Category: District

United nations: Stressing that conflicts are “diplomacy delayed and dialogue denied,” Pakistan urged the global community to transform preventive rhetoric into concrete action during Thursday’s United Nations Security Council high-level debate.

‘Diplomacy must not be the instrument we scramble for after peace has failed,’ Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations (UN), told the 15-member Council.

Convened by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the session specifically reviewed the impact of Resolution 2788, the landmark framework unanimously adopted the previous year under Pakistan’s presidency, underscoring Chapter VI of the UN Charter, which mandates the pacific settlement of international disputes through negotiation, inquiry, and mediation.

The resolution requested the UN Secretary-General to provide recommendations to further strengthen mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes, one year following its adoption, which drew high raise from the Council members while outlining their positions.

In his remarks, the Pakistani envoy maintained that relying on mediation and regional cooperation must be the global norm rather than an exception. He pushed for the Security Council to shift away from merely reacting to conflicts and instead prioritize diplomatic mechanisms to halt disputes from escalating.

Pakistan, Ambassador Asim Ahmad said, has firm belief in the pacific settlement of disputes.

“On the core issue bedeviling peace and stability in South Asia – the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute – Pakistan remains committed to a peaceful settlement in accordance with the numerous resolutions of the Security Council,” he said.

Those resolutions, he added, affirmed the principle of self-determination of the Kashmiri people and provided that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir would be decided through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite to be conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.

Following the directives laid out in Resolution 2788, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres briefed the Council, delivering concrete recommendations to bolster UN mediation capabilities and encourage member states to effectively utilize the tools outlined in Article 33 of the UN Charter.

Continuing his remarks, Ambassador Asim Ahmad referred to the recent practical manifestation of Pakistan’s attachment to peaceful settlement — the effort undertaken to facilitate a lasting resolution to the conflict in West Asia.

“Together with brotherly countries and partners, Pakistan continues to play a constructive mediating role between Iran and the United States, facilitating engagement that culminated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the initiation of subsequent negotiations,” he said.

The Islamabad MoU, he added, was a clear demonstration of what determined diplomacy could achieve: channels were opened, parties were brought together, precious lives were saved and all efforts redirected towards dialogue.

“We regret the renewed outbreak of hostilities and the interruption of the diplomatic process, which has once again exposed the region and the wider world to grave risks,” the Pakistani envoy said, hoping that all parties would exercise restraint and return soon to the negotiating table.

“We believe that whenever negotiations falter, the answer is not in less but more determined diplomacy. Pakistan will continue its earnest efforts in that spirit.”

Responding to UN chief’s recommendations, Ambassador Asim Ahmad proposed the following measure to strengthen UN’s role in dispute settlement:

— The Council should engage at the earliest signs of friction – not when a crisis has already erupted. The most consequential success of this Council may be the crisis that is prevented from escalating.

— The Council should establish structured follow-up for the implementation of its resolutions. A Council resolution must not mark the end of the Council’s engagement. It must initiate an accountable implementation that should lead to resolution of the conflict.

— The Council should make early and effective use of Article 34. Impartial enquiry, discreet fact-finding, technical assessment and reporting by the Secretary-General can establish a credible understanding of events, counter disinformation, reduce miscalculation and provide an objective basis for diplomacy.

— The Charter’s mechanisms must not remain an abstract catalogue of possibilities; they must become readily available options for timely action. The Secretariat should develop a practical Chapter VI toolkit.

— Stronger political and material support must be provided to the Secretary-General’s good offices and the impartial role of the Secretariat. At the same time, the Mediation Support Unit must receive adequate resources.

— Where disputes involve questions of law, the Council should encourage recourse to the International Court of Justice, arbitration or other appropriate legal mechanisms. Where necessary, it should also consider seeking advisory opinions from the Court.

— Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations must become more systematic, and,

— The Council should periodically review its Chapter VI practice– assessing where early engagement succeeded, where opportunities were missed, which mechanisms proved effective and how lessons can be institutionalized.

“Together with the Charter, Resolution 2788 will continue to remain a living framework for prevention, diplomatic engagement and practical cooperation,” Ambassador Asim Ahmad said, noting that . It is an important beginning – not the completion of the task.

