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,
Child Rights in Focus
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
Globally, millions of children still lack birth registration, which is essential for legal identity and access to rights like education, healthcare, and protection from exploitation. Despite progress in recent years, challenges such as poverty, lack of awareness, and systemic gaps continue to hinder universal registration. Efforts to simplify processes and integrate registration with health and social services are showing promise. In Pakistan, disparities persist, especially in rural and low-income areas, where many children remain
Human trafficking remains a global crisis, with rising cases after the pandemic, particularly affecting women, children, and vulnerable groups. Forced labor has become the most common form of exploitation, followed by sexual exploitation, while justice systems struggle to address these crimes effectively. Organized crime networks play a significant role in trafficking, with victims increasingly transported across international borders. In South Asia, including Pakistan, trafficking is fueled by economic challenges, displacement, and migration routes. Children,
PESHAWAR: In order to participate in the Quaid-e-Azam Inter-Provincial Games 2024, a 374-member contingent from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) departed on Friday from the Peshawar Sports Complex. The contingent was officially seen off by the Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Syed Fakhar Jihan. The Games are scheduled to be held in Islamabad from December 14 to 19 and K-P athletes will compete in 15 male and 11 female events. Addressing the athletes during the
ISLAMABAD: The Transeducation Project which started three years ago with only 17 students in south Punjab has now reached the milestone of a total of 244 enrollments. More interestingly, the project, which started with only one school in Multan for imparting education to the transgender community, has now been expanded to two more schools—one in Dera Ghazi Khan established in August 2022 and the other in Bahawalpur established in March 2022. Coordinator Special Initiatives