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Chinese scientist He Jiankui.A Chinese scientist´s stunning claim he has pioneered the world´s first genetically modified baby has suddenly made the eternal debate over ethics and emerging scientific capabilities pressing and real.Should everything that becomes technically possible be carried out? For most ethicists the answer is no -- but the tricky part is whether it can be prevented."It´s obvious that everything that is technically feasible is not ethically desirable," said Cynthia Fleury, a member of the French Ethics Committee."But to resist that, in a context of deregulated scientific competition, is structurally destined for failure."It´s a question as old as science: Are ethics condemned to constantly nip at the heels of advances that burst forth and take a head start?Certainly the case in China has brought the debate to the fore. That country´s National Health Commission has ordered a probe into the baby gene-editing announced by scientist He Jiankui, in wh...

PESHAWAR: The Board of Governors (BoG) of the Mardan Medical Complex (MMC) and Bacha Khan Medical College (BKMC) is facing a number of challenges to implement the Medical Teaching Institution Reforms Act 2015 in letter and spirit and improve health services and quality of teaching in the two institutions.According to officials, the board members are expected to meet today (Saturday) in MMC.In its earlier meeting, the board had decided expansion of Cardiology Department, operationalisation of the under-construction hostels of BKMC, purchasing an additional CT scan machine, generator and setting up laundry at the newly-constructed Benazir Children Hospital, and establishing department of medical research in BKMC.Interestingly, instead of upgrading the cardiology services by hiring qualified staff and setting up Cath lab to initiate important procedures such as angiography and angioplasty, the board divided the existing ward into two units.A retired physician, Dr Syed Fazle Hadi, is chair...

PESHAWAR: The Nutrition International in collaboration with the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has organised a special nutrition dialogue today.Health Minister Dr Hashim Inamullah Khan is expected to chair the event titled: “Nutrition is for all of us - Let’s define those linkages!.”Recognizing the emerging developments in line with government’s vision about centrality of nutrition as one of the key priority areas of health agenda to curb the issue of stunting growth of children of Pakistan, Nutrition International has taken the lead to convene the meeting to define the multi-directional linkages of nutrition component in maternal and child health interventions.It is the high time to complement all the efforts to showcase the many facets and diversity through which challenges surrounding nutrition can be approached and addressed. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2So5HqX

PESHAWAR: Two members of the National Assembly (MNAs) affiliated with the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) were taken into custody at the Bacha Khan International Airport here on Friday, sources said.The sources said that Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir were stopped at the airport and were taken into custody by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).They said the two lawmakers were leaving for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when they were arrested at the airport.The sources in the FIA said that the two parliamentarians had been put on the exit control list (ECL) some time ago and were, therefore, not allowed to leave the country.They said that Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir were shifted to the FIA office in Hayatabad in Peshawar and were being interrogated.The sources said their names were put in the ECL for allegedly making provocative speeches in Swabi some time ago.They said the flight taking Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir to Dubai was scheduled to take off from the Peshawar airport at 3pm. The s...

PESHAWAR: The farmers in Sharqi Baizi of Katlang subdivision in rural Mardan have complained of insufficient irritation water for kharif crop due to a recent plan of the authorities to ensure water supply to a small hydro power plant built on Machi branch of upper Swat canal in Qasami village.The farmers complained that they had delayed cultivating kharif crop due to lack of water in the canal.A local agriculturalist, Haji Khan Daraz, said the Shamozai distributary of Machi branch, upper Swat canal, had been established for irrigating land in several villages including Tazagram, Qasami, Alo, Lakpani, Dheri, Shamozai and Matta in rural Mardan.Mostly sugarcane, wheat, maize and vegetables are grown in rural Mardan. He said the distributary supplied irrigation water to the land in these villages without any problem.It merits a mention that a hydro-power plant with an installed capacity of 2.6 megawatts has been established by the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Machi branch...

PESHAWAR: The legislators from all major political parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly have committed through a written document to support legislation about accessibility of the Youth Friendly Health Services (YFHS) related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).The KP lawmakers, mostly women from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and KP Assembly deputy speaker made the commitment to support the Youth Friendly Health Services.Blue Veins, a non-government organisation, under the project ‘Young Omang’ which aims to address the limited protection and respect and the hindered fulfilment of the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of young people in Pakistan, organised an all party conference to obtain commitments to fulfill the SRHR needs and in favour of universal access to YFHS in the form of a consensual statement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.The conference was held to sensitize representatives of political parties, legislators and policymakers from KP on the accessibility o...

