The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Saturday warned about another heatwave in the coming four to five days, saying it would grip most parts of the country.
The day temperatures are likely to remain unusually high in most parts during the next few days.
Day temperatures in Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Sindh and eastern Balochistan are expected to rise significantly above normal.
Occasional dust storm or dust raising winds may also blow in the afternoon or evening during the period.
The heat wave is likely to be followed by the rain spell in the upper and central parts of the country.
About the possible impacts of the heatwave, the Met office said dry period and heatwave conditions in the country may cause water stress to the standing crops, vegetable and orchards.
Also read: Pakistan faces 100% high chances of setting new heatwave records
It advised the general public not to venture in the direct sunlight and adopt precautions to avoid a heatstroke.
It added that all authorities concerned have been particularly advised to remain alert during the forecast period.
It was reported last month that Pakistan and India face 100 per cent increased chances of setting new heatwave records due to the current trend of climate change.
The report by the British Meteorological Agency also said the region should expect weather warmer than the hottest weather of 2010 every three years.
The Met agency had further said that such weather would have been faced only once in 312 years without climate change.
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Heatwave to persist for several days in most parts of country
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‘Price inspection’ drive stepped up in Ramazan
District administration of Dir Lower was taking solid measures to facilitate residents during the holy month of Ramazan by ensuring edible items were available at affordable prices.
As part of such efforts, Additional Assistant Commissioner Samar Bagh Sher Rehman on the directives of the Deputy Commissioner Capt (retd) Aun Haider Gondal on Monday paid a visit to various markets and checked the quality and prices of several edible items.
During the visit, he directed shopkeepers to display price lists at prominent places and sell edible items at prescribed rates.
He added that strict action would be taken against those shopkeepers who took law into their own hands by overcharging or hoarding commodities.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2022.
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'Heavy rainfall' to hit most parts of country from Thursday
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday advised the relevant authorities to remain alert in the wake of monsoon rains starting from Thursday (June 30) in most parts of the country.
According to the advisory, moist currents from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are likely to enter the upper parts of the country from tomorrow (Wednesday) which may intensify and expand to the southern parts by the end of the current week.
Under the influence of the system, rain-windstorm or thundershower is expected in Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahuddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Okara, Sahiwal and Bahawalnagar from June 30 to July 4.
The Met Office added that isolated heavy falls were also expected in the areas during the aforesaid period.
Meanwhile, rain-windstorm or thundershowers with isolated heavy falls are expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Dadu, Zhob, Ziarat, Barkhan, Loralai, Kohlu, Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Naseerabad and Sibbi between July 1 to 5, it maintained.
Also read: Karachi receives first spell of monsoon rains
About the possible impact of rain, the PMD warned that heavy falls may generate urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Faisalabad from July 2 to 4 and in Karachi and Hyderabad, from July 3 to 5, advising fishermen to remain careful due to rough sea conditions during the time-span.
It further warned that flash-flooding is also expected in local nullahs of Kashmir, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Naseerabad, Awaran, Barkhan and Kohlu during the aforementioned period, and added that heavy rainfall may trigger landslides in Kashmir, Galiyat and Murree.
The rising temperatures, the advisory noted, are likely to subside during the forecast period but windstorms may damage loose structures at vulnerable locations.
It further observed that rainwater would be beneficial for the sowing of rice crops.
The PMD advised travellers and tourists to remain extra cautious during the forecast period.
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Man, woman killed in name of ‘honour’
A woman and a man were shot dead in the area of Habib Canal within the jurisdiction of Gujar Khan police station on Sunday. The suspect fled after committing the crime.
Police said that Sidra was staying with her parents at their house after her divorce.
On Sunday morning, her bullet-ridden body along with that of 30-year-old Usman, belonging to Mandra, were discovered.
Upon receiving information about the incident, a police team reached the crime scene, with officials stating that the mother of the deceased woman informed them that her son Nazakat shot his sister and the man dead before making his escape.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gujar Khan Tahir Kazmi said that while the crime appears to be an honour killing case, all angles will be examined with the help of forensic evidence gathered from the site.
The police are carrying out raids to arrest the accused, and the matter will become clearer once he is apprehended and further investigation is carried out, he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2022.
