Day: July 12, 2026

Dera ismail khan: In a step towards promoting women’s welfare, the District Committee on the Status of Women (DCSW), Dera Ismail Khan, held discussions with the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital administration to improve interdepartmental coordination and collaboration.

According to a statement, the DCSW delegation, comprising Chairperson Humaira Nawaz, Member Samina Bibi and Amjad Pervez, visited the hospital and held separate meetings with Hospital Director Farukh Jamil, Medical Director Dr. Khalid Mehmood and Member Board of Governors (BOG) Gul Malook Khan.

During the meetings, both sides discussed ways to enhance collaboration and institutional coordination on issues relating to women’s welfare, protection and access to support services.

The hospital administration appreciated the initiative and reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the District Committee on the Status of Women to strengthen service delivery and coordination.

As an outcome of the meeting, the hospital administration designated a focal person to facilitate effective communication, coordination and timely follow-up between the hospital and DCSW.

The meeting concluded with both sides reiterating their resolve to continue close cooperation for the welfare of women and the broader community through coordinated institutional efforts.

Peshawar: Provincial Minister for Health, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khaleeq ur Rehman here on Saturday held a meeting with high-level delegation from the Gates Foundation in Peshawar to discuss continued cooperation in strengthening health sector and making efforts towards a polio-free Pakistan.

Secretary Health Shahid Ullah Khan was also present during the meeting. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Sania Nishtar, Head of Gavi and senior officials from Gates Foundation and KP Health Department.

The meeting focused on key areas of collaboration, particularly the ongoing partnership in polio eradication, strengthening routine immunization, improving child health and enhancing support for public health initiatives in KP and across Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Health Minister, Khaleeq ur Rehman reaffirmed KP government unwavering commitment to eliminate polio and protecting every child through effective immunization. He stated that the provincial government is utilizing all available resources to ensure the success of polio eradication campaigns and to further strengthen routine vaccination services.

The minister appreciated the longstanding technical and financial support extended by Gates Foundation and Gavi and noted that contributions of international development partners have played a vital role in improving immunization coverage, strengthening health systems and supporting the country’s efforts to eradicate polio.

During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on enhancing cooperation to reach children in high risk areas, improving vaccine coverage, strengthening surveillance and ensuring the successful implementation of future immunization and public health initiatives.

Gates Foundation and Gavi representatives acknowledged the efforts of provincial government in improving public health and reaffirmed their commitment to continue close collaboration in support of Pakistan’s goal of becoming a polio free country.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between KP government, Gates Foundation and Gavi to improve immunization services and achieve a healthier future for the people of Pakistan.

Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Food, Dr. Muhammad Israr Khan, along with Director General Halal Food Authority Kashif Iqbal Jillani, visited Peshawar Central Jail and reviewed food arrangements and facilities provided to prisoners.

During the visit, he inspected the jail kitchen, food storage, daily menu, cleanliness arrangements, and food safety standards. He expressed satisfaction over the quality of food and directed officials to further improve standards.

Dr. Israr Khan said prisoners have the right to clean, safe, and nutritious food, adding that no compromise on food quality and hygiene standards will be tolerated.

He directed jail authorities to ensure strict implementation of health and sanitation measures.

Naseerabad: Chief Engineer Canals Qurban Ali Jatoi, accompanied by Executive Engineer Pat Feeder Canal Fareed Ahmed Pindrani and Sub-Divisional Officer Amanullah Gajani, held a meeting with Deputy Commissioner Jaffarabad Khalid Khan to discuss agricultural water supply during the ongoing Kharif season. Sub-Divisional Officer Syed Amjad Shah was also present.

During the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Khalid Khan briefed participants on the district’s integrated agricultural strategy to ensure farmers receive their rightful share of water. Executive Engineer Fareed Ahmed Pindrani highlighted that shortfalls in water supply from Sindh have created difficulties, while Chief Engineer Jatoi noted that reduced flows in the Indus River have affected the entire irrigation system.

Despite these challenges, Jatoi assured that fair distribution of available water is being ensured. He emphasized that indiscriminate action is being taken against water theft, particularly against those using oversized pipes to deprive tail-end farmers of their share. So far, legal proceedings have been initiated against eight individuals involved in water theft.

