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Pakistan’s first Int’l Qirat Competition concluded

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP):Pakistan’s first-ever International Qirat Competition concluded on Thursday, while the winners of the first, second and third positions will be formally announced at the closing ceremony scheduled for Saturday, November 29.
The final round of the competition took place at the Convention Centre, where a panel of judges headed by world-renowned Qari Syed Sadaqat Ali evaluated the contestants.
Over the past three days, the jury shortlisted 10 Qura (reciters) from among participants representing 37 Islamic countries.
The finalists included Bangladesh’s Mohammad Mizan-ur-Rehman, Syria’s Mohammad Saad Eid, Iran’s Adnan Momineen Khamisi, Morocco’s Ayub Ala, Iraq’s Mustafa Imad Hamid Al-Hamdan, Turkey’s Tayyip Hos, Malaysia’s Iman Rizwan bin Muhammad Ramlan, Indonesia’s Ilham Mahmood, Afghanistan’s Abdul Rab Ayubi, and Pakistan’s Qari Abdul Rashid, who competed in the concluding round on Thursday.
The International Qirat Competition, which began on Monday, November 24, featured Qura between the ages of 25 and 35 from 37 countries.
According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the top three winners will be announced during the closing ceremony on November 29, where prizes and honours will be awarded to the position holders.

Govt advancing medical education through universities: health minister

By
Asif Jalal
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LAHORE, Nov 27 (APP): Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that the provincial government is actively promoting medical education through medical universities across Punjab.
He expressed this commitment while chairing the 41st syndicate meeting of Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU) on Thursday.
The minister stated that medical education in Punjab’s institutions is being strengthened in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who is striving to provide the best healthcare facilities to the people.
During the meeting, the University Registrar presented the agenda items, and the syndicate approved the minutes of its 40th meeting. The meeting also approved the adoption of a central indication policy for MCPS and endorsed the curriculum for MS Spine Surgery in Neurosurgery/Orthopedics at Level 4. In addition, the level of the MD Preventive Pediatrics specialty was upgraded to Level 4. The syndicate also allowed the adoption of SOPs formulated by the Higher Education Commission for the appointment of Professor Emeritus at FJMU.
The minutes of the Campus Committee and affiliated institutions were approved, and the extension of the Associate Professor of Neurosurgery was granted. The meeting also approved the extension of contracts for employees of the university and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, as well as the upgrade of the Computer Operator post to Junior Computer Operator. Similarly, the extension of contracts for employees of the Punjab Thalassemia and Genetic Diseases Program was allowed. Various financial and planning agendas recommended by the 47th and 48th meetings of Finance and Planning were also approved.
The meeting was attended by Vice Chancellor Professor Khalid Masood Gondal, Vice Chancellor University of Health Sciences Professor Ahsan Waheed Rathore, Additional Secretary Medical Education Dr. Sidrah Saleem, Director Budget and Accounts Hammad ul-Rab, Syed Farrukh Shah, Professor Farid, Ghulam Nabi, Registrar Professor Muhammad Nadeem, Professor Ayesha Malik, Professor Shireen Khawar, Manik Sher Idrees Tarar, MS Ganga Ram Hospital Dr. Arif Iftikhar and other syndicate members. Participants from the Law Department, including Shahid Imtiaz, joined via video link.

Punjab cities continue to experience air pollution

By
Asif Jalal
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LAHORE, Nov 27 (APP): The air in various cities of Punjab remains polluted, with Lahore still at number one.
Until recently, Lahore was at the top with 444 particulate matter meters.
According to the Punjab Environment Department sources, 344 particulate matter meters were recorded in Faisalabad and 315 in Gujranwala some time ago.
According to the global environmental website, 220 particulate matter meters were recorded in Lahore, while the number in Gujranwala was 495 and 435 in Faisalabad.
Experts have advised the public to use masks and avoid unnecessary exits from their homes.