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‘Rehabilitated drug addicts to get jobs in factories’
Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has said that government will hold meetings with industrialists to provide jobs to recently rehabilitated drug addicts.
He maintained that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government will launch a decisive crackdown against drug addicts from July 19. He said that they will be arrested and rehabilitated.
He said that Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has convened an important meeting on July 19 to launch a decisive crackdown against drug addicts in the province. He expressed these views at a meeting chaired by Commissioner Peshawar Division, Riaz Khan Mehsud to review progress on campaign launched to make Peshawar drug-free.
Barrister Saif attended the meeting as a special participant. The meeting was informed that since launching of the campaign 50 days ago, a total of 1,188 drug addicts, including 13 women have been taken into custody and their treatment and rehabilitation is underway in various centers.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2022.
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PTI protesters pour out onto streets nationwide
Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took to the streets on Friday immediately after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified its Chairman Imran Khan in Toshakhana reference.
The PTI supporters and workers, led by local party leaders, protested on major and link roads in cities and towns, burning tyres, shouting slogans and at places clashing with police.
There were clashes between police and PTI supporters in Rawalpindi’s Faizabad Interchange, where reportedly one protester was injured. The police resorted to heavy teargas shelling to prevent the protesters from entering Islamabad.
The protests were called by senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, who said that the party would challenge the ECP decision in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and urged people to take to the streets “for their rights”.
Soon after the announcement, PTI workers blocked roads in many cities. The reports of roads and highways closure in various cities created a state of fear and uncertainty among the people.
Islamabad
Tense scenes were witnessed outside the ECP building after the electoral supervisor disqualified the PTI chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana (gift depository) reference.
As soon as the verdict was announced, PTI supporters and party workers began protesting over the decision and workers present outside the ECP office shouted slogans in support of Imran Khan.
Islamabad police reportedly seized firearms from a Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa policeman who was later reported to be the guard of PTI MNA Saleh Muhammad Khan. As the weapon was being recovered a shot was fired.
The capital police claimed that the shot was fired by the K-P policeman, who was arrested. The police later also arrested MNA Saleh. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that “this matter is being investigated”.
Punjab
A large number of PTI workers, led by Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Wasiq Qayyum, protested at various places in Rawalpindi. The protesters tried to enter Islamabad from Faizabad.
However, the Islamabad police started heavy teargas shelling and pushed back the protesters towards Faizabad. In response, the protesters clashed with police and threw stones at them. One PTI worker was injured in the quarrel.
Because of the clashes, the link between Rawalpindi and Islamabad remained cut for several hours. Public transport was also closed during the protests in the twin cities.
Protesters also gathered at various other places, including the Expressway, Rawat, T-Chowk, Gujar Khan, Taxila and the Motorway, causing great hardship to commuters.
In the meanwhile, the Punjab police chief Inspector General Faisal Shahkar issued instructions to the Rawalpindi police range officer (RPO) and other relevant officials not to allow closure of the highways.
The Islamabad police said later that the route from Faizabad towards Islamabad had been opened, adding that the route from Islamabad would also be opened soon. Police said some people were setting trees on fire.
In Lahore, the PTI workers protested at Kalma Chowk and Chungi Amar Sindhu. The workers also blocked the metro bus and chanted slogans against the ECP, according to witnesses.
PTI youths blocked the M5 Motorway near Billiwala on Multan's suburbs, according to reports, while protesters staged a sit-in on Multan road in Vehari, bringing the heavy traffic to a halt. The workers also protested in Chinot.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
Groups of PTI supporters blocked a number of key roads in Peshawar, including the highway connecting the city with Islamabad. The PTI supporters gathered at the Toll Plaza and burnt tyres, disrupting traffic.
The protesters blocked a road near Pir Zakordi bridge and another near Stadium Chowk. They also blocked the road leading to the Lady Reading Hospital.
Similar protest was also held in Farooq-e-Azam Chowk in Charsadda where the PTI protesters were confronted by the ANP workers. However no clash was reported in the presence of heavy police contingent.
Protests were also held in Swabi, Shabqadar, Mardan, Nowshera and other cities. Moreover, Mangora Road in the Swat district had been closed by the protesters.Balochistan
PTI supporters staged a protest demonstration outside the Quetta Press Club besides blocking the main highway, linking Quetta with Islamabad, in Kuchlak and Muslim Bagh.
