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CHARSADDA: Two brothers were killed and two others sustained injuries here on Sunday, the police sources said.They said that a jirga was in progress over the settlement of a room dispute at Taj Plaza between two parties when accused Qadeer, Rasheed, Haroon and Saud forced their entry into the room and opened fire on the participants. As a result, Iqbal and Ilyas, sons of Shaida, were killed on the spot while Ashfaq and Arshad sustained injuries. The dead and injured were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Charsadda. The police registered the case and st arted investigation. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2FHeVe0

SWABI: A man beat his eight-year-old son to death in Gandaf Refugee Camp in Topi tehsil here on Sunday, police said.Shahi Mulk, head of Topi City Police Station, said that Izatullah, an Afghan refugee, beat up his daughter Saima and son Zeeshan black and blue with sticks. Zeeshan could not sustain the torture and died.The mother of the two kids had died two years ago. He said there were signs of severe torture on the entire body of the slain Zeeshan.When contacted, DSP Topi Ijaz Khan said that the people in the neighbourhood usually complained to Izatullah that his daughter and son were involved in theft and this made him lose his temper.“We are investigating the incident. The details would be shared with media soon,” he added.The father of the kids went underground soon after the incident and the injured Saima is staying with her uncle Mustaqeem Khan. The police registered a first information report and started an investigation.Local sources said Afghan refugees are expected to hold a

NOWSHERA: A transgender was shot dead near Babu Khwar in the limits of the Cantonment Police Station on Sunday, official sources said.A police party was on a routine patrol when it spotted the bullet-riddled body of a teenager.The police shifted the body to the District Headquarters Hospital for autopsy and identification.The heirs reached the hospital and claimed the body where the slain was identified as Aftab Ahmed alias Maya.His father Aurangzeb told the police that his son Aftab Ahmed, 17, was born as transgender and had joined a group of transgender people known as Meena Group in Peshawar.He said he tried his best to stop his son from being a part of the group as it had brought a bad name to his family but to no avail.Aurangzeb disclosed that his son was coming home on a motorcycle along with his uncle Jamshed and brother Adnan. He feared they might have killed him.Station House Officer Zardad Khan took the body into custody after recording the statement.The police later arrested

MULTAN: Mango festivals and mango feasts on arrival of Sawan (rainy season), and propensity of huge mango gifting by local people are unique features of culturally rich south Punjab, which is associated not only in the country but also abroad especially in the Middle East countries.The introduction of the south Punjab sans mangoes, the king of fruits, is incomplete. Mango orchards are located over thousands of acres in the south Punjab. Multan is at top in mangoes cultivation. Mango orchards are located over 31,000 hectares in the district.However, Rahimyar Khan, Muzaffargarh and Khanewal are at second, third and fourth position with cultivation area 26,000, 19,000 and 14,000 hectares respectively. Pakistani mangoes, matchless in taste and aroma, their exports if enhanced can bring a handsome amount of foreign exchange to the national kitty. Mango Festival, an excellent event of Multan, is being organised formally since 2016 with an aim to offer recreation to local citizens and promote

LAHORE: Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said the Punjab government is acting on the policy of austerity and transparency according to the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.According to a handout issued here on Sunday, he said use of national resources for personal benefits was against public interest and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had set the trend of spending public money on the public welfare. The rulers in the past spent national resources ruthlessly for their personal interests, he added.The PTI government made history by launching a campaign for austerity and added that the Chief Minister's Office had curtailed its expenses by almost 60 per cent in fiscal year 2018-2019 as compared to the FY 2017-2018.He said that gifts and hospitality expenses of the CM had been reduced to Rs 30 million from Rs 110 million. The spending on maintenance of vehicles had also been reduced to half as compared its previous expenses which was Rs 40 million.Usman Buzdar said t

LAHORE: The 31st convocation of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) was held here on Sunday in which 1,034 students received degrees making it the university’s largest convocation ceremony, to date.According to a press release, Dr Sania Nishtar, Prime Minister of Pakistan’s special assistant and Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, was the chief guest at the ceremony attended by students along with their parents, faculty, and staff from each school.Addressing the ceremony, Dr Sania Nishtar said, "Today marks your entry into the practical world. If you want me to summarise it in a nutshell, there are three attributes that you learn over the years which are absolutely critical for success and fulfilment in your practical life. Those attributes are humility, integrity and purposeful learning. Agility is important, so if you combine humility with integrity and the commitment to learn and then adapt accordingly, your chances of success and ful

LAHORE: ‘Encounters,’ a debut collection of thematic short stories (fiction) by Akif Rashid received enormous response from literary circles here at Alhamra Adbi Bethak on Saturday evening.English Literary Society in association with Progressive Writers’ Association organised the opening ceremony of the book, which was attended by distinguished personalities from literature, film and academic circles. Dr Amra Raza, leading scholar from English department of University of Punjab, chaired the evening. While speaking about the book, Dr Amra said Akif’s collection of short stories tickles the imagination with a number of encounters seemingly random social meetings yet actually deeply personal journeys. Each culminates in an exploration of various facets of self so that facades fall away to reveal the hidden current beneath, Dr Amra said. Filmmaker Syed Noor and Shahzad Rafique graced the ceremony as chief guest. They appreciated the writer for his motivating subjects, diverse vision and el

