Category: District

Abbottabad: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Syed Fakhar Jahan on Tuesday announced a province-wide crackdown on drug dealers and smugglers, directing the excise department and police to conduct joint operations to curb narcotics trafficking.

Addressing an open public forum in Abbottabad, he said dedicated squads from both departments would carry out raids and warned that those involved in the drug trade would not be spared.

The minister said Abbottabad had been included in the Safe City Project and work on the initiative would begin soon. Responding to public complaints, he assured citizens that visible improvements would be seen within a month and said he would write to the Registrar of the High Court over concerns regarding the early release of arrested drug traffickers.

He also warned that any Excise official found involved in corruption or illegal activities would be dismissed from service and prosecuted.

The open public forum was attended by Secretary Excise Khalid Ilyas, Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad Sarmad Saleem Akram, DPO Haroon-ur-Rashid, Director General Excise Abdul Haleem Khan, members of the business community, real estate representatives, local leaders and citizens, who called for stricter action against drug dealers and the early implementation of the Safe City Project in Abbottabad.

Faisalabad: Vice President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) Engr. Asim Munir has appreciated the Government of Pakistan for its visionary efforts to promote Artificial Intelligence (AI) through strategic collaboration with the People’s Republic of China, describing it as a transformative step towards building a knowledge-based and technology-driven economy.

In a statement here on Tuesday, he said that Pakistan-China cooperation in artificial intelligence will accelerate technological innovation, strengthen research and development, facilitate technology transfer, and create new opportunities for businesses, startups, academia, and the country’s youth.

He noted that AI has the potential to revolutionize key sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, education, logistics, and public service delivery, thereby enhancing Pakistan’s global competitiveness.

Engr. Asim Munir particularly appreciated Mr. Ali Mustafa Dar, Adviser to the Chief Minister Punjab on Artificial Intelligence and Special Initiatives, for his dynamic leadership and unwavering commitment to establishing a robust AI ecosystem in Punjab.

He remarked that Ali Mustafa Dar has played a pivotal role in promoting artificial intelligence as a strategic priority for the province by encouraging innovation, supporting AI-driven governance, fostering collaboration between industry and academia, and creating opportunities for the next generation of technology professionals.

He said that such visionary leadership will help position Punjab as a leading hub for digital transformation and emerging technologies in Pakistan.

He further acknowledged the Government of Punjab’s growing emphasis on digital innovation, skill development, and AI-enabled governance, expressing confidence that these initiatives will attract investment, generate high-value employment opportunities, and strengthen the province’s economic future.

Engr. Asim Munir emphasized that the business community stands ready to support public-private partnerships that accelerate AI adoption across industries.

He stressed that close collaboration between government institutions, academia, the private sector, and international partners will be essential for developing indigenous AI solutions and preparing Pakistan’s workforce for the future digital economy.

Engr. Asim Munir also reaffirmed FCCI’s commitment to supporting every initiative aimed at technological advancement, innovation, and digital transformation.

He expressed hope that the continued partnership between Pakistan and China, coupled with the proactive leadership of Punjab’s AI initiatives, will pave the way for sustainable economic growth, industrial modernization, and a globally competitive Pakistan.

Burewala: The death toll from the gas cylinder leakage fire at a sweet shop factory in Burewala has risen to two after two critically injured workers succumbed to burn injuries at Nishtar Hospital, Multan.

The fire broke out a few days ago when a leaking gas cylinder triggered a massive blaze, leaving at least 13 workers with severe burns. Ten critically injured victims were shifted to Nishtar Hospital, while the remaining injured were treated at local health facilities.

The deceased were identified as Habib-ur-Rehman and Ali Hassan. Four other victims remain in critical condition and are receiving treatment.

Rawalpindi: Doctors at Al-Shifa Trust (AST) Eye Hospital have successfully performed a rare life-saving operation on a three-day-old newborn suffering from an aggressive congenital eye tumor, in what hospital officials described as the first documented case in Pakistan involving the successful treatment of a 285-gram congenital eye tumor in an infant of that age.

The infant, from a village in Jhelum district, was brought to the hospital shortly after birth with a rapidly growing tumor affecting one eye. Following an emergency assessment, specialists determined that immediate surgery was the only option to prevent life-threatening complications.

The procedure was performed by a team comprising Dr Tayyab Afghani, Dr Faizan Tahir, Dr Ali Raza Syed and Dr Aiman, assisted by anesthetists, nurses and other clinical staff.

Owing to the advanced stage of the disease, surgeons removed the affected eye to completely excise the tumor and save the infant’s life.

According to the treating team, a normal newborn eyeball weighs about three grams, whereas the tumor removed from the infant weighed 285 grams-approximately 95 times the normal weight of a newborn eyeball.

Consultant ophthalmologist Dr Tayyab Afghani said the operation had been successful and the infant was recovering well under close medical supervision. He said the baby’s condition had stabilized and the medical team was satisfied with the post-operative progress.

Dr Afghani said congenital eye tumors in newborns were rare but could progress rapidly if not diagnosed and treated without delay. Early referral to a specialized eye care facility, he added, could significantly improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of serious complications.

He appreciated the parents for seeking immediate medical attention, saying their timely decision enabled doctors to intervene before the disease advanced further.

He advised parents to seek prompt medical evaluation if a newborn developed an unusually enlarged eye, persistent swelling, an abnormal appearance of the eye or any other unusual changes, as early diagnosis could be critical.

Dr Afghani said the child would remain under regular follow-up to monitor recovery. Once healing is complete, the hospital plans to fit the infant with a custom-made artificial eye to support normal facial growth, improve appearance and aid healthy development.

The hospital said the case highlighted the importance of specialized pediatric eye care and timely intervention in managing rare congenital eye conditions, particularly during the first few days of life, when prompt treatment can be lifesaving.

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad police have arrested a woman for allegedly attempting to kill her own newborn baby and registered a case against her, police said on Tuesday.

According to the district police spokesperson, Naseem Nagar police received information through Madadgar 15 that a woman had injured her newborn with the intention of killing the child.

Upon receiving the report, In-charge Naseem Nagar Check Post, Inspector Benazir Jamali along with her team, rushed to the hospital where they questioned another young woman accompanying the suspect. She told police that she and Yusra, daughter of Ghulam Ali, were residing in a room at a girls’ hostel in the Naseem Nagar area.

She told police that Yusra had given birth to a baby at the hostel a day earlier. According to her, the woman first tried to strangle the newborn and then attacked the infant with a knife in an attempt to kill the child.

Police said a medical letter had been issued to the hospital to ensure treatment for both the injured newborn and the accused woman. Following the initial investigation, Naseem Nagar police arrested the accused and registered a case (Crime No. 364/2026) under section 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Police said further investigation was underway and legal proceedings were being carried out to ascertain all aspects of the incident.

Sialkot: A nine-member delegation of the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sialkot (WCCIS), led by President Dr Mariam Siddiqa, visited Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) and met with Chairman Abdul Ghafoor Malik.

During the meeting, the delegation congratulated Abdul Ghafoor Malik on assuming his new responsibilities as Chairman of SIAL and conveyed their best wishes for a successful and productive tenure.

The WCCIS delegation expressed confidence in his leadership and hoped that SIAL would continue to strengthen its role in facilitating trade, exports, and business activities, benefiting the industrial and entrepreneurial community of Sialkot.

Senior Vice President WCCIS Gulzaib Waqas Awan and Vice President (VP) WCCIS Rubina Naveed were also present on this occasion.