Former National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri and other leaders led the protesters outside the Quetta Press Club. The workers chanted full-throated slogans against the ECP and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
"PTI will resist this ECP decision,” Suri told the flag-waving party supporters. He warned that the party would intensify its protest across the country against what he called the imported government.
The party workers also blocked the main highway in Muslim Bagh and Kuchlak. Long queues of vehicles on both sides of the road were witnessed as a result of the protest. People suffered difficulties because of the roadblock.
The district administration had taken strict security measures on the eve of the protest demonstration to avert any untoward incident. Baton-wielding policemen were deployed outside the press club to maintain order.
Sindh
A police contingent also reached the party’s offices on Sharae Faisal to pre-empt any untoward situation as the PTI workers gathered there. Police also deployed water cannons in light of the looming threat of violence.
Traffic on the main artery of the metropolis’ communication was disrupted because of the protest. Senior PTI leader Ali Haider Zaidi described the gathering a “peaceful protest”.
Later, the protesters led by Zaidi, Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Mehmood Moulvi and others staged a sit-in outside the Sindh Election Commission’s office. The protesters tried to enter the office building but were repelled by the police.
(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)
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Meeting reviews regularization of WWB employees
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Labour, Shoukat Yousafzai on Friday chaired a meeting to review the pace of work on the regularization of employees of Workers Welfare Board (WWB).
The meeting among others was attended by Secretary Labour, Roohullah, Director Education, Dr Amjad Khan, Secretary WWF and other concerned officials.
The meeting was informed that scrutiny of 2,400 candidates among 2,916 has been completed and remaining 500 employees are under observation and verification of their documents is well underway.
It was revealed that affected employees would be given a chance to personally appear before the concerned committee to express their point of view.
Addressing the meeting, the minister ordered holding a meeting with industries department to discuss matters relating to around 317 technical staff and 18 technical institutes.
He said that provincial government desired to regularize all the employees and added that no one would be removed from his job as per the policy of the provincial government.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2022.
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Action ordered against riverbank encroachments
Commissioner Mardan Division, Syed Abdul Jabbar Shah has directed action against all encroachments on the bank of rivers and nullah with immediate effect, which have caused losses during the recent rains.
He issued these directives while presiding over a meeting regarding the removal of encroachments erected on irrigation channels, nullahs and canals in Mardan and Takhtbai tehsils of district Mardan.
Those who attended the meeting included Additional Commissioner, Mardan Division Naeem Akhtar, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Peshawar, Habibullah Arif, Assistant Commissioner Takhtbai, Gul Nawaz Khan Afridi, AC Mardan Mohammad Shujain, Executive Engineer, C&W Highway Division, Inamul-Haq, TMAs and the representatives of other departments concerned.
The Divisional Commissioner directed dispatching of machinery to all vulnerable localities and monitoring by the relevant officers.
He directed the AC Takhtbai for the cleaning of all the drains in Mazdoorabad and Meraj Colony and removal of all encroachments and opening of all closed nullahs with immediate effect.
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‘Ghost schools’ shut down during raids
Many “ghost schools" – non-functioning schools that continue to exist only on paper – in Central Kurram were shut down after teachers were found to be absent for years and registers showed fake names.
The action was taken during raids carried out by the assistant subdivisional education officer (ASDEO) following public complaints regarding the absence of teachers during duty hours.
Likewise, even in schools where classes were held many teachers had not taught for a long period of time but were still enjoying perks and a salary.
ASDEO Alia said names of "ghost teachers" were found on school registers who were "absent" for years.
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Anti-polio campaign launched in 28 K-P districts
An anti-polio campaign in 28 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has been launched to protect children from the crippling disease.
Secretary Health Amir Tareen Sultan inaugurated the campaign. Talking to the media on the occasion, the health secretary said that it was a very important day in terms of polio eradication.
The five-day campaign is being conducted in 28 districts of the province. The full campaign will be conducted in 17 districts of the province and a partial campaign in 11 districts.
During the campaign, 4.4 million children under the age of 5 years will be vaccinated against polio.