Pakistan, he said, hopes that Member States will continue, in the years ahead, to advance its implementation.

At a time when armed conflicts were growing across regions, he said, the costs of delayed diplomacy were becoming more evident.

“Every new crisis underscores a simple truth: there is no military substitute for a just and lasting peace. We must therefore place renewed emphasis on prevention, dialogue, mediation and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the Charter.”

“Let Resolution 2788 help strengthen a United Nations that does that more effectively, delivering peace and justice in the true spirit of the Charter.”

Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres unveiled concrete recommendations for peaceful dispute settlement, following Pakistan-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 2788 (2025).

In this regard, Guterres stressed leveraging Chapter VI mechanisms to counter widening geopolitical divides.

His actionable roadmap outlines practical steps for the United Nations, member states, and regional organizations to strengthen diplomacy. The core recommendations include:

Expanding Preventive Diplomacy: Urging member states to utilize Article 33 of the UN Charter early, favoring dialogue, mediation, and arbitration to prevent conflicts from escalating.

Enhancing Good Offices: Maximizing the Secretary-General’s good offices and mediation support teams to facilitate discreet and open conflict resolution.

Empowering Regional Cooperation: Calling for stronger collaboration between the UN and regional or sub-regional organizations for locally-owned de-escalation strategies.

“Today, conflicts are increasing in number, complexity, length and scope,” Guterres said, adding: “Impunity is spreading. Violations are going unanswered.”

Warning that “the situation is getting out of control,” he said: “It is teetering on the edge of the unimaginable.”

Urging the restoration of navigational rights and freedoms around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, he said: “International navigational rights and freedoms in and around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab must be fully restored.”

“Diplomacy is the only way forward,” Guterres added.

Turning to Gaza, Guterres said civilians continue to pay a heavy price despite a ceasefire, with people being killed in their homes and communities “as Israel increases its control of Gaza.”

“At the same time, living conditions remain intolerable, and horrific diseases are spreading, with humanitarian operations heavily impeded,” he said.

In the occupied West Bank, Guterres warned of “creeping annexation” amid violence, extensive Israeli military operations, occupiers’ expansion, and “large-scale displacement.”

“The region is being pulled into an ever-widening circle of confrontation,” he said.

Faisalabad: University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and Government College Women University Sialkot (GCWUS) entered into a strategic partnership by signing a five-year Letter of Intent (LoI) aimed at expanding academic research, institutional development, and women’s leadership in higher education.

UAF spokesman said here on Thursday that the document was formally signed by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali and GCWUS Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir, in the presence of UAF Director External Linkages Dr. Muhammad Tehseen Azhar and GCWUS Director External Linkages Dr. Muhammad Umer Farrukh.

Under the terms of this collaborative agreement, both public universities will focus on interdisciplinary research and academic development across key fields, including food security, climate change, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, public health, and women’s studies.

The institutional framework emphasizes faculty and student mobility, joint post-graduate supervision, collaborative publications, and the integration of agriculture-related courses into GCWUS’s curriculum.

The partnership also mandates close coordination between the respective Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORICs) to advance startup incubation, technology transfer, and joint funding applications through national and international bodies, the spokesman added.

Tank: Swift action by the Tank district administration helped avert a potential flood disaster in Kot Pathan after floodwater was diverted away from the populated area.

According to the administration, the Deputy Commissioner issued immediate instructions to Additional Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Irfan Khan after receiving an emergency report about the threat posed by rising floodwater to the village.

He directed officials to ensure the safety of residents and take all necessary measures to prevent any loss of life or property.

Acting promptly, Muhammad Irfan Khan reached the site with heavy machinery and supervised emergency operations to divert the floodwater toward a safer direction, preventing it from entering the residential area.

The timely intervention successfully eliminated the immediate threat and protected the settlement from possible damage.

Residents of Kot Pathan appreciated the district administration’s swift response and expressed gratitude to Deputy Commissioner Jamshed Khan, Additional Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Irfan Khan, and the emergency teams for their efforts in safeguarding the community.

The district administration said it remained on high alert throughout the ongoing monsoon season and was utilizing all available resources to ensure the safety of people and protect lives and property from flood-related emergencies.

