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AJK PM pays tributes to Major Rab Nawaz

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MIRPUR (AJK), Jul 17 (APP):Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister (PM) Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq Thursday paid rich tributes to AJK-born martyred Major Syed Rab Nawaz Shaheed who embraced shahaadat while fighting bravely against the Fitna-al-Hindustan in Balochistan.
The prime minister said that Rab Nawaz sacrificed his precious life for the sake of the country.
Lauding the Pakistan armed forces’ significant role in combating terrorism and defending the country, he said that the matchless sacrifices rendered by the Pakistan army would always be remembered.
Earlier, the PM attended the funeral prayers of Rab Nawaz Shaheed held at Khurshid Hassan Khurshid Ground in his hometown Muzaffarabad.
The funeral prayers were attended by a large number of people as well as civil and military officials including Speaker Legislative Assembly Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Diwan Ali Khan Chughtai, Sardar Javed Ayub, Syed Bazal Naqvi, Chaudhry Muhammad Rashid and others.
On this occasion, the PM met the bereaved family of Major Rab Nawaz and offered his heartfelt condolences.
He said that entire nation was proud of Shaheed Major Rab Nawaz, who sacrificed his life for the country.

WASA serves notices on 435 industrial units

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FAISALABAD, Jul 17 (APP):The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has served notices on 435 industrial units in the city, directing the construction of septic and silt tanks in the units, otherwise their connections will be disconnected.
According to the notice issued on Thursday, all industrial units are discharging their chemical-contaminated water beyond the prescribed limit, which is against the Punjab Environmental Quality Standard, which on the one hand is causing air and environmental pollution while on the other hand, they are creating blockages in WASA sewerage.
According to the WASA Sewerage and Drainage Rules and Regulations 2015, it has been made mandatory for all industrial units to install a wastewater treatment plant, but industrial units, on the contrary, illegally connect their chemically contaminated wastewater to the WASA sewerage network.
According to official sources here Thursday, it is important to construct a septic and silt tank in every industrial unit, for which a standard and design is provided to all industrial units, but these orders are not being implemented.
In this regard, MD WASA Sohail Qadir Cheema clarified that industrial units are creating a major obstacle in the delivery of quality drainage services to the citizens during the rainy season and on the one hand it rains, on the other hand industrial units pour their chemically contaminated water into WASA sewerage lines, which increases the challenges of drainage.
He further said that in case of non-implementation of the orders for construction of septic and silt tanks, the WASA connections of the concerned industrial units will be disconnected.
In this regard, teams comprising officials of WASA and Environmental Protection Department have been constituted to survey all industrial units and legal action will be taken against units which will ignore the orders.

Mainly hot, humid weather likely to persist; isolated rains expected in parts of country:PMD

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP):The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast mainly hot and very humid weather conditions to prevail in most parts of the country on Friday.
However, rain-wind/thundershowers are expected at isolated places in Kashmir, northeast Punjab, the Potohar region, and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Scattered showers may also occur in parts of northeast and south Balochistan, southern Punjab, and upper/southeast Sindh during the evening or night.
In the federal capital, partly cloudy weather with chances of rain-wind/thundershower is expected. The probability of rainfall stands at 40 percent.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, isolated showers are likely in areas including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, and others. Heavy falls may occur in some regions, particularly during morning hours.
Punjab will continue to experience hot and very humid weather, though isolated rain is likely in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, and various northern and central districts.
Partly cloudy skies are expected across Sindh, with chances of rainfall in districts such as Karachi, Thatta, Tharparkar, Umerkot, and Jacobabad. Isolated heavyfalls are also likely in some areas.
Hot and humid weather will prevail in most parts of Balochistan, with isolated thunderstorms expected in Barkhan, Zhob, Lasbela, Khuzdar, and nearby regions.
Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan may witness partly cloudy conditions with chances of rain-wind/thunderstorms at a few places.
The rainfall in the past 24 hours was recorded in parts of Islamabad, Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, with Islamabad and Rawalpindi receiving heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Notably, Rawalpindi Katcheri received 252 mm and Islamabad Airport recorded 238 mm.
The highest temperature recorded on Thursday was 44 C in Dalbandin, followed by 43 C in Nokundi and 42 C in Dadu and Turbat.
The met office has advised the public to stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure, especially during peak afternoon hours.

Ambassador Tirmizi visits Etihad Modern Art Gallery

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ABU DHABI, Jul 17 (APP): Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Faisal Niaz Tirmizi Thursday visited the Etihad Modern Art Gallery in Abu Dhabi, where paintings by acclaimed Pakistani artists Soraya Sikandar and Sana Hayat are being displayed alongside works by several international artists.