PESHAWAR: As many as 5,630 police officials of different ranks have been imparted a specialised training under 256 courses at the KP Police School of Investigation so far.Established at Hayatabad in June 2014, the school of investigation is considered a pioneer school in the whole country for the capacity building of the human resource of police.Different capacity building courses including crime scene preservation, evidence collection, and evidence presentation as per the modern day best practices, cellular forensics, geo-tagging, geo-fencing, preparation of case file and interview/interrogation techniques are being imparted to the police officials.The KP Police have engaged qualified specialists in the relevant field from across the country to deliver lectures to the course participants in the school, an official said. Consequently, since the operationalisation of the school, visible improvement has been noted in the investigation wing.The school is improving conviction rates from th...

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Emergency Rescue Service 1122 on Friday upgraded the services of emergency medical technicians.Secretary Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department Dr Asad Ali Khan had prepared the case for one-step upgrading of emergency medical technicians and sent the summary to the Finance Department after assuming charge of the office.The Finance Department has approved the summary after the services of emergency medical technicians were upgraded from 11 to 12 basic pay scale (BPS). The services of 350 emergency medical technicians were upgraded, said Bilal Faizi, a spokesperson for Rescue 1122.Dr Asad Ali Khan said that the emergency medical technicians provided services to thousands of people during emergencies and were playing a crucial role in providing emergency cover to people in need. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2E58kev

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party General Secretary Mian Iftikhar has welcomed opening of Kartarpur corridor and said that it would help promote cordial relations between the two countries. In a statement issued here, he said that the opening of Kartarpur corridor would also promote trade between Pakistan and India. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2SmTMK2

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department has taken over the operation of the provincial ‘toll-free’ helpline for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors, victims and persons with disabilities from a non-governmental organisation (NGO).The helpline for the GBV victims, survivors and persons with disabilities was initiated by a foreign-funded NGO at the Directorate of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, with the branded name of “Bolo” helpline in 2016.The pilot phase targeted Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Swat and Abbottabad where women crisis centres of the provincial government are functioning. In addition, the mobile crisis unit was also established by the NGO, which would also be handed over to department.During the pilot phase, the helpline received 619 complaints from Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Swat, Mansehra, Charsadda, Kohat, Haripur, Lower Dir, and Khyber tribal district. These included 407 complaints for seeking in...

Islamabad : The graft scandal which has hit Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government within 100 days of its formation has also forced the anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) to call for a thorough probe.The scandal involves award of a government contract without any tender to a less known “Brando Marketing” a digital media company run by Farhan Javed, a close friend of a prime minister's aide and his social media associate.Besides managing PM aide's social media presence, the company also handles the official social media pages of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi, and PTI leader Usman Dar. Brando marketing itself announced the news on its twitter page.“Excited to announce Brando will be powering government initiatives probono! Brando signed a MoU with the NITB becoming official digital partner of Government of Pakistan. Brando with expertise in marketing will give these services free as part of nationa...

Islamabad : The properties of Ishaq Dar and over Rs500 million lying in his bank accounts will be released after he will surrender and appear before an Accountability Court of Islamabad that is trying him on the charge of possessing assets beyond means.“After the accused appears before the court and informs it about the reasons, medical or any other, for his constant nonappearance, it generally releases the confiscated assets and bank accounts,” former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) deputy Prosecutor General Raja Aamer Abbas told The News when contacted for his opinion.He said the primary purpose of the stringent action ordered by the court was to force the accused to become part of the proceedings so that the reference reaches its logical conclusion. “The present court order of seizure of properties and bank accounts is not permanent.” Dar has been in London for several months now in connection with his medical treatment. He has been declared absconder by the court for his absen...

Rawalpindi: The motorcyclists without helmet will not be provided petrol at all the filling stations of Rawalpindi from today (Saturday).The city district government, Rawalpindi has directed all petrol pumps to stop sale of fuel to motorcyclists without helmets from December 1, 2018.The local management has provided warning banners to all petrol pumps on which without helmet motorcyclists have been warned of non-sale of fuel from December 1, 2018. The local management, Rawalpindi had given 13 days relaxation to motorcyclists to get petrol from petrol pumps without helmet till December 1, 2018. But, strict action will be taken against petrol pumps giving fuel to motorcyclists without helmet from December 1, 2018.The Deputy Commissioner (DC), Rawalpindi Dr Umar Jahangir said that they will not spare anybody at any cost now. Motorcyclists without helmets will not be provided fuel from Saturday. “We have sent strict directions to all petrol pumps in this regard,” he added. He said that if ...