UN-Habitat showcases progress on making schools safer in disaster-hit areas

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP):UN-Habitat held a high-level event on Thursday to highlight major progress in making school buildings safer in disaster-prone areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to a press release, the organization presented the achievements of the Disaster Resilient School Infrastructure (DRSI) Project, marking a key step toward safer learning environments for children.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is one of Pakistan’s most disaster-affected provinces, repeatedly struck by earthquakes, floods, and other climate-related hazards. Many schools built before Pakistan introduced its 2007 Building Code remain vulnerable due to weak structures and the absence of seismic safety measures. To address these risks, UN-Habitat launched the DRSI Project to retrofit, repair, and upgrade schools.
Funded with 471 million Japanese Yen by the Government of Japan and JICA, the project was jointly implemented by UN-Habitat and UNDP in coordination with the Elementary and Secondary Education Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The initiative strengthened 150 schools across eight districts, improved learning conditions for 31,000 students,13,595 of them girls and upgraded 300 gender-responsive WASH facilities, including in 66 girls’ schools.
UN-Habitat Senior Advisor Jawed Ali Khan said the retrofitted schools now offer stronger classrooms, better ventilation and lighting, and improved WASH services, allowing children to learn safely. JICA’s Chief Representative Naoaki Miyata added that the project enhances resilience in primary, middle and high schools across districts including Buner, Swat, Malakand, Peshawar, Upper and Lower Chitral, and Upper and Lower Dir.
Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Akamatsu Shuichi, praised the partnership and reaffirmed Japan’s support for building resilience in Pakistan’s education sector. He noted that strong school infrastructure is essential to protect children and keep education running during disasters.
UN-Habitat Deputy Programme Manager Hamid Mumtaz stressed the need for more resilient schools across disaster-prone areas. He said UN-Habitat’s 20 years of work in Pakistan—including safer reconstruction, disaster-risk guidelines, and multi-hazard assessments—has helped improve school safety across the province.
The Secretary of the Elementary and Secondary Education Department thanked Japan, JICA, UN-Habitat, and UNDP for their support, noting that the improvements have increased community trust and encouraged regular student attendance.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) recognized the project as a key contribution to national disaster preparedness, saying resilient schools save lives and reduce losses.
The DRSI Project shows how investment in stronger structures and essential facilities can help children return to school and improve access to education. While 150 schools have been upgraded, officials emphasized that much greater investment is still needed to ensure long-term resilience across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 safe, inclusive and quality education for all.

Punjab bans production of petrol motorcycle rickshaws to curb pollution

By
Asif Jalal
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LAHORE, Nov 27 (APP): The Punjab government has announced sweeping measures to curb environmental pollution and smog, including a landmark decision to ban the production of petrol-powered motorcycle rickshaws across the province.
Senior officials said the manufacturing of these rickshaws will be phased out gradually as part of a long-term shift toward cleaner transportation.
The decision was taken during a special meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Smog Control, chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, where multiple major reforms were approved to improve air quality.
Under the new policy, all government departments will now purchase only electric or hybrid vehicles, including electric motorcycles. The meeting also imposed a complete ban on washing vehicles with water on residential surfaces, aiming to conserve water and discourage wasteful practices.
To modernise waste management, the committee approved the installation of colored dustbins across Punjab, aligning with international standards. Strict punishments were also approved for burning plastic or any material that produces toxic smoke, with officials warning that no leniency would be shown to anyone endangering public health or the environment.
The provincial government also approved the establishment of regular vehicle-testing workshops to monitor emissions and identify smog-producing vehicles. Officials informed the meeting that a dedicated “smog war room” has already been set up at the Safe City Authority to monitor real-time air quality data and coordinate responses.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb briefed the meeting, stating that 41 air quality monitoring systems are currently operational in 18 districts. She added that the deadline for installing 100 additional monitoring sensors has been set for next year.
The committee was further informed that over 450 industrial units responsible for pollution have been demolished and fines totaling Rs 230 million have been imposed for environmental violations. Night squads have also demolished more than 100 illegal units operating after dark.
Additionally, officials reported that 2,200 kilns have been demolished across the province, while another 2,336 have been sealed for non-compliance with environmental laws.

New law helps elderly woman get back property

By
Asif Jalal
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0
KHANEWAL, Nov 27 (APP): The Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance 2025, introduced by the government of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, helped an elderly woman get back her land from possession of illegal occupants in Mianchannu.
Under the newly introduced ordinance, the provincial government has announced strict penalties for fake land ownership documents, including forged Fards, bogus registries, and manipulated land mapping. Officials say the measure is designed to combat one of the most prevalent forms of public grievance: unlawful occupation and fraudulent transfers of property.
In a practical demonstration of the government’s resolve, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Salma Suleman personally visited a village on the outskirts of Mian Channu and restored possession of land belonging to an elderly woman under her supervision.
Barkatey Bibi, a senior citizen, had remained deprived of her 8-kanal land by local encroachers. Acting swiftly under the new directives, the DC supervised the entire recovery operation on site, ensuring the land was handed back to its rightful owner in the presence of officials including ADCR Khalid Abbas Siyal and Assistant Commissioner Sajida Razzaq,
Expressing deep gratitude, Barkatey Bibi thanked Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for introducing the ordinance and for the administration’s timely intervention.

