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Jamila AchakzaiIslamabadRoots International Schools (RIS) and Colleges conducted an insightful drugs awareness session, and prohibition advocacy seminar ‘Drugs- Hazards and Prohibition’ in collaboration with ICT Police, at Metropolitan International United College, H-8/4. Inspector General of Police Islamabad, Zulfiqar Khan was the chief guest of the conference. It was attended by SSP (Operations) Waqar Ud Din Syed, SSP (Traffic) Farrukh Rasheed, SSP (HQ) Irfan Tariq, AIG (Operations) Sardar Ghias Gul, SP (HQs)Muhammad Amir Khan Niazi, SP (Industrial Area) Sumaira Azam, SP (City) Sayed Aziz, ASP (Sihala) Essa Khan. Besides this seminar was participated by renowned journalists, doctors, parents and students respectively. Panelist included Dr. Rizwan Taj (psychiatrist), Sadaf Abbassi (psychologist), Sahil Adem (behavioral psychologist), Aamir Ghauri (Editor ‘The News’), Shahzad Iqbal (senior anchor), AmmarMasood (senior journalist and analyst), Amber Shamsi (anchor person) and Cristina A...

PESHAWAR: Releasing the performance report of City District Government, District Nazim Muhammad Asim Khan on Thursday enumerated the three years achievements.The district nazim in a message greeted the citizens of Peshawar and the district; town, union, neighbourhood and village councils “for successfully completing three years and entering in the fourth year.”The report said the district government had passed four budgets to the tune of Rs34,851.14 million.In the first year after taking the oath, the district government passed Rs7,380 million budget, in the second year its budget was Rs8,550 million while for the third year the budget was Rs8, 440 million. It has passed Rs10, 481.14 million for the last year.The report highlighted the achievements of the City District Government Peshawar.It said that the government initiated work on the Mayor Peshawar Secretariat with a cost of Rs 30 million, which is now near completion.The core purposes of developing this secretariat were to formali...

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday set aside the conviction of two former lawmakers awarded by different courts in the cases of fake degrees which remained pending in the court since 2013.A two-member bench comprising Justice Roohul Amin Khan and Justice Abdul Shakoor allowed the appeals against conviction by a former provincial minister and Awami National Party leader Syed Aqil Shah and former MPA Sardar Ali.Both the convicts were on bail from the PHC after suspended their sentences awarded by district courts in cases of fake degrees.The appeals were filed in 2013 and remained pending for about six years in the high court.Former District and Sessions Judge Shaiber Khan had convicted the former provincial minister for sports, tourism, archaeology, museums and youth affairs in a complaint filed by the provincial election commission.In the order, the judge had stated the court awarded one-year sentence to the former minister under Section 82 of People’s Representation Ac...

BARA: The elders of Sipah tribe on Thursday asked the government and security agencies to bring to justice the killers of the peace committee member who was killed in Peshawar last week.Speaking at a jirga in Bara, the elders and political leaders, including former Member National Assembly (MNA) Muhammad Shah Afridi, Malik Said Marjan, Malik Khan Wali and others expressed concern over the targeted killing of Malik Mir Alam Khan Afridi.They demanded the government and security and intelligence agencies to arrest target killers of the tribal elder. “Malik Mir Alam’s target killing has created unrest among the people. The authorities must bring his killers to justice,” one of the elders Malik Said Marjan said.He said the slain Malik Mir Alam had no enmity with anyone and he had played a crucial role for peace and tranquility in the area.The Sipah elders praised the police for the prompt arrest of two alleged target killers and demanded that those behind the murder of Malik Mir Alam Afridi...

CHARSADDA: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) provincial chief Sikandar Sherpao on Thursday said the inclusion of the Afghan government was crucial for the success of talks between the US and Taliban.“The inclusion of the Afghan government and other parties is a must for the success of the talks as well as durable peace in the war-torn country,” the QWP leader told a gathering in Dhaki.Former MPA Arshad Umarzai and other local party leaders were also present on the occasion. The QWP leader said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government had failed to deliver. “The economy of the country is on the verge of collapse and law and order is deteriorating with each passing day,” he said. He said the assassination of Maulana Samiul Haq and the killing of innocent people in Sahiwal were the proofs that the PTI government had failed to provide protection to masses. “The people have seen no change in the last six months and protests have started in various parts of the country to oust the incompetent governmen...

MANSEHRA: The transgender persons on Thursday staged a protest against the murder of one of their community members and demanded an immediate ban on arms and ammunition in the country.“We are messengers of love and peace but even then are being killed. And the government must take measures to check killings of transgender persons,” Maria Khan, the divisional president of Shemale Association in Hazara told protesters. The protesters assembled outside the Mansehra Press Club, raising slogans challenging government’s claim of a change in the country. Jahangir alias Taboo was killed and his two colleagues sustained injuries when an armed group opened fire on their vehicle in Karak district on Wednesday.The protesters, who were holding banners inscribed with slogans to demand public execution of murder of their colleague, marched through the road. Speaking on the occasion, Nadir Khan, divisional general secretary of Shemale Association in Hazara, said that at least 70 transgender persons we...

