RAWALPINDI, NOV 18 /DNA/ – Twenty three khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

On reported presence of khwarij, an intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces in Bajaur District. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, resultantly eleven khwarij including kharji ring leader Sajjad @Abuzar were sent to hell.

In another intelligence based operation conducted in Bannu District, own troops successfully neutralized twelve more khwarij.

Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji found in the area as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision “Azm e Istehkam” (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

ISLAMABAD, 18 NOV (DNA) —    President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday praised the security forces for killing 15 terrorists in two different operations carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The president and prime minister, in their separately issued statements, commended the security forces and their successful strategy during the operations in the Kolachi area of Dera Ismail Khan and Datta Khel of North Waziristan, in which terrorists of Indian-backed Fitna al-Khawarij, including ringleader Alam Mehsud were killed.

They said that the ongoing anti-terrorism operation under “Azm-e-Istehkam” manifested the nation’s collective efforts to establish lasting peace in the country and that the security forces were also achieving great successes in this regard. “The complete elimination of the foreign-backed terrorists will continue with national consensus. No political maneuver or attempt to divert attention or disrupt the national consensus against extremism and terrorism at any level will be tolerated,” President Zardari remarked.

He saluted the resolve and bravery of the security forces and law-enforcement agencies, saying that by the grace of Allah, Pakistan would soon be cleansed of the evil of every terrorist. Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the entire nation stood with Pakistan’s armed forces in the war against terrorism. — DNA

ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 (APP/DNA):Pakistan Railways is all set to outsource 11 passenger trains under a new operational framework aimed at improving efficiency and revenue generation for the department.

“11 trains will be offered through an open auction instead of the previous bidding system,” an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP.

The trains to be outsourced included Hazara Express, Bahauddin Zakariya Express, Millat Express, Badar Express, Ghouri Express, Rawal Express, Thal Express, Mohenjo Daro Passenger, Fareed Express, Mianwali Express, and Faiz Ahmad Faiz Passenger train, he added.

He said that private operators to participate in a transparent process.

The official said that Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi canceled all previous financial bids, directing that future outsourcing will be conducted exclusively through open auctions to ensure transparency, competition and public confidence.

He said the new system will not only bring greater efficiency and better service quality for passengers but also help Pakistan Railways reduce losses and modernize its operations through public-private collaboration.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 18: /DNA/ – The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Enforcement Team has launched a decisive operation in the Rawalpindi–Islamabad region, sealing three LPG plants found guilty of overcharging consumers in violation of the authority’s prescribed pricing.

The action was taken against LPG units operating in Fateh Jang Road, Tarnol, and surrounding localities after inspectors confirmed that the outlets were selling liquefied petroleum gas at rates higher than the officially notified prices. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the owners of the sealed plants.

According to OGRA, the enforcement team has made it clear that no LPG operator will be allowed to sell gas beyond the regulated price. The authority has directed its enforcement wings to intensify inspections across multiple cities to ensure compliance and take strict action against those involved in profiteering.

OGRA reiterated its commitment to protecting consumers from exploitation and ensuring fair market practices in the LPG sector.

He said that the Tianjin summit was a clear signal, “a signal that our organisation is evolving with the resolve to harness the full spectrum of our collective potential by focusing on economic integration

DNA

MOSCOW: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, on Tuesday, while addressing a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference in Moscow, said the summit was “well-placed” to promote regional cooperation in dealing with emergencies and to extend cooperation in the humanitarian field.

The SCO is holding its Council of Heads of Government summit in Moscow from November 17 to 18. Taking place under Russia’s rotating presidency, the high-level meeting follows the landmark Tianjin Summit three months earlier and comes at a pivotal moment for Eurasian economic connectivity in a shifting global order.

“Excellencies, the agenda before us, spanning trade, economy, culture and humanitarian cooperation, is the basis of a mature, future-oriented SCO,” FM Dar said during his speech. “Pakistan views them as interconnected threads in a single, stronger fabric of regional partnership.”

He said that the Tianjin summit was a clear signal, “a signal that our organisation is evolving with the resolve to harness the full spectrum of our collective potential by focusing on economic integration through expanded trade collaboration, improved infrastructure connectivity, investment partnerships, advancement of cross-border trade corridors, and the promotion of digital economic development”.

The SCO, Dar highlighted, has established a foundation for sustainable economic progress throughout the SCO space.