MULTAN: The Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco) has upgraded 730 distribution transformers during 2018-19 with Rs 166.7 million funds.According to sources, the Mepco upgraded 29 transformers from 10 KVA to 25 KVA, 29 from 15 KVA to 25 KVA, 153 from 25 KVA to 50 KVA, 241 from 50 KVA to 100 KVA, 196 from 100 KV to 200 KV and also upgraded two transformers of 25 KVA, 11 of 50 KVA, 59 of 100 KVA and six of 200 KVA during July 2018 to May 2019. Sources said that as per directives of Mepco Chief Executive Officer Tahir Mahmood, 188 transformers were upgraded in Multan circle, 64 in Dera Ghazi Khan circle, 88 in Bahawalpur, 22 in Sahiwal, 135 in Rahimyar Khan, 52 in Muzaffargarh, 125 in Bahawalnager and 56 transformers in Khanewal circle. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2YoWylp

PAKPATTAN: PML-N MNA Mian Ahmad Raza Khan Manika has said that the government has failed in providing relief to the masses. Talking to journalists here on Sunday, the PML-N leader said that the government had failed in controlling inflation. The government increased the rates of gas, electricity petrol, oil and other daily use items, which had crushed the people, he added. He said that the government gave the gift of inflation to the nation.ROLE OF WOMEN VITAL FOR PROSPERITY: The role of women is vital for development and prosperity of the society. It was said by DC Ahmad Kamal and the Punjab Population additional secretary while addressing a meeting at the DC Office on Sunday. They said that the women were the integral part of the society. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2FG8mss

Rawalpindi : Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Chairman Muhammad Arif Abbasi stressed that the materialization of Ghazi Barotha Project is the only and best solution to overcome water problem for the next 40 to 50 years.Giving the details, he said that present population of Rawalpindi city is 2.6 million including WASA served area of 1.6 million people.The present demand of water in WASA area is 64 million gallons per day (mgd) whereas current production is 51 mgd.Major sources of water for Rawalpindi are Rawal Dam, Khanpur Dam and tube-wells.Due to massive depletion of ground water tube-wells are not feasible to meet future requirements of water.Otherwise the present resources like tube-wells are failing to provide good results because of depletion of ground water level to a greater extent and climate change phenomena. The storage capacity of Rawal Dam and Khanpur Dam is also substantially reduced over the period of time.Currently Wasa is already facing a shortfall of 13 mgd which is

Islamabad : The Government of Pakistan attaches great importance to the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (Comsats) - an inter-governmental organisation based in Islamabad. An indication of this is the designation of the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, as ex-officio Chairperson of Comsats Consultative Committee (which was previously chaired by the Federal Secretary) , says a press release.This development has raised the level of the Committee in order to provide maximum support and patronage to the programmes and undertakings of the organization. During a recent visit to Comsats Headquarters, the Federal Minister stated that he considers Comsats a potent platform for South-South cooperation in science and technology.A brain-child of Pakistani Nobel Laureate, Prof. Dr. Abdus Salam, Comsats is working for sustainable socio-economic uplift of the developing countries through judicious application of science a

Rawalpindi : The City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi, DIG Muhammad Faisal Rana has directed the officers concerned to take strict action against those involved in publishing hate material, illegal wall-chalking and uploading hate speech on social media.According to a police spokesman, the CPO had instructed the police officers to implement National Action Plan in letter and spirit and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by Punjab Interior Department should also be strictly followed.DIG Faisal Rana directed the police officers not to tolerate any activity which could disturb the peace and create law and order situation.He said that the society could not afford the hate speech and hate material against any sect.He said, strict action in accordance with the law should be taken against those who add fuel to the fire.The CPO directed all the Station House Officers of Rawalpindi Police to take action against those who promote hate speech, illegal wall-chalking and uploading hate

Veiled surprises in food ordered from their favorite roadside eateries, fast food chains or even some restaurants are not new to Pindiites. They have spotted dead creepy-crawlies, cockroaches and house flies in their plates. Even rats have been detected in their kitchens. Some cases have been brought to light by the media about the ‘extra nutrition’ food lovers are being served, others choose to keep mum.“Recently, I bought a pizza from a high-scale fast food chain. When I cut it into pieces at home a fried cockroach was found there. The situation is no different, rather worse, at unlicensed roadside eateries. Though many eateries proudly claim hygienic conditions, a glance inside the cooking area is enough to shock the strongest hearts,” says Saad Ali.Kamal Haider says: “Authorities claim that as they receive complaints, food inspectors swing into action, inspect the place and slap fines on eateries. However, charging paltry amounts as fines doesn’t serve as a strong deterrent for the

