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Cybersecurity awareness seminar held at Agriculture University

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
Dera Ismail Khan , Dec 19 (APP): On the special instructions of Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture, Dera Ismail Khan, Professor Dr. Shakeeb Ullah, a cybersecurity awareness seminar was successfully organized for faculty members and administrative officers at the university.
The seminar, held at the university’s conference hall, was attended by a large number of faculty members, administrative staff and officers. The objective of the session was to enhance awareness about emerging digital threats and to highlight the importance of adopting safe and responsible online practices in the modern digital environment.
During the seminar, speakers shed light on contemporary cybersecurity requirements, online risks, data protection measures and ways to safeguard sensitive information. They emphasized that in the present digital age, awareness of cybersecurity principles has become essential for every individual to protect institutional as well as personal data from potential cyber threats.
Participants termed the seminar informative and timely and expressed the need for organizing more such training and awareness programs in the future so that university staff and officers could remain well-informed about cyber risks.
At the conclusion of the seminar, the university administration thanked the participants and reaffirmed its commitment to launching regular training initiatives aimed at strengthening digital security awareness across the university.

Greyhound race starts at UAF

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
FAISALABAD, Dec 19 (APP):A three-day greyhound race began at the tent pegging Ground of University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).
Directorate of Farms UAF; Qaiser Saleem Bukhari Group and Gill Group jointly organized the championship in which more than 80 greyhounds from all over the country are participating in the championship.
Director Farm Dr. Muhammad Aslam, Dr. Haroon Zaman, Rana Javed Sarwar, Chaudhary Nawazish Chattha and others inaugurated.
Dr. Muhammad Aslam said that such competitions not only provide entertainment opportunities but also strengthen ties between farmers and agricultural experts.
Dr. Haroon Zaman said that today’s man is suffering from various issues and such competitions give them opportunity to get refuge from monotonous routine.

Ahsan Iqbal urges results-oriented reporting on constitutional principles

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, on Friday stressed that ministries’ annual reports should go beyond formalities and focus on measurable, real results.
Speaking at a national workshop on the Principles of Policy, organized by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, the minister pointed out that ministries usually submit standard reports without any system to check real outcomes.
The government plans to create a transparent and effective national framework to ensure these constitutional principles are properly applied, he said.
He said that annual reporting on the constitution’s principles of policy should move from being a routine task to a process that shows clear results and benefits for the public, adding turning these principles into concrete actions was urgently needed.
He noted that while creating the constitution was an important milestone, putting it into practice is equally important. The constitution provides the direction for the state, but a clear plan for implementing the ‘principles of policy’ is still missing.
The minister emphasized that the goals of these principles should match development priorities and governance results. He added that the true measure of reporting is the impact it has on people’s lives, not just how the report looks.
He highlighted that even after 52 years, there is still no complete system to implement the principles of policy, making a clear action plan necessary.
He further said that with guidance from stakeholders, each principle of policy will be turned into a clear action plan. The government aims for a national framework that is transparent, result-oriented, and accountable, promoting inclusive development and equal opportunities.

FCCP says jurisdiction must be determined before hearing any case

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP):The Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan (FCCP) has ruled that determining jurisdiction was a fundamental precondition for hearing any case, warning that any order passed without proper constitutional authority has no legal effect.
In a detailed judgment approved for reporting, a two-member bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Rozi Khan Bareech decided Civil Petition No. 2202 of 2025, filed against a May 5, 2025 order of the Sindh High Court.
The case arose after petitioner Khalid Mahmood disclosed ownership of an offshore company, Red Castle, under the 2018 amnesty scheme, but was later issued a notice under Section 109-A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. He challenged the notice before the Sindh High Court, which granted interim relief on December 20, 2023, restraining the tax authorities from taking final action.
Following the creation of constitutional benches after the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the Sindh High Court’s constitutional bench withdrew the interim order on May 5, 2025, prompting the petitioner to approach the Federal Constitutional Court.
The court held that jurisdiction must be conclusively determined before a case is heard, and that even interim orders can only be passed by a bench competent to decide the main matter. Any order issued by a bench lacking jurisdiction, it said, would be without lawful authority.
Clarifying the scope of powers, the court observed that prior to the 27th Constitutional Amendment, constitutional benches under Article 202-A had limited jurisdiction and were not empowered to exercise all writ powers. Upholding the Sindh High Court’s “dominant object” theory, the court said jurisdiction depends on the principal relief sought in a petition.
It noted that matters seeking mandamus or prohibition fall within the jurisdiction of constitutional benches, while petitions for certiorari, habeas corpus or quo warranto are to be heard by regular benches. The court indicated that the issue of jurisdiction in the present case required serious consideration and may warrant remand for fresh hearing.

