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Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi passes away in Lahore

By
Shafek Koreshe
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0

ISLAMABAD, Nov 19 (APP): APP Digital NewsAllama Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the leader of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan breathed his last Thursday night at Lahore, his party announced. He was 55.

No reason for his death was given. His party officials said he was rushed to a hospital after he had problem breathing and had fever for past few days. However he was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital.

Senior TLP leader Syed Inayat-ul-Haq Shah also confirmed the news and asked the TLP workers to proceed to Lahore to participate in his last rites. The Tehreek-e-Labbaik announced that his funeral would be held on Saturday at 10 in the morning at Minar-e-Pakistan.

Videos on several social media accounts showed large number of his followers rushing to his home and crying over his sad demise.

The fire brand clerk was known for his protest marches, that often became violent and created law and order problems. His last protest was relatively shorter at Faizabad and ended only after a two day blockade of the twin cities on Monday.

Immediately after the confirmation of the news condolences poured in from all sections of society; including the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, Information Minister, Chief of Army Staff, Chief Minister Punjab and political leaders of many parties.

Prime Minister Imran Khan in a tweet expressed his grief over the sad demise of Allama Khadim Rizvi and conveyed condolences to his family.

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa also conveyed his condolences over the demise of the TLP leader.

 

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information in Punjab also expressed grief over his sad demise.

Amir Jamat Islami also expressed his grief and prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed soul.

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s consistent stance on Kashmir

By
Shafek Koreshe
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0

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s stance on Kashmir at international fora to highlight gruesome human rights violations by India

 

Indian media’s fake “civil war” in Pakistan, falls flat on face

By
Shafek Koreshe
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0
APP Digital Small logo
By Shafek Koreshe

In an abortive attempt to create diversion from Narendra Modi’s human rights abuses in Kashmir, the Indian media went berserk by propagating fake news about a “civil war” like situation in Karachi, triggering a hilarious response from the twitterati in Pakistan, who enjoyed every bit of the ridiculous reports.

#CivilWarInPakistan and #KarachiCivilWar were in no time the top trends, with the young twitter users going crazy by posting video clips from action movies, comics, images of the Indian MiG pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down by Pakistan Air Force inside Pakistan’s territory, as scenes from the Civil War, getting an equally enthusiastic response with numerous retweets and likes.

The arrest of PML-N leader Captain (Retd) Safdar on charges of political sloganeering at Quaid’s Mausoleum and leave applications by senior police officers was exploited by the top Indian news channels, who portrayed an administrative issue as a “civil war” and went to the extent of even reporting casualties, and armed clashes.

Indian Media ditches professionalism to dip at to its lowest 

#FakeNews CNN18News
#FakeNews CNN18News

The news reports were part of a persistent barrage of fake news from Indian mainstream media and its RAW controlled assets on social media over the past few months. The trend has witnessed a sharp spike as part of India’s fifth generation war (5GW) against Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office on the “malicious and fabricated propaganda” by Indian mainstream and social media claiming civil unrest in Pakistan, said planting such baseless stories were reflective of the “Pakistan-obsessed BJP-RSS” mindset.

“Needless to say that Indian media continues to hit new lows,” he said, when asked to respond over the series of fake news flashed as breaking news across the Indian media about a “civil war in Pakistan”.

“Indian media continues to hit new lows”: FO

The Spokesperson said through “peddling fake news and running propaganda machinery”, India could not wash away the truth about its own gross and systematic human rights violations in Indian Ilelgally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

“Rather than reporting on humanitarian crisis in IIOJK, the Indian media chooses to spread fake and sensational news about Pakistan to detract from core issues,” he said.

5th Gen War – Twitterati bust RAW’s #Fake letter attributed to COAS

 

#FakeNews - Yet another figment of imagination of Indian Media
#FakeNews – Yet another figment of imagination of Indian Media

The Indian media tried hard to appease its own consumers and to create a diversion from its human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir. However in its abortive attempt it created history by churning out fake news overpowered by the anti-Pakistan hysteria, undermining its professional ethics and credibility.

#FakeNews - India Today with its concocted news story
#FakeNews – India Today with its concocted news story

The unleashing of the Indian media did not go unnoticed, as Michael Kugelman, deputy director at the @AsiaProgram and South Asia senior associate @TheWilsonCenter in a tweet pointed that the Indian disinformation accounts were exploiting Pakistan’s current political crisis, and “falsely claiming that the country is no experiencing urban warfare.”

