ISLAMABAD
MNA Salahuddin Junejo urges local representatives to submit basic services schemes
HYDERABAD, Dec 02 (APP): The social welfare committee on oil and gas in district Sanghar held a meeting under the chairmanship of committee chairman and MNA Salahuddin Junejo, attended by committee members, local administration officials and representatives of oil and gas companies.
According to a handout issued on Tuesday, the meeting reviewed in detail the ongoing social and development projects in the area, public welfare initiatives and community support programs.
Addressing the meeting, MNA Salahuddin Junejo said that all town and union council chairmen were members of the welfare committee and should submit schemes related to health, education, clean drinking water and other basic necessities from their respective areas. “We will take along all members in every initiative,” he added.
He directed officers of oil and gas companies to share employee data so that local residents can be provided with all essential facilities. The MNA further instructed PPL, UEP and OGDCL officials to ensure employment opportunities for eligible and educated local youth including for non-skilled posts.
Deputy Commissioner Sanghar Sarah Javed emphasized the need for all oil and gas companies to launch internship programs to train local youth and send them to Gulf countries, which she said would have a positive impact on the national exchequer.
Those present at the meeting included Chairman District Council Syed Riaz Hussain Shah Khurasani, Chairman Tando Adam Municipal Chacha Ghulam Murtaza Junejo, towns chairmen Rana Rashid, Rana Haji Anwar, Gul Muhammad Dahri, Bhawan Das as well as union council chairmen and officers from relevant departments.
Speaking to the media later, the chairman social welfare committee Salahuddin Junejo said that providing employment to youth was a top priority of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, President Asif Ali Zardari and other party leadership. He said that employee data was being collected to ensure implementation of Supreme Court directives including provision of gas within a 5-kilometre radius and creating job opportunities for local youth.
Governor highlights need for modern, sustainable urban development
ISLAMABAD, Dec 02 (APP):Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi has said that sustainable and modern urban systems form the foundation of developed societies, emphasizing that well-planned, eco-friendly and organized cities accelerate economic growth, attract investment, create jobs.
He expressed these views on Tuesday while addressing an international conference as the chief guest at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad. The conference focused on “The importance of sustainable cities and their role in socio-economic development.”
Congratulating the organizers, researchers and students from Pakistan and abroad, the Governor said such academic forums open new avenues for research, policymaking and collaboration.
He added that the world is experiencing rapid economic and technological transformation, and meeting these challenges requires smart planning, financial discipline and a skilled youth equipped with modern expertise.
Governor Kundi said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is an emerging economy with promising investment opportunities in energy, industry, IT, tourism and education. He said the province holds vast potential for developing new, safe, environmentally friendly and economically vibrant cities that can contribute significantly to national growth.
He emphasized that KP’s climatic and geographical conditions make it ideal for such initiatives.
“We aim to put all cities, including Peshawar, on the path of sustainable development through digital governance, modern transport, renewable energy and improved urban facilities,” he said.
The Governor added that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are progressive and deserve a societal system based on modern urban amenities. He expressed hope that the recommendations and research presented at the conference would play a meaningful role in shaping future socio-economic policies.
Atta Tarar calls for global push to reshape Pakistan’s narrative
ISLAMABAD, Dec 02 (APP): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday underlined the need to dispel misconceptions about Pakistan by promoting its true story to a global audience.
“I have always said Pakistan has a great story to tell. We just need to get it out to the right kind of audience, and we need to tell it right,” the Minister said while addressing the National Tourism Awards 2025, organized by Discover Pakistan.
Minister Tarar extended heartfelt gratitude to CEO of Discover Pakistan Dr. Kaiser Rafique for his initiatives to promote national tourism.
He remarked that having lived abroad for nearly a decade, he understood that misconceptions about the country could only be cleared through such efforts.
He noted that while foreign tourists often have initial apprehensions, they invariably return after experiencing the beauty of the land.
“This is the kind of soft power Pakistan has, and this is the soft image that needs to be portrayed globally because we have a unique story to tell,” the Minister remarked.
Highlighting the country’s diverse geography, Tarar described Pakistan as a complete package.
He pointed to the spectacular northern areas, home to five of the world’s fourteen highest peaks—including K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I & II, and Broad Peak—as well as the ski slopes of Malam Jabba.
He also highlighted the Shandoor Polo Festival, held at the highest polo ground in the world at an elevation of over 3,000
meters.
Beyond nature, the minister emphasized Pakistan’s rich heritage, including the ancient Gandhara civilization and the centuries-old traditions still practiced by the Kalash tribe.
He also drew attention to the golden deserts of Sindh and Balochistan and the massive annual jeep rally in Cholistan.
“Whether it is the highest snow-covered peaks of the north, the golden deserts of the south, or the Gandhara civilization, Pakistan has immense potential,” Tarar remarked.
He added that Discover Pakistan has done a great national service by showcasing not only this potential but also the resilience and hospitality of the Pakistani people.
“We have earned a lot of respect through our diplomatic successes under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir,” he said. “The world has opened up to Pakistan, and it is time we open up to the world.”
Concluding his address, the minister announced tangible steps to support the initiative.
He proposed the formation of a working group comprising, the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the SAPM on Tourism and the CEO of Discover Pakistan to take the platform to the global stage.
