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Business Recorder
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Minority community: Rights, freedoms and safety fully protected: President
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan's minority communities are an essential and respected part of society, and that their rights, freedoms, and safety are fully protected under the Constitution of Pakistan. President Zardari, along with ministers and heads of minority communities, cut a cake at Aiwan-e-Sadr on 11 August 2025 to celebrate National Minorities Day. First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari was also present. Speaking on the occasion of National Minorities Day at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday, the heads of various minority communities thanked President Zardari for his historic decision in 2009, during his first tenure as president of Pakistan, to declare 11th August as National Minorities Day, to be observed each year. They acknowledged this initiative as a milestone in recognising their contributions and upholding their rights. The president praised their valuable contributions to the country's strength and progress, noting their important role in national development. He made it clear that the State stands determined against all forms of discrimination, extremism, and violence, adding that such acts have no place in society and will not be allowed to threaten national unity and integrity. The president said the State has taken practical measures to promote inclusion and ensure equal opportunities for all. These include separate seats for non-Muslims in the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies, a five per cent quota in federal and provincial government jobs, and scholarships for minority students from the primary level to higher and professional education, he said. He assured the minority communities that their worship places, if presently under illegal occupation, would be retrieved without delay. He said he would ask the government to take steps to ensure such places are immediately restored to their rightful custodians. He noted that the National Policy for Interfaith Harmony has been designed to promote religious tolerance, strengthen social integration, and unite all religious communities as part of a cohesive national fabric. The president said that our religion, Islam, upholds peace, justice, and human dignity — principles reflected in the Charter of Madina, which granted equal rights to all communities, including non-Muslims. He added that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned a Pakistan where every citizen, regardless of religion, would enjoy equal rights — a vision that continues to guide state policies. Marking the significance of the day, President Zardari called for a collective resolve to build an inclusive and stronger Pakistan where every citizen enjoys equality, mutual respect, and legal protection, and is empowered to contribute meaningfully to the nation's shared destiny. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
KP govt announces to segregate Malakand Division into two units
PESHAWAR: KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has announced to segregate the existing Malakand Division into two separate administrative divisions and urged the elected public representatives of Malakand Division to mutually consult and finalize the modalities in this regard. This, he announced while chairing a consultative session on upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP) for Malakand Division here on Wednesday. Elected members of the National and Provincial Assemblies from Malakand Division and other concerned officials attended the meeting. The Chief Minister stated that Malakand is a vast and mountainous area, and for the convenience of the people, it is necessary to divide it into two divisions. "Smaller administrative units will enhance service delivery and improve governance", he remarked. The elected public representatives of Malakand Division welcomed the Chief Minister's announcement, stating that the division of Malakand into two separate divisions was a longstanding demand of the local population and a pressing need of the time. They expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Minister for this decision. The meeting also reviewed the progress of the current Annual Development Programme for Malakand Division. Earlier, the Chief Minister also chaired a meeting related to the development programmes of the Departments of Forests & Environment, Minerals, Law & Justice, Transport, and Labor. Relevant cabinet members, the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary (P&D), and other concerned officials attended the meeting. The progress of schemes under the ongoing development programme was reviewed, and proposed schemes for inclusion in the next ADP were discussed in the meeting. The Chief Minister directed that schemes nearing completion and flagship projects should be completed on time. He noted that schemes with 80% or more physical progress are being fully funded. Detailed discussions were held on proposed projects for the upcoming Annual Development Programme, and instructions were issued to finalize them. The Chief Minister directed that realistic and viable development schemes be included in the new ADP, emphasizing that departments should prioritize major public-interest projects over minor initiatives. The Chief Minister stressed the need for swift implementation of the Billion Tree plus Programme, terming it as a flagship initiative of the provincial government. He directed that implementation of the programme should begin at the very start of the new fiscal year. 'We are investing substantial resources to enhance the forest cover of the province; therefore, no delay in the execution of this project will be tolerated,' he said. The Chief Minister instructed practical steps to harness the potential of carbon credits in the province. He agreed in principle to include solar tube well projects in the next ADP to support afforestation and instructed that feasibility studies for these projects be conducted in the first phase. The meeting also considered projects for value chain development of local honeybees and the establishment of herbal markets across the province. The Chief Minister highlighted the significant potential of medicinal herbs in the province and stated that the basic objective is to benefit the local population. The meeting also gave in-principle approval to include a project in the next ADP for the establishment of a safari park at Misri Banda, Nowshera. The Chief Minister directed that appropriate funds be allocated for the execution of this project. Speaking on the government's development strategy, the Chief Minister stated that the provincial government aims to complete mega public welfare projects within the next two to three years. For this purpose, all departments must initiate timely implementation of their respective schemes. 'The provincial government is investing significant resources, and the benefits must reach the people without delay,' he concluded. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
13-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Sehat Card to cover drug rehab programme
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said that the drug addicts' rehabilitation program will soon be integrated into the Sehat Card Plus initiative. A ceremony was held in Peshawar on Thursday to mark the completion of the third phase of the Drug-Free Peshawar program. Gandapur was the chief guest at the event, while members of the provincial cabinet, members of the National and Provincial Assemblies, government officials, and civil society representatives were also in attendance. On this occasion, individuals who had successfully completed rehabilitation under the Drug-Free Peshawar program's third phase were reunited with their families. The third phase was launched in November 2024, during which 1,239 drug addicts were rehabilitated. Among them were 13 women and 28 underage boys. The rehabilitated individuals included 611 from Peshawar, 536 from other districts of the province, 48 from Punjab, 10 from Sindh, and 26 Afghan citizens. This is the largest drug rehabilitation program to date, with a substantial allocation of Rs320 million. Speaking at the event, the chief minister expressed his joy at witnessing the reintegration of rehabilitated individuals with their families. He stated that the program aims to make the province drug-free and help addicts return to normal life so they can become productive and responsible citizens. The chief minister emphasized that this initiative is not limited to the province alone but is a nationwide and even global program, as people from other provinces and even Afghanistan have benefited from it. "We do not reject anyone based on their province or nationality," he added. Gandapur highlighted that this rehabilitation project began in 2022, and in its first two phases, a total of 2,400 drug addicts were successfully treated. This included 1,154 individuals from Peshawar, 1,039 from other districts of K-P, 170 from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, and 34 foreign nationals. The chief minister reiterated that his leader's vision is to establish a welfare state where the government cares for its people like a mother. "Deputy Commissioners only need to bring drug addicts to the relevant office, and the government will bear the cost of their treatment," he declared. He urged the public to hand over drug addicts for rehabilitation, assuring them that the government will ensure their treatment. The CM also stressed a simple definition of right and wrong: "Anything you cannot do openly is wrong." He further stated that drugs neither bring happiness nor peace; they only lead to destruction. True peace and progress, he said, lie in following the commandments of Allah. The chief minister urged people to fight against drug dealers and expel them from their communities. Police will support you. Inform them, and they will take immediate action. We must not spare drug dealers, as they are the enemies of our children and youth, he asserted. Ali Amin Gandapur concluded by emphasizing the collective responsibility to eliminate drugs and drug traffickers. He also thanked the business community for providing employment opportunities to rehabilitated individuals.