Dera ismail khan: A one-day Basic Life Support (BLS) training course was organized here on Thursday at the auditorium of DHQ Teaching Hospital MTI, in collaboration with the District Emergency Office, Rescue 1122 Training Wing, to enhance the emergency response capacity of healthcare professionals.

The training was attended by doctors, paramedics and nursing staff, focusing on equipping them with essential life-saving skills required for managing medical emergencies effectively.

Incharge Training Wing Rescue 1122, Ahsan Baloch, along with Course Instructor Muhammad Ashraf, delivered lectures and conducted practical demonstrations on Basic Life Support (BLS) techniques. The participants were also trained in basic fire safety measures and firefighting principles.

Certificates were distributed among the participants upon successful completion of the training course.

From DHQ Teaching Hospital, Assistant Professor Dr. Aftab Hussain Marwat and Assistant Professor Dr. Muneer Ahmad Khan supervised the training under the guidance of Medical Director Dr. Khalid Mehmood.

Speaking on the occasion, hospital officials said the primary objective of the course was to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to respond promptly and effectively to life-threatening emergencies, thereby improving patient outcomes.

They reiterated that the hospital administration remained committed to strengthening the professional capacity of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff through regular training programmes to ensure the provision of timely, efficient and quality emergency healthcare services.

Rawalpindi: A local court on Thursday sentenced a murderer to life imprisonment for shooting a man dead over old enmity. A case was registered at Civil Lines Police Station in 2001.

The court also directed the convict, identified as Junaid, to pay Rs 500,000.0 in compensation to the legal heirs of the victim.

The convict was awarded life imprisonment following effective prosecution, meticulous investigation, and the submission of solid forensic and material evidence by Rawalpindi Police.

Commenting on the verdict, a Rawalpindi Police spokesperson stated that securing maximum punishment for criminals in serious offenses marks a victory for truth and justice. He reiterated that the police would continue to ensure thorough investigation and prosecution to bring criminals to justice.

Rajshahi: Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) has strengthened its diagnostic services with the installation of several advanced laboratory machines received free of cost, a development expected to reduce patients’ waiting time and improve the accuracy of medical tests.

Hospital authorities said the equipment, donated by three organizations-Health Care, ABC Corporation and Victor Trading-has already started enhancing pathology and cardiac laboratory services, enabling quicker diagnosis and timely treatment.

The newly installed equipment includes a state-of-the-art cell counter, hormone analyzer, urine analyzer, unstained cell counter, ESR analyzer and electrolyte analyzer.

RMCH spokesperson and Assistant Professor Dr Sheikh Shamim Ahmed said some of the machines have already been installed at the hospital’s outdoor pathology laboratory.

“The reports generated by these machines are highly reliable and more accurate than those produced by the previous equipment,” he said, citing feedback from the hospital’s pathology department.

Hospital sources said one of the major additions is the Maglumi X-3 analyser installed in the cardiac laboratory. Unlike the existing Point of Care Testing (POCT) analyser, which performs tests individually and requires more time, the new machine is based on chemiluminescence immunoassay technology, offering greater sensitivity and specificity.

The system is capable of performing around 200 tests an hour, significantly increasing laboratory capacity while lowering testing costs. The technology has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is already being used in many leading hospitals across the country, including Bangladesh Medical University and Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

The hospital has also replaced its three-parameter electrolyte analyser with a five-parameter system capable of measuring sodium, potassium, chloride, pH and bicarbonate. Physicians believe the additional testing capability will help improve the diagnosis and management of critically ill patients.

Besides, the newly installed ESR analyser follows the internationally recognized Westergren method, regarded as the global standard for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) testing, ensuring more dependable results.

Dr Shamim Ahmed said the upgraded equipment would improve the quality of diagnostic services by providing faster and more accurate reports while reducing waiting times for patients.

He said the older machines frequently developed mechanical faults, disrupting laboratory services and delaying treatment. “The new equipment will help ensure uninterrupted testing, although the existing machines will continue to operate alongside the new ones whenever necessary,” he added.

Sources at the hospital said Mizanur Rahman Mizan, president of Rajpara Thana BNP, facilitated the donation for the benefit of patients.

Healthcare professionals at the hospital believe the addition of the new diagnostic equipment will significantly strengthen laboratory services, particularly as RMCH serves thousands of patients every day from Rajshahi and surrounding districts.