Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

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DC Batagram calls for improving public service delivery


Peshawar: Acting on the directives of the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Deputy Commissioner Batagram Muhammad Shoaib chaired an important meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office to review public service delivery and administrative performance.



The meeting was attended by the additional deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, director of the service delivery center, tehsildars, district Qanoongo, and girdawars.



Participants conducted a detailed review of public facilities, service delivery mechanisms, issues faced by citizens, and various administrative matters.



Addressing the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shoaib directed all concerned officers to further enhance the efficiency, transparency, and quality of public service delivery to ensure that citizens receive timely and satisfactory services without unnecessary inconvenience.



He emphasized that the district administration’s top priority is to provide prompt, high-quality, and effective services to the public.



Officers and staff were instructed to treat citzens with courtesy, dignity, and respect, resolve their concerns on a priority basis, and perform their duties with honesty, transparency, and a strong commitment to public service in order to further strengthen public trust in government institutions.



Preparations for independence day celebrations were also reviewed.



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President pays tribute to security forces for successful operation


Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday paid tribute to security forces for successful intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan.



In a statement, he said the killing of five terrorists of Indian sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij, in the military operation is a manifestation of the courage and determination of the security forces.



The President lauded Major Hafiz Ihsan Elahi, who was martyred during the operation, and said that the nation will always remember the sacrifices of its brave sons.



“Major Hafiz Ihsan Elahi Shaheed set a high example of duty, courage and leadership by sacrificing his life in the defence of the homeland. The great sacrifices of the martyrs further strengthen the national resolve to defend Pakistan, ” he added.



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KP EPA starts crackdown against non-compliant marble units in Khyber


Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Saturday started crackdown against non-compliant marble units in Khyber tribal district.



In continuation of the ongoing enforcement drive, and in compliance with the directions of the Secretary forest, environment and wildlife department, and the director general EPA, the staff of the agency conducted a joint operation along with the district administration tehsil Jamrud, and the assistant director industries, against non-compliant marble units at marble chowk, Mullagori in district Khyber.



During today’s operation, four marble units were sealed for operating in violation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Act, 2014, and the Environmental Protection Orders issued by the EPA.



The units were found to be causing serious environmental pollution through the discharge of marble slurry and excessive dust into the environment, posing significant risks to environmental quality and public health.



The enforcement campaign will continue until the assigned task is successfully completed and all non-compliant units are brought into compliance with the law.



EPA remains committed to ensuring environmental protection, safeguarding public health, and promoting sustainable industrial practices across Khyber.



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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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Federal Minister Inaugurates exhibition highlighting IIOJK people’s rights and struggle


Islamabad: Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, visited the Consulate General of Pakistan in Chicago, where he was warmly received by Consul General Zaman Mehdi, along with officers and staff of the Consulate.



During the visit, the Federal Minister inaugurated a photo exhibition highlighting the rights and struggle of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Members of the Pakistani-American community also attended the event.



Addressing the gathering, Syed Imran Ahmed Shah said that the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and the provision of quality public services to them remain among the Government of Pakistan’s key priorities. He stated that, in line with the vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Pakistani missions abroad should ensure the delivery of efficient, accessible, timely and people-centric consular services.



The Federal Minister emphasized that overseas Pakistanis should be treated with dignity, respect, compassion and sincerity. He stressed the need to further simplify consular procedures, eliminate unnecessary delays and ensure timely assistance to applicants. He added that the delivery of public services should be guided by the principles of humanity, justice and Islamic values.



He also appreciated the invaluable contribution of overseas Pakistanis to Pakistan’s economy, national development and the country’s positive image around the world.



He noted that consular services could be further improved by giving due attention to the concerns and suggestions of overseas Pakistanis, strengthening institutional engagement, enhancing public communication and making greater use of modern technology.



On the occasion, Consul General Zaman Mehdi briefed the Federal Minister on the Consulate’s initiatives aimed at facilitating the Pakistani community across the American Midwest. These include organizing consular camps in different cities, maintaining regular engagement with the community, ensuring the timely dissemination of information and improving access to consular services for Pakistanis residing in areas distant from Chicago.



The Consul General reaffirmed the Consulate’s commitment to providing transparent, timely and community-oriented services while maintaining close engagement with Pakistanis residing within its jurisdiction.



At the conclusion of the visit, the Federal Minister met members of the Pakistani community. Participants welcomed him and shared their views and suggestions regarding the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and the further improvement of consular services.



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Torrential rains inundate several Peshawar neighborhoods, rescue operations underway


Peshawar: Continuous torrential rains across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have triggered an alarming flood situation in Peshawar, driving water flows in local rivers to dangerously high levels.



According to Rescue 1122, the water flow in Kabul River at Warsak location reached a critical 5, 300 cusecs this morning, which have declared as a high flood.



The severe inundation has completely submerged water measurement gauge, with water rising right up to top dug level of embankment. Meanwhile, stream flow at Badhani Nala Darmangi was recorded at 2, 730 cusecs, which is currently categorized as normal.



The heavy downpour and rising surge have caused floodwaters to spill into several residential communities along Warsak Road, leaving multiple areas heavily waterlogged.



Floodwater has entered homes in Sufia Town, Darmangi Town, Pir Kalay, Shagyan, Sardar Colony, Islamabad Colony, Shah Alam, and Matani Pul, affecting dozens of local families.



Emergency rescue operations were immediately launched by Rescue 1122, with disaster management teams working to safely evacuate marooned residents and shift them to secure locations.



In one major incident, emergency crews successfully rescued a family stranded inside an inundated property near a private hospital on the main road.



Rescue spokespersons said that while swelling waters had raised fears of structural collapse, timely relief efforts ensured everyone was brought out safely.



Local municipal administration and disaster management teams have appealed to citizens to strictly avoid going near swift floodwaters or dilapidated, vulnerable structures, advising the public to contact official emergency hotlines immediately in case of any urgent crisis.