He described the trend as “dangerous and disturbing”, as several of these accounts were verified and had huge followings.

Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari said the Indian media was in “hyper drive with fake news on Pakistan” and regretted that it was “unfortunate that Twitter is [deliberately ignoring it].”

All major media outlets in so-called world’s biggest democracy decimated all journalistic norms as none bothered to fact-check such a huge gaffe. India’s News18, India Today, Zee News, India.com and several others quoted the International Herald which showed old videos of bomb explosions in Pakistan and portrayed it as the ongoing civil war.

#FakeNews - Indian International Herald tweet
#FakeNews – Indian International Herald tweet

The Institute of Policy Research in a report said their data indicates a pattern of Indian propaganda against Pakistan on digital media that grew exponentially after 2018 General Elections in #Pakistan. The propaganda hovers around largely 4 key themes.

IPRI Timeline of Indian Propaganda
IPRI Timeline of Indian Propaganda

Minister for Ports and Shipping pointed that the Indian propaganda was at its peak and “sadly fueled by the PDM Circus.” He said the food inflation was artificially manufactured, but was being brought under control.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs also lambasted the “fake, fabricated and malicious propaganda campaign to malign State institutions of Pakistan. He urged @Twitter to take action against Indian accounts for #FakeNews against Paksitan.

However, this idiocy of Indian media gave the Twitterati a perfect chance to enjoy as the microblogging site was flooded with messages to ridicule the Indian media’s insanity.

“Karachi civil war has gotten so bad that my food panda delivery boy had to crawl through mine fields carrying his AK47, RPG & 9mm along with my nihari and Biryani. This thing is getting so serious. Multiple cows have been killed & people are dying of over eating. #IndianMedia,” commented renowned singer Fakhr-e-Alam.

Besides numerous other fake photos, the Indian media also used an image of a building collapsed following a gas leakage blast in Karachi earlier in the day to substantiate its fake news of civil war.

“A little investigation would have informed Zee News that it wasn’t a bomb blast in ‘civil war’ in Pakistan but the result of a  gas leak in Karachi. Whither truth, objectivity, balance and fairness in reporting?,” said Farhatullah Babr, former senator of Pakistan Peoples Party which rules Sindh province.

“An Aircraft shot during civil war in Karachi… and the pilot captured…,” commented another Twitter user Fasihuddin while sharing the images of Indian aircraft MiG-21 and captured injured pilot Abhinandan following an aerial dogfight during India-Pakistan standoff in 2019.

Sindh’s climate-resilient housing model posing women at heart of recovery sets global benchmark at COP30

