Author: Syed Tauqeer Zaidi

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A thought-provoking debate on countering violent extremism was recently held at Government Girls Degree College No. 1 in Dera Ismail Khan. The session, titled “Countering Violent Extremism through Multiple Strategies,” brought students together to discuss one of the most pressing challenges facing Pakistan and the wider region. The event was organized under the guidance of Principal Afia Saadat Qaisrani, whose leadership ensured the smooth conduct of the debate. It followed the Asian Parliamentary style, with participants assigned roles as Speaker, Ruling Party, and Opposition, allowing for structured discussion and dynamic engagement. Students demonstrated…

Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN:A deadly suicide attack claimed the lives of five people and injured ten others during a wedding ceremony at the residence of Aman Committee chief Noor Alam Mehsud near Qureshi Mor on Friday. The explosion occurred while guests were attending the ceremony, with some youths performing the traditional Attan dance. The powerful blast caused one room to collapse, spreading panic and chaos. Among the martyrs were prominent Aman Committee leader Abdul Waheed (Commander Jagri) and MZI leader Abdul Majeed (Laghari Advocate). Police confirmed the attack was likely carried out by a suicide bomber, with the…

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 KOHAT: Security forces and police successfully foiled a major terrorist plot in Kohat, preventing what could have been widespread destruction across the city. Authorities said verified intelligence had indicated that a group of terrorists was hiding in a farmhouse within the city and planning coordinated attacks in Kohat and surrounding areas. Acting on this information, police and counter-terrorism personnel launched an immediate operation at the farmhouse under the jurisdiction of MRS Police Station. District Police Officer Shahbaz Elahi stated that the area had been fully cordoned off, with advanced surveillance equipment deployed to monitor the site.…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi chaired a high-level meeting on 22 January 2026 to review ongoing healthcare reforms, key challenges, and the future strategy of the provincial Health Department, officials said. The Chief Minister urged authorities to move away from a “firefighting” approach and adopt a comprehensive and sustainable strategy to ensure the long-term provision of quality healthcare facilities to the public. He emphasized the need to strengthen primary and secondary hospitals to reduce pressure on major medical centers, discouraging unnecessary referrals. While ensuring that unavoidable referrals were properly justified. Officials were also…

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: 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 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 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…