Sultan said that 15,212 teams have been formed for the campaign. He said that more than 25,000 security personnel have been deployed for the security of polio workers.
He further said that during the campaign, special attention was given to Lakki Marwat, Tank, DI Khan and South Waziristan.
Now the administration is trying to convince parents, who refuse polio vaccination, with other methods instead of rounding them up, he added.
In response to a question, the health secretary said that poliovirus is more common in Peshawar, but due to the efforts made with the support of aid agencies, this time the sewage samples have been declared virus-free.
This year, 20 polio cases have been reported in the province. Among them, 17 polio cases have come from North Waziristan, 2 from Lakki Marwat, and one from South Waziristan.
Sultan said that unfortunately, poliovirus is not being eradicated in the province due to negative propaganda.
Due to this negative propaganda and rumours, parents also fall victim to mistakes and do not give polio vaccine to children for which more work is being done now, he added.
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LG training promotes tribal women
Zuhra Bibi had rarely seen the world outside her mud house in Ghallanai, district Mohmand. Sitting at a table with notepads and documents on the local governance system lying around, the council member stared at the things in front of her through the netted veil of her camel-brown shuttlecock burqa. She did not know how to read and write. Yet here she was, attending a training workshop to learn about her role as a local government representative and serve her community more effectively.
“When my husband first told me he wants me to contest in local elections, I thought he was joking. I don’t know anything about politics. I can’t even read and write! How can I hold a leadership position?” the council member recalled. But Gul Sher, her husband, made a convincing argument. He told her that the seat was lying vacant as no woman from the area had come forward. It would be a great opportunity to make a difference, not only for their family but for women in the community.
“He reassured me that the system is new for everyone. We will learn on the way. And that is why we have come here,” she explained, looking toward the other four burqa-clad women sitting beside her at the table.
Zuhra was among the 135 women who participated in a series of two-day training workshops organized to increase the knowledge of elected representatives from districts Bajaur and Mohmand about the local government system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).
She was also one of the few women who participated in the trainings twice; once, when the trainings were held for tehsil council members, and second when they were organized for village and neighbourhood council members.
The workshops were arranged by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Merged Areas
Governance Project (MAGP) in collaboration with the KP Local Government, Elections & Rural Development Department (LGE&RDD) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
For women of merged districts who have spent most of their lives inside the boundary walls of their mud homes, claiming their space in a room alongside men was an enormous achievement itself.
Discussing her personal and professional growth in both trainings, Zuhra said she was experiencing culture shock in the first training. “Everything was new to me. I could not understand what was going on as I was very overwhelmed. But the second time around, I was more relaxed as everything was familiar. We knew what to expect, where we will sit and how our pardah will be facilitated,” she explained. She also commended the trainers for patiently explaining details in simple terms and encouraging the burqa-clad women to make themselves heard. “The activities and discussions helped us learn and absorb the material. Our illiteracy did not hold us back from learning.”
Sitting next to Zuhra was Aiman who was also from district Mohmand. Although they shared the same cultural background and hurdles, Aiman came from a family that encour- aged women’s education. She grew up near Tarbela Dam where her father worked as an engineer.
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CM invites tourists to Swat’s winter charm
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has reiterated his commitment not to compromise on law and order and made it clear that writ of the government will be established in Swat and across province.
He said that Swat was completely safe and under the control of the government and tourists should come here freely.
Addressing local residents and media-persons at Gabin Jabba during his visit to his hometown Swat on Friday, Khan said that peace has been hard earned after a long struggle and countless sacrifices by security personnel and local population.
He made it clear that no one will be allowed to sabotage this peace or to politicize the law and order issue under any circumstances.
The chief minister observed that his government was being criticized on the issue of Swat without any reason, but neither he, nor the provincial government will compromise on the peace and security in the region.
The chief minister said that maintaining peace and harmony across the province has been the top most priority of his government since day one and there is no compromise on it. Touching upon the self-centered policies of the federal government,
the chief minister said that multiple issues had surfaced ever since the Shehbaz govt came into power which has been involved in ‘immoral politics’ at the cost of national interests.
“These people don’t have any concern for the country and the nation, they have come into power through conspiracies with the only aim to protect their wealth obtained by loot and plunder in the past,” he said.
