Shangla  –  Torrential monsoon rains continued to batter Shangla for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, severely disrupting normal life and triggering landslides, road blockades and widespread damage to public infrastructure across the district.

The persistent downpour caused a major landslide on the Alpurai College Road, forcing authorities to close the route to all types of traffic. Landslides were also reported at several locations along the Alpurai–Basham Road and the Alpurai–Khwazakhela Road, while similar incidents on various internal link roads created serious difficulties for commuters and motorists. The continuous rainfall also caused a significant rise in the water level of the Loi Khwar stream flowing through Alpurai. The strong current damaged protective embankments and the boundary wall of the doctors’ hostel at the District Headquarters Hospital. Local officials fear that continued heavy rainfall and rising water levels could cause further erosion and wash away the remaining protective structures.

Water levels also rose sharply in Khan Khwar, Loi Khwar, Amanowi Khwar and several other seasonal streams, nullahs, natural springs and waterfalls across the district.

The unusually high water flow has severely affected electricity generation at several locally operated hydropower stations. According to local sources, water channels supplying a number of micro-hydropower plants were washed away, while many others became clogged with sand, mud and debris, disrupting electricity production and leaving several areas without power.

The heavy rains also damaged Alpurai’s main water supply scheme, completely disrupting the supply of drinking water to the town’s main bazaar. Officials said several other water supply schemes across the district had also sustained damage due to flash floods and overflowing springs, raising fears of an acute drinking water shortage in many localities if restoration work is delayed.

Agricultural land in the upper parts of the district has also been affected, with standing crops, orchards and fruit-bearing trees sustaining damage. Protective field embankments have started collapsing under the pressure of continuous rainfall, while reports of partial damage to several mud houses have also been received from remote mountainous areas.

The ongoing spell of rain, which began on Sunday afternoon in Shangla’s northern and suburban areas, continued unabated through Tuesday, with intense showers throughout the day.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 Shangla has completed its monsoon emergency preparedness and intensified rescue operations across the district, successfully recovering vehicles involved in three separate road accidents while continuing search operations in the Indus River and launching public awareness campaigns to minimize the risk of monsoon-related incidents.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, emergency response teams remained on high alert as heavy monsoon rains continued across the district. Besides responding promptly to road accidents, the department has established temporary water rescue camps at vulnerable locations, particularly along the Indus River, to deal with any flood-related emergencies. Rescue 1122 said three separate traffic accidents occurred in Yakh Tangi, Shangla Top and Badha Gatta Beley Baba, where vehicles skidded off the roads and plunged into ravines.

Upon receiving emergency calls, Rescue 1122 recovery teams immediately rushed to the sites with heavy recovery vehicles and specialized rescue equipment. The teams successfully retrieved all three damaged vehicles while ensuring the safety of rescue personnel and restoring the flow of traffic on the affected roads.

Peshawar  –  Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Tuesday said Pakistan’s role on the global stage had become more significant than ever, urging stronger economic diplomacy, sustainable peace and an investment-friendly environment to unlock the country’s economic potential.

Addressing a conference titled ‘From Marka-e-Haq to Global Mediation, Diplomacy and Economic Opportunities’ at the Governor House, he said the recent regional and international developments had demonstrated Pakistan’s responsible conduct, diplomatic maturity and balanced approach. The conference was organized by the International Research Council for Religious Affairs in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF).

The Governor said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir had played an effective role in advancing Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement at the international level. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa served as a historic gateway connecting South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East, adding that with effective planning the province could emerge as a major hub of regional trade, investment and connectivity.

Kundi said the province possessed vast reserves of minerals, oil, gas, hydropower resources, precious stones and immense tourism potential. Establishment of oil refineries in the province, he added, would promote industrialization, create employment opportunities and help reduce unemployment. He termed economic diplomacy a key pillar of Pakistan’s development, saying tourism, education, technology, cultural exchanges and trade could further strengthen the country’s economy and international image.

The Governor said overseas Pakistanis were the country’s best ambassadors and could play a vital role in economic stability. He stressed the need to facilitate overseas Pakistanis, industrialists, businessmen and farmers, saying effective economic reforms could also reduce dependence on international financial institutions. He said the country’s youth were its greatest asset and emphasized providing them with quality education, modern technology, technical skills and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Kundi called for organizing similar academic and diplomatic forums in major world capitals, including Washington, Beijing, Brussels, Geneva, Vienna, Moscow and London, to project Pakistan’s positive narrative more effectively. He also underscored the importance of providing one-window facilities and a conducive environment for investors, saying the prevailing law and order situation in the Dera Ismail Khan Daraban Economic Zone remained a major hurdle to investment.

The Governor urged the provincial government to ensure effective coordination with the federal government for resolving issues relating to economic zones, adding that sustainable peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was essential for investment, industrial growth and public prosperity.

Earlier, policy experts, diplomats, parliamentarians, religious leaders, educationists, business representatives and overseas Pakistanis also addressed the conference, emphasizing the promotion of Pakistan’s positive image and the exploration of new economic opportunities through diplomacy and regional cooperation.

A resolution adopted on the occasion supported Pakistan’s appeal for a ceasefire between the United States and Iran and called for effective implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). It also paid tribute to the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the negotiating team, media, political and religious parties, and civil society for their contributions during Marka-e-Haq.

Peshawar  –  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control, Syed Fakhar Jehan, has said that the Excise Department and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police will launch joint anti-narcotics operations across the province as part of the provincial government’s intensified campaign against drug trafficking.

He reaffirmed that the government is pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against drug dealers, smugglers, and elements involved in narcotics-related crimes, emphasizing that protecting the younger generation from the menace of drugs remains one of the government’s highest priorities.

The minister made these remarks while addressing an Open Public Forum (Khuli Kachehri) in Abbottabad. The event was attended by Secretary Excise Khalid Ilyas, Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad Sarmad Saleem, District Police Officer Haroon-ur-Rashid, Director General Excise Abdul Haleem Khan, senior officers of the Excise Department, representatives of the business community, real estate sector, local elders, and members of the public.

During the open forum, the minister listened to citizens’ complaints, suggestions, and concerns regarding the services of the Excise Department and anti-narcotics measures.

Addressing the gathering, Fakhar Jehan said he has visited Abbottabad under the directions of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Suhail Afridi to ensure prompt resolution of public issues. He informed participants that Abbottabad has already been included in the provincial government’s Safe City Project and that implementation work will commence in the near future.

The minister announced that two dedicated squads from the Excise Department and two squads from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police are being constituted to conduct joint intelligence-based operations against drug traffickers and smugglers. He said these coordinated operations would significantly strengthen the province’s anti-narcotics campaign. Reaffirming the government’s resolve, Fakhar Jehan said that the complete elimination of drug trafficking is a key priority of the provincial government.

The minister said that narcotics, particularly crystal meth (“Ice”), are destroying the future of young people and undermining the social fabric of society. He further said that anyone believing they could escape the law through bribery was mistaken. “If any official of my department is found involved in corruption or any illegal activity, strict disciplinary action will be taken, including dismissal from service and criminal prosecution,” he said.

Fakhar Jehan assured participants that the public would witness tangible improvements within one month as a result of the decisions taken during the open forum. He said that the provincial government had allocated more than Rs14 billion to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police during the current fiscal year to further strengthen the force’s operational capacity for maintaining law and order and combating crime.

The minister said that the Health Card programme had provided significant relief to ordinary citizens by reducing the financial burden of medical treatment and reflected the vision of a welfare-oriented state.

Later, Fakhar Jehan visited the Abbottabad Press Club, where he congratulated the newly elected President and members of the cabinet and extended his best wishes for their successful tenure.