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Govt committed to enrolling every child in schools: ACS

By
Shahzad Ahmad
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MULTAN, Jul 15 (APP):Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) South Punjab, Fuad Hashim Rabbani said on Tuesday the government was committed to enrolling every child in schools under the Zero Out-of-School Children campaign.
He stated this while addressing the workshop titled “Bringing Children Back to School” organized by the Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN).
He emphasized that education was at the heart of government’s development agenda and said that education was not only a fundamental right, but also the most effective means to eliminate poverty and deprivation.
He said that in today’s world, education was the cornerstone of economic progress and social stability.
Rabbani said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, significant steps were being taken to promote education.
Additionally, through the “Subh-e-Nau Schools” program, working children were being brought into the education system, where they were not only being literate but also empowered with self-respect and hope for a better future.
He praised the efforts of NRSP, RSPN, and FCDO in the education sector and said that strong communities were built through education. He stressed the need for institutional collaboration in achieving this mission and assured that the South Punjab Secretariat would fully support every positive educational initiative.
“We will ensure that the light of education reaches every child in the farthest corners of South Punjab”, he added.
RSPN Chief Operating Officer Bashir Anjum, Project Manager Ms. Humaira Hussain, as well as representatives from NRSP, RSPN, FCDO, and other partnering organizations attended the workshop.

ITP’s DSP Hafeez reviews traffic flow, briefs officers

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 15 (APP): Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) Industrial Area, Hafeez, visited various traffic duty points on Tuesday to assess the flow of traffic and ensure the effectiveness of deployed personnel.
ITP's DSP Hafeez reviews traffic flow, briefs officers
An ITP spokesperson told APP that DSP Hafeez reviewed traffic conditions at several key intersections and interacted with the officers on duty to evaluate the challenges faced during peak hours.
ITP's DSP Hafeez reviews traffic flow, briefs officers
He said DSP Hafeez briefed the traffic officials on maintaining discipline, ensuring courteous behavior with citizens, and taking swift action against violations to avoid unnecessary congestion.
He said officers were instructed to maintain visible presence, particularly in high-density zones, and to prioritize the movement of ambulances and emergency vehicles.
He said the DSP emphasized the importance of road safety awareness among motorists and encouraged officers to guide commuters, especially during school and office rush hours.
He said, on the special directives of Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Zeeshan Haider, a zero-tolerance policy is being enforced against lane violations, illegal parking, and one-way breaches to improve overall traffic management in the Industrial Area zone.

Turkiye commemorates “Democracy and National Unity Day” at Karachi Consulate

By
Kamran Muraad
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KARACHI, Jul 15 (APP): The Consulate General of the Republic of Turkiye in Karachi on Tuesday held a solemn commemoration ceremony marking July 15 – Democracy and National Unity Day, remembering the victims and honoring the heroes who resisted the attempted coup in Turkiye in 2016.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Cemal Sangu, Consul General of Turkiye in Karachi, reflected on the events of July 15, 2016, he described it as “a dark chapter in our nation’s history,” when “a faction within our military, led by the Fettulahist Terrorist Organization — in other words, FETO — sought to overthrow our democratically elected government and undermine the very foundations of our republic.”
The Consul General emphasized that the attempted coup was not just an attack on the government but on Turkiye’s democracy, freedoms, and way of life. He said that “FETO, led by Fethullah Gulen, infiltrated our institutions over decades, using deception and manipulation,” calling it “not only a terrorist organization, but also an espionage organization with a ‘cult’ character.”
“No one should forget that the name of democracy is Türkiye,” he remarked.
Recalling the dramatic scenes from that night, he said: “Tanks rolled into our streets, jets flew low over our cities, and soldiers attempted to seize control of key installations.” But under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “innocent civilians, unarmed and defenseless, stood up against the coup plotters, showing immense bravery and resolve.”
“Hundreds of our fellow citizens lost their lives, and thousands were injured in the struggle to protect our democracy. So, the name of heroism is Turkiye,” he added.
Despite the darkness of the night, the Consul General highlighted the unity and strength that followed:
“The people of Turkiye, regardless of political affiliation, came together to defend our democratic institutions. Our unity and determination in the face of such adversity were nothing short of inspirational.”
“Therefore, the name of courage and faith is Turkiye,” he said.
Sangu informed the audience that the government of Turkiye took swift action after the coup: “Thousands of arrests were made, and a thorough investigation was launched to bring those responsible to justice… because the name of independence is Turkiye.”
He also warned of the lingering danger posed by the network: “We must remain vigilant.These dark, self-interested and corrupt elements pose a danger to all societies abroad that have ties to Turkiye… since the name of freedom is Turkiye.”
The Consul General called for lasting unity and solidarity, saying:
“The events of July 15th taught us that our greatest strength lies in our ability to come together in times of crisis… That’s why the name of solidarity is Turkiye.”
In conclusion, he declared: “The July 15th coup attempt was a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy… But it also highlighted the resilience and courage of the Turkish people. The name of victory is Turkiye.”
He also paid tribute to the martyrs of July 15 and the founder of the Republic of Turkiye, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

