its historic debut at the inaugural ISF World School Golf Championship 2025, held at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco, with a commendable performance by nine young ambassadors who showcased resilience, skill and sportsmanship on the international stage.
The championship, held from July 16 to 20, brought together over 200 junior golfers from 17 nations. Pakistan’s team faced stiff competition, challenging course conditions, and an elite field of players, yet emerged as a symbol of promise and growth in junior golf.
The championship course tested every aspect of the game with green speed 11, thick roughs and a professional tournament yardage stretching over 6,454 yards. Despite the demanding layout, Pakistani golfers demonstrated poise and perseverance.
In the Girls Under 18 division, Shazmina Fatima Khan (Islamabad, RGC, 17) secured 8th position with scores of 95-98-88-98, finishing at 379 strokes. Zarnima Mariam Khan (Islamabad, RGC, 17) scored 95-96-90-86, ending 10th with 377 strokes, while Khaeeesha Nafees (Lahore, LGGC, 17) tallied 90-104-105-113, placing 13th with 421 strokes.
In the Boys Under 18 division, Zoay Qureshi-Ur-Rehman (RBCC, 13) stood out with scores of 96-91-88-96 to finish 8th at 371 strokes. Mohsin Mohoy Ud Din (Lahore, LGGC, 13) scored 95-105-103-112 to place 12th with 415 strokes. Muhammad Wajahat Anwer (Lahore, RGCC, 16) posted consistent rounds of 91-94-92-94, also finishing 12th with 371 strokes.
In the Boys Under 15 division, Muhammad Musa Khan (Islamabad, RGC, 13) played impressively with rounds of 89-90-87-91, placing 11th with 357 strokes. Hamza Moeed Yousuf (Lahore, LGGC, 13) scored 89-96-93-91, ending 14th with 369 strokes, while Fazeel Ahmad (Lahore, LGGC, 13) posted 97-94-91-103 to finish 18th with 385 strokes.
As a team, Pakistan placed 6th with a total of 1,098 strokes. Morocco claimed the top spot with 854 strokes, followed by Thailand (868), and Chinese Taipei (874).
The championship wasn’t just a sporting event but also a cultural experience featuring Nations’ Night, heritage exhibitions, and ISF Academy workshops focused on anti-doping and injury prevention, creating a holistic environment for young athletes.
AJGL’s international debut is credited to the tireless efforts of Dr. Asma Shami, Chairperson, and Munazza Shaheen, Head of Delegation, whose commitment and leadership played a pivotal role in preparing the young team through a structured development framework.
Tournament Director Mounya Amalou, a former LET Tour player, praised the Pakistani contingent for their discipline, etiquette, and inspiring attitude on and off the course.
Gen. Hilal, Patron-in-Chief of AJGL, appreciated Dr. Shami and Shaheen’s leadership, acknowledging their role in enabling junior golfers to represent Pakistan with pride at a global platform.
Bangladesh’s delegate, Mr. Farid, lauded the camaraderie between Pakistani and Bangladeshi golfers, expressing hope for future joint regional tournaments.
In her remarks, Dr. Asma Shami said, “I am overwhelmed by the success and the large participation of junior golfers. It’s a humble effort contributing towards Pakistan’s golf development. I am grateful to all who supported our dream.”
Ahsan Umar, Executive Director, PSF/ISF Championship, added, “We aim to hold more international events with AJGL in future. I appreciate Dr. Shami and Munazza Shaheen for making our first ISF World School Golf Championship a success.”

Stakeholders agree on unified response to climate, health challenges under ‘One Health Pakistan’ Initiative

