sindh clarifies 6day
| |

Sindh clarifies 6-day school week: Rule applies on…

Karachi: Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah has clarified that the province’s six-day school week policy will apply only to government schools, while private educational institutions will remain free to determine their own weekly schedules.

The clarification came after a notification issued by the Sindh School Education Department stated that both public and private schools would resume classes from August 1 under a six-day teaching schedule, leading to confusion among parents and school administrations.

Addressing the issue through a statement on social media, Sardar Ali Shah explained that all government schools across Sindh will conduct academic activities six days a week starting August 1, 2026, in line with the department’s decision.

He further emphasized that the revised working schedule is not mandatory for private schools. Instead, private educational institutions will continue to set their operating days and working hours according to their own policies.

The minister’s clarification has resolved uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the new academic schedule, confirming that only government-run schools are required to follow the six-day teaching week.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Heavy rain disrupts traffic, floods low-lying area…

    Heavy rainfall disrupted routine life across Lahore on Saturday, leaving several roads, underpasses and low-lying neighbourhoods inundated and causing difficulties for motorists and pedestrians. The downpour led to significant water accumulation in different parts of the city, slowing traffic and making several routes difficult to navigate. Residents in low-lying areas faced particular inconvenience as rainwater gathered on streets and roads. According to rainfall figures recorded by the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), Lahore received an average of 24.6 millimetres of rain. The highest rainfall was recorded at Lahore Airport, where 104mm was reported. Kahna received 75.6mm, while 62.6mm was recorded at Hadiara Defence Road and 58.6mm at Manawan. Rainfall was also recorded in Tajpura, Mughalpura, Shadipura, Defence Phase-VI, Farrukhabad, Saggian, Lakshmi Chowk, Chowk Nakhuda and other areas. Although the rain provided relief from the prevailing heat and brought cooler weather, waterlogging created problems for commuters and once again highlighted the challenges faced by Lahore’s low-lying areas during heavy showers. Wasa Lahore mobilised field teams and heavy machinery to remove accumulated water from affected locations. Officials continued drainage operations at several underpasses, major roads and low-lying points across the city. Wasa Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed inspected drainage activities at several key locations, including Mubeen Shaheed Underpass, Noor Jehan Road, MM Alam Road, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Qaddafi Stadium and Liberty Chowk. He also reviewed operations at Kalma Chowk Underpass and other emergency drainage facilities. Officials said disposal stations in areas affected by power outages were being operated with generators to ensure that drainage work continued without interruption. Wasa Vice Chairman Chaudhry Shehbaz Ahmed also inspected water drainage arrangements at several locations, including Shalimar Link Road, Bhagwanpura, UET and nearby areas. Meanwhile, Chief Traffic Officer Abdul Rahim Shirazi directed traffic officials to remain present in the field and closely monitor traffic flow and vulnerable points during the rainfall. Traffic police coordinated with Wasa teams to facilitate the removal of standing water and advised motorists to drive carefully on slippery roads. Drivers were urged to maintain a safe distance, avoid sudden braking and reduce speed. Motorcyclists were advised to wear helmets and avoid unnecessary overtaking. Citizens were also warned against entering roads where floodwater appeared deep or unsafe.

  • |

    Dhurandhar actress Ayesha Khan detained by Mumbai police, questions their silence

    Actress Ayesha Khan has spoken out against the Mumbai Police and was briefly detained during a protest in the city. Ayesha rose to fame with her song ‘Shararat’ in Dhurandhar. She was earlier a wildcard entry on Bigg Boss 17. She has also appeared in ‘Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2’. The actress was picked up near Dadar where she went in solidarity with student protesters. The students are demanding answers over the NEET paper leak and several have died by suicide amid the fallout. Ayesha said she was not part of the actual protest. She had only stopped because her brother and male friends were already detained. In emotional videos on Instagram, she said her hands were shaking. She shared that she did not raise a single slogan, yet she was pulled into the police van. She said several policewomen had to escort her by force. She was later moved from Dadar to Worli police station and two of her female friends were with her. She kept asking police why she was detained but no one gave her a clear answer. In another post, Ayesha claimed that she was dragged despite standing peacefully and her questions to police went unanswered. The Mumbai protest is linked to a larger movement. It began in Delhi under the Cockroach Janta Party and students and activists are behind the push. Their ‘Chalo Sansad’ drive has now spread nationwide. They demand the government to act on the NEET paper leak and deeper flaws in the education system. Ayesha is known for speaking up on social issues. She has a strong following online and one of several people detained as police cleared the area in Dadar. Her videos are now circulating widely while many are waiting to see if the Mumbai police will respond to her questions.

