Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

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Pakistan Launches UN Women Gender-Responsive AI School to Advance Inclusive AI


Islamabad: Pakistan has launched the UN Women Gender-Responsive AI School Pakistan, a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting the ethical, inclusive and gender-responsive use of artificial intelligence (AI).



The initiative was launched by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) in collaboration with UN Women Pakistan, with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). It is designed to build AI capacity among policymakers, government officials, parliamentarians, UN agencies, academia, civil society organizations, businesses and community leaders.



The AI School combines theoretical knowledge with practical training, offering courses on AI fundamentals, ethical and gender-responsive AI, AI governance, prompt engineering, AI agents, public administration and the application of AI for inclusive development.



Training activities began ahead of the official launch, with tailored sessions for government officials, parliamentarians, UN personnel, academics and civil society representatives to strengthen responsible AI expertise across sectors.



Pakistan has also become the first country in South Asia to host the complete national Training of Trainers (ToT) track under the UN Women AI School.



Since 2024, the regional initiative has trained more than 5, 000 policymakers, UN officials, civil society members and young innovators across Asia and the Pacific.



UN Women Pakistan Country Representative Jamshed M. Kazi said Pakistan is the first country in the region to introduce national AI training pathways spanning the executive, legislative and judicial branches, while also engaging civil society and the private sector.



The initiative seeks to address the limited integration of gender considerations in AI policymaking. According to UN Women, only a small fraction of national AI policies worldwide explicitly address gender issues. The AI School aims to promote gender equality, inclusion and greater participation of women and girls in Pakistan’s digital transformation.



Pakistan’s National AI Policy also emphasizes incorporating a gender perspective into AI development and expanding digital skills programs for marginalized women and persons with disabilities.



During the launch ceremony, MoITT and UN Women Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to institutionalize the AI School and ensure its long-term implementation under national ownership.



Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said AI is reshaping every sector, and Pakistan is committed to ensuring women and girls have equal opportunities to participate and lead in the country’s digital economy.



KOICA Pakistan Deputy Country Director Sodam Baek said the initiative will strengthen digital skills, encourage the responsible use of AI and expand opportunities for women and girls across Pakistan.



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Surveillance accelerated, machinery deployed at 19 vulnerable points to prevent urban flooding


Rawalpindi: All 19 high-risk urban locations across Rawalpindi district will remain under round-the-clock monitoring, supported by pre-positioned heavy machinery, field response staff, and duty officers to ensure instant dewatering and traffic management during downpours. The enhanced deployment protocol follows an evaluation of drainage operations and emergency interventions conducted during recent monsoon spells.



The operational directives were issued during a District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) review meeting chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner Cap. (Retd) Tayyab Samee Khan on Saturday. He strictly warned that delay or negligence at the 19 identified bottleneck points will trigger administrative action.



He further tasked the Rawalpindi Police to deploy additional traffic wardens along inundated routes to maintain vehicular flow and assist commuters, ordering all line departments to remain on high alert throughout the ongoing monsoon season.



The meeting was attended by district Assistant Commissioners and representatives from WASA, Rescue 1122, Police, and local municipal bodies. Commending WASA, Rescue 1122, and AC City.



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Two drug convicts sentenced to nine years in separate Taxila cases


Wah cantt: Two convicted drug traffickers have each been sentenced to nine years in prison and fined Rs80, 000 by separate special courts for the Control of Narcotic Substances (CNS) in Taxila, police said on Saturday.



In the first case, a special CNS court convicted Aabid, who was arrested by Wah Saddar Police in December 2025 while allegedly selling hashish. Police recovered 1. 69 kilograms of hashish from his possession and registered a case against him under Section 9-C of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997. The court handed down the sentence after examining witness testimonies and the available evidence.



In a separate case, another special CNS court sentenced Nabeel to nine years’ imprisonment along with a fine of Rs80, 000. He was arrested by Wah Police in August 2025 after officers recovered 1. 60 kilograms of hashish from his possession during a raid on his hideout, and was also charged under Section 9-C of the CNS Act.



Police said both convictions were secured following the recording of prosecution evidence and completion of legal proceedings. Officials described the verdicts as part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and strengthen enforcement of narcotics laws in the region.



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Gilani expresses deep grief over demise of MNA Malik Muhammad Iqbal


Islamabad: Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani Saturday expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Member of the National Assembly Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, paying rich tribute to his parliamentary, political, and public services.



In his condolence message, the Chairman Senate said that with the passing of Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, the country has lost a sincere, dedicated, and people-centric public representative.



He remarked that the late parliamentarian rendered valuable services for the promotion of democratic values and remained committed to serving the people throughout his political and parliamentary career.



Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar on the demise of his father and extended his sympathies to the bereaved family.



He assured them of his solidarity during this difficult time.



The Chairman Senate prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace, and bless the bereaved family with patience and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.



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WASA Chiniot launches monsoon emergency response after 26mm rainfall


Chiniot: WASA Chiniot on Saturday launched a monsoon emergency operation after the city received 26 millimetres of rainfall, with field teams and heavy machinery deployed to ensure the swift drainage of rainwater from roads and low-lying areas.



Officials said emergency camps were activated as soon as the rain began, while field staff moved promptly to different parts of the city to carry out drainage operations. Timely action helped clear water from major roads and vulnerable areas, allowing traffic to continue with minimal disruption and reducing inconvenience for residents.



Speaking to the media, WASA Chiniot Media Coordinator Ali Zain Noor said the drainage process began immediately during and after the rainfall. He said field teams remained on duty throughout the operation, while the drainage system was continuously monitored to respond swiftly to any emergency situation.



Noor said WASA staff remained deployed around the clock at emergency camps and in the field during the monsoon season. He added that all available resources were being utilized to ensure the timely disposal of rainwater and to provide uninterrupted municipal services to citizens.



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Commissioner reviews RDA projects, orders immediate finalisation of 2026-27 budget


Rawalpindi: Commissioner Rawalpindi Division and Director General of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Salman Ghani, on Saturday reviewed the progress of ongoing and proposed development projects and directed officials to immediately finalise the Authority’s budget for the financial year 2026-27.



Chairing a high-level meeting at the RDA headquarters, the commissioner reviewed the status of various development schemes being executed by the Authority and stressed the need to complete all ongoing projects within the approved timelines while ensuring quality, transparency and compliance with relevant standards.



The meeting was attended by Additional Director General RDA, Chief Planner Muhammad Tahir Meo, Director Administration Nosheen Israr, Director Finance Masood Arshad, Director Engineering Komal Chaudhry, Director Land Ghazanfar Ali Awan, Director Land Use and Building Control Iftikhar Ali, and other senior officers.



The participants also reviewed the planning and implementation strategy for upcoming development projects to improve urban infrastructure and public facilities in Rawalpindi.



Reviewing the Authority’s financial affairs, Salman Ghani directed the Director Finance and other concerned directors to finalise the RDA budget for 2026-27 without delay.



The commissioner directed all concerned officers to maintain close coordination to expedite the budget preparation process so that development activities and public service delivery could continue without interruption.



Reiterating the Authority’s commitment to planned urban development, he said RDA would continue to focus on improving civic infrastructure and ensuring the effective execution of development projects in the public interest.



He emphasised that regular monitoring, prompt decision-making and strict adherence to administrative and financial rules were essential to achieving the Authority’s development objectives and delivering transparent, accountable and efficient public services.