Author: Syed Tauqeer Zaidi

By Syed Tauqeer ZaidiDERA ISMAIL KHAN: Gomal University in Dera Ismail Khan has converted its historic Department of Sports Sciences and Physical Education building into a modern Sports Hostel, providing state-of-the-art accommodation for athletes.The renovation preserves the building’s heritage while transforming it into a well-equipped residential facility for students and athletes. The move comes ahead of the university’s hosting of four major Higher Education Commission tournaments this year, including cricket, football, volleyball, and field hockey, attracting participants from universities across the river belt.Director of Sports, Dr. Waseem Khan, led the renovation project under the directives of Vice Chancellor Professor Dr.…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) delegation met with Regional Police Officer (RPO) Syed Ashfaq Anwar at the Ranges Police Office in Dera Ismail Khan to discuss the security of ongoing UN projects in the region.The meeting focused on challenges faced in the field and measures to ensure the safety of UN representatives working on local development initiatives. UNDSS officials expressed full confidence in the Dera Range Police, commending their professionalism, courage, and dedication in maintaining peace and stability.RPO Syed Ashfaq Anwar assured the delegation that protecting lives and property…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: Under the open-door policy of the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an open court (Khuli Kachehri) was held in Peshawar by the Labour Department to resolve issues faced by industrial workers and ensure prompt redressal of complaints.The session was chaired by Secretary Labour and Chairman Workers Welfare Board, Captain (R) Mian Adil Iqbal. Other officials present included Secretary Workers Welfare Board Sher Alam Khan, Vice Commissioner ESSI Waseem Ahmad, Director Labour Tariq Khan, Director Works Asif Majeed, and Deputy Director Medical, among others.A large number of workers, particularly women, attended the open court and presented their…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi MALAKAND: A PhD scholar at the University of Malakand successfully defended his doctoral thesis during a public defence session held at the Department of Sociology on Tuesday. Hayat Khan conducted his research under the supervision of Dr Adnan Khan, assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Malakand. The public defence was evaluated by external examiners Dr Noor Sanauddin of the University of Peshawar and Dr Khalil ur Rehman of Hazara University, Mansehra, who appreciated the scholarly contribution and academic value of the research. The dean of social sciences, Prof Dr Arab Naz,…

Military teams stepped in to aid stranded residents and travelers, offering vital support as harsh conditions left communities isolated for days By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi/Ghulam Hussain Baloch KURRAM/ZHOB: Army launched extensive rescue operations across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as unusually heavy snowfall and severe winter weather brought life in many parts of the region to a standstill. Military teams were deployed to assist residents and stranded travelers, providing critical support amid treacherous conditions that left numerous communities cut off for days. Security sources said that control centers had been established in key districts including Hoshri, Ziarat, Bolan, Zhob, and Qila…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The Pakistan People’s Party MNA and chairman of the National Assembly standing committee on defence, Sardar Fatehullah Mian Khel, said Dera Ismail Khan was once known as “Mini Larkana” and that the party’s ideological workers continued to stand firmly with the PPP. He said the party’s central leadership had formed a committee, led by Qamar Zaman Kaira, Humayun Khan, Faryal Talpur, Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha and Nayyar Bukhari, to address the grievances of PPP workers in Dera Ismail Khan. He was speaking at a meeting of senior and long-serving party workers and office-bearers…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has clarified that recent notifications regarding population movement in Tirah Valley reflected preparedness for humanitarian relief and contingency planning, and should not be interpreted as endorsement of any particular security operations, officials said. In a letter to Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Shafi Jan emphasized that the provincial government’s position remains consistent: security operations must be embedded within a broader political, economic, and social framework to avoid unintended consequences, including civilian disruption, economic hardship, and displacement. The letter noted that recent…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: The director general of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority, Kashif Iqbal Jilani, visited the Haripur Food Safety Office and directed food safety teams to take indiscriminate action against the adulteration mafia and the sale of substandard and hazardous food items. During the visit, Jilani held a detailed meeting with district administrative officers and reviewed matters related to food safety enforcement. Director Technical Dr Abdul Sattar Shah and Director Finance Zahir Mehmood were also present. The director general issued clear instructions, stressing that no negligence or leniency would be tolerated in actions…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa held a high-profile auction of personalized “choice” number plates at Nishtar Hall on Tuesday, attracting strong public interest and competitive bidding. The top bid was recorded for the plate “Wazir 1”, sold for Rs15 million. The second-highest, “Afridi 1”, fetched Rs1.4 crore and was acquired by Javed Afridi, owner of Peshawar Zalmi. “Khan 1” was sold for Rs1.11 crore to MPA Naik Muhammad Khan. Other notable sales included “Peshawar 1” for Rs10 million, “Haripur 1” for Rs8 million, and “Yousafzai 1” for Rs49.2 lakh. Smaller…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The District Education Officer (Male) has issued a final warning to all principals, headmasters, and SDEOs of high, higher secondary, and middle schools across Dera Ismail Khan district over the non-implementation of Siraiki, Pashto, and other regional languages as compulsory subjects. The notification highlighted that, despite clear directives from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the Education Department, many government schools have yet to introduce these regional languages in their curriculum. Authorities expressed serious concern, describing the delay as negligence and incompetence on the part of school heads and officers. The District Education Officer…