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Murad Inaugurates Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Disabilities

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KARACHI, Jun 03 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday inaugurated a state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre dedicated to children with physical and neurodevelopmental disabilities, calling it a “beacon of hope” for families across the province.
The new facility — The Centre for Rehabilitation of Children with Physical and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities — is a joint initiative between the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) and the Sindh government’s Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD).
“This centre stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to our collective commitment to support children facing physical and neurodevelopmental challenges, including conditions such as autism and Down syndrome,” said the chief minister during the inauguration. “Our vision is clear — to provide these children with the care, therapies, and opportunities they need to thrive and lead fulfilling lives.”
The newly opened facility offers a wide range of integrated services delivered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals. These include, Physiotherapy to enhance mobility and physical development, Speech Therapy to improve communication and language skill, Remedial Therapy for academic and cognitive growth, Behavioural Therapy to support adaptive functioning, Occupational Therapy focusing on daily living skills and sensory integration, A Sensory Room for sensory regulation and exploration, Paediatrician services for medical assessments and developmental care, Special Play Area with adaptive equipment for inclusive play and Audiometry Services for early detection and intervention of hearing impairments.
Shah toured the centre’s facilities, interacted with children, and noted that 50 children had already been admitted on the first day.
The chief minister also announced plans to expand similar rehabilitation centres to various districts across Sindh. “We have already established such centres in Karachi, Gambat, Larkana, Tando Muhammad Khan, and Nawabshah. More are on the way,” he said.
In a major development, Shah revealed that the Sindh government has allocated 100 acres of reclaimed land near the Malir Expressway in Karachi to develop an Inclusive City — a comprehensive environment for persons with disabilities.
“This Inclusive City will feature inclusive schools, rehabilitation complexes, vocational training centres, a general hospital, neuropsychiatry ward, and residential facilities,” Shah stated. A 20-acre park designed for children with special needs and a building to house welfare organisations will also be part of the project.
“This city will be a model of accessibility, dignity, and opportunity,” he added.
Shah paid tribute to Dr Ruth Pfau, founder of MALC, recalling her pioneering efforts in the fight against leprosy. “Her legacy continues through the centre and MALC’s ongoing work,” he said.
Answering media questions, CM announced that the Sindh provincial budget will be presented on June 13, 2025, with agriculture being a central focus.
He also stressed the need for provincial representation in the management of K-Electric and other power distribution companies, citing consumer interests and constitutional responsibility.
“The Sindh government is interested in running HESCO and SEPCO under a public-private partnership model,” he said, adding that discussions with the federal government are ongoing.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including DEPD Secretary Taha Ahmed Farooqi, Special Assistant Rajveer Singh Sodha Tunio, German Consul General Dr Rüdiger Lotz, GLRA Germany Global Health Advisor Dr Anil Fastino, MALC CEO Mervyn Francis, and board members Anwarul Haq Haidri, Azeem Hussain Siddiqui, and Abid Hussain.

23 outlaws including 05 absconders arrested, drugs recovered

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 03 (APP):Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police, Aabara, Secretariat, Shalimar, Sangjani, Khanna, Kirpa, Humak, Bhara Kahu and Phulgran police station teams arrested 18 accused involved in different criminal activities and recovered 6443 gram heroin, 21 bottles liquor and 10 pistols from their possession on Tuesday.
A public relations officer told APP that Cases have been registered against the arrested accused and further investigations are ongoing. Additionally, during a special campaign launched for the arrest of proclaimed offenders and absconders, various police teams arrested 05 criminals.
Following the special directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi the Islamabad Police continues its effective crackdown against crime and criminal elements to ensure the peace and tranquility in the federal capital.
The Islamabad Police is committed to protecting the lives and property of the residents and no elements will be allowed to disturb public peace. Ensuring peace and protecting citizens remains the top priority of Islamabad Police.

Pakistani delegation emphasizes UNSC to play proactive role in promoting de-escalation, disputes’ resolution

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UNITED NATIONS, Jun 03 (APP): The high-level Pakistani parliamentary delegation, led by PPP Chairman and former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday emphasized the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to play its crucial role to ensure peace and conflict resolution in the face of a growing trend of unilateralism and escalation.