Islamabad: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan has appreciated a team of Industrial area police station which recovered two abducted girls.According to details, Industrial area police received a complaint regarding abduction of two girls following which IGP Islamabad directed SP (Industrial Zone) Sayed Aziz to ensure their immediate recovery. He constituted a special police team which succeeded to recover both kidnapped girls. One of the girl Reeba Ilyas was recovered from Karachi while other Ira Ilyan from Punjab. Both have been shifted to Protection Center and further investigation is underway.IGP Islamabad said that such abduction cases are very much sensitive and police must ensure immediate help to the affected families. Police officials must realize the pain of parents in such cases and should do utmost efforts to resolve them.He appreciated the performance of police team including SHO Industrial Area police station which succeeded to recover

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan has formally approved the launch of 33-member National Youth Council (NYC) for uplift of youth of the country.“As per decision, the program Patron in chief will be Prime Minister Imran Khan while chairman will be PMYA’s adviser (Prime Minister Youth Affairs ) Usman Dar”, an official told this agency.He said that it is a remarkable initiative to ensure active participation of young professionals in national development.He said that it would be a devised scheme to economically empower the youth who had deprived of better livelihood and income opportunities.He told that prominent figures from various fields including Education, Sports, Religion, Economy and Arts will part of NYC.He said that Ghazi from operation Zarb-e-Azb Major Tanveer Shafi, Cricketer Hassan Ali, Sana Meer, Actor Hamza Ali Abbassi , Mahira khan, Samina Baig and Muniba Mizari will be part of the program.Youth Ministers from all provinces will be also part of NYC and National heroes an

Islamabad : Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has planned to evaluate the performance of all public and private medical and dental colleges to have their annual quality categorisation and pointing out loopholes in the system.According to an official of PMDC, all medical and dental colleges will be graded into five categories from A+ to D based on performance and facilities and faculty basis with a purpose to assist students in making their choices as well as enabling colleges to improve their quality.As a first step the council has decided to inspect all existing public and private medical and dental colleges in the single largest inspection ever undertaken where all 167 colleges will be inspected on the new frameworks this year.He said the inspection system has been developed to provide for a transparent and merit based system.He added inspections will be carried out on a periodical basis of the colleges on an annual or two or three year basis.He said that a new organogram of

Islamabad : A three-day national painting exhibition Sunday concluded after a successful display at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) organised by Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC), a project of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.The last day of the exhibition was attributed to public display so the locals can come and enjoy the paintings by students from 24 universities across the country themed around interfaith harmony and religious tolerance.Talking to APP, PNCA Director VAD, Amna Pataudi said this exhibition received over 3000 entries from across the country and a jury of distinguished judges selected the best among them for display at PNCA.She said universities that participated in this event included National College of Arts Rawalpindi, Fatima Jinnah University Rawalpindi, Institute of Arts and Designs University Jamshoro, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University Quetta and Karachi school of Arts.The exhibition attracted crowds of art enthusiasts who expressed pro

Islamabad : Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has announced that it will receive applications for appointment of part-time tutors till July 5.The eligible persons have been asked to get them enrolled by the stipulated date through the prescribed E-registration process.For the tutorship from the next semester, the re-registration is required both by previous and fresh ones.The qualification and experience, set for the tutors will be strictly followed, as per the directives of Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum.The University through its digital transformation process has created an online portal for the e-registration of the part-time tutors.According to Director Regional Services, Dr. Inamullah Sheikh, this step is also in line with the initiative taken by the Vice Chancellor, focusing on latest methods and technology for appointing qualified tutors.This is also aimed at providing efficient teaching support to their over 1.4 million students for ensuring quality education.Th

Islamabad : A survey conducted by Punjab Commission on Status of Women (PCSW ) on Women’s Economic and Social Wellbeing revealed that unemployment rate of women in the Punjab was 10.9 per cent.According to the survey, the rate in rural areas (9.7) is lower than urban areas with 14.3 per cent and unemployment rate is lowest for currently married women with 10.0 per cent followed by never married women with 11.5 per cent.However, it is much higher for widowed, divorced or separated women with19.2 per cent and unemployment rate for the disabled was significantly higher with 26.9 per cent as compared to women with no disability with10.0 per cent.In Punjab, among all employed women of aged 15-64 years 58.3 per cent were part time workers who were working less than 35 hours and the proportion of women were part time varies from 59.8 per cent in rural areas to 54.0 per cent in urban areas, it said.The overall under unemployment rate of the currently economically active women aged 15-64 years

Rawalpindi : The City Traffic Police (CTP) Rawalpindi received more than 650 phone calls from road users seeking help or guidance during the last month.According to details, the calls related to complaints of public service vehicles overcharging, road accidents, one wheeling by youngsters and serious traffic violations.Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Muhammad Bin Ashraf said that strict action would be taken against the violators and no one would be allowed to violate rule of law.He said that obnoxious calls create problems for the staff, adding that citizens should behave as responsible citizens and abide by the law.He directed the Wardens to ensure traffic flow on city roads. He urged citizens to register their complaints on 051-9272616 and 051-9272839 for guidance. from The News International - Islamabad https://ift.tt/2Je9C76

