Latest news with #Peshawar-based
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bikers sought over Brontë country trail vandalism
Police investigating damage caused by vandals to an art trail in Brontë country have appealed for help finding four suspects. Two marble butterflies, part of an installation of dozens of similar sculptures at Penistone Hill Country Park, near Haworth, were smashed in the attack, with the damage reported to have happened between 19:45 BST and 20:15 BST on Monday. Officers said they wanted to trace a group of four people thought to have been in the area on motorbikes or e-bikes at about the time the damage took place. CCTV inquiries into the vandalism were continuing and Keighley Neighbourhood Policing teams would be carrying out patrols in the area, a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said. Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of the Bradford 2025 City of Culture team which was behind the trail, previously described the vandalism as "sad and disappointing". However, she added that the trail would still open to the public on 24 May as planned. The butterflies which were damaged were part of the Wild Uplands arts trail– a temporary exhibition due to run until October. Commissioned by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, the trail features the works of four artists. The damaged sculptures near a pond had already been repaired, Ms Gulzar said. The 75 butterflies are the work of Pakistani-born artist Meherunnisa Asad, in collaboration with Peshawar-based atelier Studio Lél, known for reviving centuries-old stone-work techniques. When the planning application for the trail was considered last year by Bradford Council, there was one objection over concerns it would be targeted by vandals. However, planners said that was not a valid reason for a refusal of a part of Bradford's City of Culture 2025 celebrations. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Brontë country art trail hit by vandals Country park arts trail for City of Culture agreed
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Time of India
2 killed over ‘honour' in Pakistan's Swat
ISLAMABAD: Two people were shot dead Tuesday in Pakistan's picturesque Swat hill station, allegedly due to an 'illicit relationship, highlighting the country's struggle with honor-based violence. According to police, a young man from Maniyar village was shot dead after entering a home. The homeowner's brother was also wounded in the firing and later succumbed to injuries in hospital. The killings, described by police as honour-related, reflect a persistent issue in rural Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's tribal areas. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) reported 531 honour killings nationwide from Jan to Nov 2024, with 346 women and 185 men targeted. These acts, often tied to cultural notions of family honour, stem from perceived violations like refusing arranged marriages or extramarital ties. 'This (Tuesday's) incident is a stark reminder of how deeply entrenched patriarchal norms fuel violence,' said an HRCP spokesperson. Despite legal reforms in 2016 criminalising honour killings, lenient sentencing and societal acceptance persist. HRCP has called for stricter judicial enforcement and education campaigns to challenge hidebound notions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo International groups echo these concerns. Amnesty International has urged Pakistan to close legal loopholes, such as provisions allowing families to pardon perpetrators, which undermine justice. Human Rights Watch advocates gender equality initiatives to erode the cultural roots of honour-based violence . 'No one should die for so-called honour. Pakistan must act decisively to protect lives,' said a Human Rights Watch representative. Residents of Swat's Barikot, speaking anonymously due to fear of reprisal, expressed mixed sentiments. 'Such incidents are common here, but they tear communities apart,' one said. Others defended such attacks, citing tradition and highlighting the uphill battle for reform. The latest attack has reignited a debate over how to address honour killings. Experts suggest community engagement, alongside legal accountability, to shift attitudes. 'Change starts with dialogue and education. Rural areas need outreach to understand these acts as crimes, not justice,' said Dr Amina Khan, a Peshawar-based sociologist.
Express Tribune
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Stadium's name changes, its state doesn't
As the locals of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) continue their struggle of survival in a province with measly health and education facilities amidst a tense law-and-order situation, the ruling party has come up with an ingenious way of killing precious time. Instead of devising ways to introduce new endeavours for the betterment of the people, the administration has chosen to simply change the names of existing facilities. Recently, the K-P government announced its decision to rename the Arbab Niaz Stadium to the Imran Khan Stadium. In 2006, the last international match at this stadium was played between Pakistan and India, after which it was rejected by the ICC due to its measly facilities. Even after the passage of 18 years, reconstruction work on the ground could not be completed. In this scenario, the K-P government's attempt at political rebranding has received immense backlash from critics. Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, a former federal minister and central leader of the ANP from Peshawar, opined that the Arbab Niaz Stadium was a symbol of Peshawar's identity. "The politics of changing the name is not acceptable in any way. PTI could not build a stadium in the province during the past 13 years. If the name is changed today, tomorrow, when someone else will rule the province, they too will come up with a new name," warned Bilour. Commenting on the matter, Mushtaq Afridi, a cricketer associated with the sport since the past 20 years, felt that if the Arbab Niaz Stadium had been reconstructed 10 years ago, today, new talent would have emerged in league matches, international cricket and the PSL. "The fresh batch of players could have become a part of the national team," claimed Afridi. Similarly, Former PPP federal minister Arbab Alamgir was of the opinion that political parties should come together and unite to improve the law-and-order situation in K-P.. "At the moment, renaming the old ground in Peshawar will change regional politics. The K-P government should focus instead on governance," opined Alamgir. Earlier, the Peshawar International Airport, which is officially known as the Bacha Khan International Airport, was also proposed to be renamed as the Imran Khan International Airport during the tenure of former Chief Minister Mehmood Khan. However, this decision was withdrawn after objections from political parties, especially the ANP. Similarly, the provincial government faced similar criticism for renaming the Nawaz Sharif Kidney Hospital in Swat. Ghulam Ali, former Governor of K-P and the leader of the Peshawar-based central committee of the JUI-F, condemned the renaming of the Arbab Niaz Stadium. "The provincial government should bring new plans and projects to the province. Instead of changing the name of the existing stadium, a new international ground should be built, which will bring public recognition to the province," said Ali. It is worth mentioning that Aleema Khan, the sister of the founder of PTI, claimed that Imran Khan was not in favour of changing the name of the Arbab Niaz Stadium. As of yet, the provincial government has not withdrawn the notification for the renaming however, the PPP has decided to go to court if this decision is not reversed. Reportedly, the initial cost for the construction of the Arbab Niaz Stadium, which was to be built for 30,000 spectators, was set at Rs1.5 billion. This was later increased to Rs2 billion. Now, the K-P government has announced that the stadium will be completed by next month for the upcoming PSL matches.
