Category: District

Peshawar: Advisor to the Health Department, Ehtesham Ali on Thursday inspected and tested Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's first air ambulance.

According to Ehtesham Ali, the KP government was repurposing its MI-17 helicopter into a fully equipped air ambulance to provide emergency medical services.

He emphasized that, under the special directives of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the provincial government's helicopter was being utilized for public welfare.

"This is the first time this helicopter is being used for humanitarian purposes," said the health advisor.

He further highlighted that during the recent crisis in Kurram, the chief minister made the government helicopter available for public service.

The air ambulance has been instrumental in delivering medicines and transporting critically ill patients to safer locations, he said adding, "This helicopter service has already saved thousands of lives."

He also mentioned that necessary modifications and state-of-the-art medical equipment are being installed in the helicopter to meet international standards.

This will be Pakistan's first high-tech air ambulance of its kind, he added.

He further said that unlike rented air ambulances, the KP government is utilizing its own helicopter to serve the people.

Peshawar: The population explosion coupled with escalating property prices and rising inflation, has worsened the housing problems for low-income people and Govt employees in the urban areas of Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

The situation has reached a critical point in KP where around 2.5 million additional housing units are needed to meet the growing demand of the poor and underprivileged, experts say.

As Pakistan's population hits a new high of 250 million, the gap between available housing and demand has widened dramatically, particularly in KP, where 2.5 million homes are urgently needed for homeless.

The growing challenges are most acutely felt by salaried class and marginalized groups, who are struggling to secure affordable housing units for families amidst skyrocketing land prices and limited economic opportunities, forcing them to pay hard earned money as rent for years.

Local residents are expressing growing frustration over the lack of affordable housing options in Peshawar. Every year, I see my house rent increase while my salary remains the same,' says , Waris Khattak, an employee of a Govt department in Peshawar.

"It seems impossible to save money for own house due high inflation and land cost at Peshawar. Many like me are forced to endure overcrowded living conditions or are compelled to live far from their workplaces in search of affordable housing."

"Affordable housing is a fundamental right for all citizens of Pakistan," argued Professor Dr Zilakat Malik, former Chairman of the Economics Department at the University of Pakistan.

He explained that rapid population growth, rural-to-urban migration, and soaring land prices have created a dire housing backlog in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's major cities.

While some governments have tried providing affordable housing on urban peripheries to relieve overcrowding in city centers, he said this has often led to additional social and economic issues besides traffic jam and pollution.

'Relocating people to the outskirts has resulted in them being isolated from essential services, job opportunities, education institutions, hosptals and social networks,' he added.

He said this issue has been exacerbated by political instability, frequent changes in government, and an unchecked rise in property prices, particularly in KP, where affordable housing remains largely out of reach for the salaried class and the poor despite tall slogans of PTI.

The rapid urbanization of agricultural land in areas such as Peshawar, Mardan, Abbottabad, and Swat has turned fertile land into unplanned towns, further contributing to the housing shortfall and low agriculture production.

Dr. Zilakat said projects that to meet the growing demand of 600,000 new homes per year in KP alone, at least 1.1 million new units will be needed annually over the next 14 years to clear the current housing backlog of 10 million.

In Peshawar, where the population has already surpassed 1.97 million, the housing problem is projected to worsen, with the city's population expected to reach 2.8 million by 2030. This will likely consume even more agricultural land, further exacerbating the food security situation.

The high cost of land has made housing unaffordable for many. The price of a five marla house in Peshawar has soared to Rs 20 million, while rents have surged to Rs 40,000-far beyond the reach of low-income workers.

Ikhtair Wali, spokesperson for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), claimed that the PTI-led government failed to deliver on its promises of constructing 5 million houses, worsening the housing situation in the province. 'Rather than addressing public issues, taxpayers' money was wasted on unnecessary gatherings,' he claimed.

In response to the growing demand for affordable housing, the Provincial Housing Authority (PHA) initiated a survey under the Naya Pakistan Housing Program, identifying a shortfall of 750,000 houses in KP.

According to PHA spokesman, the survey revealed that significant land, around 262,500 kanal, is required to build these houses. Peshawar alone needs 104,897 homes, with other districts such as Mardan and Swat requiring over 60,000 units each.

Several housing projects are being developed across KP, such as the Hangu Township on 8,400 kanal and the Jalozai Phase III project in Nowshera. Other initiatives include the construction of 900 residential flats in Peshawar, and a 20-story high-rise building in Nishtarabad with 300 low-cost flats for underprivileged families.