The delegation held a meeting with the President of the UNSC for the month of June, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Guyana. The meeting was part of Pakistan’s sustained diplomatic outreach to brief key UN stakeholders on the alarming regional situation following recent Indian provocations and blatant aggression.

The delegation urged the Council to play a proactive role in promoting de-escalation, ensuring respect for international law and treaties and facilitating peaceful resolution of the disputes, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the Security Council resolutions.

In his remarks, Bilawal Bhutto conveyed Pakistan’s deep concern over India’s baseless allegations following the Pahalgam attack, which he said were made without any credible investigation or substantiated evidence.

He condemned India’s unilateral military actions, including deliberate strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the arbitrary holding in abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty — a move that he said dangerously weaponizes a vital natural resource and undermines international treaties with implications for regional peace and security.

He stressed that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, adding that Pakistan is one of the biggest victims of terrorism itself. He underscored that a terrorist incident should not be used as a pretext for unilateral and illegal actions that threaten peace and security in South Asia.

Bilawal Bhutto reiterated Pakistan’s call for holding ceasefire, resumption of the normal functioning of the Indus Water Treaty, and the initiation of a comprehensive dialogue with India, which is centered on the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute — the cornerstone for sustainable peace in South Asia.

Pakistani delegation emphasizes UNSC to play proactive role in promoting de-escalation, disputes' resolution

 

The President of the Security Council, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett reaffirmed the Security Council’s commitment to upholding international peace and security in line with its mandate.

Vendors offloading sacrificial animal from delivery van at Ring road cattle market.

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Vendors offloading sacrificial animal from delivery van at Ring road cattle market.
APP38-030625
PESHAWAR: June 03 – 
Vendors offloading sacrificial animal from delivery van at Ring road cattle market.
APP37-030625
PESHAWAR: June 03 – Vendors offloading sacrificial animal from delivery van at Ring road cattle market.
Vendors offloading sacrificial animal from delivery van at Ring road cattle market.
APP39-030625
PESHAWAR: June 03 – Vendors offloading sacrificial animal from delivery van at Ring road cattle market. APP/SYR/MAF/TZD/FHA
Vendors offloading sacrificial animal from delivery van at Ring road cattle market.
APP40-030625
PESHAWAR: June 03 – Vendor offloading sacrificial animal from delivery van at Ring road cattle market. APP/SYR/MAF/TZD/FHA

