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Governor Kundi expresses grief over demise of Manzoor Wattoo

By
Kamran Muraad
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PESHAWAR, Dec 16 (APP):Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Tuesday expressed profound sorrow over the passing of former Punjab Chief Minister Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo.
In his condolence message, the Governor said that the late Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo was a sincere, capable and principled individual who upheld high moral values throughout his public life. He added that Manzoor Wattoo’s demise has created a void that will be difficult to fill.
The Governor prayed that the Almighty grant the departed soul a high place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and bestow patience and strength upon the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
Meanwhile, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has strongly condemned the attack on a polio vaccination team in the Tangi area of Bajaur district.
He expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of a police official and a passerby in the incident and offered heartfelt condolences to their families.
Terming the attack on polio workers as a highly condemnable and shameful act, the Governor said that those who target polio teams are enemies of the safe and secure future of the nation’s children.
He emphasized that attacking teams deployed on polio duty is an inhuman act and prayed for eternal peace for the martyrs and patience for the bereaved families.

Pakistan books semifinal spot in ACC U19 Asia Cup

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP):Pakistan U19 confirmed their place in the semifinals of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup with a comprehensive 70-run win over UAE U19 in the Group ‘A’ match at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai, on Tuesday.
According to details, after opting to bat first, Pakistan posted 241 for nine in their allotted 50 overs, built around a solid half-century from Ahmed Hussain and valuable contributions from Sameer Minhas and wicketkeeper-batter Hamza Zahoor.
Pakistan lost early wickets, but Sameer steadied the innings with a composed 44 off 63 balls, striking five boundaries. Ahmed anchored the middle order with 65 off 91 balls, which included four fours ensuring Pakistan had a strong platform. Hamza provided impetus in the latter stages with a brisk 42 from 51 balls, hitting four boundaries.
For UAE, Yug Sharma was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Naseem Khan bagged two wickets.
In turn, UAE were dismissed for 171 in 37.5 overs despite half-century by Ayaan Misbah, who top-scored with 77 off 74 balls, including 12 fours.
Right-arm pacer Abdul Subhan led the bowling attack, clinching four wickets for 31 runs. He now has seven scalps from two matches in the tournament. Right-arm leg-spinner Ahmed, Mohammad Sayyam and Momin Qamar picked up a wicket each. Pakistan’s sharp fielding resulted in three run-outs, ensured UAE never recovered after losing regular wickets. Player of the match was Abdul Subhan (Pakistan U19).
Today’s win secured Pakistan U19 a place in the semi-finals of the tournament after winning two of their group matches. They will face the top side of Group ‘B’ on Friday, December 19. The final of the tournament will be played on Sunday, December 21.
Scores in brief: Pakistan 241-9, 50 overs (Ahmed Hussain 65, Sameer Minhas 44, Hamza Zahoor 42; Yug Sharma 3-52, Naseem Khan 2-27).
UAE 171 all out, 37.5 overs (Ayaan Misbah 77, Prithvi Madhu 27; Abdul Subhan 4-31).

WASA to conduct digital desilting of sewer lines during winter

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
FAISALABAD, Dec 16 (APP):Water and Sanitation Agency, Managing Director Saqib Raza has said that WASA will conduct digital desilting of sewer lines during winter for the first time in city history, for which necessary instructions have been issued.
In this regard, he said that desilting of sewer lines stopped due to cold and fog during the three months from December to February, due to which sewage overflowed in some areas. However, in the current season, WASA has decided to conduct desilting of the sewer lines with digital machines for the first time.
He further said that currently, the de-silting in narrow sewer lines of different areas is underway with four machines, while by the end of current month, four more machines will reach Faisalabad.
He clarified that WASA is utilizing all resources to provide relief to the citizens in drainage problems.

PU VC stresses peace and harmony at Christmas ceremony

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
LAHORE, Dec 16 (APP): Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali has emphasized the importance of sharing each other’s joys and sorrows for peace and security in Pakistan.
He was speaking at a Christmas cake-cutting ceremony organized by the Punjab University Administrative and Technical Staff Association and Christian employees at Faisal Auditorium, here on Tuesday.
The event was attended by Principal Kinnaird College Prof Dr Iram Anjum, Registrar Dr Ahmad Islam, Senior Pastor Anwar Fazal, President Employees Association Chaudhry Basharat Mahmood, and a large number of university staff.
Addressing the gathering, Prof Dr Muhammad Ali extended Christmas and New Year greetings to Christian employees and appreciated their services to the country. He said that people of all religions in Pakistan enjoy equal rights and reaffirmed the university’s support for the Christian community during the festival. He also commended Chaudhry Basharat Mahmood and his team for organizing the event.
Prof Dr Iram Anjum described Prof Muhammad Ali as a blessing for the university and highlighted the importance of fulfilling responsibilities with dedication. Senior Pastor Anwar Fazal urged attendees to follow the message of love, peace, and brotherhood of Hazrat Eesa (A.S) to foster unity and counter exploitation in society.
Chaudhry Basharat Mahmood congratulated the Vice Chancellor and thanked him for his cooperation in making the ceremony a success. The event concluded with Prof Dr Muhammad Ali and other officials cutting the Christmas cake.