5 drug suppliers netted with over 9 kg charas

By
Ali Ali
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RAWALPINDI, Jul 15 (APP):The Rawalpindi Police continued an effective crackdown against drug suppliers netting five accused with more than nine kilograms of charas from different areas on Tuesday.
According to a police spokesman, the Waris Khan Police nabbed two suspects recovering 3.57 kg of the contraband item from them.
Similarly, the R A Bazaar Police also captured an accused with 2.4 kg charas.
Likewise, the Mandra and Chaklala Police also arrested one accused each on the recovery of 1.632 kg and 1.6 kg charas respectively from their possession.
Appreciating the police for continuing anti-drugs operation without any letup, City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani said all steps were being taken to eradicate the scourge of drugs from the Rawalpindi district as per the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Gilani unveils three-member chairpersons panel for Senate proceedings

By
Ali Ali
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 15 (APP):Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday announced a three-member panel of chairpersons tasked with presiding over the House in the absence of both the chairman and the deputy chairman.
The nominated senators—Irfan ul Haq Siddiqui, Shahadat Awan, and Samina Mumtaz Zehri—will now hold the reins of Senate proceedings when required, reinforcing parliamentary continuity and leadership.

PRCS organizes safety awareness seminar for journalists in DI Khan

By
Ali Ali
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DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Jul 15 (APP):The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Dera organized an awareness seminar for local journalists on “Risk Awareness and Safer Behaviour,” aimed at equipping media professionals with vital knowledge on responding to emergencies and potential hazards.
The session was attended by a large number of journalists and featured detailed presentations by PRCS District Secretary Malik Arshad Elahi Dyal, Provincial Project Coordinator Zubair Samad, Atta-ur-Rehman, and Muhammad Arsalan.
The speakers briefed participants on how to stay safe during natural disasters, identify explosive materials and suspicious objects, and respond effectively to various risks.
They emphasized the critical role of responsible behavior and timely reporting in saving lives and highlighted the increasing danger posed by explosive remnants carried by recent floodwaters from areas like Waziristan and Tank into Dera Ismail Khan. The speakers noted that children are particularly vulnerable to these threats.
The PRCS representatives also underscored the organization’s broader mission, stating that beyond emergency relief efforts, the Red Crescent is committed to public education through training sessions and awareness campaigns.
They urged upon the journalists to use their platforms and social media reach to promote public safety and report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.
The seminar also included a briefing on the history and guiding principles of the Red Crescent. The participants appreciated the PRCS’s contributions and praised the initiative for enhancing journalistic capacity in promoting community welfare.