Rawalpindi : Well over 150,000 people are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive ain Pakistan nd the number is increasing by an estimated 20,000 people every year though it is believed that the number may be much higher because due to stigma attached to the disease, a majority of people do not reveal their infection.Surprisingly, only 25,220 patients are registered with National AIDS control programme that is providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) to as many as 15,390 patients, 58 per cent of the total patients registered with it while the remaining 42 per cent are on pre-ART.According to many health experts, poverty, gender inequality, gender-based violence and sexual exploitation of women and girls are fuelling the epidemic while lack of political will, bureaucratic challenges, and the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), institutional deficiencies and socioeconomic complexities not only prevent early diagnosis and treatment but also lea...

The Chinese Consulate in Karachi came under a terrorist attack on the morning of November 23, 2018. The attackers’ evil designs failed to materialise and the rescue operation ended in half an hour or so. Two security forces personnel embraced martyrdom. About 21 staff members in the consulate remained safe and secure. The courageous security forces of Pakistan prevented a terrorist act one more time, like the past. Some aspects of the incident are crucial to ponder upon.One has find out as to who could be the prime beneficiary of such an action against the Chinese in Pakistan, especially in the backdrop of PM Imran Khan’s successful visit to China. A spokesman for the BLA confirmed there were three attackers. He claimed that China was exploiting their resources in the province. Pakistan has long pointed out that its old rival, India, is supporting the nationalist insurgents in Balochistan. An unprecedented anti-CPEC campaign has been unleashed by hostile elements, especially India, at ...

Islamabad : Syed Muhammad Abbas Jafri, PTI member of Sindh Assembly called on Ahmed Hassan Moughal, president, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) during his visit to Chamber House.Sheikh Amir Waheed, former president, M. Naveed Malik, former senior vice president ICCI, Sh Muhammad Ilyas, Muhammad Hussain and others were also present at the occasion. from The News International - Islamabad https://ift.tt/2Q5chGj

US General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently said the Taliban "are not losing" and there is no "military solution" to ending the war in Afghanistan. Dunford made the remarks amid US-Afghan attempts to launch peace talks with the Taliban. "They are not losing right now, I think that is fair to say," Dunford said during a discussion at a security forum in Halifax, Canada, on November 17. Dunford, the senior-most US military officer, added the United States and its NATO allies were working to leverage military, political, and economic pressure to convince the Taliban to negotiate an end to the war. "We do believe the Taliban know that at some point they do have to reconcile," he said. "The key to success is to combine all that pressure to incentivize the Taliban" to negotiate.These remarks were no surprise. The Taliban control more territory than ever before the US invasion of the South Asian country in 2001. ...

LONDON: The spread of polio must still be classified as a public health emergency because, while progress has been made towards wiping out the disease, that progress is fragile, the World Health Organization said on Friday.“We are so close to the elimination of polio, but we have to use all of our international tools to achieve this end,” Helen Rees, chair of the WHO’s international emergency committee, told reporters on a telephone briefing.“The ongoing situation continues to require that a public health emergency of international concern should be applied.”Latest figures from the WHO show there have been 27 cases of wild polio in 2018 - all of them in Pakistan and Afghanistan where the contagious viral disease is endemic.Rees said the WHO was “very concerned” that this number was slightly higher than last year, and urged governments against complacency in the battle to eradicate the paralyzing disease. from The News International - Health https://ift.tt/2AM4rHl

PESHAWAR: The International Research Council for Religious Affairs (IRCRA) has continued efforts for Shia-Sunni amity as another year is about to end.The IRCRA took a Sunni delegation of religious scholars to Parachinar, headquarters of Kurram tribal district on the special invitation of Allama Fida Hussain Mazahari, administrator of Jamia Jafariya, the central madrassa for Shias in Parachinar.The Sunni delegates included Tahmeed Jan, Maulana Umar Nooristani, Maulana Israr Gul Haqqani, Maulana Hamidullah, Maulana Jamil Ahmed, Maulana Iqbal Haideri, Mufti Islam and Maulana Mufti Karim Orakzai.Staying for two days, Tahmeed Jan and other Sunni scholars delivered speeches on peace at different gatherings.Tahmeed Jan said some elements have always made conspiracies and misguided people and this resulted in bloodshed of our Muslim brothers.He said it is time to sit together, reconcile and settle down all the differences between us and support each other.It was the first time after seven year...