“Pakistan has developed a technology-driven, proactive disaster management system,” the FM pointed out, adding that the country is “keen” to organise simulation exercises with SCO partners to bolster disaster preparedness across the region.

“Excellencies, our discussions at Tianjin underscored the need to modernise our outreach. The value of our observer and partner states is immense,” Dar said.

He added, “Let us move from a model of passive observation to one of real engagement. Let us invite them to participate not as guests on the periphery but as stakeholders in specific project-based initiatives that align with their expertise and our collective goals.

This way, Dar emphasised, “we can create a flexible, multi-tiered model of cooperation that would benefit all”.

“An important feature of the modernisation of the SCO is the introduction of English as a working language,” FM Dar pointed out. “Let us move forward from political declarations and establish a translation unit. The SCO can attract more partners and achieve wider goal influence with this only one step.”

“Excellencies, to translate the momentum of Tianjin into tangible progress, we suggest greater focus on practical, cross-cutting initiatives,” Dar said.

Pakistan, according to Dar’s address, has two proposals: operationalise financial tools for the promotion of trade and economy and build human capital.

“While our efforts continue to make available diversified financial tools such as the SCO Development Bank and development and investment funds for our economies and businesses, we must aggressively utilise the tools already at our disposal, like the SCO Interbank Consortium, to finance connectivity and technical collaboration projects,” he said.

DNA

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has introduced 7 new M-Tag installation points, allowing residents to get their vehicles tagged between 9 am and 9 pm.

According to the spokesman of ICT administration here, the move aims to give thousands of daily commuters easy access to the mandatory tagging system before enforcement begins across the capital.

He said that the Islamabad’s administration has expanded M-Tag facilities by setting up seven points across the federal capital. The service is now available for vehicle owners from 9 am to 9 pm, giving citizens a full 12-hour window to complete their M-Tag installation.

According to the district administration, new service points have been established at Kachnar Park in I-8, Islamabad Club, and Lake View Park.

Additional centres are operating at F-9 Park, Tarlai, Gulberg Greens and 26 Number Chungi, covering both central and peripheral areas of the city.

 These locations were selected to help reduce travel time for residents who need to get their vehicles registered under the tagging system.

Meanwhile, the Excise and Taxation Office in H-9 will also offer M-Tag services, but with specific timings from 3 pm to 9 pm. Officials said this adjustment will help manage heavy footfall at the office while allowing citizens to access multiple points throughout the day.

The district administration has stated that the new setup will help citizens avoid long queues and can choose the nearest centre to complete the process.

 Each point is staffed to assist residents in applying for a new tag, verifying vehicle details or updating information linked to their M-Tag account.

Officials emphasised that no vehicle will be allowed to operate in Islamabad without an M-Tag once full enforcement begins. This step is part of a broader plan to ensure a smooth traffic management system and streamline vehicle identification within the capital.

The administration also announced that the next phase will involve action against vehicles operating without an M-Tag. For now, residents are being encouraged to visit their nearest centre to avoid complications once enforcement starts.

The introduction of seven service points marks a shift from previous arrangements where citizens had limited access to M-Tag facilities. Earlier, most residents had to visit fewer centres, resulting in long waiting times and heavy congestion. The new arrangement spreads traffic across multiple locations, lowering the burden on each centre and helping commuters complete the process quickly.

At the parks-based points—such as F-9 Park, Kachnar Park and Lake View Park—visitors can complete their M-Tag registration during regular park visits. This placement, officials say, is meant to bridge the accessibility gap by bringing essential services into public spaces.

Tarlai and 26 Number Chungi centres will benefit residents of rural and semi-urban localities who previously had to travel long distances for registration. By covering these areas, the administration aims to ensure that motorists from every zone of Islamabad have access to the service without extensive travel.

Residents have been advised to bring their CNIC, vehicle registration book and phone number for verification. Those who already have an M-Tag can visit any of the new points to update their data or resolve issues linked to their account.

The extended 12-hour availability is designed to accommodate government employees, private-sector workers and commercial drivers who may not be free during standard office hours. By offering services into the evening, the administration expects a higher completion rate before enforcement begins.

Officials said the citywide rollout of M-Tag services reflects an effort to modernise traffic systems. Once fully enforced, the system will help regulate vehicle movement and improve toll collection processes in coordination with relevant authorities.