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886 encroachments removed in 24 hours

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LAHORE, Nov 15 (APP): Under the directives of Chief Minister Punjab, the “Suthra Punjab” campaign continued across Lahore as 886 encroachments were removed during the past 24 hours.
The anti-encroachment operation, led by Deputy Commissioner Lahore Syed Musa Raza, is being carried out on a daily basis to restore public spaces and improve urban mobility. Assistant Commissioners, teams of the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore, and the PERA Squad remained fully active in the field throughout the day.
According to district administration spokesperson, 3,215 banners, flexes and other forms of visual pollution were removed from various parts of the city. He added the ongoing operations have improved traffic flow and are providing relief to citizens.
The spokesperson noted that the drive is also helping revive Lahore’s historic beauty, while public areas illegally occupied in different localities are being reclaimed.
Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza directed all teams to immediately remove any encroachment causing obstruction to traffic and to continue the operation without discrimination until the last violation is eliminated. He further instructed that the restoration of public spaces and enforcement of relevant laws must be ensured transparently. Citizens have been urged to report complaints or violations through the helpline 0307-0002345 or via social media channels of the district administration. “Making Lahore a clean, encroachment-free and beautiful city is our firm commitment,” the DC said, adding that the campaign is being carried out in line with the vision of the Chief Minister Punjab. He said that implementation of the law is equal and mandatory for all.

Uzma Gilani attends IUB seminar on art, heritage

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BAHAWALPUR, Nov 15 (APP): The Department of Media and Communication Studies at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur organized a seminar titled Art: A Blend of Voice and Heritage with legendary Pakistani artist Uzma Gilani as the chief guest.
Uzma Gilani, a celebrated figure in television, theater, and social work, is a recipient of the Pride of Performance award and has inspired generations with her distinguished career.
The seminar featured a panel discussion with Prof. Dr. Rubina Bhatti, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. Adnan Malik, Chairman of the Department of Media Studies, Dr. Nayyar Mustafa, Additional Commissioner of Bahawalpur, and renowned jurist Amir Ajam Malik. The discussion covered topics such as the evolution of Pakistani media, the role of women in the creative arts, and Uzma Gilani’s legendary contributions to the industry.
In her address, Uzma Gilani reflected on her long journey in Pakistan’s drama industry and the social impact of television. She emphasized that true success is not measured by fame, but by the hearts you touch.
Prof. Dr. Rubina Bhatti praised Gilani’s exceptional contributions to Pakistan’s arts and culture, noting that her performances have not only entertained audiences but also served as a guide for society.
The event was hosted by Agha Sadaf Mehdi, Senior Producer at Campus Radio FM 92.6, and Dr. Abida Noreen, Associate Professor, served as the event’s focal person. Key attendees included Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem, Chairman of the Department of Applied Psychology, Dr. Qaiser Ijaz from the Department of Computer Sciences, Deputy Registrar Fatima Muzahir, and faculty members from the Department of Media and Communication Studies, including Shafaq Manzoor, Afifa Paracha, Dr. Qamar Zaman, Miss Maham, Dr. Hanan Khan Tareen, Zain Zameer, Miss Bushra, and Ghulam Murtaza Bhatti.

Multan hosts inter-district CERT challenge

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MULTAN, Nov 15 (APP): The Multan Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Challenge was held on Saturday under the supervision of District Emergency Officer Dr. Hussain Mian of Rescue 1122.
Teams from Multan, Shujabad, and Jalalpur Pirwala participated at the union council level in preparation for upcoming national and international CERT competitions, according to an official spokesperson.
During the event, Dr. Hussain Mian praised the training, readiness, and overall performance of the participating teams. He emphasized that community-level activities are crucial in strengthening the Rescue 1122 vision and improving community preparedness to save lives.
The CERT teams from Multan’s union councils were led by Rescue and Safety Officer Muhammad Arshad Khan, while Shujabad’s teams were led by Rescue and Safety Officer Muhammad Ijaz, and Jalalpur Pirwala’s teams were led by Rescue and Safety Officer Muhammad Aftab Hussain.
The competition focused on four key categories: fire safety, medical trauma, water rescue, and collapsed structure rescue. Teams from Multan, Shujabad, and Jalalpur Pirwala showed strong competition throughout the event.
After a series of closely contested rounds, Dr. Hussain Mian announced that District Multan had won the overall competition, demonstrating exceptional performance across all events. The district’s victory marks a significant step toward representing Multan at the international CERT challenge, which will soon be held at the Lahore Headquarters.

