azadi kay rang

“Azadi Kay Rang” painting competition held in Rawalpindi

ByJustpaste.in

RAWALPINDI: The Punjab Council of the Arts, Rawalpindi held the prize distribution ceremony of its Independence Day painting competition, “Azadi Kay Rang,” today. Mr. Rizwan Khalil Shamsi, Chief Manager, State Bank, and Ms. Shazia Rizwan, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Culture, Government of the Punjab, attended the ceremony as Chief Guests.

The competition provided young artists with a creative platform to express their vision of independence, patriotism, and love for Pakistan through art. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Rizwan Khalil Shamsi, Chief Manager, State Bank, appreciated the enthusiasm and artistic talent displayed by the young participants.

He said that creative activities of this nature provide an effective platform for young people to express their ideas and strengthen their connection with the country. He also appreciated the Punjab Council of the Arts, Rawalpindi for providing opportunities for emerging artists. Shazia Rizwan, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Culture, Government of the Punjab, appreciated the participants for portraying the spirit of independence through their artwork.

She emphasized that art and cultural activities play an important role in nurturing creativity, national awareness, and a positive outlook among the younger generation. She distributed prizes and certificates among the winning participants and congratulated all the artists.

Muhammad Shakoor, Director, Punjab Council of the Arts, Rawalpindi, thanked both Chief Guests, the judges, participating artists, and guests for their presence and support. He particularly appreciated the efforts of Senior Artist Azeem Iqbal, who played a key role in organising and coordinating the painting competition.

He acknowledged his dedication and valuable contribution in making the event successful and said that such efforts are essential for providing young artists with meaningful opportunities to showcase their talent. He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to encouraging emerging artists and promoting art and cultural activities in the region.

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    PML-N wins LA-27 as PPP takes LA-28

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    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) shared victories in the delayed second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, with each party securing one constituency in Muzaffarabad, according to unofficial and provisional results. The polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II was held after voting in several polling stations was postponed on August 2 due to heavy rainfall and landslides that disrupted transportation and created safety concerns for voters and election staff. In LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I, PML-N candidate Noreen Arif was declared the winner after receiving 18,919 votes. She defeated Sardar Tabarak Ali of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), who secured 18,621 votes, giving the PML-N candidate a narrow lead of 298 votes. Meanwhile, PPP candidate Bazil Ali Naqvi emerged victorious in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II. He received 28,170 votes, defeating PML-N candidate Chaudhry Shehzad, who polled 26,864 votes. The unofficial results gave Naqvi a winning margin of 1,306 votes. Election authorities had postponed polling at 57 polling stations across the two constituencies after severe weather and landslides affected access to several areas. Once conditions improved and logistical arrangements were completed, voting was conducted peacefully under the supervision of election officials. With the completion of vote counting, the unofficial results confirmed PML-N’s continued dominance in the Muzaffarabad Division. The party has secured 15 of the division’s 21 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party has won six seats, making it the second-largest political force in the region.

