Punjab sends 10 electric buses to AJK as CM Maryam fulfils pledge

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif fulfilled her commitment made to the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) by dispatching 10 electric buses to Muzaffarabad. Acting on the chief minister’s directions, the buses were sent from Murree to AJK and began operating in Muzaffarabad, the region’s capital, within a few hours. CM Punjab said the electric buses were “a gift from the people of Punjab to the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.” She added that trained staff and drivers were also being deployed to Muzaffarabad to ensure smooth operation of the service. The chief minister said Punjab’s electric bus system offers free travel to women, students and senior citizens, adding that she wanted the people of AJK to benefit from the same modern transport facility. “Millions of people in Punjab travel on electric buses, and I want the citizens of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to benefit from this service as well,” she said. Separately, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s measures enabled rapid drainage operations in rain-affected areas across the province despite record monsoon showers over the past four days, according to an official handout issued on Friday. The chief minister’s initiative to establish Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) operations in 41 districts, backed by more than 1,000 machines and operational staff, helped clear accumulated rainwater within hours instead of weeks. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Lahore received the highest rainfall at 383 millimetres during the past four days, followed by Gujranwala (328mm), Sialkot (321mm), Narowal (270mm), Murree (211mm), Mandi Bahauddin (177mm), Gujrat (144mm) and Jhelum (115mm). The PDMA reported rainfall of 108mm in Hafizabad, 102mm in Mangla, 96mm in Chakwal, 85mm in Sheikhupura, 72mm in Okara, 66mm in Jhang, 57mm in Toba Tek Singh, 56mm in Attock, 52mm in Kasur, 47mm in Rawalpindi, 35mm in Layyah and 34mm in Sahiwal. Rain was also recorded in Faisalabad, Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khanewal, Bahawalnagar and Bhakkar. CM Punjab directed the authorities to ensure safety measures around seasonal streams, low-lying areas, rivers and canals. She appealed to the public to avoid visiting or bathing in canals, rivers and rain-fed streams during the monsoon season and possible flood conditions. She also instructed district administrations to monitor weak and unsafe roofs, ordered compensation for affected families, and urged citizens to stay away from buildings and houses at risk of roof collapse. According to the report, continuous monitoring of rivers, dams and barrages is underway on the chief minister’s directions. Surveillance of all relevant cities through Safe City cameras is also continuing in view of the monsoon rains. The handout said drainage operations were completed in the shortest possible time despite unprecedented rainfall under the chief minister’s leadership. PDMA Director General Umar Abbas Meela said the chief minister had also directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured. Acting on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab government has intensified drone monitoring of rivers, barrages and headworks across the province as part of precautionary measures amid the ongoing monsoon spell. According to an official handout, the irrigation department has remained fully mobilised with all available human and mechanical resources, while round-the-clock monitoring of barrages, canals, embankments, drains and hill torrents is underway. The department has deployed the required machinery in the field to deal with any emergency situation and has also started removing obstructions impeding the flow of water in streams and nullahs.