ISLAMABAD
KP CM chairs apex committee meeting on security, emphasizes unity against terrorism
PESHAWAR, Jul 30 (APP): A meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee was held here at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Wednesday, with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Khan Gandapur in the chair.
The session reviewed in detail the overall security situation in the province, with particular focus on the newly merged tribal districts.
The meeting was attended by Adviser to the Chief Minister on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Omer Ahmad Bukhari, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, and other senior civil and military officials.
In addition, Members of National and Provincial Assemblies from Bajaur, Khyber, and North Waziristan were invited as special participants.
During the session, relevant authorities briefed the participants on the various aspects of the prevailing security challenges.
The committee paid tribute to the civilians, police, and security personnel martyred in recent terrorist incidents and reaffirmed the collective resolve to continue the fight against terrorism.
It was agreed that public trust must be secured to effectively counter terrorism, and participants underscored the need for enhanced coordination among civil administration, police, security forces, and intelligence agencies to carry out decisive operations.
Participants unanimously acknowledged that terrorism has become a malign threat that can only be eliminated through concerted efforts by the government, the public, and state institutions.
They noted that terrorists are a common enemy and all stakeholders desire their elimination.
Following the meeting, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur issued a video statement to address the public and share key takeaways.
He emphasized that the vision of his party and its leadership has always been to uplift underdeveloped areas, particularly the merged districts, and integrate them into the mainstream through development. However, he regretted that the lack of peace in these areas remains a major obstacle to progress, with terrorism being the root cause of the prevailing instability.
The Chief Minister asserted that peace is essential not only for development but also for securing the future of the province and the country.
He warned that Pakistan’s adversaries are actively working to destabilize the nation and that terrorism is often linked to these hostile foreign interests.
He stressed the need for unity, saying that a deliberate campaign is underway to sow distrust between the government, the public, and the security forces — a conspiracy that must be exposed and countered through collective efforts.
Ali Amin Gandapur cautioned that without the active support of the public, this war against terrorism cannot be won.
He called on citizens to participate wholeheartedly in identifying and resisting those who support terrorists, whether out of fear, greed, or any other motive.
He reiterated that aiding terrorism is neither sanctioned by religion, law, nor tradition, and that facilitators of terrorism must be eliminated alongside the perpetrators.
He explained that terrorists deliberately take refuge in populated areas, launching attacks from within civilian zones to provoke retaliatory responses that could lead to civilian casualties. This tactic, he said, is intended to drive a wedge between the people and the state, and therefore it is imperative to expel terrorists from residential communities.
The Chief Minister urged the public to make a firm decision not to tolerate the presence of terrorists in their midst. He called security personnel — including police and military forces — guests of the community, who must be respected and protected in line with local traditions. Any attack on them, he said, should be met with a unified and forceful response, as it is a moral, religious, and cultural duty of the people.
Chief Minister expressed deep gratitude for the sacrifices made by the armed forces, police, and the general public in the fight against terrorism.
He announced that from August 2, a series of Jirgas will be initiated, starting at the divisional level and involving local elders, political leaders, and stakeholders to gather input and understand local concerns.
A grand Jirga will follow, where a comprehensive policy and action plan will be formulated in collaboration with all stakeholders.
He clarified that the government does not intend to conduct any operation that could displace people, as displacement leads to severe social and economic challenges. However, where terrorist presence is confirmed, targeted actions must be taken to ensure that civilians are not harmed.
A strategy is being developed to this effect, aiming solely at eradicating terrorism while safeguarding the lives of innocent citizens.
The Chief Minister also addressed misinformation campaigns suggesting that the province’s valuable mineral resources are being handed over to others.
He rejected such claims as deliberate attempts by enemies to create confusion and distrust.
He reaffirmed that all provincial assets and resources remain under the control of the provincial government and belong to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He urged the public to recognize and confront those spreading false narratives and to view them as enemies of the province, its future generations, and Pakistan as a whole. He called on all political parties, public representatives, security institutions, and the people to unite in the fight against terrorism.