Rawalpindi : Over 18,000 homeless people have been provided free accommodation facility in Fawara Chowk Shelter Home during last seven months.According to focal person, Shelter Home/Sub-Registrar Cantonment Hafiz Muhammad Imran, 1002 homeless persons were accommodated in December 2018, 2511 in January 2019 and 2862 in February.Similarly, 3145 persons were registered in March, 3302 in April and 2732 in May while 2509 homeless persons were accommodated in the shelter home during June.He said, the Punjab government on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan established a shelter home here to provide proper accommodation facility to the homeless and poor citizens.He said that initially, arrangements were made for 80 persons in the basement of Raja Bazaar Parking Plaza; however, the facility had been enhanced for 125 persons.The basement was being used as a shelter home temporarily while a proper shelter home’s building would be constructed after pointing out a suitable place for the pu

Very often one has witnessed common people in various towns discussing interest and national interest. Unlike leaders they come to terms over a cup of home-grown tea and decide to work together for everybody's benefit.In matters that are economic, financial or commercial, or in any way connected with trade and industry, the word 'interest' means the extra money that we pay back when we borrow money from someone, that is, we pay interest on a loan. How much 'interest' in billions have we paid to foreign lenders so far and how much we've yet to pay to loan sharks is a big question lurking in the people's mind.Experts say every newly born Pakistani child carries an 'interest' burden of Rs60/70,000 over his/her head.Interest also means benefit, for instance, to look after one's interests, or use one's interest with any institution or any person or group of persons in power. A notable example of such an activity has been set by leaders of self-int

Rawalpindi : The Excise and Taxation (E&T) Rawalpindi impounded 1,300 vehicles of token tax defaulters and collected revenue amounting to over Rs19 million during last six months.According to an E & T officer, total 42 general hold ups were conducted against the defaulters, improper number plates and unregistered vehicles during the period.He said, special teams were formed for the general hold up which conducted operations simultaneously in different areas of the district.The unregistered vehicles were also impounded during the operations, he added.A team led by Assistant Excise and Taxation Officer Sohail Shahzad conducted special checking of vehicles in the city while excise inspectors led the other teams which were deployed in different areas.As many as 10,780 vehicles were issued challan slips, he said.The authorities concerned had strictly ordered to tighten noose around the defaulters of vehicle of token and other taxes defaulters, he added.He said the citizens should he

Rawalpindi: The Department of Infectious Diseases here at Holy Family Hospital (HFH) that was reduced to a 26-bedded facility has been given back its 70-bedded ward and 8-bedded high dependency unit (HDU) to deal with patients coming to the hospital with infectious diseases.After the prime minister’s visit to Holy Family Hospital on January 7 this year, the 70-bedded ward of DID was handed over to the paediatrics department at the HFH to solve the problem of shortage of space at the paeds department. The HDU of the DID was also taken back though later, the DID was given 13 rooms each having two beds to cater to the needs of patients reaching hospital with infectious diseases.In May this year, the DID asked for space to cater to the needs of patients reaching hospital with infectious diseases and it was informed by the HFH administration that it would be given its ward and HDU back soon.Last week, the HFH administration handed over 70-bedded ward and HDU to the DID enabling the departme

Islamabad: Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed has said that the unholy Indo-Israeli alliance has put regional and global peace at stake and this anti-Muslim nexus has crossed all the limits and norms of a civilised society by brutally violating human rights and suppressing the voices for freedom in Indian occupied Kashmir and Israeli Occupied Palestine, says a press release.Senator Mushahid, while addressing a joint press conference with four member delegation of Al-Quds Parliament, at the Parliament House on Friday observed that these extremist regimes in India and Israel have blatantly violated international laws and both are involved in crimes against humanity in the occupied territories of Kashmir and Palestine.He said that Pakistan is committed to its principled stance on Palestine and will continue to provide moral, political and diplomatic support to the Palestinian people in their struggle for the right of self-determination. He said t

Islamabad: To a tumultuous welcome from federal nurses gathered at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) here on Friday, the PM’s Special advisor on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza announced implementation of increase in the stipend and allowances of regular and student nurses. The notification issued by the Ministry of National Health Services states that the increase would come into effect from July 1.Addressing the jubilant nurses, Dr. Zafar said the fulfillment of this demand reflects the importance that Prime Minister Imran Khan accords to the nursing profession. He termed the increase as just the first step, to be followed by a very bright future for nurses as the government extends additional benefits as part of its vision to strengthen this sector as a prelude to transformation of healthcare provision. “This is a minuscule increase in comparison to the PM’s vision,” he stated.Nurses working in federal institutions had long been demanding the enhancement of their stipends and

