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Passengers demand action against STEs as over 8,200 ticket dodgers caught in November raids

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
LAHORE, Dec 01 (APP): Passengers of Pakistan Railways have demanded strict action against Special Ticket Examiners (STEs) after the revelation that 8,214 ticket dodgers were caught in November during raids on several trains across the country.
Daily Passengers Association Secretary Asghar Sherwani said that hundreds of passengers travel on almost every train without tickets by bribing STEs and railway police officials, yet the higher authorities fail to take any disciplinary action. “The system encourages corruption when officials on duty freely allow ticketless travel,” he added.
Earlier on Monday, Pakistan Railways released data showing that Rs 18,226,640 were recovered from ticketless passengers during widespread raids in November alone.
Sherwani also questioned why the number of ticketless passengers continues to rise despite continuous inspections.
According to railway sources, the raids were conducted under the supervision of Deputy Chief Commercial Manager (Passenger) Nasir Nazir, whose Headquarters Ticketless Checking Squad inspected trains operating on the Lahore–Sahiwal, Sahiwal–Khanewal, Lahore–Faisalabad, Faisalabad–Shorkot, and Khanewal–Multan–Rohri sections, as well as trains running in Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta.
Major trains checked included Allama Iqbal Express, Tezgam, Khyber Mail, Awam Express, Pakistan Express, Shalimar Express, Millat Express, Rehman Baba Express, Karakoram, Green Line and Hazara Express. The recovered fines were deposited into the national treasury.
Criticizing long-standing practices within the department, Sherwani said that for years railway officials have portrayed increasing “window earnings” as a sign of the commercial staff’s good performance, whereas the growing number of ticketless travelers indicates the opposite. Despite this, the system continues to count the detection of ticket dodgers as “performance” instead of addressing the root causes.
The scribe tried to contact the commercial department for its version about the criticism but it did not respond.

Chinese Embassy urges nationals to evacuate Tajikistan-Afghanistan border amid armed attacks

By
NNPS Desk
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0

BEIJING, Dec 1 (APP): The Chinese Embassy in Tajikistan on Monday urges Chinese enterprises and personnel to urgently evacuate the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border areas after Chinese nationals injured during armed attack occurred in the area.

On Sunday night, an armed attack occurred in Darvoz District of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in Tajikistan, which borders Afghanistan, resulting in casualties among Chinese citizens, Global Times reported.

The Chinese Embassy in Tajikistan once again urges Chinese enterprises and personnel to urgently evacuate the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border areas. Other Chinese nationals in Tajikistan should avoid traveling to these areas and take proper safety precautions, the embassy said on its WeChat account on Monday.

In case of emergency, please contact the local police immediately and seek assistance from the Chinese Embassy, it said.

On Sunday night, Chinese Ambassador to Tajikistan Guo Zhijun urgently called Tajikistan officials, according to a readout published on the embassy’s WeChat account.

The two sides exchanged views on the latest developments concerning the safety of Chinese enterprises and citizens in the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border areas. Guo urged the Tajik side to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Chinese enterprises and nationals in Tajikistan.

In response, the Tajik side strongly condemned the armed attack targeting Chinese citizens, and said it would immediately upgrade security measures and make every effort to protect the safety of Chinese enterprises and citizens, per the readout.

