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LHC orders timely implementation of motorway and Multan plantation projects
The Lahore High Court has directed authorities to continue implementing approved and proposed plantation projects along the M-3 Motorway and major roads in Multan, and to complete pending approvals and procurement processes on time.
The court ruled that the success of plantation initiatives should be measured not merely by the number of trees planted, but also by their survival, healthy growth and proper maintenance.
Justice Jawad Hassan reviewed implementation reports submitted by relevant government departments while hearing a petition filed by Muhammad Tahir Jamal and a connected application.
During the hearing, the additional advocate general of Punjab informed the court that plantation activities were underway along the M-3 Motorway and various roads in Multan. Meetings of a consultative committee had also been held to reduce environmental risks and increase green cover.
The court was informed that 5,280 plants had been planted at service areas and rest areas along the M-3 Motorway in October 2026. Procurement was underway to plant fruit-bearing trees along a 36-kilometre stretch of the motorway, while estimates for planting new trees and maintaining existing ones along other sections were awaiting approval.
National Highway Authority officials said additional signboards identifying service areas had also been installed at intervals of approximately 10 kilometres to facilitate travellers.
Officials further informed the court that a plan had been prepared to plant a total of 28,215 saplings along major roads in Multan district during the 2026-27 financial year.
Under the plan, 19,140 saplings will be planted along Multan-Vehari Road, 4,125 along Khanewal Road and 990 along Head Muhammad Wala Road. Another 1,980 saplings are planned at Sher Shah Toll Plaza on Muzaffargarh Road, with an additional 1,980 at the Sher Shah Road intersection. The plantation work will cover various stretches spanning a combined 85.5 kilometres.
Authorities said the plantation project for Multan-Vehari Road had been approved, while the other three projects were awaiting approval. The saplings would be maintained and cared for over four years after implementation, they added.
The Forest Department has also introduced a system to record the geographical locations of plantation sites, photographs, plant species and survival rates to monitor project progress and outcomes.
The court appreciated the efforts made by the Multan divisional commissioner, National Highway Authority, Forest Department, Higher Education Department and other relevant authorities.
Justice Jawad Hassan also described the “One Student, One Plant” initiative as a positive step towards raising environmental awareness among students.
The court directed authorities to ensure that plantation projects were not limited to beautifying roads and public spaces. It said planning should also take into account local climate, soil conditions, water availability, biodiversity and the protection of wild pollinators, including honeybees.
The court called for durable, dense and shade-providing trees to be planted at suitable locations, suggesting consideration of neem, shisham, peepal and varieties of acacia suited to the local environment.
Justice Jawad Hassan clarified that the final selection of tree species should be made by relevant technical experts after assessing local conditions and compatibility with existing infrastructure.
Authorities were also directed to ensure adequate watering, protection of saplings, replacement of dead or damaged plants and regular monitoring to secure lasting environmental benefits.
The court ordered the relevant authorities to continue implementing approved and proposed projects in accordance with the law and complete pending approvals and procurement procedures within the prescribed time.
It emphasised that the true measure of plantation projects would be the survival of trees, proper maintenance and their lasting positive impact on the environment.
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WhatsApp rolls out new ‘Mentions and Replies’ chat filter
WhatsApp has began rolling out a new “Mentions and Replies” filter that will enable users to easily identify chats where they have been mentioned or their message has been replied to.
WABetaInfo says the feature is now being implemented for select users on WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.42.12.
The new filter will be available in the Chats page, allowing users to see conversations where they have been tagged or their messages addressed. It is said to help you keep track of key communications more easily in huge group conversations and groups.
The feature could be particularly useful for people who get a lot of messages and sometimes miss critical queries, answers or comments in crowded chats.
Another important feature is that even after you have cleared the notifications, the relevant chats will still be available through the filter, enabling you get back to conversations that need your attention.
Users will also be able to tweak the feature as per their tastes with choices to disable it through settings or relocate it to the “More” section.
The “Mentions and Replies” filter is now being handed out to a small number of beta users. WhatsApp has not yet announced when it will be sent out to all users.