  • |

    Mamdani opposes NYC event featuring RSS chief

    NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has voiced opposition to an upcoming Manhattan event featuring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, while questioning whether city authorities have the legal power to stop the private gathering. Bhagwat, who heads the Hindu nationalist organisation widely regarded as the ideological parent of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is scheduled to address an event in Manhattan on August 29. Mamdani said he did not support the event but acknowledged that the city might not have jurisdiction to cancel a privately organised gathering. The mayor, who is New York’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor, said his understanding of India was shaped by a vision of the country as a pluralistic and secular republic where people of different backgrounds could belong equally. He said he was deeply concerned by the growth of political movements based on what he described as an exclusionary vision of India. Organisers have described the Manhattan gathering as the “Universal Oneness Celebration”. The event is being promoted as a gathering of Hindu Americans focused on cultural heritage, dialogue and interfaith unity. The organisers, American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue, say the programme has support from several Hindu American organisations. However, a number of local groups have criticised the event because of Bhagwat’s participation and allegations surrounding the RSS. The RSS is a highly influential Hindu organisation in India. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has historical ideological links to the group. The organisation has rejected accusations that it promotes intolerance or violence against minorities. It describes itself as a Hindu-centred cultural and civilisational movement and says its objective is to unite Hindus and strengthen the nation. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has previously raised concerns about the RSS and alleged involvement in violence and intolerance against minority communities. The controversy surrounding Bhagwat’s visit comes amid wider international debate over religious freedom and minority rights in India. United Nations bodies and human rights organisations have raised concerns over reported hate speech, citizenship policies, demolitions of properties belonging to Muslims, changes to the constitutional status of occupied Kashmir and laws related to religious conversion. The Indian government has rejected allegations that its policies discriminate against minorities. It maintains that its welfare and development programmes are designed to benefit citizens across religious and social groups.

  • | |

    PIMS gets Rs22bn in three years amid staffing, saf…

    ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has received a total budget of around Rs22 billion over the past three years, according to official budget documents obtained by Minute Mirror. The financial figures have come under scrutiny following the deadly fire in the Mother and Child Health (MCH) Ward on August 26. The incident has raised questions about the hospital’s financial management, staffing levels, maintenance and fire safety arrangements. According to the documents, PIMS was allocated Rs6.84 billion during the previous financial year. However, the hospital spent Rs7.51 billion, exceeding the allocated amount by around Rs670 million, or Rs67 crore. For the current financial year, the federal government has allocated Rs7.63 billion to PIMS. The hospital has also been provided Rs500 million, or Rs50 crore, under the repair and maintenance head in the current budget. The allocation has attracted particular attention after the fire. Questions are now being raised about whether adequate funds were used to maintain electrical systems, hospital infrastructure and fire safety equipment. The financial questions have emerged alongside a serious staffing shortage at PIMS. The hospital has 949 vacant positions against 2,451 sanctioned posts. The vacancies include 385 doctors and clinicians, 363 nurses and 201 paramedical staff. Health experts have questioned how a major public hospital receiving billions of rupees in government funding continues to face shortages of medical personnel and concerns about infrastructure and safety. They say staffing gaps can place additional pressure on existing employees and affect patient care, emergency response and hospital management. The August 26 fire has intensified these concerns. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident and directed Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal to visit PIMS and assess the situation. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the prime minister had also ordered a high-powered investigation into the tragedy. The Establishment Division subsequently suspended National Health Services Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri for 120 days. Capt. (Retd.) Muhammad Mahmood, Secretary Housing and Works, was given additional charge of the Health Secretary for three months. The developments have increased calls for the investigation to examine not only the immediate cause of the fire but also the hospital’s broader administrative and financial arrangements. A senior officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that authorities had repeatedly been informed about shortages of staff, equipment and safety facilities. The officer questioned whether the Rs50 crore allocated for repair and maintenance would be used to address fire safety and infrastructure requirements. The official spending figures have also raised questions about the reasons for the previous year’s expenditure exceeding the approved allocation by Rs67 crore. However, the available figures alone do not establish financial wrongdoing. A detailed audit would be required to determine how the additional expenditure was incurred, whether it was properly authorised and where the funds were spent. PIMS is part of a wider staffing problem affecting federal healthcare facilities in Islamabad. More than 1,470 positions are reportedly vacant across four major government hospitals. Besides PIMS, the Polyclinic Hospital has 439 vacant positions, the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine has 29, while the Federal General Hospital has more than 57 vacancies. The combination of large public allocations, vacant positions and concerns over hospital infrastructure has prompted calls for greater transparency in the use of government funds. The key questions now facing authorities include whether maintenance funds were adequately utilised, who authorised spending beyond the allocated budget, whether previous warnings were acted upon and whether the investigation into the PIMS fire will examine possible administrative or financial failures. A comprehensive audit and transparent investigation could help determine whether the problems resulted from insufficient resources, poor utilisation of available funds, weak oversight or administrative failures. Officials have yet to make public a detailed audit of PIMS expenditure or announce a firm timeline for filling the hospital’s vacant positions.

