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Aurangzeb Khichi offers Iranian Book Corner at NLP

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP):Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi has offered Iran the establishment of an Iranian Book Corner at the National Library of Pakistan (NLP), similar to those set up for other countries, to further strengthen cultural ties between the two nations.
The offer was made during a meeting with an Iranian delegation in Islamabad. The minister also invited the delegation to visit the Islamabad National Museum and proposed the establishment of an Iranian Book Corner there as well.
Aurangzeb Khichi offers Iranian Book Corner at NLP
The Iranian delegation was led by the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, Dr. Reza Amiri-Moghaddam, and was in Islamabad to attend an Iqbal Day conference organized by the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD), an attached department of the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture.
Speaking to the delegation, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said that his recent visit to Iran was highly successful and would pave the way for expanding cultural exchanges between the two countries. He said such initiatives would further strengthen people-to-people contacts and mutual understanding.
The Iranian delegation welcomed the proposal for the Iranian Book Corner and assured the minister that work on the project would begin immediately.
The federal minister also directed the Director General of NLPD to take concrete steps to promote Pakistan’s culture at Islamabad International Airport.
He instructed that culture-themed images, paintings, and books be displayed, and a Book Corner be established at the airport to help project a positive image of Pakistan through its rich cultural heritage.
On the occasion, the minister appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture, stating that nearly 800 valuable artifacts had been repatriated to Pakistan from various countries.
He noted that 270 artifacts were retrieved from Pakistan’s Embassy in Rome, a process that had remained pending for several years due to required permissions.
With the cooperation of the Italian government and the Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan, the longstanding issue was successfully resolved.
Aurangzeb Khan Khichi further announced that an exhibition showcasing these valuable artifacts would be organized at the Islamabad National Museum in February next year.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presiding over a meeting on meat export policy and sector’s reforms.

By
Wajid
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Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presiding over a meeting on meat export policy and sector's reforms.
APP26-181225
ISLAMABAD: December 18 –

Governor Kundi says Pakistan is in the global spotlight, calls for stronger action against PTI and terrorism

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
CHINIOT, Dec 18 (APP):Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday said that the world is watching Pakistan, with foreign leaders arriving every few months. He said the recent “victory in the war” has sparked a surge in global interest for trade, but every time a foreign head visits, PTI supporters stage protests that he claims harm the country’s image.
He expressed his views while talking to the media after offering fateha to the father of PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza in Raju Sadat on Thursday.
During the interaction with media, Governor Kundi demanded that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be moved to a different jail in Punjab, alleging that the PTI’s founder is receiving preferential treatment. He also criticized PTI leaders Ali Amin Gandapur and Sohail Afridi, saying Gandapur left the province in a state of severe corruption, health and sanitation problems, while Afridi should remain in his home province instead of being held at Adiala Jail.
Describing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a “sensitive” province fighting terrorism, Governor Kundi warned that the security situation has worsened over the past two years. He stressed that the province’s rights must be defended with arguments, not rhetoric, and that there can be no negotiations with terrorists. He added that the 28th Amendment will be pursued, and called for NAB to stop using plea bargains to shield corrupt officials, citing the Kohistan Rs 50 billion scandal and the “Billion Tree Tsunami” case as examples of unaddressed wrongdoing.
Turning to domestic politics,  Faisal Karim Kundi claimed that 80 percent of PTI parliamentarians are wanted by Islamabad police and should be arrested if there is evidence against them. He accused PTI members of sitting quietly while the party’s leadership aligns with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and of ignoring the suffering of people in Kurram and the blockage of roads. He also warned that Afghan citizens will now need visas to enter Pakistan, saying the country can no longer bear the burden of hosting Afghan refugees without proper oversight.
Finally, Governor Kundi said that if the provincial government cooperates, there will be no need for Governor’s Rule, which he likened to “surgery” that should be avoided. He criticized the previous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister for “verbal abuse” and reiterated that his administration is focused on delivering concrete results rather than political drama.

Balochistan moves toward menstrual health reforms, Education Minister calls for sustained action