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP):The floods didn’t just wash away our home and our livelihood they washed away our future. But through Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) project, we have found our footing again. Today, we are rebuilding our lives with dignity, with ownership, and with the hope we thought we had lost.’ quoted Farhana Khatoon of Khairpur, a beneficiary of SPHF in Sindh.
Pakistan’s Sindh province took center stage at COP30 as it unveiled what is now recognized as the world’s largest climate-resilient housing reconstruction programme: the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF).
Born out of the catastrophic 2022 floods that displaced more than 15 million people across Sindh, the initiative has not only rebuilt homes but also rewritten the narrative of gender and climate justice in Pakistan.
The Government of Sindh’s presentation at the COP30 side event, “Women Leading Climate Action in Sindh through SPHF,” highlighted a transformation that goes far beyond infrastructure.
It demonstrated how climate recovery can be inclusive, sustainable, and people-centered when women are placed at the forefront of the process.
SPHF CEO Khalid Mehmood Shaikh described the initiative as a global milestone in climate adaptation, noting that 2.1 million multi-hazard-resistant houses are being constructed to benefit more than 15 million people, which is more than the population of 154 countries.
He emphasized that SPHF’s strength lies in its transparent systems, robust digital backbone, strong public-private partnerships, and a firm commitment to gender equity.
Under the project, 1.5 million bank accounts have been opened for direct financial transfers, 1.45 million houses are under active construction, and 650,000 homes are already complete, with nearly 800,000 women as direct beneficiaries.
Every title deed is issued in a woman’s name, including widows, single women, elderly women, and women-headed households, making it the largest residential asset transfer to women in Pakistan’s history.
Calling this not just reconstruction but an act of justice, he said, “We are embedding resilience with dignity,” crediting the programme’s success to strong political will, global partners such as EY, KPMG, and PwC, and transparent, technology-backed systems.
The initiative mobilized USD 2 billion through partnerships with the World Bank, ADB, IsDB, and other financiers, enabling Sindh to scale from initial funding to its full reconstruction target. SPHF’s technology-driven monitoring and real-time progress verification have become a global example of transparent climate governance.
Noelle O’Brien, Director of Climate Change at the Asian Development Bank and Daouda Ben Oumar Ndiaye of the Islamic Development Bank also present at the side event recognized the project as true resilience in action.
The scale of the initiative extends beyond housing. SPHF has launched a USD 600 million WASH programme to bring clean water and sanitation to 4,000 villages and 450,000 households, ensuring climate resilience is anchored in health and community well-being.
Across Sindh, stories of transformation mirror the programme’s impact, from women like Shehar Bano, who rebuilt her home and livelihood after losing everything in the floods, to craftswomen who stitched life back together through traditional Rillis, to women like Farhana Khatoon of Khairpur who now stands outside her new climate-resilient home, finally able to dream beyond survival.
In these villages, land ownership has become a powerful tool for transformation. Women who never imagined holding property titles are now decision-makers in their homes.
Their confidence radiates through rebuilt communities from women masons in Thatta training to join the construction workforce, to families in Sukkur’s Ali Wahan Marwari village rebuilding homes with their own hands.
The SPHF model has grown so rapidly and effectively that the Government of Pakistan has mandated its expansion to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where thousands more homes will be constructed using the same community-first and gender-responsive approach.
At COP30, Sindh’s message was clear: climate justice must be gender justice. Recovery must be rooted in dignity, ownership, and empowerment. By recognizing women not just as beneficiaries but as leaders of climate resilience, Sindh has rewritten global expectations of what post-disaster reconstruction can achieve.
As delegates in Belém, Brazil witnessed the scale, transparency, and human impact of SPHF, one idea resonated throughout the hall: Sindh has not merely rebuilt homes, it has rebuilt futures, placing resilience in the hands of those who have long carried the heaviest burdens of climate change.

Yousuf Raza Gillani congratulates PPP on 58th Foundation Day

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP): Chairman Senate Yousuf Raza Gillani has congratulated the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on its 58th Foundation Day, praising the party’s historic role in strengthening democracy and safeguarding public welfare.

In a message issued on Sunday, Gillani said the PPP was founded under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

He noted that the unparalleled sacrifices and unwavering struggle of Benazir Bhutto further fortified the party’s foundations.

Gillani said the PPP has consistently stood as a symbol of democratic resilience.

He added that former president Asif Ali Zardari played a key role in fortifying democratic processes, empowering parliament, and restoring the Constitution during a critical period through his policy of reconciliation.

Paying tribute to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Gillani said the young leader has infused the party with fresh energy, a modern outlook, and greater youth participation.

He highlighted the PPP’s longstanding commitment to women’s rights, labour welfare and inclusive governance.

“The PPP’s progressive agenda and vision of social justice form the foundation of lasting reforms,” he said.

Gillani reaffirmed that the party has always championed the rights of marginalized communities and vowed that efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and promote a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Pakistan will continue.

The Senate chairman reiterated his resolve that the PPP will remain steadfast in advancing democracy and protecting fundamental human rights.

Pakistan holds its bilateral relations with Egypt in high regard: DPM/FM Dar

By
Irfan Khan
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP): Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Sunday, while appreciating the positive momentum in the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Egypt, said Pakistan held its bilateral relations with Egypt in high regard.

Expressing his views prior to his bilateral meeting with visiting Foreign Minister of Egypt Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said the presence of Egyptian foreign minister reflected the close and cooperative relationship between the two countries.

Egyptian minister’s visit showed their shared commitment of deepening the bilateral ties across political, economic, defence and cultural domains, he said, adding the visit provided an opportunity to advance their common objectives.

The DPM/FM also appreciated the positive momentum in their recent engagements at different levels on the margins of multilateral and regional foras, around the globe, aimed at building of long cooperation, partnership and brotherhood.

He said the brotherhood between Pakistan and Egypt was well known all over the world and they were committed to taking their multi-dimensional relations to the next higher level.

Foreign Minister of Egypt Abdelatty, in his remarks, conveyed sincere condolences and sympathies from his government and the people over tragic loss of lives in recent terrorists’ attacks in Islamabad and Peshawar and reaffirmed complete solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to eliminate terrorism.