  • |

    Spirit controversy deepens over Deepika Padukone’s exit

    The controversy surrounding Spirit has gained fresh attention following new claims made by Pranay Reddy Vanga, brother of filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, regarding the discussions that took place before Deepika Padukone’s departure from the Prabhas-led film. Pranay recently addressed the matter in an interview, offering his version of the events surrounding Deepika’s exit. According to him, the disagreement was not limited to one issue but involved several factors, including remuneration, scheduling and other matters that emerged during discussions between the actress and the production team. He claimed that Sandeep Reddy Vanga had been in talks with Deepika for nearly 18 months and had strongly wanted her to be part of the project. However, after discussions between both sides, the filmmakers eventually decided to move forward with another actress. Pranay also alleged that remuneration became an important part of the negotiations. He claimed that Deepika had sought a percentage of the film’s profits as part of her deal, saying that she had demanded a 10 percent share in the movie’s profits. According to him, the financial implications of the request were considered before the team decided to explore other casting options. The filmmaker’s brother also spoke about the issue of confidentiality surrounding the project. He claimed that the story and character had been discussed with Deepika during the development stage but alleged that details from those private conversations later became public. His remarks added another dimension to the controversy, particularly because the film’s casting discussions had already attracted considerable attention. Another major point linked to Deepika’s departure was reportedly her working schedule. Earlier reports suggested that the actress had requested an eight-hour working shift for the project. The issue became part of the wider discussion surrounding working conditions and schedules in the Indian film industry. Deepika had previously defended her position on professional working hours, making it clear that she did not believe her expectations were unreasonable. Her comments further fueled conversations about the demands placed on actors and the importance of maintaining healthy working conditions during film productions. The controversy intensified further after Sandeep Reddy Vanga appeared to respond to the situation through a social media post. Although he did not directly name Deepika, the filmmaker expressed disappointment over confidential conversations between filmmakers and actors being made public. Sandeep emphasized the trust involved when he narrates a story to an actor and referred to an “unsaid NDA” between them. His comments were widely interpreted as a reference to the discussions surrounding Spirit and the information that had emerged following Deepika’s exit. Following her departure, Triptii Dimri was brought on board as the female lead opposite Prabhas. Her inclusion officially marked a major change in the film’s casting and shifted attention toward the new pairing. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Spirit remains one of the most anticipated upcoming Indian films, with Prabhas in the lead role and Triptii Dimri as the female protagonist. The film is currently scheduled for release in March 2027. The developments surrounding Deepika’s exit have continued to generate discussion among cinema audiences, with the reported disagreements over remuneration, scheduling and confidentiality adding further interest to the project even before its release.

  • |

    Pralhad Joshi named India’s new education minister

    India’s Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi has been given the additional responsibility of the Education Ministry. The development comes after the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. His resignation was accepted by the Indian president, according to an official notification. The notification also confirmed Joshi’s appointment to the additional portfolio. He will continue to handle his existing responsibilities while overseeing the Education Ministry. Speaking to journalists after the appointment, Joshi said he accepted the new responsibility with humility and a strong sense of duty. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for placing his trust in him. Joshi also praised the Modi government’s performance during its 12 years in power. He said the government had achieved several important milestones during this period. He added that the education sector had also witnessed major developments. Joshi acknowledged the work carried out by Pradhan during his tenure as education minister. He said Pradhan had played an important role in implementing India’s National Education Policy. According to Joshi, several significant initiatives were introduced during the previous four to five years. He also said India had made considerable progress in moving towards a new education system. Joshi pledged to carry out his new duties with dedication. He said he would use his abilities to fulfil the responsibilities assigned to him. The change at the Education Ministry follows weeks of student protests across India. The demonstrations were linked to allegations of examination paper leaks and irregularities. Students had demanded action from the authorities and greater accountability within the education system. Pradhan submitted his resignation on the 35th day of the protests. The 57-year-old minister stepped down as pressure continued to grow over the controversy. The protests were largely driven by young people. Their campaign gained significant attention through social media and public demonstrations. Pradhan’s resignation was subsequently welcomed by the protesters, who had made his removal one of their major demands. The leadership change now places Joshi at the centre of efforts to address the concerns surrounding India’s education and examination system. His immediate responsibilities are expected to include overseeing the ministry’s ongoing programmes and ensuring continuity in the implementation of education policies. The new minister will also face pressure to respond to concerns raised by students over examination procedures, transparency and accountability.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *