Category: District

Peshawar: On the last day of the Peshawar Development Authority's Food and Cultural Family Festival at Central Park Regi Model Town here Sunday provided quality entertainment to the residents beside promoting critical social issues, including child protection.

The Directorate of Social Welfare (MDs) with the support of UNICEF, set up dedicated Child Protection Pavilion to highlight ongoing child protection interventions through Child Protection Units and Child Protection Vans.

The stalls theme , From harm to hope: A journey of Protection and healing children, aimed to raise awareness, sensitize the public, and generate dialogue about the challenges faced by vulnerable children, particularly those living on the streets.

Artwork by street children was also displayed alongside IEC materials on the importance of psychosocial support, community-based child protection case management, and other interventions.

Moreover, a dedicated space for families and children to experience and learn about the benefits of psychosocial support services was setup. Through this stall, the department aims to educate and advocate with public on preventing child protection violations and bringing these pressing issues to the forefront in a culturally engaging environment, to inspire public dialogue and action.

On the last day, a tree of dreams created by the children visiting the stalls, encourage to write the change they wish to see in the future world for them, the purpose of this activity was to give messages to the policy makers the responsibility of the changes these children's vision relies upon them. Children expressed the need for safer environment free of abuse, violence and exploitation and the need for quality education which will lead towards a brighter future.

Sohail Ahmad, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF during his visit to the child protection pavilion, in his remarks he mentioned that children are faced with numerous protection concerns in various spaces where they live, learn and play. The increasing engagement of children with on-line content also poses complex challenges to parents and caregivers to ensure their safety and protection. While there are many groups of children who are living in greater deprivations than others, children on the streets is particular example who demand an urgent attention and support mechanism.

He appreciated the efforts of Social Welfare Department to proactively seek various platforms and opportunities for amplifying advocacy on children's issues and emphasized that such interactions with children and caregivers through such cultural festivals certainly is an impactful way of socializing them with children's rights and promoting how to prevent violence against children. Connections between society and government for access to services like 1121 Child Protection Helpline and Child Protection Units at the district levels were also stressed.

The Directorate of Social Welfare extends heartfelt gratitude to UNICEF for support in advancing child protection.

A special thanks is also due to the Director General of PDA for providing a creative platform to engage families and communities in such a meaningful and impactful way.

Peshawar: A man lost his life in a shooting incident in the Palai Baz Darra area of Malakand.

Police informed on Sunday that the victim, identified as Gulab Zada, son of Razzaq Dar, sustained severe injuries during the attack.

Rescue teams promptly arrived at the scene and rushed the injured man to the hospital. However, doctors later confirmed his death.

Police have started investigating after registering a case.

Peshawar: Metrix Pakistan Youth Summit 6th Edition, powered by the Directorate of Youth Affairs, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, will be held from February 10 to 12, 2025, at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar.

According to a press release issued here on Sunday, the three-day event promises to be Pakistan's largest youth summit and expo, offering a transformative platform for innovation, learning, and collaboration.

The summit will host a diverse audience, including high-ranking government officials, students, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals.

With an anticipated attendance of over 10,000 participants, the event will also feature more than 100 exhibitors and over 50 national and international partners, representing various industries and sectors.

The event will feature various highlights, including the Pride of KP Awards, which recognize exceptional contributions to the province in fields such as education, technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Additionally, the Content Creator Awards, Journalist Award and E-commerce Awards will celebrate creativity, innovation, and business excellence in the digital space.

Interactive sessions and workshops on artificial intelligence, freelancing, and entrepreneurship will be led by top industry experts, while the technical exhibition will showcase groundbreaking advancements in technology.

These sessions will provide participants with a unique opportunity to engage with professionals, exchange ideas, and explore innovative solutions to local and global challenges.

Speaking to the media, Hassan Nisar, Founder and CEO of Metrix Pakistan, highlighted the importance of the event, stating, 'The Metrix Pakistan Youth Summit is more than just an event; it is a movement to inspire and empower the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Our vision is to create a platform that nurtures talent, fosters innovation, and prepares young people to excel in a rapidly evolving world.

Organizing this summit in Peshawar reflects our commitment to providing opportunities and enhancing the technical capabilities of our youth.'

The collaboration between Metrix Pakistan and the Directorate of Youth Affairs underscores their shared vision of sustainable development and youth empowerment.

The summit aims to create an environment where young people can engage with experts, develop skills, and contribute to shaping Pakistan's future.

The event will also showcase emerging technologies, including augmented reality and artificial intelligence, through live workshops conducted by leading tech professionals from across Pakistan.

This hands-on exposure will equip participants with practical skills and inspire them to innovate in their respective fields.

The 6th Edition of the Metrix Pakistan Youth Summit is set to become a milestone in fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth among the youth, helping them take their first steps toward creating a brighter future for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan as a whole.