He said they deeply appreciated the cordial relations with Pakistan.

Both countries were facing common challenges on economic, political and security levels which encouraged them to cooperate with each other and share expertise and best practices to help each other.

“Peace and stability are the main pillars of their strategic partnership,” he said, adding Egypt wanted to elevate this relationship to strategic level and reinvigorate the existing institutional mechanism of dialogue especially the joint ministerial committee.

The Egyptian minister further said that under instructions from their top leadership, they were committed to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

OPP’s fourth annual Iqbal lecture ‘Reimagining Development, From Poverty to Human Potential’ held

By
NNPS Desk
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0

ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP): The Oxford Pakistan Programme (OPP) hosted the Fourth Annual Allama Iqbal Lecture at Lady Margaret Hall, drawing a packed hall of Oxford University students, scholars, and OPP donors, with many more joining via live broadcast from universities across Pakistan.

The lecture, one of the only Iqbal lectures instituted at a global university, was established with the support of the Dadabhoy Foundation, and has quickly become a recognised fixture in Oxford’s academic calendar, a press release received here said.

The evening speaker, Professor Asim Ijaz Khwaja of Harvard University, delivered a compelling address titled “Reimagining Development, From Poverty to Human Potential”.

He argued that traditional development models, mostly designed in the post-war era, are increasingly ill-equipped for a world shaped by political uncertainty, shrinking aid budgets, and rapid technological transformation.

“We often think poverty is the problem, but the real loss is that unexploited potential of individuals”, he remarked.

Drawing inspiration from Allama Iqbal’s philosophy of khudi, Professor Khwaja emphasised that every individual possesses an inherent gift that society too often fails to cultivate. He described how obstacles in education systems, labour markets, institutions, and access to opportunity prevent people from learning, innovating, and contributing fully.

He urged policymakers to place people at the centre of development thinking, and announced his intention to work toward establishing a Human Potential Fund for Pakistan, aimed at enabling the country to discover and develop talent on a transformative scale.

Following the lecture, a panel discussion featured UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, former FCDO Chief Economists Professors Stefan Dercon and Adnan Khan, chaired by Professor Adeel Malik. Panellists examined how institutional structures and state capacity shape the realisation of human potential. Questions from the audience touched on implementation challenges, extreme poverty, data reliability, environmental pressures, and the role of the state.

In response, Professor Khwaja stressed the need for empowerment and systemic reform to move in tandem. “Lasting change requires systems that lift people up and citizens who expect more from those systems. Development happens when individuals believe their actions matter,” he said.

Reflecting on the significance of the evening, Mr Abdulghani Dadabhoy of the Dadabhoy Foundation expressed joy at the rapid growth of the lecture series: “In just four years, the Annual Iqbal Lecture has become part of Oxford University’s regular academic calendar. We are proud to support a platform that brings Iqbal’s ideas into contemporary global conversation.”

FIA offloads two for fake passport stamps

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP):The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration unit at Islamabad International Airport foiled an attempt by two passengers to travel abroad using fake passport stamps, officials said on Saturday.
An FIA official told APP on Sunday that the passengers, identified as Ameen Khan and Habibullah, were offloaded from an international flight bound for Malaysia. The spokesperson said the two men belonged to Peshawar and Buner.
He said FIA immigration officers detected that the passengers’ passports carried fake departure stamps as well as forged Malaysian arrival stamps, indicating an attempt to falsify their travel history.
The official said both passengers were handed over to the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Islamabad for further legal action. More arrests and legal proceedings are expected as the investigation continues.

Senator Rubina Khalid felicitates nation on PPP’s 58th Foundation Day

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP):Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid, extended heartfelt congratulations to the nation on the 58th Foundation Day of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), paying tribute to the sacrifices and democratic struggle of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
Senator Rubina Khalid said that the PPP has always championed the people’s right to rule and remained the voice of the marginalized.
She reaffirmed that the party’s historic manifesto of “Roti, Kapra aur Makan” continues to be their unwavering commitment even today.
Highlighting the mission of social protection, she said that BISP stands as the most powerful platform for the economic empowerment of women and is a practical expression of PPP’s pro-poor vision.
“Supporting the poor and vulnerable segments of society has always been the party’s top priority,” she added.
Senator Khalid said democracy, equality, and social justice form the core of the PPP’s ideology, and the party’s 58-year-long struggle remains a shining chapter in the country’s political history.
“BISP has become a symbol of hope for millions of low-income households,” she noted.
On the occasion, she paid homage to the martyrs of the PPP and saluted the dedication of party workers, reiterating their resolve to continue the journey of public service.
 “Fulfilling the mission of our martyrs is our promise,” she said, expressing confidence that the PPP will continue working for the development and prosperity of the people.
She concluded that the party remains committed to strengthening social protection programmes and ensuring a more inclusive and empowered society.