The chief minister said that the ‘imported government’ has also withheld the due share of K-P in the budget, which is proof of the step-motherly treatment meted out to the province and gruesome politics of the federal government.
However, the chief minister said that despite this, PTI and the provincial government will not compromise on peace and development in the province.
Highlighting the development initiatives taken by his government during the last four years, the chief minister said that the provincial government has completed several development schemes across the province, strengthened communication networks, established education institutions and brought in huge investment by boosting tourism and industrial activities in the province.
He clarified that as long as Imran Khan was in power, everything was going well, but when PDM came into government, problems started to arise and the law and order situation deteriorated rapidly.
The chief minister said that PTI government in the center was deposed after Imran’s unequivocal ‘absolutely not’ remark, adding that the regime changers only wanted politicians with ‘absolutely yes’ attitude who now rule at the centre in the form of an imported cabinet and are not working for national interest. The chief minister also announced the holding of winter tourism in the Swat Valley and invited tourists from all over Pakistan to come here and enjoy the scenic sites of K-P.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2022.
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K-P Food Safety Expo kicks off
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety Authority in collaboration with Agriculture University Peshawar, University of Haripur, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), ARID University Rawalpindi, Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Nutritional International arranged two-day Food Safety and Nutrition Expo 2022.
The event was held at PCSIR Laboratories Peshawar. Secretary Food Mushtaq Ahmad and Director General K-P Food Safety Authority Shahrukh Ali Khan inaugurated the expo.
While addressing the event Mushtaq appreciated the expo and commended the joint venture. He said the expo's purpose is to spread awareness related to safe and nutritious food among the general public.
The event was also addressed by vice-chancellors of various public and private sector universities, who actively participated in the event. Director General K-P FS&HFA Shahrukh Ali Khan said the event will strengthen ties among government, academia, researchers, and industries.
He said this combined effort would help the government ensure safe and nutritious food provision to the people, while ending the menace of adulteration.
He said the expo is first of its kind held in the province, adding that the activity will be held on a regular basis. He also appreciated the active participation of students in the event.
While addressing the event, the VCs commended the expo and said the process should be kept going.
Secretary food said the food safety authority is regularly inspecting marketplaces, and ensuring that safe and nutritious food reaches people.
He said seven mobile food testing laboratories have been established while work on further such laboratories is in process.
Professor Dr Faqeer Ahmad said there is a need for coordination among food authorities across the country.
He said there is a need of an institute which should dedicate its research and innovation towards food safety.
He said that in light of the expo, recommendation should be forwarded to the government for further action.
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Chitrali teenager dies two weeks after suicide bid
Chitral Lower district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), who was left seriously injured after he shot himself in a suicide attempt two weeks ago, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Peshawar on Sunday.
Zubair Ahmad was a college student and the only son of his parents. Local residents told The Express Tribune that Zubair was least interested in studies and he spent most of his time with friends, a habbit about which his mother was very upset. When she asked him to focus on his studies, he was so enraged that he attempted suicide.
“He was rushed to Peshawar when doctors told the family that he was in critical condition. There he battled for life for almost two weeks before breathing his last,” they said.
“He was first admitted to District Headquarters Hospital Chitral and then shifted to Peshawar. He underwent several surgeries to remove the bullet from his body,” they added.
The father of the unfortunate boy works abroad and he was just 17 year old. It may be mentioned here that the suicide rate among the youth in Lower and Upper Chitral is unusually high. No systematic study has ever been conducted to determine the real causes behind these deaths.
“This year is comparatively better as in 2021 at least four or five suicides were reported in Chitral each months and the number of unreported cases was even higher,” said a local resident, adding that the population growth in the past few decades, the unemployment had turned into a big social dilemma and there was also a big gap between children and parents.
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Thousands take to streets in Waziristan
After large scale protests in Swat, Buner, Dir Lower and Upper as well as Swabi, Lakki Marwat and Kurram, thousands of tribesmen took to the streets against increasing lawlessness and attacks at police in Lower Waziristan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Sunday.
They demanded of the government to take steps against terrorists and establish its writ till 20th otherwise they will stage a sit-in and block all entry and exit points as a protest.
