BAKU
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, in a group photo with delegates from different countries participating in the D-8 Media Forum
BAKU
Federal Constitutional Court hears NCHR’s petition to end manual sewer cleaning
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) appeared before the Federal Constitutional Court on Friday in its landmark constitutional petition under Article 184, seeking the complete phase-out of manual sewer cleaning and the institutionalisation of health and safety regulations for sanitation workers throughout Pakistan.
The case was heard by a three-member bench headed by Justice Aminuddin, marking a historic moment in Pakistan’s human-rights landscape and the fight to protect one of the country’s most marginalised labour forces.
In its petition, NCHR highlighted the risks faced by sanitation workers, who continue to perform highly hazardous and often lethal tasks without adequate protective gear, training, or occupational safety protocols, said a press release issued here on Friday.
NCHR also submitted that in the absence of regulatory enforcement and emergency response mechanisms, workers are routinely exposed to toxic gases, life-threatening injuries, and preventable deaths.
During the hearing, Barrister Iqbal Nasar, NCHR’s pro bono counsel, informed the bench that a day before the hearing, another sanitation worker had died in the gutters.
After hearing NCHR’s argument, the Federal Constitutional Court issued notices to the respondents.
“Manual cleaning of gutters is brutal and dehumanising. No person’s life should be put at risk for a task that should never require human hands in the first place,” said Chairperson NCHR Rabiya Javeri Agha who attended the hearing on NCHR’s behalf.
The case marks the first such hearing by Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court, examining the rights of sanitation workers through a constitutional lens, potentially setting a precedent for labour dignity, occupational safety, and equal protection under the law.
Punjab govt. releases Rs1b to buy four armored vehicles to target Kacha area bandits
LAHORE, Nov 21 (APP): Punjab Police have decided to rely on modern technology to control the increasing incidents of kidnapping in the Kacha area of Rahim Yar Khan and Rajan Pur.
Punjab Police will purchase four modern armored vehicles to eradicate robbers by going near their hideouts.
According to the details, the modern armored vehicles worth Rs 1 billion will be purchased for Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur police.
The Punjab government has released funds of Rs1 billion to purchase the modern armored vehicles. Elite personnel will be able to target the hideouts of robbers with the help of these modern vehicles.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Senator Dr Musadik Masood Malik, delivers his keynote address virtually at a high-level side event titled “Building Green Skills for a Sustainable Pakistan,” held at the Pakistan Pavilion during the UN Climate Summit (COP-30)
BELEM
New initiative empowers women to sell products from home: Shahina Sher Ali
HYDERABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Sindh Minister for Women Development Shahina Sher Ali visited Hyderabad on Friday and attended a ceremony held at the Sindhi Language Authority (SLA) for the distribution of certificates and cheques under the skill development and women empowerment program as chief guest.
The event was organized by the Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) in collaboration with the Sindh Education Department.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Shahina Sher Ali said the education and skills program was an excellent initiative that enables women of all ages to enhance their learning and technical abilities. She added that the women development department was launching the E-Complex Project, under which women will receive special training to help them access markets from home. Through this initiative, trained women will be able to sell their products directly and even reach international markets.
The provincial minister appreciated the role of SPO and the efforts of the entire women development department team. She urged all women to take care of their health and their children’s future, and to immediately contact the department’s helpline 1094 in case of any complaint. She assured that the department was available 24/7 for assistance.
She further said that no nation can progress without the development of its women, and therefore, the advancement of women was essential for the progress of Sindh.
During the ceremony, successful trainees shared their stories of achievement with the participants. The minister was also presented with a traditional Sindhi Ajrak and a shield. Relevant officials were present on the occasion.
Later, the provincial minister visited the women complaint cell Hyderabad, where she listened to citizens’ grievances, reviewed the cell’s overall performance and issued directives for the prompt resolution of complaints.
SEPA inspects waste disposal at PPHI’s health facility
HYDERABAD, Nov 21 (APP): A monitoring team of the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) led by Assistant Director Tufail Ahmed Abbasi inspected a unit of the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) in Sheikh Bhirkio area of Tando Muhammad Khan district on Friday to check the hospital waste disposal system.
An official of SEPA informed that the primary objective of the visit was to evaluate the operational protocols for the segregation, handling, storage and disposal of biomedical waste generated at the healthcare facility.
He added that the team scrutinized the staff’s level of awareness, understanding of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the practical implementation of the legally mandated procedures.
He apprised that the procedures were designed Sindh Hospital Waste Management Rules, 2016, in addition to the Sindh Environment Protection Act, 2014, in order to prevent environmental pollution and to protect public health from the hazards of infectious medical waste.
According to him, the SEPA’s team conducted a thorough physical inspection of the premises, checking availability and proper use of color-coded waste bins, the condition of waste storage areas, and records related to waste disposal.
He observed that such inspections underscored the agency’s ongoing campaign to enforce environmental laws across the province, with a particular focus on healthcare institutions where improper waste management could lead to the spread of infectious diseases and environmental contamination.
Reforms expedited to make jails corruption-free and modern: Rana Manan
FAISALABAD, Nov 21 (APP):Chief Minister’s (CM) Task Force on Prisons Chairperson Rana Manan Khan said that the Punjab government has fast-tracked practical measures to make prisons across the province corruption-free, secure and equipped with modern facilities.
