Category: District

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HMC provides medical care to over eight million patients in 2024

Peshawar: Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) here on Friday released an annual progress report claiming to have treated as many as 8,196,443 patients across various departments during the year 2024.

According to the annual statistics for 2024 released here by the media cell of HMC, outpatient department (OPD) services catered to 3,370,325 patients, while the Emergency Department attended to 4,275,094 cases. An additional 551,024 patients were treated under the Institutional-Based Practice (IBP).

Throughout the year, 632,152 patients were admitted, and 25,111 major and minor surgeries were successfully performed.

The Radiology Department served 170,921 patients, while the Pathology Department catered to 2,011,315 individuals. Moreover, the Blood Bank provided services to 135,855 patients, including those with thalassemia and other conditions.

The hospital made notable advancements in specialized care, providing thrombolysis treatment to 200 stroke patients.

Under the Cancer Department's program, free treatment worth Rs 18 to 44 million benefited 3,970 underprivileged patients.

Similarly, the Cardiology Department conducted 336 successful heart surgeries and introduced a telehealth and e-health platform for cardiac care.

The Ophthalmology Department, in collaboration with the Murad Eye Bank and partner associations, performed successful corneal surgeries for 105 patients.

Additionally, 48,800 patients benefited from the Sehat Sahulat Program at HMC this year.

In diabetes care, HMC's Sugar-Free Insulin Program established 26 new insulin banks across 22 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the supervision of 288 trained doctors, offering free treatment to registered patients.

The spokesperson of HMC said that the future plans of the hospital administration included the completion of an Orthopedic and Spine Unit and enhanced staffing, with the deployment of Senior Registrars, Trainee Registrars, Trainee Pharmacists, and House Officers to ensure better medical access and services.

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Joint body to be formed to address traders’ grievances regarding property tax


Peshawar: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Department of Excise and Taxation and Narcotics Control, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa decided to form a joint committee to address traders’ grievances about property tax and other issues.



The decision came during an awareness/consultative session on property tax jointly organized by SCCI and Department of E and T Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the chamber house.



The proposed committee will present apprehensions of traders regarding collection of property taxes of various slabs and would suggest reducing them in an appropriate manner with a mutual consensus.



Officials through a multimedia presentation briefed participants about imposition of various categories and slab property tax, KP Finance Act 2024, different relief measures for business community and residents through amendments in the Act.



Both sides have agreed to initiate collective steps to avoid collection of excessive and double property tax and announced to form a joint committee, consisting of representatives from SCCI and E and T deptt for this purpose.



Earlier, Fazal Moqeem in his introductory remarks said the business community wanted to pay taxes but irrational and unnecessary taxes were unacceptable.



He stressed the need to reduce the ratio of property tax and other levies and avoid disrespecting traders during actions for collection of taxes.



Fuad Ishaq and Shuakat Ali Khan also spoke on the occasion, highlighting the traders’ reservations, increase in the ratio of property tax and demanded the abolishment of unnecessary and unjust taxes.



Traders also presented comprehensive proposals for amiable resolution of the traders’ issues.



Officials from E and T department agreed with recommendations of the participants and assured to remove all grievances of the traders and provision of facilities under one-window operation.



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AFI welcomes renewal of Pak-Bangladesh ties

Rawalpindi: Anjuman Faiz-ul-Islam (AFI), Rawalpindi has welcomed the re-establishment of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

In a statement by the President of AFI Professor Dr Riaz Ahmed said that the renewal of relationships between the two nations has revived the importance of a unified Muslim nation. He also highlighted the significance of Bangladesh to Anjuman Faiz-ul-Islam, dating back to 1943 when a famine struck Bengal, resulting in thousands of deaths and orphaned children.

"Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah arranged for 30 Bengali children to be taken care of by Anjuman Faiz-ul-Islam in Rawalpindi, fostering a special bond between the two regions", he said.

Dr Riaz Ahmed welcomed the renewed ties and expressed his hope for a lasting relationship between the two nations, praying for its stability and continuity. The members of AFI too, shared their sentiments, offering prayers for the well-being of both countries, says the statement.

Posted on

Joint body to be formed to address traders’ grievances regarding property tax


Peshawar: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Department of Excise and Taxation and Narcotics Control, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa decided to form a joint committee to address traders’ grievances about property tax and other issues.



The decision came during an awareness/consultative session on property tax jointly organized by SCCI and Department of E and T Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the chamber house.



The proposed committee will present apprehensions of traders regarding collection of property taxes of various slabs and would suggest reducing them in an appropriate manner with a mutual consensus.



Officials through a multimedia presentation briefed participants about imposition of various categories and slab property tax, KP Finance Act 2024, different relief measures for business community and residents through amendments in the Act.



Both sides have agreed to initiate collective steps to avoid collection of excessive and double property tax and announced to form a joint committee, consisting of representatives from SCCI and E and T deptt for this purpose.



Earlier, Fazal Moqeem in his introductory remarks said the business community wanted to pay taxes but irrational and unnecessary taxes were unacceptable.



He stressed the need to reduce the ratio of property tax and other levies and avoid disrespecting traders during actions for collection of taxes.



Fuad Ishaq and Shuakat Ali Khan also spoke on the occasion, highlighting the traders’ reservations, increase in the ratio of property tax and demanded the abolishment of unnecessary and unjust taxes.



Traders also presented comprehensive proposals for amiable resolution of the traders’ issues.



Officials from E and T department agreed with recommendations of the participants and assured to remove all grievances of the traders and provision of facilities under one-window operation.



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FIA Abbottabad targets human trafficking network smuggling citizens to Europe via sea

Abbottabad: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Composite Circle Abbottabad on Friday has carried out a significant operation against human trafficking under the directives of Director General FIA, Ahmed Ishaq Jahangir.

The crackdown, part of an intensified campaign against individuals involved in smuggling citizens to Europe via illegal means, is yielding substantial results.

Acting on confidential intelligence, FIA officials arrested an Afghan land-route agent identified as Afser Khan. The suspect, a resident of Afghanistan, is reportedly the brother of human trafficker Qari Jan Muhammad and is accused of being deeply involved in trafficking citizens to Europe through sea routes originating from Libya.

The arrest was made in Haripur, where the suspect was apprehended during an intelligence-based operation. Evidence retrieved from the suspect's mobile phone revealed critical details, including communications with victims and other agents involved in the trafficking network.

Following the arrest, investigations have commenced, and further raids are underway to apprehend additional suspects linked to this illegal network.

Commenting on the operation, the Director of Peshawar Zone stated that intelligence-based crackdowns against elements involved in incidents like the Greece boat tragedy are ongoing. He emphasized that special raid teams have been formed and all available resources are being utilized to bring the culprits to justice.

The Director further asserted that no one would be allowed to endanger innocent lives, promising that the suspects would face exemplary punishments based on the evidence gathered. The FIA's continued efforts aim to dismantle such networks and ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals targeted by human traffickers.

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1,231 applications of employees’ welfare approved

Khanewal: The District Welfare Fund Committee, chaired by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Salma Suleman, approved 1,231 applications for various grants, benefitting government employees and their families.

The committee approved grants including monthly financial assistance, funeral expenses, marriage assistance and scholarships worth Rs 48.48 million.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Salma Suleman lauded the initiative and directed that all legal requirements be met before disbursing the funds. The meeting was attended by senior officials from education, health, and other departments, ensuring a transparent review of applications.