Day: July 25, 2026

Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to promoting agricultural research and encouraging scientists, saying innovation in agriculture is vital for national development and food security.

The commitment was expressed at a ceremony held here to honour scientists of the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), Mingora, Swat, on the special directives of Adviser to the Chief Minister on Agriculture Mian Muhammad Umar.

Provincial Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan, addressing the ceremony, said agricultural research was the cornerstone of sustainable development and food security.

He described agriculture as one of the most important sectors of the economy and praised the invaluable contributions of agricultural scientists towards improving crop productivity and supporting farmers.

Speaking on the occasion, Adviser to the CM on Agriculture Mian Muhammad Umar said researchers play a fundamental role in the progress of nations through knowledge and innovation.

He said the provincial government was taking concrete measures for the development of agriculture and the welfare of farmers. He said the scientists of ARI Mingora had rendered outstanding services in agricultural research, adding that the ceremony was organized to acknowledge their dedication and achievements.

The adviser assured that the government would continue to promote agricultural research, encourage scientists and address their professional issues so that the benefits of modern research could reach farmers across the province.

Director Planning, Agriculture Research, Tahir Sajjad thanked the adviser for recognizing the services of agricultural scientists, while Director ARI Mingora Dr Roshan Ali termed the honour a collective achievement of the entire Agriculture Department.

He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to advancing modern agricultural research for the benefit of the farming community.

During the ceremony, scientists of ARI Mingora were presented honorary shields in recognition of their outstanding research contributions and professional excellence.

Peshawar: Bara police under the leadership of District Police Officer Khyber Waqar Ahmad conducted two successful anti-drug operations and seized a total of 27 kilograms of charas.

On the directions of SP Bara Nawab Khan and DSP Bara Mazhar Afridi, SHO Bara Zahidullah supervised the first operation in which Additional SHO Saleh Muhammad Khan seized 14 kilograms of charas and arrested accused Naeem son of Wali on the spot. A case was registered and the accused was shifted to Bara police station for further investigation.

In the second operation, Sub-Inspector Shal Akbar Khan seized 13 kilograms of charas. However, the accused managed to escape from the scene. Search operations and raids are ongoing for his arrest.

DPO Khyber Waqar Ahmad said zero tolerance policy was being implemented against drug peddlers and criminal elements in Khyber district without discrimination.

He said all possible measures were being taken to protect the youth from the menace of drugs and operations against lawbreakers would continue in a more effective manner.

Gujrat: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team Shoaib Mirza visited the proposed Chenab River protective embankment site on Friday to review progress on a flood protection scheme designed to mitigate flood risks in vulnerable riverine areas.

Deputy Commissioner(DC), Noor-ul-Ain Qureshi accompanied him during the visit while officials briefed the delegation on the project’s progress and implementation plan.

According to officials, the Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management (CCDM) approved the scheme in March 2026.

However, final approval from the provincial cabinet and the release of funds were still awaited.

The project envisages raising the existing protective embankment by four feet and constructing a new 12, 000-foot-long embankment along the Chenab River.

Officials said the scheme would benefit around 8, 000 residents of Shahbazpur, Changawali, Dhaloon Sharqi, Mehmoodabad, Lala Chak and adjoining villages by protecting them from floodwaters.

It would also help safeguard agricultural land as well as public and private infrastructure from flood-related damage.

Peshawar: Improved management, strengthened governance, upgraded medical facilities and a patient-centred approach have significantly enhanced healthcare services at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Wana, making it one of the most trusted healthcare institutions in South Waziristan.

Located in one of Pakistan’s most remote and strategically important regions, DHQ Hospital Wana has undergone a remarkable transformation since the Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation (MERF) assumed responsibility for its management under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s outsourcing initiative.

MERF, an international humanitarian organization, works with governments to improve access to quality, equitable, efficient and affordable healthcare services.

‘A key driver of this transformation has been the strengthening of the hospital’s human resources, ‘ says Dr. Abdul Basit, Provincial Manager MERF KP.

Every month, the hospital provides emergency care, trauma management, critical interventions and essential medical services to hundreds of patients from South Waziristan and adjoining areas.

Dr. Abdul Basit said the hospital is staffed by 14 specialist doctors providing expert care across multiple disciplines, while 24 medical officers ensure round-the-clock healthcare services. The workforce is further supported by 22 trained nurses, 38 paramedics and around 150 administrative and support staff.

Hospital performance indicators reflect substantial progress in service delivery as Outpatient Department (OPD) attendance increased from 64, 414 to 742, 964 patients, demonstrating growing public confidence and improved access to healthcare services.

Maternal health services also recorded significant improvement, with the number of normal and Caesarean-section deliveries increasing from 690 to 13, 547, contributing to safer childbirth and improved maternal and newborn care.

Diagnostic services expanded considerably, with laboratory investigations increasing from 9, 471 to 939, 693, enabling timely diagnosis and more effective treatment. Similarly, inpatient admissions rose from 2, 419 to 132, 162, reflecting improved access to quality hospital care.

