Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, on Tuesday attributed a three-day delay in the medical examination of former prime minister Imran Khan to his sister, Aleema Khan, amid growing political tensions over the jailed leader’s health. Speaking at a press conference, Naqvi outlined the sequence of events that had unfolded during Khan’s recent eye check-up at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail. According to the minister, a meeting had been held between the doctors assigned to examine Khan, his personal medical team, and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders. Following the consultations, Naqvi said, the medical professionals had expressed satisfaction with the…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, on Tuesday attributed a three-day delay in the medical examination of former prime minister Imran Khan to his sister, Aleema Khan, amid growing political tensions over the jailed leader’s health. Speaking at a press conference, Naqvi outlined the sequence of events that had unfolded during Khan’s recent eye check-up at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail. According to the minister, a meeting had been held between the doctors assigned to examine Khan, his personal medical team, and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders. Following the consultations, Naqvi said, the medical professionals had expressed satisfaction with the…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The latest medical report on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s eye examination has shown marked improvement in his vision. Specialists noted reduced swelling and better clinical indicators in his right eye. The examination was carried out on February 15 by a medical board including Professor Dr Nadeem Qureshi of Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital and Professor Dr Muhammad Arif Khan of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Islamabad, according to a report released on Monday. The report recorded Imran’s right-eye vision without glasses at 6/24 partial, while the left eye measured 6/9. With corrective lenses, the…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: A high-level humanitarian conference convened at the National Emergencies Operation Center in Islamabad brought together key stakeholders to advance Pakistan’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities. The session was co-chaired by Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Yahya, signaling close collaboration between national authorities and international partners. During the conference, the NDMA and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office finalized a formal calendar of activities prioritized for all humanitarian actors, establishing a coordinated framework designed to strengthen national readiness through structured planning, timely action,…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A new Early Childhood Care (ECC) room was inaugurated at Government Primary School Thoya Fazal No. 1 in Dera Ismail Khan, officials said, marking a step toward modernising early education in the district. The ceremony was led by Dr Humayun Khan Khattak, Sub-Divisional Education Officer of Tehsil Dera, and attended by Circle ASDEO Rahmatullah Baloch, headteachers, teaching staff and local elders. Dr Khattak said 20 ECC rooms have so far been established across Tehsil Dera, with plans to expand the initiative to all government schools in the area. He explained that the rooms…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was allowed to speak with his children on the Supreme Court’s orders, his sister Aleem Khan confirmed on Saturday. Jail authorities said the former prime minister’s conversation with his sons lasted more than 30 minutes. Aleema Khan said Imran spoke to his sons, Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan, over the phone for around 20 minutes. She added: “His sons shared that he was extremely happy to hear their voices after such a long time.” The call followed the Supreme Court’s February 12 order, directing authorities to allow Imran to hold…

By our correspondent KARACHI: A shallow westerly weather system is expected to bring rain, gusty winds, and dust storms to parts of Sindh, including Karachi, on February 17, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Saturday. Showers are likely from the evening of February 16 through February 17, with occasional breaks. The Met Office forecast rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds across several regions of the country from February 16 to 17. It also warned of possible hailstorms in northern Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan, and Punjab’s Dera Ghazi Khan during the period. Sindh is expected to experience rain and…

By our correspondent KARACHI: A recent report from the Auditor General of Pakistan has revealed that eight public sector enterprises in Sindh have failed to submit their annual audited accounts. The audit of Sindh’s public sector entities highlighted weaknesses in financial discipline and internal controls within several organizations. Eight enterprises were specifically noted for not submitting their yearly audited statements, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. In three cases of illegal appointments, discrepancies exceeding Rs267 million were identified. Procurement irregularities in three cases amounted to over Rs1.18 billion, while outstanding dues in four cases totaled Rs465 million. Several entities also…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistan People’s Party leader and senator Sherry Rehman has voiced strong criticism over inadequate facilities and mismanagement at Pakistan’s airports. In a message posted on social media, Sherry Rehman stressed that taxpayers are entitled to better services. She urged federal interior minister Mohsin Naqvi and opposition leader Khawaja Asif to take immediate notice of the situation. Sherry Rehman highlighted the repeated closure of gates reserved for women at Islamabad International Airport, which has led to long queues and inconvenience. She said that while authorities briefly opened a second gate following complaints, it was soon closed…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The government is expected to raise petroleum prices for the next fortnight from February 16, industry sources said on Saturday. They indicated that petrol could increase by Rs4.39 per liter, bringing the price to Rs257.56 from the current Rs253.17. High-speed diesel (HSD) is also likely to rise by Rs5.40 per liter, taking it from Rs268.38 to Rs273.78. Kerosene oil may become more expensive by Rs4 per liter, while light diesel oil (LDO) could see an increase of Rs6.55 per liter. The final decision will be taken by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) in consultation…