Day: July 19, 2026

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Capital Emergency Service Passes Late-Night Response Test as Interior Minister Orders Major Upgrade


Islamabad: Capital Emergency Service successfully demonstrated its emergency response capability during a late-night mock fire incident, with fire brigade and ambulance teams reaching the designated location within eight minutes of receiving the alert.



Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who monitored the exercise, praised the Capital Emergency Service for responding within the prescribed response time, describing the prompt arrival as an encouraging sign of the service’s operational readiness.



Following the exercise, the minister met with firefighters and emergency personnel, commended their professionalism, and discussed the challenges they face while performing their duties.



He acknowledged the dedication of the staff despite limited resources and outdated equipment.



During his inspection, Naqvi took serious notice of the fact that the Capital Emergency Service’s vehicles and equipment have not been replaced since 2009.



While appreciating that the existing fleet has been maintained in good working condition, he observed that some fire engines currently in service date back to the 1993 model year.



The minister was also informed that emergency personnel have not received any formal training or refresher courses for several years, highlighting the need for capacity building alongside equipment modernization.



Taking immediate action, Naqvi directed Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Sohail Ashraf to submit, within seven days, a comprehensive plan for upgrading the Capital Emergency Service.



He emphasized that the modernization plan should include the procurement of new fire engines, ambulances, and other essential rescue equipment to strengthen the capital’s emergency response capabilities.



The mock emergency exercise was initiated after Acting Deputy Commissioner Sahibzada Yousaf placed a simulated fire emergency call to Rescue 1122 to assess the service’s response under realistic conditions.



Expressing satisfaction over the outcome, Naqvi said he was pleased to witness the swift response of the Capital Emergency Service during the late-night exercise. He stressed that, in the event of any real emergency, response time is the single most critical factor in saving lives and minimizing damage.



He assured that the government would ensure the provision of new vehicles and essential equipment for the Capital Emergency Service, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening emergency preparedness in Islamabad.



CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf and Acting Deputy Commissioner Sahibzada Yousaf were also present during the inspection and response assessment.



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Dal Chawal reigns as Capital’s timeless comfort food despite fast-food boom


Islamabad: As Islamabad continues to grow into a modern metropolitan city with an ever-expanding range of international cuisines and fast-food outlets, one traditional dish continues to dominate the hearts and dining tables of its residents – the humble yet wholesome dal chawal.



From busy office workers seeking a quick lunch to families gathering around the dinner table, the classic combination of lentils and steamed rice remains one of the capital’s most loved comfort foods. Served with tangy mixed achar, crispy aloo ki tikki, cooling yogurt raita, and fresh salad, the meal offers a perfect blend of taste, nutrition, and nostalgia.



Despite changing food trends, roadside eateries, local restaurants, and home kitchens across Islamabad continue to witness a steady demand for dal chawal throughout the year. Many people, particularly during the summer season, prefer the dish for its light, filling, and easily digestible nature.



Wahab, a restaurant owner in sector blue area told reporter that dal chawal remains among their best-selling traditional meals.



“People from every age group order dal chawal. Office workers, students, and families all enjoy it because it is economical, healthy, and reminds them of home,” he added.



Talking to reporter, Saqib, a vendor at a Melody food street in Sector G-6 said customers often ask for extra achar and aloo ki tikki, making the traditional platter even more flavorful. “No matter how many new food chains open, dal chawal always has its loyal customers,” he remarked.



Residents say the dish carries emotional value beyond its taste.



In conversation with reporter, Shahida, a resident of Sector G-7 said whenever I miss home-cooked food, I prefer to dal chawal at home and eat it with salad, achar and raita. “It is a meal that brings comfort regardless of the season. Every bite reminds me of family meals and the warmth of home. Even with so many fast-food options available, nothing matches the simple satisfaction, wholesome taste, and nostalgic feeling that a plate of dal chawal provides,” she shared.



Another resident, Raheel, described dal chawal as “the perfect comfort meal – simple, satisfying, and never out of style. It is wholesome, easy on the stomach, and reminds me of the meals my mother used to prepare at home. No matter how many new restaurants or international cuisines arrive in Islamabad, I always find myself coming back to a plate of dal chawal because it offers a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and contentment that no other meal can match.”



Shiza, a nutrition expert at a private hospital in Sector G-8 told reporter that she also appreciated the dish, noting that lentils are an excellent source of plant-based protein, dietary fibre, iron, and essential vitamins, while rice provides energy through healthy carbohydrates. When paired with yogurt, salad, and pickle, the meal becomes balanced, nutritious, and suitable for people of all ages.



Cultural observers believed the continued popularity of dal chawal reflects Pakistan’s deep-rooted culinary traditions. While burgers, pizzas, fried chicken, and other international foods have become increasingly popular, traditional dishes continue to hold a unique emotional and cultural significance.