Rawalpindi: The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has completed work on de-silting and dredging of Nullah Leh in order to avert any danger of flooding during monsoon which falls in July every year.The Punjab government had allocated Rs10 million to Wasa for carrying dredging work of Nullah Leh. Similarly, besides doing dredging and de-silting work of Leh, Wasa has also completed full work on improvement of sewerage and drainage systems in different parts of Rawalpindi city and laid emphasis on those union councils which are flooded during rains.According to official spokesman, Umar Farooq, Deputy Director, the managing director, Tanvir Ahmed made surprise visits during mid nights to inspect the scope of work carried on the improvement of sewerage as well as drainage system. The old and rusty sewerage pipes were replaced and repaired the leakages in order to avert accumulation of water during rainy season.Despite completing entire work, Wasa officials on the directions of managing dire

Islamabad: Deputy Speaker National Assembly Qasim Khan Suri has reiterated Pakistani parliament’s support to the cause of Palestinian liberation.He said this in a meeting with a three-member delegation led by President of Al-Quds Parliament Hamid Abdullah Hussein Al-Ahmar, in Islamabad on Friday.Strongly condemning the atrocities and worst human rights violations by Israeli forces on innocent Palestinian citizens, the Deputy Speaker said Pakistan always stood with Palestinian people in the hour of adversities and atrocities by Israel’s expansionist regimes.He said international community should exert pressure on Israel to end oppression and worst human rights abuses against the innocent Palestinian people specially women and children.He said liberation of Kashmir and Palestine were longstanding unresolved issues that needed to be taken holistically and collaborative efforts at international level were imperative by the whole Muslim community.He also condemned the forceful recognition o

Islamabad: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal chaired a meeting to review overall performance of NAB at NAB Headquarters, says a press release.He said that NAB is absolutely committed to work transparently, fairly, professionally and on merit for a 100 % corruption free Pakistan in accordance with law. He said that corruption is major hurdle in the way of progress and prosperity of the country depriving a deserving person of its due right on merit. He said that overall performance of NAB remained excellent as compared to other anti-corruption organisations. He said that the figures of complaints, inquiries and investigations are almost double as compared to the same period of 2018 to 2019 which shows trust enhanced upon NAB due to its ‘accountability for all’ policy across the board.He said that NAB has introduced a new System of Combine Investigation Team (CIT) in order to benefit from the experience and collective wisdom of senior supervisory office

Rawalpindi : Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) celebrated International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking throughout the country with highest enthusiasm by arranging exceptional drug demand reduction/awareness activities.The drug demand reduction/awareness activities included walks, games/sports competitions, speech/debate competitions, lectures, seminar and workshops in different parts of country paying especial emphasis on major cities e.g. Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Rawalpindi etc. through regional directorates of ANF Pakistan to make general masses especially youth aware of hazard resulted by drug abuse in connection with the day.Special drug awareness motorcar and bike rallies on 24 June 2019, from Faisal Mosque to F-9 Park, Islamabad and 25 June 2019 from T-Chowk to Ayub Park, Rawalpindi. A drug awareness stage drama ‘Andhair Nagri’ were also arranged by ANF Pakistan at auditorium of Rawalpindi Arts Council to observe International Day Against Drug Abu

Rawalpindi : The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board which discussed issues of shop board charges, parking fee and property tax bills in a meeting formed a code of conduct for proper settlement of matters between RCB, contractors and traders.The meeting chaired by Cantonment Executive Officer, RCB was also attended by President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industries, President Anjuman-e-Tajran, Rawalpindi Cantt, Shaikh Hafeez, General Secretary Anjuman-e-Tajiran, Rawalpindi Cantt, besides other traders.During the meeting, RCB took several decisions, which was unanimously approved by traders. As per decision the RCB exempted all shop facia signs (size 20’x30’ payment of shop-board charges. Similarly, shopkeepers installing one LCD/LED inside their shops at Bank Road have been exempted from the payment of shop board charges. Glass vinyl pasted inside the shops have also been exempted from charges.During the meeting the CEO directed the contractors not to indulge themselves in the scuffles

Islamabad : The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has served notices to the Islamabad Club, motels and hotels/club located along the Murree Road for immediate removal of encroachments and other installations established on the right of way or beyond the plot line. Building Control Section (BCS) of the authority, in connection with ongoing vigourus anti-encroachment drive have served notices to the motels and hotels including Embassy Lodge, Best Western, Dream Land Motel, Majestic Banquets and Ramada to remove barriers, guard-rooms, entry gates, iron grills, generators and other constructions and encroachments established on the right of way of the Murree Road.Furthermore, Islamabad Club administration has also been served notice to remove the boundary wall and other installations established on the right of way of the road. These notices have been served under the clause 49-C of CDA Ordinance 1960.It is pertinent to mention here that hotels/motels located along the Murree Road have b

PESHAWAR: Despite the court’s restraining orders, the bureaucracy continued with its plan to cover up potholes in the Peshawar Sustainable Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor Project and closed down the Project Management Unit (PMU) in the Transport and Mass Transit Department (TMTD).The TMTD has also constituted a four-member committee to carry out the handing and taking over of the assets of the PMU in the department.However, the project director of the PMU in the TMTD has approached the chief secretary through proper channel to invite his attention to the issue which may cause embarrassment to the government and create legal problems for the already much-criticised BRT project.It is to be noted that the BRT PMU in TMTD has become an eyesore for the bureaucracy associated with the flagship project in the province after the performance audit report of the Auditor General of Pakistan issued on May 23. It was indicated in the report that the PMU had informed the quarters concerned about th