DC opens vaccination drive

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GUJRAT, Nov 15 (APP): Deputy Commissioner Noor ul Ain inaugurated the Measles and Rubella Vaccination Campaign at Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital on Friday.
The event was attended by Chief Executive Officer (Health) Dr. Ata-ul-Munim, Medical Superintendent Dr. Rana Imtiaz Ahmed, along with doctors and paramedical staff.
A Health Department spokesperson shared that the vaccination campaign will run across the district from November 15 to 27. The drive aims to administer the measles and rubella vaccine to children aged nine months to 15 years.

57pc wheat sowing target achieved

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SARGODHGA, Nov 15 (APP): Wheat sowing is progressing well in Sargodha Division, with 57% of the set target already achieved. This was disclosed during a meeting of the Divisional Wheat Committee, chaired by Commissioner Sargodha Division, Jahanzeb Awan. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioners from all four districts, Director of Agriculture, Principal of the Agricultural College, officers from the Irrigation Department, and representatives from various relevant departments, along with local farmers.
Commissioner Awan emphasized that wheat is a crucial crop for national food security, and assured that farmers would receive full support and guidance. He directed the Assistant Commissioners and Numbardars to ensure maximum wheat cultivation on government lands. Interns recruited under the Punjab Chief Minister’s agricultural initiatives also participated in the meeting, providing valuable feedback.
The meeting was also informed that the University of Sargodha will host the International Wheat Conference on December 16 and 17, focusing on advancements and innovations in wheat farming.
Director of Agriculture briefed the committee on the positive impact of the support price for wheat, which has been set at Rs 3500 per 40 kg. He reported that this initiative has resulted in strong enthusiasm among farmers. A target of 6.2 million tons of wheat has been set for procurement across the province this year. Certified wheat seeds are available at Rs 55 per bag, with the Punjab Seed Corporation ensuring a sufficient supply. Additionally, three new high-yield wheat varieties have been introduced this year, expected to further boost production.
Officers from the Irrigation Department assured the committee that the supply of canal water is running smoothly, with no issues reported in the region. They confirmed that both the first and last water supplies are available to farmers in the Sargodha region.
The meeting also highlighted that fertilizers are available in adequate quantities at controlled prices throughout the division. Commissioner Awan instructed the concerned departments to continuously monitor the wheat sowing process, as well as the availability of fertilizers, water, and seeds, to ensure that farmers face no challenges during the cultivation season.

Two held, over 12kg drugs recovered

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LODHRAN, Nov 15 (APP): Police have arrested two notorious drug peddlers and seized more than 12 kilograms of hashish from their possession during separate operations.
According to a police spokesperson, the raids were conducted on the special instructions of acting District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Afzal.
The Sadar Police Kahror Pacca team raided Mouza Lal Baghali, where they apprehended Iqbal Arain as part of an ongoing crackdown on drug peddlers. From Arain’s possession, they recovered 11 kilograms of hashish. Acting DPO Muhammad Afzal praised SHO Peeran Ditta and his team for their successful operation, emphasizing that the police force is committed to a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs.
In a second raid, the City Police arrested Ahsan Rasheed Gujjar near the Konki Wala canal, recovering 1,320 grams of hashish from his possession. A case has been registered against the accused, and further interrogation is underway.
Acting DPO Muhammad Afzal stated that the district police are taking every possible measure to protect the public from the dangers of drugs. He reaffirmed that the police will continue their raids against drug peddlers with full commitment and without discrimination.

203 farmers get subsidized tractors in Sialkot

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SIALKOT, Nov 15 (APP): The Punjab government has launched the distribution of 385 heavy-duty power tractors to 203 farmers in Sialkot under the Chief Minister’s Green Tractor Programme, offering a subsidy of one million rupees on each unit.
The keys to the tractors were handed over to selected farmers during a ceremony by Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Rana Arif Harna and Chairman of the Punjab Land Revenue Authority Chaudhry Tariq Subhani.
Speaking at the event, the officials highlighted that the programme aims to reduce the financial burden on farmers and promote modern, mechanized agriculture throughout the province. They also emphasized that the government has introduced several farmer-friendly initiatives, including subsidized machinery and easy access to agricultural loans.
Farmers who received the tractors expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister, noting that the subsidy would significantly reduce production costs and help improve per-acre yield.
According to the Agriculture Department, the distribution of tractors was conducted through a transparent process of merit-based scrutiny and balloting. The remaining tractors will be delivered within the next 10 days.

