fake dap fertiliser
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Fake DAP fertiliser worth over Rs20m seized in Guj…

ByJustpaste.in

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.

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    Waris Shah Heritage Gallery opens in Jandiala Sher Khan

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Deputy Commissioner Rana Adil Tasawwur, Director Projects Rafiq Noor Wattoo, Zonal Administrator Rana Ehsan and other officers of the Auqaf Department were also present on the occasion. Dr. Bhutta said that the establishment of the gallery has given the sacred place associated with Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) and Jandiala Sher Khan a distinctive new literary and cultural identity, while creating an important platform for showcasing the rich history, culture and heritage of Sheikhupura to visitors from Pakistan and abroad. He said the gallery presents, in a modern and engaging manner, the life, personality, intellectual vision, literary contributions and enduring masterpiece Heer of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA), while important characters from Heer Waris Shah, historical and cultural scenes, rare artefacts and traditional objects have also been thoughtfully incorporated to bring the era and social fabric of Punjab vividly to life. Special documentaries on Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) and the history and culture of Sheikhupura will be screened through LCD displays, while traditional objects including the tawa, ghara, weighing scale, bow and other artefacts offer visitors an authentic glimpse into Punjab’s centuries-old social life, traditions and cultural heritage. He added that two specially produced documentaries are part of the gallery experience: the first explores the history, culture and historic heritage of Sheikhupura, while the second focuses on the life, personality, intellectual and literary services of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) and the diverse dimensions of his masterpiece Heer. Dr. Bhutta said concerted efforts would be made to carry the thought, poetry and message of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) to younger generations through research, education, literary activities, cultural programmes, documentaries, heritage galleries and modern communication platforms, stressing that preserving history, keeping culture alive and highlighting the legacy of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) is, in essence, a powerful means of reconnecting young people with their language, literature, history and civilisational identity. He further said that the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) would bring 50 tourists from Qaddafi Stadium Lahore to Jandiala Sher Khan through its recreational bus service, particularly enabling young people to develop a deeper connection with their great Sufi poet, Punjabi language, history and cultural identity. The Waris Shah Heritage and Cultural Gallery, he added, would emerge as a distinctive intellectual, literary and tourism destination for tourists, students, researchers and all those with an interest in literature and culture. Dr. Bhutta said highlighting historic Jandiala Sher Khan and its associated heritage as a centre of Hazrat Waris Shah’s literary and cultural legacy remains among the priorities of the Auqaf Department, and the establishment of the gallery represents a practical expression of this vision. He said Hazrat Waris Shah (RA), who was associated with Jandiala Sher Khan, District Sheikhupura, devoted his life to knowledge, literature, spiritual thought and the promotion of human values; born in 1722 and passing away in 1798, he portrayed Punjab’s civilisation, culture, rural society, human emotions, social attitudes and spiritual consciousness with such depth and comprehensiveness that Heer Waris Shah transcended the boundaries of a romantic narrative and became an invaluable literary, social, cultural and intellectual document of Punjab. Through the profound symbolism of human love leading towards divine love, and through his penetrating observations on human weaknesses, social inequalities, moral values, peace, tolerance and the significance of human relationships, Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) occupies an unparalleled position among the great classical poets of Punjabi literature, while Heer also powerfully reflects themes of respect for women, human dignity and social justice. The Secretary Auqaf said that the poetry of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) presents love as a fundamental force of human existence and humanity as the foundation of social relationships, making his message of peace, affection, tolerance, pluralism, brotherhood and respect for human dignity exceptionally relevant in the contemporary world. He said Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) stands among the great custodians of Punjab’s Sufi, literary and intellectual tradition who used the power of thought and art to promote love, peace, tolerance, fraternity and the sanctity of human relationships, adding that preserving his historic and literary legacy is not merely a religious obligation but also a profound literary, historical, cultural and national responsibility. Dr. Bhutta said the shrine of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) and its associated historic heritage constitute a precious part of Punjab’s identity; therefore, the Auqaf Department is paying special attention to the preservation of its sanctity, historic character and spiritual ambience, alongside improvements in beautification, repair, cleanliness, illumination, security and basic facilities for visitors. During his recent visit to the shrine, he also offered Fateha and prayers and reviewed the ongoing development and improvement works. He said historic manuscripts, records, artefacts and other cultural material associated with Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) represent priceless national, historical and literary assets, making initiatives such as heritage galleries and libraries vital for their preservation, documentation and transmission to future generations. The Government of Punjab and the Auqaf Department, he added, are taking effective measures to preserve and develop the shrines of the province’s Sufi saints and spiritual luminaries not only as places of religious devotion but also as significant centres of Punjab’s history, literature and cultural heritage. Dr. Ehsan Bhutta concluded that the timeless message of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) continues to remind humanity that love, compassion, tolerance, harmony, peace and respect for human dignity

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    India denies role in Sheikh Hasina’s planned vir…

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    Khanewal farmers protest delay in lease letters

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      KHANEWAL: Eleven farmers selected under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” initiative have protested over the delay in receiving lease letters for approximately 950 kanals of agricultural land in Chak 63/10-R. The farmers allege that the transfer process is being delayed because of the influence of an influential local figure who, they claim, is supporting people occupying the land. The affected farmers recently held a demonstration outside the Revenue Department office at the District Complex in Khanewal. They demanded that the authorities issue their lease documents immediately and complete the process of handing over the land allotted to them through the government’s official balloting process. According to the protesting farmers, nearly 950 kanals of agricultural land in Chak 63/10-R was designated for lease to 11 deserving applicants who were selected through a formal draw under the provincial government’s scheme. However, they claimed that the land has remained in the possession of alleged illegal occupants for almost 40 years. The farmers said the occupants had earlier approached the Lahore High Court and obtained a stay order regarding the disputed property. They claimed that the relevant bench of the Lahore High Court dismissed the stay order on August 3, 2026, which, according to them, removed a major legal hurdle in the way of implementing the government’s allotment decision. Despite the dismissal of the stay, the protesting farmers alleged that the Punjab Revenue Department and the Khanewal district administration had not yet issued the required lease letters. They further alleged that the individuals occupying the land had the support of an influential political figure in the area. The farmers claimed that political pressure was contributing to the delay and preventing the concerned departments from completing the formalities required for the transfer of the land. The applicants also pointed out that their names and allotment information are already available on the Punjab government’s official online portal for the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar”scheme. They questioned why the authorities had not issued the lease documents despite their successful selection through balloting and the reported dismissal of the court stay. The Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), Khanewal, was contacted to obtain the administration’s position on the matter, including the delay in issuing the lease letters, the current legal status of the disputed land and the allegations of political interference. However, an official response from the ADCR was not available at the time of filing the report. The administration’s version will be included once an official response is received. The affected farmers have appealed to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Commissioner Khanewal Dr Hina Arshad Commissioner Multan Aamir Karim and the Senior Member Board of Revenue Punjab to take immediate notice of the issue. They demanded that the lease letters be issued without further delay and that possession of the allotted land be handed over to the successful applicants according to the balloting results, government policy and applicable legal procedures. The protesters also urged the provincial government to ensure transparent implementation of the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” scheme and prevent any political or external influence from affecting the rights of successful applicants.

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