For many Islamabad residents, dal chawal is more than just food-it represents warmth, family, simplicity, and the comforting flavours of home. Its enduring popularity proves that even in an era of global food trends, timeless local favourites continue to define the city’s culinary identity.



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SHCC intensifies province-wide inspection drive to strengthen infection prevention and patient safety


Karachi: Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring safe, quality, and accountable healthcare services. To intensify this core effort, SHCC has undertaken a special inspection and enforcement drive across the province to assess compliance with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Medical Waste Management practices in public and private Healthcare Establishments (HCEs).

According to a press release issued by the organization, over the last few days, multidisciplinary inspection teams of SHCC officials conducted comprehensive on-site assessments of 18 healthcare establishments in the West, South, and East districts of Karachi on daily basis. The inspections evaluated compliance with critical Infection Prevention and Control measures, including hygiene, safe discarding practices of sharps and syringes, sterilization and disinfection procedures, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), environmental cleaning, and the safe segregation, handling, transportation, tr
eatment, and disposal of medical waste.

The inspection findings revealed significant regulatory concerns. Of the 18 HCEs inspected, 11 were operating without registration, five were registered but had not obtained a Provisional License, while two establishments were both registered and provisionally licensed. Warning notices were issued to the relevant healthcare establishments, directing them to rectify the identified deficiencies within seven days. Follow-up inspections will be conducted to verify the implementation of corrective measures and ensure sustained compliance.

Where serious violations posed an immediate threat to patient safety, SHCC initiated regulatory enforcement actions, including closure orders and the immediate suspension of certain services. Enforcement measures were taken promptly against two maternity homes, one hospital, and one primary healthcare centre.

Critical services, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Operation Theatre (OT), and Central Sterile Services Departm
ent (CSSD) at a larger maternity hospital in District South, were ordered to cease operations due to serious deficiencies observed during inspection. At the healthcare establishment, the SHCC inspection team identified unsafe injection practices, inadequate Infection Prevention and Control measures, ineffective sterilization processes, and the reuse of syringes, violations that significantly increase the risks of blood-borne and other infections. Such practices represent an unacceptable threat to patient safety and public health and require immediate corrective action.

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Corporate leaders explore carbon finance as next frontier for growth


Karachi: More than a conventional sustainability workshop, the Executive Programme on Carbon Finance for CEOs brought together Pakistan’s leading corporate executives here at a local hotel, to examine how climate action can become a driver of business growth, investment and long-term competitiveness.



This was the first of the series of workshops being rolled out by NUST in collaboration with Nutshell Communications and CVF-V20.



The programme was jointly organized by the Iqbal Executive Development Centre (IEDC), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Nutshell Communications, and the Climate Vulnerable Forum and Vulnerable Twenty (CVF-V20), bringing together CEOs, Board members, CFOs and sustainability leaders for a full day of strategic dialogue on emerging opportunities in climate finance and carbon markets.



NUST’s IEDC played a critical role in setting up the whole program in the most effective way, while Nutshell Communications’ extensive liaison with the corporate sector came in handy in gathering the most impressive lineup of CEOs and corporate sustainability leaders. As the knowledge partner, CVF-V20 played a central role in shaping the programme’s content, drawing on its global experience in climate finance, carbon markets and sustainable investment.



The speakers were the most valued experts of carbon credit and carbon finance from Pakistan, including Zulfiqar Younas, Senior Advisor Climate Finance, CVF-V20, Ahsan Karmran, Khurram Lalani and Maha Qasim, all leading carbon and ESG experts in Pakistan.



They emphasized that climate change is no longer solely an environmental concern but a strategic business issue influencing investment decisions, access to finance, export competitiveness and corporate governance. They highlighted that companies which respond proactively to the low-carbon transition will be better positioned to attract capital, strengthen resilience and unlock new sources of revenue.



Participants explored the significant opportunities arising from Pakistan’s evolving policy landscape, including the Pakistan Carbon Market Policy, the Pakistan Green Taxonomy, and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s (SECP) Sustainability Reporting Framework. Together, these reforms are creating an enabling environment for businesses to access green finance, develop carbon credit projects and align with international sustainability standards.



A key highlight of the programme was the special address by Mussarat Jabeen, Executive Director, SECP, who outlined the Commission’s vision for strengthening sustainability reporting and corporate governance. Her remarks reinforced the importance of climate-related disclosures and board-level leadership in preparing Pakistan’s corporate sector for emerging regulatory and market expectations.



The programme also featured an international case study on Shell’s Carbon Finance Strategy, demonstrating how one of the world’s leading energy companies has integrated carbon finance into its business model to support decarbonization, mobilize investment and create long-term enterprise value. The case study illustrated how climate action can evolve from a compliance obligation into a strategic commercial opportunity.



