MARDAN  –  To ensure massive participation from Mardan district in the Pakistan Teh­reek-e-Insaf (PTI) “Long March” sched­uled for September 27, the party’s Mardan chapter has accelerated prepa­rations and launched an extensive out­reach campaign to mobilize workers and activists.

The district organization, elected representatives, and party leaders are actively engaging with workers across various areas through direct contacts, corner meetings, and con­sultative sessions.

According to party sources, consul­tations are being held at various lev­els to maximize worker turnout from Mardan. Discussions are focusing on the current political situation, prepara­tions for the long march, worker organ­ization, and the logistics of convoys de­parting from different localities.

In this regard, meetings involving various party wings and leaders were held at the residence of PTI Pesha­war Region President Atif Khan. Dis­trict- and tehsil-level office-bearers and other party leaders attended the meetings, which emphasized the need to strengthen direct communication with workers and brief them on the long march’s objectives, the party’s future political strategy, and the pro­test programme.

Party leaders have been instructed to maintain constant contact with work­ers in their respective areas and organ­ize them for participation in the long march. Outreach activities are being in­tensified across tehsils, union councils, and local-level units, with office-bear­ers mobilized to ensure participation from their respective areas.

Meanwhile, preparations are also un­derway for a major public gathering at the residence of PTI leader Haris Khan Toru on September 18. According to party sources, a large number of work­ers, local leaders, and office-bearers from various parts of Mardan are ex­pected to attend the rally.

The event aims to organize and mobi­lize workers for the September 27 long march, as well as provide an opportu­nity to discuss the current political sit­uation and the party’s future strategy.

Party sources described the Sep­tember 18 rally as a crucial activity in preparation for the long march, noting that outreach efforts across Mardan district are likely to intensify follow­ing the event. The party leadership has instructed local organizations to strengthen ties with workers and keep them timely informed about the long march schedule and other arrange­ments.

Sources said a series of corner meet­ings, consultative sessions, and inter­actions with workers is already under­way across Mardan’s various tehsils and union councils. Party leaders are visiting different areas to meet work­ers, while door-to-door outreach cam­paigns are also being conducted in some localities to prepare them for participation in the long march.

PESHAWAR   –  The Khyber Pakh­tunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) is undertaking various initiatives and projects at dif­ferent tourist destinations across the province on a priority basis to promote tourism in line with the vi­sion of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Spe­cial Assistant to the CM for Tourism and Culture Ma­lik Adeel Iqbal.

This was stated by Director General of the Khy­ber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) Shahid Khan during a meeting with Pesha­war Press Club President M Riaz and members of the Press Club cabinet at his office. Various matters per­taining to tourism development and the role of the media in promoting tourism were discussed during the meeting.

The DG said that new camping pods were being in­stalled at AcharSar in Shangla, Laram Top in Lower Dir, and Bayun in Upper Swat, which would be made available to tourists during the upcoming tourism season. He said that the cooperation of the media was essential for promoting safe and sustainable tourism, as awareness among tourists and the general public could be effectively created through media platforms.

He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was blessed with im­mense natural beauty and that the Tourism Authori­ty was working to create new tourism opportunities while ensuring a safe and sustainable environment for visitors. Regarding the Maizban (Communi­ty-Based Accommodation) Programme, the DG said that 91 individuals had so far been provided inter­est-free loans, while 25 beneficiaries had already completed their tourist guesthouses. Under the initi­ative, local residents are establishing homestay facili­ties by utilizing two existing rooms in their houses or constructing new rooms for tourists. He said the pro­ject would not only provide employment opportuni­ties for local youth but also generate jobs for other members of local communities.

A total of 1,697 applications were received under the programme, of which 1,521 were found eligible and taken up for further scrutiny. Following the scru­tiny process, 130 applications were approved, while, in the first phase, 91 beneficiaries were provided in­terest-free loans amounting to Rs. 122 million by the provincial government.

Mailsi  –  Due to poor sanitation arrangements and lack of basic facilities at the old Ladies Park established near the Tehsil Office on Thana Sadr Road, women coming for morning walk are facing severe difficulties. According to citizens, heaps of garbage is visible everywhere and the grass has also grown significantly, which is affecting the environment and beauty of the park.  The soling of the park’s walking track is also in dilapidated condition, while the facility of clean drinking water is also not available anywhere. Citizens say that this is a very old and important public park in Mailsi, but due to a lack of proper maintenance and basic facilities for a long time, its condition is continuously deteriorating. There is an urgent need for a better environment, cleanliness, tree plantation, and other necessary facilities in the park. Women and citizens have demanded that the Deputy Commissioner Vehari should immediately visit the Ladies Park himself to assess the situation and issue immediate directives to the relevant officers to provide basic facilities, including cleanliness, grass cutting, repair of the walking track, tree plantation, and clean drinking water, so that women can be provided with better walking facilities in a healthy and clean environment.

New auto policy in Pakistan is in its final stages and is expected to be launched soon, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan said.

Speaking on the program On My Radar, Haroon Akhtar said work on the policy had taken time because of several changes in the automotive sector, including increased competition, the growth of electric vehicles (EVs), and the introduction of a national tariff policy.

He said the number of car manufacturers in Pakistan had increased from three to 13 because of the previous two auto policies, making competition a key consideration in drafting the new framework.

“The biggest change has been the arrival of electric vehicles,” Akhtar said, adding that the new policy would include measures to facilitate EVs.

He said extensive discussions had taken place over the auto policy, which took enough time, and that work was now focused on its legal aspects.

A key objective of the new policy was to make vehicles more affordable for consumers.

“We have maintained a balance in the policy so that our vehicles can compete with the rest of the world,” he said.

He added that the government had taken additional time to formulate the policy to avoid repeating mistakes made in the past.

According to him, the new policy will also remove additional customs duties and regulatory duties. He said the policy was now “almost complete” and would be formally announced very soon.

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has issued a notification announcing a further increase in petrol and high-speed diesel prices, ARY News reported.

According to the OGRA notification, petrol has been increased by Rs4.10 per litre, taking its new price to Rs384.34 per litre.

The price of high-speed diesel has been raised by Rs6.41 per litre, with the new rate set at Rs415.83 per litre.

The revised petrol price and diesel rate will take effect from September 16, according to the notification.

The latest increase has pushed petroleum prices further upward amid rising global oil prices.

The latest increase comes as the government has announced a special relief scheme to reduce the impact of rising oil prices on the public amid recent tensions in the Middle East and the resultant increase in global oil prices.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said a relief of Rs100 per litre will be provided on petrol for users of motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqi rickshaws and vehicles up to 800cc under the special relief scheme.

Motorcycle, rickshaw and Qingqi users, as well as other two- and three-wheeler users, will receive a relief of Rs100 per litre on up to 20 litres of petrol per month.

Similarly, owners of small cars up to 800cc will receive a relief of Rs100 per litre on up to 30 litres of petrol per month.

The prime minister said the scheme will be implemented in Islamabad Capital Territory on the night between Monday and Tuesday. It will be extended to the rest of the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, on the night between Wednesday and Thursday.

Registration for the special relief scheme started today. The registration procedure will be communicated to the public through an awareness campaign.

Shehbaz Sharif said the government fully realizes the difficulties being faced by the public due to the increase in oil prices.

He said the government would not leave the people alone in this difficult hour.

The prime minister thanked the provinces for their cooperation in providing information regarding motorcycles, rickshaws and small vehicles for registration under the scheme.