Latest news with #PeshawarPressClub
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
KP govt presents Rs50m to Peshawar Press Club
PESHAWAR: Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Dr. Mohammad Ali Saif visited the Peshawar Press Club where he presented a cheque of Rs. 50 million on behalf of the provincial government as financial assistance to the club. On this occasion, Secretary Information Muhammad Khalid, Additional Secretary Information Hayat Shah, office bearers of the Press Club, senior journalists, and other relevant individuals were present. Speaking at a press conference following the ceremony, Barrister Dr. Saif stated that the Peshawar Press Club is not just an institution for him, but feels like home. He emphasized that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is undertaking concrete and sincere steps for the welfare of journalistic institutions. Public resources are being utilized transparently, fairly, and effectively to enhance the professional capacity, training, and institutional development of the journalistic community. He further remarked that when resources are utilized properly, they have a multidimensional positive impact on society. This is the vision being implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, and under this vision, the Peshawar Press Club has been granted financial support twice during the current fiscal year. In response to a question regarding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Barrister Dr. Saif clarified that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has made sincere efforts for political dialogue. At one point, a formal negotiation committee was established which engaged in talks with the government, but the process stalled and the committee was eventually dissolved. He asserted that PTI continues to make efforts on political, constitutional, and legal fronts to secure the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He stressed that without political stability, economic recovery and effective implementation of national security policies is not possible. The only way to achieve stability is to ensure swift judicial decisions on the baseless, politically motivated cases filed against Imran Khan and PTI leaders, and to release innocent political prisoners so they can rejoin the mainstream political process. Barrister Dr. Saif highlighted that Imran Khan has been in prison for two years but has neither sought pardon nor relief and has borne all hardships with patience. 'Anyone who believes that keeping Imran Khan behind bars will change the political landscape is delusional. The interest of the state, the nation, and the government lies in finding a peaceful resolution to this mockery.' Responding to another question about the protest plan to secure release of Imran Khan, he confirmed that a new protest campaign is being launched and the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been instructed by Imran Khan accordingly. Regarding relations with neighbouring country Afghanistan, Barrister Dr. Saif revealed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has repeatedly submitted formal and informal requests to the federal government for permission to send a delegation to Afghanistan to engage directly with Afghan authorities on matters that are affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. He emphasized that due to geographical proximity, developments in Afghanistan directly impact Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Expressing disappointment, he criticized the federal government's political incompetence and diplomatic inaction for hampering provincial efforts and preventing meaningful engagement with Afghanistan. He clarified that the KP government does not seek to conduct an international diplomatic mission or discuss matters of national security but only wishes to address issues that directly affect the province. Criticizing the federal foreign ministry, he stated, "The Foreign Minister has travelled the world but has failed to visit Afghanistan, our neighbouring country—this is a major foreign policy failure." Addressing a question about the expulsion of Afghan nationals, Barrister Dr. Saif made it clear that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government disagrees with the federal policy in this matter. He stated that Afghan refugees are seen as brothers, and treating them with compassion and fraternity is both a humanitarian and religious obligation. 'The Chief Minister has repeatedly stated that the provincial government does not endorse the federal government's approach toward Afghan refugee's repatriation. We believe Afghans share our language, culture, religion, and faith," he said. He emphasized that Afghan nationals are going through difficult times due to instability in their country, and turning them away is neither humane, Islamic, nor aligned with Pashtun traditions. He added that if any Afghan national completes legal documentation and wishes to re-enter Pakistan, the provincial government has no objections. Barrister Dr. Saif firmly rejected narratives blaming Afghan citizens for the province's problems, calling such claims unfair and disconnected from reality. Speaking on the issue of political conspiracies and scandals, Barrister Dr. Saif accused the ruling coalition of adopting failed strategies that have only boosted PTI's popularity. 'We are under attack from all sides—facing conspiracies and political hurdles—but by the grace of God, PTI's public support continues to grow.' He added that the party is not intimidated by these scandals and, in fact, believes they are fuelling public sympathy and respect for PTI. Barrister Dr. Saif described the PPP's anti-corruption protest as the height of political hypocrisy and mockery. 'The world knows that if any party is most associated with corruption, it is the Pakistan People's Party,' he said. He cited a 2008 United Nations report listing global money launderers, where the second name belonged to a current Pakistani figure that, regrettably, now holds the office of President. "This report is publicly available on the UN website, and every Pakistani can judge the moral standing of those protesting against corruption." Commenting on the PPP's recent protest, Dr. Saif said, 'If you unlawfully enter the Red Zone and damage public property, the law will respond. The police used only legal and reasonable force—no bullets were fired, and no extrajudicial actions were taken." He reminded the public that those now complaining about being hit with batons are the same ones who previously opened fire on unarmed PTI protesters in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and D-Chowk, resulting in over 18 deaths. 'Those people had no weapons. If they did, perhaps you wouldn't have dared to fire at them. But when you shoot at unarmed protesters, you lose the moral right to cry foul when law enforcement acts within legal bounds.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Prioritisation of digestive health urged
Health experts have urged the public to pay closer attention to digestive health, warning of a sharp rise in stomach-related diseases, including cancer. Speaking at a press conference on World Digestive Health Day at the Peshawar Press Club, Dr Atta Muhammad Khan Marwat from Lady Reading Hospital emphasized the importance of routine stomach checkups and moderation in eating, especially during Eid. He advised reducing the intake of oily foods and meat, which commonly lead to digestive issues. Dr Jamshed Khattak warned that excessive tea and cigarette consumption contributes to stomach cancer and urged people to avoid salty, spicy, and adulterated foods. Dr Shahid Afridi recommended daily walking and taking one digestive tablet every 24 hours to maintain a healthy gut.
