فیچرڈ

CHILAS: Torrential rains triggered flooding in Chilas, disrupting daily life, damaging farmland, and claiming lives as severe weather continued to affect several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Floodwaters inundated streams and water channels, causing widespread destruction to agricultural land and crops. Authorities also closed the Babusar Road to all traffic after floodwaters made the route unsafe for travel. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), six people have lost their lives and another six have been injured in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since July 29. The agency said at least 65 houses have also been damaged. Rain-related emergencies were reported in Abbottabad, Peshawar, Swat, Buner, Khyber, Chitral and several other districts, where rescue and relief efforts remain underway. Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting Division in Lahore reported that low-level flooding continues at the Kalabagh, Chashma and Guddu barrages along the Indus River, with authorities closely monitoring the evolving situation.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has highlighted a series of ongoing and planned infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity, boosting trade and promoting tourism across Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. Speaking at a ceremony held to honour police martyrs, the minister said the proposed extension of the Murree Expressway to Muzaffarabad will provide modern travel facilities, while the MNJC Motorway will offer an alternative route to the Karakoram Highway, strengthening Pakistan’s strategic road link with China. He said the Sialkot-Kharian-Rawalpindi Highway will reduce the distance between Islamabad and Lahore by around 100 kilometres and cut travel time by more than an hour. In Karachi, he noted that the M-10 and Lyari Expressway are improving cargo movement from the city’s port, while construction on the M-6 Motorway is expected to begin soon. Aleem Khan added that work is progressing on the Guru Nanak Expressway, which will connect Kartarpur with Nankana Sahib to promote religious tourism and facilitate Sikh pilgrims from around the world. He also said infrastructure development is advancing on tourist routes in Gilgit, the N-25 Highway is expected to be completed next year, and the M-8 Motorway projects in Balochistan will strengthen regional connectivity and cross-border trade with Iran. Paying tribute to police martyrs, the minister described their sacrifices as a lasting symbol of courage and praised the Motorway Police for their professionalism. He announced plans to establish modern police stations, dedicated parking areas and emergency ambulance services near toll plazas to improve the safety of patrolling officers. Aleem Khan also highlighted the National Highway Authority’s financial progress, saying its revenue has increased from Rs66 billion in 2024 to more than Rs127 billion in 2026. He said the improved financial position has enabled Pakistan to expand its motorway and highway network using domestic resources without relying on external funding. Inspector General of Motorway Police Sultan Ahmad Chaudhry also paid tribute to the fallen officers, reaffirming the department’s commitment to supporting the families of martyrs and honouring their sacrifices.

KARACHI: Signs of reconciliation have begun to emerge within the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) after a violent confrontation at the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters, with senior leaders initiating behind-the-scenes contacts to ease tensions and restore unity. Two days after the clash, senior party figures, including Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and Anees Qaimkhani, visited the party’s central office to discuss organizational affairs. Speaking to reporters, Mustafa Kamal rejected speculation of an internal power struggle, insisting that the party remained united despite recent events. According to sources, communication has been established between the two rival camps—one led by Mustafa Kamal and the other by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui—in an effort to defuse tensions. A joint press conference is reportedly being considered as part of efforts to present a united front, although party leaders have neither confirmed nor denied the possibility. Notably, close associates of Siddiqui, who also serves as the party’s convener, did not attend the meeting at the headquarters. Despite the passage of two days since the confrontation, which reportedly involved a physical altercation and aerial firing, police have yet to register a First Information Report (FIR). Officials said no faction of the party has formally approached law enforcement to lodge a complaint. If neither side files a case, authorities are expected to register one on behalf of the state. Police sources said a draft FIR has already been prepared and is awaiting approval from senior officials before being formally registered. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have carried out raids and detained several MQM-P office-bearers and workers suspected of involvement in the violence. Officials said those currently in custody could face formal arrest once the FIR is registered, as investigations into the incident continue.

VEHARI: A motorcycle mechanic has been arrested in Punjab’s Vehari district after videos allegedly showing him assaulting two young brothers working as apprentices at his repair shop spread widely on social media, prompting swift police action. According to the incident took place within the jurisdiction of Karam Pur Police Station. The suspect, identified as Israr Ahmad, allegedly attacked the two boys—nine-year-old Faizan and 10-year-old Ali Ahmar—over what authorities described as a minor dispute while they were learning motorcycle repair skills at his workshop. Police said the frightened children ran to a nearby public bathhouse in an attempt to escape, but the mechanic allegedly chased them and continued the assault there. The incident gained widespread attention after videos of the alleged abuse went viral online. Following the public outcry, Vehari District Police Officer Tasawur Iqbal ordered immediate legal action against the suspect. Acting on the directive, Station House Officer Muhammad Zulfiqar Jatt and his team registered a case based on the complaint of a police official and arrested the accused. Authorities said the suspect has been booked under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including charges related to criminal intimidation and child abuse, while investigators continue to examine the case. District Police Officer Tasawur Iqbal said violence against children would not be tolerated under any circumstances, adding that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found responsible for abusing minors or taking the law into their own hands.