ICT admin begins installing M-Tag readers ahead of new traffic enforcement

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (APP): The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and police have started work on the installation of advanced M-Tag readers at various locations of the Federal Capital.
According to the spokesman of ICT administration here, these readers are designed to identify vehicles moving without an M-Tag, allowing enforcement teams to take action on the spot.
According to officials, the new readers will detect vehicles that have not been registered under the M-Tag system, helping authorities streamline traffic oversight and regulate movement more efficiently.
In this regard, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Memon and Director General Safe City visited multiple sites to review the progress of installation. During their visit, they examined the functioning of the devices and discussed operational steps required to ensure smooth enforcement once the system is fully active.
The deputy commissioner said that vehicles identified by the readers will be stopped by police teams positioned nearby. He advised citizens to obtain their M-Tag without delay to avoid any inconvenience. He added that timely registration will help motorists stay clear of legal complications under the upcoming enforcement phase.
The administration has set up 10 facilitation points across Islamabad where residents can get their vehicles registered for the M-Tag. These centres have been established in busy areas to make the process accessible for motorists. The deputy commissioner said that the administration wants citizens to complete their registration before the next enforcement stage begins.
Officials said that once the system becomes fully operational, vehicles found travelling without an M-Tag will face heavy fines and may also be shifted to police stations. They said that this step will be taken in the next phase to ensure compliance and establish an organised traffic monitoring system.
The district administration has urged motorists to cooperate by completing their M-Tag registration and by following instructions issued by law enforcement teams. Authorities say the updated system will help regulate vehicle movement, ease monitoring duties and support overall traffic management.
The Safe City team is also overseeing technical integration to ensure that the readers connect smoothly with the city’s monitoring network. Their objective is to maintain a system in which vehicle identification is accurate and enforcement teams can respond promptly.
With installation work underway and enforcement planned in phases, officials said the M-Tag system will soon cover major entry and exit points of Islamabad. They emphasised that early compliance will help motorists avoid penalties once the new rules come fully into effect.

Local governments essential component of state structure: PA Speaker

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
LAHORE, Dec 01 (APP):Punjab Assembly (PA) Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has said that government cannot breathe without local governments.
Addressing the National Conference ‘Local Governance in Pakistan: Empowering Communication’ held at Beaconhouse National University (BNU) on Monday, he said, “The federation and the provinces are indispensable, local governments are also an essential component of the state structure.”
The speaker said that the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award must be extended to the local level, as equitable distribution of resources forms the basis of a stable social structure.
He said, “If local governments are not empowered, the relationship between the state and its citizens becomes weak.”

NADRA notifies major regulatory reforms to strengthen Pakistan’s identity system

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 01 (APP): National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has notified a comprehensive set of new regulations following their approval by the NADRA Authority Board in accordance with the relevant Rules and the NADRA Ordinance.
These regulations have been published in the Gazette of Pakistan. The reforms include updated procedures for verification and cancellation of identity documents, amendments to the National Identity Card (NIC) framework, a revised regulatory structure for the Pakistan Origin Card (POC) and a modern procurement regime for the organisation.
According to the Gazette notifications, the new Verification Regulations introduce a structured process for examining doubtful identity records and establish Verification Boards responsible for inquiries, hearings and final decisions. These measures are designed to strengthen the security and accuracy of the national identity system.
The amendments to the National Identity Card regulations update key definitions, streamline service delivery mechanisms and introduce formal procedures for the secure disposal of obsolete or undelivered cards. They also define a clear process for handling cases involving multiple CNICs and include rules governing the registration of orphanages and child protection institutions.
NADRA has further issued updated Pakistan Origin Card regulations which clarify eligibility criteria for overseas Pakistanis and individuals of Pakistani origin. The framework outlines documentary requirements for verifying lineage and specifies the rights POC holders are entitles to during their stay in Pakistan.
In a significant governance development, the Authority has approved and notified the NADRA Procurement Regulations 2025, which align the organisation’s procurement practices with national transparency and accountability standards. These regulations require competitive and auditable procurement processes, particularly for sensitive ICT and security-related acquisitions.
NADRA spokesperson stated that the approval of these regulations marks a major step in modernising the Authority’s operational and legal foundations and reaffirms its commitment to secure and citizen-centred service delivery. The complete texts of all newly notified regulations have been made available on the NADRA website for public access and reference.

KP Minister announces key steps to strengthen healthcare system

By
Asif Jalal
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0

PESHAWAR, Dec 01 (APP): Provincial Minister for Health, Khaliq-ur-Rehman on Monday chaired an important meeting with the Insaf Doctors Forum and discuss vital reforms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s healthcare system.

The meeting focused on enhancing healthcare delivery and involving young doctors in the province’s healthcare reforms, said a press release.

During the meeting, the Minister acknowledged the Insaf Doctors Forum as a crucial platform for bringing positive and sustainable changes to the healthcare sector.

