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President Zardari urges collective efforts to preserve Pakistan’s cultural heritage on World Heritage Day

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari have called for joint efforts by government institutions, provincial authorities, local communities and youth to safeguard Pakistan’s rich cultural legacy, emphasizing that heritage preservation was both a national responsibility and an opportunity for economic and social development.

In his message on World Heritage Day, the President extended greetings to the nation and all those committed to protecting shared cultural assets, noting that the day highlighted the global importance of preserving heritage for future generations as recognized by UNESCO.

He said Pakistan stood at the crossroads of some of the world’s oldest civilizations, ranging from the early Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods to the Bronze Age Indus Valley Civilization, as well as the cultural richness of Mehrgarh, Mohenjo-daro and Gandhara, and later the Mughal era. These legacies, he said, reflected a continuous journey of human creativity, innovation and resilience that helped shape Pakistan’s national identity.

Highlighting intangible heritage, the President said folklore, languages, music, crafts and performing arts—including classical romances such as Heer Ranjha and Sohni Mahiwal, Sufi poetry and qawwali traditions—carried the collective memory and emotional depth of the people and helped sustain continuity of shared values across generations.

He also underlined the significance of traditional crafts, including Kashmiri embroidery and shawl weaving, Sindhi ajrak and ralli work, Balochi needlework, blue pottery of Multan, Peshawari chappal, Chitrali caps, woodwork of Chiniot and the vibrant tradition of Truck art, describing them as expressions of the diversity and skills of Pakistan’s communities.

President Zardari said Pakistan’s World Heritage Sites represented the Indus civilization, the Buddhist art of Gandhara and the forts and monuments of the Indo-Arab and Mughal periods, serving as visible records of the country’s history and cultural diversity.

He observed that heritage was not an abstract concept for citizens but a living reality that supported livelihoods of artisans, attracted visitors to historic cities, strengthened local economies around heritage sites and monuments, and helped children understand their history and identity.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to preservation through professional expertise and modern conservation techniques, the President said heritage protection could also promote tourism, cultural industries and economic activity. He urged all stakeholders to work collectively for the protection, conservation and promotion of Pakistan’s cultural heritage.

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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.