PESHAWAR: A World Bank delegation met Finance Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra and other senior government officials Thursday to review upcoming sponsored projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.The first project discussed was on increasing the provinces own source revenue, an effort under which revenue generation by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority is meant to be increased.This is critical for the province, since the province today only generates six per cent of revenue.Taimur Jhagra affirmed that plans were well underway to launch a concerted revenue generation campaign in the province, in particular with KPRA now referring to the oversight of the finance department.Tourism development in the province was also discussed, a topic on which the World Bank and the tourism department have been working at length.Amongst additional initiatives, the need to target true international tourists, and specific target markets, in particular China and East Asia were highlighted. The delegation also propo...

PESHAWAR: Jamaat-i-Islami provincial president Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan has said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has failed to implement its 35-point 100 days plan.He said the government had proved a total failure as none of its policies and actions on internal and external fronts could give a hope to the nation.The ruling party had claimed to get rid of loans and no more loans would be taken from any country and donor organization, especially the International Monitory Fund, he went on to add.“But the situation on the ground is that the foreign loans have swollen by Rs11.5 billion during the first 100 days of the government. Losses worth Rs8.5 billion have been suffered during this period and imports have been increased and exports decreased, the JI leader added.He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had claimed that he would not go on any foreign trip in the first 100 days of his government and also he would travel by commercial planes. “The prime minister has ma...

PESHAWAR: Head of the Church of Pakistan Bishop Humphrey Sarfaraz Peter has welcomed government’s decision to open Kartarpur corridor for the Sikh Yatrees and termed it a historical step toward promotion of peace and stability in South Asia.In a statement, he said this step would bring a new hope of peace and prosperity in South Asia and would open new opportunities for Sikh community to freely visit their place of worship.He said that it was a major step for ensuring freedom of religion and worship in the country for minorities and through this step the government had won the hearts of Sikh community living in Pakistan. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2KHGkxS

PESHAWAR: The administration of Mardan Medical Complex (MMC) instead of expanding and improving cardiac services has decided to set up the second cardiology unit in a small space where patients used to be accommodated after their recovery from heart attack at the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) or cardiac intensive care unit.According to sources, certain influential people had cleverly convinced the hospital administration that setting up the second cardiology unit would help them provide better care to the patients.However, senior faculty members told The News that the decision to establish the second cardiology unit was taken to resolve a longstanding issue between the two senior doctors in the same department.The MMC administration had notified that the second unit will be made functional on November 1. However, it couldn’t start services there due to reasons best known to them and has now pledged to open it for patients in December.Dr Israr, district cardiologist, was declared head of the...

PESHAWAR: The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) on Thursday approved 37 projects worth Rs138472.147 million.Dr Shahzad Khan Bangash, the additional chief secretary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, presided over the meeting.The meeting was attended by Shahab Ali Shah, Secretary P&D Department, its members and relevant authorities, said a handout.The forum considered 41 projects pertaining to different sectors, including Energy and Power, Water, Law and Justice, Elementary and Secondary Education, Auqaf, Building, DWSS, Roads & Bridges, Multi-Sectoral Development, Finance, local government, Health and Forestry sectors for the uplift of the province.Four projects were deferred due to inadequate designs and returned to their respective departments.The approved projects of Energy and Power sector were “Balakot Hydro Power Project (310 MW), Solarisation of Civil Secretariat (for remaining Departments of Civil Secretariat) (ADP Funded), Construction of 356 Mini-Micro Hydropower projects...

PESHAWAR: The civil society on Thursday expressed concern over the challenges and non-compliance with international human rights commitments and lack of coordination among the government departments, civil society and the human rights institutions.Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, Shahidullah Jan, Qamar Naseem, and others said the human rights were protected by national legislation and international conventions.“Even though the government of Pakistan accepted majority of the recommendations in universal periodic review 2017,” said Shahidullah Jan, Executive Director, Human Rights Committee Pakistan, adding, “It needs to allocate more resources to the human rights institutions and other relevant departments so that they can play a role to address the challenges and meet our international human rights obligations.”Qamar Naseem, a rights activist from the Blue Veins, a non-governmental organization, said: “Being a civil society, we are committed to working with our parents ...