PSX turns bearish, loses 562 points

By
Kamran Muraad
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PSX
ISLAMABAD, Jul 15 (APP):The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index turned around to bearish trend on Tuesday, losing 562.67 points, a negative change of 0.41 percent, closing at 135,939.87 points against 136,502.54 points last trading day.
A total of 879,118,158 shares were traded during the day as compared to 841,456,115 shares the previous trading day, whereas the price of shares stood at Rs 38.608 billion against Rs 37.051 billion on the last trading day.
As many as 478 companies transacted their shares in the stock market, 110 of them recorded gains and 345 sustained losses, whereas the share price of 23 companies remained unchanged.
The three top trading companies were Bank of Punjab with 61,318,327 shares at Rs 13.13 per share, K-Electric Limited with 56,728,152  shares at Rs5.27 per share and Trust Modaraba with 44,591,951 shares at Rs 7.72 per share.
PIA Holding Company LimitedB witnessed a maximum increase of Rs 2,876.82 per share price, closing at Rs 31,645.05, whereas the runner-up was Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited with Rs 460.68 rise in its per share price to Rs 23,796.18.
Hoechst Pakistan Limited witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs106.27 per share closing at Rs 3,145.00 followed by Atlas Honda Limited with Rs46.47 decline in its share price to close at Rs1,095.57.

DPM meets Iranian counterpart at SCO Summit; reaffirms solidarity with Iran amid regional tensions

By
Ali Ali
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 15 (APP):Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM), Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, on Tuesday held a bilateral meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Tianjin, China.
During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the state of bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Iran across various sectors and exchanged views on the evolving regional situation in the wake of recent Israeli aggression against Iran, a DPM’s Office news release said.
Senator Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the people and Government of Iran and underscored Pakistan’s principled commitment to regional peace and stability. He emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy must remain the only viable path toward de-escalation and achieving lasting peace in the region.

D-Chowk sees high turnout in emission testing drive

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jul 15 (APP): The Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA) has expanded its vehicle emission testing initiative across the federal capital, urging citizens to ensure their cars meet environmental standards.
The campaign aims to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality by enforcing mandatory inspections and maintenance.
According to the spokesman of ICT administration here, the Islamabad Transport Authority is actively conducting vehicle inspections under its Vehicle Emission Testing System. A dedicated inspection camp was recently set up at D-Chowk, where a large number of citizens brought their vehicles for testing.
According to ITA Chairman Irfan Memon, the inspection drive began with vehicles belonging to government departments. In the next phase, the initiative was extended to include private vehicles owned by citizens. He noted that participation from the public has been encouraging, with many residents acknowledging the importance of checking vehicle emissions to protect the environment.
Vehicles that pass the emission test at the camp are issued clearance stickers. These stickers indicate that the vehicle meets the required environmental standards.
Irfan Memon emphasized that this step is necessary to control pollution levels in the city, and it is being executed with the help of advanced machinery.
“The inspection process is not limited to one area. We plan to expand it throughout the city using modern equipment,” Irfan Memon stated. He urged all vehicle owners to voluntarily present their cars for inspection.
He further warned that vehicles failing the inspection or not maintained properly after testing will face strict action. The ITA will conduct joint operations with Islamabad Traffic Police to take action against vehicles without clearance stickers.
“This is a collective effort to improve the city’s air quality and ensure that only compliant vehicles remain on the roads,” Irfan Memon added.
The Islamabad Transport Authority’s initiative is part of broader efforts to address increasing environmental concerns, especially rising pollution from unregulated vehicle emissions. The campaign reflects the city’s commitment to sustainable urban living and public health protection.

SECP makes public “Women EquiSmart Policy 2025–2028” for Consultation

By
Ali Ali
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0
SECP
ISLAMABAD, Jul 15 (APP):The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has issued the Draft Women EquiSmart Policy 2025–2028, its first comprehensive gender equality framework for regulated sectors, including capital markets, insurance, non-banking finance, and the corporate sector.
The framework is now available on the SECP’s website for public consultation, said a press release issued by the SECP on Tuesday.
The draft framework reflects the SECP’s strategic shift from fragmented diversity efforts to a structured, cohesive regulatory approach to gender inclusion, aligned with national priorities and global frameworks.
Built around six core pillars—women’s leadership on boards, gender-disaggregated reporting, women’s entrepreneurship, gender-smart products, workplace inclusivity, and institutional capacity building—the policy outlines current practices, identifies existing gaps and provides actionable recommendations supported by timelines and key stakeholders.
The SECP invites feedback from all stakeholders on the policy recommendations and action plan.
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