PESHAWAR: A cop was killed and two passers-by sustained injuries when unidentified assailants opened fire in the Phandu village on Thursday. The killed policeman was identified Aftab, who had reportedly been killed by some locals after he had a brawl with them last night. According to police, the injured Nadir Khan and Latifullah, residents of Gujarabad, were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital. from The News International - Peshawar http://bit.ly/2GelLc3

TIMERGARA: Scores of poor orthopaedic patients were being referred to private hospitals or state-run hospitals in Peshawar due to non-availability of ‘image intensifier machine’ at the district headquarters (DHQ) hospital.Several patients and their attendants in the DHQ said that the ‘image intensifier machine’ at the orthopaedic theatre of DHQ Timergara was dysfunctional for the last six months as a result of which patients required surgeries were referred to hospitals in Peshawar or the private healthcare units for treatment.Sher Muhammad, a student at a seminary at Shekolai in Lower Dir and hailing from Bajaur, told The News that the doctors in DHQ hospital Timergara had referred him to Peshawar for treatment.“But I can’t afford expenses for treatment in Peshawar,” he added. When contacted, Dr Waqar Alam, an orthopaedic surgeon at DHQ Hospital Timergara, said that the patient was referred to Peshawar due to non-availability of image intensifier machine in the theater of DHQ Timergar...

KALAYA: The security forces in an action recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition in Kot Killay area in upper part of Orakzai tribal district on Thursday.Taking action on intelligence-based information, the security forces seized arms and ammunition dumped in Kot Killay area. Official sources said that terrorists had dumped the weapons, which were later to be used in sabotage acts. However, they said, the security forces foiled their ulterior motives and saved the area from destruction and human loss. The security forces recovered one hand-grenade, 440 rounds heavy machine gun, 140 guns, nine SMG magazines, 560 SMG rounds and one G3 rifle and hundreds of cartridges. from The News International - Peshawar http://bit.ly/2Gc9GEp

MINGORA: Ambassador of Switzerland Thomas Cooley on Thursday said his government had been working on variousdevelopment projects in Pakistan for the last 50 years.He was speaking at a gathering in Saidu Sharif in connection with “Exploring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” programme.Senior Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Atif Khan, who also holds the portfolio of Tourism and archaeology, was also present on the occasion.Thomas Cooley said that the landscape of Swat valley and that of Switzerland was the same.“Being in Swat, I feel like being in Switzerland. Our government wants to see the prosperity of this land and development in the tourism sector,”said the ambassador, adding that Switzerland generated 10 percent of its GDP from tourism industry only.He said that the KP had the potential to attract tourists from across the world. He added that the people of his country loved skiing, and so were the people of Swat valley.Senior Minister KP Atif Khan said, “KP Tourism Authority” has been establ...

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Dr Hisham Inamullah Khan on Thursday termed approval of health policy a landmark achievement in the history of KP.“We will implement an accessible, equitable and quality healthcare through a sustainable and comprehensive health system at all levels,” he said.A statement issued here on Thursday said that the secretary health Dr Farooq Jameel briefed the provincial cabinet on first health policy that was later approved by the cabinet.Meanwhile, in his message, the health minister said that health policy would reform and strengthen KP healthcare system, enabling it to provide essential, cost-effective and quality health care to all its citizens and with focus on developing preventive, primary & secondary healthcare and strengthening tertiary level healthcare.He said the Health Department would ensure universal health coverage for the people based on equitable coverage, accountable, transparent, sound management and governance, results-based...

PESHAWAR: The police on Thursday arrested two persons, including a doctor, for taking law into their own hands by holding hostage a Pesco official and his team when they were disconnecting illegal electricity lines from a house.Shaukat Afzal, director general public relations Pesco, said that the police arrested Dr Irfan and Farhan, residents of Badaber area, on charges of taking the SDO and his team hostage for removing their illegal electricity connection.He said that the two accused had got direct electricity line to their house and the Pesco cut off their connection due to non-payment of Rs2 million dues against them.He said that during campaign against illegal connections, when the SDO and his team were removing the illegal connection from the house of the doctor, he along with his companions detained the Pesco team. Later, he said, on the intervention of the additional assistant commissioner, the accused released the Pesco officials, which is direct intervention in the affairs of...

