Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

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Sindh Health Minister inaugurates 50-bed trauma centre in Sukkur


Sukkur: Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho on Friday inaugurated a state-of-the-art 50-bed Trauma and Emergency Response Centre (TandERC), established under the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma, during a visit to the Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College and Civil Hospital, Sukkur.



On the occasion, the health minister also formally launched the anti polio booster dose campaign by administering polio drops to children.



The inauguration ceremony was attended by MNA Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Sindh government spokesperson and Sukkur Mayor Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh, Sukkur Commissioner Abid Saleem Qureshi, Deputy Commissioner Nadir Shahzad Khan, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Principal Dr Saleh Channa, District Health Officer Dr Ali Gul Shah, senior officials of the health department and other relevant authorities.



Following the inauguration, Dr Pechuho inspected various sections of the Trauma and Emergency Response Centre, including the X-ray unit, minor operation theatre, emergency wards and other modern healthcare facilities.



She directed the authorities concerned to ensure the timely, uninterrupted and quality provision of medical services to patients.



Addressing the ceremony, Dr Saleh Channa said that approximately 6,000 patients visited the hospital’s outpatient department every day, adding that the institution’s current annual budget of Rs400 million was insufficient to meet the growing demand for healthcare services.



He said that the suspension of non-development expenditure and recurrent funds, coupled with delays in the release of the revised budget, had created financial difficulties for the institution.



He requested the provincial health minister to provide additional funds for the hospital and medical college to enable them to improve and expand healthcare services for the public.



Sindh government spokesperson and Sukkur Mayor Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh said that the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government was taking practical measures to provide modern healthcare facilities and essential public services.



He said that the establishment of institutions such as the Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (SICVD), children’s hospitals and other modern healthcare facilities reflected the government’s people-oriented policies.



MNA Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah said that the Pakistan Peoples Party had completed several landmark projects in the health sector that had received recognition at the international level.



He cited the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), SICVD, the CyberKnife facility at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre in Karachi, children’s hospitals and trauma centres as examples of advanced healthcare services being provided to the public.



Mr Shah said that Sukkur was an important commercial and communication hub linking Sindh with Balochistan and Punjab.



He added that traffic pressure in the city had increased following the development of the motorway network.



In such circumstances, he said, the modern Trauma and Emergency Response Centre would play an important role in providing timely and effective treatment to victims of road accidents and other emergencies.



Dr Pechuho said that Mr Shah had consistently played a significant role in promoting public welfare and strengthening the healthcare sector in Sukkur.



She said that the establishment and expansion of modern healthcare institutions, including SICVD, children’s hospitals and the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), were the result of his sustained efforts.



Taking notice of the shortage of manpower and qualified faculty at Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College, the health minister directed the authorities concerned to immediately submit a summary so that additional teaching and medical staff



could be provided after consultation with the Sindh chief minister.



Dr Pechuho reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to continuing all possible efforts to ensure the provision of modern, quality and timely healthcare services to the people.



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CM Balochistan strongly condemns terrorist attack on FC personnel in Dera Bugti


Quetta: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti on Friday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on FC Balochistan in Dera Bugti and said that the cowardly acts of terrorists could not shake the resolve of the state.



In a message on the social networking site, the Chief Minister expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of two brave FC Balochistan soldiers in the attack.



He said that the martyrs sacrificed their lives for the peace, security and safety of the country and the safety of the people, the entire nation would always remember their great sacrifices with respect and honor and could continue to pay tribute to their services.



Expressing heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the martyrs, Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the Balochistan government stands with the bereaved families in this hour of sorrow.



He also expressed his best wishes and prayers for the speedy and complete recovery of the personnel injured in the attack.



The Chief Minister said that the sacrifices of the security forces, FC, police and all law enforcement agencies in the war against terrorism are unforgettable adding that actions against anti-state elements and their facilitators would continue with full force, determination and in accordance with the law.



He said that every conspiracy to sabotage the peace, development and stability of Balochistan would be foiled and terrorists could never be allowed to succeed in their nefarious intentions.



The Chief Minister of Balochistan prayed that Allah Almighty may elevate the ranks of the martyrs, grant them a high position in Jannatul Firdous, grant patience to their families, grant speedy recovery to the injured personnel and always protect Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism.



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Pakistan honoured top Wildlife Rangers, Community Conservation Organisations at annual awards


Islamabad: Pakistan on Friday honoured outstanding wildlife rangers and a community conservation organisations at the Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards 2026 for their exceptional contributions to wildlife conservation.



They were given awards on anti-poaching efforts and the protection of biodiversity in the country’s remote mountain regions.



The awards ceremony, organised by the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCCandEC) and the British High Commission Pakistan, was held to mark World Ranger Day.



Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Shezra Mansab Kharal attended the event as chief guest, while British High Commissioner Jane Marriott was the guest of honour.



The awards recognised wildlife rangers serving in the mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where they work under challenging conditions to protect endangered species and combat illegal wildlife trade and poaching.



The prestigious National Snow Leopard Award 2026 was presented to Deputy Ranger Gulbaz Khan of Kohistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for foiling an attempt to smuggle a snow leopard skin.