He emphasized the Health Department’s commitment to collective action and highlighted that all personal or group interests must be set aside to prioritize the greater good of public health.

Minister Khaliq-ur-Rehman particularly praised the energy, talent, and dedication of young doctors, noting that their innovative ideas and skills are essential to driving growth and improvement in the healthcare system.

He stressed that the health system can only progress when all stakeholders work together in unity, professionalism, and with a sense of shared responsibility.

The Minister also emphasized the government’s determination to engage young doctors in institutional development and service delivery, while encouraging constructive criticism and feedback to identify gaps and foster ongoing reforms.

The Insaf Doctors Forum representatives assured their full support and commitment to improving the healthcare system, pledging to work actively with the government to ensure greater efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness to public needs.

They reaffirmed their dedication to identifying shortcomings and proposing practical solutions to strengthen healthcare services across the province.

In conclusion, Minister Khaliq-ur-Rehman reiterated the Health Department’s full cooperation and support for the forum, emphasizing that the government values the contributions of young professionals and will continue engaging with all stakeholders to ensure better healthcare facilities for the people of KP.

Measles–Rubella campaign concludes successfully

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 01 (APP): Pakistan has successfully concluded its 2025 National Measles–Rubella (MR) and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) campaign, vaccinating more than 33 million children nationwide and achieving over 95% coverage.
According to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, the drive led by the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), is being hailed as one of the country’s most successful immunization drives in recent years.
The nationwide MR campaign was conducted across all provinces and regions—including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad—where vaccination teams achieved exceptional results.
By reaching remote, high-risk, and underserved communities through school-based vaccination, community outreach, and door-to-door social mobilization, coverage remained consistently above 95%.
Under FDI’s leadership, provincial and district health teams intensified efforts with the support of teachers, local influencers, and religious leaders, ensuring high participation and public trust.
The strong outcomes underscore the resilience of Pakistan’s immunization system and the effectiveness of coordinated action at national, provincial, and community levels.
Operational performance throughout the drive was robust. More than 284,000 vaccination sessions were monitored by supervisors across all administrative tiers to ensure quality and adherence to standards.
 Reporting compliance reached 98%, reflecting strong coordination and oversight nationwide.
The Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline 1166 played a vital role, responding to over 3,000 MR-related queries from parents and caregivers.
Vaccine safety surveillance remained stringent, with all reported adverse events promptly managed and investigated as per national protocols.
The ministry of Health and the FDI commended provincial EPI teams, vaccinators, supervisors, social mobilizers, teachers, volunteers, religious leaders, and local administrators for their dedication.
 They also acknowledged the critical support of UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, and civil society partners in strengthening logistics, operations, and communication.
The ministry praised the unwavering commitment of parents and caregivers who ensured their children received lifesaving vaccines.
Meanwhile, the final nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2025 is scheduled from 15–21 December, targeting over 45 million children.
The ministry urged parents to ensure their children receive polio drops during this crucial round. The successful completion of the 2025 MR campaign reaffirms Pakistan’s national commitment to eliminating measles and controlling rubella, safeguarding the health and future of millions of children.

Governor Kundi assures border-area traders of full support to resolve Afghanistan border closure issues