PESHAWAR: Governor Shah Farman Thursday inaugurated “Fruit for all” drive by planting a sapling in Hayatabad.A handout said under the drive as many as 250 plants of orange would be planted in Hayatabad and about five million saplings would be planted across the province in collaboration with National Bank of Pakistan. The governor after inaugurating the drive directed Agriculture Department to ensure plantation of quality seeds as per the requirements of weather. He said the project was aimed at making KP self-sufficient in fruit production and meet food requirements of children.23 projects for tribal districts approved: Provincial Development Working Programme (PDWP) on Thursday approved 23 projects worth Rs 7147.277 million for the tribal districts.A handout said Rs1602.250 million has been allocated for Education, Rs3595.015 million for Health, Rs244.32 million for Research and Development, Local Government Rs963.872 million, Rs400.00 million for power, Rs18.510 million Urban Planni...

Islamabad : The capital city police have launched massive crackdown against drug as well as land mafias active in and around Islamabad.A 3-month crime report indicates 30 per cent reduction in crime rate, which is a big achievement against the analogous time period, reflecting ‘improved policing’ by the Islamabad Police.Obviously, the Islamabad Police, while fighting crime on all fronts, seemed more active against the drugs and recovered sizeable quantities of contraband substances and liquor with a market price of almost Rs70 million.Hashish continued to be the most ‘popular’ contraband drug as the Islamabad Police recovered as much as 309165 kg of hashish with a market value of around Rs30.9 million. In addition to this the Islamabad Police recovered 40.998 kg of heroin with a market value of Rs80.2 million. Other items included 9,382 bottles of liquor worth around Rs9.4 million, 1.446 kg of ‘Ice’ worth Rs5.78 million and 1.106 kg of cocaine worth Rs10.4 million.When contacted, IGP A...

Rawalpindi : UC-40 of Rawalpindi, housing major downtown areas of the city once considered being the most sought after area for residence due to availability of basic facilities, has now become a hub of problems where majority of the old inhabitants have either left for outer city areas or are planning to do so to live peacefully.Having a distinction of housing areas like Purana Qila, Bohar Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Bhabra Bazaar, Lunda Bazaar, Chitti Hattian, Moti Bazaar, Urdu Bazaar, Talwara Bazaar, Jamia Masjid Road, the major business centres of the downtown areas, which also houses Lal Haveli, the residence of Federal Minister for Railways, who in past had also enjoyed the portfolio of information minister, but now shortage of gas in winter, poor sewerage system, dangling electricity wires all over the area, out-dated streetlights, poor law and order situation, ever-increasing encroachments and dilapidated condition of streets has forced many old inhabitants to shift to outer city ar...

Rawalpindi : The Municipal Corporation Rawalpindi (MCR) authorities Wednesday forced eight shop owners to raze parts of their shops at the Banni Chowk which had been declared legal by the court in 2001.As per reports, four days before the launch of operation, the MCR authorities summoned the shop owners to produce all documents, including ownership and building plan.As per direction, the approved documents, including the judgement of civil court passed in 2001, were furnished with the authorities.The court judgment had declared veranda as part of the suit shops but the MCR officials threw the court judgment away and threatened the shop owners to raze lawful parts of their shops on their own or these will be bulldozed.The shop owners were assured that they will be informed prior to the operation but ratting on their commitment, the MCR officials reached the scene on Wednesday morning along with trucks, lifters and other equipment to demolish the verandas of all shops.The brass-necked st...

Islamabad: The Establishment Division has approved new service rules for teachers working in Islamabad Capital Territory's government schools and colleges.The development will remove the hurdle to the long-awaited promotion of hundreds of teachers.Delay in the formulation of new service rules had held up the promotion of teachers with many of them ending up retiring without being promoted.Federal Government Teachers Association leader Malik Ameer Khan appreciated the approval of new service rules for teachers and said the development would ensure the grant of long-awaited promotion to teachers of Islamabad. from The News International - Islamabad http://bit.ly/2HLhOOv

Islamabad: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Muhammad Usman Dar met Monis Rahman, founder of Roze.pk, an online platform for searching jobs, here on Thursday.During the meeting, an effective roll-out strategy for the National Job Programme was discussed in order to connect job seekers with job providers and creating the maximum number of employment opportunities for the youths.Usman Dar appreciated the efforts of Monis Rahman for creating a useful platform to connect around 30,000 job seekers with the potential employers every month.He expressed the hope to benefit from his experience in designing a user-friendly online platform for job creation under the National Job Programme. from The News International - Islamabad http://bit.ly/2SjIE4r

Islamabad: A woodcut print workshop was held at the National Art Gallery here on Thursday.Noted artist Tasneem Shahzad conducted the workshop.Tasneem Shahzad, who is based in the US, has completed his education from Peshawar University.A large number of art students and young artists benefited from the workshop.They said it was a great opportunity for them to learn from such great expert."It is a great source of learning as we go through practical under the guidance of an expert in the field," a participant said. He said the PNCA was doing a great job for youths, who were attending such workshop regularly.He said the participants were trained in the use of tools, technique, brush, colours and basic drawing. from The News International - Islamabad http://bit.ly/2HLijYT

