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DC directs to make polio drive more effective

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QUETTA, Dec 15 (APP):Deputy Commissioner Quetta Mehrullah Badini on Monday issued strict directive to the concerned officers and field staff to make the polio campaign more effective and emphasized that no child should be deprived of taking polio drops.
He said this while chairing a review meeting of the first day of the ongoing polio campaign.
The meeting was attended by DHO Quetta, Deputy DHO, District Polio Coordinator, National EOC members, Provincial EOC members, N staff and monitors.
During the meeting, a detailed briefing was given regarding the ongoing polio campaign across the district.
All monitors presented reports received from various union councils.
The meeting discussed in detail the issues of refusal cases, NA, still NA, clusters, NT houses and other important issues.
Deputy Commissioner Quetta Mehrullah Badini directed to further improve the process of close monitoring of the campaign, timely reporting and convincing parents.

Preparations underway for Benazir Bhutto’s 18th death anniversary

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LARKANA, Dec 15 (APP):Commissioner Larkana Division Tahir Hussain Sangi on Monday announced that elaborate arrangements are underway for the 18th death anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on December 27.
The event will be held at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto, and various departments are working to ensure a smooth ceremony.
Arrangements include tight security, with over 7,500 police personnel, including women cops and special commandos, along with 300 Shahbaz Rangers personnel, to be deployed to maintain law and order.
Medical camps, ambulances, and fire brigade vehicles will be stationed at the venue. Roads, parking, and lighting arrangements are being improved, and special measures are being taken to ensure cleanliness at the shrine and surrounding areas.
A public meeting will be held, addressed by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other party leaders. Pakistan Railways will also operate a special train from Lahore to Garhi Khuda Bakhsh for attendees.

Safe, organized overseas employment Government’s priority: Salik Hussain

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP):Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Monday said that safe and organized overseas employment is government’s priority.
He was addressing at an event in connection with International Migrants Day organized by International organization for Migration, said a press release.
He said that migrants are playing a significant role in global economic and social development.
Approximately 12 million Pakistanis are working abroad, he said and adding that overseas Pakistanis are strengthening the national economy through remittances. “This year, more than 700,000 Pakistanis have gone abroad for employment.
He said the government is implementing effective measures for the protection and rights of migrants. Skill development programs can provide Pakistanis with better opportunities for overseas employment. The National Skills Passport is facilitating access to jobs abroad,” the minister informed.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain further added that in recent weeks, incidents of offloading Pakistanis traveling abroad for employment at airports have been reported.
He said that high-level meetings were held between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis on this matter, with the Interior Minister also in attendance. The prime minister has established a high-level committee to address this issue.
“It is hoped that by January, measures will be in place to prevent offloading incidents at airports for Pakistanis seeking employment abroad. Standard operating procedures are being developed in collaboration with all stakeholders to stop such occurrences in future,” he concluded.

Court dismisses British national’s bail plea in case of attempting to kill traffic personnel

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP):An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday dismissed the post-arrest bail petition of Pakistani-origin British citizen Aqib Khan in the case of attempting to kill a traffic policeman and spreading terror in I-8 Markaz.
ATC Judge Abual Hassnat Muhammad Zulkarnain heard the case. During the hearing, the accused’s lawyer took the stand that his client is a British national and was not fully aware of Pakistani laws.
According to the lawyer, this does not constitute a terrorism case and the police have registered an FIR based on lies contrary to the facts.
Prosecutor Raja Naveed told the court that foreign nationals are required to abide by Pakistani laws more. According to the prosecutor, weapons were recovered from the accused, which proved that he acted with the intention of killing the traffic policeman. He said that the accused spread terror in the commercial area, of which there is also video evidence.
The prosecutor further argued that, according to judicial precedents, spreading fear and panic in public places falls under the category of terrorism; therefore, the accused is not eligible for bail.
The court rejected the post-arrest bail application of accused Aqib Khan after the parties completed their arguments. A case has been registered against the accused at the I-9 police station under the anti-terrorism law and other sections.

Bilawal establishes panel to enhance communication with PPP KP unit

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP):Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has constituted a committee to enhance coordination with the party’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter.
The committee, comprising Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Muhammad Humayoon Khan and Qamar Zaman Kaira, has been tasked with strengthening party ties and facilitating communication within the provincial organization.
The notification for the committee was issued by Jamil Soomro, Political Secretary to Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Court holds tweet case untill Dec 17 as Supreme Court stay continues

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP):The District & Sessions Court of Islamabad on Monday postponed proceedings in a case linked to a disputed social media post against Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha after being informed that the Supreme Court has issued a stay order.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka presided over the hearing at the district courts in Islamabad.
During the proceedings, both accused appeared before the court. Hadi Ali Chattha informed the judge that the Supreme Court has restrained further action in the matter until the Islamabad High Court announces its decision on an appeal currently under consideration. He stated that the stay order remains in force and applies to the ongoing trial.
After hearing the submission, the judge noted that the court would wait for guidance from the high court before moving forward. He observed that the case would be listed again after two days to review the situation and assess the status of the high court’s order.
The court later decided to formally adjourn the hearing until December 17, keeping the proceedings in abeyance due to the Supreme Court’s directions.
The case revolves around a tweet that authorities consider disputed, leading to legal action against the two individuals. However, due to the stay order issued by the Supreme Court, trial court proceedings cannot advance at this stage.

