Punjab CNF arrests smuggler with cocaine worth Rs43.2 million

Islamabad: Pakistan’s population planning system has come under serious criticism after a Senate committee expressed concern over the absence of updated population data, warning that outdated information could damage government planning and decision making. The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives questioned why the country’s latest population and health information was still based on the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2017 and 2018, despite the survey being planned every five years. The committee said that without fresh population data, it becomes difficult for the government to properly plan healthcare services, allocate resources and create policies according to people’s needs. The issue was discussed during a meeting chaired by Senator Quratulain Marri at Parliament House, Islamabad, where the committee reviewed the implementation of the National Action Plan on Population 2021 to 2026. Officials from the Ministry of National Health Services informed the committee that the population action plan was approved in May 2021 with a total cost of Rs1,996.683 million. The project covers areas including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, and the Islamabad Capital Territory. The committee was informed that a major portion of the project budget, around Rs1,679.6 million, has been allocated for purchasing contraceptives. Officials said these contraceptives are being imported for population welfare programmes. For the financial year 2026 and 2027, Rs250 million has been allocated mainly for awareness campaigns and procurement of contraceptives. However, the committee questioned the effectiveness of these efforts and demanded complete details on resource allocation and the number of beneficiaries. Senator Quratulain Marri expressed concern that the Ministry’s briefing did not fully answer the questions raised by the committee. She directed the ministry to provide a detailed presentation in the next meeting covering the purchase, distribution, usage and challenges related to contraceptives. The chairperson said that population planning decisions must be based on accurate and updated information. She questioned why the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics had not completed the population and health survey within the expected timeframe. Officials informed the committee that the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics is currently conducting the next survey to update population and health indicators for the period up to 2025 and 2026. The committee said delays in collecting population data create serious problems because the government cannot accurately estimate the needs of hospitals, schools, employment opportunities and public services. Members stressed that a growing population requires proper planning to ensure that citizens receive enough healthcare, education and basic facilities. The committee reviewed the National Action Plan on Population as part of wider discussions about Pakistan’s future development challenges. Lawmakers said population growth is directly connected with economic pressure, healthcare demand and availability of public resources. The committee directed officials to improve monitoring and provide clearer information about the progress of population related programmes. Senator Quratulain Marri emphasized that government projects must deliver real results and that public money should be used effectively. The committee decided to continue reviewing the population action plan in future meetings and seek further details from relevant departments.

Dera Ghazi Khan: The Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan observed National Minorities Day today on the special directions of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad. The event, organized by the Directorate of Students Affairs and hosted by Prof. Dr. Arshad Munir, brought together members of the non-Muslim community and university officials to highlight the equal rights, religious freedom, and contributions of minorities in Pakistan. Members of the non-Muslim community from Dera Ghazi Khan, including Mr. Saleem Ilyas and Mr. Boota Masih, and others attended the ceremony. Senior university officials, Registrar Dr. Muhammad Asif, Prof. Dr. Saeed Ullah, Dr. Muhammad Ziaullah, Director ORIC Dr. Sagheer Atta, Dr. Irum Aziz, Dr. Khizra Bakhsh, and other faculty members were also in the event. The programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by an M.Phil scholar from the Department of Islamic Studies, followed by the recitation of verses from the Injeel (Gospel) by Mr. Boota Masih. Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim then presented a Naat-e-Rasool-e-Maqbool in praise of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Thereafter, the National Anthem of Pakistan was played, with all participants standing in respect. In his welcome address, Prof. Dr. Arshad Munir highlighted the significance of National Minorities Day in Pakistan. He acknowledged the historic contributions of the non-Muslim community to the establishment of Pakistan and their continued role in strengthening the nation. On behalf of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad, he extended an open invitation to members of the non-Muslim community to visit Ghazi University and enrol their children for higher education, assuring that the university would provide full facilitation and support in this regard. Two documentaries were screened during the event. The first showcased the establishment and progressive transformation of Ghazi University under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad. The second, prepared by the Directorate of Students Affairs, highlighted the efforts of non-Muslim personalities and movements that played a vital role in the creation of Pakistan and in its subsequent development. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Saleem Ilyas expressed gratitude to the university administration for inviting members of the non-Muslim community and honouring them. He stated that minorities in Pakistan enjoy complete liberty, freedom of livelihood and worship, and equal rights alongside citizens of all other faiths. Mr. Boota Masih also thanked the university for the respect and affection extended to the community. He said non-Muslims feel comfortable and content in Dera Ghazi Khan, actively participate in local festivities, and remain an integral part of the social fabric. Extending a gesture of interfaith harmony, he invited all participants to visit their church. A cake marking National Minorities Day was cut by the honourable guests, symbolising unity and equality among people of all religions. Refreshments were also served to the participants. The Director Students’ Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Salman Haider presented the vote of thanks at the conclusion of the programme. The event conveyed a clear message of equal rights, religious freedom, and interfaith harmony, reaffirming that minorities are valued partners in Pakistan’s national progress and social cohesion.

  Zoe Saldaña has built an impressive career in Hollywood, achieving milestones that only a small number of actors can claim. From becoming an Academy Award winner to appearing in some of the world’s most successful film franchises, the actress has established herself as one of the industry’s most recognisable stars. However, Saldaña now appears ready to explore a completely different side of filmmaking by considering a move into directing. During an appearance at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, Saldaña spoke about her desire to eventually take control behind the camera. Addressing the festival audience, the actress said she believed there would come a point when simply watching other directors work would no longer be enough for her. Saldaña joked that after observing directors for so long, she might eventually feel compelled to take over the camera herself. Her comments reflected her growing interest in expanding her creative role within the film industry and exploring storytelling from a director’s perspective. The actress also expressed confidence in her own instincts, particularly when discussing women and their ability to recognise what they believe is right. With a humorous tone, she suggested that women often feel confident in their opinions because they are correct a significant amount of the time. For Saldaña, directing could provide an opportunity to test those instincts and prove what she can accomplish outside her established acting career. Her remarks came as she was being honoured at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival. Saldaña received a Special Honorary Pardo at the event, recognising her contribution to cinema and her successful career across a wide range of projects. During her appearance, the actress also reflected on her childhood and the experience of growing up between different cultures. Born in the Dominican Republic, Saldaña said her background and experiences of feeling like an outsider have played an important role in shaping the way she approaches acting and develops her characters. She recalled the challenges of being separated from a New York environment where she had been exposed to people from different backgrounds and cultures. According to Saldaña, living in a diverse environment allowed her to encounter different perspectives and understand the world beyond a single cultural identity. She later moved to a much smaller and more culturally homogeneous island, an experience she described as difficult during her formative years. The transition brought significant challenges, particularly because she encountered a society with a more unified religious and cultural identity. Despite the difficulties, Saldaña believes those experiences ultimately became valuable to her as an actor. She explained that the challenges of growing up between different cultural environments helped her develop a broader understanding of people and identities. That perspective, she suggested, became particularly useful when portraying some of her most famous characters, including Neytiri in the Avatar franchise and Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy films. For Saldaña, growing up between cultures provided both struggles and opportunities for personal development. She believes being exposed to different ways of life enriched her understanding of human experiences and gave her additional emotional depth as a performer. Now, after years of success in front of the camera, Saldaña appears interested in turning those experiences into a new creative challenge. Her potential move into directing could mark an important new chapter in her career, allowing her to bring her perspective, cultural experiences and storytelling instincts to filmmaking from behind the camera.