Islamabad : The first meeting of the Implementation Commission for protection of the minorities’ rights formed by the Supreme Court was held at the Federal Judicial Academy here on Thursday.Dr Shoaib Suddle chaired the meeting on the enforcement of the court orders for the protection and enforcement of minorities’ rights.The meeting was attended by government ministries and departments, members of civil society organisations and minority communities.Initiating the proceeding, Dr Shoaib Suddle outlined the specific orders given in the judgement in 2014 (PLD 2014 SC 699) by then Supreme Court chief justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, which required steps for inculcating social and religious harmony and tolerance through reforming education system, etc.; protecting religious minorities from social and physical threats, setting up institutions such as; National Commission for Minorities’ Rights, and introducing affirmative measures such as including and ensuring equal opportunities for econo...

Islamabad : Griffith University, Australia, will offer 100 per cent tuition fee waiver to five Pakistani students every year.This was announced in a meeting of Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Margaret Adamson, with Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Tariq Banuri during her visit to the Commission Secretariat.Dr. Banuri said HEC values its partnership with Australian higher education institutions and welcomes Griffith University to become part of this partnership. He said that 10 Australian universities are on board with HEC and 160 Pakistani students are currently enrolled in PhD programmes in these institutions.He informed the delegation that Pakistan’s priorities include not only Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines but also Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts.He also shed light on HEC overseas and indigenous scholarship programmes. He said HEC indigenous scholars are offered to spend six months in some foreign university for the...

Rawalpindi : The Anti-Terrorist Court (ATC) No-II, Rawalpindi Judge Suleman Baig has summoned both parties for final arguments in kidnapping for ransom case. The court has summoned the lawyers of both parties to come on February 2, 2019 for final arguments in this regard.On the directions of Supreme Court of Pakistan, applicant Muhammad Iqbal submitted his complaint in the Anti-Terrorist Court (ATC), Rawalpindi and recorded his statement that Haji Ali Akbar and his accomplices kidnapped his 7-year-old daughter Qurat-ul-Ain on November 24, 2014. He said that the accused demanded Rs1.6 million as ransom. from The News International - Islamabad http://bit.ly/2SgMeMJ

Islamabad : Air Chief Marshal Chaiyapruk Didyasarin, commander-in-Chief of Royal Thailand Air Force visited Air Headquarters here, says a press release on Thursday.On his arrival, the distinguished guest was received by Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force. He was presented with the Guard of Honour by a smartly turned out contingent of PAF. Later on, he called on the Air Chief in his office. Various matters of professional and mutual interest including regional peace and stability came under discussion during the meeting.Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thailand Air Force appreciated the sound professionalism of PAF personnel and its achievements in the war against terrorism. The PAF Air Chief briefed the visiting dignitary about ongoing indigenization projects being taken up by PAF in recent years. Both the dignitaries agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation and defence ties to strengthen the existing cordial relations between the two coun...

Islamabad : As part of its celebrations for World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) 2019 of United Nations, Universal Interfaith Peace Mission (UIPM) announced different events starting February 1 till February 22, 2019, says a press release.Recognizing that the moral imperatives of all religions, convictions and beliefs to call for peace, tolerance and mutual understanding, UIPM Chairman Allama Dr GR Chishti announced the WIHW celebration events at a press conference at UIPM Head Office, New Sohan, Islamabad on Thursday in which he highlighted the importance of interfaith harmony for global peace and prosperity.The WIHW is being celebrated by UIPM in collaboration with United Religious Initiative Multi-Cooperation Circle Islamabad and Common Word Pakistan. During the programmes, UIPM has already set up an Advisory Council for those interested in participating in the WIHW and UIPM will guide them as what kind of events they could organize. Besides UIPM on his helpline 0301-5055014 will al...

ISLAMABAD: Three polio workers who won hearts of millions of people by vaccinating children in snow-hit Swat, were giving a standing ovation at the NPMT’s meeting in Islamabad.Babar Atta, Focal Person to PM Imran Khan on Polio Eradication, shared the video of polio workers on Twitter. “Standing ovation : Just received the brave polio workers from Swat to the bi-annual Polio NPMT meeting Islamabad. NPMT comprises of all Pakistan National / Provincial Team Leads, all Provincial EPI Chiefs, Epidemiologists & Polio Public Health Experts (National & International),” Atta tweeted.This come a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan met the health workers and praised for their efforts to reach out to children despite snow and extreme weather in Swat from The News International - Health http://bit.ly/2GfyRWr

PESHAWAR: A local court on Wednesday dismissed an application filed by Prime Minister Imran Khan requesting to return a defamation suit filed by a former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) female lawmaker against him as the court lacked the jurisdiction in this regard.Fauzia Bibi, the former MPA who was elected on the reserved seats for women on the PTI ticket, had filed the defamation suit for recovery of damages to the tune of Rs500 million from Imran Khan for defaming her by levelling “baseless” allegations against her in a press conference during which she was accused of selling her vote in the Senate elections.The Additional District and Sessions Judge Shah Waliullah Hamid Hashmi dismissed the application with the observation that this court has the jurisdiction to hear the defamation suit against the prime minister.The court had on January 24 reserved the decision for pronouncing it on January 30 after completion of arguments by both the parties.The court fixed February 15 for the ne...