Court dismisses pre-arrest bail pleas of PTI leader

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP):An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday dismissed the pre-arrest bail petition of PTI leader Abdul Latif Chitrali in four cases related to the November 26, protest case.
ATC Judge Abual Hasanat Muhammad Zulkarnain heard the pre-arrest bail petition of PTI leader Abdul Latif Chitrali. The accused did not appear before the court during hearing due to which the court dismissed all the applications on the ground of non-compliance.
It should be noted that cases are registered against Abdul Latif Chitrali in Kohsar, Aabpara, Secretariat and Tarnol police stations.

IFA cracks down on sewage-irrigated vegetables, halts cultivation on 32 Kanals in G-15 sector

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP):The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) has launched an operation against the use of sewage water for growing vegetables within the city and stopped vegetable cultivation on 32 kanals of land in Sector G-15 after finding that crops were being grown with sewage water.
During a field inspection in Sector G-15, teams found that farmers were using contaminated water to cultivate vegetables on 32 kanals of land. The crops included radish, mint and spinach, which are commonly sold in local markets.
IFA officials immediately stopped the cultivation and destroyed the standing crops to prevent them from reaching consumers. Fines were also imposed on the individuals involved for violating food safety laws.
According to the authority, vegetables grown with sewage water pose serious risks to public health as such water contains harmful contaminants. These vegetables can enter the food chain without proper checks and may cause illness among consumers.
The operation was carried out as part of routine monitoring and surveillance across Islamabad. IFA teams regularly inspect farming areas, vegetable fields and supply points to ensure that safe practices are being followed.
A spokesperson for the Islamabad Food Authority said the protection of public health is the top priority of the department. He added that strict action will continue against anyone found compromising food safety standards.
In this regard, the Deputy Director of Islamabad Food Authority stated that checking is being carried out at every level to ensure the supply of safe food. She said no leniency will be shown to those who endanger public health for financial gain. He further said that awareness is also being created among farmers about safe irrigation methods and the legal consequences of using contaminated water.
Officials confirmed that similar inspections are ongoing in other sectors of the city.
The Islamabad Food Authority urged farmers to use approved and clean water sources for irrigation. It also advised consumers to remain cautious and buy vegetables from reliable sources. The authority said public cooperation is essential to eliminate unsafe food practices from the city.
The department reaffirmed its commitment to continuous monitoring, enforcement of food laws and taking action wherever violations are found.

Minister Shafay reviews Women Business Incubation Centre’s progress

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LAHORE, Dec 15 (APP):Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain here Monday chaired an important meeting to review the performance of Women Business Incubation Center (WBIC) Lahore.
Punjab Small Industries Corporation  (PSIC) Managing Director Saira Umar gave a detailed briefing in this regard. It was decided to establish such centers in six other cities of Punjab. In the first phase, these centers will be set up in Multan, Layyah, and Gujrat, while the second phase included Sahiwal, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi.
The Provincial Minister said that the Women Business Incubation Center Lahore is playing a vital role in enhancing the skills of women entrepreneurs, and therefore it has been decided to establish similar centers in six other cities of Punjab. He directed that newly established Women Business Incubation Centers should be state-of-the-art and have improved designs. He also instructed that overall condition and facilities of the Women Business Incubation Center Lahore should be improved further.
Chaudhry Shafay Hussain stated that collaboration and cooperation with UMT (University of Management and Technology), PIEDMC (Punjab Industrial Estates Management and Development Company), women chambers, and other stakeholders should be reviewed and strengthened.
PSIC Managing Director Saira Umar said that curriculum of the Women Business Incubation Center has been designed in accordance with international standards. The center is providing training in agriculture, environment, e-commerce, environmental and other sustainable businesses. She added that collaboration will also be developed with FPCCI (Federation of Pakistan Chamber’s of Commerce and Industry) and other stakeholders regarding the Women Business Incubation Center.
PSIC Directors and other relevant officers also attended the meeting

Police move PHC for custody of accused in Dr. Wardah Mushtaq murder case

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ABBOTTABAD, Dec 15 (APP):Abbottabad Police have approached the Peshawar High Court, Abbottabad Bench, seeking the remand of the accused in the kidnapping and murder case of Dr. Wardah Mushtaq, citing the sensitive nature of the case and the need for further investigation.
The arrested suspects were produced before the Anti-Terrorism Court on Monday after completion of their physical
remand. The court sent the accused Rida Jadoon, Waheed, Parvez and others to jail on judicial remand.
According to a police spokesperson, the accused Parvez has confessed to his involvement in the crime. Following the confession, the investigation officer filed an appeal in the high court requesting the custody of the accused for further interrogation.
The spokesperson said that police have recovered gold jewellery, 10 receipts, cheques worth Rs123 million, and the murder weapon a rope used to strangle Dr Wardah from the possession of Waheed Billa, the husband of Rida Jadoon, who is described as the mastermind of the case.
Police said the initial plan to kidnap and murder Dr Wardah was hatched at Waheed Billa’s residence involving Waheed, Rida and Nadeem. A second meeting was held at Waheed Billa’s shop with Waheed, Nadeem and Shamraiz, while the final plan was prepared at Sheikh Dhairi by Shamraiz, Nadeem and Parvez.
The investigation team has submitted all available evidence and witnesses before the court, the spokesperson added.