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UNODC launches global campaign inviting youth to submit creative works on violence prevention

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has launched a global call for creative contributions under its Gamechangers campaign, inviting young people to submit creative works on the theme of youth violence and crime. According to the UNODC, the initiative, themed “Understanding Violence and Crime Through the Lens of Youth,” is open to young people aged 18 to 29 from all regions of the world and encourages them to share their perspectives, experiences and ideas through creative expression.

The campaign particularly welcomes submissions from young people who are, or have been, in conflict with the law or affected by involvement in violence or crime and wish to share their experiences, as well as those who have observed, experienced or been impacted by youth violence and crime in their communities.

This has been observed that youth violence and crime affect communities across the world in various forms, including delinquency, gang involvement and recruitment by organized criminal groups.

The organization said lasting prevention requires understanding the root causes of violence, strengthening protective factors and supporting rehabilitation and reintegration.

UNODC said the campaign aims to promote understanding of youth violence and crime while encouraging young people to contribute their lived experiences and perspectives to support more effective prevention responses. Participants may submit a wide range of creative works, including poetry, short stories, illustrations, drawings, paintings, photography, audio pieces, videos, mixed-media creations and other forms of artistic expression.

The selected submissions will contribute to a digital youth zine featuring creative works from around the world.

These works will also be showcased at a youth art exhibition on violence and crime during the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), scheduled to be held in Vienna from October 19 to 23, 2026.

The organization said the campaign is intended to support advocacy for more inclusive and youth-centred approaches to violence and crime prevention.

The deadline for submitting entries is July 31, 2026.

According to the campaign announcement, the initiative is funded by the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China.

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Health minister orders probe into Sindh MDCAT complaints

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of alleged irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held in Sindh and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints.

According to official sources, the minister directed a five-member committee, including the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to conduct a transparent investigation and submit its report within 15 days.

The committee has been tasked with examining the complaints and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities during the examination, sources said.

The minister directed the committee to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe and present its findings for further action in accordance with the applicable rules.

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CDA chairman directs faster work on Expressway East project

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf has directed officials to accelerate work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East project while ensuring strict compliance with approved designs and construction standards.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, the chairman reviewed progress and was briefed on ongoing works and the next phase of development.

He directed the project director and relevant departments to maintain continuous field monitoring and quality control and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The chairman described the Expressway East project as an important infrastructure scheme for improving connectivity, traffic flow and road capacity in the capital. He also stressed that construction quality should not be compromised in efforts to meet the project timeline.

During the visit, he was also briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against unauthorised and illegal construction along the Islamabad Expressway.

According to the CDA, 377 buildings have been identified for action, including 281 commercial structures. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, while 124 buildings between Sohan and Khanna bridges have been marked for demolition.

The authority said Rs234.685 million had been recovered through land-use conversion, unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges. Around Rs3 billion remained recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion and violations relating to unauthorised construction, setbacks, floor area ratio and covered area.

The chairman directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of building-control and land-use regulations, particularly mandatory fire-safety requirements.

The enforcement operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad police.

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GB ministers call on Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday held a meeting with a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan ministers at the Governor’s House here and discussed the country’s political situation and other matters of mutual interest.

The delegation comprised Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Zulfiqar Ali Murad, Minister for Health Iqbal Hassan and Minister for Education Aman Ali Ameer.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s success in the polls.

The visiting ministers were taken on a tour of the Governor’s House. Governor Kundi presented them with traditional shawls and caps.