In conclusion, Ali Amin Gandapur declared that the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands resolutely with its people and will go to every length to eradicate terrorism.
CM aide directs focus on infrastructure development, project reforms
PESHAWAR, Jul 30 (APP): A departmental meeting was held under the chairmanship of Muhammad Sohail Afridi, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Communication and Works.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Communication and Works, Muhammad Israr, Managing Director Engineer Sohail Idrees, Chief Engineers, and other relevant officials.
A detailed presentation was given by the Central Design Office, which highlighted the department’s current performance, weaknesses in infrastructure, and proposed reform measures.
The recent flood damages in various districts, especially in Swat, including destroyed bridges, road repairs, and budget issues came under discussion.
The Chief Engineers emphasized the urgent need for resources required for design and construction projects. They pointed out that the lack of timely funding for the repair of roads and bridges is causing delays in developmental work.
The Special Assistant directed the concerned authorities to conduct a detailed survey of all damaged infrastructure and to prepare repair projects on a priority basis.
He also made it clear that the government is giving top priority to resolving public issues and restoring basic infrastructure.
The meeting also reached a consensus on measures such as modernizing the Central Design Office, establishing surveying and water testing units, providing professional training for engineers and architects, and supplying design software.
Muhammad Sohail Afridi said that serious efforts are being made to transform the Department of Communication and Works Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into a strong institution with financial and administrative autonomy, in order to complete development projects more effectively.
PMYP–Lahore Qalandars cricket trials inspire South Punjab’s future stars
ISLAMABAD, Jul 30 (APP):The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), in collaboration with Lahore Qalandars, concluded a highly successful four-day cricket talent hunt in South Punjab in a sincere effort to discover and nurture grassroots cricket talent.
Spanning two days each in Bahawalpur and Multan, the trials witnessed an overwhelming turnout of over 15,000 aspiring cricketers, including both boys and girls, all driven by a shared dream, to represent Pakistan on the international cricket stage, said a press release.
Held under the banner of the PM Talent Hunt Youth Sports League, facilitated by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the trials aimed to identify top-tier talent from remote regions and provide them with a pathway to professional cricket. The initiative culminated in the selection of one male and one female team from both the cities, featuring 16 boys and 16 girls, who displayed exceptional potential and passion.
The trials were hosted at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) and a key venue in Multan, where the spirit of South Punjab’s cricketing culture was on full display. The first day in each city was reserved for male participants, followed by female trials on the second day. The sessions were rigorous, overseen by the Lahore Qalandars’ professional coaching staff, and focused on identifying raw talent, athleticism, and game awareness. This initiative reflects a broader national vision, to revive cricket from the grassroots and bring opportunities to regions often overlooked by mainstream talent pipelines.
Lahore Qalandars CEO Atif Rana praised the leadership and vision behind the initiative. “We are incredibly grateful to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PMYP Chairman Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, and the entire Prime Minister Youth Programme team for their all-out support and vision in making these nationwide trials a huge success.
“The passion we witnessed in Bahawalpur and Multan was simply un-matched. The youth of this cricket-crazy nation have once again shown that if given the opportunity, they are ready to shine. We are proud to partner in this journey and congratulate all those who made it through the trials. This is just the beginning,” he added.
Atif Rana also acknowledged the hospitality and cooperation of local institutions, especially Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran and the administration of Islamia University of Bahawalpur, for their ‘excellent arrangements and lush cricketing facilities’.
He also expressed a keen interest in establishing a Lahore Qalandars High Performance Academy branch at IUB, aiming to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) soon to expand cricket development efforts in South Punjab.
The shortlisted boys and girls were ecstatic at being selected. Many of them lauded the Prime Minister, PMYP officials, and Lahore Qalandars management for delivering a professional and transparent platform to showcase their abilities.
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime. We are thankful to PM Shehbaz Sharif and the Lahore Qalandars team for looking toward cities like Bahawalpur and Multan,” said one of the selected girls. “We promise to work harder, and Insha’Allah, make Pakistan proud.”
Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandukhel and federal ministers present a grant cheque of Rs10 million to women during a seminar on women in agriculture at Governor House
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