LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) was informed on November 17 that the Mayo Hospital received over 1,700 dog-bite cases during the last 14 months. A report submitted by an additional medical superintendent (AMS) of the hospital says that its accident and emergency department treated 1,796 patients,including children, who suffered dog bites, since Sept 24, 2024. The report was filed during the hearing of a petition filed by Young Doctors Association (YDA) Secretary General
Child Rights in Focus
BAHAWALPUR: Khairpur Tamewali police in Hasilpur tehsil claimed that an alleged abductor and murderer of a four-year-old boy was killed during an “encounter”, in the firing by his own accomplices, near Khairpur, about 45kms from here. According to police spokesperson, Abdul Hadi (4), son of Arif Shah, a resident of Bahawalnagar, came to visit his grandfather at Basti Salim Shah near Lal Sohanra, a few days ago. On Nov 14, the child was playing
ISLAMABAD: After completion of civil and renovation work, 35 more schools will be handed over to the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) this week as the missing facilities project nears completion. Officials of the education ministry and FDE said out of 167 schools, work has been completed in 71, while 35 more will be completed this week. They added that work is simultaneously under way in the remaining 61 schools, which will be completed
• Local political activists put their heads together after first case of infection confirmed in 18-month-old girl • Over 15 HIV cases found after Valika Hospital administration persuaded to screen children treated there • Govt official says health dept ‘focusing’ on treatment and prevention KARACHI: A serious health crisis, involving children as young as one year, is brewing in the impoverished and densely-populated neighbourhood of SITE Town where more than 15 children have been
LAHORE: The phrase “climate change” usually brings to mind flooded plains, destroyed crops and lost livelihoods. Yet the true victims of natural calamities are the children whose hopes for the future are washed away by melting glaciers. Fourteen-year-old Ayesha has witnessed climate disasters terrible enough to drain the colours of life from her eyes. Standing on the rooftop of her home in Lahore’s Theme Park area, she looks toward the sky, not to find
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly has passed a proposed legislation to “address and significantly” reduce domestic violence in the Islamabad Capital Territory by establishing a comprehensive legal framework to protect the victims. The bill, approved on November 13 along with four other bills, was criticised by the JUI-F lawmakers, who questioned the haste with which the proposed legislation had been passed. The bill, which was tabled by Sharmila Farooqui of the PPP, is now required to be
BAJAUR: Health officials on November 15 revealed that the measles infection had claimed the lives of seven children and infected 550 others during the recent outbreak in Bajaur. In this season [winter] seven children have died and 550 others were infected by measles in Bajaur recently, said Dr Hayat Afridi, acting district health officer, while speaking to media during the inauguration ceremony of the 14-day anti- measles and rubella campaign. Dr Hayat Afridi, who
KARACHI: The Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) has permanently sealed Shah Medical Centre in North Nazimabad after repeated violations, including the illegal operation of the hospital, endangering critically ill patients, and attacking government officials enforcing prior closure orders. The move comes two days after authorities partially closed the hospital following the death of a new-born girl and subsequent complaints from her family. An SHCC expert panel had found the hospital guilty of negligence and
KARACHI: A teenage boy died by suicide in a Saddar locality on November 14, police said. Preedy SHO Ayub Mirani said that Shoaib, 16, ended his own life by shooting himself at his home on Akbar Road near DC Street. He said the parents of the boy had gone to attend a wedding in the area while their son was home alone. The teenager used his father’s licensed pistol to take the extreme step.
ESCALATING incidents of violence against women, children and other vulnerable sections reflect a dire need to plug procedural gaps before enacting laws. The National Assembly has passed a new Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2025, which aims to build “protection, relief and rehabilitation of women, men, transgender, children and any vulnerable person against domestic violence” in Islamabad. It sets broad parameters for the many forms of cruelty — physical and sexual to psychological
LAHORE: The School Education Department (SED) Punjab has directed all public and private schools to strictly follow security protocols to ensure student safety. In a notification, education officials across the province have been asked to verify and implement all previously instructed security arrangements without delay. The department emphasised that all security measures must be followed in letter and spirit to prevent any untoward incidents. Published in The NEWS on November 15, 2025.
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives on Friday informed the National Assembly during the Question Hour that Pakistan has been ranked very low on the UNDP Human Development Index (HDI), placing 168th out of 193 countries. Pakistan was ranked 161 in 2020–21 and 164 in the HDI Report 2023–24. In the latest 2025 report, the country has slipped further to 168th. In a written reply to a question by Dr Shazia