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is going to make history by holding the first meeting of its cabinet at the newly-merged district Khyber of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) today (Thursday).The cabinet will meet at the border town Landikotal of the Khyber district.Chief Minister Mahmud Khan will chair the historic meeting that would take up a long-awaited agenda. The provincial ministers, officials and other concerned quarters will attend.The chief minister had announced during the cabinet meeting on January 2 that the next meeting of the cabinet would be held in Khyber district.It will be the first meeting of the provincial cabinet in over one hundred years history of the province, which would be held in the erstwhile tribal belt after its merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in May last year.An official informed on Wednesday that the district administration had finalised all the arrangements for the cabinet’s first-ever meeting in Khyber district.The Fat...

LANDIKOTAL: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) activists on Wednesday threatened to stage protest against the expected meeting of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet in Landikotal tehsil of Khyber tribal district.Speaking at a press conference here, Mufti Mohammad Ejaz Shinwari said that the JUI-F and majority of the tribal people had not accepted the so-called merger of Fata into KP.“If the PTI is going to hold the meeting here for the purpose to announce any mega project in Khyber district, then they will welcome the session,” Mufti maintained. He stated the government should create job opportunities in tribal belt instead of misleading the youth through hollow slogans.Landikotal residents were deprived of basic facilities since the independence and they need development projects in the area, he maintained.It is to be mentioned here that on the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan, KP government cabinet is going to hold its session in Landikotal for the first time in the country’s history. ...

MANSEHRA: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has launched the legal formalities to de-seat its 11 tehsil councillors, including six women, for breaching the party discipline.The 11 PML-N tehsil councillors had elected one of them as tehsil nazim with the support of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in the election held earlier this month.“We have served the 11 councillors with show-cause notices as a legal formality to de-seat them,” Zafar Mehmood, the district president of PML-N, told reporters here on Wednesday.He said that Umar Farooq, a councillor of his party, ran for the office of tehsil nazim in breach of the party discipline and was elected tehsil nazim with the support of PTI.“Farooq in his nomination papers filed for the office of tehsil nazim declared himself as an independent candidate, which is a gross violation of Local Government Act 2013,” said Mehmood. “We want a by-election in these union councils and we will re-elect our nazim in the larger public interest and democracy...

PESHAWAR: Chief Information Commissioner Right to Information Commission Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Azmat Hanif Orakzai has said that 7,076 people have received information from the government departments under the Right to Information Act in the province.“The number of people seeking information under the RTI law to check the performance and transparency of the government departments is increasing as so far 12,859 applications have been submitted in the government departments for receiving information,” the chief information commissioner said this in his presentation to the legal fraternity over the RTI law at a seminar arranged in the Peshawar High Court Bar on Wednesday.About the performance of the commission, he said the commission had received 5,379 complaints against the public bodies, out of which 5,154 were decided.He added that penalties, including Rs25,000 fines, had been imposed on various officials, who had denied giving information to the applicants under the RTI law. Currently, h...

PESHAWAR: The chairmen of four out of eight boards of intermediate and secondary education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been asked to report to their parent department from February 6 while additional charge of these boards has been given to the already overburdened secretary, elementary and secondary education.Separate notifications to this effect were issued on Wednesday. The notifications said that consequent upon completion of their “two-year tenure” the chairmen of Peshawar, Abbottabad and Bannu boards, Dr Fazlur Rahman (BS-20), Prof Sajjad (BS-20) and Jehandad (BS-19), respectively, were repatriated to their parent department with effect from February 6, 2019 for further adjustment. The notification of Mardan board chairman, Dr Shaukat Hayat (BS-20), had not been issued till filing of this report. But according to sources it was also likely to be issued on the same date.The chairmen of two other boards – Swat and Kohat – would complete their tenure in March 2019 and the government ...

PESHAWAR: Despite launching campaigns and issuing warnings of strict action against the station house officers concerned, celebratory firing is taking place almost on a daily basis in the provincial capital and other parts of the province.The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have failed to check the practice. Thousands of rounds are fired every night, particularly on weekends, posing threats to the life of people. A campaign was carried out in Peshawar and other cities in the province a few months back to bring an end to firing at wedding ceremonies and other festive occasions. Banners and hoardings were displayed as part of the campaign. The police officials went to mosques and hujras (male guesthouses) to seek the help of local elders. The senior police officials claimed to have made the campaign successful. However, there seems to be no end to this practice as firing sounds are heard almost every night not only in the rural and suburban areas but even the urban parts of Peshawar. Those liv...

PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would hold a public hearing at the regional office today. As per the official communiqué, the bureau stated that in order to provide relief to the general public, the NAB KP has arranged public hearing at his office today from 2 pm to 4 pm. It said that the Director General NAB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Farmanullah will hear the public complaints. The bureau asked that individuals having information about any incident of cheating public at large, fake businesses, fake housing schemes, assets beyond known sources of income, embezzlement of public funds or any other corruption are requested to visit the bureau for lodging the complaints. The public is advised to bring their written complaints along with CNIC and initial copies of evidence. from The News International - Peshawar http://bit.ly/2UuhKEd

SWABI: Minister for Local Government Shahram Tarakai on Wednesday said the extension of the Community-Driven Local Development (CDLD) programme to more districts was part of government’s commitment to devolve powers at a grassroots level. The minister was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the CDLD programme in the district. “The programme, with its focus on sustainable development through active community participation, has changed the course of local governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he added. Following months of consultations and arrangements by the district administration in Swabi, the groundwork has been completed for the extension of CDLD programme. The inauguration ceremony was organised by the Deputy Commissioner Swabi with the technical and assistance of the CDLD programme to formally initiate the implementation of the provincial government’s flagship programme in Swabi. The achievements of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in terms of the implementation of the CDLD ...

NOWSHERA: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday arrested an official of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Peshawar office, for allegedly selling the state land fraudulently, sources said.The sources said Abdul Waheed, son of, Abdul Siddique, a resident of Shafi Building, Nowshera Cantonment, lodged a complaint with the FIA in Islamabad.The complainant said that an inspector of the ETPB, Syed Assadullah Shah, had received Rs3.1 million from him to transfer in his name the state land. The land is owned by the ETPB and sited near the Amann Garh Police Line. The Khasra Nos are 447-448. Abdul Waheed said that the ETPB inspector received the amount from him in two installments of Rs 2million and 1.1million, respectively, and told him that the land had been sold out to him.Abdul Waheed said the ETPB inspector would become evasive when he would demand ownership documents. He said the ETPB inspector gave him a judicial bond (stamp paper) where he had acknowledged having rec...

BARA: The elders of Bar Qambarkhel tribe on Wednesday asked the government to consult the local people for development projects at Basey Baba Mountain and resolve the dispute of Shahkas land.Speaking at a press conference in Bara Press Club, Haji Abdul Jabbar Afridi, Muhammad Rehman, Hakeem Khan Afridi, Abdul Haseeb and others said that the local tribe was stakeholder in the Shahkas land dispute. “We want to make it clear that from Samghaghi to Shahkas Levies Centre the land is our property and we will not tolerate any interference in it,” Haji Abdul Jabbar said, adding that the government should consult Bar Qambarkhel tribe in Basey Baba landscaping, park and hotel project.He added that the tribe did not oppose development schemes but the government should rebuild the destroyed schools, hospitals and other infrastructure which was damaged during long years of militancy. The elders maintained the local tribe held a jirga with the Kukikhel tribe who did not accept its decision. He said ...

KOHAT: Three persons, including mother and her son, were killed and five others were injured in a collision between two cars near Muslimabad on Indus Highway on Wednesday. Police officials said the car was on its way to Bannu and the accident occurred apparently due to over-speeding. As a result, Khan Nisa, her son Muhammad Afaq and one Asif died on the spot. Five passengers were injured in the accident. They were shifted to the hospitals in Kohat. from The News International - Peshawar http://bit.ly/2UuhJA9

PESHAWAR: The Centre for Public Policy Research at the Institute of Management Sciences (IMSciences) Peshawar together with International Education for Water Education (IHE), Netherlands co-organised a five-day training event for water professionals from across Pakistan.The event has been funded by Orange Knowledge Program (OKP) of the Organisation for Internationalisation of Education (NUFFIC). The training material has been developed by the IHE Delft resource persons. It covers key water issues in water governance. These included trans-boundary water issues, WASH, Integrated Water Management, Policy and Institutional Environment of Water Governance, Policy and Politics of Climate Adaptation, and other key topics.Together with international experts, national experts, too, have been invited as resource persons and panellists.The opening ceremony was addressed by Dr Muhammad Mohsin, Director IMSciences Peshawar, Professor Margreet Zwarteveen; Head of IHE Delft, Ms Josephine Frantzen; Ch...

