Day: July 22, 2026

Dera ismail khan: As many as 19 students of the University of Agriculture Dera Ismail Khan (UAD) received laptops under the Prime Minister Laptop Scheme 2024-25 (Phase-IV) during a ceremony held here at the campus on the directives of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Latif Gondal.

The distribution ceremony was supervised by Registrar Abdul Basit Khan, while Vice Chancellor of Gomal University, Prof. Dr. Naimatullah Babar, attended as the chief guest. Registrar Gomal University Imranullah Marwat, Controller of Examinations Muhammad Irfan Khan, Director Finance Media Iram Gul, Dr. Aftab Alam, faculty members and a large number of students also attended the event.

The initiative aims to equip students with modern technology, strengthen their academic and research capabilities, and enable them to meet the demands of the digital age. The laptops will support online learning, scientific research, digital skills development and provide easier access to educational resources.

Addressing the ceremony, Registrar Abdul Basit Khan described the PM scheme as a significant initiative of the government to empower young people through technology and create better opportunities for higher education and research. He said the UAD remained committed to providing quality education alongside modern learning facilities to prepare students for meaningful contributions to national development.

Speaking on the occasion, Gomal University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Naimatullah Babar said the laptop scheme was an important step towards promoting digital literacy and innovation among the country’s youth. Congratulating the beneficiary students, he urged them to make the best use of the laptops to enhance their academic and professional skills and play a constructive role in the country’s progress.

Hyderabad: The District Child Protection Unit Hyderabad, operating under the Sindh Child Protection Authority and the Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh, organized a child protection awareness session at the Mumtaz Mirza Auditorium of the Sindh Museum, Hyderabad.

Deputy Commissioner Zain-ul-Abideen Memon attended the event as the chief guest. The session was attended by officials from the district administration, police, Social Welfare Department, Information Department, representatives of social organizations, teachers, students and other stakeholders.

The program aimed to raise awareness about children’s rights, child protection, child marriage, child labour, prevention of violence against children and to strengthen coordination among relevant institutions.

Addressing the gathering, District Child Protection Officer Shizza Fatima said that the Sindh Child Protection Authority was working in collaboration with various institutions to protect children from physical, mental, emotional and sexual abuse, child labour, forced begging and early marriage.

She urged parents to provide children with a safe and supportive environment, monitor their online activities and immediately report any incidents of abuse or exploitation to the relevant authorities.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Zain-ul-Abideen Memon said that a child’s proper upbringing begins at home and stressed that parents should instill social awareness, discipline and safety consciousness in their children from an early age.

He said the district administration had taken effective measures to eliminate child labour and ensure the rehabilitation, education and counselling of affected children, adding that these efforts would continue in the future. He also called upon all relevant departments and parents to jointly fulfill their responsibility in ensuring a safe and secure future for children.

During the event, students delivered speeches and presented tableaus highlighting children’s rights, the importance of education and the elimination of child labour. Shields were also presented to officials of participating departments in recognition of their contributions.

On the occasion, District Child Protection Officer Shizza Fatima also distributed wheelchairs among children with special needs.

United nations: Haiti, the strife-torn Caribbean island nation, needs “unity of purpose” to move forward, Pakistan told the UN Security Council.

“Long-term stability of Haiti, requires a holistic and responsive Haitian-led and owned process, underpinned by dialogue and cooperation, backed by well-coordinated and executed international and regional support,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the 15-member Council.

He was speaking in the Council’s discussion on how worsening violence is colliding with a humanitarian crisis, as well as plans to restore security and hold election in Haiti, which is awash in gang violence, scarred by past foreign interventions and long paralyzed politically.

Briefing the Security Council, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), said, ‘[Haiti’s] transition stands at a critical moment.

‘Success depends on security, political engagement, and humanitarian action reinforcing each other,’ Massieu said.

But security operations alone will not produce lasting peace, he stressed. The international community’s engagement in Haiti is longstanding. From 2004 to 2017, the UN deployed its Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which was succeeded by an Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).

However, the country continued to be plagued by violence. In October 2023, the Council authorized the deployment of a Multinational Security Support – largely compose of Kenyan troops – which officially transitioned to a Gang Suppression Force (GSF) through the adoption of Council resolution 2793 (2025) last September.

In his remarks, the Pakistan envoy underscored the imperative need for political stability.

“We welcome the Haitian authorities’ focus on improving the security situation, with a view to holding of elections; We hope that all political actors will work in unison, to ensure the organization of elections in an agreed time frame.”

Ambassador Asim Ahmad hoped that the arrangements put in place by Security Council resolution 2793, including the GSF supported by UNSOH will help create necessary space for the Haitian Security institutions, more importantly the National Police, to take over the long-term security responsibilities in the country.

Noting that the humanitarian situation remains dire with children and women facing the brunt, he said association of children with gangs is a central challenge, hoping that the Haitian authorities would continue to take lead in formulating a strategy best suited to the country’s conditions.

The Pakistani envoy also called for effective regional and international efforts to implement 2653 Sanctions regime would curb the illicit arms flow into the country and disrupt the ability of gangs to perpetrate violence.

Gujrat: Deputy Commissioner Noor-ul-Ain Qureshi, accompanied by Managing Director (MD) Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Gujrat Kashan Hafeez Butt, visited various parts of the city and disposal stations to review the ongoing rainwater drainage operation during the monsoon. According to official sources, the DC inspected drainage arrangements at Jail Chowk, Kutchery Chowk, Nawabzada Chowk, Prince Chowk, Fawara Chowk and other low-lying areas.

Assistant Commissioner Abdul Qadeer Zarkoon and Director Engineering Sheikh Abdul Wahab also accompanied the visit. The sources said all disposal stations were operating at full capacity, while 18 WASA emergency teams remained deployed across the city’s three operational zones. Dewatering sets, suction machines and heavy machinery were being used to remove accumulated rainwater.

Deputy Managing Director WASA Faisal Hasnain Bhalli monitored the operation from the central control room. The DC directed officials to continue the drainage operation round-the-clock until the rain subsides and ensure timely relief to citizens.

She also instructed officers and field staff to remain on high alert, adding that the district administration and WASA would continue joint monitoring under the monsoon emergency plan to minimize public inconvenience.