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday directed the secretary Health and Services Department to visit all the government hospitals and fulfil all the deficiencies and facilities in hospitals of the province.A division bench comprising Justice Qaiser Rashid Khan and Justice Qalandar Ali Khan issued direction to the secretary in a writ petition filed by a citizen, Abdul Haseeb, seeking an order of the court to government and Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) authorities for provision of MMI and CT scan facilities for the Pulmonology and Cardiology wards of KTH.The petitioner claimed that patients are suffering and facing great difficulties due to unavailability of the test and X-Ray facilities in these wards.“Nowadays technical staff of the hospitals is working as doctors in the government hospitals,” Justice Qaiser Rashid told Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Secretary Dr Farooq Jamil, who appeared in the case.Justice Qalandar Ali Khan observed that the government is spending huge am...

PESHAWAR: The Directorate of Science and Technology, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, organised Regional Science Model Competition on Thursday to promote and utilise the trends of science-based innovative research among the youth towards commercialised products.According to the Director Science and Technology, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it was an open competition for science-based ideas, researches, models, prototypes. Various schools, colleges, universities and institutes of Peshawar, Mardan and Charsadda attended the event.Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Science and Technology and Information Technology, Kamran Bangash, visited all the stalls where the participant students had displayed their models and researches.Qazi Haseeb of the City University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, won the first position who claimed that he had invented Finger-Based ECG.The scientist said if the government provided him funds, he can commercialise an ECG system that would be able to scan heart valv...

PESHAWAR: The Anti-Corruption Establishment has decided to observe anti-corruption week from December 3 to 9 as the World Anti-Corruption Day will be observed on December 9.A press release said that activities like seminars and walks would be organised to raise awareness about the menace of corruption in different parts of KP during the week. Anti-Corruption Establishment Director Usman Zaman said that programmes would also be on-aired through TV and radio stations about the activities.He added that activities would also be arranged at schools and colleges of the province to discourage the corruption menace. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2KI8EAd

PESHAWAR: The first National Ability Sports Festival proved to be an effective platform in bringing together over 500 disabled sportspeople across Pakistan to display sporting talent at the Islamia College Peshawar on Wednesday and Thursday.Organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Friends of Paraplegics, among other partners, the event was part of the upcoming celebrations to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.The sportsmen and women from across Pakistan participated in games like wheelchair cricket, wheelchair table tennis, basketball and others.Sadar Ayub, who is a paraplegic sportsperson and captain of Punjab Wheelchair Cricket Team, said: “Coming to this event reminded us all that we have more abilities than disabilities.”Head of the ICRC office in Peshawar Giovanni Trambiolo thanked and congratulated all the teams for participating in the National Ability Sports Festival.Engr Irfanullah from the Friends of Paraplegics, an ...

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) submitted a call attention notice in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to discuss the issues of street crimes and bike-snatching in the provincial metropolis and it’s suburban areas. ANP lawmaker Shagufta Malik submitted the notice. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2KIXOtI

PESHAWAR: A retired employee of the Irrigation Department has accused the accounts office officials of depriving him of his rightful pension for his refusal to pay bribe.Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, Dawood Shah said that he applied for pension in August 2017 and the case was forwarded to the AG Office, but they returned the case for lack of medical certificate.The Irrigation Department sent the reply in the case but the AG office rejected the response. Dawood Shah said that he contacted Deputy Accountant General Samiullah, who informed him that his case would be processed with deduction from his account as his age was not similar in all documents.He said that his due pension was Rs 10,70,419.18 while he received Rs791,470, adding that he was deprived of Rs278,949.Dawood Shah claimed that his case was not dealt with fairly because he had refused to pay bribe.The retired employee said that his date of birth was same in his identity card, service book and payroll and t...

Islamabad : The Pakistan Army has placed an efficient mechanism for ensuring filing of tax returns from all personnel who are earning taxable income as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) used to collect around Rs400 million in shape of taxes from military’s accounts on monthly basis under the jurisdiction of Regional Taxpayer Office (RTO) Rawalpindi.“The return filing is considered among pre-requisites for granting promotions to Army officers and even Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa had filed his return last month much ahead of timeframe for filing of income tax return,” FBR’s Member Facilitation and Taxpayer Education (FATE) Hamid Ateeq Sarwar told reporters in a media briefing here at FBR’s headquarters on Wednesday.Flanked by Member Inland Revenue Policy Dr Mohammad Iqbal and Member Audit Nausheen Javaid Amjad, the FBR’s member FATE said that different marriage halls run by the Army were paying withholding taxes fully.“A marriage hall named Topi Rakh is the larg...