By
Asif Jalal
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0
PESHAWAR, Dec 01 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday held a meeting with delegation of traders from the province’s border districts, who apprised him of the severe economic impact caused by the closure of the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.
The delegation was led by Chairman FPCCI Standing Committee on Trade Affairs (Afghanistan and Central Asia) Shahid Shinwari. The group included Wajid Ali Shinwari Senior Vice President, Hazrat Ali Shinwari Executive Member, Khyber Chamber, Shah Khalid Chairman Tehsil Landi Kotal, Qadeerullah Wazir President Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Subhanullah President Kurram Chamber, Kharlachi Border, Qaseem Khan from Chaman Border, and others.
Haji Malik Abdullah Khan, President Ghulam Khan Trade North Waziristan and General Secretary Qamar Zaman Mehsud were also present.
The traders informed the Governor that the border closure with Afghanistan had critically affected business activities in KP, especially in the tribal and border districts, and urged the government to take effective measures for an immediate solution.
Governor Kundi said that economic progress is directly linked to peace in the province.
“All recent incidents of unrest are connected to Afghanistan, and even during negotiations, the attitude of the Afghan authorities was not encouraging,” he said.
He added that security forces, students, traders, politicians, and people from all walks of life have suffered from terrorism, and that a security operation is essential for restoring peace.
“Only after peace is established can businesses flourish and economic stability return,” he emphasized.
He assured the delegation that the issues of the business community are well understood and pledged to play a proactive role in facilitating their meeting with the President and the Prime Minister. “I will act as your advocate and a bridge,” he said.
Meanwhile, the delegation of Tehreek Paigham-e-Ehsaas Insaniyat called on Governor Faisal Karim Kundi at the Governor’s House. The delegation included the movement’s founder, Ayaz Ahmed Awan, patron-in-chief, Syed Inayat Shah Badshah, Chairman Haji Abidullah Khan Yousafzai, President Haji Muhammad Arif Yousaf Advocate, PPP leader Khawaja Yawar Naseer and other local dignitaries.
Speaking to the delegation, Governor Kundi said it was encouraging to see people from all political parties united for the betterment of Peshawar, calling the city the “face of the province.”
He said provincial issues directly affected the public and stressed the need for improved coordination between the federal and provincial governments.
Kundi said former provincial leadership had neglected cooperation, but hoped the current chief minister would work jointly to resolve key issues.
He pledged to take up road and railway-related matters with federal departments and urged the business community to take ownership of Peshawar’s development.
The Governor assured an uninterrupted power supply in areas with 100% WAPDA recovery, saying power theft was the main cause of load-shedding. The delegation thanked the Governor for his support and commitment to addressing public issues.

Tarar questions PTI’s record on privacy, political revenge

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 01 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Monday accused the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government of victimising political opponents, noting that its leaders even boasted abroad about removing air conditioners from prison cells.
Responding to a point of order raised by Ali Muhammad Khan, Tarar asked who had undermined the sanctity of privacy and the “chadar and char diwari,” saying his party had endured the bitterness of the PTI era. He stressed that the nation had seen who initiated political vendettas, violated privacy, and ordered partisan arrests, warning that “selective memory” must not be allowed to distort history or democratic norms.
He recalled that PTI’s founder once told an audience in the United States he would remove Nawaz Sharif’s air-conditioner and boasted of jailing Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Tarar reminded lawmakers that Pakistan had witnessed the Charter of Democracy, signed by Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the late Benazir Bhutto, which helped revive the country’s political process.
The minister emphasised that prison meetings are meant for legal matters, not for maligning national security institutions on social media or conspiring against the state, adding that unlawful demands would not be entertained.
He further questioned who acted as the “spoiler,” alleging that orders were issued to arrest relatives and daily lists of detainees were demanded. Officials, he said, checked each morning whether prisoners received food or medicine.
Tarar added that Shehzad Akbar, who spearheaded this bitterness, has fled the country while others face the consequences.
Tarar said history made clear who fueled confrontation and who upheld Parliament, recalling that opposition leaders once faced jail for dissent. He alleged that daily meetings at the Prime Minister’s House determined who would be humiliated, arrested, targeted, or branded.

Addressing public problems stands atop new AJK administration’s priorities: AJK PM

By
Asif Jalal
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0
MIRPUR (AJK), Dec 1 (APP): Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Monday said that his government would leave no stone unturned in addressing the problems faced by the ordinary people.
According to APP correspondent, the PM said while cut the Media outlet’s anniversary cake that things have started moving in the right direction. “Improvement in almost every sector of the government, specifically health, tourism is inevitable”, he noted.
He also appreciated the media house’s contribution and its focus on the region’s development, its efforts to promote tourism and culture, and its consistent advocacy for the ongoing freedom movement in Kashmir as part of its professional commitment and journalistic ethos.
The PM reiterated his government’s commitment to take all possible measures for the promotion of objective journalism and journalistic values.
Highlighting the challenges faced by his government, the PM acknowledged that problems were numerous while resources remain limited. “However, despite all the challenges, the government is making serious efforts to solve problems”, he remarked.
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