paam rejects drap

PAAM rejects DRAP Rules 2026, warns alternative medicine sector

ByJustpaste.in

​LAHORE: Kashif Aslam Malik, Chairman of the Pakistan Association of Alternative Medicine (PAAM), has completely rejected the proposed DRAP Rules 2026, labeling them an unscientific plot against the local alternative pharmaceutical industry, Homeopathy, and Unani medicine.

He stated that the allopathic pharmaceutical bureaucracy within the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) is attempting to forcefully impose itself on the alternative medicine sector. In reality, the 5-year Pharm.D curriculum completely lacks education and technical training on homeopathic potentization, Unani herbal formulation, or nutraceutical manufacturing.

He questioned the legal and scientific authority of allopathic pharmacists who have never studied these disciplines to act as self proclaimed experts and draft policies for this sector.

​Kashif Aslam Malik emphasized that under the universal principle of “right expertise for the right job,” the regulatory framework, registration, and licensing for alternative medicines must strictly be developed under the direct supervision of qualified specialists in Homeopathy, Unani, and Nutraceutical sciences. Imposing these unilateral rules and rigid allopathic SOPs will bankrupt over 80% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), resulting in widespread unemployment for thousands of homeopathic doctors, Unani practitioners, and industrial workers, while depriving the public of affordable, natural healthcare options. PAAM demands an immediate halt to these rules, the formation of a committee comprising specialized alternative medicine experts, and the establishment of an independent authority modeled after India’s Ministry of AYUSH. He warned that if DRAP attempts to force these rules through, PAAM will unite all industry stakeholders to fight a nationwide battle across the media, judiciary, and public spheres.

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    Second phase of AJK elections kicks off

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    The second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) general elections began on Sunday with polling underway in Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies located across Pakistan. Polling started at 8am and will continue until 5pm without any break. Election officials opened polling stations early in the morning, while voters began arriving to cast their ballots. Security personnel were deployed across sensitive areas to ensure a peaceful voting process. This phase of the elections covers nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad division. These include five constituencies in Muzaffarabad district and two each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts. At the same time, polling is also being held for 12 refugee constituencies representing refugees from the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region. More than 340 candidates are contesting the elections in this phase. According to election authorities, 207 candidates are in the race for the nine seats in Muzaffarabad division, while another 137 candidates are contesting the refugee constituencies. More than 809,000 registered voters are eligible to vote in Muzaffarabad division. The refugee constituencies have over 438,000 registered voters. Thousands of election staff have been deployed to conduct polling and oversee the voting process. Authorities have established 1,483 polling stations across Muzaffarabad division. Among them, 533 have been declared highly sensitive, 741 sensitive and 209 normal. In addition, 1,057 polling stations have been set up for refugee constituencies in different provinces. The refugee constituencies are spread across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan and Islamabad. Polling arrangements have been completed in all regions where registered refugee voters are residing. In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, around 27,000 registered voters are casting their votes for three refugee seats. Election officials have established 175 polling stations, while enhanced security has been provided at sensitive locations. In Gujrat, Wazirabad and Mandi Bahauddin, nearly 2,000 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order during polling. More than 50,000 registered voters are expected to elect their representative in the constituency. Polling is also taking place in Karachi and several districts of Sindh for two refugee constituencies. Election officials have made arrangements to facilitate voters across the province. In Balochistan, polling stations have been established in Quetta, Pishin, Qila Saifullah, Hub, Loralai, Sibi, Mastung, Zhob and Barkhan for refugee voters. Similar arrangements have been made in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Swat and Mansehra, where polling is being held for another refugee seat. The second phase of the elections is taking place amid heightened political tensions between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Relations between the coalition partners have remained strained since the first phase of polling, with both parties accusing each other of electoral irregularities in several constituencies. Senior leaders from both sides held multiple meetings in recent days in an effort to resolve the dispute. However, the talks failed to produce an agreement before the second phase of voting. The PPP has demanded legal action and re-polling in selected constituencies, while the PML-N has rejected allegations of organized rigging and maintained that the election results reflect the will of the voters. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met PML-N President Nawaz Sharif to review the political situation and discuss developments related to the AJK elections. Senior party leaders also attended the meeting and discussed the coalition’s future strategy.

