Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent KARACHI: Mental health professionals, policymakers and international experts have called for a shift towards compassionate, evidence-based suicide prevention in Pakistan, urging stronger legal protections, improved emergency response systems and a coordinated national public health strategy. The call came during a Stakeholder Consultative Meeting on “Suicide Prevention Advocacy: Charting the Way Forward”, organized by the Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL) in collaboration with the University of Manchester and the Pakistan Psychological Association (PPA) in Karachi on Saturday. The consultation brought together more than 100 participants from across Pakistan, alongside experts from the United Kingdom, Spain and…

By our correspondent BANNU: Armed men allegedly forced electricity staff to restore supply to high-loss feeders at grid stations in Bannu and Sarai Naurang, placing severe strain on the power network and raising concerns over the risk of a major system failure, according to the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO). PESCO officials said the incidents took place on the nights of 24-25 June and 27 June, when groups allegedly led by Malik Rahat and Malik Hikmat Yar entered the Bannu and Sarai Naurang grid stations and compelled staff to switch on feeders that had been disconnected because of high losses.…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: A major fire tore through Islamabad’s H-9 Sunday Bazaar on Tuesday, destroying more than 70 shops before emergency services managed to bring the blaze largely under control, according to officials and rescue authorities. The fire spread rapidly through the densely packed market, where closely built stalls and stored goods allowed flames to travel quickly from one section to another. Rescue teams said the intensity of the blaze forced an urgent escalation of response, with additional fire tenders dispatched from neighbouring Rawalpindi to support local firefighting units already on site. Officials confirmed that Assistant Commissioner for the…

By Our Correspondent KARACHI: A Rs640 million health insurance contract awarded for 11,600 employees of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has come under scrutiny amid questions over transparency, procurement procedures and selection criteria. According to details, the agreement was awarded without public advertisement or open competitive bidding, raising concerns among stakeholders about the process through which the contract was finalised. Sources claimed the deal was directly awarded to TPL, described by officials as a relatively lesser-known player in the insurance sector. The agreement, reportedly signed for one year, is intended to provide medical insurance coverage to KMC employees. However, sources…

By Our Correspondent KARACHI: Baqai Medical University (BMU) has become the first private medical university in Pakistan to receive the Brand of the Year Award at the 17th Brand of the Year Awards organised by the Brands Foundation. The recognition was announced at a ceremony attended by leading figures from Pakistan’s business, corporate, academic and media sectors, where more than 150 brands from different industries were honoured for excellence, innovation and contribution to national development. The award was given in recognition of BMU’s contributions to medical education, healthcare services, research, innovation and community engagement, which organisers said had strengthened its…

By Our Correspondent KARACHI: A three-day free medical and dental camp was organised under the supervision of Re-Life Social Welfare Society at Sanobar Cottage in North Karachi, where patients were provided treatment and consultation for various dental and medical conditions. Organisers said the camp was offering treatment for a range of dental diseases under the supervision of specialist doctors. Free medicines were also being provided to patients during the facility. They added that the initiative aimed to provide relief to people facing difficulties in accessing expensive dental treatment, while also offering awareness and basic healthcare services to the local community.…

By Our Correspondent KARACHI: The University of Karachi (KU) and the Youth Development, Education and Sports Society (YESS) signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday aimed at promoting sports-related learning, practical training, and institutional collaboration for students. The agreement was signed between KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi and YESS Vice President Muhammad Hanif Malik at the Vice Chancellor Secretariat. Officials said the partnership would focus on youth development, sports sciences, leadership training and practical exposure for students. Under the MoU, the KU Department of Public Administration and YESS will work together to create opportunities for experiential learning,…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The United States Treasury Department has issued a temporary 60-day licence allowing the export and sale of Iranian crude oil and petrochemical products, a move that comes amid ongoing technical level talks between Washington and Tehran in Switzerland. According to the authorisation, Iran has been granted a limited window to continue the shipment and sale of crude oil and related petroleum products under regulated conditions. The temporary arrangement has been described as part of a broader diplomatic track aimed at easing tensions and managing energy related restrictions while negotiations continue.Officials familiar with the development said the…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials in Karachi say they have arrested a suspected suicide bomber linked to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in what they describe as a major disruption of a planned attack network in the city. According to a CTD spokesperson, the arrested suspect, identified as Salman, was a close associate of a militant commander known as Zaffran, who was previously killed in an encounter with security forces. Authorities say Zaffran carried a bounty of 10 million rupees. Officials allege the suspect had been tasked with facilitating a major suicide bombing operation in Karachi, and…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has said that many of the questions raised about the budget could have been answered if his budget speech had been listened to carefully. Speaking in the National Assembly while winding up debate on cut motions, Aurangzeb urged opposition members, particularly from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to return to parliamentary committees, arguing that their participation would allow them to contribute more effectively to budget discussions. He said much of the criticism surrounding the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) reflected a misunderstanding of the government’s fiscal position, adding that the economic…