PESHAWAR: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Thursday underscored the need for making efforts to restore viable peace to the region.According to a press release, the two leaders expressed these views during a meeting in Islamabad. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed regional security situation and matters of mutual interest.Aftab Sherpao said that peace of the two countries was interlinked. He said the people of this region, particularly Afghanistan had suffered a lot in the last four decades therefore concerted efforts should be made to restore peace to the region.The QWP leader said that Afghanistan and Pakistan were brotherly countries and shared common religion, culture and history. He called for efforts to remove the trust-deficit between Kabul and Islamabad.He said that peace was a prerequisite for development, therefore, no effort should be spared to bring stability to the region. Aftab Sherpao assured the Afg

PESHAWAR: Condemning the arrest of his party leaders in South Waziristan, the Awami National Party (ANP) on Thursday asked the chief election commissioner to step down for failing to provide level playing field to all parties contesting the elections in merged districts.In a statement, ANP provincial President Aimal Wali Khan said that raids on the party office and arrest of the workers was pre-poll rigging but the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had kept a mum over the government’s illegal steps.The raids under the pretext of Section 144 were being conducted to pressure the political opponents, he said, adding, his party would not hesitate to take extreme step if the government continued the policy.He warned the government was setting a dangerous precedent by using state machinery in the election campaign of its candidates. The ruling party candidates were running their political campaigns while the opposition parties were barred from holding public meetings, he maintained.He as

PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday submitted an application in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) seeking dismissal of a writ petition filed against his disqualification from holding any public office for concealing facts in his nomination papers while contesting for the National Assembly constituency NA-35 Bannu.A division bench comprising Justice Ikramullah Khan and Justice Musarrat Hilali issued a notice to the respondent petitioner in the application of the Prime Minister Imran Khan filed through his lawyers Babar Awan and Muhammad Habib Qureshi.The application has been filed under Section 151 of the CPC for the dismissal of the petition on the ground of maintainability.The petition was filed by Inamullah Khan, a leader of Pakistan Justice and Democratic Party of the former chief justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, and a losing candidate in the NA-35 Bannu constituency.In the petition, it was claimed that Imran Khan as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief had c

GHALLANAI: A senior official on Thursday distributed compensatory cheques among the families of martyred and injured cops.In this regard, a ceremony was held here at the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Mohmand tribal district, Syed Saiful Islam. Officials of Mohmand Riffles and line departments were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the ADC said that thousands of soldiers laid down their lives for the restoration of peace in the country.He added that the grant was a token of compensation to the families as there was no price of human beings. Those who received the cheques were Wajid Khan, Sadiq Shah, Yaseen, widow of Sherzada and Alamgir Khan. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2YqzmDH

By Our CorrespondentTOBA TEK SINGH: Six peoples sustained injuries when a van overturned in a bid to save a motorcyclist on Thursday.The van overturned near a sugar mill on Toba-Chichawatni Road, leaving Kashif Riaz, Bashiran Bibi, Sajida Kashif, Farzana Sabir, Ghulam Shabir and Hifza Rajab wounded. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2FzZKDG

GUJRANWALA: District police Thursday arrested 23 accused and recovered illegal arms, cash and drugs from them.Tatlewali police arrested accused Nazakat, Azher, Muhammad Qamer, Nosheb and Shafqat Ali and recovered liquid from their possession. Two pistols were recovered from Tanvir Ahmed and Ali Raza. Dhulley police during checking have recovered 1,455 gram charas from accused Faisal Dogar. Kotwali police arrested 15 gamblers and recovered Rs 61,000 and charas from them. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2YnYVoU

MARDAN: The students of private institutions grabbed top positions as the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE), Mardan, on Thursday announced results of the Secondary School Certificate (annual) examination on Thursday.The girls outshone boys in the results of Arts Group, securing all top three positions. The result was announced at a ceremony with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Sports, Culture and Tourism Mohammad Atif Khan as chief guest.Officials of the BISE Mardan, students, parents and academicians attended the events. BISE Chairman Dr Tahir Javed, and Rashid Gul, controller of examination, announced the results. A total of 65,759 candidates appeared in the examination and 55,210 were declared successful, showing the pass percentage of 83.96.Asif Iqbal of Karnal Sher Khan Cadet College, Swabi, topped the examination by securing 1,065 marks. Mohammad Nabeel Khan of the Quaid-e-Azam Public School Zaida, Swabi, secured 1064 marks and stood second while Mahnoor Inam o