  • Punjab setting new benchmarks in governance, CM Maryam

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    LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said the province was setting benchmarks in good governance, development and progress, adding that Punjab had emerged as a leader in every field. Addressing the passing-out parade of Lady Recruit Course-18 at the Police Training College, Chung, the chief minister said Punjab was the only province where women were serving as chief minister, in the police force, and as commissioners and district police officers (DPOs). She said no force in the world could stop the progress and prosperity of a country where 51 per cent of the population actively contributed to national development. CM Punjab said she felt immense pride in the courage and determination displayed by Punjab’s daughters, describing each visit to the training college as an emotional experience. She praised the recruits for successfully completing rigorous training, including handling heavy weapons. Congratulating the families of the recruits, she said the parents deserved equal recognition for encouraging their daughters to serve the nation despite outdated social norms. “As capable as these daughters are, equally remarkable are the parents who sent them to serve the country without caring about obsolete traditions,” she said. She said the graduating batch of 1,156 women was the largest in Punjab’s history, while more than 6,000 women were already serving in the Punjab Police. The chief minister said wearing the police uniform marked the beginning of a great responsibility, which had to be fulfilled with honesty, hardwork and justice. Although she did not wear the uniform herself, she said she remained fully conscious of its dignity and sanctity. She said the government was committed to making Punjab’s cities, roads and streets completely safe for women. Expressing satisfaction over the increasing confidence of women travelling independently on scooters, she said girls going to schools, colleges and workplaces no longer needed anyone’s assistance. “Take out your bike and go, because Punjab is now safe,” she remarked. CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz claimed that the crime rate in Punjab had reached its lowest level in history. Recalling criticism when she assumed office, she said many believed governance and maintaining law and order were not the responsibility of women. “I was also told that this was not women’s work, but today the way Punjab is progressing is being cited as an example around the world,” she said. She urged the recruits not to pay attention to those who questioned their abilities and instead focus on physical fitness, professional competence and career development. She encouraged them to exercise regularly, maintain a balanced diet, and strive for higher positions in the police service. Addressing the Inspector General of Police, she called for paving the way for Punjab’s first female inspector general. “If a woman can become the chief minister, then no position is beyond reach,” she said. The chief minister said the presence of 1,156 newly-trained women officers in the field would help ensure that no woman in Punjab felt unsafe. She directed the recruits to inspire confidence among the public so that citizens felt protected whenever they saw a police officer. Referring to women entering different professions, she said many women now drove taxis independently to earn a respectable livelihood, reflecting improved security conditions in the province. CM Punjab said the Punjab Police had received record and historic investment under her government. She added that unnecessary layers of protocol had been removed and she remained in direct contact with the police force. She said she had worn the police uniform symbolically to restore the dignity and respect of the force. Whenever questions were raised about the police, she added, she had also accepted responsibility for the institution’s shortcomings. “We are one team, and it is because of this unity that Punjab is achieving remarkable progress,” she said. The chief minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had established Lahore as a Safe City through a CCTV surveillance system, while the facility was now being expanded to 40 districts across Punjab. She claimed that suspects were now being arrested within two hours and that crime-sensitive districts often went days or even weeks without any major crime being reported. She advised the recruits never to consider themselves inferior to anyone and urged them to continue improving both personally and professionally. Stressing the importance of continuous learning, she said she herself learned something new every day while managing the affairs of the state and encouraged the recruits to adopt modern methods of smart and proactive policing. Concluding her address, CM Punjab once again congratulated the parents and said the ceremony had proved that daughters were a source of pride and honour. She remarked that when a father appreciated his daughter, it became a moment of immense pride for the entire family. Addressing the graduating recruits, she asked, “Daughters of Punjab, are you alert?”

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    Nawaz interviews candidates for AJK reserved seats

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    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership has accelerated consultations over the formation of the next government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with party supremo Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz interviewing candidates for reserved seats. The interviews were held in Murree on Sunday for five women’s reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly. PML-N AJK regional president Shah Ghulam Qadir and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah also attended the meeting. The party leadership reviewed the profiles of several women seeking PML-N tickets. The interviews reportedly lasted between five and 10 minutes for each candidate. Among those interviewed were Maryam Kashmiri, president of the PML-N AJK Women’s Wing, secretary general Nasira Azeem Khan, former reserved-seat MLA Sehrish Qamar, former Assembly member Nisara Abbasi, Maryam Idrees, Maria Iqbal Tarana and Zareeda Nisar. The widow of late Raja Abid Khan of Dadyal also appeared before the leadership. Her son, Raja Shoaib Abid, had withdrawn from the electoral contest in support of PML-N candidate and MLA-elect Chaudhry Azhar Sadiq. The PML-N leadership praised the participation of women in the recent AJK elections. The party said women had played an active and important role in the electoral process and described their involvement as a positive development for democracy. The PML-N has emerged as the largest party following the recent AJK elections. It secured 25 directly elected seats and has the support of an allied member. Based on its strength in the Assembly, the party is expected to win four of the five reserved seats for women. The party is also expected to secure the remaining three reserved seats allocated to religious scholars or Mashaikh, overseas state subjects, and technocrats and other professionals. The AJK Election Commission has scheduled polling for all eight reserved seats for August 24. The voting will take place at the AJK Legislative Assembly Hall in Muzaffarabad from 10am to 1pm. Candidates will submit nomination papers on August 20. The scrutiny process will be completed the same day, while appeals against decisions regarding nominations can be filed on August 21. The Election Commission will hear the appeals on August 22. Candidates will have until August 23 to withdraw their nominations, after which the final list of contestants will be issued. The AJK Assembly comprises 53 members. Of these, 45 are elected through direct voting, while eight seats are reserved for specific categories. However, elections could not be held in seven constituencies because of the law and order situation in parts of Poonch and Sudhnoti districts. As a result, 38 directly elected members will take part in the process of electing candidates to the reserved seats. Meanwhile, the Election Commission also issued notifications confirming the victories of PPP candidate Sardar Ziaul Qamar and PML-N candidate Sardar Mir Akbar in Bagh district. Qamar was declared successful from LA-15 Central Bagh, while Akbar was declared the returned candidate from LA-16 Eastern Bagh. Their notifications formally completed the electoral process in the two constituencies.

