SIALKOT
Former Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif is addressing to the participants of Workers Convention at PML-N House at Paris Road
SIALKOT
Motorists asked to drive carefully during fog to avoid accidents
RAWALPINDI, Jan 21 (APP):City Traffic Police (CTP) Rawalpindi have urged motorists to use fog lights while driving at night due to smog/fog and to drive carefully.
According to a CTP spokesman, City Police Officer, Rawalpindi Taimoor Khan had requested the citizens to drive carefully and refrain from crossing the permitted speed limits while travelling on highways and motorways, and in open areas which were engulfed by thick smog/fog.
While giving road safety tips to motorists, he informed that road users should try to travel in daylight and avoid travelling at night. He assured that all available resources were being utilised to provide safe and sound passage to road users in foggy/smoggy weather.
The road users, especially motorcyclists, were suffering from eye infections and other health complications due to the smog, he said and underlined the need for the citizens to adopt precautionary measures and follow the traffic rules.
He further informed that CTP Rawalpindi on the directives of Additional Inspector General of Traffic (AIGT) Punjab had geared up their ongoing operation against public service vehicles plying without fitness certificates and without route permits.
CTP Spokesman said that the CTO had also visited different areas and reviewed the ongoing crackdown under the supervision of circle officers and gave strict instructions to all the officers and field staff to take action against unfit vehicles.
The spokesman informed that CTP Rawalpindi had issued 3033 challan slips to unfit and without route permit public service vehicles during current month, while fines were also imposed on the rules violators.
In view of the safety of the motorcyclists, 2116 challan tickets were also issued to those not wearing safety helmets. A large number of citizens were briefed about the importance of helmets, he added.
389 smoke-emitting vehicles were also issued challan tickets during January and 17 vehicles were impounded in the respective police stations and their fitness certificates were also sent to the authorities concerned for suspension, he added.
Caretaker Minister Dr Malik meets MD IFW Expo in Berlin
ISLAMABAD, Jan 21 (APP): Caretaker Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Dr. Kauser Abdullah Malik met Managing Director, IFW Expo & Management of DLG International Stefan Kresse, on sidelines of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) held in Berlin, Germany.
They discussed issues related to the usage of modern technology in agriculture, Pakistan Embassy in Germany posted on X on Sunday.
https://x.com/PakinGermany_/status/1749010667342798962?s=20
Agri dept seeks applications for wheat demonstration plots
MULTAN, Jan 21 (APP):The agriculture (extension) department in Dunyapur has sought applications from farmers for demonstration plots of wheat crops to participate in the competition by January 31.
Talking to APP on Sunday, Assistant Director of Agriculture Chaudhry Shahid Iqbal said that interested farmers have been asked to submit their applications with the department before the deadline. He said that the field staff has been directed to finalize plots of five acres each from every union council.
Shahid maintained that after the scrutiny of the plots, the top three farmers would be selected to contest the competition, adding that prize money of about Rs 150,000 would be awarded to the winner.
In response to a question about the availability of urea fertilizer, AD Agriculture said that fertilizer was being distributed equally among all districts of the province. He said that the crop needs Urea until 65 to 70 days of wheat cultivation, adding that the department was striving hard to ensure the availability of fertilizer to farmers at controlled rates by keeping in mind the importance of the fertilizer at the current stage of the crop.
Shahid further said that different initiatives were being taken by the department to create awareness among the masses about preventive measures for increasing crop production. He said that mega gatherings were being organized twice a year at the district level while seminars were being organized from village to village by the Tehsil office repeatedly.
Responding to a question about smog preventive measures, he said that strict action was being taken against violators of smog preventive measures. He said that the agriculture office has registered FIRs against 30 farmers, while a fine of over Rs 1.5 million has also been imposed on violators for burning crop residues during the crackdown.
He added that different initiatives were being taken by the department to promote oil seed crops, and for this purpose, different benefits were also being offered to farmers.
4515 liter illegal fuel recovered in DI Khan
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Jan 21 (APP): The district police have recovered 4515 liters of fuel on Sunday during the ongoing crackdown against illegal fuel agencies across the district, said a police spokesman.
He said that a crackdown was launched against illegal fuel agencies across the district following the directions of District Police Officer (DPO) Abdul Rauf Babar Qaisrani.
During different operations conducted in this regard, the police recovered 4380 liters of illegal Diesel and 135 liters of Petrol.
The police have registered cases against eight persons involved in the business of illegal fuel. Besides, the police also recovered one plastic tank and 66 plastic canes.
The DPO said that indiscriminate legal actions would be continued against the business of illegal fuel across the district.
‘Friends’ turn out to be killers
SIALKOT, Jan 21 (APP): The blind murder of a 15-year-old youth was solved and the killers turned out to be two “friends.”
According to police, 15-year-old Sameer had been abducted by suspects and arrested in the Shatab Garha area of Uguki police station a few days ago.
As soon as the case was registered, under the leadership of DSP Saddar Circle Sabir Hussain Chattha, SHO Ugoki polce station Inspector Asghar Ali reached the spot along with a team and started collecting evidence.
Police arrested Shah Noor and Hanan of Shatab Garha. When they were interrogated, they said they had killed Sameer after molesting him and dumped his dead body in the fields. The police recovered the body and handed it over to the family after the postmortem.
DPO Sialkot Mohammad Hasan Iqbal has announced certificates of appreciation and cash for the police team for tracing the blind murder and arresting the two killers.
Fog paralyzes Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Disrupts flights, trains daily life
ISLAMABAD, Jan 21 (APP):Dense fog brought Rawalpindi and Islamabad to a standstill on Sunday, causing chaos in the twin cities. Early morning flights, trains, and road transportation faced disruptions as visibility dropped to a mere 50 meters in some areas.
The adverse weather conditions are expected to persist, affecting daily life and raising concerns about the well-being of residents. The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad experienced a crippling fog on Sunday, severely impacting routine activities. Early morning flights, both domestic and international, faced delays and disruptions, as did rail services and vehicular movement on city roads and motorways. The visibility dropped to a challenging 50 meters in various areas during the early morning hours, gradually improving later in the day.
The Islamabad International Airport was enveloped in fog by 11 pm on Saturday, causing further complications for air travel. The Meteorological Department official highlighted the current cold wave, predicting its grip on the Potohar region, northern areas, Central Punjab, and the entire country on Sunday. Despite a gradual improvement expected by the end of the next week, the official warned of continued cold, dry, and foggy conditions across Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Meteorological Department official stated that there are no immediate signs of rain in the coming days, with a possibility of rainfall in the twin cities only after January 28. The minimum temperature in Rawalpindi and Islamabad was recorded at a chilly 2 degrees Celsius. The recent cold wave, combined with the persistent fog, has exacerbated living conditions, with power load shedding and low gas pressure adding to the difficulties.
The harsh weather has led to an increase in cold-related ailments, especially among the elderly and children. Hospitals are witnessing over 200 patients daily with complaints related to extreme cold conditions. Doctors are advising people to stay warm, cover their heads and ears, and increase liquid intake, particularly soups, to minimize the effects of the dry cold.
The adverse weather conditions have not only impacted health but also affected businesses. The traders’ community in Rawalpindi’s Commercial Market area has reported a decrease in customers, leading to low business for many days. The shopkeepers are compelled to close their shops after Maghrib prayers due to the decline in evening market visits. This situation has added to the financial crunch already faced by the business community in the country.
Transportation has taken a significant hit, with the thick blanket of early-morning fog causing delays in trains arriving from Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, and Lahore. The flight operations of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other airlines were also affected, resulting in diversions, delays, and cancellations.
Moreover, the flights from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, and Al-Qasim were diverted to Lahore due to unsafe visibility conditions in Islamabad, with the PIA announcing a change in flight schedules for Sunday and Monday.
Despite the inconveniences, flight operations at Islamabad International Airport resumed their regular schedule in the evening after an improvement in weather conditions.
The PIA management urged passengers to cooperate, acknowledging the steps taken to minimize inconvenience during the persistent fog. The situation highlights the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions to both daily life and transportation systems in the twin cities.