SBP injects Rs 12.43 trillion in the market

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
KARACHI, Dec 19 (APP):The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), on Friday, injected Rs 12,427.35 billion through Reverse Repo Purchase and Shariah Compliant Mudarabah-based Open Market Operations (OMO) to maintain liquidity in the market.
The central bank conducted the Open Market Operation, Reverse Repo Purchase (Injection) for 7 and 14-day tenors on December 19, 2025, and injected Rs 12,346.35 billion against 32 bids, while the remaining Rs 81 billion were inserted separately through Shariah Compliant Mudarabah-based OMO.
The central bank, for the Reverse Repo Purchase of 7-day tenor, received 13 bids cumulatively offering Rs 1,540.2 billion at a rate of return ranging between 10.49 to 10.58%. The SBP accepted Rs 1,270.2 billion against 12 quotes at a 10.51% rate of return.
Moreover, the SBP also received 20 quotes for the 14-day tenor, cumulatively offering Rs 11,076.15 billion at a rate of return ranging between 10.51% to 10.60%. The SBP accepted the entire amount at a 10.51% rate of return.
Meanwhile, SBP also conducted Shariah-compliant Mudarabah-based Open Market Operation for the 7 and 14-day tenors. The central bank received one quote for the 7-day tenor offering Rs 41 billion at a 10.57% rate of return. SBP accepted the bid with the entire amount at the offered rate.
The central bank also received two bids for the 14-day tenor offering Rs 40 billion at a rate of return ranging between 10.56% to 10.57%. SBP accepted the entire amount of both the quotes at a 10.56% rate of return.

Rawalpindi Police nab 7 suspects, seize over 37 litres of liquor & illegal arms

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
RAWALPINDI, Dec 19 (APP): The Rawalpindi Police arrested seven suspects and recovered more than 37 litres of liquor along with arms and ammunition in separate operations across the district, a police spokesman said on Friday.
According to the spokesman, the Ganjmandi Police apprehended one person and recovered 20 litres of liquor, while the Kallar Syedan Police held three suspects, seizing 12 litres of liquor as well as illegal weapons with ammunition.
Likewise, the City Police detained one individual with five litres of liquor, while the Civil Lines Police recovered a bottle of liquor from another person. The Chaklala Police also arrested one suspect and seized weapons with ammunition.
Separate cases have been registered against all the accused.

Vice Chancellor University of Sargodha Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas, Prof. Dr. Saeed Akbar from the University of Bradford, England, and philanthropist and social activist Ms. Kynat Raza inaugurate the national exhibition “Voice of Resilience,” organized by the Institute of Art and Design at the University of Sargodha. APP/HSD/MAF/FHA/SSH

By
Wajid
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Vice Chancellor University of Sargodha Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas, Prof. Dr. Saeed Akbar from the University of Bradford, England, and philanthropist and social activist Ms. Kynat Raza inaugurate the national exhibition “Voice of Resilience,” organized by the Institute of Art and Design at the University of Sargodha. APP/HSD/MAF/FHA/SSH
APP26-191225
SARGODHA: December 19 – 
Vice Chancellor University of Sargodha Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas, Prof. Dr. Saeed Akbar from the University of Bradford, England, and philanthropist and social activist Ms. Kynat Raza inaugurate the national exhibition “Voice of Resilience,” organized by the Institute of Art and Design at the University of Sargodha. APP/HSD/MAF/FHA/SSH
APP27-191225
SARGODHA: December 19 – A student takes keen interest in exhibits at the national exhibition “Voice of Resilience,” organized by the Institute of Art and Design at the University of Sargodha. APP/HSD/MAF/FHA/SSH
Vice Chancellor University of Sargodha Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas, Prof. Dr. Saeed Akbar from the University of Bradford, England, and philanthropist and social activist Ms. Kynat Raza inaugurate the national exhibition “Voice of Resilience,” organized by the Institute of Art and Design at the University of Sargodha. APP/HSD/MAF/FHA/SSH
APP28-191225
SARGODHA: December 19 – Students take keen interest in exhibits at the national exhibition “Voice of Resilience,” organized by the Institute of Art and Design at the University of Sargodha. APP/HSD/MAF/FHA/SSH

CM reviews Karachi industrial zones’ infrastructure; approves Rs9.28b for reconstruction

By
NNPS Desk
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0

KARACHI, Dec 19 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a high-level meeting with representatives of Karachi’s major industrial associations here Friday, approved Rs9.282 billion for the urgent repair and maintenance of roads and allied infrastructure in Karachi’s industrial areas. “I want you to start development works from Monday and complete them within six months so that another similar development package can be given to industrial areas,” he said.

The chief minister, along with representatives of KATI, SITE, BQATI, and LATI/LITE, reviewed progress and finalised a roadmap for the development and rehabilitation of basic infrastructure across all industrial zones of the city.

The meeting, held at CM House was attended by Minister for Industries Jam Ikram Dharejo, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Principal Secretary to CM Agha Wasif, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Additional Secretaries Industries Tariq Qureshi, Zubair Motiwala, Chairman KITE Zahid Saeed, President KATI Muhammad Ikram, Zubair Chhaya of KATI/KITE, President NKATI Faisal Moiz, President LATI Rayyan Ashraf, Zain Bashir of LATI/LITE, President SITE Ahmad Azeem, BQATI President Shakeel Ashraf, President FBATI Sheikh Tahseen, and others.