The peace march and protest was held in Wana which was attended by thousands of people, including local tribesmen, civil society members, lawyers, tribal elders, political workers and government servants. “We demand a judicial complex, deputy commissioner, district police officer (DPO) and other offices for the newly established district in Wana,” said a tribal elder while talking to The Express Tribune, adding that after the merger all tribal districts were now part of K-P and it was the responsibility of the provincial government to bring peace to the restive districts.
The participants demanded putting a stop to the kidnapping for ransom, extortion, targeted attacks against local civilians and increasing attacks at police in the district.
They said that for the past few decades the area was systematically handed over to militants but this was no more acceptable because the lawlessness left thousands dead and millions displaced. Locals also demanded action against the open availability of drugs in the district and said that police was operating without the required infrastructure so government should complete the construction of at least six police stations and deploy enough policemen there. They said that police was ill-equipped and not properly trained and government should provide it with required equipment as well as training. The participants also demanded strict action against tinted glass vehicles and drug mafia.
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Economy will bounce back soon: Muqam
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, National Heritage and Culture, Engineer Amir Muqam, has said that the people of Pakistan will soon get good news regarding the improvement of the economy and all conspiracies will fail.
He said that the conspiracy to keep Nawaz Sharif away from the public has also failed. The adviser said that Mian Nawaz Sharif will soon be amongst the people of Pakistan.
While referring to the appointment of army chief, he added that all the appointments will be in accordance with the constitution and there is no need of anyone’s dictation.
He observed that the elections will also be held on its due time. The adviser said that the ‘long march’ is over and now the ‘short march’ will also be over soon. Muqam was talking to reporters and workers on the occasion of a one-day visit to Peshawar and Swat districts. He heard people’s problems at Wapda House Peshawar.
He spoke to the media after meeting district president of PML-N Swat Qaymos Khan hailing from Khawaza Khela; former district nazim Muhammad Ali Shah was also present on this occasion.
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Illegal logging goes on unchecked in Dir
Despite the government claims of planting trees across KhyberPakhtunkhwa (K-P), there are little efforts to protect the existing forests in the province as illegal logging of trees has been going on in Dir Lower on a large scale.
Local residents told The Express Tribune that timber mafia was especially active in Rabat Darra and Tormang Darra who were chopping trees and smuggling timber to parts of K-P as well as Punjab.
“Timber smuggling is a highly lucrative business and it is probably the only way to become rich overnight in these mountains. Due to the lack of forest guards, it is comparatively easier for the smugglers to accomplish their job without being noticed or perhaps they are also a part of it,” said a local elder, demanding of the government to take notice of this situation and arrest those responsible for it.
“Soon our mountains will be completely void of their forest cover and the provincial government will be responsible for this disaster. Very influential people are behind the timber smuggling and the forest department is also unwilling to take steps to stop it,” said another local elder.
He said that there were several police check posts along entry and exit points but smuggling was going on under the cover of darkness unnoticed which is really unfortunate. Local residents demanded of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan to take notice of the situation and order an inquiry into the matter to fix responsibility and punish those involved.
Forest guards protest in Upper Dir
On Friday dozens of forest guards staged a protest rally in Upper Dir after police arrested several forest guards when they reportedly intercepted a police vehicle full of timber.
They staged a sit-in outside the office of deputy commissioner on Peshawar-Chitral Road and blocked it for all kind of vehicular traffic. A forest guard told The Express Tribune that they had received information that timber was being smuggled in a vehicle following which they sealed all the entry and exit points and stopped a police vehicle laden with timber.
“Policemen instead of surrendering the timber and cooperating with forest guards, arrested our guards and took them to the local police station where they were tortured and booked for attacking police,” they said, adding that the timber was also removed from the vehicle.
Deputy Commissioner Dir Upper Akmal Khan assured them that the matter would be investigated properly and action would be taken against those responsible. The FIR was registered at Sahib Abad police station against four forest guards.
DPO claimed that the police vehicle had been attacked by forest guards and they also attacked the policemen but the matter was being discussed with DC and they were trying to settle it through dialogue.
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PTI moves SC for naming three suspects in Wazirabad attack FIR
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) filed a constitutional petition simultaneously in the Supreme Court's (SC) Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta registries on Monday challenging the decision not to include the names of the three suspects identified by party chief Imran Khan in the FIR over the murderous gun attack on him.