Ambassador Tirmizi commended the creative brilliance of the Pakistani artists and noted that such exhibitions reflect the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Pakistan.

He emphasized the role of art in fostering cross-cultural understanding and promoting Pakistan’s soft image abroad.

The visit reaffirmed the embassy’s commitment to supporting Pakistani talent and strengthening cultural ties between Pakistan and the UAE.

Punjab accelerates EVs adoption with new bus, taxi initiatives: minister

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LAHORE, Jul 17 (APP):Punjab Minister for Transport and Mass Transit Bilal Akbar Khan announced the provincial government’s commitment to promoting electric vehicles (EVs) for public mobility, aligning with its broader climate change mitigation policy.
Speaking at the DMT & YEA Technology Launch Conference for commercial vehicles here on Thursday, he highlighted the rapid transition of public transport toward electric mobility, ushering in a new era of sustainable transportation.
The conference, hosted by Yutong Bus Co., Ltd., a global leader in commercial vehicle manufacturing, marked a significant milestone for Pakistan’s public transport sector.
A major highlight was the contract signing between WIL and Yutong, the world’s largest bus manufacturer, for the procurement of 400 state-of-the-art Yutong electric buses. This agreement represents a significant step toward modernizing Pakistan’s transport infrastructure. The event also showcased Yutong’s Dual Mode Transmission (DMT) and Yutong Electric Architecture (YEA), innovative technologies designed to enhance fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and enable smarter mobility.
Building on the success of electric buses in Punjab, Minister Khan revealed plans for the province’s first-ever electric taxi service. In the initial phase, 1,100 electric vehicles will be provided through interest-free loans and easy installments. To support this transition, charging stations are being established across Punjab. The minister emphasized the need for a well-structured policy to encourage the shift from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric alternatives, highlighting that widespread EV adoption will lead to significant fuel savings and help combat smog and air pollution.
In his keynote address, Mr. Robin Shen, CEO of Yutong Middle East, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Pakistan, focusing on delivering innovation-driven, localized solutions. Mr. Paul Zhang, Managing Director of Yutong Pakistan, provided an in-depth presentation on the features and benefits of DMT and YEA, underscoring their role in enhancing performance and supporting sustainable transportation.
A standout feature of the event was the “Green Commitment Tree,” an interactive booth where participants signed symbolic leaves to pledge their support for sustainable mobility, reflecting Yutong’s global commitment to environmental responsibility.
The ceremony concluded with a walkaround of Yutong’s latest bus models, media engagements, and a networking hi-tea.
Attendees included Mr. Cao Ke, Deputy Consul General of China in Lahore, senior representatives from Wah Industries Limited (WIL), Punjab Transport Company, and key stakeholders from the transport industry.

Three suspects arrested in robbery case; stolen motorcycle, weapons recovered

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 Dera Ismail Khan, Jul 17 (APP):Paharpur Circle Police of Dera Ismail Khan district have successfully traced and arrested three suspects allegedly involved in an armed robbery incident. The operation led to the recovery of stolen items, including a motorcycle, motor pump, electrical wire, and illegal weapons.
According to the police spokesperson, District Police Officer (DPO) Dera Ismail Khan, Sajjad Ahmad Sahibzada, took notice of recent theft and robbery incidents and formed a special investigation team under the supervision of SP Paharpur Syed Asad Ali Shah. The team, comprising SDPO Paharpur Noor Haider Khan, SHO Umar Iqbal Marwat, and other officials, worked diligently to trace and arrest the accused.
The suspects identified as Muhammad Tahir, son of Riaz; Muhammad Saleem, son of Amanullah; and Ehsanullah, son of Samiullah were arrested during the operation. Police also recovered a snatched CD-70 motorcycle, a stolen motorcycle used in the robbery, a motor pump, 30 yards of electric wire, a 12-bore repeater, two pistols, and ammunition.
The recovered items have been taken into custody as evidence, and further investigation is underway.

