Author: Mehrab Shah Afridi

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, 74-year-old Imran Khan, underwent a follow-up eye treatment at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital on Monday. He received the second dose of the anti-VEGF intravitreal injection, a procedure aimed at treating retinal conditions. According to the executive director of PIMS, Imran Khan was transferred from Adiala Jail for the procedure. Cardiologists at PIMS conducted echocardiography and ECG tests, which returned normal results, and his vital signs remained stable throughout the hospital stay, procedure, and recovery period. The procedure was performed under the supervision of consultant ophthalmologists and vitreoretinal surgeons…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s rapid population growth is intensifying pressure on already overstretched education and health systems, with experts warning that delays in family planning reforms and policy implementation could have lasting socio-economic consequences. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s merged tribal districts, around 15,000 additional children have fallen out of school following the closure of the five-year Alternative Learning Pathways (ALP) initiative. The setback adds to the province’s estimated 4.9 million out-of-school children, according to official figures. Education stakeholders say a proposed Annual Development Programme scheme under the Elementary and Secondary Education Department — intended to provide alternative learning opportunities…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, highlighted the growing economic engagement between Pakistan and China, noting that cooperation was expanding into new sectors such as petroleum and minerals. His remarks came during a special ceremony at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, held to mark the Chinese New Year, a celebration that brought together officials, diplomats, and business leaders from both countries. Addressing the gathering, Malik extended heartfelt congratulations to the Chinese leadership, government, and people on the advent of the Year of the Horse. Ali Pervaiz Malik described the year as a symbol of strength,…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar received the United States Chargé d’Affaires, Natalie Baker, in Islamabad on Thursday, in what both sides described as a cordial and forward-looking meeting aimed at consolidating bilateral relations. The discussions centered on the broad contours of cooperation between Pakistan and the United States, with particular emphasis on supporting collective efforts to maintain peace and security across the region and beyond. He welcomed the positive momentum in the relationship, noting that recent engagements had created new opportunities for dialogue and collaboration. During the meeting, Dar emphasized that high-level interactions were essential…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Cambodia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the industrial sector, with a particular focus on textiles, following a meeting between senior officials from both countries in Islamabad on Wednesday. The discussions were held between Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries, and Cham Nimul, Cambodia’s Minister for Commerce. Officials described the meeting as a step toward deepening bilateral economic engagement and exploring avenues for mutual investment. During the talks, Haroon Akhtar Khan highlighted the potential for collaboration in Pakistan’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, particularly through initiatives…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Federal Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui called for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s curriculum to equip students for contemporary challenges, while maintaining a firm grounding in national values and cultural heritage. Speaking at the opening of a two-day national summit in Islamabad themed “New National Curriculum of Pakistan,” Dr Siddiqui underlined the importance of preparing learners to navigate emerging global realities, including technological advancement, economic shifts, and social change. He said that education must not only impart knowledge but also cultivate critical thinking, adaptability, and a sense of responsibility aligned with Pakistan’s ideological…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is moving rapidly to develop local vaccine production, with the government aiming to manufacture all essential childhood vaccines domestically before 2030, the federal health minister announced on Monday. Addressing an event in Islamabad, Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal highlighted the country’s current dependence on imports, noting that all thirteen vaccines routinely administered to children are sourced from abroad. He said the government covers slightly more than half of the costs, with donors funding the remainder, a model that leaves Pakistan vulnerable to global supply disruptions and price fluctuations. The minister underlined the…

Digital bank licence marks milestone for financial inclusion and bilateral trade, says premier By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the launch of a Kuwaiti bank in Pakistan on Tuesday, describing the granting of its commercial licence as a significant milestone for the country’s financial sector and a fresh boost to bilateral economic ties. Speaking at the licence awarding ceremony in Islamabad, he said that strong political relations between Pakistan and Kuwait needed to be matched by robust economic engagement, emphasizing that sustainable partnerships could not flourish without trade, investment, and financial collaboration. The prime minister congratulated…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan sent a special plane carrying 100 tons of tents for the relief of Palestinian people on Thursday, as part of its ongoing humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The aircraft, which departed from Lahore airport, marked another step in the country’s efforts to support civilians affected by the ongoing conflict in the region. Speaking to reporters at the airport, Provincial Minister for Housing Bilal Yaseen said Pakistan had already dispatched a total of twenty-eight relief consignments to Gaza, amounting to 2,627 tons of essential supplies. He emphasized that the aid included tents, food, and medical equipment,…

By Mehrab Shah Afridi/ Dr Zardad wazir/Israr Ahmad Orakzai LANDI KOTAL/WANA: Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) flooded streets across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal districts on 8 February, heeding the party’s call for a shutdown and mass demonstrations demanding the release of its founder, Imran Khan. From Landi Kotal to Wana and Hangu, rallies in towns and marketplaces highlighted both the party’s deep regional reach and the simmering public discontent over recent electoral outcomes. In Landi Kotal, protesters assembled at Bacha Khan Chowk in the bustling bazaar, joined by senior party figures including Haji Zarbulah Shinwari and the personal secretary…