National Women Lacrosse Championship continue in Abbottabad in full swing
ABBOTTABAD, Jan 21 (APP)::The First National Women’s Lacrosse Championship and International Official Coaching Course was launched with great fanfare at Kunj Stadium in Abbottabad, which includes four days of coaching and training for young players part of the Games from all four provinces including Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Executive Director Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union Chris Jinno graced the occasion, who specially came from Japan to see the first-ever National Women Lacrosse Championship in the hilly resort of Abbottabad. Before the start of the matches, the players were introduced to him. President KP Lacrosse Association Ijaz Daudzai, Secretary KP Lacrosse Association Tafoor Zareen, District Sports Officer Nouman Tanoli, players and officials were also present.
On the second day, more matches are being played in the Championship wherein strong Balochistan, a team having more players from the Hazara Community, defeated Islamabad by 2-0. Nazia and Sabreen scored one goal each from Balochistan while Aiman slammed in a beautiful goal from the top of the Circle Area for Islamabad.
In the second match, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Red team defeated strong Punjab by a close margin 3-2. Both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab played well and raided each other territories with some fine moves Pari, Ruba and Subhana scored one goal each for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while for Punjab Zakira and Irum reduced the margin.
In the third match, Balochistan defeated Sindh by 2-0. Nadia and Nosheen scored one goal each, while the Sindh team could not score any goals despite making some good attacking moves. On this occasion, Tafoor Zareen said that this event will be an important signal for the promotion of lacrosse across the country and this game will be promoted in the country. More matches will be held on Sunday in a style that will be introduced across the surface.
Pakistan Lacrosse Federation and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lacrosse Association organized a lacrosse coaching and referees course at Kunj Football Stadium in which Asian Pacific Lacrosse Union Executive Director Chris Jinno gave special training to the players and officials.
On the occasion of the lecture, he said that there is no lacrosse game in Pakistan, but Pakistan holds an important position in the world of sports and this is the reason why the World Lacrosse Federation has given him a task and responsibility to introduce this game not only in Pakistan but in every province and every nook and corner so that young players should come forward and play Lacrosse, a 1000-year-old American Game.
He said, “We will take all measures to promote it. Equipment for this game is not available in Pakistan, so I have brought 20/20 sticks for men and women so that the players can be exposed to this game in a modern way.
He further said that the Pakistan Lacrosse Federation and KP Lacrosse Association have taken important steps very early which will surely give the sport a key status soon but also help to bring forward its players. He also thanked the Pakistan Sports Board, the President Pakistan Lacrosse Federation, District Administration Hazara, and the government of KP for making this thing a reality and now players are playing Lacrosse very enthusiastically in the hilly resort of Abbottabad.
He also thanked the government and the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for providing full support for the promotion of this sport in Pakistan. Ghris Jinno also assured all-out support from the World Lacrosse Federation and World Lacrosse Community around the world, because Pakistan is a very important country in the world of Sports.
Candidates seek large tribes support for general elections in Peshawar
PESHAWAR, Jan 21 (APP):The candidates of different political parties and independent heavyweights started approaching strong baradaries (tribes) to get their support to win general elections in 2024 as Peshawar witnessed a tough electoral contest on 5 NA, and 14 PK seats.
Besides veteran politicians and independent candidates, the political stalwarts sought the support of different tribes including Wazir, Mehsud, Khattak, Khalil, Shalmani, Afridi, Mohmand and Safi tribes to national and provincial assemblies seats in their respective areas.
ANP leader, Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, who is contesting election for a record 11 times from Peshawar’s NA-32 ( previously called NA-1) has also started contacting influential tribes and baradaries to get an edge over rival candidates.
Bilour, who had won the election against Benazir Bhutto Shaheed in 1990, is being challenged by Independent candidate Asif Khan, a PTI nominee.
Abidullah Yousafzai of PPP, Hussain Madani of JUIF, Sher Rehman of PMLN and Tariq Mateen of Jumat-e-Islami are also flexing muscles on NA-32 Peshawar.