The hospital’s surgical services also witnessed substantial growth, with the number of surgical procedures increasing from 677 to 29, 201, enabling thousands of patients to receive quality surgical care within their own district.

Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) services also improved, with the number of fully immunized children increasing from 161 to 1, 228, strengthening child health and protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

In addition to expanding healthcare services, MERF upgraded key hospital facilities, including the registration unit, emergency department, emergency ward, outpatient department, operation theatre, laboratory, labour room, inpatient wards and dental unit.

The improvements have enhanced patient flow, strengthened infection prevention measures and created a safer and more efficient healthcare environment.

Officials attributed these achievements to the joint efforts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, MERF, healthcare professionals and hospital staff, working together to improve healthcare delivery in South Waziristan.

They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening public healthcare services through improved governance, transparency, accountability and professional excellence, ensuring that quality healthcare remains accessible to communities living in one of the country’s most underserved regions.

United nations: Dismissing India’s “false” accusations against some of Pakistan’s actions, a Pakistani diplomat urged New Delhi to implement Security Council Resolution 2788, which calls for greater use of the UN Charter’s diplomatic tools for conflict settlement, honour its treaty obligations, and take steps aimed at resolving the Kashmir dispute to usher in peace in South Asia.

“The contrast between Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir is stark, ” Saima Saleem, a counsellor at the Pakistan Mission to the UN, told the 15-member Council after India’s Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni urged Islamabad to “look inward and address the real issues.”

In Azad Kashmir, she told the Indian ambassador, Kashmiris live freely, participate in political life and raise their voice.

“In Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, voices are silenced, dissent criminalized, thousands of cases of detentions, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and conflict-related sexual violence used as instruments of repression, demographic changes imposed, and the right to self-determination denied, ” the Pakistan delegate said while exercising her right of reply.

In his speech, the Indian ambassador responded to his Pakistani counterpart Asim Iftikhar Ahmad who earlier addressed the Security Council during which he highlighted Resolution 2788 and in that context reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the Council’s resolutions.

Ambassador Harish also claimed that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral and inalienable part of India. “The only outstanding issue with regard to Jammu and Kashmir is the naked aggression and illegal occupation of India’s sovereign territory by Pakistan, ” the Indian envoy added.

To this, Ms. Saleem, the Pakistani delegate, retorted that Jammu and Kashmir was neither an integral part of India nor its internal matter.

“India’s denial cannot rewrite history, change Jammu and Kashmir’s internationally-recognized disputed status, or conceal nearly eight decades of systematic human rights violations against the Kashmiri people, including denial of their inalienable right to self-determination, ” she said.

“India itself brought the Jammu and Kashmir dispute before the Security Council yet continues to defy its resolutions, ” the Pakistani delegate said, adding, “Let me remind the Indian delegation that Security Council resolutions do not have an expiry date.”

Ms. Saleem also decried India’s “unilateral and illegal’ decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.

“The water of the Indus rivers is a lifeline for 240 million people of Pakistan-not a weapon of war. Such reckless conduct by India can only endanger peace and security in South Asia.”

India, she added, was a State-sponsor of terrorism, perpetrated by the TTP, BLA and its Majeed Brigade-proxies financed, armed, aided and abetted by India.

“From serving Indian Naval Commander, Kulbhushan Jadhav to assassination plots and killings linked to Indian operatives in North America, India’s terrorist franchise has gone from regional to global.”

At home, Ms. Saleem pointed out India’s Hindutva-inspired right-wing fascist RSS-BJP government has turned Islamophobia into State policy, normalizing hate crimes and genocide against more than 200 million Muslims. Other minorities, including Christians are persecuted, Dalits dehumanized and Sikhs disenfranchised in the largest hypocrisy of the world, it was pointed out.

On its part, even in the face of provocation and aggression, Pakistan had exercised restraint, kept the door to dialogue always open, and consistently chosen peaceful settlement of disputes over confrontation in the region and beyond.

“The path to peace in South Asia lies neither in denial nor in defiance, but in adherence to the Charter and international law, ” the Pakistan delegate said.

“We hope India will introspect on the recommendations (on dispute settlement) presented today and demonstrate the moral courage to implement Resolution 2788 in letter and spirit, honour its treaty obligations, and engage sincerely in the peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the resolutions of the Security Council.”

Rawalpindi: Over 989, 000 children under five years of age will be administered polio drops across Rawalpindi district during a four-day special anti-polio drive scheduled to run from August 10 to 13.

To achieve complete coverage, health authorities have deployed a field force comprising 4, 215 mobile teams, 232 fixed centers, and 176 transit teams stationed at entry points, bus terminals, and high-risk zones.

The district administration finalized the comprehensive operational plan during a review meeting with Deputy Commissioner, Cap. (R), Nadeem Nasir, here on Friday, emphasizing zero tolerance for negligence and strict accountability for non-performance during the drive.

Parents have been urged to ensure all children under five receive anti-polio drops from visiting mobile teams to safeguard them against paralysis.