Latest

Interior Minister raises concerns over KP situation, urges leadership to avoid long march

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday expressed concern over the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and urged political leaders to avoid actions that could create further difficulties for the country and its people.

Speaking on the issue of KP, the minister said recent attacks had claimed the lives of security personnel, while plans for a long march were being discussed despite the prevailing circumstances.

Addressing a press conference, Mohsin Naqvi said he had attended funerals in Peshawar at around 1:00 a.m. the previous night. Referring to political differences, he said he had never seen a situation where KP government representatives or ministers did not attend the funerals of those who had lost their lives in the line of duty.

He stated that the martyrs did not belong to any political group and were the martyrs of Pakistan. He questioned why neither the leadership nor ministers from the provincial government attended the funerals.

Mohsin Naqvi said the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the last 10 days was before everyone.

He noted that a suicide attack had taken place at a mosque and that two to three other attacks had also occurred during the same period. He said a captain, soldiers and police personnel had embraced martyrdom in these incidents.

The minister said that while the province was facing security challenges and mourning the loss of its personnel, preparations were being made to move towards Islamabad. He maintained that such a course of action would not bring any benefit. He warned it would affect the country’s economy, impact those organizing the activity and also affect ordinary people.

Naqvi said the federal government had repeatedly conveyed its position to the concerned leadership during meetings held in Islamabad. He stated that they had been told several times that such activities could not achieve any objective.

He said there was still time for the leadership to reconsider its approach. He urged them not to place themselves in a situation from which there would be no way forward.

The interior minister further stated that if a long march was launched, the government would act in accordance with the discussions already held on the matter.

He said there would be no room for any loophole in the implementation process. Naqvi added that, in his view, a majority of the party’s leadership did not want a long march. However, if such a move was undertaken under any circumstances, the Islamabad High Court’s orders were already in place.

He said the government would ensure implementation of the court’s directions in letter and spirit. He added that carrying out those orders was the government’s responsibility and there would be no shortcoming in fulfilling that duty.

Concluding his remarks, Mohsin Naqvi urged political leaders to move beyond political considerations and avoid any approach that could cause difficulties for themselves or their supporters.

Latest

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.

Latest

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.

Latest

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.