Islamabad : The National Interventional Cardiology Board (NICB) strongly condemns the irresponsible and out of context report published in The News dated 28/11/2018, regarding bulk purchase of stents at cardiology institutes. The content of the report published in the newspaper is more than 18 months old and does not reflect the actual facts, says a press release issued on Wednesday.The contents of the news item have partly been obtained from the proceedings of chief minister inspection team meetings in January 2017, along with the final minutes of meeting regarding usage of cardiovascular disposables-heart stent scam dated 28/01/2017. The meeting was chaired by ex- chief minister, Punjab. Minutes were released after reviewing the detailed report of chief minster inspection team, constituted for the task.The report clearly indicated the failure of DRAP in timely registration of stents during that period. The minutes also concluded that as per Chapter 6 of medical device rules 2015, the...

Islamabad : A ‘Mehfil-e-Naat’ was organised by the Department of Micro Biology at the Quaid-i-Azam University. The event was arranged in connection with the Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations.‘Naat khwans’ presented ‘Naat’ and ‘Darood-o-Salam’. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali, Vice Chancellor, QAU was the chief guest.Dr. Muhammad Ali distributed the certificates among participants. Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences, QAU, Dr. Muhammad Shahab, Chairperson Department of Micro Biology Dr. Rani Faryal and Dr. Muhammad Ishtiaq Ali from Department of Micro Biology also addressed the students. from The News International - Islamabad https://ift.tt/2AzDB4S

The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) should speed up its struggle along with the other media organisations to counter the proposed media policy and clarify to the government that the proposed policy is not acceptable. This was stated during a meeting of the APNS Federal Capital Committee held under the chair of Khushnood Ali Khan, who rejected the government’s new categorisation of newspapers saying such a move must have been taken with the due consultation of the APNS.The committee suggested that the APNS should continue its struggle until the government decides to award advertisements only to the APNS members’ because the APNS only gives membership to those who fulfill the necessary requirements.It also proposed solidarity among the print and the electronic media owners, journalist organisations and workers. Highlighting the importance of the advertising agencies, the meeting declared the decision to distribute advertisements without involving the advertising agencies would ren...

Islamabad : The South Asian region including Pakistan is expected to face an enhanced influenza virus activity. The expected upsurge of influenza cases has prompted the National Institute of Health (NIH) to issue an advisory to sensitize healthcare authorities and facilities to strengthen and improve the level of preparedness in prevention, control and management of influenza.All health professionals have been advised to remain vigilant to detect any suspected influenza-like illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases. Influenza (seasonal flu) is usually a self-limiting disease and everyone doesn’t need antiviral treatment and diagnostic tests. It can spread from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing or can contaminate hands or other surfaces.Patients with chronic diseases (such as asthma, diabetes, cardiac and lungs diseases etc.) pregnant women, elderly people, children under 5 years are at higher risk of developing severe or complicated disease and need to be...

Islamabad : Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan chaired a meeting with members of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries in central police office, a police spokesman said on Thursday.He said that, focus of IGP Islamabad was to cultivate relationship of brotherhood and cement relationship with traders community. He was of the view that police and community can work together in crime prevention, detection and maintenance of law and order.The IGP further emphasized significance of the Capital and its sensitivity. A small incident can be highlighted and might have international repercussions. He shared his experiences with the traders of Islamabad and solicited their cooperation in identification of social evils and their eradication.Aamir Zulfiqar Khan further mentioned that he wants to improve the police image by making it more proactive and accountable as well. In the end he highlighted vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Federal Minis...

Islamabad : Pakistan has an estimated 150,000 people living with HIV. Of these, only 25,000 are registered at the 33 HIV treatment centres across Pakistan. In order to avert a full-blown HIV epidemic, we must take immediate preventive measures, encourage HIV testing and treatment, and address HIV-associated stigma and discrimination.Minister for National Health Services Aamer Mehmood Kiani made this observation while addressing a seminar in connection with World AIDS Day here Thursday. He reiterated the government’s sincerity for increasing access to and uptake of HIV preventive and treatment services by engaging with all stakeholders. “The government also aspires to empower people living with HIV by creating an enabling environment and adopting an integrated multi-sectoral approach to address the socio-economic determinants responsible for the spread of HIV,” he added.The Programme Manager of the National AIDS Programme Dr. Baseer Khan said, the theme of World AIDS Day 2018 ‘Know your...