In the 2018 general election, Shaukat Ali of PTI was elected MNA after defeating Ghulam Bilour. Former prime minister Imran Khan also won the seat in the by-election in 2022 while Bilour was the runner-up.
Political observers said that a tough electoral battle is expected between Ghulam Bilour and independent candidate Asif Khan after former MNA Shoukat Ali quited PTI.
As the February 8, 2024 election is approaching, the candidates contesting against 5 national assembly and 13 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly seats have accelerated the election campaign and addressed rallies and corner meetings on Sunday.
In the 2018 general election, the politically fertile Peshawar had 14 representatives in the KP Assembly, however, it lost one seat in the wake of fresh delimitation in the 2024 election.
The candidates of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had won all the five NA seats from Peshawar in the 2018 election. However, three of them are no longer part of the party. The PTI nominees are contesting the polls as independent candidates after it lost its iconic electoral symbol ‘bat’.
Former speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Kiramatullah Chagharmati of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is contesting against former MNA Noor Alam Khan of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) and ex-MNA Sajid Nawaz of PTI as independent candidate on NA 28 Peshawar-1 in 2024 election.
Former provincial minister Hafiz Hashmat of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Muhammad Fayyaz Khan of Awami National Party (ANP) are also in the run for NA-28.
Former MNA Arbab Amir Ayub who won the 2018 election on the PTI ticket is again candidate of the PTI as an independent candidate while other frontrunners included former MPA Saqibullah Chamkani of ANP, Akhundzada Irfanullah Shah of JUIF, Malik Amjad Awan of PPP and Ghulam Muhiyuddin of Jumat e Islami on NA 29 Peshawar-11.
In NA-30 Peshawar, former PTI MNA Shandana Gulzar is contesting against Nasir Musazai of JUIF, Arbab Zain Umar of ANP, Raees Khan of PMLN, Kashif Azam of JI and Misbahuddin of PPP.
Nasir Musazai won the polls from the area in 2018 as the candidate of PTI but he joined the JUIF last year. Shandana was elected MNA on a reserved seat for women in 2018.
Similarly on NA-31 Peshawar, former MNA Arbab Sher Ali of PTI is contesting against former federal minister Arbab Alamgir of PPP, Pir Haroon Shah of ANP, Muhammad Saeed Jan of JUIF, Sobia Shahid of PMLN and Imdad Khalil of JI.
Arbab Sher Ali was elected MNA from this constituency in the 2018 general election as a PTI contender. Arbab Alamgir also remained MNA from this constituency in 2008; both were trying to get support from strong baradaries.
Besides billboards and panaflexes, the candidates have also installed posters and banners on all roads, squares, bazaars and streets to attract voters’ attention. Mashallah Jehangi, a hub of printing and advertising businesses in Peshawar attracted roaring business courtesy of the 2024 General Election.
The printers hired extra labourers to meet the pressing demands of the candidates. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI Parliamentarians has emerged as a new political party with leaders like veteran politicians and former Chief Ministers Pervez Khattak and Mahmood Khan who can surprise many on the polling day especially in Nowshera and Swat being their native districts.
One held for killing police constable
MULTAN, Jan 21 (APP):Police have arrested an accused for killing police constable over some issues about two weeks ago in premises of Qadarpur Raan police station here on Sunday.
According to police sources, Constable Sajid Pervez s/o Muhammad Ashfaq resident of Muhallah Jindwah Qadarpur Raan was present in marriage ceremony of his cousin when accused Muhammad Waseem s/o Muhammad Basheer entered the marriage hall with a weapon in his hand. He opened fires at Sajid Pervez, killed him on the spot and himself managed to escape from the scene.
The police team reached the spot and started the investigations into the incident while a case number 26/24 under section 302 was registered against the accused.
Taking notice of the incident, City Police Officer (CPO) Sadiq Ali formed a special team under the supervision of SP Gulgasht Division Ayaz Hussain to arrest the criminal. The police team arrested the accused Waseem and recovered weapon from his possession, however, the accused confessed that he killed Sajid Pervez for informing the police about his involvement in drug peddling. Further investigations were underway from the accused, police sources added.