Author: Syed Tauqeer Zaidi

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs Department has finalised preparations for the Ruet-i-Hilal meeting to sight the moon of Ramazan 1447 AH, following a high-level review chaired by the provincial secretary. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Auqaf Department, Information Department, Rescue 1122, and police to review administrative, security, and media arrangements ahead of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee’s visit to Peshawar on February 18 (29th Sha’ban). Officials confirmed that the chairman of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, along with 21 members, will visit the Auqaf office to conduct the formal…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: Residents of Harban Bhasha in Upper Kohistan, whose lands were acquired for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam Project, received compensation cheques worth over PKR 2.46 billion at a ceremony held at the Commissioner House in Abbottabad. The event was attended by WAPDA officials, local administration, and community leaders. Commissioner Hazara Division Fayyaz Ali Shah praised the collaboration between local elders and the administration, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue to resolve future issues. He noted that land acquisition follows government laws, which may take time, and assured that any arising matters would be addressed promptly. RPO Hazara,…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: At least four police personnel, including a station house officer, were killed on Wednesday during a counter-terrorism operation in Dera Ismail Khan, officials confirmed. The operation took place in the Wanda Badh area, where police forces came under heavy fire from militants. Station House Officer Faheem Mumtaz was among those killed, while three other officers, including a deputy superintendent, sustained injuries in the exchange. Authorities described the incident as a targeted encounter with armed extremists and said security forces had been conducting intelligence-based operations to disrupt militant networks in the area. Local officials…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa education department has declared that all private schools in the province must be registered with the Private Schools Regulatory Authority. Unregistered schools will no longer be allowed to operate or enrol students for board examinations. In a circular sent to the chairpersons of all educational boards, the department stressed that no private school without official registration would be permitted to admit students to board exams. Officials said the measure aimed to ensure proper oversight of schools and to provide an accurate record of children outside the formal education system. Under the Khyber…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Funeral prayers were held amid grief and tears for two young men from Dera Ismail Khan who were killed in the suicide attack at Masjid and Imambargah Khadija-tul-Kubra in Islamabad, drawing thousands of mourners. The victims were identified as 23-year-old Syed Abbas Mehdi, an MBBS student from Thalla Fazal Shah, and 24-year-old Mamrez Ali Baloch, a Pakistan Army soldier from village Fateh. Both lost their lives in the tragic blast a day earlier. Syed Abbas Mehdi’s funeral was conducted in Thalla Fazal Shah, while Mamrez Ali Baloch was laid to rest at the…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi, has said the police are facing pressure related to the 9 May events but insisted that the force remains independent and professional. Speaking to the media in Peshawar, Afridi urged those attempting to influence law enforcement to stop and warned against politicizing the police. “We have kept KP police free from political interference, and no political meddling is taking place,” he said. Afridi highlighted the sacrifices of the province’s police over the past 22 years, stressing that they continue to serve with dedication despite facing disrespect. “What we are…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi LUCKY MARWAT: Unknown suspects detonated an explosive device on a main gas pipeline near Bhana Manjiwala, causing severe damage to the TBS and the transmission line and triggering widespread panic in the area. The blast completely destroyed the pipeline’s TBS, leading to continuous gas leakage. Flames from the explosion were visible from a distance, while the sound of the blast and the escaping gas alarmed residents across the locality. Gas supply to thousands of homes has been suspended, and local authorities have rushed to the site to control the situation. Fire brigade teams and officials from…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that it will take strict disciplinary action against Senator Mishal Yousafzai following her recent statements, with a show-cause notice expected to be issued shortly. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar stated, “Enough is enough. Action will be taken against Mishal Yousafzai. No language against the family of PTI’s founder will be tolerated. Any party member making statements against the founder’s family has no place in the party.” The party leadership emphasized that while internal differences are normal, public statements against the founder’s family violate PTI’s principles. The call for strict action was…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: In a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Suhail Afridi, the Provincial Apex Committee convened to review strategies for eradicating terrorism and restoring lasting peace in the province. The session was attended by provincial ministers, Corps Commander Peshawar, Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, and senior officials from civil, military, and law enforcement institutions. During the meeting, the provincial leadership reaffirmed its commitment to mobilize all available resources and provide full cooperation to security forces in their counter-terrorism operations. Tributes were paid to civilians and security personnel who have lost their lives…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: A delegation of transporters from Islamabad, Punjab, and various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, led by Tanseer Ahmed Jatt, President of the Mini Mazda Association Pakistan, met Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi at Governor House Peshawar on Thursday to raise concerns over regulatory issues affecting their operations. The delegation highlighted challenges faced by vehicles entering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from Punjab, including fines imposed under route, passing, fitness, and overloading regulations. They emphasized that older Mazda vehicles have been refurbished to ensure safe and smooth transportation of commercial goods without disrupting business activities. Transporters requested the Governor’s…