KUNRI
KUNRI
KUNRI
A labourer unloads red chilies at the chili market in the small town of Kunri, Umerkot district, known nationwide for its red chilies
KUNRI
KUNRI
KUNRI
40,000 people living with AIDS in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Dr. Tariq Hayat
PESHAWAR, Dec 01 (APP):Around 40,000 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are currently living with HIV/AIDS, while 15 to 20 new cases are being registered on a daily basis.
Dr. Tariq Hayat Taj, Director of the Provincial AIDS Control Program shared these alarming statistics during a media briefing at the Peshawar Press Club on World AIDS Day on Monday.
He said 9,800 HIV/AIDS patients are registered in KP, but the actual number is much higher because many people avoid getting tested due to social stigma and discriminatory attitudes.
He emphasized that illegal clinics and unqualified practitioners are playing a major role in spreading the disease. “The Health Regulatory Authority must take strict action because this is a matter affecting society as a whole,” he added.
Dr. Hayat clarified that AIDS is no longer considered untreatable and the KP government is providing free medication to all registered patients. Reuse of syringes, especially among drug users, is one of the major causes of transmission, he noted.
According to a UN survey, approximately 40,000 people in KP and about 330,000 across Pakistan are living with HIV/AIDS — a situation Dr. Hayat described as extremely alarming.
Sharing specific data, he said that during vaccination drives at Peshawar’s Iqbal Plaza and other transgender community hotspots, 197 transgenders were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. “This caused emotional distress among them, but their treatment is ongoing,” he said.
Dr. Hayat stressed that HIV can spread not only through sexual contact but also through unhygienic practices such as using contaminated blades, unsterilized equipment at hair salons and beauty parlors and sharing syringes.
Gender-wise statistics show that in KP, 60% of HIV-positive individuals are men, 30% women and 10% are transgenders and others.
He urged citizens to get tested and adopt preventive measures, warning that HIV is slowly spreading into the general population as well.
UNICEF Health Specialist Dr. Inamullah Khan, speaking at the event, urged the public to treat HIV patients with respect. “They deserve dignity and support because they are already vulnerable and dependent on God’s mercy,” he said.
Assistant Director Abbas Durrani stated that many Pakistanis returning from African and Gulf countries are found to have HIV symptoms. He advised those traveling abroad to follow Islamic values and avoid behaviours that may put them at risk of contracting diseases like HIV/AIDS.
Anti-encroachment operation conducted on Indus highway, Jamshoro phatak area
HYDERABAD, Dec 01 (APP): The district administration carried out an anti-encroachment operation in the Jamshoro phatak area and along the Sehwan Indus Highway under the directives of the deputy commissioner Jamshoro Ghazanfar Ali Qadri on Monday.
The road was cleared by demolishing illegal transport stands, structures, stalls and cabins, while the area was completely cleared to improve traffic flow on both sides of the road under the supervision of ADC-II Dr. Adnan Munir Tunio and Assistant Commissioner Kotri Nadeem Qadir Khokhar.
Talking to the media, the ADC-II Dr. Adnan Muneer Tunio said that strict action was being taken against illegal encroachments and that such operations would continue regularly. He said that unauthorized constructions not only obstruct traffic flow but also cause difficulties for commuters and traders. Facilitating the public, he added, remained the administration’s top priority.
Dr. Tunio further stated that no illegal encroachment would be tolerated and action would be taken strictly in accordance with the law. Mukhtiarkar Kotri, Assistant Mukhtiarkar and officials of anti-encroachment cell, town and municipal staff and officials of police, revenue and other relevant departments were also present during the operation.
8 new private member bills introduced in Senate
ISLAMABAD, Dec 01 (APP): As many as eight new private member bills including the Pakistan Psychological Council Bill, 2025, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Islamabad Capital Territory (Prohibition of Plastic Book Covers) Bill, 2025, the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025] were introduced in Senate on Monday.
The bills were introduced by Senators Kamran Murtaza, Ansuha Rahman Ahmad Khan, Sherry Rehman, Mohammad Abdul Qadir and Shahadat Awan in the House.
Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani referred all the bills to the concerned standing committees for detailed deliberation after not opposing by the treasury benches.
Meanwhile, the Chairman also referred a bill to reserve special seats for deserving persons in Universities and Higher Education Institutions [The Reservation of Special Seats for Deserving Persons in Universities Bill, 2025], as passed by the National Assembly to the concerned standing committee.
The bill was moved by Senator Kamran Murtaza in the House.