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
QUETTA, Dec 18 (APP):Balochistan Education Minister Raheela Hameed Durrani has emphasized that menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is not merely a health concern but a critical education, dignity, and equity issue, stressing that ongoing tax and policy reforms aimed at reducing the cost of menstrual products can significantly benefit girls and women, particularly in underserved communities of Balochistan.
She made these remarks while addressing the meeting of the Menstrual Health and Hygiene Working Group (MHMWG) Secretariat, Balochistan, held in Quetta, supported by UNICEF Pakistan.
The meeting brought together representatives from government departments, development partners, civil society organizations, including UNICEF, representatives from Education Department, Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP), Shaheed Bhutto Foundation (SBF), Poverty Eradication Initiative (PEI), and covered various aspects of future planning.
The participants reviewed progress made during the year and outlined priorities for future collaboration.
Raheela Durrani noted that improved access to affordable menstrual products and awareness can directly reduce school absenteeism among adolescent girls. She underscored the need for sustained coordination between education, health, and social development stakeholders to ensure that policy commitments translate into tangible impact on the ground.
Briefing participants on the Secretariat’s progress, Dr Tahira Kamal Baloch, Chairperson MHMWG Secretariat, Balochistan, highlighted key milestones achieved during the year. She shared updates on inter-departmental coordination, advocacy efforts around MHH integration in education and health programs, and progress on action points agreed during the previous quarterly meeting.
Dr Tahira emphasized that the Secretariat is steadily evolving into a coordinated platform to align policy, programming, and advocacy around menstrual health in the province.
Nurjis Tahira Khan, Company Secretary, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Foundation, assured participants of the Foundation’s active support in facilitating the process at the federal level through sustained and effective engagement with parliamentarians to advance menstrual health and hygiene tax reforms.
Representatives from partner organizations shared insights from their ongoing interventions and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting government-led efforts to mainstream menstrual health and hygiene across sectors.
Shahana Tabbasum, Provincial Manager MHMWG Secretariat, shared details of several ongoing initiatives, including the MHH tax reforms campaign.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to strengthen collaboration, track implementation of agreed actions, and advance a rights-based approach to menstrual health—ensuring dignity, inclusion, and educational continuity for girls and women across Balochistan.

A lady health worker administers polio drops to a child during the Anti-Polio Vaccination Campaign at Paretabad Hospital.

By
Wajid
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0
A lady health worker administers polio drops to a child during the Anti-Polio Vaccination Campaign at Paretabad Hospital.
APP09-181225
HYDERABAD: December 18 –

A laborer lifts a heavy bundle of 30 bricks while working on a house construction site in the city.

By
Wajid
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0
A laborer lifts a heavy bundle of 30 bricks while working on a house construction site in the city.
APP08-181225
HYDERABAD: December 18 – 

A worker preparing jaggery “Gurr” from sugarcane juice at his roadside stall, preserving a cherished traditional wintertime practice.

By
Wajid
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0
A worker preparing jaggery "Gurr" from sugarcane juice at his roadside stall, preserving a cherished traditional wintertime practice.
APP06-181225
SARGODHA: December 18 –
A worker preparing jaggery "Gurr" from sugarcane juice at his roadside stall, preserving a cherished traditional wintertime practice.
APP07-181225
SARGODHA: December 18 – A farmer skillfully extracts fresh juice from sugarcane at a roadside stall to prepare jaggery “Gurr” as steam rises in the crisp winter air. APP/HSD/MAF/ABB/SSH

Laughter and excitement fill the historic Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park as children glide on skates and ride scotty scooters.

By
Wajid
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Laughter and excitement fill the historic Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park as children glide on skates and ride scotty scooters.
APP05-181225
LAHORE: December 18 – 

Governor lauds role of cadet colleges for providing conducive educational environment

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
QUETTA, Dec 18 (APP):Governor Balochistan Jaffar Khan Mandokhel Thursday has praised the exemplary role of all cadet colleges in maintaining high discipline and providing a conducive educational environment which has played a significant role in providing quality education.
He said that the efforts of Pakistan Scouts Cadet College Batrasee (PSCCB) in character building and ensuring modern education among the youth of Balochistan are commendable.
He expressed these views  on Thursday while talking to Mr. Soni Kim SeungSu, Principal of Pakistan Scouts Cadet College Batrasee Mansehra at the Governor House, Quetta.
On this occasion, Governor Balochistan Jaffar Khan Mandokhel said that thousands of students who have graduated from cadet colleges are currently actively participating in the development and progress of the country and the nation.
He said that in this regard, the principals and their teams deserve appreciation for providing proper education and training to the youth of our province.
Governor Mandokhel also approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pakistan Scouts Cadet College Batraasi and Balochistan Boy Scouts Association (BBSA) to be signed in January 2026.
He said that the aim of this collaborative initiative is to extend quality education to remote districts through the Scout Network, which offers global content in the national language, including Learning Management System (LMS).
Modules – including Korean – as well as outreach programs through blended camps and mobile classrooms. Notably, Pakistan Scouts Cadet College Batraasi is currently providing educational opportunities to 75 cadets from Balochistan
and has earmarked 20 additional seats for the upcoming intake, further strengthening its commitment to ensuring that the youth of Balochistan benefit from modern education, he noted.

CDA workers plant fresh grass along the roadside as part of beautification efforts at Faizabad in federal capital.

By
Wajid
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CDA workers plant fresh grass along the roadside as part of beautification efforts at Faizabad in federal capital.
APP03-181225
ISLAMABAD: December 18 – 
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