LONDON: A UK court on Tuesday handed life sentences to the father and stepmother of a murdered 10-year-old British-Pakistani girl who died after being subjected to a prolonged “campaign of torture” and “despicable abuse”. Urfan Sharif, 43, and Beinash Batool, 30, will serve at least 40 and 33 years respectively for the killing of Sara Sharif, who had suffered years of horrific violence since the age of six. London’s Old Bailey court heard her
Child Rights in Focus
KARACHI: Pakistan’s first genetic molecular laboratory has been inaugurated with the cooperation of the Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America (APPNA), an organisation of Pakistani-origin doctors based in the United States. The newly established lab, located on the campus of Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), aims to diagnose physical and mental disabilities in premature babies and identify genetic defects in children and adults. Leading personalities, including APPNA President Dr Asif Mohiuddin, General Secretary
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Police have arrested the suspects involved in the sexual assault of a minor boy at gunpoint in the Lakki district. Police said that under the leadership of SHO Zahid Khan of Ghazni Khel police station, the force raided the Jabu Khel area and arrested two notorious nominated suspects, Qismatullah and Neematullah, who had allegedly sexually assaulted a 13-14-year-old boy at gunpoint. The police recovered two Kalashnikovs, along with ammunition, from the
Japan has approved a grant worth $9.91 million aimed at improving maternal and child healthcare equipment in flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Tuesday. The grant agreement, signed in a ceremony attended by both Pakistani and Japanese officials, marks a significant step in strengthening healthcare services in the region. Dr Kazim Niaz, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, signed the project on behalf of Pakistan, with
PESHAWAR: Drugs not only harm the user, but can often result in disaster for the families of the addict as was exemplified when a young man, addicted to ice, brutally murdered his father, brother, and niece with a dagger. In this heart-wrenching tragedy, the suspect’s sister-in-law and two young nieces were also severely injured and immediately rushed to the hospital. According to hospital sources, the condition of two of the injured individuals is critical,
QUETTA: The district administration of Chaghi has suspended five absent teachers, while the salaries of several others have been deducted and 32 out of 95 closed schools have also been reopened in Chaghi. A meeting of the District Education Group was held under the chairmanship of Chaghi Deputy Commissioner Ataul Munim where the educational situation of the district was reviewed. It was attended by District Education Officer Ashok Kumar, Assistant Commissioner Dalbandin Abdul Basit
KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah has advised private schools to relax uniform codes in view of the harsh winter to help protect children from the cold while ensuring the continuity of their education. Following the Minister’s directive, the Directorate of Inspections and Registration of Private Institutions Government of Sindh has issued a circular to private schools, instructing them to allow students to wear warm clothing during the winter. This includes
PESHAWAR: A child protection court has acquitted a man on the charge of sexually abusing his 13-year-old stepdaughter over a year ago here. The acquittal of the accused came before the conclusion of trial under Section 265-K of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which empowers the court to acquit an accused at any stage of the trial if there is no probability of his conviction on the basis of available evidence. Both the alleged
RAWALPINDI: The Anti-Narcotics Force detained six Nigerian nationals allegedly involved in supplying drugs in educational institutions and recovered 3.2 kilograms of ice and 135 grams of cocaine. A press release issued by the ANF said that following intelligence, the ANF conducted an operation against drug smugglers in Islamabad and arrested a Nigerian national. During interrogation, the accused also revealed the involvement of his other foreign associates which led to the arrest of five other
Over one million under-five children to be vaccinated against polio in three districts In Larkana, the anti-polio drive in Larkana district was kicked off on 16 December 2024 to vaccinate 480,000 children of up to five years of age. The health department has formed 1,089 mobile and 86 transit teams for the district with the task of going door-to-door and also visiting bus stops, railway stations, and other public points to administer polio drops
PARACHINAR: At least 29 children have died in Kurram district due to shortage of medicines amid prolonged road closures, an official said on 16 December 2024. Dr Syed Mir Hassan Jan, medical superintendent of District Headquarters Hospital Parachinar, said that since October 1, the hospital has been unable to provide adequate treatment due to a lack of medicines and basic facilities. “In addition to the 29 children who have died, several other patients have
CASE: Khanewal Kuhna police registered a case on December 15 against a man and his 10 accomplices for allegedly harassing a first-year student and her three minor sisters. According to the FIR, complainant Syeda Umme Farwa, daughter of Syed Maajid Hussain Naqvi of Station Mor, Khanewal, stated that her father is elderly and unwell, and she has no brothers. To support her family and fund her and her sisters’ education, she set up a