The participants were keenly engaged with leading practitioners in carbon markets and climate finance, examining practical pathways for identifying bankable carbon projects, generating carbon credits, mobilizing green investment and integrating climate considerations into corporate strategy. Interactive discussions and the CEO Strategy Workshop enabled executives to translate policy developments into actionable business plans tailored to their own organizations.



The programme concluded with a clear message: the transition to a low-carbon economy represents one of the most significant business opportunities of the coming decade. Companies that move early to develop climate-smart investments, strengthen sustainability governance and participate in carbon markets will be better positioned to attract finance, enhance competitiveness and create long-term value.



Through initiatives such as this executive programme, CVF-V20 is working with governments, financial institutions and the private sector to accelerate climate investment and expand access to carbon finance across climate-vulnerable economies.



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ZU conference highlights emerging trends in pharmacology research


Karachi: Ziauddin University’s Department of Pharmacology, Ziauddin Medical College, organized PharmaCon-2026 under the theme “Transforming Knowledge into Therapeutics,” bringing together leading healthcare professionals, researchers, academicians and industry experts to promote scientific collaboration and therapeutic innovation.



The conference aimed to bridge the gap between laboratory research and patient care by translating scientific discoveries into safe, effective and accessible treatments.



Addressing the participants, Ziauddin University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Shaikh stressed the need for Pakistan to develop indigenous research and pharmaceutical solutions rather than relying on imported knowledge and medicines. He said conferences such as PharmaCon provide an important platform for scientists, clinicians and industry experts to collaborate on local healthcare solutions while inspiring young researchers to innovate.



Speaking on the growing threat of drug abuse, Additional Collector, Pakistan Customs, Dr. Ali Raza Turabi warned young people against taking the first step towards substance abuse. He said drug trafficking networks have become increasingly sophisticated by combining technology with international criminal operations, making drug abuse not only a medical issue but also a challenge to public health, law enforcement, education, families and national security. He added that every intercepted drug shipment, every awareness initiative and every successful rehabilitation effort contributes to a healthier and safer Pakistan.



Syed Amir Sajjad, Chief Executive Officer of Dr. Sajjad’s Australian Concept Infertility, IVF and Genetics Centre, highlighted the importance of translating research into practical healthcare solutions. He said scientific discoveries achieve their true value only when they improve diagnosis and treatment, inform national healthcare policies and enhance patient care.



Principal of Ziauddin Medical College, Prof. Dr. Sadaf Mumtaz, emphasized that cardiometabolic health requires an integrated approach involving basic science, clinical research and computational drug discovery to develop advanced therapeutic solutions.



Earlier, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ziauddin University, Prof. Dr. Abbas Zafar, said pharmacology forms the foundation of every prescription, life-saving treatment and medical research study, underscoring the need to strengthen the discipline for improved medical education and better patient outcomes.



Chief Organizer of PharmaCon-2026, Prof. Dr. M. Owais Ismail, said the conference provided a valuable platform for researchers, clinicians and academicians to exchange knowledge, strengthen scientific collaboration and promote a robust research culture aimed at transforming pharmacological discoveries into therapeutic solutions.



The conference featured six oral presentations and 32 poster presentations and concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing pharmacological research, therapeutic innovation and scientific collaboration for the benefit of patients and society.



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Efficient operational infrastructure vital for success of mass transit projects: Sharjeel Memon


Karachi: Sindh Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon, emphasizing the significance of efficient operational infrastructure in the success of mass transit projects, on Saturday directed for immediate identification of land for establishing bus depots.



He was presiding over a meeting held to review matters related to the transport plan and provision of land for the construction of bus depots for various public transport projects, said a statement issued here. Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, Director General Karachi Development Authority (KDA) Asif Jan Siddiqui, Deputy Commissioners of Malir, Korangi, Karachi Central and West districts and senior officials of the concerned departments were in attendance.



The minister received a detailed briefing on public transport projects and land required for parking and operation of buses while the government land available in various districts, proposed locations and future requirements were also reviewed in the meeting to determine suitable locations for establishment of bus depots.



The Senior Minister stated that timely availability of appropriate depots and operational infrastructure is essential for the success of the projects, therefore, all relevant institutions should complete land identification and other necessary arrangements at the earliest with mutual cooperation and effective coordination.



The Sindh government is set to include 50 double-decker and 500 electric (EV) buses in the mass transit system, he said and hoped that arrival of the new fleet will significantly improve the public transport system of the province.



The government was committed to providing modern, comfortable, eco-friendly and world-class travel facilities to the citizens and enthusiastic to bring new buses to the roads at the earliest, he stated and directed all Deputy Commissioners to immediately identify vacant government land available in their respective districts so that modern bus depots can be established for mass transit projects.