Punjab bringing reforms to strengthen health sector: minister

By
Asif Jalal
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LAHORE, Nov 27 (APP): Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to introducing reforms aimed at strengthening the province’s health sector.
He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting at the Punjab Health Initiative Management Company (PHIMC) on Thursday. The meeting reviewed progress on the Universal Health Insurance Program, Adult Cardiac Surgery Program, Stroke Program and Cancer Program.
Officials from PHIMC presented various proposals and suggestions, while the minister was briefed on the monitoring framework, service delivery mechanisms and measures taken to facilitate patients.
Khawaja Salman Rafique said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab government is committed to ensuring the best, high-quality and free treatment for the public. “New historic projects for cancer, stroke and adult cardiac surgery are being launched,” he said. He added that the Universal Health Insurance Program must operate under a sustainable model so that the maximum number of people can benefit.
Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department, Azmat Mahmood Khan, said all necessary efforts will be made to further improve the health sector. He emphasized that maximum facilities should be available to patients in empaneled hospitals and directed authorities to resolve patient complaints on a priority basis.
Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood Khan attended the meeting via video link, while PHIMC CEO Dr. Ali Razaq and other senior officers were also present.

DRC takes up 112 complaints

By
Asif Jalal
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0
SIALKOT, Nov 27 (APP): The District Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) Sialkot is continuing its efforts to protect citizens’ land and property rights.
A meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Saba Asghar Ali reviewed applications related to ownership and illegal occupation. DPO Faisal Shehzad, ADC (Revenue) Abbas Zulqarnain, assistant commissioners and SDPOs attended the session.
According to DC office spokesperson, the committee has so far heard 112 complaints, out of which 43 applicants were given possession of their land or property.
The deputy commissioner directed the relevant officers to ensure full implementation of DRC decisions and return possession to rightful owners without delay.
Officials were also instructed to send all complaints of illegal occupation to the DRC and verify all land records as per legal requirements.
The DC and DPO ordered strict action against those using fake documents or involved in fraud.

SCCI, HU inked MoU to boost industry-academia linkages

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
PESHAWAR, Nov 27 (APP):Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Hazara University Mansehra have entered into collaboration to boost industry-academia linkages, joint research and uplift of diverse sectors.
In this connection, a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by SCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Nadeem and Vice Chancellor of the Hazara University Mansehra Prof Dr. Ikramullah Khan during a ceremony held at the Chamber House here Thursday.
The MoU aimed to build up a strong industry-academia linkages, share knowledge, expertise, conduct joint research, as well as to pave the way for providing internship opportunities for the students of Hazara University, in the local/national industry of Peshawar-Pakistan.
The ceremony took place in presence of SCCI’s Vice President Sabir Ahmad Bangash, executive member Adnan Nasir, and Director Planning HU, Dr Faisal Shahzad, Registrar Dr. Tariq Shah and faculty members, the Chamber’ Secretary General Muqtasid Ahsan and others.
Muhammad Nadeem, Senior Vice President of the Chamber highlighted the importance of the joint venture with Hazara University, stating that industry-academia collaboration is imperative for skills development of undergraduates’ students of the varsities and equip them with latest business-techniques and methods as per growing demand of the market. He assured cooperation will be long-lasting and results-oriented.
Furthermore, he said both institutes will sustain efforts to build a strong linkage with indigenous industries and the HU and to take mutual benefits through each other’s experiences and joint ventures in future.
Dr Ikramuullah, Vice Chancellor of the HU welcomed the agreement with SCCI, describing it as a milestone step toward development of academia-industry cooperation.
He stated that Hazara University has not only focused on producing graduates with modern-skills as per market demand but it was also making vigorous efforts for proactive engagements with people of diverse sectors and social activities as well.
The HU VC hoped today’s agreement would play a lead role in expanding cooperation with SCCI and called for early implementation of commitments that were made by leadership of the both institutes.
SVP Muhammad Nadeem on the occasion presented a souvenir to the Vice Chancellor, Hazara University, Mansehra Dr. Ikramullah Khan.

PAC reviews audit reports of Home, Tribal affairs Dept

By
Asif Jalal
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0
PESHAWAR, Nov 27 (APP): The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly conducted a detailed review meeting on Thursday regarding the audit reports of the Home and Tribal Affairs Department for the financial year 2018–19.
The meeting was chaired by Committee Chairman and MPA Idrees Khattak, and attended by MPAs Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani, Anwar Khan, Abdul Salam Afridi, and Ikram Ghazi. Senior officials including the DIG Frontier Police, Director General Audit, and representatives from the Finance and Law Departments were also present.
The committee examined each audit objection individually, seeking clarifications from the concerned authorities.
Officials presented relevant evidence, recovery details, and reports on actions taken regarding each audit point.
Following the review, several minor objections were settled, some were decided upon, while a number of cases were deferred for further examination.
The committee directed the Home and Tribal Affairs Department to fully computerize its receipts and expenditure systems to strengthen transparency and improve financial oversight.
It also instructed officials to attach DSC proceedings with future working papers.
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