PESHAWAR: Chief Operating Officer of Bacha Khan International Airport, Peshawar, Obaid Ur Rehman Abbasi on Thursday said there would be no compromise on the provision of facilities to the intending pilgrims during Haj operation scheduled to start on July 5.He was speaking at a meeting, which was attended by Director Haj Shakeel Ahmad Sethi and relevant officers of Peshawar district administration, police, FIA, Press Information Department (PID), Customs, Anti-Narcotics, Pak-Army, Cantonment Board Peshawar, private Haj operators and managers of PIA, Air Blue and Saudi Airlines.“There will be no compromise on the provision of facilities to the intending pilgrims during Haj operation. The stakeholders should leave no stone unturned to facilitate the intending pilgrims; negligence in this regard will not be tolerated in the entire Haj operation,” Obaid Ur Rehman Abbasi told the officials.He said that a Joint Search Team (JST) consisting of FIA, ANF & ASF has been constituted for Haj op

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority has conducted major operations and sealed eight production units of spices in Peshawar and Nowshera districts, seizing 14,000 kilograms adulterated spice and 10,000 kilograms of bark and substandard material being used in spices.Speaking at a news conference here Thursday, Director General KP Food Authority Riaz Khan Mehsud said they had sealed all the eight factories for making substandard spices, seized the machinery and arrested the owners.“This is the biggest-ever crackdown by KP Food Authority on the enemies of human beings in the past two days. I call them the enemies of humans because they are playing with the lives of the people but we would not spare them,” said Riaz Khan Mehsud. He said the authority had also recovered 400 litres rancid oil, 160 kilograms of non-food graded colour and 300 kilograms of Chinese salt.Riaz Mehsud said that 20 sacks of low quality broken rice were also recovered during the operation

BARA: An independent candidate of Khyber tribal district on Thursday announced to support the Awami National Party (ANP) candidate for PK-107.Speaking at a press conference at the Bara Press Club, Shakir Afridi said that the ANP was the only party which had been fighting for the rights of Pakhtuns. “Our family has been the follower of the ANP and Bacha Khan’s philosophy for last many years,” Shakir Afridi said, adding due to internal strife in the party, I decided to contest the Provincial Assembly elections as an independent candidate. He said the ANP could bring progress and prosperity in the country and they would take interest in the party affairs. “Due to party leadership and election committee, I have quit the contest in favour of the PK-107 candidate Muhammad Siddique Chiragh,” he asserted. He said the ANP leaders had rendered tremendous sacrifices against the prolonged militancy and embraced martyrdom for the rights of Pakhtuns. from The News International - Peshawar https://

By Our CorrespondentCHITRAL: A senior councillor Thursday resented the transfer of low-scaled employees from Lower to Upper Chitral district on domicile certificate bases.Speaking at a press conference at Chitral Press Club, Tehsil Naib Nazim Mastuj Fakhruddin expressed his anguish over the transfer of Class-IV and other employees from Lower to Upper Chitral by provincial government and district administration.Fakhruddin said the government should first provide offices to the employees in the new district. He said such transfer would create prejudice among the people of both the districts though they had been living with harmony and brotherhood since long. “The transfer of technical staff makes a sense but the transfer of simple Class-IV and other low employees is beyond comprehension,” he opined.Fakhruddin said the people were pleased to have new district as it could bring job opportunities to the unemployed youths but transfer of old staff to new district would hurt their feelings. H

MULTAN: A special team of NAB Thursday arrested the deputy director food over corruption. A case against DD Food Muhammad Ajmal was under investigation. He was accused of accumulating assets beyond known sources of income.Meanwhile, the NAB team arrested an accused on the charges of receiving Rs 150 million from the people on the pretext of selling arranging shops for them in Fashion Plaza.The NAB arrested Muhammad Hanif on charges of receiving Rs 150 million from from the public in the name of booking shops in Fashion Plaza. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2YiXsQn

PESHAWAR: A representative body of tobacco growers on Thursday criticised the federal government for revising advance tax on tobacco crops and said that it would only benefit those exploiting the growers and farmers.Speaking at a news conference here, Kashtkaran and Mehnatkash Labour Federation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, president Ali Ahmad said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and his team had taken a bold step to impose Rs300 per kg advance tax on the tobacco crops as that would have not only benefited the poor farmers but also contributed huge amount to the exchequer. Ali Ahmad said that some of the influential people who had key posts in the PTI government had put pressure on the government to change its decision on advance tax on tobacco in order to save their industries and business at the local level.Dr Gulzar, Abdul Qayyum and other growers and farmers from different parts of the province were also present on the occasion. “The tobacco growers would not be affected by the advance tax a

The Kohat Cement Ltd on Thursday awarded scholarships to students of the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar as part of its social corporate social responsibility to help local communities in the education sector.Col (r) Ajmal Khan, general manager Admin, Kohat Cement, gave the scholarships to the deserving students belonging to Kohat at a ceremony.UET Peshawar Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iftikhar Hussain was the chief guest on the occasion. He appreciated the efforts of Kohat Cement for supporting the students.Dr Iftikhar Hussain said the UET Peshawar as the oldest public sector university currently offers 44-degree programmes under 17 disciplines with 10000 students currently enrolled at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.“We have moved beyond from just a degree awarding university towards commercialisation of research. Having six centres of excellence in specialized engineering areas, our research is now recognized at the national and international level, adding,

