ISLAMABAD, JUL 19 /DNA/ – Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Khalid Ejaz had a meeting with the Team of the Prime Minister Youth Programme on 14 July 2025 lead by the team lead Sabahat Rahimbaig.

The Ambassador provided them with valuable contacts for potential collaboration with the Portuguese society and guided them on various opportunities for Pakistani students in Portugal.

Nazir Siyal / DNA

KARACHI: A Karachi University laboratory on basis of samples sent from actor Humaira Asghar’s body came to the conclusion that there were no traces of sedative or toxic substance in it, raising a strong possibility that the medico-legal section will likely to declare it as a “natural death”, it emerged on Friday according to a report and police officials.

A police investigative report released on Wednesday found that the evidence so far indicated that the actor’s death — whose body was discovered in a Karachi apartment on July 8 — was accidental or due to natural causes.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 18 /DNA/ – The Capital Development Authority (CDA) of Islamabad has witnessed a remarkable transformation under the leadership of its current chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa. With renewed vision, efficient planning, and strong administrative control, the CDA on the directions of Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Interior has not only accelerated development projects but has also restored public confidence in civic governance. The recent achievements of the CDA stand as a testament to what committed leadership can accomplish when guided by integrity and purpose.

At the heart of CDA’s recent success on the instruction of Mohsin Naqvi Minister Interior and under the supervision of Muhammad Ali Randhawa an innovative approach emphasizes transparency, efficiency, and timely execution—three principles that have long been needed to revitalize Islamabad’s urban management. Through regular field visits, direct public interaction, and strict accountability within the CDA workforce, the chairman CDA has injected a new sense of responsibility into the organization.

Major Development Projects are several key infrastructure projects which have been completed and there are some projects which are near completion under the current administration. These include:
   •   Expansion and Rehabilitation of Roads: Numerous roads across the capital, including Srinagar Highway, IJP Road, and the 7th Avenue Interchange, have seen rapid construction and improvement. These projects have significantly eased traffic congestion and improved connectivity.
   •   Park and Green Area Restoration: In line with Islamabad’s atmosphere as a green city, the CDA has revived several parks, planted thousands of trees, and enhanced green belts across sectors. Initiatives like the Urban Forest Project and tree plantation drives have garnered praise from environmentalists and citizens alike.
   •   Waste Management and Sanitation: Under the current chairman, the CDA has implemented an improved waste management system, with better garbage collection routes, more efficient sanitation services, and increased public awareness campaigns about cleanliness.
 In Sector Development: The long-stalled development in sectors such as Park Enclave, C-15, C-16, E-12 and I-12 has resumed after years of delay. Landowners and allottees are finally seeing progress on ground, thanks to strong administrative resolve and legal measures to clear encroachments and disputes.

Besides Sector Development, Digital Governance in order to ensure Transparency is the hall mark
Initiative of CDA.
One of the most notable aspects of the current leadership under Mohsin Maqvi Federal Minister for Interior and supervision of Muhammad Ali Randhawa has been the digital transformation of the CDA. Key services such as building plan approvals, plot verifications, and tax payments have been shifted online. This digital push has minimized the role of middlemen, reduced corruption, and made services more accessible to the general public. Furthermore, tenders and contracts are now being awarded more transparently, with public access to procurement details—a significant step toward eradicating bureaucratic red tape and ensuring fair competition.
Most importantly, CDA has adopted
Citizen Centric Approach with emphasis on addressing citizens problems at their door steps. Open kutcheris (public forums), complaint redressal mechanisms, and responsive helplines have empowered residents to raise their voices and see action taken promptly. The chairman’s willingness to engage directly with citizens has bridged the gap between the authority and the people it serves.

Under its current chairman, the CDA has become a model of effective civic management in Islamabad. Through a combination of visionary leadership of Mohsin Naqvi Federal Minister for Interior and effective supervision of Muhammad Ali Randhawa Chairman CDA, swift execution, public engagement, and a firm stance against inefficiency, the authority is setting a new benchmark in urban development. As Islamabad continues to grow, it is heartening to see the CDA evolving to meet its needs and doing so with a renewed sense of purpose and excellence.