He further suggested involving the Foreign Office and Press Attachés in missions abroad to act as brand ambassadors for the channel.
The minister also offered government incentives for Discover Pakistan to launch an English-language channel to effectively highlight Pakistan’s image internationally.
3 key suspects arrested in Rawalpindi for cutting woman’s hair
RAWALPINDI, Dec 02 (APP): In a significant breakthrough, Rawalpindi police have arrested three prime suspects linked to a chilling viral video depicting the forcibly cutting of a young woman’s hair.
The central figure in the incident, who was seen cutting the woman’s hair, is reportedly a male accomplice, with a woman also involved in the crime.
The incident, which occurred nearly a month ago, was first reported to the police following the viral video, in which the victim released a video statement.
The case was registered at the Naseerabad police station. Although the incident had not been reported to the Rawalpindi police at the time, the main suspects went into hiding after video went viral on social media.
However, Rawalpindi police, utilizing both technical and human intelligence resources, were able to track down and arrest the key suspects.
City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani stated that the other accomplices and facilitators involved in the crime would also be arrested.
He emphasized that there is no tolerance for violence, abuse, or harassment against women, and that the perpetrators of such acts will not escape justice.
PEMRA, FOSPAH hold seminar on protection of women against workplace harassment
ISLAMABAD, Dec 02 (APP):An awareness seminar on the “Protection of Women Against Harassment at the Workplace” was held at the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) headquarters in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The event was organized jointly by PEMRA and the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH), said a news release.
Addressing the seminar, Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) Fauzia Waqar said FOSPAH’s nationwide mission to eliminate workplace harassment, along with its sixteen-day awareness campaign against gender-based violence, is currently underway across the country.
Through these efforts, she said anyone can easily register complaints regarding legal protections, complaint procedures, and incidents of harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
The slogan for FOSPAH’s awareness campaign is “We Will Change the Mindset”.
On the occasion, Acting PEMRA Chairman Sikander Rashid Choudry said that a dignified and secure environment can be provided by eliminating discrimination against women in the workplace and adopting a zero-tolerance policy within institutions.
By creating such a workplace environment, women will be able to fully contribute to the development of the country, he added.
Finally, a question-answer session was held, during which the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat team provided satisfactory answers to participants’ questions.
Informative material regarding relevant laws and the complaint procedure was also distributed among the attendees.
PM, Sri Lankan President express commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation
ISLAMABAD, Dec 2 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday expressed their shared commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across all spheres.
The commitment was expressed during a telephonic call between the prime minister and the Sri Lankan President.
During their warm and cordial conversation, the prime minister expressed his profound grief over the devastating loss of life and widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka.
The prime minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Sri Lanka, especially the bereaved families who had lost their loved ones in the catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed hundreds of precious lives and displaced thousands of people across the island.
The prime minister commended the swift response of the Sri Lankan authorities, military, and rescue teams in conducting relief operations under challenging conditions.
While recalling Pakistan’s own vulnerability to climate change induced calamities, he reaffirmed that Pakistan stood in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka during this most challenging situation.
The prime minister conveyed to the Sri Lankan president that, as a gesture of its support, Pakistan was immediately dispatching urgently needed humanitarian assistance to assist the people of Sri Lanka to help them recover from the devastation caused by this natural disaster.
The Sri Lankan president thanked the prime minister for Pakistan’s expression of solidarity with the Sri Lankan nation at this difficult time, as well as for provision of the generous humanitarian assistance. He appreciated that Pakistan was among the first countries to respond in the wake of the cyclone.
KU offering second intake in PhD programs
KARACHI, Dec 02 (APP):The postgraduate admission committee meeting regarding the second intake of PhD programs in the different faculties, centers, and institutes of the University of Karachi was held at the KU Vice Chancellor’s Secretariat on Tuesday.
The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi chaired the meeting and the Director Postgraduate Admission Committee Professor Dr Anila Amber Malik briefed the participants about the second PhD intake in various departments, centers and institutes on the campus.
The members were informed that the admission form, prospectus 2025 second intake, entrance test form, and fee voucher can be downloaded from https://www.uok.edu.pk/admissions/pg-index.php from December 08, 2025.
She mentioned that candidates will be asked to submit a duly filled entrance test form along with academic documents and a paid fee voucher in their respective departments, centers, and institutes by December 15, 2025.
Professor Dr Anila Malik urged that candidates must carefully read the prospectus before filling and submitting their respective forms.
She added that the Karachi University Entrance Test 2025 is mandatory for all the candidates. The list of the eligible candidates for appearing in the KUET 2025 will be displayed on the KU’s website on December 24, 2025, while the admit cards will be collected from respective departments on December 26, 2025.
The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi and meeting participants were told that the KUET 2025 second intake test will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at 10am but the candidates will be directed to reach at their respective examination centers at least 30 minutes before the start of the exam.
The candidates will bring their admit cards and CNIC and the list of successful candidates will be announced on the KU’s website on January 05, 2026.
The KU Registrar Professor Dr Imran Ahmad Siddiqui, deans of faculties of arts and social sciences, science, management and administrative sciences, pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, Islamic studies, Professor Dr Asma Manzoor, Professor Dr Basit Ansari, Professor Dr Intikhab Ulfat, Professor Dr Uzma Ashiq, and Professor Dr Tasser Ahmed Khan attended the meeting.