KARACHI: Sindh has introduced a new grading system for matriculation and intermediate levels, effective from the 2026 annual examinations. Initially, the system will apply to 9th and 11th grades in 2026, while 10th and 12th grades will adopt it from 2027. The Department of Universities and Boards, with the approval of the relevant minister and the recommendation of the Inter-Board Coordination Committee (IBCC), issued the official notification. Under the new system, passing marks have
Child Rights in Focus
MUZAFFARGARH: At least nine children have died and 11 others are in critical condition due to an illness that spread in a settlement near Muzaffargarh during the past month, prompting intervention by the district administration. According to sources, the deaths occurred in Basti Pull Pir Ashab, near Pir Jahanian in Dinpur. The deceased children, aged between one-and-a-half and six years, reportedly developed swelling on the face and high fever before succumbing within two days.
In this 4th episode of LetsTalkEducation, Rahat Rizwan, Senior Coordinator for Education and Early Childhood Development at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Pakistan office, unpacks what failing schools look like, the major factors behind their decline, and how we can overcome these challenges.
This video features Manizeh Bano, Executive Director of Sahil Pakistan. In this compelling conversation, she discusses the critical issue of child protection, Sahil’s efforts in combating child abuse, and the importance of awareness and policy reforms. Gain valuable insights into the challenges and solutions in safeguarding children’s rights in Pakistan.
RAWALPINDI: The Punjab School Education Department has formally issued an official notification announcing the new operating hours for all government schools across the province. The revised schedule will come into effect from January 19 (today) and will continue to apply until April 15. The step has been taken to counter the prevailing severe cold weather and prolonged fog, which have collectively hampered school’s affairs. This comes after winter vacations were extended an additional week.
SUKKUR: The tragic death of a young boy who drowned in an open drain has sparked widespread grief and anger across Shikarpur, with residents accusing the municipal committee of criminal negligence and a complete failure to protect human lives. Funeral prayers were offered for the deceased child, Adil Lashari, amid heartbreaking scenes of sorrow and despair. Mourners said every eye was filled with tears as the boy’s mother repeatedly fainted during the funeral, while
The year 2026 started on an alarming note regarding the use of artificial intelligence. One of the viral cases these days is Britain’s media regulator investigation into Elon Musk’s X over concerns its Grok AI chatbot was creating sexually intimate deepfake images in violation of its duty to protect people in the UK from illegal content. This problem is not limited to one country. The weaponisation of women’s photos in Pakistan is a major
ISLAMABAD: Health experts on 18 January said hospitalised children face higher nutritional risks with disease-related complications closely linked to body weight and nutritional status. They suggested continued breastfeeding as a primary preventive measure and ensuring psychological support and counselling for parents as illness further worsens nutritional deficiencies in malnourished children. They also suggested regular use of growth charts for early detection of growth failure. They were speaking at the 13th Nutrition Continuing Medical Education (CME)
LAKKI MARWAT: The Karak district administration took serious notice of thin attendance of students in government schools and asked the local officials of the elementary and secondary education department (ESED) to focus on improving the key performance indicators and initiate action negligent teachers. During a surprise inspection visit to various public sector schools, additional deputy commissioner Sahibzada Samiullah found many students absent from schools. Along with examining the overall hygiene conditions, the official also
BAHAWALPUR: Mailsi police booked seven persons, including groom and nikah registrar, for allegedly arranging the nikah of a minor girl with a man in Basti Nonarian of mauza Ojla in Vehari district on Sunday. According to the police, the case has been registered on the complaint of police officials. In the FIR, it has been alleged that a woman, Khalida Mai, wife of one Ramzan of mauza Ojla, in connivance with two suspects Riaz
KARACHI: Based on forensic evidence including DNA profiling, a man held three days ago was found to be involved in the rape of over 100 boys in the city over a period of more than five years, police said on January 17. City police chief Azad Khan said that two suspects were arrested by Surjani police three days ago when they were allegedly taking a minor boy on a motorbike with the intention to
ISLAMABAD: As many as 40 environmental samples from all four provinces and the federal capital were found positive during the month of December. According to an official of the polio laboratory located at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, as many as 127 sewage samples from 87 districts were tested for the presence of poliovirus in December 2025. Of these, 87 samples tested negative, while 40 samples were found positive for poliovirus. “As