The petition was filed in Lahore by senior PTI leader and Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Usman Buzdar, Shafqat Mehmood and other parliamentarians.
The former chief minister Punjab Buzdar submitted the application to the Deputy Registrar Supreme Court Ejaz Goraya, who received the constitutional application and provided the diary number.
Read: FIR of attack on Imran registered after SC’s ultimatum
The party also requested the court to take action against Azam Swati’s incident and to give justice to the family members of journalist Arshad Sharif.
The former ruling party, in the petition, requested the formation of a judicial commission and that the SC should take suo motu notice on these matters.
“A judicial commission should be formed… we think that a lot of important events have taken place and a probe needs to be carried out,” the PTI vice chairman said while talking to the media in Lahore.
He also said that the citizens of this country want to know the facts.
Vice Chairman PTI @SMQureshiPTI talks outside SC registrar after filing petitions regarding assassination attempt on Imran Khan, and for Azam Swati’s case. #امپورٹڈ_فیصلے_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/2vIQNFnOFi
— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 14, 2022
The party also filed petitions, signed by 26 members of the National Assembly (MNA) and members of the provincial assembly (MPA), in the apex court’s Karachi Registry for investigation of various incidents.
The position adopted in the petition maintained that a judicial inquiry should be conducted into the attack on Imran Khan, the alleged indecent video of Azam Swati and the murder of anchorperson Arshad Sharif.
A similar petition was also submitted to the SC’s Peshawar Registry by Deputy Speaker Mehmood Jan, Provincial Ministers Atif Khan, Shaukat Yousafzai, Kamran Bangash, Dr Amjad, Senator Usman Tarkai and women MPs.
The attack on the cricketer-turned-politician occurred during his “Haqeeqi Azadi March” on November 3 in Punjab’s Wazirabad district but the FIR was not registered in accordance with the complainant’s desire.
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MPAs demand stern action against narcotics use
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Shagufta Malik on Monday demanded of the government to take appropriate measures to curb the increasing consumption of ice and other narcotics in educational institutions and hostels.
Chairman of Panel Idrees Khattak presided the K-P Assembly session.
Shagufta Malik, who belongs to Awami National Party (ANP), said that ice has spread across the length and breadth of the province. She expressed apprehension that the new generation would be physically and mentally paralyzed if no action against drugs is taken.
“Every other youngster is an addict,” she said, calling it a collective issue which must be referred to the committee for fruitful discussion.
Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) MPA Sahibzada Sanaullah seconded these thoughts demanding action against drug peddlers on a war footing.
“Ice is sold like candies outside Universities,” PPP MPA Nighat Orakzai remarked, asking why police had failed to control the menace.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Humayoon Khan said that Malakand is still controlled by the Levies who, he alleged, have links with drug peddlers.
K-P Education Minister Kamran Bangash rejected the allegations, saying the universities are free from narcotics. Terming the use of drugs in educational institutions as propaganda, he added that there was “not a single addict” in the institutions as smoking was also completely banned within their premises.
Focusing on the government’s progress against drug dealers, he said that action has been taken against peddlers as there are strict laws related to ice which can lead to awarding of death sentence.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2022.
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Plan to make CECVE fully functional
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government decided on Monday to make the Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism (CECVE) fully operational and allowed releases of necessary funds for the purpose.
The decision was taken in the third meeting of the board of governors of the CECVE with K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair. The meeting approved the submission of CECVE rules and regulations to the provincial cabinet and the recruitment of required staff.
Provincial Minister for Higher Education Kamran Bangash and provincial assembly member Dr Asia Asad, administrative secretaries of the departments concerned, the CECVE chief coordination officer and other board members attended the meeting.
The chief minister directed that the authorities concerned to release funds to make the CECVE functional. It was agreed in the meeting that the provincial government would provide all the resources on a priority basis to make it fully operational and sustainable.
Regarding the staff recruitment, the meeting was informed that the vacant posts had been advertised and the recruitment process would be completed soon. The chief minister further directed that necessary steps must be taken to make the CECVE fully functional.
In a briefing to the meeting, the participants were informed that the Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism would serve as a research-based institute to help prevent violent activities, subversive attitudes, hatred and extremism in the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2022.
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