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister National Health Services Aamer Mehmood Kiani said that government was committed to making sincere efforts for increasing the access to and uptake of HIV preventive and treatment services by engaging with all stakeholders to promote HIV awareness and minimise stigma and discrimination against the disease.The government also aspires to support people living with HIV empowerment by creating an enabling environment and adopting an integrated multi-sectoral approach to address the socio-economic determinants responsible for the spread of HIV in the country.He was addressing a seminar in connection with World AIDS Day. The minister said Pakistan has an estimated 150,000 people living with HIV.Of these only 25,000 are registered at the 33HIV treatment centres across the country. “We all need to realise our responsibilities and the critical role we all have to play to make Pakistan HIV free. We still have a chance today as Pakistan is confronted with a concentrated ...

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday formally launched its digital policy which it says will transform governance in the province.Announcing the policy at a press conference at the Cabinet Room, Civil Secretariat, Kamran Bangash, Special Assistant of the chief minister on Science and Technology and Information Technology (STIT), said the policy was aimed at making governance in the province more efficient by bringing transparency and accountability to it.He said the digital policy stood on four pillars that included digital governance, digital skills, digital economy and digital access.The special assistant said digital governance focuses on improving the institutional capability to deliver better public services, improve accountability, productivity and efficiency with better citizen engagement.Kamran Bangash said the provincial cabinet at its November 22 meeting has already approved the paperless governance system and the land record of five districts was being computerised....

PESHAWAR: The students of University of Peshawar Wednesday staged a protest sit-in to press the provincial government to release the report of the parliamentary committee that had been constituted to look into the October 4 incident and fix responsibilities.The students under the aegis of Muttahida Talaba Mahaz gathered at the New Academic Block in the university and launched a protest procession. When they reached Road No 2, they staged a protest sit-in. The protesters were chanting slogan against the university administration. The speakers on the occasion blasted the provincial government and the university administration for what they termed as their failure to accept the genuine demands of the students. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2PayQnT

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has warned against any delay in the time tag for completion of the Bus Rapid Transit project.“The whole project should see the light of the day in March next. Any delay on the part of both the public sector entity and the contractors would trigger a severe punishment,” he warned.According to an official handout, the chief minister was presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.Minister Taimoor Salim Jhagra and KP government spokesman Ajmal Wazir, Additional Chief Secretary Shahzad Bangash, head of SSU Sahibzada Saeed and other officials attended the meeting.The chief minister was briefed about the physical obstructions in the construction work, the progress made so far and the time tag for construction work on different portions of the BRT.Mahmood Khan said the transport project gives solution to all traffic congestion in Peshawar. He said he would never allow further delay in the completion of the project.He added that the govern...

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan on Wednesday welcomed opening of Kartarpur corridor paving the way for Sikh community of India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib without any visa.In a press statement issued here, Asfandyar Wali said the step would not only resolve problems being faced by business community of both the countries, but also promote tourism in the region.“Opening of Kartarpur border after 71 years will help improve relations between Pakistan and India,” Asfandyar remarked. He also said that the same gesture should also be exhibited at Afghan border. “We have to improve our diplomatic relations with all the neighbouring countries,” he added. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2P5aCeF

PESHAWAR: The post-mortem report of the slain police officer Mohammad Tahir Khan Dawar revealed that he died of excessive torture during his captivity, a source said on Wednesday.The source said the post-mortem report also disclosed there was no firearm injury on the body of former Superintendent of Police Rural, Peshawar Tahir Dawar.Tahir Dawar went missing in Islamabad where he had gone on a short leave on October 26. Later on November 14, his tortured body was recovered in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province near the border with Pakistan. His body was transported to Pakistan after three days and he was laid to rest in Hayatabad, Peshawar.The source said the post-mortem report mentioned that Tahir Dawar died a few days before his body was found. It added the body carried several torture marks.Tahir Dawar belonged to North Wazirstan and was recruited in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police as assistant sub inspector in 1995. He was known as a brave police officer who had survived attack...