QUETTA, JUL 18 (DNA) —  One Balochistan Constabulary officer was martyred and three others suffered injuries on Friday when unidentified people opened fire on their vehicle on National Highway in the Mastung district, provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind said.

In April, three policemen were martyred and at least 16 others were injured in a blast that targeted a vehicle of the Balochistan Constabulary on Mastung’s Dasht Road. There has been an increase in the frequency of attacks against security forces in Balochistan in recent times.

“According to initial reports, the acting deputy superintendent of police’s (DSP) vehicle was targeted,” the spokesperson Rind said in a statement. nThe assailants opened fire on the vehicle near the Choto area of Mastung on the National Highway, the statement elaborated.

Rind stated that “a search operation is underway to apprehend the assailants, and security forces have been dispatched to the site of the attack”. The injured officers were immediately rushed to Shaheed Nawab Ghaus Bakhsh Hospital in Quetta, he added.

On July 16, three people were killed and seven others were injured as a passenger bus was fired upon in Balochistan’s Kalat. Earlier this month, three cops were injured in an attack on a highway police vehicle in Balochistan’s Nasirabad District. In a separate incident on July 9, unknown attackers hurled a grenade at a police checkpoint at the Sibi-Harnai railway crossing gate.

The grenade exploded at the post, but no injuries were reported. On June 21, two personnel of the Frontier Corps were martyred and four were injured in a bomb attack in Kalat’s Mongochar area. Meanwhile, President and the Prime Minister have condemned the attack.  — DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUL 18 /DNA/ – Commander-in-Chief of Libyan Armed Forces Lt. General Saddam Khalifa Abu Qasim Haftar calls on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, on 18 July , 2025 in Islamabad.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 18 /DNA/ – Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, called on Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, at Naval Headquarters, Islamabad.

Upon arrival at Naval Headquarters, Commander-in-Chief of Libyan Armed Forces was received by Chief of the Naval Staff. During the meeting, both leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, regional maritime security situation, and avenues for enhanced cooperation in training and defence. Admiral Naveed Ashraf highlighted Pakistan Navy’s initiatives for ensuring maritime security and peace in the region through Regional Maritime Security Patrols.

Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar appreciated and acknowledged Pakistan Navy’s contributions and unwavering commitment to collaborative maritime security efforts in the region. Both leaders pledged to further strengthen and diversify the scope of existing bilateral defence relationship.

Pakistan and Libya share longstanding brotherly relations marked by close naval cooperation. The visit of Commander-in-Chief of Libyan Armed Forces is expected to further enhance bilateral collaboration between the two countries.

Quetta, JUL 18: One personnel of the Balochistan Constabulary embraced martyrdom and three others were injured when unidentified armed men attacked their convoy in Mastung on Friday.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said that the attack occurred on the national highway near Mastung, where unknown assailants targeted a vehicle of the acting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

Terrorism has surged in Balochistan, with militants targeting civilians as well as security personnel. Indian-backed proxies have also increased their attacks in Pakistan following the Pahalgam defeat.

The injured were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment. Security forces rushed to the site, cordoned off the area, and launched a search operation to trace and apprehend the suspects.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of the security personnel. He offered prayers for the departed soul and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

The prime minister also directed authorities to provide the injured with priority medical care. He vowed that those attempting to destabilise the country would not succeed and reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism.

President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the terrorist attack. The president paid tribute to the martyred personnel and extended heartfelt condolences to their families.

He reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue its struggle until terrorism is completely eradicated.

President Zardari said that such cowardly attacks cannot shake the nation’s resolve. He added that the state will not rest until the terrorists and their facilitators are brought to justice.

He also expressed his prayers and good wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured personnel.

In Balochistan’s Awaran district two days back, Indian-sponsored terrorists martyred Pakistan Army Major Syed Rabnawaz Tariq, while on the same day, at least three people were killed and seven others sustained injuries after unidentified assailants opened gunfire on a passenger coach travelling from Karachi to Quetta in Kalat.