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 22 (APP): Speakers at a high-level consultative meeting have underscored the need for multisectoral coordination to address Pakistan’s rising health challenges linked to climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation.
The meeting, held at COMSTECH’s conference room, organised by the Health Services Academy (Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination) in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), aimed to advance the One Health Workforce Development agenda for pandemic preparedness in Pakistan.
Participants included national and international experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO), UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, WWF-Pakistan, and others.
Stakeholders from the health, environment, wildlife, climate, and development sectors discussed integrated approaches to environmental health and pandemic readiness under the One Health framework.
The session began with welcome remarks by Prof. Dr. Junaid Sarfraz, Rector and Director (Academic) of HSA, on behalf of Prof. Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, Vice Chancellor. Dr. Tariq Mahmood Ali, National Coordinator of the One Health Project, presented an overview of the initiative’s objectives and expected outcomes.
Keynote speakers Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr. Nelson Azeem, Dr. Syed Mursalin (Pakistan One Health Alliance), Muhammad Asif Sahibzada (Director General Environment at Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination), Dr. Shabana Saleem (Director General Health, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination) highlighted the critical need for a viable unified national strategy to tackle the growing convergence of public health and climate risks.
Speaking as a keynote speaker at the event, the Federal Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Nelson Azeem stressed that Pakistan must adopt the One Health approach as a strategic, cross-sectoral response mechanism to protect people, animals, and ecosystems. “We must reaffirm our collective commitment to the One Health Pakistan initiative. The challenges we face are interlinked, and so must be our response,” he said.
In his keynote address, Director General of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MOCC&EC), Muhammad Asif Sahibzada warned that unchecked pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss are driving a surge in zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
He cautioned that weak institutional coordination could hamper early warning systems and hinder effective responses.
“There is a pressing need to institutionalise the One Health framework across all levels of government. This requires strong policy enforcement, cross-sectoral training, and community engagement to build national resilience,” he said.
Dr. Tariq Mahmood Ali echoed the call, stating: “Pakistan can no longer afford to treat human, animal, and environmental health in isolation. We must work together under a unified platform.”
Muhammad Azim Khoso, Director (Urban Affairs) at MoCC&EC, proposed the establishment of dedicated One Health Units within federal and provincial departments.
He said these units, funded through the provincial Annual Development Plans (ADPs), Federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) or international pandemic funds, could offer real-time data on disease outbreaks driven by climate and environmental factors.
He suggested these provincial units be linked through a federal interface to ensure swift responses and global reporting.
Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, Deputy Director and environmental advocacy expert at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), has outlined a strategic roadmap to strengthen stakeholder engagement and advocacy across the climate, health, and environmental sectors under the One Health Pakistan initiative.
The senior MoCC&EC official Saleem Shaikh stressed the importance of identifying key stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and vulnerable groups, and building trust through consistent communication, advocacy and collaborative engagement with them.
He further recommended conducting a comprehensive needs assessment to better understand stakeholders’ advocacy, education and awareness needs and priorities in the context of climate-induced health risks.
“For the One Health initiative to succeed, advocacy efforts must be guided by clearly defined SMART goals, a targeted strategy, and capacity building through specialised training,” he said.
Shaikh also highlighted the role of digital and traditional media, social media influencers and community leaders in mobilising public support for One Health agenda in Pakistan and raising awareness about it. Strengthened outreach, he added, is essential for ensuring the initiative translates into meaningful action on the ground.
Earlier, the technical session, chaired by MoCC&EC’s Director General Asif Sahibzada, focused on workforce training, inter-agency coordination and policy innovation.
International organisations, including WHO, FAO, ADB, World Bank and WWF-Pakistan, shared actionable recommendations to drive the One Health agenda forward.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to turning these deliberations into concrete steps toward a healthier, more resilient future for Pakistan, recognizing that the country’s ability to respond to future pandemics is deeply intertwined with environmental health and climate resilience.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment of working together at all levels to transform the dialogue into concrete action by investing in integrated surveillance systems and climate-resilient health planning — affirming One Health Pakistan as a national imperative.

KMC all set to launch Smart Parking Services in covered zones

By
NNPS Desk
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KARACHI, Jul 22 (APP): The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is set to launch Smart Digital Parking Services in selected covered and boundary wall-enclosed parking zones across the city.
This initiative is part of a broader vision led by Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, to modernize public infrastructure and enhance urban mobility.
Following the earlier announcement of free parking at 32 locations, KMC has now approved the development of Smart Parking Zones at 10 key sites, including Sindbad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Parking Lot near A.O. Clinic, Nazimabad,Clifton Center, Sassi Arcade,Paradise Center, Polo Ground, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, Crystal Court, Plot Between Beach View Parking, Clifton,Hyper Star, Beach View Parking, Clifton and Driving License Branch, Nazimabad.
To implement this project, the Charged Parking Department has floated tenders and initiated procurement procedures. An Expression of Interest (EOI) has been invited under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, enabling private sector participation in Karachi’s urban development, a communique said on Tuesday.
The Smart Parking system will include
Digital ticketing and cashless payment option, Real-time parking availability updates and Enhanced security and monitoring in covered areas.
“This initiative will not only address Karachi’s growing parking demands but also mark a shift towards digital civic infrastructure a long-term investment in the city’s future,” said a KMC spokesperson.
The project is currently under review and will be launched in phases following formal procedures.

Cloudy, humid weather prevails in Lahore

By
Kamran Muraad
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LAHORE, Jul 22 (APP): Cloudy and humid weather prevailed in Lahore on Tuesday, with the Meteorological Department predicting similar conditions over the next 24 hours.
According to MET officials, heavy rainfall may trigger flash floods in local streams and nullahs across several northern and upper regions, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, the hill torrents of D.G. Khan, northeast Punjab, and Kashmir.
Urban flooding is also expected in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Okara, Nowshera, and Peshawar. Additionally, landslides and mudslides may lead to road blockages in vulnerable hilly regions such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The department further warned that heavy rain, windstorms, and lightning could damage fragile structures, including the roofs and walls of Kacha houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels.
Officials noted that moist currents from the Arabian Sea are currently entering the country, while a westerly wave is affecting upper parts of the region.
Rainfall was reported in multiple cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Narowal, Murree, Jhelum, Mangla, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujrat, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Garhi Dopatta, Rawalakot, Balakot, Takht Bai, Saidu Sharif, Kakul, Malam Jabba, Dir, Pattan, Kalat, and Gilgit.
Tuesday’s highest temperature was recorded in Nokkundi, where the mercury soared to 46°C. In Lahore, the maximum temperature was 34°C.

Sugar rates reviewed

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
Sargodha, Jul 22 (APP):Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sajid Muneer Kalyar on Tuesday chaired a meeting here to discuss the sugar rate.
According to a spokesperson here, the meeting was attended by a large number of representatives from the sugar mills, market committee, and traders’ association. During the meeting, the sugar mill administration said that sugar will be supplied to the market at Rs 165 per kilogram, and the market rate will be Rs 173 per kilogram.
The ADCG directed the sugar mills association to significantly reduce the sugar rate to provide maximum relief to the public. The traders’ association assured him that they would strictly follow the fixed sugar rates.
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