Commissioner reviews progress on Suthra Punjab Mission

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
LAHORE, Dec 16 (APP):Commissioner Lahore Division Marryam Khan on Tuesday conducted a field visit to Sheikhupura city and its various tehsils to review the implementation of the Suthra Punjab Mission and assess sanitation operations.
The visit included inspections of drains, streets, and neighborhoods to ensure continuity and quality of cleaning services.
During the visit, Director General Suthra Punjab Authority Babar Saheb Din provided an on-spot briefing on field staff, machinery resources, and ongoing operations.
Commissioner Marryam Khan also personally reviewed the de-silting operations of drains in Jevanpura and Rehmanpura. She further inspected the construction quality of the under-construction Special Education building in Ferozewala.
The commissioner emphasized that cleaning operations should be carried out daily without disruption and drains should be de-silted regularly as per schedule. She instructed that effective coordination between WASA and district WMCs was essential to maintain consistent sanitation standards.
At Chhatriwala Chowk, Deputy Commissioner Sheikhupura briefed Commissioner Lahore on the ongoing beautification plan. Marryam Khan noted that washing roads with water after cleaning prevents dust from contributing to smog and reiterated that the Suthra Punjab Mission ensures uniform sanitation standards in both urban and rural areas. She said strict implementation of Chief Minister Punjab’s directives is establishing a citizen-centric benchmark for cleanliness across the province.

ATC discharges four PTI workers in October 5 protest case

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
LAHORE, Dec 16 (APP):An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday discharged four Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers in a case related to the October 5 protest and alleged violence against police.
The accused — Muhammad Nihal, Zeeshan Siddiqui, Ghulam Mustafa, and Muhammad Majeed — were produced before ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill on completion of their 7-day physical remand.
The prosecution sought further physical remand to complete the investigation.
However, the defence counsel opposed the request and stated that his clients were falsely implicated in the case. He pleaded with the court to discharge his clients.
At this,  the court inquired about recoveries made from the accused during the physical remand.
The investigating officer informed the court that no recoveries had been made so far.
Upon this, the court rejected the prosecution’s request for additional physical remand and ordered the discharge of the accused from the case.
Shafiqabad police had registered a case against the PTI workers and leaders on charges of violence and arson during the protest held on October 5.

IHC reserves verdict regarding CDA operation in Muslim Colony

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
IHC
ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday reserved its verdict on an application seeking to withdraw stay order against CDA’s operation in Muslim Colony, a slum area, in capital.
Justice Raja Inaam Amin Minhas, hearing the case, remarked that it is inappropriate to operate a bulldozer without giving notice. Legal requirements should have been fulfilled for this, he remarked.
The petitioner’s lawyer argued that despite the court stay order, the operation was continued ruthlessly. He said that people are committing suicide, a lady constable also attempted suicide, he contended.
He said that there is a population of more than thirty thousand and more than three thousand houses.
CDA’s lawyer said that a similar case has already been decided by a single-member bench.
The facts were hidden from the court, he said.

ECP suspends NA-251 re-polling after SC order

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP):The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has suspended the December 18 re-poll in 22 polling stations of NA-251 (Sherani-cum-Zhob-cum-Killa Saifullah) following directives from the Supreme Court.
In a notification issued Tuesday, the ECP stated the suspension was made “pursuant to the orders passed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.” The directive came after a hearing on December 15, 2025, in two connected civil appeals: Khushal Khan Kakar vs. ECP and Sami Ullah vs. ECP and others.
As a result, the commission’s earlier notification dated December 4, 2025, regarding the conduct of the re-poll has been set aside.
The ECP clarified that the suspension will remain in place until the Supreme Court delivers its final verdict.

IHC orders authority to decide Afghan national’s POR case

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday instructed the Ministry of SAFRON to decide the case of an Afghan national within one month regarding the POR card.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, hearing the case, remarked that the civil court cannot order to grant citizenship as it is the discretion of the government.
He noted that the issue in this case is that the applicant is an Afghan refugee and he has just come to know that his parents are Pakistani.
The applicant will have to cancel his POR card and then apply for citizenship, he remarked.
The court ordered SAFRON Ministry to decide on petitioner’s application for cancellation of POR card within one month.
The court restrained relevant agencies from deporting petitioner to Afghanistan till SAFRON Ministry’s decision into the matter.
The petitioner’s lawyer argued that Peshawar High Court has decided that NADRA has to decide on POR card.
Justice Kayani asked the applicant that if the writ should be converted into petition. You are sitting in the wrong vehicle, he remarked.
The applicant, earlier said that, I have applied to the Ministry of SAFRON and NADRA for cancellation of POR card but it is not decided yet.
The court ordered the Ministry of SAFRON to decide on the applicant’s application for cancellation of POR card within a month and adjourned hearing.

PAC-II reviews emergency services department audit paras, directs priority recoveries

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
LAHORE, Dec 16 (APP): A meeting of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) II was held at the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday under the chairmanship of MPA Syed Ali Haider Gillani (H.I).
Officers from the Assembly Secretariat and other departments concerned attended the session.
The Committee reviewed audit paras relating to the accounts of the Emergency Services Department. Major issues discussed included irregular procurement of miscellaneous items on a cash basis amounting to Rs. 23.589 million, misclassification of expenditures of Rs. 2.934 million, non-deduction of taxes totaling Rs. 1.451 million, and failure to prepare bid evaluation reports in medicine procurement involving Rs. 22.41 million.
Other concerns included irregular expenditure on vehicle repairs amounting to Rs. 17.222 million, misprocurement in printing and publication expenses of Rs. 5.709 million, and non-auction of unserviceable stock, which led to wastage of government resources.
The Committee appreciated the recoveries already made and directed that the remaining recoveries be ensured on a priority basis. It emphasized strict follow-up to prevent further misuse of public funds and ensure accountability in departmental expenditures.
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