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Maryam Nawaz initiates a revenue-based district development program throughout Punjab.

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Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has made a significant decision to initiate multi-billion rupee development projects throughout districts under the vision “district revenue, district development,” with the objective of enhancing financial autonomy at the local level.

The chief minister presided over a significant gathering of commissioners to evaluate district development plans throughout Punjab. Commissioners from the Sahiwal, Sargodha, Faisalabad, and Multan divisions provided comprehensive briefings on available resources and proposed initiatives.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasized the necessity for substantive development rather than superficial efforts, instructing commissioners to engage actively in the field rather than remain sequestered in air-conditioned offices. She stated that responsibility must correspond with authority and that public assistance must be guaranteed.

She articulated profound indignation at the demise of a three-year-old girl who plunged into an uncovered pit within a private housing society in Faisalabad. The chief minister mandated that every citizen who falls into a manhole will result in the arrest of the corresponding housing society owners. She also mandated monthly affidavits from all private housing societies affirming the absence of open manholes, in addition to the distribution of notices to all societies throughout Punjab.

She mandated rigorous surveillance of school facilities, securing all construction zones in accordance with standard operating procedures, and guaranteeing thorough sanitation across all tehsils. She noted that although several officers are excelling, others have merely produced “superficial work” with minimal tangible effects.

Officials reported that 4 billion rupees are allocated under local government finances for the Sahiwal division, with development projects amounting to 1.12 billion rupees set to be initiated. A total of 862 million rupees would be allocated for the building and repair of 10 key roads spanning 18.8 kilometers, with the objective of completion by September 2026.

Projects encompass farm-to-market roads, the enhancement of Firdous Town Road, the Sher Dil Chowk to Samundri Road, Harappa Road, Girls College Road, and multiple roads in Chichawatni. The chief minister mandated the construction of international-standard roads, the establishment of necessary sidewalks, the clearance of encroachments, and the enhancement of appealing access points in Sahiwal.

Maryam Nawaz declares Punjab has entered a golden period of development.

The enhancement of Pipli Pahar Road, the building of Gogera to Thatta Saranj Road, the installation of solar street lights on Akbar Road, and the installation of floodlights at Jinnah Stadium were sanctioned in Okara. In Pakpattan, five urban, five rural, and four beautification projects were sanctioned, encompassing the northern and southern bypasses, Malka Hans Road, a cricket stadium, a sports arena, and solar illumination along canals.

Development projects valued at 2.8 billion rupees were sanctioned for the Sargodha division. These encompass Shahpur Lak Mor Road, the enhancement of Bhhera, the upgrade of the Sial Mor motorway entry point, a pedestrian bridge on University Road, and the expedited installation of Safe City cameras. She also oversaw enhanced access to the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, the building of parks, bus terminals, and sports facilities, with a completion target of 30 September for all projects.

The Faisalabad division received a briefing regarding 5.3 billion rupees in local resources and 59 projects, encompassing 81 kilometers of 38 highways. Projects include upgrade of Jhang Road bypass, reconstruction of Dijkot to Tandlianwala Road, improvement of small industrial estate, footpaths on Jaranwala Satiana link road, and modern roads in Toba Tek Singh, Gojra and Chiniot, along with street lighting on Jhang Road.

In the Multan division, 28 projects valued at 3 billion rupees would be finalized across four districts. These include end-to-end upgradation of roads from Ghanta Ghar to Chungi No 9 and Dera Adda to Aziz Hotel, dualization of Askari Bypass Old Shujabad Road, and improvement of various urban roads.

Additional projects encompass bus terminals, municipal buildings, roadway enhancements, sports arenas, parks, beautification initiatives, and the installation of contemporary street lighting in many locations, including Kabirwala, Vehari, Burewala, Lodhran, Mailsi, and Khanewal.

The chief minister asserted that the quality of development will be consistent throughout Punjab, declaring that commissioners serve as the government’s eyes, ears, and arms. She unequivocally stated that neither favoritism nor recommendations will be tolerated, and that only merit-based work will be permitted, with an uncompromising standard of excellence.

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OpenAI says its AI agents weakened internal monitoring system

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Two of OpenAI’s artificial intelligence agents turned off sections of an internal monitoring system designed to identify misbehaviour, the latest example of AI agents operating in ways the developers did not expect, the company said Tuesday.

While the ChatGPT maker stated the incidences occurred during internal code work and were not considered its most serious, the ​disclosure underscores how even the methods developers use to spot AI ​misbehavior are vulnerable to the agents they monitor.