MANSEHRA: The district council through a unanimously adopted resolution on Wednesday asked the Communication and Works Department and Peshawar Electric Supply Company to restore roads and electricity infrastructure which was damaged in recent snowfall in upper parts of the district.“The people in Siran and Konsh valleys and other mountainous parts of the district are still in trouble but no steps are being taken to mitigate their sufferings,” Councillor Muhammad Qadir told the council on Wednesday.The council, which met with convener Murtaza Tanoli in the chair, also passed another resolution seeking provincial status for Hazara division.Qadir said that the Communication and Works Department and Pesco should repair roads and electricity system destroyed because of record snowfall of almost a decade in the region.Speaking on the occasion, District Nazim Sardar Said Ghulam said that cases of such contractors, who had not completed their work, would be referred to Anti-Corruption Establis...

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday issued notice to General Officer Commanding, Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner North Waziristan in a writ petition filed by local residents seeking compensation for their property on which a football stadium, park and market have been constructed without their consent.A division bench comprising Justice Ikramullah Khan and Justice Musaarat Hilali issued notice to the respondents and directed them to submit their comments before the next hearing in the case about the claim made by the petitioners.The bench issued notice in the writ petition filed by Noora Khan, Naik Awal Khan and Saeed, residents of Miranshah, North Waziristan, seeking an order of the court to direct the respondents to compensate the petitioners as per market value or return their land.During the hearing, lawyer Inayatullah Khan submitted that the petitioners were owners of the land bearing Khasra numbers 2003, 2004, 2002 and 2013 Khata No 325 and Khatoni...

LAHORE: Punjab Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has directed for establishing model cattle markets in all major cities of Punjab on state land and in the first phase six cities have been included in this plan.It was decided here in a meeting of Cattle Market & Management Company chaired by the senior minister. He directed on the pattern of modern countries such cattle markets be established on public private partnership mode where all modern facilities be provided under one roof. He said that farming for animals providing meat and milk should be categorised on scientific pattern and people should be provide proper counselling along with meat process and marketing facilities through these cattle companies. He asked the Local Government Department to take steps to provide government land to these cattle companies and ensure proper security with basic facilities and veterinary doctors there.Abdul Aleem said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has great importance for livestock sector in na...

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Wednesday said that the Swat Motorway would be opened for all sorts of vehicular traffic on May 1, 2019. from The News International - Peshawar http://bit.ly/2DIQYmj

PESHAWAR: The sports festival concluded at the Central Prison Peshawar here on Wednesday.Senior Minister for Culture and Tourism Muhammad Atif Khan was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony.The Peshawar City District Government had organised the festival. Badminton, volleyball, tug-of-war and athletics were part of the event.The organisers said the festival was an attempt to create awareness among the prisoners about the healthy activities.Speaking at the concluding ceremony, the minister said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government was utilising all resources to promote sports in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.He praised District Nazim Muhammad Asim Khan for organizing the sports festival for the prisoners.Inspector General Prisons Masoodur Rehman, District Sports Officer Jamshed Baloch and councillors were also present on the occasion.Muhammad Asim said that the City District Government had organised the sports event regularly at the Central Prison Peshawar. He said such activities had a positi...

WANA: A Khassadar force man was martyred and another sustained critical injuries when unidentified assailants attacked them near the Scouts Camp area in Toi Khula tehsil in South Waziristan tribal district on Wednesday.Local and official sources said that unidentified persons opened indiscriminate fire on the Khassadar force near Scouts Camp area.As a result, Musa Kamal was martyred on the spot while Gul Janan sustained serious injuries.The sources said that the injured Khassadar was taken to District Headquarters Hospital in Wana in a precarious condition.The attackers fled the scene after committing the crime. Local administration confirmed the incident, saying that investigation had been started but no arrest could be made till filing of this report. from The News International - Peshawar http://bit.ly/2DKnyEg

MINGORA: The police on Wednesday claimed to have foiled a smuggling bid and seized over 118 kilogram hashish in the limits of Matta Police Station.Speaking at a press conference, a senior police official said that acting on a tip-off, the officials of Matta Police Station had erected a barricade to thwart the smuggling bid.He said the cops signalled a car to stop and recovered over 118 kilogram hashish and one kilogram opium from it. The official said the alleged smuggler, Khalid Khan, was also arrested. from The News International - Peshawar http://bit.ly/2UuhDbL

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday released former chairman and chief executive officer of Punjab Saaf Pani Company Raja Qamarul Islam and Waseem Ajmal, respectively, besides four other accused on bail in Punjab Saaf Pani Company scam.A two-judge bench headed by Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan allowed the bail to the accused, subject to furnishing surety bonds.The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) alleged that Islam, also ex-MPA, was involved in awarding contracts of installation of 84 water filtration plants at higher prices. It said the accused got the contracts of 102 plants approved from the company’s board of directors and committed forgery in the documents.The bureau accused Ajmal of violating procurement rules and permitting installation of the water plants in Dunyapur tehsil beyond the scope of the project.On the other side, the defence counsel argued that the case against Islam and others was politically motivated and amounted to political victimisation. He said th...