Minister for Revenue pays surprise visit to Abbottabad Tehsil Office, orders immediate resolution of public complaints

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ABBOTTABAD, Jul 17 (APP):In a bid to improve the revenue system and enhance public service delivery, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Minister for Revenue, Nazir Abbasi, conducted a surprise visit to the Abbottabad Tehsil Office on Thursday.
 He was accompanied by Senior Member Board of Revenue Javed Marwat and Commissioner Hazara Division Fayaz Ali Shah.
During the visit, the officials thoroughly inspected the offices of the Tehsildar, Registrar, and Service Delivery Center (SDC). They interacted with citizens present on the premises, listened to their complaints, and issued immediate instructions for resolving the issues on the spot.
Minister Abbasi and Senior Member Javed Marwat directed the SDC staff to treat the public with respect and professionalism. They emphasized the importance of addressing public grievances on a priority basis and
ensuring timely and efficient delivery of services.
Later, Commissioner Fayaz Ali Shah held a meeting with the Senior Member Board of Revenue at his office and shared reform proposals for SDC offices across Hazara Division. The suggestions were well-received and appreciated by the officials.
Additionally, the Commissioner Hazara instructed all Deputy Commissioners of the region to ensure that Patwaris are regularly available in their respective Patwar circles. In cases where proper office space is unavailable, arrangements should be made to rent offices to facilitate public access. A compliance report is to be submitted to the Commissioner’s Office within a week.

Citizen facilitation center in Abbottabad innagurated

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PESHAWAR, Jul 17 (APP):Dr. Shafqat Ayaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Science, Technology, and Information Technology on Thursday inaugurated a modern citizen facilitation center (CFC) in Abbottabad district.
 The event was attended by district administration officials, officers from the Department of Science and IT,
citizens, and government representatives.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Dr. Shafqat Ayaz said that this center was a practical manifestation of the
provincial government’s commitment to public service.
He explained that the center was a one-window facility where services such as CNICs, domicile certificates, birth
and death certificates, property registration, land records, driving licenses, document attestation, and various other government services are provided under one roof.
The center will save both time and money for the public, while ensuring transparency, speed, and convenience in the delivery of public services. He announced that similar centers are being established in other districts of the province to ensure that every citizen has dignified, easy, and immediate access to essential services.
He instructed the concerned institutions to ensure that staff appointed at these centers are fully professional, courteous, and honest so that public trust in the system was strengthened.

Rawal Dam nears full capacity: ICT admin monitors water level closely

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP):Islamabad is witnessing uninterrupted rainfall, pushing the water level in Rawal Dam closer to its maximum limit and the district administration has increased monitoring to manage the situation.
The federal capital continues to experience persistent rainfall, which has significantly raised the water level in Rawal Dam. According to a spokesperson, the maximum water capacity of the dam is recorded at 1,752 feet.
The spokesperson further informed that the current water level in the dam has reached 1,747 feet. This marks a critical point as the dam approaches its full capacity.
Officials from the district administration are actively monitoring the water level. They have intensified surveillance around the dam to ensure timely actions if the water level rises further.
The administration is coordinating with the relevant authorities to manage potential overflow risks. They are also keeping an eye on the catchment areas that feed water into the dam, which could lead to further rise in water levels if rainfall continues.
The continuous rain in Islamabad has not only affected the dam but also caused water accumulation in several low-lying areas of the city. Sanitation teams remain on alert to address drainage issues and prevent urban flooding.
Authorities have urged residents living near streams and nullahs to stay cautious as the water flow in these areas may increase due to ongoing rains.
The Meteorological Department has forecast more rain in the coming days, raising concerns about further rise in water levels. The district administration has assured that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure public safety and efficient water management at Rawal Dam.

By-election in Dasti’s constituency on September 10

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP):By-elections for NA-175 Muzaffargarh, which fell vacant following the disqualification of Jamshed Dasti, will be held on September 10, 2025, according to the election schedule issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday.
According to the ECP schedule, a public notice will be issued on July 21, 2025. Nomination papers may be submitted between July 23 and July 25, while the preliminary list of candidates is set to be published on July 26.
Scrutiny of nomination papers will conclude by August 1, while appeals challenging their acceptance or rejection may be filed until August 5. The appellate tribunal is expected to rule on all appeals by August 12.
The updated list of candidates will be published on August 13, 2025, with the deadline for withdrawal of nomination papers set for August 15. The Election Commission of Pakistan will allot electoral symbols on August 16, and polling is scheduled to take place on September 10, 2025.
The ECP disqualified Jamshed Dasti over a fake intermediate certificate, following a reference filed by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. A three-member bench, led by Nisar Ahmad Durrani, ruled that Dasti had violated the Election Act and recommended legal action against him.
PTI backed Jamshed Dasti won NA-175 in the 2024 general elections with 113,253 votes. PPP’s Irshad Ahmad Khan secured 71,997 votes, while PML-N’s Hammad Nawaz Khan received 47,350.