Chula, Thai Red Cross Society Partner to Bring ‘SALYWA’ Artificial Saliva to Patients 

The Islamabad administration has announced the closure of several popular hiking trails in the Margalla Hills for Thursday, August 13. According to the administration, Trails 2, 3, 4 and 5 will remain closed to the public throughout the day. The decision applies to visitors, hikers and other citizens who regularly use these trails for recreational activities. Officials also confirmed that the trail located behind Saidpur Village will remain closed on August 13. Citizens have been advised to avoid attempting to access the closed routes and to follow instructions issued by the local administration. The Margalla Hills trails attract a large number of residents and visitors, particularly in the morning and evening hours. The temporary closure is expected to affect routine hiking and recreational activities in the designated areas. The administration has urged citizens to cooperate with officials and avoid entering restricted locations until the trails are reopened.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has expressed confidence that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will emerge victorious in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections. In a statement, Azma Bukhari said political opponents alleging electoral rigging would continue to make such claims, but the people would keep placing their trust in the PML-N through the democratic process. She maintained that the party’s candidates were expected to secure victories with comfortable margins. The minister said polling during the second phase of the AJK elections was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, with voters actively participating and exercising their democratic right across the constituencies. Azma Bukhari claimed that many voters were supporting the PML-N because they appreciated the performance of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. She said the provincial government’s development initiatives had strengthened public confidence in the party and encouraged voters to support its candidates. Criticising the opposition, she said parties raising allegations about the electoral process had failed to gain significant public support. According to her, such criticism did not reflect the overall mood of the electorate. Highlighting the party’s development agenda, Azma Bukhari said the people of Azad Kashmir also deserved modern infrastructure and public welfare projects. She referred to improved road networks, electric bus services, and the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing programme as examples of initiatives that could also benefit the region.

GUJRAT: The Agriculture (Extension) Department has seized counterfeit DAP fertiliser worth more than Rs20 million during a raid at Hasan Rice Mills in Mouza Mohla, Gujrat, in what officials described as a major crackdown on the illegal fertiliser trade. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Director Agriculture (Extension) Gujrat Division Dr Irfanullah Warraich by Assistant Director Agriculture (Extension) and Assistant Controller Fertilizer Muhammad Athar Latif. During the raid, officials inspected the premises and collected samples of suspected DAP fertiliser for laboratory testing. They also sealed 1,140 bags of fertiliser, each weighing 50 kilograms, with an estimated value of Rs18.24 million. According to the Agriculture Department, laboratory analysis later confirmed that the fertiliser was counterfeit. Officials said subsequent investigations revealed that a total of 1,270 bags of fake DAP fertiliser, worth approximately Rs20.32 million, were linked to the operation. Out of these, 1,244 bags were taken into police custody as case property. A case has been registered against Muhammad Azmat and other suspects under the Punjab Fertilizer Control Act, 2025. Police also arrested Ghulam Hussain, the in-charge of Hasan Rice Mills, during the raid. The department said the crackdown was aimed at protecting farmers from substandard agricultural inputs that could adversely affect crop production and cause financial losses. Officials added that counterfeit fertilisers not only reduce crop yields but also undermine farmers’ confidence in certified agricultural products. They urged growers to purchase fertilisers only from authorised dealers and to report any suspicious products or illegal storage facilities to the Agriculture Department. The department said further investigations are underway to trace the source of the counterfeit fertiliser, identify other individuals involved in its manufacture and distribution, and determine whether similar consignments had been supplied to other markets in the region. Agriculture officials reaffirmed their commitment to continuing strict enforcement against the production, storage and sale of fake fertilisers to safeguard farmers’ interests and ensure the availability of quality agricultural inputs across Punjab.