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Rain, thundershower expected in upper parts, Islamabad on Thursday

ISLAMABAD: Rain-wind/thundershower is expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Punjab, Pothohar region, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on Thursday, with isolated heavy rainfall likely during evening and night, according to the Pakistan

The PMD forecast said hot and humid weather would prevail in other plain areas of the country.

It warned that heavy rains during the night of September 3 and September 4 could cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sialkot.

Heavy rainfall may also trigger flash flooding in local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi and the Pothohar region. Landslides are also feared in hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir.

In Islamabad and adjoining areas, partly cloudy weather with rain-wind/thundershower is expected, while isolated heavy rainfall is likely during the night.

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

In Punjab, hot and humid weather will prevail in most districts. However, rain-wind/thundershower is expected in Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Narowal, Sialkot, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat and adjoining areas, with isolated heavy rainfall possible during the night.

Sindh is expected to remain hot and humid, while partly cloudy conditions with chances of drizzle are forecast in coastal areas, including Karachi. Balochistan will also remain hot and humid in most districts, with partly cloudy conditions expected in coastal areas.

In Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, partly cloudy weather with rain-wind/thundershower is expected, while isolated heavy rainfall may occur in Kashmir.

According to the PMD, rain-wind/thundershowers occurred in Islamabad, the Pothohar region, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, with heavy rainfall at isolated places. Hot and humid weather prevailed over southern parts of the country.

Islamabad’s Saidpur received the highest rainfall of 45mm, followed by Islamabad City 28mm and Airport 12mm. Saidu Sharif received 35mm, while Rawalpindi’s New Kattarian recorded 13mm and Shamsabad 12mm.

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

The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded were: Islamabad 21-33C, Lahore 27-36C, Karachi 26-33C, Peshawar 25-35C, Quetta 20-37C, Gilgit 19-33C, Muzaffarabad 22-36C, Skardu 15-26C, Murree 14-23C, Faisalabad 28-39C and Multan 27-38C.

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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.