FUUAST to organise workshop on professional collaboration

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP):The Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology (FUUAST) Islamabad, is all set to  organise workshop titled “Professionalism in Partnership: Conduct Guidelines for Staff & Scholars ” on Dec 1st.
The workshop is going to be jointly organized by the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) of FUUAST and the Association of BioRisk Management (ABM), said a press release on Sunday.
At the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between the University’s ORIC and the Association for BioRisk Management (ABM) to promote awareness about BioRisk and enhance students capacity to manage it.
Renowned Leaders, experts and academics professional will grace the event with their presence and share their view point on need for professional collaboration and modern academic partnerships.

Pressure horns becoming public menace in Peshawar: A city losing Its peace

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
PESHAWAR, Nov 30 (APP):Once fondly celebrated as the City of Flowers, Peshawar today finds itself drowning under an avalanche of noise as its streets echoing with the shrill, jarring cries of pressure horns.
What began as a nuisance has grown into a full-fledged public health concern, leaving residents irritated, anxious, and increasingly fearful for their wellbeing amid noise pollution by tsunami of rickshaws and other vehicles.
For thousands of Peshawarties navigating the city’s daily traffic gridlocks particularly during morning and evening rush hours, the piercing blasts of pressure horns from buses, wagons, rickshaws, and trucks have become an unwanted soundtrack to city life.
Peshawar where visitors once enjoyed fragrances of Gul e Dawoodi these days are now confronted to air pollution and presure horns.
Despite multiple complaints and existing rules, the implementation of laws regulating pressure horns remains weak across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“My hearing was affected for hours” Riaz Khan (63) resident of Nowshera, still remembers the pain he felt during a recent visit to Peshawar carrying a documented history of nearly 3000 years.
“A truck’s loud pressure horn hit me like a shockwave. My ears hurt instantly,” he recalled. “The irritation and pain were so bad that I ended up at an ENT specialist. Who is responsible for this suffering?”
Riaz’s story is becoming increasingly common, with ENT clinics in the city reporting a rise in noise-related complaints.
Dr. Aziz Khan, ENT specialist at local hospital, explains that continuous exposure to pressure horns by trucks and containers besides pick ups can affect a person hearing.
“Extended use or exposure to loud pressure horns can cause permanent hearing loss, as the inner ear’s delicate structures are damaged,” he said.
“Sudden blasts also trigger physical discomfort, stress, and anxiety particularly among traffic police, shopkeepers, vendors, and regular commuters.”
Medical studies globally and locally connect chronic noise pollution with a wide range of health issues such as elevated blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, sleep disturbances, gastric problems, decreased alertness, depression, and even sexual dysfunction.
As unplanned and rapid urbanisation continues in Khyber  Pakhtunkhwa especially  in Peshawar where noise pollution have skyrocketed.
Residential and commercial zones have blurred into each other, while workshops, marketplaces, and transport hubs often surround schools and hospitals.spaces where silence is crucial.
Roaring motorbikes, unmuffled rickshaws, and overloaded public transport vehicles add further layers to this soundscape, harming hearing and mental health.
Experts argued that KP Govt must follow the example of developed provinces by enforcing environmental laws more rigorously.
“Protecting schoolchildren, patients, and daily commuters from noise pollution and presure horns should be a priority of KP Govt,” Dr Shafiqur Rehman environmental health specialist and former Chairman Environmental Science Department at UoP emphasized.
“We need a comprehensive policy based on prevention, precaution, and strict fines for violators involved in presure horns.”
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) KP officials said they are attempting to curb the problem. Under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance 1983, the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) set a limit of 85 dB(A) for motor vehicle noise at 7.5 meters.
 Campaigns have been launched to penalize noisy vehicles particularly rickshaws though officials admit challenges remain.
Globally, over 120 million people suffer disabling hearing loss due to noise pollution, EPA offical informed.
Dr. Naeem, former chairman of the Economics Department at the University of Peshawar, warned that KP is heading toward an environmental and public health problems.
“With the global urban population expected to hit 68% by 2050 and Pakistan’s population growing nearly 2% annually, noise pollution will become increasingly unmanageable unless addressed now,” he said.
Experts recommend planting green belts and conopy trees to act as natural sound absorbers which is an approach that could soften Peshawar’s growing noise burden while improving air quality.
They also stressed the importance of public awareness through electronic media. Social media campaigns, community outreach, and coordination between environmental and civic authorities could play a vital role in changing public attitudes toward pressure horn use.
For now, though, the people of Peshawar continue to navigate streets where the constant screaming of horns overshadows the city’s historic charm and where silence, once taken for granted, is becoming a rare luxury.