The meeting was briefed on the first-phase proposal, amounting to Rs9.282 billion, for the urgent repair and maintenance of roads and allied infrastructure in Karachi’s industrial areas. The plan has been rationalised after extensive consultations led by the Commissioner Karachi, in line with the chief minister’s directions, to ensure equitable, need-based allocations for each zone.

The chief minister then approved the rationalised funds, including Rs2 billion for the SITE Association of Trade & Industry, Rs700 million for SITE Superhighway Phases I & II, Rs721.74 million for the North Karachi Association of Trade & Industry, Rs860.55 million for the F.B. Area Association of Trade & Industry, Rs2.0 billion for the Landhi Association of Trade & Industry, Rs2 billion for the Korangi Association of Trade & Industry (including the Pakistan Tanners Association), and Rs1 billion for the Bin Qasim Association of Trade & Industry.

The chief minister said that the scheme will be financed through the Infrastructure Development Cess collected by the Excise & Taxation Department, a substantial portion of which has been accumulated from Karachi’s industrial zones. Industrialists emphasised that, in line with past practice, execution and disbursement should be carried out through a grant-in-aid rather than an ADP scheme to ensure faster implementation.

The CM Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening Karachi’s industrial base, noting that improved infrastructure is critical for productivity, exports, and employment generation. He directed that PC-1s be finalised in consultation with the Commissioner Karachi and the P&D Department, and that the case be placed before the Cabinet Finance Committee for approval of funds outside the current budget.

To ensure transparency and effective execution, it was proposed that an oversight committee comprising senior officers from the Finance, P&D, Local Government, KW&SC and SITE Ltd, concerned deputy commissioners and representatives of relevant trade associations be constituted to monitor implementation.

The meeting concluded with consensus that timely rehabilitation of industrial infrastructure will significantly ease logistics, reduce business costs, and restore investor confidence in Karachi.

Vet Institutes Sports gala begins at UAF

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
FAISALABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Dean Veterinary Sciences University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Dr Shahid Mahmood said that promotion of sports culture is imperative for physical and mental development of the young generation because today’s youth unfortunately is confined to screens and sports grounds are presenting a deserted look.
He was inaugurating three-day Veterinary Institute Sports Gala where Chairman Veterinary Medical Society Dr. Muhammad Kashif Saleemi, Dr. Bilal Aslam, Dr. Sohail Sajid and others also spoke on the occasion.
Students from four veterinary universities participated in the sport gala, which included cricket, badminton, table tennis, chess, athletics, basketball, long tennis, squash and others.
Dr. Shahid Mahmood said that a few decades ago, sports fields across the country were crowded and youth were used to prefer spending evening time while playing, but now this trend has shown a sharp decline.
He said that sports play an important role not only in physical but also in mental development.
Dr. Kashif Saleemi said that it is imperative to inculcate sportsmanship among the young generation providing spirit of hardworking and patience even in difficult situations. Such competitions are a tradition of the university in order to encourage sports activities, he added.

DC reviews restoration plan for Fareed Gate, historic buildings

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
BAHAWALPUR, Dec 19 (APP): A review meeting on the beautification, restoration, and rehabilitation of Farid Gate, Shahi Bazaar, and other key historic buildings was held in Bahawalpur under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Syed Hassan Raza. The Director General of the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) participated in the meeting via video link and gave a detailed briefing on the progress of the project. Deputy Commissioner Syed Hassan Raza reviewed the ongoing work being carried out by the technical team of the Walled City of Lahore Authority and directed that all development and restoration activities be completed strictly in accordance with the approved timeline. He made it clear that no delay or compromise on quality would be tolerated.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the relevant departments to make arrangements for additional sewerage drainage at Fareed Gate to ensure the immediate disposal of rainwater. He emphasized that the capacity of the existing drainage system should be enhanced and an additional drainage line constructed to prevent water accumulation during the monsoon season. He further directed that specially designed lighting poles be installed inside Fareed Gate to highlight its historic identity, while shop sheds should be developed according to attractive and standardized designs to enhance the overall aesthetics of the area. He stressed that all shops within Fareed Gate must follow a uniform design, with identical lighting poles, decorative lights, and standardized canopies to maintain visual harmony.
The Deputy Commissioner instructed the concerned authorities to further accelerate the pace of restoration and rehabilitation work to ensure completion within the stipulated timeframe. He informed the meeting that the project for improving the trail from Fareed Gate to Jamia Masjid Al-Sadiq and restoring historic buildings in the area is being executed at a cost of Rs. 442.6 million. He stated that the primary objective of the project is to preserve Bahawalpur’s historical and cultural heritage while providing improved facilities for citizens and tourists. The project includes external restoration of historic buildings, revival of wooden architectural features, improvement of footpaths and walkways, installation of modern electrical and lighting systems, removal of overhead wires and transformers, installation of directional signboards, aesthetically designed market sheds, and provision of street furniture for public convenience.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner directed all concerned departments to ensure that the project is completed within the prescribed period and in accordance with high-quality standards, so that Bahawalpur’s historic charm can be fully restored and the city presented as a model historic destination. The meeting was attended by Deputy Director Development Faisal Shehzad, Chief Officer Municipal Corporation Mian Muhammad Asif, Chief Officer District Council Rais Imran, and other relevant officials.
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