Author: Syed Tauqeer Zaidi

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The former Ratta Kalachi Afghan Refugee Camp has been completely demolished as part of an initiative by the district administration to reclaim government land and ensure its proper use for public purposes. The camp, which had remained vacant following the voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees, was dismantled under the direct supervision of the Assistant Commissioner (Revenue). Heavy machinery was deployed to demolish all buildings, temporary structures, and other constructions. Security and administrative personnel were present throughout to ensure the operation proceeded without incident. Officials confirmed that the demolition was carried out in phases…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Lawyers at the District Bar Association, Dera Ismail Khan, staged a protest against a reported incident involving a Muslim female student in India, condemning what they described as systemic oppression of minorities in the country. A large turnout of lawyers participated in the gathering. Addressing the protest, District Bar President Qaisar Mian Khel stated that the demonstration aimed to expose what he called the “dark face” of India, challenging its global image as a democracy committed to human rights. He said the incident highlighted India’s ongoing discriminatory practices against Muslims and other minority…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Gomal University has hosted a one-day continuing medical education (CME) conference and Surgical Technology Expo 2025, bringing together academics, clinicians and students to discuss professional development and innovation in healthcare. The event, organized by the university’s Faculty of Allied Health Sciences through its Department of Surgical Technology, was held at the Dr A Q Khan Auditorium and attracted a large number of students alongside faculty members and invited speakers from the field. The vice-chancellor of Gomal University, Professor Dr Zafar Iqbal, attended as chief guest, along with the dean of the Faculty of…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The Management Association in Dera Ismail Khan has called on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to permanently post school leaders as assistant sub-divisional education officer (ASDEO) circles, warning that failure to do so risks weakening oversight at the primary education level. Speaking in Dera Ismail Khan, the association’s president, Dr Humayun Khattak, said the ASDEO circle posts had been formally approved by the provincial finance department with a clear purpose: to reduce the supervisory burden on education officers by cutting the number of schools under one officer from between 70 and 120 to just…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A meeting of the Gomal University All Pensioners Federation in Dera Ismail Khan has voiced strong support for the reform agenda of the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Dr Zafar Iqbal, praising what participants described as tangible improvements in both academic and administrative affairs. The meeting, chaired by Shafqat Qayyum Alizai, the federation’s chairman, and Waheed Jigar, its general secretary, heard speakers say that the vice-chancellor’s sustained efforts, coupled with what they termed transparent and honest policies, had helped reverse years of institutional decline. They noted that restoring order and credibility in a university affected…

By Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Gomal University and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) have formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote students’ professional development, enhance collaboration between academia and industry, and facilitate access to modern banking services. The MoU was signed at a ceremony attended by Gomal University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Naimatullah Babar, Dean Professor Dr. Muhammad Zahid Awan, Director ORIC Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Khan, and ZTBL Director Finance Zakiullah Gandapur. Speaking at the event, Vice Chancellor Dr. Zafar Iqbal described the partnership as a key step toward equipping…

By Tauqeer Zaidi TANK: A rare and alarming attack unfolded at the SMA Police Station in Tank district when a quadcopter was used to target the premises, leaving two police personnel injured. The officers, identified as Additional Moharrar Ehsanullah and Assistant Moharrar Muhammad Asif, received prompt on-site medical attention before being transferred to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital. Officials later confirmed that both were in stable condition. Authorities described the incident as highly unusual, highlighting the emerging security challenges posed by the use of unmanned aerial devices in assaults on official installations. In response, police and other security forces swiftly…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, held a meeting with a delegation of the Central Traders Association of Dera Ismail Khan, led by President Suhail Ahmed Azmi, at the Governor House. The discussions focused on electricity load-shedding, infrastructure projects, and other key concerns of the business community. Traders highlighted that electricity load-shedding in the city has reached 18–20 hours daily, despite minimal electricity theft in commercial areas. Taking note of the issue, Governor Kundi immediately contacted the Chief Executive of PESCO to convey the association’s concerns. The delegation also raised the absence of…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The Commissioner of Dera Division, Daud Khan, assured full support for the development and welfare of the Dera Educational Board, emphasising the importance of youth as the nation’s future. He announced that construction of the Board’s own building on its allocated land would begin shortly and noted that increased transparency in the examination system was already producing visible improvements in overall performance. The Commissioner made the remarks during a visit to the Board, accompanied by Regional Police Officer Syed Ishfaq Anwar. They were received by Chairman Dr. Ehsanullah, Secretary and Controller of Examinations…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Demonstrations were held across Dera Ismail Khan in response to an incident in India where a Muslim woman’s hijab was forcibly removed. University students, faculty, and staff participated in a protest organised under the directives of Agricultural University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Shakeebullah. Separately, civil society and the local traders’ community, led by Chaudhry Jameel Ahmed and Shareef Chauhan, staged a protest near Choghla in Dera city, burning an effigy of the Indian minister allegedly involved in the incident. Participants carried banners condemning Islamophobia, religious intolerance, the humiliation of women, and violations of…