Additionally, large-scale housing projects in Swat, Mardan, and other areas are aiming to provide affordable homes for thousands of families. The PHA and the KP government are also collaborating on the Surizai project in Peshawar, which will build 8,000 low-cost housing units in the first phase. While these projects offer hope, they are only a drop in the ocean when compared to the overall demand.

Dr Zilakat stressed that the KP government must adopt more sustainable, long-term strategies to bridge the housing gap, including better land utilization, improved financial support for low-income buyers, and more coordinated urban planning.

As housing prices continue to soar, and thousands of poor families remain without adequate shelter in KP, it remains to be seen whether the government can make affordable housing a reality for them who need it most in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in near future.

Peshawar: The District Education Officer (DEO) Peshawar on Thursday imposed fines on absent teachers and staff.

The District Education Officer conducted visits to various schools, penalizing teachers and staff found absent from duty.

During the visit, the DEO found two teachers from a government school marked as present through falsified entries in the attendance register. Orders were issued for salary deductions from both the teachers.

The DEO also reported that a security guard from another government school was found absent, leading to the deduction of his one day's salary.

Additionally, two head teachers were transferred due to negligence in duty and poor hygiene conditions in the schools.

During inspections, the DEO found both teachers and security staff absent in two schools, with students wandering outside instead of attending classes.

These actions are part of a new initiative to ensure discipline and accountability among school staff in Peshawar.

Hyderabad: The Sindh Pink Games 2025 had begun in Matiari with a grand opening. Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Yousif Shaikh formally inaugurated the competitions at Jhule lal government degree college, Odero Lal. On this occasion, Director of Physical Education Apa Sarwat and Professor Noor Muhammad Sahito attended as special guests, while Sports Officer Matiari Jaleel Ahmed Halepoto led the ceremony.

According to a handout issued by the district information office, on the first day, exciting cricket and badminton matches took place. In the final of cricket, the teams of Jhule Lal Government Degree College, Odero Lal and Sardar Muhammad Ali Shah Jamot Government Girls Degree College Matiari, faced each other. Jhule lal College batted first, scoring 87 runs in 6 overs and setting a target of 88 runs. Sardar Muhammad Ali Shah Jamot College's team could only 44 runs for the loss of 5 wickets, leading Jhule lal College to a victory by 43 runs.

In the badminton final, Muhammad Ali Shah Jamot Government Girls Degree College delivered an outstanding performance, defeating Jhule lal College to claim the title.

Deputy Commissioner Matiari Muhammad Yousif Shaikh stated that the Sindh Pink Games were a positive step for women, offering them opportunities to grow and refine their skills. He emphasized that sports were not only essential for physical and mental health but also boost self-confidence among women. He assured that such events will continue in Matiari to provide more opportunities for female athletes.

Several players expressed their joy, stating that such activities give girls the chance to advance, and they urged the government to continue organizing similar events in the future to further support the growth of female athletes.

Rawalpindi: The Saddar Baroni Police on Wednesday arrested an accused who had tried to kidnap a 5-year-old twin siblings.

According to a Rawalpindi Police spokesman, the accused attempted to kidnap the children but had to flee as the later shouted for help.

On receiving information about the incident, the Saddar Baroni Police took immediate action and arrested the accused, who was identified as Irfan Hameed.

Faisalabad: Agricultural experts have called for promoting oilseed crop cultivation to reduce Pakistan's $4 billion edible oil import bill, which constitutes nearly half of its total agricultural imports.

Speaking at a Hands-on Training on 'Emasculation, Pollination, and Oil Extraction Methods in Brassica napus,' organized by the Oilseeds Research Laboratory at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), UAF Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar Khan expressed concern over the country's reliance on agricultural imports despite being an agrarian nation. He noted that progressive farmers achieve double the yield of traditional ones, emphasizing the need to raise awareness and adopt modern farming technologies.

Dr. Muhammad Kashif from the PBG Department highlighted the economic and health benefits of Brassica, a leading oilseed crop rich in essential nutrients. He stressed the university's commitment to supporting research that ensures food security and economic sustainability.

Dr. Humera Razzaq, in charge of the Oilseeds Research Laboratory, stated that quality Brassica seeds can yield over 36 mounds of productivity, producing 18 kg of oil from just 40 kg of seed. She encouraged farmers to adopt oilseed crops for self-sufficiency and economic improvement.

Dr. Sundas Shahzad from Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) discussed the differences between rapeseed and mustard, while Dr. Ahmad Abdelghany from Egypt emphasized the health benefits of Brassica oil.

Director of Research Dr. Imran Arshad reiterated the importance of modern agricultural practices for food security and the university's role in advancing research and knowledge in sustainable farming. Dr. Imran Haider Shamsi from China also spoke on advanced technologies in Brassica cultivation.