Talking to media after a detailed visit to District Jail Faisalabad on Friday evening, he said that the inspection focused on reviewing construction standards, facilities and administrative operations to ensure compliance with the Jail Manual and to strengthen transparency and service delivery.
He said that the government aims to transform Punjab’s jails into institutions centered on rehabilitation, skill development and inmate welfare.
During visit, he inspected different barracks, jail hospital, inmates’ living areas and administrative sections.
He also interacted with a number of ailing prisoners at the hospital to review medical services being provided and to assess their immediate needs.
Improving governance by upgrading essential facilities and services inside prisons is a top priority of the provincial government, he added.
Responding to a question, he said that family rooms in Central Jail are fully functional, allowing inmates to meet their families in a dignified and comfortable environment. The facility is available through a formal application process and is managed with complete transparency, he added.
Responding to another query regarding the relocation of jails outside cities, Rana Manan Khan said that while the idea has merit, it is not an immediate priority as the government is currently focused on several other pressing issues. However, the proposal may be considered in the future if affordable and suitable land becomes available, he said, adding that for now, the government’s attention remains on administrative improvements, enhanced service delivery and performance strengthening within the existing prison facilities.
He acknowledged the operational challenges faced by district jails located within city areas but said that the primary focus remains on inmate reform, better facilities and adherence to the Jail Manual.
He said that monitoring teams are regularly inspecting prisons across the province to identify shortcomings and resolve them promptly for ensuring a better and more humane environment for inmates as well as jail staff.
KP CM threatened institutions while sensing PTI defeat in Haripur by-election: Ikhtair Wali
HARIPUR, Nov 21 (APP): Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Information and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Affairs, Ikhtiyar Wali Khan on Friday said that Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has threatened institutions while sensing defeat of the PTI candidate in Haripur by election.
Addressing a gathering of party workers here, Ikhtiyar Wali Khan said that PTI leadership had promised five million houses, 10 million jobs, and the construction of 365 dams but failed to honour their pledges.
Despite four years federal government in 2018-2022 and third consecutive government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the PTI leadership have failed to fulfill these promises and disappointed people on all fronts.
He said that PTI’s members only clap their desks in the assembly while problems of masses increased.
“I have heard that the young Chief Minister KP while sensing defeat of his party candidate, has threatened the institutions. I believe he must have given this threatening statement under an influence.” He said these institutions belong to all of us, and their protection is the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan.
He said that if anyone has worked for development of Haripur, it is only the Pakistan Muslim League (N).
In Hazara, PML-N completed scores of mega projects such as the Motorway and Hazara Electric Supply Company and accelerated pace of development here in all sectors of life.
Without naming Imran Khan, he said there was a time when the then Prime Minister said no one answered or accepted his phone calls, and today the world leaders are calling our Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
Ikhtiyar Wali Khan said that unfortunately, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the PTI government is busy pleasing its leader instead of addressing public issues.
He claimed the province’s resources are being used for personal gains rather than public interests. He said people of KP pinned high hopes of PMLN after they were disappointed by PTI and will vote for Babar Nawaz Khan and PML-N for the development of Haripur.
He said just as people of Nowshera had defeated PTI candidate in 2021 by election while PTI was in power, Haripur will repeat that history on November 23.
He said development projects are underway in all provinces of Pakistan including Hazara and PMLN Govt will change destiny of people of Haripur.
Earlier, met in Haripur with the Central Senior Vice President and former Chief Minister Peer Sabir Shah and discussed party affairs especially by election in Haripur.
He also met with MNA Dr. Shaista Jadoon, MPA Syeda Shahla Shah, Senior Vice President Sajjad Baghdar, Youth Coordinator Peshawar Division Idrees Sagar, and Ghazi Tehsil Mayor Syed Qasim Shah.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on important political, party-organizational, and governmental matters, and all leaders pledged to work together for the betterment of the party.
Later, all participants attended the rally of NA-18 Haripur candidate Babar Nawaz Khan at the Elementary College Ground, Haripur.
In the end, Ikhtiyar Wali Khan raised the slogans “Long live Pakistan, Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan Muslim League (N),” and the entire venue echoed with the chants.
Security Forces killed 13 terrorists in two separate engagements in KP
RAWALPINDI, Nov 21 (APP): Security Forces killed 13 khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
“On 20-21 November 2025, 13 khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. On the reported presence of Khwarij, a joint intelligence-based operation was conducted by the Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies in the general area of Paharkhel, Lakki Marwat District. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, ten khwarij were sent to hell,” said an ISPR news release.
Another intelligence-based operation was conducted in Dera Ismail Khan District. In the ensuing fire exchange, three Khwarij were effectively neutralised by the security forces.
Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed Indian sponsored Khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the Security Forces, Law Enforcement agencies and target killing of innocent civilians.
Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji found in the area, as a relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision “Azm e Istehkam” (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan) by the Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country
NA speaker mourns lives lost in chemical factory accident
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP):National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Friday expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of lives in a boiler explosion at a chemical factory in Faisalabad.
In his statement, the Speaker termed the incident as deeply tragic and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He extended sympathy and support to those affected, praying for strength and patience for the families enduring this irreparable loss.
He prayed that Allah grant the departed souls a place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and bestow patience and strength upon the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss.
The Speaker also extended his heartfelt wishes for the swift and complete recovery of all those injured in the incident.