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Eight countries, including Pakistan, urge diplomacy to resolve regional conflicts
Foreign ministers of eight nations including Pakistan agreed to the urgent need to resolve regional crises through conversation, diplomacy and de-escalation.
The foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia (R4) and the FMs of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, met in Istanbul on 23 October 2026, the Foreign Office stated in a statement on Saturday.
Ministers discussed issues of regional and international importance, namely US/Israel-Iran conflict, Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for a negotiated two-state solution, appalling Houthi militia attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Yemen, safety and freedom of navigation, escalated tension in Straits of Hormuz and Bab El Mandeb and the Black Sea.
They pledged their ongoing commitment to contribute to diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability in the area and beyond and address the security, economic and trade ramifications of these concerns.
They stressed the importance of finding durable negotiated solutions to all ongoing issues in conformity with the applicable UN Resolutions. The Ministers resolved to continue the engagement in this format with a view to averting disputes and promoting peace and stability in the area.
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Pakistan warns Taliban regime to stop supporting terror outfits
Pakistan reiterated its worries about militant activity emanating from Afghan territory and called on the Afghan Taliban leadership to stop all kinds of support, facilitation and tolerance for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and their affiliated groups.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting claimed that the claims against Pakistan’s security institutions could not take away from Islamabad’s long-standing security worries. It underlined that Afghan authorities must ensure that their land is not utilised to plan, prepare or carry out terrorist operations against Pakistan.
The ministry, reacting to the latest statements by the Afghan Taliban regime, said Pakistan’s concerns were not conjectural but were based on international reporting and documented proof. It stated that Afghan authorities were responsible for preventing the use of Afghan land for terrorist actions against Pakistan and that the blame on Pakistani security agencies would not clear them of their obligation.
The ministry said it was referring to a report by the United Nations Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, investigating the presence and actions of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, known as document S/2025/796.
It also cited a report presented to the US Congress by the US Lead Inspector General covering Operation Enduring Sentinel from January to March 2026.
The Pakistani ministry’s version of the US report said the Afghan Taliban had continued to allow the TTP to operate from Afghan territory. The report attributed the spike in attacks against Pakistan to growing Taliban backing and greater operational independence for the group.
The statement cited numbers that approximated the size of the TTP at between 4,000 and 6,000 combatants.
The ministry said the foreign evaluations illustrate the seriousness of Pakistan’s worries about terrorist safe havens and support networks in Afghanistan. It said that dismissing the capacity or desire of extremist groups to destabilise Pakistan did not take care of the issues expressed via solid evidence.
The statement also mentioned continuous efforts by armed extremists to get into Pakistan from across the Afghan border. It alluded to the killings of Afghan nationals and members of terrorist groups in Pakistani counter-terrorism operations, and the capture of foreign-made weaponry from militant elements.
“Such issues need to be taken seriously. The concerns raised about Afghan Taliban officials, including in Kandahar, allegedly facilitating terrorist groups need credible explanations and verifiable action, not outright denials,” the ministry said.
Pakistan said its security measures were aimed at terrorist threats, not at the Afghan people. The ministry said peace and stability of the two nations were interlinked and a terrorism-free region would benefit the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
It encouraged the Afghan Taliban administration to take concrete measures to remove the support mechanisms accessible to the TTP, BLA and allied organisations. It added these steps must ensure that Afghan land is not utilised for planning, preparing or executing strikes against Pakistan.
The ministry stated that characterising Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and steps for defence as enmity toward Afghanistan would neither address the root cause of the crisis, nor would it divert attention from it.
The statement stated that Pakistan would continue to take all necessary actions to preserve its citizens, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
At the same time, Islamabad was ready for a responsible engagement based on mutual respect, verifiable assurances and concrete action against terrorist safe havens, support networks and cross-border infiltration.
The ministry said that sustainable peace in the region would depend on the Afghan Taliban government taking real steps to address Pakistan’s core security concerns in a way that could be independently confirmed.
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