Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: A growing concern is sweeping the nation as children increasingly fall prey to the allure of junk food, seriously compromising their health and wellbeing.

The proliferation of fast food chains, convenience stores and advertisements targeting young minds has led to a surge in childhood obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related disorders.

To combat the junk food epidemic, health experts are advocating for stricter regulations on food advertising, improved nutrition labeling, and increased access to healthy food options in schools and communities.

According to the health expert, nearly 30% of children between the ages of 5-18 are overweight or obese, with junk food consumption cited as a primary contributor.

A pediatrician, Waseem Malik said the alarming rise in childhood obesity is a ticking time bomb for healthcare system adding that Junk food is a major culprit, as it is high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats, but low in essential nutrients. Junk food can lead to a range of health problems, from obesity and diabetes to heart disease and certain types of cancer and children who consumed junk food regularly were more likely to develop insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. He urged parents to take control of their child's diet by offering kids a variety of healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

As the junk food industry continues to aggressively market its wares to vulnerable young minds, parents, policymakers, and healthcare professionals must join forces to combat this growing crisis and ensure a healthier future for our nation's children,he stated.

Samreen,a mother of two said "We need to take responsibility for our children's dietary choices and It's our job to ensure they develop healthy eating habits from a young age."

She emphasized that it's no secret that junk food has disastrous effects on children's wellbeing, triggering a host of chronic health problems so as parents, it's our sacred responsibility to safeguard our children's health by instilling good eating habits from a young age.

Islamabad: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations, Islamabad Capital Police, Muhammad Shoaib Khan announced the arrest of 12 suspects from four active car theft gangs during a press conference at the Police Lines Headquarters.

An official told reporter on Sunday that the Anti-Vehicle Lifting Unit (AVLU) carried out effective operations, leading to the arrest of the accused identified as Muhammad Junaid, Noman, Abdul Rehman, Hamza Iqbal, Babar Khan, Arsalan, Muhammad Jibran, Muhammad Luqman, Muhammad Fayyaz, Shafqat Ali, Arsalan Anwar, and Noman Gulzar. He said that police teams also recovered 20 stolen vehicles of various models from their possession.

Speaking at a press conference, SSP Shoaib said that modern technology was utilized to track down the suspects, including reviewing previous records, setting up surprise checkpoints, and conducting decoy operations. He added that the accused were involved in car thefts by breaking windows, using master keys, and specifically targeting down-model vehicles such as Corolla, Mehran, Khyber, Bolan, and Cultus.

SSP Shoaib further stated that the arrested suspects would be charged based on solid evidence to ensure their conviction. Islamabad Police remains committed to curbing car theft, and any criminal activities will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

On this occasion, SSP Shoaib handed over the keys of the recovered vehicles to their rightful owners. The vehicle owners expressed their gratitude to Islamabad Police for their efforts in recovering their stolen property.

Islamabad: The two-day Islamabad Women Gala concluded on Sunday at Lok Virsa, bringing together over 120 women entrepreneurs from across Pakistan. Organized by Let's Grow Together, the two-day event provided a platform for home-based businesswomen to showcase their products, connect with customers, and gain much-needed visibility in the market.

The gala featured a diverse range of locally made products, including handmade jewelry, textiles, organic skincare, artisanal foods, and home decor. Beyond a business exhibition, it served as a space for learning, networking, and community engagement, reinforcing the importance of supporting women-led businesses for sustainable economic growth.

The event's slogan, 'Buy from Your Own', aimed to encourage consumers to support local entrepreneurs rather than relying on imported goods.

Visitors were keen to explore and purchase high-quality Pakistani products, while also engaging with the stories behind these businesses.

Sadia Malik, a visitor, sharing her experience said, "It's refreshing to see so many women entrepreneurs being recognized. I bought some beautiful handmade jewelry and skincare products, and it feels great to support these hardworking women."

The gala also offered a family-friendly environment, featuring a Food Arena with traditional and fusion cuisines, as well as interactive workshops and entertainment for children, she said.

Talking to reporter, Ambreen Haider, Founder of Let's Grow Together, emphasized the need for consistent business opportunities for women entrepreneurs and said, "These women are managing their businesses alongside household responsibilities, yet they lack proper platforms to grow. While events like this provide temporary exposure, they need a permanent space where they can sell their products regularly."

She stressed that home-based entrepreneurs are contributing to both their families and the national economy, but without long-term support, their businesses struggle to sustain themselves.

On the topic of expanding globally, Haider pointed out that many of these businesses have the potential to succeed in international markets, but lack the training and digital access to do so.

"Right now, international trade is a challenge because even local market visibility is limited to a few events a year. If these women were trained to sell on platforms like Amazon, they could reach a much larger customer base," she explained.

She urged the government and policymakers to ease business regulations, provide digital trade support, and create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

As the Islamabad Women Gala concluded, it left behind a strong message: women entrepreneurs are ready to grow, but they need sustained support to succeed.

The event was a step in the right direction, but the real impact will come when these businesses get continuous opportunities to thrive beyond temporary exhibitions.

Islamabad: Islamabad Capital Police arrested 17 outlaws involved in various criminal activities, including drug peddling and possession of illegal weapons, and recovered narcotics and arms from their possession on Sunday.

A public relations officer told reporter that the Aabpara, Sabzi Mandi, Khanna, Kirpa, Margalla, Koral, and Bhara Kahu police teams took legal action against the accused.

He said that police arrested seven suspects-Luqman Khan, Nazir, Amjid, Zahoor, Ali Iqbal, Azhar, and Munir-and recovered 1,270 grams of heroin, 335 grams of ice, one gun, one rifle, and one pistol from their possession.

