Author: Syed Tauqeer Zaidi

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Gomal University celebrated a historic milestone on Friday as its Faculty of Allied Health Sciences held the convocation ceremony for the first-ever graduating batch (2021–2026) of the Department of Physical Therapy. The event, held on the university campus, brought together senior management, faculty members, graduating students, and their families to mark the culmination of five years of rigorous academic training. Prominent attendees included Pro Vice Chancellor Naimatullah Babar, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Zahid Awan, Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences Shafiullah Khan, DSA Noor Muhammad Marwat, Director of…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi Bannu: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Bannu has arrested a highly wanted militant commander, Osama alias Daniyal alias Baghi, during an intelligence-based operation in People’s Bazaar, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The suspect, a resident of Bannu district, was a key commander of the newly formed banned militant outfit, Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), reportedly created through collaboration between the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and TTG. During interrogation, he confessed to involvement in at least nine major terrorist attacks, including the December 2025 killing of Assistant Commissioner Miranshah, Shah Wali Khan, and the abduction and murder of former SHO…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, strongly condemned what it described as “inhuman treatment” of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, citing denial of access to doctors and family members as a violation of constitutional and human rights. The cabinet demanded immediate medical access to clarify his health condition. CM Afridi also criticized recent police actions against PTI lawmakers in Karachi and alleged abduction and torture of Ali Zaman, calling for strict legal action against those responsible. He highlighted the launch of an online open court (Khuli Katcheri) system to improve…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Acting on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s zero-tolerance policy against narcotics, the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department recovered more than 13 maunds of hashish worth millions of rupees in separate operations in Khyber and Abbottabad districts. The crackdown was carried out under the directives of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Minister for Excise Syed Fakhar Jahan, supervised by Secretary Excise Khalid Ilyas and Director General Excise Abdul Haleem Khan. In Khyber, a team led by Excise and Taxation Officer (Narcotics Control) Majid Khan and Provincial In-charge Excise Intelligence Bureau Saud Khan Gandapur, along…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfiqar Hameed, visited Dera Ismail Khan on Thursday to meet the families of police personnel who were martyred or injured in a recent terrorist attack at Wanda Badh Panyala, pledging uncompromising action against militant networks. The visit came amid heightened security concerns in the region and underscored the police leadership’s commitment to both operational readiness and community reassurance. At the Police Lines, Hameed laid a floral wreath at the Police Martyrs’ Memorial and offered prayers for the fallen officers, paying tribute to their bravery and sacrifice. He…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs Department has finalised preparations for the Ruet-i-Hilal meeting to sight the moon of Ramazan 1447 AH, following a high-level review chaired by the provincial secretary. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Auqaf Department, Information Department, Rescue 1122, and police to review administrative, security, and media arrangements ahead of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee’s visit to Peshawar on February 18 (29th Sha’ban). Officials confirmed that the chairman of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, along with 21 members, will visit the Auqaf office to conduct the formal…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: Residents of Harban Bhasha in Upper Kohistan, whose lands were acquired for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam Project, received compensation cheques worth over PKR 2.46 billion at a ceremony held at the Commissioner House in Abbottabad. The event was attended by WAPDA officials, local administration, and community leaders. Commissioner Hazara Division Fayyaz Ali Shah praised the collaboration between local elders and the administration, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue to resolve future issues. He noted that land acquisition follows government laws, which may take time, and assured that any arising matters would be addressed promptly. RPO Hazara,…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: At least four police personnel, including a station house officer, were killed on Wednesday during a counter-terrorism operation in Dera Ismail Khan, officials confirmed. The operation took place in the Wanda Badh area, where police forces came under heavy fire from militants. Station House Officer Faheem Mumtaz was among those killed, while three other officers, including a deputy superintendent, sustained injuries in the exchange. Authorities described the incident as a targeted encounter with armed extremists and said security forces had been conducting intelligence-based operations to disrupt militant networks in the area. Local officials…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa education department has declared that all private schools in the province must be registered with the Private Schools Regulatory Authority. Unregistered schools will no longer be allowed to operate or enrol students for board examinations. In a circular sent to the chairpersons of all educational boards, the department stressed that no private school without official registration would be permitted to admit students to board exams. Officials said the measure aimed to ensure proper oversight of schools and to provide an accurate record of children outside the formal education system. Under the Khyber…

By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Funeral prayers were held amid grief and tears for two young men from Dera Ismail Khan who were killed in the suicide attack at Masjid and Imambargah Khadija-tul-Kubra in Islamabad, drawing thousands of mourners. The victims were identified as 23-year-old Syed Abbas Mehdi, an MBBS student from Thalla Fazal Shah, and 24-year-old Mamrez Ali Baloch, a Pakistan Army soldier from village Fateh. Both lost their lives in the tragic blast a day earlier. Syed Abbas Mehdi’s funeral was conducted in Thalla Fazal Shah, while Mamrez Ali Baloch was laid to rest at the…