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    Lahore police intensify crackdown on usury, drugs …

    ByJustpaste.in

    LAHORE: Capital City Police Officer Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana has ordered intensified action against criminal activities while directing officers to improve law enforcement and public service delivery across the city. Chairing a meeting to review the performance of the Civil Lines and City divisions, the CCPO was briefed that 21 suspects allegedly involved in illegal moneylending had been arrested during an ongoing crackdown. He directed police to pursue legal action without leniency and ensure that victims receive protection and timely justice. Kamyana also ordered stronger operations against drug trafficking, calling for targeted action to dismantle narcotics networks and arrest those involved in the illegal trade. The CCPO directed officers to identify foreign nationals residing illegally in Lahore and proceed against them in accordance with the law. He also ordered enhanced surveillance of sensitive areas and monitoring of suspicious activities. He further called for continued combing operations and expanded intelligence-led action against elements posing threats to law and order. Stressing the importance of citizen-focused policing, Kamyana instructed officers to resolve public complaints promptly and prevent citizens from being repeatedly sent from one office to another. Senior police officials, including DIG Investigation Zeeshan Raza, DIG Operations Faisal Kamran and SSP Investigation Muhammad Naveed, attended the meeting.

  • HSA VC dismissal upheld in harassment case

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    Islamabad: The President of Pakistan rejected the appeal of Health Services Academy Vice Chancellor Dr Shahzad Ali Khan and maintained his dismissal from service. The latest order held that retaliatory action against Dr Ayesha Khan created a hostile work environment and amounted to gender based harassment, justifying the punishment of dismissal. The decision creates a major legal twist in the high profile HSA case. The President’s legal forum clearly observed that this was not established as a case of sexual harassment in the manner found earlier by the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace. It said the earlier FOSPAH decision contained serious weaknesses, including failure to properly examine the nature of the relationship between the two parties and failure to frame separate questions on several important parts of the dispute. However, those weaknesses did not save Dr Shahzad Ali Khan from dismissal. The final order stated that his later conduct, especially the abrupt termination of Dr Ayesha Khan, could not be ignored. It held that the retaliatory measures created a hostile work environment for her and amounted to gender-based harassment. The President approved the recommendation to dismiss Dr Shahzad Ali Khan’s representation and maintain the penalty of dismissal from service. The final decision also strongly observed that Dr Shahzad Ali Khan had not approached the President with clean hands. It questioned his claim that he had been honey trapped when that claim was examined together with what the decision described as extreme retaliatory measures taken against Dr Ayesha Khan. One important point was the timing of her removal from service. The record showed that Dr Ayesha Khan registered an FIR and her employment was terminated the following day. The presidential decision said this sequence was important when deciding whether retaliation had occurred. At the same time, the President’s legal forum strongly criticised major parts of the original FOSPAH reasoning. It said FOSPAH failed to properly establish the timeline of the different complaints and legal actions between the two parties. It also found contradictions and unanswered questions in the case. The decision said FOSPAH should have separately examined the exact nature of the relationship, whether any employment benefit was linked to a romantic or sexual demand, whether electronic evidence was reliable, what the financial transactions represented and whether Dr Ayesha Khan’s termination was retaliation. Instead, FOSPAH had mainly framed the broad question of whether harassment had occurred and who was responsible. The President’s legal forum described that approach as inadequate for such a complicated case. The order went further and stated that not a single specific incident of sexual harassment had been identified in the complaint. It said the sexual harassment conclusion was reached through indirect reasoning instead of being linked to a particular incident. The forum therefore concluded that the dispute could not properly be treated as sexual harassment on that basis. The decision described the dispute as involving two people who had remained close for several years before serious differences developed. Dr Ayesha Khan’s position was that the relationship involved marriage or a promise of marriage. Dr Shahzad Ali Khan denied that a marriage existed and claimed he had been honey trapped. The presidential forum said neither honey trapping nor marriage had been established on the record before it. It observed that questions over whether a valid marriage existed should be decided by a competent family court rather than through workplace harassment proceedings. The case originally started with complaints and counter complaints between Dr Shahzad Ali Khan and Dr Ayesha Khan. Dr Shahzad Ali Khan accused Dr Ayesha Khan of blackmail, honey trapping, financial fraud, threats and misuse of authority. He alleged that she extracted Rs 27.44 million from him through threats and manipulation for an alleged property investment. He also alleged that she threatened his wife while demanding Rs 30 million. According to his version, money from the sale of two vehicles, worth around Rs 10 million, was also handed to Dr Ayesha Khan for investment and was not returned. Dr Ayesha Khan denied those accusations. She alleged that Dr Shahzad Ali Khan made personal and inappropriate remarks, discussed private marital matters with her, promised marriage and later took retaliatory action against her. She also accused him of workplace harassment and alleged physical harassment in an official vehicle. She maintained that her termination and other actions followed her resistance to him and her pursuit of legal action. The original FOSPAH order took a much stronger view against Dr Shahzad Ali Khan. It found that he had misused his authority while serving as a teacher and later Vice Chancellor, developed an inappropriate relationship with a student who later became his junior colleague and gave her unusual professional benefits. FOSPAH ordered his removal from service after finding quid pro quo harassment. WhatsApp messages also became an important part of the original case. The record included messages from Dr Shahzad Ali Khan’s number in which Dr Ayesha Khan was addressed with personal names including Zalim Princess and other affectionate expressions. FOSPAH considered these messages important evidence against the honey trap allegation and viewed them as showing personal communication initiated from a position of authority. The Ombudsperson also found that allegations of financial misappropriation against Dr Ayesha Khan had not been proved through enough documentary evidence. Dr Shahzad Ali Khan challenged the FOSPAH decision before the President. His lawyers argued that Dr Ayesha Khan had given different versions of important events before different legal forums. They also challenged the use of WhatsApp screenshots, saying the material was incomplete and had not been properly examined through forensic testing. His side denied any marriage, sexual favour or sexual relationship and argued that the finding of quid pro quo sexual harassment was based on assumptions rather than direct evidence. Dr Ayesha Khan’s lawyers opposed the appeal. They argued that the original order had followed a full inquiry, evidence and cross examination. Her side said the WhatsApp messages came from Dr Shahzad Ali Khan’s registered number and argued that his