ISLAMABAD: More than two years after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government took office, repeated predictions about its imminent collapse have yet to materialize, even as fresh deadlines continue to dominate Pakistan’s political debate. Since the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition assumed power following the February 2024 general elections, political commentators, television analysts, and social media personalities have frequently forecast the government’s downfall. The expected timelines have varied—from 90 days to six months and beyond—but each prediction has ultimately passed without bringing the anticipated political change. Over time, different events have been presented as potential turning points, including IMF reviews, the federal budget, economic challenges, coalition disagreements, opposition campaigns, and speculation surrounding Pakistan’s political establishment. As one deadline expired, another quickly emerged, keeping the narrative alive despite the government’s continued survival. The latest claim suggests the government has been given six months to create new provinces. However, constitutional experts argue that such a proposal is highly unlikely within that timeframe. Under Pakistan’s Constitution, altering provincial boundaries requires a constitutional amendment approved by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament as well as the consent of the relevant provincial assembly. Given the current political landscape and the absence of broad political consensus, analysts believe such a move faces significant constitutional and political hurdles. Political observers note that earlier forecasts were largely driven by concerns that the coalition lacked the strength to withstand inflation, IMF-linked reforms, and mounting economic pressures. Yet the government has managed to navigate successive economic and political challenges, prompting critics to repeatedly revise their predictions rather than abandon them. Speculation has also been fueled by statements from several political figures and commentators who have periodically hinted at major political developments or institutional changes. Although such claims have often generated widespread public discussion, none of the predicted political upheavals have occurred. In recent weeks, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has intensified its criticism of the federal government, particularly amid growing tensions with its coalition partner during the Azad Jammu and Kashmir election campaign. While the PPP has adopted a tougher political tone, analysts caution that electoral rhetoric and coalition disagreements do not necessarily signal the immediate collapse of the federal government. Rumors about possible alternatives to the current leadership have also surfaced repeatedly. Claims that a new political figure was being prepared to replace Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with speculation about the removal of senior cabinet members, have circulated over the past year. However, none of those predictions have been borne out by subsequent developments. Analysts say the recurring cycle of political forecasts reflects a broader trend in Pakistan’s political discourse, where speculation often outpaces reality. While acknowledging that every government faces political and economic challenges, they note that repeated predictions of the coalition’s imminent fall have consistently failed to match events on the ground, leaving each passing deadline followed by yet another countdown.

