Capital Smart City emerges as Pakistan’s AI and …

Health authorities have confirmed a case of Congo virus, also known as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), after laboratory testing verified the infection. Officials said the patient’s Congo PCR test returned positive, prompting renewed calls for public awareness and preventive measures against the potentially life-threatening disease. According to health officials, the patient underwent several medical examinations, including a specialized PCR test for the Congo virus. The results confirmed the presence of the infection, allowing doctors to begin appropriate treatment and monitoring while taking necessary infection control measures. Medical experts explain that Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever is a viral disease primarily transmitted through the bite of infected ticks commonly found on livestock. The virus can also spread through direct contact with the blood, tissues, or bodily fluids of infected animals, making people who work closely with livestock more vulnerable to infection. Healthcare professionals have warned that the virus can also spread from one person to another through close contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected patient. For this reason, strict infection prevention protocols are essential in hospitals and healthcare facilities to protect medical staff and caregivers. The symptoms of Congo virus usually begin suddenly and may include high fever, severe weakness, intense headache, muscle pain, nausea, and fatigue. In more serious cases, patients may experience bleeding from the nose and gums, bruising on the skin, and internal bleeding, which can become life-threatening if not treated promptly. Experts emphasize that prevention remains the most effective way to reduce the spread of the disease. People who handle livestock are advised to wear protective clothing and gloves, inspect animals for ticks, and avoid direct contact with animal blood or tissues whenever possible. Farmers, butchers, veterinarians, and livestock traders are considered among the highest-risk groups. Health authorities have also urged hospitals and healthcare workers to follow strict infection control practices, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when treating suspected or confirmed cases. Early diagnosis and timely medical care can improve patient outcomes and help limit the spread of the virus. As public health officials continue to monitor the situation, citizens are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms after exposure to ticks or infected animals. Increased awareness, proper hygiene, and preventive measures remain essential in reducing the risk of Congo virus transmission, particularly during periods of increased livestock movement.

Lahore Police have launched a large-scale operation against illegal moneylenders and their facilitators as part of an intensified effort to protect citizens from financial exploitation, harassment, and intimidation. Authorities have directed police across the city to register cases without discrimination against individuals involved in illegal lending practices, particularly those accused of threatening, blackmailing, or harassing borrowers. The campaign aims to curb predatory lending and ensure strict legal action against offenders. DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said there would be zero tolerance for moneylenders who recover amounts far exceeding the original loans through coercive and unlawful means. He emphasized that no concessions would be granted to those exploiting financially vulnerable people. To strengthen access to justice, Lahore Police have also partnered with the Lahore Bar through a newly signed memorandum of understanding. Under the agreement, deserving and financially disadvantaged citizens will be referred, with their consent, to a panel of lawyers who will provide free legal representation in civil cases. Faisal Kamran added that legal experts have also been engaged to assist in disputes involving inheritance, the return of dowry items, and financial transactions. He assured that police would continue to monitor such cases closely to ensure that victims receive timely justice and legal protection. The initiative reflects Lahore Police’s broader commitment to tackling financial crimes while expanding legal support for vulnerable members of society.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed a comprehensive technical audit of the billing systems of electricity distribution companies (Discos), reaffirming that reforming Pakistan’s power sector remains one of the government’s top priorities. Chairing a high-level meeting on the performance of the Power Division, the prime minister acknowledged that distribution companies had shown noticeable improvement but stressed that further reforms were essential to enhance efficiency and service delivery. He described the nationwide installation of smart electricity meters as a key step toward modernising the sector and improving transparency. Shehbaz Sharif also called for strict action against electricity theft, instructing authorities to strengthen enforcement mechanisms at every level. He ordered the Power Division to establish clear performance benchmarks for distribution companies, supported by measurable targets and specific implementation timelines. To encourage better performance, the prime minister announced that the country’s best-performing distribution company would receive formal recognition and awards, promoting healthy competition among power utilities. Addressing the issue of prolonged electricity shortages in rural areas, he directed officials to prepare village-level solarisation projects, saying decentralised solar energy systems could reduce pressure on the national electricity grid while improving access to reliable power. During the meeting, officials informed the prime minister that technical and commercial losses across distribution companies had continued to decline. Islamabad, Lahore and Gujranwala electricity companies recorded the lowest transmission and distribution losses during the last fiscal year, while power utilities in Islamabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan achieved full recovery of billed electricity dues in the 2025–26 fiscal year. The meeting was also told that specialised Disco Support Units have been established in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Lahore, Multan and Hazara to combat electricity theft, improve bill recovery and resolve technical challenges more effectively. Officials further briefed the prime minister that the first phase of the Asset Performance Management System (APMS) at the transformer level is expected to be completed by the end of September. The system is designed to improve monitoring of transformers, helping reduce both power theft and load-shedding. In addition, the government is considering the installation of 16.2 million Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) single-phase smart meters across the Multan, Lahore, Peshawar, Hazara and Quetta regions as part of its broader strategy to modernise Pakistan’s electricity distribution network.

  ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has asserted that the ruling coalition will complete its full five-year constitutional term, even as he acknowledged that political speculation intensifies after the two-and-a-half-year mark. The minister addressed a range of pressing political questions, from the possibility of an opposition alliance to the stability of the current government. Chaudhry began by offering a pragmatic observation about Pakistan’s political rhythm. “After two and a half years, the countdown for any government effectively begins,” he said. However, he quickly dispelled any notion that this countdown implies an early end for the present administration. “The five years will be completed in full,” he emphasized, “and the coalition will continue to function in exactly the same manner as it does today.” He expressed complete confidence that the ruling alliance, led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), remains cohesive and resilient against any internal or external pressures. When questioned about the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) – a key coalition partner – Chaudhry delivered a nuanced response. He acknowledged that the PPP possesses a certain political awareness, or “ehsas”, regarding its current position within the alliance. He went further to state that this awareness will only deepen with time. “The PPP has this feeling today, and more feeling will also come,” he remarked, suggesting that as the government progresses, all partners will increasingly recognize the mutual benefits of remaining united. He framed this evolving consciousness not as a threat, but as a natural part of political maturity within a multi-party democratic setup. One of the most emphatic parts of Chaudhry’s interview was his categorical dismissal of any potential alliance between the PPP and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He stated, “There is no possibility of an alliance between the PPP and the PTI,” calling such speculation unfounded and politically motivated. He further reassured the public and investors alike that the government faces no existential threat from the opposition. According to the minister, the opposition remains fragmented and lacks the numerical strength or public mandate to destabilize the elected administration. Chaudhry then elevated his argument beyond mere political expediency, framing the continuity of the coalition as a national imperative. “It is in the best interest of Pakistan and the entire political system that the current alliance continues to function as it is,” he declared. He warned that any premature disruption of the government would create a dangerous power vacuum at a time when the country is grappling with economic stabilization, security challenges, and the need for institutional reforms. He called on all political stakeholders to prioritize national unity over partisan scores. The minister also took the opportunity to defend the government’s performance on key issues, including inflation management, anti-terrorism operations, and diplomatic engagements. While conceding that difficulties persist, he argued that the government has set the foundation for long-term recovery and that the opposition’s role should be constructive criticism rather than obstructionism. He urged political parties to rise above personal rivalries and focus on the greater good of the nation. In his concluding remarks, Talal Chaudhry made it clear that while the government is not afraid of early elections, it is also not shirking its responsibilities. “We were elected for five years, and we will serve for five years,” he said firmly. He expressed confidence that the public will ultimately judge this administration on its tangible achievements, not on opposition rhetoric. He dismissed the “two-and-a-half-year countdown” as a political cliché rather than a prophecy, reiterating that the coalition will not only survive but thrive until the very last day of its term. Overall, the interview projected an image of a self-assured government determined to see through its tenure, while subtly reminding its coalition partners – especially the PPP – that their long-term political futures are best secured within the existing fold. Whether this confidence will translate into political reality remains to be seen, but for now, Chaudhry’s message was unambiguous: the alliance is stable, the system is strong, and the government is here to stay.