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    JCP recommends 13 judges for Lahore, Balochistan H…

    ByJustpaste.in

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    Current Petroleum prices to remain unchanged until…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The federal government has announced that current petroleum product prices will remain unchanged until July 27. According to sources from the Petroleum Division, petrol will continue to be sold at Rs335.18 per litre, while high-speed diesel will remain at Rs383.46 per litre. The price of kerosene oil has also been maintained at Rs301.14 per litre. This decision comes after the government introduced a daily fuel price revision mechanism on July 18 to reflect fluctuations in the international market. Since then, prices have seen multiple adjustments. On July 18, petrol became more expensive by Rs5.44 per litre and diesel by Rs31.05 per litre. Due to the closure of international markets, prices were revised on July 21, with petrol decreasing by Rs0.35 per litre while diesel increased by Rs5.71 per litre. Subsequent revisions saw petrol and diesel prices rise by Rs4.93 and Rs7.15 per litre on July 22, followed by further increases of Rs6.39 and Rs7.83 per litre on July 23. On July 24, petrol was hiked by Rs4.40 and diesel by Rs3.62 per litre. The latest decision to freeze prices until July 27 provides temporary relief to consumers after a series of increases driven by volatility in global oil markets. The daily price revision mechanism, introduced amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, aims to ensure timely adjustments to international market trends. However, the frequent changes have drawn criticism from dealers and consumers alike. The government has assured that it is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to make adjustments as needed to balance the impact on the economy and the public. The current freeze offers a brief respite before the next scheduled revision, with consumers hoping for stability in the coming days.

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    Sindh High Court seeks record in Mustafa Amir murd…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Sindh High Court has expressed concern over delays in the trial of Mustafa Amir’s murder case. The court has sought the complete case record from the trial court. Mustafa Amir’s mother approached the high court against what she described as slow progress in the case. During the hearing, the court questioned why the proceedings had not moved forward. The court also asked whether Section 302 had been added to the case. The complainant’s lawyer said several cases were pending against suspect Armaghan. He alleged that different delaying tactics were being used to slow the proceedings. According to the lawyer, the defence had given several reasons for the delays. At times, disagreements reportedly occurred between the suspect and his parents. On other occasions, the defence lawyer did not appear in court. The suspect had also expressed a lack of confidence in the trial court. The court questioned why the cases were not proceeding despite the suspect being in jail. It observed that continued delays could keep him behind bars for years if he failed to secure bail. The complainant’s lawyer said the case was highly important. However, he claimed that the proceedings were mainly resulting in new hearing dates. The court said the trial should move forward quickly if the accused was using delaying tactics. It said the trial court and prosecution would be given directions to ensure the case proceeds without unnecessary delays. Justice Abdul Rahman also asked whether a medical board had been formed to conduct a psychological examination of the suspect. The complainant’s lawyer said the board had not yet been constituted. Justice Iqbal Kalhoro asked whether charges had been formally framed in the case. The court also directed the complainant to file an application seeking an early trial. The judges warned that prolonged delays could affect the evidence of witnesses. They said witnesses could forget important details if the proceedings remained pending for a long period. Meanwhile, CIA police have also started investigating the alleged drug-related aspect of the Mustafa Amir murder case. The complainant’s lawyer told the court that an application had already been submitted. He said the relevant material was available in the case diary. The court directed the authorities to submit a report at the next hearing. The report will include details of the case’s progress and the adjournments that have taken place. Speaking outside the Sindh High Court, Mustafa Amir’s mother said the case had been delayed for around one and a half years. She alleged that unnecessary delays were affecting the proceedings.

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