Author: Syed Tauqeer Zaidi

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Minister for Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control, Syed Fakhar Jehan, chaired the department’s first-ever E-Open Court (Kuli Kachehri) on 22 January 2026, directly addressing public complaints and ensuring their swift resolution. The session, attended by Secretary Excise Khalid Ilyas and senior departmental officers, received 46 phone calls from across the province and beyond, while 280 public comments were submitted via Facebook Live. Taking serious notice of reports about officials checking citizens’ mobile phones at checkpoints, the minister declared such acts illegal and warned that strict legal action would be taken against offenders. He…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Information and Public Relations, Shafi Jan, officially inaugurated a Day Care Center at the Civil Secretariat on Warsak Road, providing a much-needed facility for female government employees. The ceremony was attended by Secretary Information and Public Relations Dr. Muhammad Bakhtiar Khan, Director General Information Muhammad Imran Khan, Additional Secretary Hazrat Ali, Deputy Secretaries Beenish Iqbal and Anwar Akbar, along with other senior officers. Speaking at the event, Shafi Jan highlighted that the Day Care Center is the first of its kind at the Civil Secretariat and…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: Acting United States Ambassador Natalie Baker visited Nowshera, underscoring Washington’s focus on strengthening business partnerships and expanding educational opportunities in Pakistan, as she highlighted the broader economic and social impact of American investment in the country. During her visit, Ms Baker inaugurated a new KFC restaurant, pointing to the role of American brands working with Pakistani partners in generating jobs and stimulating local economic activity. She said such collaborations went beyond commercial interests, contributing directly to livelihoods and community development. “American companies, in partnership with Pakistani businesses, are helping to grow the local economy and…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: An awards ceremony was held at the Governor House in Peshawar to recognize the outstanding contributions of journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with Governor Faisal Karim Kundi presenting honors to 22 media professionals for their exemplary services. The event was attended by prominent figures including Awais Jadun, Chairman of the Balochistan International Think Tank, M. Riaz, President of Peshawar Press Club, Kashifuddin Syed, President of the Khyber Union of Journalists, as well as office-bearers of the Peshawar Press Club and a large gathering of journalists from across the province. The awards, presented by the Balochistan International…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi has assured the legal fraternity of continued government support, including the provision of grants for bar associations, while paying tribute to lawyers for what he described as their historic and ongoing role in safeguarding democracy, the Constitution and the rule of law. The assurance came during a meeting at the Governor House in Peshawar, where a delegation of lawyers led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council member Sardar Hashmat Nawaz Khan Sadozai Advocate called on the governor. The delegation included Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) district general secretary Malik…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi MALAKAND: A planned daytime robbery at a prominent jewelry shop in Shakakot’s commercial market was foiled after the shopkeeper resisted the attackers, forcing the suspects to open fire before fleeing the scene. The shop, owned by Khurshid Khan, was targeted by three masked and armed men. Following the incident, Assistant Commissioner Dargai Shahab Khan, along with Post Commanders Safeer Rehman and Shahab Anwar Adil, led a police and law enforcement operation. The team tracked down and apprehended all three suspects, recovering their weapons. In response to the swift action, leaders of the United Trade Union, Hamid…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi personally intervened after a social media complaint highlighted a child in critical condition at Lady Reading Hospital. He visited the Emergency Children’s Ward, met with the family, and ordered a full inquiry into the matter. Doctors informed the Chief Minister that the child required immediate transfer to Khyber Teaching Hospital due to a shortage of Pediatric ICU beds. Acting promptly, the Chief Minister arranged an ambulance to ensure the patient received timely treatment. He also directed the hospital administration to provide new beds in the Pediatric ICU,…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: In a welfare initiative aimed at improving healthcare access, security forces organized a free medical camp in Pastai village, Sarwakai, providing essential medical services to residents of this remote area. During the camp, specialist doctors and medical staff examined a large number of patients, diagnosing and treating illnesses including fever, flu, colds, skin diseases, stomach ailments, and common health issues affecting women and children. Free medicines were distributed on the spot, while patients with serious conditions were given initial medical aid and referred to major hospitals for further treatment. The camp saw significant participation…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: As part of its zero-tolerance policy against narcotics, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is carrying out robust operations across the province to combat drug smuggling, sale, and abuse, alongside awareness and rehabilitation efforts aimed at safeguarding youth and reducing demand. A major anti-drug awareness seminar was held at Fazle Haq College, Mardan, with Secretary Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khalid Ilyas, participating as the chief guest. The seminar was attended by college Principal Madam Hafsa Ashiq, Excise and Taxation Officer Khalid Khan, Dr. Hidayatullah, Head of the Anti-Drug Committee, Aakif Nawaz Khan, Circle Officer…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Minister for Public Health Engineering, Fazal Shakoor Khan, has directed concerned Executive Engineers to fast-track all ongoing development projects in Mansehra and South Waziristan and ensure their timely completion, officials said on Wednesday. Chairing a high-level meeting at his office, the minister emphasized that comprehensive groundwork for the PC-I of proposed schemes must be completed promptly and submitted to the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) for approval. This, he noted, would allow public facilities to be delivered without delay. The meeting was attended by XEN Mansehra, Sardar Khalid Gandapur, and XEN South Waziristan,…