FIA Books 71, puts 20 behind bars in Rs 296.5m FTO fraud case

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP):The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad has registered a major corruption case against 71 individuals accused of causing massive financial losses to the national exchequer through fake TR-32 chalan forms.
An FIA official told APP on Sunday that 20 suspects were arrested during late-night operations, while efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining accused. Those arrested include nine government officials, among them four senior auditors and one assistant accounts officer.
FIA Books 71, puts 20 behind bars in Rs 296.5m FTO fraud case
According to FIA, the suspects—acting in alleged collusion with officials of the Federal Tax Office (FTO) Islamabad—illegally issued stamp papers, court fee documents, and foreign bills without depositing the mandatory government charges.
The official said the accused used 2,638 fake or bogus TR-32 challan forms to misappropriate government revenue. Initial estimates suggest the national treasury suffered a loss of approximately Rs 296.5 million.
The inquiry revealed that the suspects abused their official positions to obtain unlawful financial benefit, while causing substantial damage to state funds. FIA further noted that the full extent of financial losses will be determined after a forensic audit of the past 10 years of FTO Islamabad’s records.
The arrested individuals have been taken into custody and a formal investigation has begun. FIA teams continue conducting raids to apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the mega corruption scam.

A new chapter begins: citizens call Paharpur’s district status a historic milestone

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
Dera Ismail Khan , Nov 30 (APP):Citizens of Paharpur tehsil have warmly welcomed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s formal notification establishing District Paharpur, terming it a historic milestone that fulfills their decades-old demand for administrative autonomy.
According to officials, the provincial government on last Wednesday issued the notification for the creation of the new district through the bifurcation of Dera Ismail Khan. The district comprises Tehsil Paharpur and Tehsil Paniyala, which previously functioned as a sub-division of Dera Ismail Khan.
The upgradation was initially approved during the 39th meeting of the provincial cabinet held on October 2, 2025, chaired by then chief minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur. With the issuance of the official notification on November 26, the decision has now come into effect.
Local residents described the new district as a long-awaited relief, saying it would significantly reduce administrative hurdles and bring essential services closer to the population. They noted that people had been compelled to travel long distances to Dera Ismail Khan city for routine matters, causing financial strain and time delays, particularly for low-income families.
Muhammad Farooq, a shopkeeper in Paharpur, while speaking to APP, said the new district would “open doors for local business growth” and improve public access to government departments.
 A female school teacher Hina Bibi expressed hope that the decision would “enhance education facilities and speed up approvals for new schools and staff recruitments.”
Saqlain Shah, farmer from Mian Wadda village said the district status would help improve agricultural support services and road connectivity, which small farmers had long struggled with. A university student Wajahat Ali from Paharpur observed that the upgradation would “increase development opportunities for youth,” particularly in higher education and employment.
Meanwhile, Faraz Mughal, spokesman to the former chief minister, said the move demonstrated the government’s commitment to decentralization and balanced development across the province.
Makhdoomzada Aftab Haider, MPA from PK-111, on social media platform congratulated the people of Paharpur, stating that the new district would play a pivotal role in the region’s socio-economic advancement. He expressed gratitude to the provincial cabinet for acknowledging the persistent demand of the area’s residents.
Adding his views, Syed Kamran Shah Zaidi, former MPA candidate, described the decision as the “victory of the people’s voice.” He recalled that he had personally highlighted the demand for district status during the former Chief Minister Gandapur’s  public gathering in Paharpur.
Citizens lauded former chief minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur and the provincial cabinet for addressing their longstanding demand, expressing confidence that the formation of District Paharpur would usher in a new era of development, improved services, and administrative convenience for the region.
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