Balochistan’s rail services to other regions of the country were suspended for two days for repair work on the railroad track.

The Jaffar Express was canceled on September 5 and 6 from Peshawar to Quetta for maintenance work, railroad authorities said.

The incoming Jaffar Express from Peshawar has also been confined to Jacobabad on Saturday, instead of going to Quetta.

Passengers traveling to and from Quetta, especially those who use the train for intercity travel, have had problems due to the suspension and limitation of the service.

The setback comes after other rail services linking Balochistan with neighboring areas have been suspended for a long time. The Bolan Mail, running between Balochistan and Karachi, and the Chaman Passenger service have been discontinued for around six months.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, thunderstorms and heavy downpour in various parts as the current monsoon spell is likely to continue in the upper parts of the nation on Saturday.

The wet spell is predicted to continue in the upper portions of the country till September 5 while the monsoon activity is projected to subside from September 6, the Flood Forecasting Division said.

The forecast indicated that heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at scattered places throughout upper Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper catchment areas of rivers.

Heavy downpours may cause possible water accumulation and urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal, said the PMD.

Water levels and flooding are also a threat to streams and nullahs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially those linked with the Kabul River.

Rain and thunderstorms are anticipated in Attock, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Jhelum, Khushab, Lahore, Mandi Bahauddin, Mianwali, Narowal, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Sheikhupura and Sialkot in Punjab.

Rainfall may occur at a few places of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Abbottabad, Bajaur, Buner, Charsadda, Mansehra, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Swat and Dir.

Rain is also forecast in isolated spots in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan.

Water flows in the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi rivers are likely to rise somewhat during the next 24 to 36 hours, the Flood Forecasting Division said.

The division said Tarbela Dam was at its maximum conservation level at the moment while Mangla Dam was holding roughly 78 percent of its storage capacity.

Low level flooding has been observed at several points along the Indus River, while flows in the other major rivers are within typical limits.

In the severe rains, authorities have encouraged individuals to avoid traveling unnecessarily, to be cautious in low-lying regions and to keep away from rivers, streams and nullahs.

PMD still delivers daily weather updates and warnings through its official channels.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Punjab Prosecution Department, applauding its working process and professional standards.

A delegation led by Punjab Prosecutor General Chaudhry Irfan Sadiq Tarar met with Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and discussed the department’s performance and professional practices.

The chief judge stated prosecutors serving in the Punjab Prosecution Department were extremely skilled and possessed great professional skills. He stated there were no complaints against the Punjab Prosecution and rated its work as excellent.

He said the performance of the Punjab Prosecution may serve as an example for other provinces, inviting them to seek support and direction from the department. He also encouraged other provinces to learn from its successful operating mechanism and experience.

Punjab Prosecutor General Irfan Sadiq Tarar said the Punjab Prosecution had built an effective mechanism in keeping with modern criteria. He said the top justice’s appreciation of the department’s performance was a matter of honour for the institution.

Tarar said the support from the chief justice would drive officers and prosecutors to work harder. He stated that changes would be further advanced to promote the rule of law and ensure effective delivery of justice.