Other award recipients included Muhammad Younis Hasrat (Musk Deer Award), Nasir Ahmad (Markhor Award), Seer Zehab (Black Bear Award), Sajjad Hussain (Urial Award), Fida Hussain (Himalayan Lynx Award) and Parvez Iqbal (Ibex Award).



Ashiq Ahmad Khan Community-Based Conservation Excellence Award was introduced this year to recognise outstanding community-led conservation efforts.



The inaugural award was presented to the Valley Conservation and Development Organization (VCDO) of Zondrangram Valley, Upper Chitral, for its exemplary contribution to wildlife conservation.



Addressing the ceremony, Dr Shezra Mansab Kharal said Pakistan’s wildlife was a national asset whose protection required collective commitment and shared responsibility.



She paid tribute to wildlife rangers for protecting forests, mountains and wildlife despite harsh weather and difficult terrain, saying their dedication reflected Pakistan’s commitment to biodiversity conservation.



British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said Pakistan’s wildlife rangers and mountain communities were playing a vital role in protecting globally important ecosystems.



She said the UK’s support through the Darwin Initiative was helping locally led conservation efforts, from snow leopard landscapes to urial habitats.



Snow Leopard Foundation Pakistan Director Dr Muhammad Ali Nawaz said effective conservation was only possible through close cooperation among local communities, wildlife departments and conservation experts.



He said sustained efforts had helped restore wildlife populations and reduce human-wildlife conflict in Pakistan’s mountain landscapes.



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11 unsafe buildings sealed in Sialkot during monsoon safety drive


Sialkot: The Municipal Corporation Sialkot has sealed 11 dangerous and dilapidated buildings during a citywide safety drive launched on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Awais Mushtaq to protect lives and property during the ongoing monsoon season.



According to a spokesperson for the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, the campaign is aimed at preventing accidents caused by unsafe structures during heavy rains. Chief Officer Municipal Corporation Sialkot Zubair Wattoo said building and enforcement inspectors had carried out inspections in different parts of the city and sealed 11 hazardous buildings.



He said the owners had been directed to safely demolish the unsafe buildings within the stipulated period. He warned that if they failed to comply, the Municipal Corporation would demolish the structures under the law and recover the cost from the owners.



The chief officer said the operation was being conducted under the Punjab Local Government Act, 2025, adding that the identification of other dangerous buildings and legal action against them would continue across the city.



He appealed to citizens to avoid living in or unnecessarily visiting dilapidated buildings during the rainy season and to immediately report any unsafe structure to the Municipal Corporation so prompt action could be taken. He said public cooperation was essential for safeguarding lives and property.



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IHC directs NCCIA to provide details of allegations to Journalist


Islamabad: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to provide journalist Asad Toor with complete details of the allegations against him before proceeding further, disposing of his petition against the agency’s summons notice.



Justice Muhammad Azam Khan heard the petition challenging the NCCIA notice. Advocate Ataullah Kundi appeared on behalf of the petitioner.



During the hearing, Justice Azam Khan asked why the petitioner was not appearing before the agency, observing, “Why are you not appearing? Do you not have a defence?”



Counsel for the petitioner replied that his client was unaware of the allegations. “We do not even know what the allegations are. How can we respond without knowing them?” he argued.



The counsel further contended that under the law, an accused must be provided with complete particulars of the allegations before any proceedings.



Justice Azam Khan observed that the court would dispose of the petition after directing the NCCIA to furnish the petitioner with all details of the allegations.



Advocate Kundi agreed with the proposal, stating that it was the relief sought in the petition.



The court subsequently disposed of the petition with directions to the NCCIA to provide the petitioner with the details of the allegations.



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Two day Capacity Building Workshop for Officers Begins at SALU Khairpur


Sukkur: A two day Capacity Building Workshop for officers of Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur commenced today at the Seminar Hall, Institute of Business Administration (IBA).



The workshop, organized under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Hissamuddin Shaikh and Inspector of Colleges Syed Muneer Rashdi, aims to enhance professional, technical and leadership skills of administrative officers with special focus on use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in official work.



Addressing online, Vice Chancellor Meritorious Prof. Dr. Yousuf Khushk appreciated the organizing committee and said such programmes are vital for enhancing administrative efficiency.



He highlighted the transformative role of AI in official work, noting that learning has no age limit. He announced that similar workshops will be organized regularly for officers and ministerial staff.



In his presidential address, Prof. Dr. Noor Ahmed Shaikh, Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, emphasized the importance of AI in modern office management and urged participants to apply the acquired skills in their offices.



Prof. Dr. Irum Rani Shaikh and Prof. Dr. Masiullah Jatoi also attended the inaugural session.



The event was attended by Registrar, Director Finance, Inspector of Colleges, Additional Registrar, Director Admissions, Heads of Sections, Administrative Officers, Senior Data Processing Officers and other officials.



Technical sessions were conducted by Dr. Mohsin Kazmi and Dr. Farhan Shahzad with practical demonstrations on AI applications in administration.



The workshop will continue on 31 July 2026 with further technical sessions and practical exercises.