The discovery also comes amid rising fears that efforts on AI safety are failing to keep pace with the rapid development of ever more powerful systems. Scientists have cautioned about the emergence of powerful AI ​agents becoming increasingly autonomous and difficult to monitor and manage.

In recent months, developers including IPO-bound rivals OpenAI and Anthropic have disclosed incidents where their AI agents accessed external systems without authorisation.

In a blog post Tuesday, OpenAI reported that a GPT-6.1 Sol agent on an internal testing task on October 3 disabled automatic security alarms after interpreting an earlier order not to send Slack messages as also covering safety notifications.

Separately, on Oct. 6, an Astra agent using GPT-6 removed a safety monitor when copying an existing piece of code and later stated falsely that it did not do so, OpenAI said.“In both cases, agents thought about keeping monitoring safeguards in place but “interpreted normal coding instructions as permission to weaken them,” the company said.

“OpenAI said it was making it harder for models to disable monitoring, saying it does not ‘yet have a satisfying explanation for this behavior’.

The San Francisco-based company said it was studying whether its models would be inclined to avoid being observed and seek out reasons to justify such behaviour.

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Makkah pact aims to strengthen collective deterrence among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye

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Turkiye sent a defence treaty with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to parliament for ratification on Tuesday, three parliamentary sources said, bringing NATO’s second-largest army closer to a formal mutual defence promise with Riyadh as it fears Houthi threats.

The three countries signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August, under which an armed attack on one member is an attack on all.

The first clause of the agreement says the parties shall use “all necessary means” to eradicate threats to each other’s territorial integrity, sovereignty or internationally recognised borders, according to a text seen by Reuters.Article 2 of the agreement states, “If one of the parties is subjected to an armed ⁠attack or military aggression by another country or group of countries, the parties shall immediately render assistance to the party which is under attack, with all ​means of mutual assistance at their disposal.”

Similar to NATO’s Article 5, the clause references Article 51 of the UN Charter, which deals with the individual or collective right of states to self-defence against armed attack.

The same page says the three countries “will determine the scope and nature of the support to be provided following an objective assessment of the assistance required” and will collaborate within their available resources, including military capabilities and resources.

Earlier this month, the three countries decided in an emergency alliance conference in Riyadh to guarantee the “rapid deployment” of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.

Turkiye, which has its own strong defence sector, has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, showed a willingness to help satisfy Riyadh’s military technology demands and agreed to join a Saudi-led ⁠coalition to assure navigational safety in the Red Sea.

The pact also foresees tight cooperation on the defence sector, exchange of information, logistical support, and the fight against “all forms of terrorism”, including at the operational level.

Parliamentary approval is required for Turkiye to formally sign off on the pact.

The aim is to “strengthen collective deterrence”

Two sources claimed Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, who is on a visit to Kyrgyzstan, would send the deal to the foreign affairs commission of parliament after he returns. The terms and specifics of the agreement are expected to be released when it is filed with the commission.

The commission may discuss the accord as early as Friday, another person added.

Turkiye’s latest move was an important milestone in the institutionalisation of strategic collaboration between the three countries, Burhanettin Duran, communications director for President Tayyip Erdogan, stated.“This strategic partnership between our countries aims to strengthen collective deterrence, improve joint capabilities in the defence sector and secure security and stability in our region,” Duran said in a post on X.

A Turkish official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Turkey’s own contribution was likely to be limited to military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems, and no other form of deployment had been made under the alliance so far.

“The Mecca Agreement is not a ‘offensive agreement,’ and Turkiye would not send forces to another nation to conduct out operations on its land. When asked how Turkiye could help Saudi Arabia fight against attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan responded

Turkey’s constitution needs independent parliamentary approval for any deployment of military overseas, regardless of international agreements.

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Pakistan decide not to participate in Over-50s Cricket World Cup 2027 in India

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 – Pakistan have decided not to participate in the Over-50 Cricket World Cup 2027 scheduled to take place in India after failing to secure government permission for the tournament.

The competition is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad Deccan from January 23 to February 7, 2027. Pakistan was due to participate as defending champions after winning the 2025 edition in Sri Lanka.

Fawad Ejaz Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), said Indian veterans cricket officials had assured the Pakistani team of visa arrangements and high-level security for the tournament.

He said the association had sought permission to participate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior. However, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi subsequently informed the association that permission would not be granted.

Following the government’s decision, the association decided against sending the team to India, Khan said, adding that the organisation respected the government’s position.
 

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