Author: Syed Tauqeer Zaidi

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 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…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Security forces thwarted coordinated terrorist attacks at 12 different locations across Balochistan late on Friday night, killing at least 37 militants during heavy fighting, while 10 security personnel were martyred in the line of duty. According to security sources, militants linked to the group Fitna al-Hindustan attempted simultaneous, carefully planned assaults on key installations, security checkpoints and civilian areas, with the apparent aim of spreading fear and chaos across the province. The attacks were foiled due to timely intelligence, heightened preparedness and swift action by security forces and law enforcement agencies. Officials said…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A high-level delegation from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) met with District Police Officer Sajjad Ahmed Sahibzada to review the security of UN-supported development projects in the district.The DPO briefed the delegation on ongoing initiatives and emphasized that safeguarding these projects is a top priority for the district police. He highlighted the force’s round-the-clock efforts to maintain law and order and protect both personnel and public property. Sahibzada noted that UN-backed projects play a vital role in the region’s development and assured the delegation that all necessary measures are…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: Adviser to the Chief Minister on Finance, Muzammil Aslam, said the friendship between Pakistan and China is a rare global example that has grown stronger over time, through changing circumstances and global transformations. He described the relationship as more than diplomatic or economic—a bond rooted in trust, respect, brotherhood and mutual cooperation.He spoke at a grand ceremony organised by China Window to mark the 75th anniversary of Pakistan–China friendship and the Spring Festival. The event was attended by former governors Haji Ghulam Ali and Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan Dawood Khan, Vice Chancellor…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the World Bank have joined forces to tackle air pollution, holding a consultative meeting on the Smog Action Plan and Air Quality Management via video link, officials said.The KP delegation was led by Secretary Climate Change Junaid Khan and included Special Secretary Talha Hussain Faisal, Additional Secretary Ahmad Kamal, MPA Ahmad Karim Kundi, and senior Environmental Protection Agency officers. The World Bank team highlighted the need for an airshed-based approach, stressing that pollution crosses administrative boundaries and requires regional cooperation.Mr Shafiq from the World Bank said achieving a 35 percent reduction in…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi SWABI: Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and MNA Shahram Khan Tarkai voiced serious concerns over Pakistan’s political and constitutional situation during a press conference at Tarkai House in Swabi.Asad Qaiser described the law and order situation as “worse than martial law,” accusing the government of failing to enact laws in the public interest and of depriving citizens of their fundamental rights. He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) aimed to strengthen democracy and the judiciary, but claimed the rulers themselves were disregarding the Constitution.He raised concerns over PTI founder Imran Khan’s health, alleging that government spokespersons were…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi MIRANSHAH: A jirga convened under the supervision of the Pakistan Army in Miranshah brought together tribal elders, maliks, and district officials to review the law and order situation in the region, officials said.GOC Miranshah Major General Adil Iftikhar welcomed participants and praised the role of tribal leaders in promoting peace and development. He emphasized that lasting security depends on cooperation between local communities and security institutions.The meeting discussed threats from terrorist elements aiming to disrupt stability, including attacks on development projects and communication infrastructure. Tribal elders and local leaders reaffirmed their commitment to support security forces…