  • KP to celebrate International Youth Day at University of Peshawar

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    PESHAWAR: The Directorate of Youth Affairs, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, will organise a programme to mark International Youth Day 2026 at Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Hall, University of Peshawar, on Wednesday, August 12, from 2pm to 6pm. Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi will attend the event as the chief guest, while Advisor to the Chief Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Taj Muhammad Khan Tarand will also participate. The event has been planned as a celebration of the passion, potential and power of youth and will feature a range of activities aimed at recognising young people’s achievements and providing them with a platform for expression and engagement. A key feature of the programme will be a panel discussion featuring Akif Khan, Sumaira Shams, Samar Khan, Abaseen Yousafzai, Junaid of Jamboys and Asif Qurashi. The programme will also include the Youth Excellence Awards, through which outstanding young people will be recognised for their achievements and contributions. A youth anthem will be launched during the event, with Mehtab Ziyab associated with its presentation. The celebrations will also feature live music performances by Tamash Band and Junaid Kamran Siddique, besides a segment featuring inspirational stories. Director Youth Affairs Abbas Khan Afridi said the event was being organised to celebrate the talent, energy and achievements of young people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the Directorate remained committed to creating opportunities for young people to showcase their abilities, develop their potential and play a constructive role in society. “Our youth possess immense talent, creativity and potential. It is our responsibility to provide them with platforms where their abilities can be recognised and their voices can be heard,” Mr Afridi said. He added that the International Youth Day celebrations would bring together young people from different backgrounds and provide them an opportunity to engage with distinguished personalities, share ideas and celebrate youth achievements. The event carries the message “Empowering Youth, Shaping the Future” and will run from 2pm to 6pm at Shahzebda Abdul Qayyum Hall, University of Peshawar.

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    NCCIA crack down on OTP fraud Gang, arrests 27 acr…

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    LAHORE: In one of the largest cybercrime crackdowns in recent months, Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has dismantled an organised online fraud network, arresting 27 suspects during coordinated operations in Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad. According to officials, the suspects were part of an organised “OTP Gang” accused of targeting bank customers through sophisticated phone scams. Investigators said the group impersonated bank officials, customs officers and police personnel to deceive citizens into revealing sensitive financial information before stealing money from their accounts. The largest operation was carried out in Lahore, where NCCIA teams conducted raids at multiple locations and arrested 13 suspects in two separate operations. Authorities also recovered mobile phones, computers and other digital evidence believed to have been used in cyber fraud activities. In Multan, four intelligence-based operations resulted in the arrest of 13 key members of the network. Officials believe the suspects played central roles in planning and executing online scams that affected victims in different parts of the country. Meanwhile, in Faisalabad, investigators arrested another suspect allegedly involved in hacking bank and social media accounts. During the raid, officials recovered several fake SIM cards and digital devices that are being examined as part of the investigation. Preliminary findings suggest the network relied on social engineering techniques, convincing victims that their bank accounts or identity documents required urgent verification. Once victims shared one-time passwords (OTPs), banking details or verification codes, the suspects allegedly gained access to their accounts and carried out unauthorised financial transactions. Cybercrime investigators are analysing the seized electronic devices to identify additional members of the network, trace stolen funds and determine whether the group has links to other organised fraud rings operating across Pakistan. Following the successful operation, the NCCIA urged citizens to remain vigilant against phone and online scams. The agency warned people never to share their OTPs, ATM PINs, passwords or banking information with anyone claiming to represent a bank, government department or law enforcement agency. Officials also advised the public to verify suspicious calls through official customer service numbers and immediately report suspected cyber fraud to the relevant authorities. The latest crackdown highlights the growing threat of cyber-enabled financial crime in Pakistan and underscores the government’s increasing efforts to dismantle organised digital fraud networks while encouraging stronger public awareness of online security.

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    Four killed as heavy rain causes roof collapse in …

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    UPPER SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Four members of a family lost their lives after the roof of a room collapsed due to heavy rainfall in the Bangiwala area of Upper South Waziristan. According to police, the incident occurred amid intense rain in the region, which caused the structure to give way and trap the family members underneath the debris. Police said the victims included a husband, his wife, their son, and their daughter. The tragic incident has left the local community in mourning. Authorities are assessing the situation in the area and monitoring the impact of the ongoing rainfall. Residents have also been urged to remain cautious as further rain could increase the risk of structural damage and other weather-related incidents.

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