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Rain-thundershower expected in upper areas, Islamabad on Wednesday

ISLAMABAD: Rain-wind/thundershower with isolated heavy falls is expected in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pothohar region, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas on Wednesday, while hot and humid weather is likely to prevail in other plain areas of the country.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, partly cloudy weather with rain-wind/thundershower is expected in Islamabad and adjoining areas, with isolated heavy rainfall also possible. The probability of rain in the federal capital is 60 percent.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain-wind/thundershower is likely in Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Battagram, Buner, Nowshera, Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Malakand, Mohmand, Khyber, Bajaur, Kohat, Parachinar and adjoining areas, with isolated heavyfalls expected during the period.

In Punjab, most districts are expected to experience hot and humid weather. However, partly cloudy conditions with rain-wind/thundershower are likely in Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Narowal, Sialkot, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat and adjoining areas. Isolated heavy rainfall may also occur.

Hot and humid weather is expected in most districts of Sindh and Balochistan, while partly cloudy conditions are likely in their coastal areas.

Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are also expected to experience partly cloudy weather with isolated rain-wind/thundershower, with heavy rainfall possible at isolated places.

The Met Office warned that moderate to heavy rainfall during the night and on September 2 may trigger landslides in Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Battagram, Buner, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Murree, Galliyat, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

Heavy rainfall may also cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Gujrat during the forecast period.

During the last 24 hours, weather remained hot and humid over most parts of the country. However, rain-wind/thundershowers occurred at isolated places in Islamabad, Pothohar region, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, with heavy rainfall recorded at isolated places in Islamabad, Pothohar region and Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Rawalpindi received the highest rainfall, with 201 mm at Shamsabad, 191 mm at Chaklala and 187 mm at New Kattarian. Islamabad received 157 mm at Golra, 152 mm at Zero Point, 105 mm at Saidpur Village and 72 mm at Bokra.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 44 mm rainfall was recorded at Takht Bai, 26 mm at Balakot and 15 mm at Kakul. Muzaffarabad received 19 mm at the airport and 13 mm in the city, while Hunza and Gilgit received 4 mm and 3 mm respectively.

The highest maximum temperature of 43C was recorded at Dalbandin and Nokundi, while Bhakkar and Dadu recorded 42C and Sibi 41C.

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Health minister orders probe into Sindh MDCAT complaints

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of alleged irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held in Sindh and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints.

According to official sources, the minister directed a five-member committee, including the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to conduct a transparent investigation and submit its report within 15 days.

The committee has been tasked with examining the complaints and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities during the examination, sources said.

The minister directed the committee to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe and present its findings for further action in accordance with the applicable rules.

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CDA chairman directs faster work on Expressway East project

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf has directed officials to accelerate work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East project while ensuring strict compliance with approved designs and construction standards.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, the chairman reviewed progress and was briefed on ongoing works and the next phase of development.

He directed the project director and relevant departments to maintain continuous field monitoring and quality control and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The chairman described the Expressway East project as an important infrastructure scheme for improving connectivity, traffic flow and road capacity in the capital. He also stressed that construction quality should not be compromised in efforts to meet the project timeline.

During the visit, he was also briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against unauthorised and illegal construction along the Islamabad Expressway.

According to the CDA, 377 buildings have been identified for action, including 281 commercial structures. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, while 124 buildings between Sohan and Khanna bridges have been marked for demolition.

The authority said Rs234.685 million had been recovered through land-use conversion, unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges. Around Rs3 billion remained recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion and violations relating to unauthorised construction, setbacks, floor area ratio and covered area.

The chairman directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of building-control and land-use regulations, particularly mandatory fire-safety requirements.

The enforcement operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad police.

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GB ministers call on Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday held a meeting with a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan ministers at the Governor’s House here and discussed the country’s political situation and other matters of mutual interest.

The delegation comprised Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Zulfiqar Ali Murad, Minister for Health Iqbal Hassan and Minister for Education Aman Ali Ameer.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s success in the polls.

The visiting ministers were taken on a tour of the Governor’s House. Governor Kundi presented them with traditional shawls and caps.