JHELUM – Residents of several villages have urged the Punjab government to take immediate measures to rectify faulty drainage arrangements along the Lillah-Jhelum Dual Carriageway and address connectivity problems caused by the Jalalpur Irrigation Project (JIP) canal.

Residents of Dilawar village said their houses were flooded with mud and rainwater flowing down the surrounding hills during recent rains. They expressed fears that another spell of heavy rainfall could lead to flash floods entering their homes.

Local resident Malik Sajjad said villagers had repeatedly warned the authorities about the potential threat before the monsoon, but their concerns were allegedly ignored. He said engineers later inspected a culvert along the road, where inadequate space for the passage of floodwater had resulted in inundation of nearby houses.

He said the road and culvert required structural modifications to ensure the smooth discharge of rain and floodwater and prevent a recurrence of the problem.

An official associated with the project said a detailed report had been submitted to senior officials of the Punjab Highways Department, seeking corrective measures.

Meanwhile, residents of Kullewal, Ara Buland and adjoining areas complained that the Jalalpur-Khushab Canal had disrupted their access to agricultural fields, graveyards and grazing grounds. They said the absence of mini-bridges had created serious difficulties for local people, particularly farmers.

Jalalpur Irrigation Project Director Waheed Ashraf said he had recently visited the affected locations along with a team of the Asian Development Bank. He said several possible solutions were currently being examined in consultation with the ADB.

RAWALPINDI – Over 1,000 applications have been received from livestock farmers across Rawalpindi district as registration continues for the third phase of the CM Livestock Card Programme.

On Wednesday, Focal Person Livestock Rawalpindi Dr. Mad-e-ha Tariq said that the registration for 3rd phase is being conducted on a “first-come, first-served” basis, with approximately 15 to 20 days remaining for farmers to submit applications, though an extension may be considered if needed to accommodate maximum beneficiaries.

Dr. Mad-e-ha Tariq elaborated that following the close of registration, a comprehensive scrutiny and verification process lasting about one month will commence before issuing cards and disbursing funds directly into approved accounts.

Under the initiative managed by the Livestock and Dairy Development Department Punjab, eligible livestock owners possessing between 5 and 20 male calves (bulls/ heifers) can access interest-free loans of up to Rs 540,000.0. The funds allow farmers to purchase high-quality feed (wanda), silage and mineral mixtures from registered tehsil vendors, along with a special facility to withdraw up to 25 percent of the loan in cash to meet operational expenses, vaccination costs, and care needs.

The focal person said that applicants must be residents of Punjab holding a valid original CNIC, possess a mobile SIM registered in their own name, and verify ownership of at least five male calves.

Dr. Mad-e-ha highlighted that veterinary officers and assistants were assisting farmers through field-level facilitation desks, along with online application portals at plc.punjab.gov.pk (accessible directly or via QR code) and a 24/7 helpline (08000-9211) for guidance and grievance redressal. 

She urged all eligible livestock owners to complete their registration promptly to benefit from the provincial government’s farmer-friendly initiative.

There is reportedly chatter about the Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York’s impending trip back to the UK to support her daughter, Princess Eugenie, who is set to give birth in the coming months. While Ferguson has kept a low profile for the most part in the last few months after becoming the focus of media attention, linked to a collection of old emails related to Jeffrey Epstein, sources insist that the former royal feels disinclined to stay so far removed from her family during major life events.

Set to Remain Close Ferguson is said to be apprehensive about traveling to England but she wants to be at her family’s beck and call.

“She can’t bear the idea of being so cut off from her daughters and her grandchildren, especially with Eugenie about to give birth.

She feels it’s crucial for her to be nearby,” explained a royal insider to Closer Online Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank announced in May that their third child is expected this summer, joining them alongside August and Ernest.

Tending to Family Business & Monarchy The Duchess also reportedly seeks to tend to a few existing family and royal matters before her arrival. Getting Right with Prince Andrew Although their lives have shifted significantly, the sources said that Fergie knows that she must get in sync with Prince Andrew.

Approaching the Crown She is reportedly hoping to engage directly with senior members of the monarchy to defend her years of service to the family, citing the documents have no implication for illegal activity of Fergie, but rather how an emails written under the direction of a legal representative to address an anticipated defamation challenge.

Regarding the Old Emails Back in October (last year) old emails surfaced implicating Ferguson from correspondence sent to her long ago former friend and convicted sex offender, Epstein.

While no wrongdoing of Ferguson was revealed, a court review didn’t confirm illegalities by Duchess, reports said her attorney explained, stating they were carefully worded to deflect defamation threat following the Duke of York having spoken against Epstein.