KARACHI: The Young Doctors Association, YDA, is often seen by the public as violent, irresponsible doctors who take to the streets. But rarely does anyone see the other side of the coin. Behind the protests is a group of young doctors — the young blood of our healthcare system — fighting for their basic rights and for better patient care. Like whistleblowers in every society, they are rarely welcomed when they speak the truth. The Young Doctors Association is no exception. To the common man, YDA means protests, strikes, and chaos in hospitals. What often goes unnoticed is the reason behind it. These are young doctors, the backbone of emergency wards in Sindh, who are demanding dignity, security, and resources. In this context, Chairman of the Young Doctors Association Sindh Chapter, Dr. Farrukh Rauf paints a realistic picture of a system buckling under patient load, with too few specialists and even fewer resources to go around. From JPMC Member To Sindh Chairman YDA was formed in 2013 following an incident in which a female doctor was injured by relatives of a patient who had died. Since then, Dr. Farrukh Rauf has been associated with Young Doctors Association. He started as a member, was later elected General Secretary and then President of the JPMC unit, served as Senior Vice President of YDA Sindh, and is now serving as Chairman of the Sindh chapter. Dr. Farrukh Rauf, Chairman YDA Sindh, is a consultant orthopedic surgeon at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. He is currently the only surgeon at JPMC who performs orthopedic tumor and cancer surgeries — a super-specialty that only 4 to 5 surgeons practice across Karachi. Surgeons with his expertise in the private sector often draw salaries of over Rs. 20 lakh, but he continues to serve at a public institution out of commitment to suffering humanity. Dr. Rauf has been associated with JPMC for the last 17 years, where he also completed his post-graduation. He serves as General Secretary of the Pakistan Orthopedic Association and is an internationally certified trainer/instructor for HOPE – Hospital Preparedness for Emergencies — a certification he received from Nepal. There are only 4 to 5 such certified trainers in all of Sindh. “Condition Is Still Very Critical” Dr. Farrukh Rauf said that despite the Sindh government’s interest in the healthcare sector, the condition is still very critical, which is truly reflected in the overcrowded corridors of JPMC, Lyari and Civil Hospitals, where patients lie on floors and doctors work 36-hour shifts. On the issue of shortages at Civil, JPMC, and NICVD, Dr. Farrukh offers a mixed assessment. “There is no shortage of life-saving drugs,” he said. “Yes, ICU facility is very limited owing to patient burden. Seeing the overflow of patients, more equipment is needed.” He acknowledged the Sindh government’s efforts but stressed the scale of the problem. “Though the Minister of Health, Dr. Azra Pechuho, is addressing the concerns, however, there is a huge gap and lack of equipment for patients.” At tertiary hospitals like JPMC and Civil, where critical cases from across Sindh land every day, the mismatch between patient inflow and available ICU beds and machines remains a key pressure point for young doctors on duty. He traced the problem back to medical education itself. “The number of medical colleges has increased manifold in the last 10 years, but the standard of education has deteriorated. There is a dearth of quality doctors.” YDA’s Key Milestones According to Dr. Farrukh Rauf, Chairman YDA Sindh, the situation in government hospitals across Sindh, especially in Karachi, has improved only because of constant struggle. “Owing to YDA’s struggle and efforts, salaries of young and mid-career doctors were revised. Previously, they were lower than in all other provinces,” he said. He added that security was one of the biggest issues YDA flagged early on. “Doctors were facing serious security issues. There was no health risk allowance, which is being introduced now owing to the YDA movement.” The gains, he notes, came after years of protests at JPMC, Civil Hospital Karachi, and other tertiary centers where patient load far exceeds available staff and basic facilities. YDA Beyond Protests And Karachi The Young Doctors Association, once seen as a Karachi-centric pressure group, now claims a presence across the province. “I had established YDA units in all districts of Sindh including Umerkot, Thar, Ghotki. Now almost in twenty districts YDA is active for the rights of doctors and patients,” Dr. Farrukh said. In Karachi, the association is active in Civil, Lyari, JPMC and NICH. “We seek and welcome active participation from other government hospitals,” he added. The work has expanded beyond protests. YDA runs a welfare committee that coordinated flood relief last year, and an academic committee that offers career counseling, FCPS guidance, and surgical workshops. “We have constituted a welfare committee which offers coordinated help on disasters like floods last year. There is an academic committee which offers career counseling, how to give high-level exams, and workshops on surgical procedures,” he said. On training, Dr. Farrukh said YDA is pushing for reforms in the PGT system. “We are trying to get PGT seats equal in number to the number of graduates.” Violence And Security Gaps For Dr. Farrukh Rauf, the frustration in wards often boils over into violence against doctors. But he says the anger has a root cause. “Most of the people get provocative owing to the absence of ICU or urgent facility for their patient,” he said. “It is necessary to expand ICUs and facilities to handle the high influx of patients which overburdens doctors.” He was blunt about administrative failures too. “There are security lapses also on the part of the administration.” The Way Forward Dr. Farrukh argues the solution is not in Karachi’s tertiary hospitals alone, but in strengthening the entire pyramid. “We need a proper primary healthcare network across the province, like in developed countries,” he said. “Patients who can be treated at the UC or Tehsil level should not be coming to

The University of Okara (UO) commemorated Kashmir Exploitation Day on Wednesday by organizing a seminar and a solidarity walk to reaffirm unwavering support for the people of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (OJK) in their struggle for the right to self-determination. The event was organized by the Directorate of Student Affairs and attended by a large number of faculty members, administrative staff, and students. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Okara, Prof. Dr. Sajjad Mubin, presided over the ceremony. Addressing the participants, Prof. Mubin highlighted the decades-long suffering of the Kashmiri people and called upon the international community to play its role in ensuring the implementation of the United Nations resolutions on Kashmir. “Kashmir is the lifeline of Pakistan and an issue that remains central to peace and stability in South Asia. The resilient people of Kashmir have made unprecedented sacrifices for their legitimate right to self-determination, and the global community must not remain a silent spectator to their plight,” he said. The VC also paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces for safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Our armed forces have rendered unparalleled sacrifices to make Pakistan impregnable. Their commitment to national security enables us to stand firmly with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just struggle,” he added. Speaking on the occasion, the Registrar of the University of Okara, Jamil Asim, said that observing Kashmir Exploitation Day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to raise awareness about the humanitarian situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. “We stand in complete solidarity with the people of Kashmir and reaffirm our support for their internationally recognized right to determine their own future. Universities have an important role in educating the younger generation about issues of justice, peace, and human rights,” he remarked. The Pro VC, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Wajid, and the DSA, Dr. Shoaib Saleem, also addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of maintaining national unity and continuing moral, diplomatic, and political support for the Kashmiri people. A one-minute silence was observed to honor the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir and to express solidarity with those who have lost their lives during the prolonged conflict. The seminar concluded with a solidarity walk in which the participants carried placards and banners expressing support for the Kashmiri cause and reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the right of self-determination for the people of Kashmir.