Babar, Rizwan can’t be ruled out of T20I team, believes Salman Butt

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Muhammad Naeem Khan Niazi
LAHORE, Jun 03 (APP):Cricketer-turned commentator, coach Salman Butt has said that considering their Herculean performances with the bat in the white-ball cricket over the past years, ace batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan cannot be ruled out of the Pakistan’s T20I team.
‘Babar topped the ICC T20I ranking charts for three years and is the leading run-scorer for Pakistan. He is the second leading run-getter in the T20Is in the world and only behind India’s Rohit Sharma by a few runs’ the former captain said in an interview with famous Pakistani cricket Youtuber and analyst Sanaullah on Tuesday.
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi were not considered for the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Bangladesh as Pakistan fielded a new-look T20I squad with the focus on playing ‘fearless without being careless’ cricket.
The former captain Salman Butt said if we dissect great players’ professional careers, there are three or four years when they are at the ultimate peak and Babar has achieved this stature through his consistent performances with the bat.
Babar Azam is an outstanding run-getter for the country and this made him heartthrob of the nation and he was on billboards in every part of the country.
“He is still young but runs are not coming  with flow and he is not managing to play big innings as he used to do in the past,” the former opening batter Salman Butt said, adding that, currently, he lacks consistency as his bat has not been producing runs as he was in the past and the peak of his career but such phases of lean patch are common with great players and great player always make a comeback.
On the new-look T20I team, he said Babar and Rizwan came under the hammer for not being that aggressive in the first six overs of the power-play and, moreover, it was a common perception that they leave little space for the other batter when they play long innings.
Salman Butt was adamant that the PCB cannot completely rule out Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, adding if a unit can be developed which is satisfying and more aggressive to replace Babar, there is good.
Salman said Pakistan T20I squad will need a player like Babar’s stature to play sheet anchor role in challenging conditions. He said Pakistan T20I squad under Salman Ali Agha got exposed in the recent white-ball tour of New Zealand.
Salman Butt, however, disagreed with the interviewer and reminded him that Bangladesh team may be called a young team but it would be unjust to call Pakistan team as young, adding that Muhammad Haris played the ICC T20I World Cup in 2022 while the rest of them have made many come-backs to the team.
On Pakistan’s victory against Bangladesh, Salman Butt believed though it was a reasonable victory but it can not be taken as a big achievement to celebrate, adding that Bangladesh were a depleted side which lost T20I series against UAE recently. He said most of the Bangladesh senior cricketers had retired or were out of the Pakistan tour due to injury or personal reasons.
Salman Butt praised Mohammad Haris for his maiden century, adding it is a good omen that another consistent wicket-keeper batter will serve Pakistan cricket besides reliable Mohammad Rizwan.
On Pakistan bowling line-up in the series, Salman Butt said ‘Politely but factually, it was not a series to judge Pakistan’s bowling, adding that one needs to have a strong opposition to judge the bowling. He said Pakistan bowled with all-rounders in the series and still worked against the depleted Bangladesh side. He said Pakistan cricket team must play five front-line bowlers to make a difference in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20I world cup 2026.

PRA achieves record tax collection

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LAHORE, Jun 03 (APP):The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has achieved a significant milestone by collecting a record Rs. 26.12 billion in tax revenues during May 2025, reflecting a 23 percent increase compared to the same month last year.
From July 2024 to May 2025, the Authority has collected a total of Rs. 240 billion, marking a 16 percent growth over the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, the PRA spokesperson told media here Tuesday.
Out of this, she explained, Rs. 225 billion was collected under Punjab Sales Tax, also showing a 16 percent year-on-year increase. Furthermore, Rs. 5.6 billion was generated through the Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess, showing an 18 percent rise, while the Punjab Workers Welfare Fund witnessed a substantial 30 percent growth, with Rs. 9.3 billion collected during the same period.
She added that this performance has been achieved without imposing any new tax or increasing existing tax rates. The PRA credits this success to a robust enforcement strategy and the effective deployment of modern technology. With continued efforts, the Authority is confident of surpassing its annual tax collection target for the fiscal year.

Govt to intensify polio eradication efforts: Mustafa Kamal

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 03 (APP):Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday reaffirmed government commitment to intensifying polio eradication efforts to ensure a polio-free Pakistan in the near future.
The minister was chairing a review meeting on polio eradication which was attended by key stakeholders, including the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Special Secretary Health, Additional Secretary Health, the National Polio Coordinator, as well as representatives from WHO, UNICEF, and provincial health authorities.
During the meeting, a comprehensive review of the recent nationwide polio vaccination drive was presented.
The meeting was informed that over 45 million children were successfully administered the polio vaccine drops.
 National and provincial coordinators shared detailed updates on the ongoing polio eradication efforts, highlighting progress as well as obstacles.
Minister Mustafa Kamal emphasized that protecting children from polio is a collective national responsibility that requires urgent and sustained efforts from all segments of society.
He urged parents to proactively seek out polio workers and ensure the immunization of their children, reminding that safeguarding children’s health is a matter of accountability both in this life and the hereafter.
The minister highlighted that while cancer treatment is possible, polio remains an incurable disease, reinforcing the critical need to eliminate the virus through effective vaccination campaigns.
He called for a significant policy shift to enhance campaign effectiveness and stressed the importance of unity and societal participation in this national mission.
“Only two countries in the world still face the threat of polio,” Mustafa Kamal stated, noting ongoing extensive campaigns in Afghanistan, effectively supported by the Afghan government. He expressed his hope for simultaneous polio-free status for both Pakistan and Afghanistan.