Muzaffarabad: Protests rallies were held across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday to observe India's so-called Republic Day as a Black Day. Citizens participated in the rallies by waving black flags. In Muzaffarabad, the rally was led by Speaker Legislative Assembly Chaudhry Latif Akbar, chairman Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir Uzair Ahmed Ghazali, Minister Taqdees Gilani.

Addressing the rally, the speakers stated that Kashmiris around the world were holding protests on India's so-called Republic Day because of India's denial of their right to freedom. They said India was not a democracy but a terrorist state, oppressing unarmed Kashmiri civilians. The speakers further stated that for the past 77 years, India has been depriving the Kashmiri people of all their democratic, political, social, and religious rights through force and oppression while falsely portraying itself as a democratic country.

They highlighted that the Indian government has taken away all fundamental rights to freedom of expression from the Kashmiri people through draconian laws such as AFSPA, POTA, TADA, UAPA, and PSA. India is committing the worst atrocities in Kashmir under the guise of fake democracy. They added that India is issuing domiciles to its citizens to turn the Muslim majority in Kashmir into a minority. Indian imperialism, disguised as democracy, is seizing Kashmir's lands and demolishing citizens' properties.

The speakers also said that India is such a brutal country that it executed Maqbool Bhat and Afzal Guru for demanding freedom and martyred leaders such as Syed Ali Geelani, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, and Altaf Shah in jails for advocating public rights and self-determination.

They called upon the United Nations Security Council to play its constitutional role in resolving the Kashmir issue fairly. The speakers appealed to peace-loving countries and institutions around the world to take action against India's aggressive measures and expose its facade of fake democracy. They declared that India's fascism would never be accepted, and the Kashmiri people would continue their struggle against Indian oppression.

Participants of the Black Day rally marched from Burhan Wani Shaheed Chowk to the UN Observer Office, where they presented a resolution against India's war crimes. They burned an effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and tore apart the Indian flag in protest against the ongoing atrocities in Kashmir.

Multan: Once a mesmerizing beacon of hope in the darkness, fireflies, or 'Jugnu', are now a fading memory in the country.

These tiny lanterns, adored by children and celebrated in poetry, have been extinguished by the harsh realities of environmental degradation. Excessive pesticide use, deforestation, and light pollution have wiped out this enchanting creature from most parts of the country. Until the 1990s, fireflies thrived across villages, fields, and riverbanks. Their soft glow turned gloomy nights into magical spectacles, and their presence symbolized hope and resilience in Urdu poetry. Even great poets like Allama Iqbal immortalized the Jugnu as a metaphor for light amidst despair.

But today, the situation is bleak. Fireflies, once a common sight for curious children and a source of wonder for nature lovers, have almost disappeared from urban and rural landscapes. Dr. Ansar Naeem Ullah, an entomologist at MNS Agricultural University, Multan, explains that pesticides and artificial lighting had disrupted their habitats and life cycles. He further notes the fireflies' larvae, which are carnivorous and vital for their reproduction, are particularly vulnerable to chemical exposure. Dr Unsar Naeem Ullah said that a student was assigned research on fireflies. "There were 2,000 species of fireflies. However, we do not know which species were part of our environment. Globally, fireflies still flicker in places like North America, Europe, Australia and Brazil, where conservation efforts maintain their habitats," he added.

In Pakistan, however, only a few isolated pockets in the northern areas and some remote villages sporadically witness their glow. These delicate creatures undergo a fascinating life cycle known as metamorphosis. From egg to larva, pupa, and finally an adult, their lifespan spans just a few weeks. Male fireflies use their bioluminescent glow to attract mates, a trait absent in most females. This magical light results from a chemical process called bioluminescence, involving a protein that produces light without heat. Historically, fireflies held practical and aesthetic value. Tribes used them for medicinal purposes, while children captured them in jars to light up dark corners. For decades, parents affectionately called their kids 'Jugnu,' inspired by the bug's charm. Today's children, however, remain oblivious to this wonder, said another citizen Salman Amjid. Today's generation did not know about Jugnu, he stated. He also asked his kids whether have they seen Jugnu. However, the reply was a mix of confusion and disbelief.

Dg khan: In a significant breakthrough, Shah Sadar Din police solved a blind murder case and arrested two suspects including ab uncle of the victim.

The case revolved around the tragic recovery of a young boy's body from water near Pull Dot Wali.

Police arrested the suspects including the victim's uncle after tireless efforts.

DPO Syed Ali hailed the team for their exceptional performance and assured strict legal action against the accused. Protecting citizens and maintaining peace is our top priority,' he said.

The victim's family expressed gratitude to Dera Ghazi Khan police and DPO Syed Ali.