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan meets Eng. Ahmed Elsewedy, President & CEO of Elsewedy Electric, to discuss enhanced economic cooperation, investment opportunities, and deepening Pakistan-Egypt industrial collaboration
CAIRO
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik meets with Irfan Neziroglu, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Pakistan,. in federal capital
ISLAMABAD
PPBL president represents Pakistan at twin WBC conventions in Thailand
ISLAMABAD, Dec 01 (APP): President of Pakistan Professional Boxing League (PPBL), Nauman Shah, is representing Pakistan at two major global events, the 1st WBC MuayThai Convention and the 63rd WBC Boxing Annual Convention, being held in Bangkok, Thailand, from November 29 to December 5.
Hosted by the World Boxing Council (WBC), the twin conventions have brought together top officials, champions, promoters, and regulators from around the world to deliberate on key matters shaping the future of boxing and MuayThai. The WBC termed Pakistan’s representation, important for strengthening the sport’s global and regional footprint, said a press release.
In a letter the WBC highlighted the significance of international collaboration in boxing, stating that the annual gatherings serve as “a global meeting of the boxing family, where great friends and their families share a fraternal environment full of laughter, joy, good faith, friendship and unity for the good of the sport we love so much.”
Speaking to APP from Bangkok, Nauman Shah expressed pride in representing Pakistan on one of the sport’s biggest platforms. “It is a tremendous honour for me and for Pakistan’s professional boxing community,” he said. “This invitation reflects the growing recognition of Pakistan’s role in the global boxing landscape.”
He said the conventions would provide Pakistan with an opportunity to deepen engagement with international stakeholders. “My focus here is to build strong global linkages, attract wider exposure for our fighters, and highlight Pakistan as a rising force in combat sports,” Shah remarked.
He added that discussions at the twin events were centred on athlete safety, governance, training standards, and future collaborations. “I am also exploring avenues to bring international boxing and MuayThai events to Pakistan, which will help our fighters gain world-class experience at home,” he noted.
The WBC MuayThai Convention is the first of its kind, aimed at boosting coordination among the rapidly expanding MuayThai community, while the 63rd annual boxing convention is addressing regulation, rankings, global championships, and athlete development.
Chief Minister to brief parliamentary leaders on NFC
PESHAWAR, Dec 01 (APP):Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi will take all parties’ parliamentary leaders into confidence regarding the The National Finance Commission Award (NFC).
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information Shani Jan said in a statement that people from all schools of thought will have to play their role in securing the legitimate rights of the province.
He said that the former FATA has been administratively merged but its financial integration is still pending.
He added that from 2018 to 2025 the rightful NFC share of the province has not been given and despite the merger of the former FATA the NFC share has not been increased.
FOSPAH hosts powerful art exhibition ‘Workplace Harassment — Breaking the Silence’
ISLAMABAD, Dec 01 (APP): The Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) on Monday held an art exhibition titled “Workplace Harassment — Breaking the Silence,” bringing together artists, students, professionals, and rights advocates from across the country to spark dialogue, encourage accountability, and promote safer workplaces in Pakistan.
The exhibition, themed “Workplace Harassment: Breaking the Silence”, showcased over 250 remarkable entries across three categories — Handmade Posters, Digital Art, and Short Videos — submitted by participants who used art as a bold medium to challenge stigma, amplify survivors’ voices, and call for systemic change. The entries were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including Saba Zia, Noshaba Naz, and Sarah Rajper, whose expertise added immense value to the jury process.
Addressing the audience, the Honorable Federal Ombudsperson emphasized the critical role of public engagement in dismantling harmful norms that enable harassment. “Creating awareness is the first step,” she noted. “Through initiatives like this exhibition, we aim to break the silence—together.”
The event was honored by the presence of Federal Minister for Law & Justice, Azam Nazeer Tarar, who attended as the Chief Guest. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure safe and respectful workplaces, acknowledging that both strong legal frameworks and public engagement are essential for sustainable change. He appreciated FOSPAH’s continued initiatives aimed at strengthening protections and awareness nationwide.
The event brought together senior government officials, diplomats, civil society representatives, media personnel, and young artists. The presence of esteemed guests added prestige to the occasion, and their continued support underscores the collective commitment to advancing gender equality and workplace dignity.
FOSPAH remains committed to advancing its mandate by strengthening awareness, accessibility, and institutional mechanisms to eliminate workplace harassment.
Police arrest 33 drug traffickers with 56kg narcotics
KHANEWAL, Dec 01 (APP): Khanewal police arrested 33 drug traffickers, one of them in injured condition, and recovered 56 kilogram of narcotics in the wake of many operations conducted across the district so far, police spokesman said on Monday.
During an operation, pol ice came under fire attack from the criminals and one of them
was arrested in injured condition, police spokesman said, adding that the crackdown
targeting narcotics traffickers, dealers and smugglers was still in progress.
DPO Ismaeel Kaharak said that police arrested 33 drug traffickers and recovered 53 kilogram
of Hashish, 2 kg Heroin, and one kilogram of ICE and pledged to continue operations
targeting the menace of narcotics till its complete elimination from the district.