PESHAWAR: A resident of Darra Adamkhel, Saeed Afridi, has asked the authorities to recover his property, which his stepbrothers have occupied from him.Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, he said that his three stepbrothers including Hamid Khan, Naeem Khan and Abid Khan had occupied the joint property of his father and were not giving them their due share. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2FDKQfx

MINGORA: A two-day awareness seminar and training workshop on Learning Disabilities was held at the PTCL campus of the University of Swat.The event was organised in collaboration with Autism Spectrum Disorders Welfare Trust (ASDWT), Lahore.Faheemuddin, the Head of Psychological Studies Department, talked of the progress and development of his department. He added that a large number of students and community members approach the department for psychological help and counselling services. Despite limited resources, the faculty and students work hard to facilitate the people in this regard, he said, adding that more seminars would be arranged in the near future to enhance the knowledge of the students. Dr Salma Khalil, Vice-Chairperson, ASDWT, Farah Amanat, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Ahmar Sultan, IT Expert were the guest speakers on the occasion.They delivered sessions and informed the participants that 15 per cent population is fighting mental health issues and various disabiliti

PESHAWAR: The residents of Askari-II, Bara Road, on Thursday said that they have been without water for the past three days and held responsible a private contractor for the crisis.The residents, mostly elderly ex-servicemen and their families, said the contractor had laid pipeline during winter to replace the old one with the financial assistance of Haji Waris Afridi, vice-president Peshawar Cantonment Board, Peshawar, and then disappeared.“In our 20 years or so, we never faced a water crisis that we have been facing in the last three days. And it is because of the poor planning of the contractor and lack of check on him by the concerned authorities,” one the ex-serviceman complained.Pleading anonymity, he said the contractor should have finished his work during winter when he laid the pipes, saying people usually don’t need much water during the cold season.“Is it not injustice with the elderly people like us to stop water for three days and that too without any prior notice? How can

PESHAWAR: The ‘youth ambassadors anti-narcotics force, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), organised a walk on Thursday to create awareness in the society against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.Led by the ‘youth ambassadors anti-narcotics force Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), president, Abdul Hakeem, Abdullah, general secretary, Imran, vice-president and others, were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans. They marched on the road outside the Peshawar Press Club. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2Yhwfh9

PESHAWAR: The elders from Essakhel tribe of Baizai tehsil in Mohmand district on Thursday staged protest against the arrest of three tribesmen.Carrying banners and placard, the protesters gathered outside Peshawar Press Club.The chief of Islahi Committee, Malik Sanobar Baizai, led the protesters.The speakers alleged that the local police in connivance with Ziarat Khan, Waheed Gul and Sher Mohammad arrested three persons belonging to their tribes including 80 years old Haji Zar Jan, Hazrat Ali and Ibrahim over a property dispute.They deplored that the arrested persons were not produced in the court despite the passage of 10 days. from The News International - Peshawar https://ift.tt/2FCGwgy

Islamabad : An association of university faculty members has urged the apex higher education body to set up a grievance council to adequately address their concerns.This was urged as a delegation from the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) met with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri at the Commission Secretariat on Monday.FAPUASA representatives presented their concerns regarding the alleged victimisation of some faculty members by the management of their respective universities.They lamented that teachers and academics are being fired, while their right to freedom of speech has been suppressed.“We do not raise any objection if actions are taken against faculty on the basis of financial or moral corruption,” FAPUASA members said as they requested the HEC to set up a grievance council which would adjudicate on such matters through a transparent, judicious process.Dr Banuri said that HEC was striving to strengthen the

Islamabad : The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) said budget proposal to increase the tariff of natural gas for the troubled CNG industry by 31 per cent would bankrupt this sector.The proposal of the government, if accepted, will lay waste to the CNG industry in which trillions of rupees have been invested while it will also leave millions unemployed, it said.Speaking to a meeting of, leader of the CNG sector Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said that the decision to increase natural gas tariff from the current Rs980 per mmbtu to Rs1,283 per mmbtu will ruin the CNG stations in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.The government should reconsider the decision as the strained CNG sector has lost all the strength to endure more tax measures or carry the load of other sectors.Ghiyas Paracha said CNG sector should not be subjected to discrimination and the recent proposal should be reversed at the government has already increased natural gas tariff by 40 per cent six months ago.Appreciatio

People living in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and Peshawar also still talk of long-awaited revolution that they think will bring about a change for the better in their socio-economic life and put an end to exploitation.Many citizens owning small houses find themselves in financial predicament when food and fuel prices shoot up beyond imagination: this has happened in the past very often.What did they do to overcome the problem in such a situation? They undertook backyard farming to live without seeking a loan from others.Wives assisted husbands in growing vegetables. But they felt the kitchen problem was not solved as they desired because cooking oil remained sky-high like sugar and milk.“So how to be self-reliant and self-sufficient was another problem,” said many citizens.One can say on the basis of interaction with citizens that most of them still seem allergic to the way in which the word ‘revolution’ is often used by leaders to gain the common man’s support in their int