PESHAWAR: President Arif Alvi will inaugurate the 33rd biennial medical conference of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) today.Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, PMA’s organizing committee chairman Dr M Ashar Khan Jadoon and Dr Sher Shah Syed said the delegates would present scientific papers about their fields at the moot.He said the two-day workshop would be organised on medical writing and research.They said the PMA would organise a midwifery conference for the midwives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to highlight their importance in reducing maternal deaths.“This will be a great opportunity for the midwives and their trainers,” said Jadoon. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2P4YPg9

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Wednesday visited Peshawar Central Prison and inspected its various sections.He met juvenile and woman prisoners and inquired about their problems. The prisoners apprised the chief minister of the non-availability of basic amenities. Mahmood Khan directed the jail administration to facilitate the prisoners in meeting their visitors. He directed the jail authorities to uphold human rights. He expressed dissatisfaction at the cleanliness condition in the jail.The chief minister was taken to the canteen, library, store rooms, waiting rooms and kitchen of the prison. He assured the prisoners that the government would provide legal assistance to the deserving and needy inmates. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2zyNU9A

Rawalpindi : During an anti-encroachment drive, Municipal Corporation Rawalpindi (MCR) demolished over 50 illegal shelters/shade of shops and plazas at College Road, Liaquat Bagh, Murree Road and Committee Chowk, on Wednesday.The concerned authority also removed shops and kiosks constructed on footpaths along both sides of Murree Road.On the occasion, a large number of shopkeepers gathered at Murree Road and strongly protested against the operation when the enforcement team of MCR started demolishing encroachments. A heavy contingent of police was also present all around to avoid any law and order situation.MCR Chief Officer Syed Shafqat Raza told ‘The News’ that operation against illegal encroachments will remain continue. The crackdown will be at a fast pace in coming days, till removal of all encroachments from all areas, he said. If anybody tried to create hurdles, strict action will be taken against them, he warned. He said that we are only following the directions of court.It is ...

Islamabad : National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) organised a launching ceremony of smart phone app ‘Hamsafar’ at NH&MP, Headquarters, here on Wednesday, says a press release.The said app is developed with the aim to facilitate commuters by providing real time road condition, instant weather updates and help to commuters in distress. The Minister of State for Communications Murad Saeed graced the occasion as chief guest.Whereas the event was attended by officers from Ministry of Communications, NHA and NH&MP, former inspector generals of police, police officers and representatives from civil society.The Minister of State for Communications while addressing the ceremony said that the mobile app ‘Hamsafar’ is another milestone of NH&MP. Motorway Police has achieved the objectives given by the government and is maintaining such high standards of policing through courtesy and strict enforcement of law.He lauded the efforts of NH&MP for providing instant road sit...

Islamabad : While announcing the establishment of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) consortium of South Asian countries to help build a knowledge and research sharing platform at regional level, Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Development Kanwal Shouzab on Wednesday said the CRVS unit at the planning ministry would coordinate with all regional countries in this respect.Inaugurating the three-day international summit on CRVS organised here by the ministry of planning and development in collaboration with UNICEF Pakistan, the parliamentary secretary said the initiative would strengthen the existing civil registration and vital statistics system not only in Pakistan but also in other countries of South Asia.She called for the introduction of one universal CRVS system and said it was encouraging that the UNESCO identified Pakistan as a priority country for CRVS strengthening until 2022.She said in light of these developments, National Steering and Coordination Committ...

Islamabad: Bahria University (BU) Islamabad Campus held its 20th convocation at Jinnah Convention Center here on Wednesday.Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan was the chief guest. Bahria University rector conferred the degrees to the graduating students of Ph.D, MPhil, masters and undergraduate programmes.In total 686 degrees were conferred to the undergraduate and graduate students of Management Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences, Computer Sciences, Law, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Electrical Engineering and Software Engineering Departments. Ali Muhammad Khan also awarded 16 gold and 13 silver medals, to various students who achieved top positions in their respective programmes.Earlier in his welcome address Rector Bahria University Vice Admiral (r) Muhammad Shafiq HI(M) expressed his gratitude to Ali Muhammad Khan for his presence at the convocation. He further added that we at the university have done our best to equip our students with nece...

Islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has postponed its BA and Postgraduate exams, which were scheduled to be held today (November 29) all over the country, due to some unavoidable circumstances.According to Controller of Exams, now these exams will take place on 11th January, 2019. There will be no change in timing and exams centres. Roll number slips issued earlier will be accepted for participation in the exams. from The News International - Islamabad https://ift.tt/2AtMOvC

Islamabad: State Minister for Revenue Muhammad Hammad Azhar said that government was focused on improving and simplifying taxation system by introducing new technology to facilitate the taxpayers. He said that the best way of minimizing interface between taxpayers and tax machinery was to use technology and government was making efforts to realize this goal that would eliminate harassment in taxpayers and improve their confidence. He said this while addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry. from The News International - Islamabad https://ift.tt/2TViXFi