Author: Syed Tauqeer Zaidi

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi KHYBER: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Ameer and Senator Maulana Ata-ur-Rehman has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the province, warning that the government’s writ has nearly collapsed and citizens are increasingly at the mercy of terrorists. Speaking at a press conference at Maskan Darveshan in Takht Bhai, Maulana Ata-ur-Rehman highlighted a steady rise in terrorist incidents across KP, creating insecurity among the public. He stressed that safeguarding citizens’ lives and property is a fundamental duty of the state, which he said the government has failed to fulfil. He also…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR/HAZARA: World Bank President Ajay Banga paid a high-profile visit to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accompanied by his spouse and a senior delegation, in a trip that combined development diplomacy with a focus on the province’s cultural heritage. Ajay Banga was received by provincial officials, including the chief minister’s finance adviser, Muzammil Aslam, and MNA Faisal Amin Gandapur, while Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb later joined the delegation, underscoring the visit’s national importance. During the visit, Banga toured the Julian Buddha archaeological site in Khanpur district, one of the most significant remnants of the ancient Gandhara civilization. Archaeologists…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR/HAZARA: World Bank President Ajay Banga paid a high-profile visit to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accompanied by his spouse and a senior delegation, in a trip that combined development diplomacy with a focus on the province’s cultural heritage. Ajay Banga was received by provincial officials, including the chief minister’s finance adviser, Muzammil Aslam, and MNA Faisal Amin Gandapur, while Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb later joined the delegation, underscoring the visit’s national importance. During the visit, Banga toured the Julian Buddha archaeological site in Khanpur district, one of the most significant remnants of the ancient Gandhara civilization. Archaeologists…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Senior leader of the Shia Ulema Council Pakistan, Allama Muhammad Ramzan Tauqeer, condemned Pakistan and other Muslim countries for what he described as participation in an “imperialist and colonial agenda” under the so-called Gaza Peace Board. Addressing a large Friday congregation in Dera Ismail Khan, Allama Tauqeer criticised the initiative and said countries aligning themselves with the board should not expect peace from what he termed the “Great Satan”. He warned that such alignment could expose them to situations similar to those faced by Ukraine, Syria and Venezuela. He alleged that the United…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Two prisoners were killed and a police officer was injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a police vehicle transporting inmates near the Kohat boundary in the Rangin Abad area, officials said. According to police sources, the incident occurred when a police van was taking prisoners from Kohat Jail to a court hearing in Karak. The vehicle came under a sudden attack, with assailants firing indiscriminately at the van. As a result of the shooting, two prisoners were killed on the spot. They were identified as Zohaib Khan and Nazranullah, both residents of…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: A consultative meeting on the Smog Action Plan and Air Quality Management for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was held via video link with the technical team of the World Bank, highlighting coordinated efforts to tackle air pollution across the province. The KP delegation was led by Junaid Khan, Secretary Climate Change, Forest, Environment and Wildlife Department, and included Special Secretary Talha Hussain Faisal, Additional Secretary Ahmad Kamal, MPA Ahmad Karim Kundi, and senior officers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During the session, Shafiq, a World Bank team member, emphasised the importance of an airshed-based approach, noting…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi LAKKI MARWAT: A suspended police official, Shahsawar Khan, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen near Manjiwala Chowk in Lakki Marwat on Tuesday, police confirmed. The attackers opened indiscriminate fire at a local hotel, leaving Khan critically injured. He was rushed to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for treatment but succumbed to his wounds. According to police sources, Khan had been suspended from service nearly a year ago but remained active on social media, advocating for better police-public relations and supporting action against militants. Following the attack, police cordoned off the area, collected forensic evidence, and launched a…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The district police officer of Dera Ismail Khan, Sajjad Ahmed Sahibzada, met a delegation from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) to discuss the security situation and protection arrangements for ongoing UN-supported projects in the district. According to officials, the meeting focused on reviewing security measures for various development initiatives being implemented with United Nations support. The DPO gave a detailed briefing on the progress of these projects and outlined the steps being taken to ensure their safety. Speaking during the meeting, Sajjad Ahmed Sahibzada said the security of UN-backed…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: The special assistant to the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for information and public relations, Shafi Jan, said the undisclosed transfer of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan to a hospital, without formally informing his family, legal counsel or party leadership, was deeply troubling and raised serious questions about transparency and humane governance. In a statement issued in Peshawar, Shafi Jan said chief minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi had personally visited Adiala Jail to inquire about the health and wellbeing of Imran Khan. He said the refusal to allow the meeting amounted to…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Appointment orders were distributed among successful female candidates selected under the Primary Teacher Certificate (PTC) hiring programme for the Dera and Paharpur subdivisions at a ceremony held at the Government Girls Primary School, Karamat Abad, Shorkot Circle, in Dera Ismail Khan. Mrs Ali Amin Khan Gandapur attended the event as chief guest and personally handed over appointment letters to candidates selected on merit. A total of 41 candidates from the Female Subdivision Dera and 28 from the Female Subdivision Paharpur received their appointment orders during the ceremony. District Education Officer (Female) Dera, Syeda…