Rescue 1122 holds road safety awareness seminar

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MULTAN, Nov 15 (APP): Following directives from Dr. Rizwan Naseer, Secretary of the Emergency Services Department, Rescue 1122 Lodhran, in collaboration with the Traffic Police and local civil society, organized a road safety awareness seminar at the Rescue Station in Lodhran, which was followed by an awareness walk.
During the seminar, participants were given an in-depth briefing on the importance of adhering to traffic rules, safe driving practices, and preventive measures to reduce road accidents. The session aimed to educate citizens on practical steps they could take to ensure their own safety and the safety of others on the road.
After the seminar, the awareness walk began at the Rescue Station and concluded at the Lodhran Press Club. The walk sought to raise public consciousness about traffic regulations and encourage precautionary measures to curb the growing number of road accidents.
The walk was led by District Emergency Officer (DEO) Engineer Shakeel Ahmed and saw enthusiastic participation from Rescue 1122 personnel, Traffic Police officials, social organizations, and Rescue volunteers.
Addressing participants outside the Press Club at the conclusion of the walk, Engineer Shakeel Ahmed emphasized the deadly consequences of overspeeding. He pointed out that if a motorcycle were traveling at 60 km/h and a crash occurred, the rider would have only a 5 percent chance of survival, underscoring the grave risks of high-speed driving. He urged citizens to keep motorcycle speeds below 50 km/h and to always wear certified safety helmets.
The DEO also shared alarming district statistics, revealing that since 2010, Rescue 1122 Lodhran has responded to 64,760 road traffic accidents, providing first aid and transporting 76,260 injured individuals to hospitals. Unfortunately, 946 people lost their lives on the spot. He noted that motorcyclists remain the most affected group in traffic accidents, with the lack of helmets being the primary cause of fatalities and serious injuries.
Engineer Shakeel Ahmed assured the public that Rescue 1122 would continue its awareness campaign to promote responsible driving habits and contribute to creating a safer society by reducing road accidents.

Chief Minister inaugurates hydropower projects in Lower Dir

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PESHAWAR, Nov 15 (APP):Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi inaugurated major development projects during his visit to Lower Dir on Saturday.
 He formally opened the 40.8 megawatt Koto Hydropower Project, which has been completed at a cost of Rs 21.7 billion.
Officials briefed the Chief Minister that the project will generate 207 million units of electricity annually, expected to produce revenue of Rs 2.4 billion.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the 18.5 kilometre Tormang Razagram Road, constructed at a cost of Rs 1.5 billion.
He said the provincial government is working on long term planning to make hydropower resources the basis of economic growth.
According to him, clean and affordable energy projects will boost employment opportunities and support industrial development.
Sohail Afridi said the province’s first power transmission line is being installed to facilitate the supply of electricity from eleven hydropower projects.
He added that electricity generated from local powerhouses will be provided to industries at subsidized rates, and the provincial government will extend full support to strengthen its power distribution system.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have the first right over the province’s natural resources.
He expressed concern over delays in issuing NOCs for foreign engineers, stating that such delays are obstructing multi billion rupee projects.
He said the loss caused by this situation affects not only Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but the entire country.

Measles–Rubella vaccination campaign launched in Mansehra

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MANSEHRA, Nov 15 (APP): Following the provincial government directivs the Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign was formally launched in District Mansehra. A detailed briefing session was also held following the inauguration.
The ceremony, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner Mansehra at the DC Office, was attended by officers from district and tehsil administrations, the District Assistant Health Officer (DAHO) along with other officials and staff members, and representatives of the media.
Under the campaign, children between the ages of six months and five years will receive the Measles–Rubella (MR) vaccine. A total of 219 outreach teams and 77 fixed vaccination sites have been set up across the district to achieve the target of vaccinating approximately 300,000 children within 12 days. The campaign will run from November 17 to November 29.