Moreover, he said, seven absconders were also arrested from various areas of the city during the last 24 hours.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Muhammad Shoaib Khan said that the Islamabad Police is actively working to ensure the safety of citizens' lives and property in the federal capital, emphasizing that no elements will be allowed to disrupt public peace.

SSP Shoaib said protecting the lives, property, and dignity of citizens is the top priority of the Islamabad Police.

Islamabad: : Fatima, a mother from Rawalpindi's Dhok Hassu, watches helplessly as her six-year-old son struggles to breathe, his chest heaving with each cough. Every morning, thick smoke from burning waste invades their home, worsening his chronic asthma.

"I wake up to this haze every day," she says, her voice filled with helplessness. "My son's condition worsens with every breath," she shared with reporter, deeply concerned.

For Fatima and countless others in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the daily struggle is a fight for clean air and health. These cities, grappling with open waste burning, leave residents to bear the brunt of a persistent problem.

Fatima's experience is common. In many low-income areas, poor waste management forces residents to burn trash to clear space or reduce pests.

Ahmed, a shopkeeper in Rawalpindi, has his own explanation and justification for the open waste burning, saying, "When garbage collectors don't come for weeks, what else can we do?" .

Burning plastics, food scraps, and other waste materials releases a toxic mix of chemicals that harms both the environment and public health.

The pollutants from open burning are hazardous. Dr. Ejaz Ahmed, an environmentalist, warns that chemicals like dioxins, heavy metals, and fine particulate matter settle into our lungs, bloodstream, and even the food we consume. "The effects are devastating," he says.

Pulmonologist Dr. Saira talking to reporter highlighted the health crisis, particularly among children and the elderly. "Chronic exposure to polluted air is causing long-term lung damage and even lung cancer," she says. Children, like Fatima's son, are especially vulnerable, and many miss school due to illnesses. Parents struggle with expensive, ongoing treatments.

"The damage extends beyond human health. Green spaces in the twin cities are scarred by ash and toxic residues. Waste burning poisons the soil and water.Harmful chemicals are carried by rain into streams and underground water, disrupting ecosystems,"

explained Dr. Ejaz Ahmed, a well known environmantalist, in response to reporter queries.

Local wildlife also suffers, with birds and pollinators like bees disappearing from urban parks, contributing to the loss of biodiversity.

Amid this crisis, informal waste pickers play a crucial role. Gul Rahim, a waste picker in Islamabad, describes his dangerous work: "We do the work that no one else wants to do, yet we get no protection." These workers, often from marginalized communities, sift through waste to recover recyclables without protective gear, putting their health at risk.

Open waste burning highlights weak policies and enforcement. Dr. Zeighum Abbas, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, urges a holistic approach: "We need better waste segregation, collection, and recycling. Local governments must enforce penalties for burning, but also provide alternatives for disposal."

Introducing controlled waste bins, more frequent garbage collection, and recycling incentives could help reduce burning, but these measures require strong enforcement and public cooperation.

Experts suggest several strategies to combat open waste burning, including encouraging waste segregation in households to separate recyclables, organic waste, and refuse; converting organic waste into nutrient-rich compost; setting up collection points and private recycling companies to alleviate landfill pressure; launching awareness campaigns and clean-up drives to shift public behavior; and enforcing stricter bans on open burning while ensuring waste management systems are functional.

Cities like Stockholm, Kigali, and Bengaluru have successfully reduced open waste burning by implementing robust policies. Islamabad and Rawalpindi have the potential to do the same with public support.

The air in Islamabad and Rawalpindi is thick with smoke, a daily reminder of the harm being done to the environment and public health. Families like Fatima's are forced to live with polluted air and the threat of respiratory illness.

But it doesn't have to be this way. The twin cities, once known for their greenery and fresh air, can reclaim their lost beauty. The choice is clear: continue suffering under pollution, or implement sustainable waste management practices for a cleaner, healthier future.

The time for action is now. Authorities, communities, and individuals must unite to demand cleaner air, safer waste disposal, and a better quality of life. Every fire lit today leaves behind a legacy of harm, one that future generations cannot afford to inherit.

Beijing: Two Pakistani students at Gannan Medical University in China, Yousaf Khan and Muhammad Rafeeullah Jawaad, have been lauded for their courageous and benevolent action in saving the life of an elderly man who suffered a sudden medical emergency at a Shanghai railway station.

The incident occurred in the early hours of February 7 at Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station. Yousaf and Jawaad, during their trip to Shanghai, noticed an elderly man lying unconscious on the ground. Recognizing the urgency, they immediately rushed to his aid. Upon assessing the man, they found him unresponsive, with no breathing, a faint pulse, and cyanotic lips - clear indicators of a life-threatening condition.

Without hesitation, Yousaf began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while Jawaad assisted by monitoring the man's condition. After four rounds of CPR, the elderly man gradually regained consciousness and began breathing again. The two students remained by his side, ensuring his stability until an ambulance arrived to transport him to the hospital for further medical care.

Their swift and professional response earned them widespread admiration from onlookers, police officers, and medical personnel at the scene. Many praised their courage, composure, and medical expertise, which proved critical in saving the man's life, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Sunday.

Hailed from the KPK Province of Pakistan, Yousaf and Jawaad are pursuing their bachelor's degrees in clinical medicine at Gannan Medical University in southern China.

"The university's focus on ethics and morality has always motivated us to do good deeds. Our medical studies here have equipped us with the knowledge and skills to provide first aid and save lives in critical situations," Jawaad said.

Yousaf, who performed CPR for the first time during the incident, expressed immense pride and joy at being able to save a life. "Saving lives is the sacred duty of every doctor and medical student, and I would do it again without hesitation in any similar situation," he said.