Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered careful supervision and effective monitoring of WASA activities to ensure quick drainage of rainwater in case of heavy downpour.

She asked all the concerned departments in the province to stay on high alert during the rainy weather and stressed the need for regular monitoring of the stormwater drains and canals. Teams of the irrigation department have been asked to keep a watchful watch on water flow in canals to avoid urban floods.

The chief minister further advised the authorities to guarantee that all the manhole covers in the urban and rural regions be tight and also asked to take precautionary measures in the construction sites so as to avoid any mishaps.

Particular attention will be given to structurally deficient buildings and traffic management and public advisories will continue to be issued across the province.

District administrations were urged to issue notifications for possible roof collapses, while Safe City Authority and CTO personnel to be on full alert to keep the traffic moving on vital roads and highways.

“All field teams should be fully prepared and all departments should remain active and vigilant for the lives and property of the citizens during the rainy season,” Maryam Nawaz said.

The family and close relatives of Shahnaz Baloch, a commander of the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), have in a public statement announced complete dissociation from her activities.

Shahnaz Baloch, a resident of Turbat, was involved in Indian-backed terrorist activities in Balochistan.

Her mother, grandfather and maternal uncle told a press conference in Turbat that Shahnaz Baloch left to Oman when she was quite little and the family had no contact with her for about 12 years.

Shahnaz’s mother, Rukhsana, stated her father died when she was just nine months old and the family had no extremist activity or links to banned organisations.

Relatives said the family has no relation with the activities and remarks of Shahnaz Baloch and they are peaceful Pakistani citizens who have always respected the law and governmental institutions.

Pakistan to start repatriation flights for Hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

As many as 22 flights are expected to bring back 5237 pilgrims to different cities of the country on the first day of post-Hajj operation.

The first Hajj flight from Jeddah scheduled to arrive in Sialkot on June 1 morning carrying 391 pilgrims.

On the same day, five flights will arrive in Islamabad, four in Karachi, four in Lahore, and three each in Multan and Sialkot. Two flights are also scheduled for Faisalabad and one for Quetta.

Under the government arrangement, Pakistan’s public and commercial airlines and Saudi airlines will bring back 119,000 Pakistani pilgrims through 471 flights.

“The repatriation process will continue until June 30 to facilitate the smooth return of all Hajj pilgrims this year,” he said.