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Health experts for awareness about treatment of Obstetric Fistula
PESHAWAR: Health experts here at a seminar on Obstetric Fistula which develops in the body of women due to lack of proper care and treatment of the mother during pregnancy and childbirth, has laid stress on public awareness about treatment of this disease. Addressing the seminar, the health experts claimed that `Fistula is not only treatable but also preventable'. The seminar was organized by the Pakistan National Forum on Women's Health Pakistan at Peshawar Press Club in connection with celebration of International Fistula Day on May 23. Deputy Director MCH Dr. Tanveer Inam, Deputy Director MCH Dr Shandana Sarir, Head of Department Urology (LRH) Dr Azra Ghani, Dr Matiur Rehman, Dr Nazish Hayat and other doctors and gynaecologists participated in the seminar. Speaking on the occasion, Lady Reading Peshawar's Gynaecologist Dr. Nazish Hayat said fistula causes many problems for women due to which on the one hand women are kept in a separate room at home because this disease is of urinary leakage in women, which can now be treated free of charge in Peshawar and its centers have now been opened all over Pakistan, among which Mercy Hospital Peshawar is prominent. If fistula is treated on time, women can get rid of many problems, she added. The disease is more common in the districts because initially the patient does not have to go from place to place for treatment of this disease and by the time it is detected, a lot of time has been passed. Addressing the seminar in this regard, Dr Samdana, a gynaecologist at Mercy Teaching Hospital Peshawar, said that our services are available free of charge for the treatment of fistula disease in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a regular campaign is now being run among the public to create awareness about it. She said that in this regard, training is also being given to many women by Pakistan National Forum on Women Health. She said that on the one hand, women face a lot of difficulties due to this disease, on the other hand, they do not have information about its treatment, so it is important that they go to their nearest big hospital and contact a gynaecologist and get it treated. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI protests on Imran's 2nd arrest anniversary
On the second anniversary of the arrest of the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), party workers held a protest outside the Peshawar Press Club on Sunday. The protest was attended by MNA Shandana Gulzar, former Deputy Speaker Mahmood Jan, Sheer Ali Arbab, Irfan Saleem, Faisal Javed, Sheer Ali Afridi, Asif Khan, Kamran Bangash, Sami Khan, Ali Zaman, and Fazal Ilahi, who addressed the participants. In their speeches, the speakers condemned the arrest of the founding chairman, stating that he had been detained without any crime or charge. They highlighted that although the courts have granted bail, baseless cases are still being filed against him. They further pointed out that in an attempt to exert pressure on the founding chairman, his wife, Bushra Bibi, has also been arrested. The speakers emphasized that while the founding chairman and his wife are facing unjust legal battles, they are also being denied the right to meet with him. Despite court orders, authorities continue to obstruct visits to the detained leader. The Chief Executive of the province, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, has also been barred from meeting the founding chairman. The speakers criticized the current government's efforts to diminish the popularity of the PTI founder, stressing that he remains one of the most popular leaders in the country today. They further noted that had the founding chairman been outside, he would have become a powerful voice against Indian aggression. They commended the Pakistan army for its strong response to India's hostility, declaring that India's misconception about attacking Pakistan has been decisively crushed. In support of the motherland, the protesters expressed their solidarity with the armed forces of the country.
Express Tribune
28-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
K-P links doctor, teacher promotions to performance
Chairing a meeting of the Provincial Selection Board on Friday, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah directed the Health and Education Departments, along with relevant sections of the Establishment Department, to strictly link the promotion of teachers and doctors to their performance. He emphasized that only those meeting the prescribed performance criteria would be considered for promotion in the next board meeting. To ensure transparency and merit-based advancement, the Chief Secretary instructed the departments to incorporate reports from the Independent Monitoring Unit (IMU) as a key performance indicator. Additionally, all essential performance metrics must be thoroughly assessed and verified before submitting promotion cases to the board. He stated that this initiative aims to foster a merit-based environment for dedicated and competent teachers and doctors, ultimately improving public service delivery. Reaffirming the government's commitment to enhancing the efficiency of the health and education sectors, he emphasized the importance of promoting a culture of performance-driven progress. He also directed the concerned departments to ensure strict compliance with the new promotion policy. Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary attended the closing ceremony of the HBK Sports Gala, organized by the Peshawar Press Club for its members and working journalists. He appreciated the initiative, expressing his delight that over 250 journalists participated in competitions including badminton, table tennis, snooker, ludo, and carrom board, providing them with a refreshing break from their professional routines. Acknowledging the historic role of the Peshawar Press Club, the Chief Secretary lauded its contributions to promoting responsible journalism and ensuring the welfare of journalists in the province.