Jatoi further explained that since Jaffarabad’s canals were located at the tail end of the system, water delivery faces natural difficulties. However, the Irrigation Department is utilizing all available resources to guarantee equitable water supply to farmers. He reaffirmed that ensuring fair access to irrigation water remains the department’s top priority.

Faisalabad: Commissioner Madam Musarrat Jabeen said the divisional administration has finalized comprehensive action plan to tackle possible flood emergencies during the monsoon season and all departments were directed to maintain round-the-clock preparedness, activate early warning systems and ensure that no gap remains in emergency response arrangements.

Chairing a meeting, she reviewed flood preparedness across four districts of the division and said that Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz had directed all administrative departments to complete monsoon preparedness in a comprehensive manner.

She stressed that communication systems must be upgraded and availability of modern emergency equipment should be ensured well before any emergency situation arises.

She instructed the deputy commissioners to keep early warning and alert systems fully operational at all times to ensure timely response to any flood-related emergency.

She also directed the authorities to draw lessons from previous flood experiences and keep all rescue, administrative and protective measures on the highest level of readiness throughout the monsoon season.

Reviewing urban flood management arrangements, the divisional commissioner ordered concerned departments to ensure prompt drainage of rainwater from city areas, accelerate desilting operations and station machinery at vulnerable low-lying localities to deal with water accumulation without delay.

She said that mock exercises had already been completed in all four districts according to schedule. She emphasized that preparedness should continue to be monitored closely, adding that even the slightest deficiency in arrangements would be unacceptable.

She directed every department to discharge its responsibilities strictly in accordance with the approved contingency plan.

The divisional commissioner also instructed the Livestock Department to achieve its vaccination targets and ensure timely establishment of relief camps.

She directed that heatwave camps should remain operational alongside flood relief camps, with Rescue 1122 personnel, first-aid facilities and an uninterrupted supply of drinking water available to provide immediate assistance to affected citizens if required.

Deputy Commissioners briefed the meeting about district-wise flood control plans, measures to prevent urban flooding, rescue and health arrangements, the condition of protective embankments and other contingency measures.

Senior officials from Revenue Department, Irrigation Department, Livestock Department, Civil Defense, Rescue 1122, Municipal Corporation and other relevant departments also attended the meeting.

Abbottabad: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Energy and Power, Nazir Ahmad Abbasi on Saturday announced that the provincial government has allocated Rs10 billion for the development of Abbottabad, with the funds to be distributed equally among the district’s four Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) for key infrastructure and civic improvement projects.

Speaking during a visit to the Abbottabad Press Club to congratulate its newly elected office-bearers, the minister said the development package would be spent on drainage schemes, electricity infrastructure upgrades, and the beautification of the city. He added that public concerns regarding the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa City Improvement Project would also be addressed.

The ceremony was attended by Abbottabad Press Club President Sardar Naveed Alam, Abbottabad Union of Journalists (AUJ) President Atif Qayyum, former Press Club President Muhammad Amir Shehzad Jadun, former AUJ President Syed Tahir Hussain Shah, former District Nazim Sardar Shabbir, and other senior journalists.

Nazir Ahmad Abbasi said the provincial government remained committed to protecting media freedom and revealed that the Chief Minister had directed a review of the recently introduced media-related legislation.

He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government was pursuing balanced development in both urban and rural areas to reduce migration to cities. According to the minister, billions of rupees have been allocated in the current provincial budget to improve basic services and infrastructure in rural communities.

Referring to Abbottabad’s urban challenges, the minister said rapid population growth had placed increasing pressure on the city’s infrastructure and public services. He noted that he had already conveyed his reservations regarding the City Improvement Project during a recent high-level meeting in Peshawar and stressed that public concerns would be addressed during the implementation process.

Abbasi said the provincial government was determined to restore Abbottabad’s status as one of the country’s most beautiful cities through improved planning and sustained investment. He added that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had approved the Rs10 billion development package on the recommendations of the district’s lawmakers.

The provincial minister also congratulated the newly elected office-bearers of the Abbottabad Press Club, including President Sardar Naveed Alam, General Secretary Raja Munir Khan, Senior Vice President Iftikhar Hussain, Vice President Tariq Tanoli, Assistant Secretary Dildar Ahmad Satti, Joint Secretary Muhammad Iqbal Saghir, and Finance Secretary Asif Mahmood Awan, and assured them of the provincial government’s support in addressing the Press Club’s issues.