400+ cyberattacks on Pakistan foiled this year, DG cyber team

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, accompanied by Chinese Consul General Sun Yan, visited the village of Ratwal in Attock district to inaugurate a newly established dispensary built with the support of the Chinese government. The inauguration ceremony marked another milestone in the long-standing friendship and development cooperation between Pakistan and China, particularly in the healthcare sector. The event was attended by local government officials, community leaders, residents, and representatives from both Pakistan and China. The newly inaugurated dispensary is expected to provide essential primary healthcare services to the people of Ratwal and surrounding villages, where access to medical facilities has traditionally been limited. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan said that the establishment of the dispensary would significantly improve access to basic healthcare for local residents. He noted that the project reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and China to improving the well-being of communities through practical development initiatives. The governor emphasized that many rural communities face challenges in accessing quality medical care due to the shortage of healthcare facilities and long travel distances to major hospitals. He expressed confidence that the new dispensary would help address these challenges by offering timely medical treatment, basic health services, and preventive care closer to people’s homes. Sardar Saleem Haider Khan also highlighted the historic relationship between Pakistan and China, describing it as a friendship with unique significance and a remarkable history. He stated that the partnership between the two countries has continued to grow stronger over the decades through cooperation in infrastructure, education, healthcare, trade, and economic development. He added that China has consistently supported Pakistan during times of need and has played an important role in the country’s development through various collaborative projects. According to the governor, initiatives such as the Ratwal dispensary demonstrate that the friendship between the two nations extends beyond economic cooperation and directly benefits ordinary citizens by improving their quality of life. Chinese Consul General Sun Yan also addressed the gathering and reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Pakistan. She described the friendship between the two countries as everlasting and famously remarked that it is “higher than the Himalayas,” a phrase often used to symbolize the extraordinary bond shared by Pakistan and China. The Consul General further stated that China considers Pakistan its second home, reflecting the deep mutual trust and respect that characterize bilateral relations. She emphasized that China values its partnership with Pakistan and will continue to support projects that contribute to the country’s social and economic development. Sun Yan noted that healthcare cooperation is an important component of the broader partnership between the two nations. She expressed hope that the newly inaugurated dispensary would improve healthcare services for local residents and strengthen people-to-people ties by demonstrating the practical benefits of bilateral cooperation. Residents of Ratwal welcomed the opening of the dispensary, expressing optimism that the facility would reduce the burden of traveling long distances for routine medical treatment. The project is expected to provide essential healthcare services, including primary medical consultations, basic medicines, and preventive healthcare support, thereby improving the overall health and well-being of the surrounding communities. The inauguration of the China-assisted dispensary in Ratwal highlights the continued cooperation between Pakistan and China in promoting public welfare. It also reflects the shared commitment of both countries to investing in community development and strengthening their enduring partnership through projects that deliver tangible benefits to the people.

  When the history of Pakistan’s independence is discussed, the narrative often focuses on the male political leaders who negotiated with the British, addressed large public gatherings and worked toward the creation of a separate homeland. However, women also played an important and often overlooked role in the Pakistan Movement. They organised political activities, mobilised communities, created awareness, participated in protests, assisted refugees and challenged traditional expectations about women’s place in public life. Among the prominent women of the movement, Fatima Jinnah remains one of the most widely recognised figures. However, her contribution extended far beyond her relationship with Muhammad Ali Jinnah as his sister. She worked closely with her brother and played an active role in encouraging Muslim women to participate in political activities. At a time when women’s involvement in public politics was socially restricted, Fatima Jinnah’s visibility carried considerable significance. Her participation demonstrated that the struggle for Pakistan was not intended to be limited to men. She became an important symbol of women’s political participation and helped encourage Muslim women to take an active interest in the future of the community. Following Partition in 1947, Fatima Jinnah continued her public service. She became involved in efforts to support refugees and assist with their rehabilitation. She also continued to speak for greater participation of women in the political and social development of Pakistan. Another important figure was Abadi Bano Begum, popularly known as Bi Amma. Long before the demand for Pakistan became the central political objective of Indian Muslims, Bi Amma had already demonstrated that Muslim women could play a role in political movements. She was the mother of prominent leaders Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar and Maulana Shaukat Ali and became actively involved in the Khilafat Movement. Bi Amma addressed public gatherings and encouraged people to support the political struggle against British rule. Her involvement was significant because political activism was still considered unusual for many Muslim women. By entering the public sphere, she helped challenge the idea that politics was exclusively a man’s responsibility. Begum Jahan Ara Shah Nawaz was another influential woman associated with Muslim League politics. Rather than remaining a passive supporter, she actively participated in political mobilisation and worked to increase women’s involvement in the Pakistan Movement. During the politically tense period of 1946–47, Muslim League women participated in protests in Punjab, with some even facing arrest. Her political involvement had begun well before Pakistan was established. She participated in the First Round Table Conference and raised concerns about discrimination against women in political rights, government employment, business and professional opportunities. After independence, Begum Jahan Ara Shah Nawaz became one of the two women members of Pakistan’s first Constituent Assembly. Alongside Shaista Ikramullah, she worked to bring women’s rights and legal equality into discussions about the new state. The contributions of these women show that Pakistan’s independence was not achieved through the efforts of men alone. Women participated in political mobilisation, social reform and nation-building, helping establish the principle that they had a legitimate and important role in Pakistan’s public life.