
Paramedics protest appointment of non-paramedic controller
In this regard, an important meeting of the Provincial Paramedical Association's cabinet was held under the chairmanship of Provincial President Anwar Khan, with all cabinet members in attendance. Provincial Secretary General Luqman Gul Orakzai presented the agenda, which received unanimous approval. The attendees reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the rights of paramedical staff, vowing to take any necessary steps to achieve their demands.
Several key decisions were made, including a formal demand for the government and health department to appoint only qualified paramedics as controller in the Medical Faculty. The association warned that any appointment of a non-paramedic to this post would be met with immediate protests and strikes across the province.
The paramedics further declared that they would continue their movement regardless of Ramazan or Eid, demonstrating their unwavering determination to uphold their rights.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Civic workers strike over unpaid dues
Life in Peshawar was thrown into disarray on Monday after employees of the Capital Metropolitan Government launched an indefinite strike over non-payment of salaries and pensions. With the walkout, all municipal services, including sanitation, waste disposal and other civic operations, ground to a halt. Offices under the metropolitan administration were locked up as workers vowed not to return until their financial dues are cleared. The strike call was announced following a meeting of the United Municipal Workers Union, chaired by its chairman Malik Muhammad Naveed Awan and attended by key office bearers, including General Secretary Syed Waqar Ali Shah, President Ismail Khan, Finance Secretary Khawaja Aftab Elahi, and several senior leaders. The union has also planned a protest rally in the city to press their demands. Speaking at the meeting, Malik Naveed said the crisis had pushed thousands of low-paid employees and their families to the brink. "Our households are facing starvation, while aged retirees, widows, and orphans run from office to office in vain, unable to access their pensions," he said. He criticized senior officials for continuing to indulge in extravagant expenses while employees are deprived of their most basic rights. Union leaders further alleged that around Rs7 million per month was being spent on daily wage workers who, they claimed, were neither required nor regularly seen on duty. "This unnecessary expenditure is draining the limited resources of the metropolitan government while genuine employees are left unpaid," the union representatives said. They warned that the strike would remain in force indefinitely until the government ensures the release of salaries and pensions, stressing that workers were left with no option but to resort to such drastic action. The protest in Peshawar follows months of growing resentment across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's local bodies over inadequate financial support from the provincial government. In June, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Employees Federation had voiced strong concern over the failure to release sufficient grants to pay salaries and pensions of employees in financially weak councils. According to the federation, the Finance Department had approved grants of Rs360 million and Rs150 million for settled areas and Rs71 million for merged districts. However, union leaders argued these amounts fell far short of the actual requirements of various Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs). They said the allocations were often based on outdated formulas, leaving weaker councils unable to pay staff on time. Federation leaders, including Patron-in-Chief Shaukat Kayani, Chairman Mehboobullah, President Haji Anwar Kamal Khan Marwat, and General Secretary Sulaiman Khan Hoti, accused provincial authorities of ignoring ground realities. They lamented that many employees and pensioners could not receive their dues even ahead of Eidul Fitr and were now again facing hardships in the run-up to Eidul Azha.


Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
K-P appoints focal persons to monitor flood-hit areas
Rescue workers scour the swollen Swat River for bodies of missing persons after a devastating cloudburst triggered flash floods in the region. Photo: NNI Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information Department has appointed Deputy Director Nizamuddin as focal person for Buner and other flood-affected mountainous areas to ensure accurate information sharing and real-time monitoring of the situation. According to an official statement, the Director General of Information will oversee the overall response. Meanwhile, the Relief Department has designated its Deputy Director, Amjad Khan, as focal person for coordination on behalf of the department. Separately, the government has sought an assessment report on hospitals and health facilities damaged by recent floods and heavy rains in the affected districts. Deputy Director Mr. Amjad Khan nominated as Focal Person for all coordination and sharing of the flood related information. #FloodsInPakistan #KPFloodUpdates #KPgovt — Information Department KP (@infokpgovt) August 16, 2025 Officials said the Health Department's Independent Monitoring Unit has been tasked with preparing a detailed report on damages, missing medical staff, and the overall situation in disaster-hit areas. Monitoring teams will use motorcycles to access remote regions. Director General Health, Dr Shahid Younas, said all affected districts have been instructed to submit comprehensive reports. Initial findings indicate that at least 11 health facilities have sustained partial damage, including two in Shangla, three in Bajaur, one in Swat, and one in Dir. These facilities include Basic Health Units (BHUs) and dispensaries, where boundary walls collapsed and floodwater entered buildings, causing structural damage. Dr Younas added that an assessment of medical equipment is also underway, while immediate measures are being taken to ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines and staff. Two ambulances from Peshawar, two mobile hospitals from Mardan, and a team of 23 medical professionals, including female doctors, have been dispatched to the affected districts. Specialist teams, including orthopaedic surgeons from Bacha Khan Hospital Swabi and Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, have been sent to Shangla. A special medical team from Mansehra has been deployed to Bajaur and Buner, while mobile health camps have been set up in flood-hit areas. All hospitals have been placed on emergency alert, with health emergency units maintaining close coordination with the Directorate of Health. Officials said monitoring is continuing round-the-clock to ensure swift response and uninterrupted service delivery in the affected regions.


Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
K-P celebrates Independence Day
The 78th Independence Day was observed across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including the merged districts, with the same fervor and enthusiasm that swept the rest of the country on Thursday. The day in Peshawar began with a 21-gun salute, followed by special prayers at Fajr for the country's progress, prosperity, and unity. Throughout the provincial capital, government and private institutions marked the occasion with a series of special events. Flag-hoisting ceremonies were held at the Peshawar High Court, University of Peshawar, Civil Secretariat, and several other government offices. Non-governmental organizations also joined the celebrations, arranging rallies and patriotic programs that infused the city with festive energy. The streets and public places were awash with national colors. Children dressed in green-and-white outfits, many fashioned from the Pakistani flag, added a lively charm to the day. BRT stations, public offices, and private buildings were adorned with flags and bunting, giving Peshawar a vibrant look reminiscent of Eid festivities. Police were deployed at key points to maintain security throughout the celebrations. A dignified flag-hoisting ceremony at Governor House Peshawar was attended by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, US Consul General Shante Moore, Iranian Consul General Ali Banafshekhah, and Afghan Consul General Hafiz Mohibullah. The event began with the national anthem, followed by a guard of honour from the police. Special prayers were offered for Pakistan's progress before the governor, accompanied by the diplomats, cut a ceremonial cake. Governor Kundi extended heartfelt greetings to the nation and expressed gratitude to the foreign envoys for their participation and goodwill messages. In Dera Ismail Khan, a solemn yet spirited Independence Day ceremony was held at the Police Lines, with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur as chief guest. A smartly turned-out police contingent presented a guard of honour to the sound of patriotic tunes from the police band. The chief minister hoisted the national flag, cut a celebratory cake, and planted a sapling to mark the occasion. The ceremony drew senior officials including Commissioner Zafarul Islam, RPO Syed Ashfaq Anwar, Deputy Commissioner Abdul Nasir Khan, DPO Sajjad Ahmad Sahibzada, representatives of government departments, community leaders, and media personnel. Addressing the gathering, CM Gandapur congratulated the nation, noting that this year's Independence Day coincided with what he termed a "national victory" in which the armed forces and people together "humbled India's arrogance." He paid tribute to martyrs and veterans from the creation of Pakistan to the present, stressing that freedom is earned through sacrifice.