LAHORE: A 55-year-old man was shot dead on Wednesday by some unidentified persons in the limits of Manawan police.The victim was identified as Sharif. The unidentified killers shot the victim and threw his body in an empty plot. Police shifted the body to morgue.found dead: A 60-year-old man was found dead in the limits of Shahdara police on Wednesday. Police claimed that the man, yet to be identified, was a homeless who might have died of cold weather. The body, lying near Shahdara Mor, was spotted by some passersby. Police shifted the body to mortuary.9,084 vehicles ticketed: Lahore Transport Company in current month took action against 9,830 public transport vehicles and challaned 9,084 vehicles, including 139 buses, 1,068 vans, 184 coasters, 2,778 four-stroke rickshaws and 5,618 motorcycle rickshaws on violations of Motor Vehicle Ordinance.They were challaned over violation of fitness certificate, route permit, illegal LPG cylinders and overcharging. Over 746 vehicles were impounde...

Islamabad : Federal Minister for Aviation and Privatisation Muhammad Mian Soomro formally opened the 27th Steering Committee Meeting (SCM) of Cooperative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness Programme – South Asia (COSCAP-SA).The COSCAP-SA Steering Committee meets, at least once a year. So far its 26 meetings have been held in different member states.The meeting is being held in a hotel in Islamabad from 29 to 31 January 2019, hosted by Pakistan and is being organised by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).Speaking at the inaugural session of SCM, the federal minister reaffirmed that Pakistan fully supports global policies and guidelines for a safe, efficient, sustainable and viable civil aviation.He informed the participants that for building a strong and dependable air transport system, Pakistan has upgraded its air navigation infrastructure and installed adequate communication, navigation and surveillance facilities.Enumerating the recent achievements m...

Islamabad : The Ministry of Health Wednesday signed a contract with State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan for implementation of the Sehat Sahulat Programme (SSP) in all districts of Pakistan.The contract was signed by Secretary Health Zahid Saeed and Chairman of the State Life Insurance Corporation in the presence of Minister for Health Aamer Mehmood Kiani. Through this initiative, poor families will get free health insurance to secure indoor healthcare services worth Rs. 720,000 from empanelled hospitals. The programme will provide ‘Sehat Insaf Cards’ to 15 million families in Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, AJK, GB and old districts of FATA through a transparent and computerized mechanism.Services available from the Sehat Insaf Card include open heart surgeries, insertion of stents, management of cancer, neurosurgical procures, burn management, accident management, dialysis, intensive care management, deliveries, C-section and other medical and surgical procedures. The programme w...

Islamabad : National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) has planned to organise an International Calligraphy Exhibition by mid of March with an aim to revive the glorious art of calligraphy.According to an official of NLPD, international calligraphers from different countries including Turkey, Iran and many others have started submitting calligraphic art pieces to the department which will be displayed in the exhibition.Renowned international calligraphers will participate in the exhibition who will be given an opportunity to interact with local calligraphers and exchange valuable ideas.The objective behind arranging this exhibition is to promote the Islamic art of calligraphy and the outstanding works of international level calligraphers as well as encourage and motivate the youngsters toward learning the intricacies of this art, the official said.The event will be arranged at a local hotel and calligraphers, dignitaries and prominent personalities will participate.The official said...

Islamabad : The teams of Islamabad Capital Territory Health Department and Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad would carry out field activities for deworming children from the age of five years to fifteen years in all schools of the federal capital today (Thursday) under the National Deworm Project.In a simple ceremony, the De worm Launch event was organised here at Islamabad Model College for Girls in F-7/4 on Wednesday. The objective of the activity on Thursday, termed as National Deworm Day is to get children rid of soil transmitted helminth infections including intestinal worms.The Deworm project was designed after a World Health Organization survey according to which some districts in Pakistan were found having significantly a high percentage of children infested with worms while the maximum percentage was found in child population in Islamabad and Muzaffarabad as up to 20 per cent children were found infested with worms, said District Health Officer Islamabad Dr. Muhammad Najeeb D...

Islamabad : Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Wednesday declared final results of its Arabic Teacher Training Course (ATTC), Primary Teaching Certificate (PTC) and Certificate of Teaching (CT).According to the Controller Exams, the exams were held in Semester Spring, 2018. The results have been placed at the University’s Website.Intimation cards are also being sent to all the concerned students at their postal address.Result of SSC programme is expected to be announced next week. The results of FA,BA and B.Ed programmes would also be declared by the middle of February. Meanwhile Matric to Ph.D level admissions for the Semester Spring, 2019 will open from February 1, simultaneously across the country.Admissions forms and prospectuses could be obtained from the Sale points at the University’s main campus, 44-Regional Campuses and around 100- Coordinating Offices in various parts of the country, including Azad Kashmir and Northern areas. from The News International - Islamabad http...