Trump cuts childhood vaccine recommendations as doctors warn of health risks

The United Kingdom has invited applications from Pakistani students, professionals and entrepreneurs for its fully funded Chevening Scholarships, Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship and Commonwealth Startup Fellowship. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the British High Commission said the programmes aim to help talented Pakistanis gain access to world-class education, strengthen professional skills and build international networks. The Chevening Scholarship offers fully funded one-year master’s degree programmes at leading UK universities for individuals who demonstrate leadership potential, professional achievements and a commitment to creating positive change in their communities. The Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship is designed for mid-career academics and professionals. It provides an opportunity to conduct independent research at the University of Oxford while engaging with scholars from around the world. The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship targets promising entrepreneurs, helping them develop innovative businesses through mentorship, expert guidance and training in the UK. The programme also supports participants in preparing their ventures for future growth and expansion. British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott said Pakistan has an abundance of talented individuals, and these programmes are designed to equip them with the skills, knowledge and global connections needed to lead organisations, expand businesses and address major global challenges. She advised applicants to submit original applications based on their own experiences, ambitions and ideas, warning that the use of AI-generated responses could lead to disqualification during the selection process. The High Commission said all three programmes cover major expenses, including airfare, tuition fees, visa costs and living allowances, allowing selected candidates to focus entirely on their studies or professional development. Beyond academic and career opportunities, participants will also gain international exposure, experience different cultures and establish long-term professional relationships with leaders and experts from across the globe. According to the British High Commission, Pakistan has produced more than 2,000 Chevening alumni who are serving in government, business, academia, media and civil society. Worldwide, the Chevening network includes numerous influential leaders, including several current and former heads of state and government. Applications for the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship opened on August 3 and will remain open until September 1, while applications for the Chevening Scholarship and the OCIS Fellowship are also currently being accepted through their respective official application portals.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to receive another spell of monsoon rainfall from August 13 to 15, with the upper and central parts of the country expected to experience rain, thunderstorms and occasional heavy downpours. The Pakistan Meteorological Department said on Wednesday that monsoon currents were entering the upper parts of the country while a westerly wave was also influencing the weather system. Rain and thunderstorms are expected across parts of Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Several districts, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Mirpur, Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Hunza and Gilgit, are likely to receive rainfall. Several areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also expected to experience showers. The affected districts include Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Galiyat, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi and Haripur. In northeastern Punjab, rain is expected from the night of August 12 through August 15. Murree, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib are among the areas likely to receive showers. The weather system is also expected to affect Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the Pothohar region from the night of August 13 to August 15. The Met Office has forecast rain, strong winds and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy falls. Other parts of Punjab, including Sargodha, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan, are also likely to receive rainfall between August 12 and 15. Parts of Balochistan, including Zhob, Barkhan and Musakhel, may also experience showers. In Sindh, partly cloudy to cloudy conditions are expected in southeastern and coastal areas. Tharparkar, Umerkot and Sanghar may receive rain and thunderstorms on August 12 and 13, while hot and humid conditions are expected elsewhere in the province. The Met Office has warned of urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore. There is also a risk of landslides in vulnerable mountainous areas of upper KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir. Authorities have urged residents and visitors in these areas to remain cautious. Tourists have been advised to take extra care while travelling to mountainous regions during the wet spell. Farmers have also been asked to plan agricultural activities according to the changing weather conditions. According to the National Disaster Management Authority, 155 people have died and 460 have been injured in rain-related incidents during the ongoing monsoon season.

A proposed NADRA counter at the Pakistan Embassy in Tokyo, expected to benefit nearly 30,000 to 35,000 Pakistanis living in Japan, has remained stalled for the past three to four months due to delays in the issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC), despite receiving formal approval from NADRA. According to official documents, NADRA granted in-principle approval for the establishment of the counter on April 22, 2026, and requested the relevant authorities to issue the required NOC without delay. The documents stated that the counter would become operational immediately after the NOC is issued. The delay has prevented the project from moving forward, leaving thousands of overseas Pakistanis in Japan facing continued difficulties in accessing essential identity and registration services. Sources said the initiative was made possible through the persistent efforts of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Chairman Syed Qamar Raza Shah. During his visit to Japan in April, he met members of the Pakistani community, listened to their concerns, and identified the absence of NADRA services as one of their most pressing issues. After returning to Pakistan, Shah reportedly pursued the matter with the relevant departments and raised it at senior government levels, resulting in NADRA’s formal approval for establishing the counter at the embassy. Under the approved plan, NADRA agreed to provide biometric machines, fingerprint devices, cameras, technical support, and staff training. The Pakistan Embassy in Tokyo is responsible for providing office space, computers, internet connectivity, furniture, and other administrative facilities. Officials said all technical and administrative arrangements have already been finalised. However, the project remains on hold because the required NOC has yet to be issued by the concerned ministry. As a result, Pakistani nationals living in Japan continue to face significant challenges in obtaining or renewing national identity cards, completing family registration, biometric verification, and accessing other NADRA-related services. Members of the Pakistani community in Japan have praised Syed Qamar Raza Shah for his efforts, saying the project would likely not have reached the approval stage without his personal involvement. They urged the relevant authorities to demonstrate the same commitment by removing the remaining administrative hurdles and ensuring that the approved project is implemented without further delay. The community has also appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar to personally intervene and direct the concerned authorities to issue the pending NOC so that the NADRA counter can be established at the Pakistan Embassy in Tokyo as soon as possible, providing long-awaited relief to thousands of overseas Pakistanis.

Lahore Police have directed that no woman should remain at any police station after sunset, introducing a new measure that officials say is aimed at ensuring the safety and dignity of women. The directive was issued by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Muhammad Faisal Kamran during a crime review meeting with officers of the City Division. He instructed police personnel to treat women with respect and ensure that female complainants as well as women taken into custody are not kept at police stations after Maghrib. According to the directive, police officers must adopt procedures that protect women’s privacy and dignity while dealing with complaints or investigations. The decision comes in the wake of growing concerns over crimes against women and follows the arrest of a Lahore police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman with a mental health condition. According to police, the woman had left her home and did not return for several hours. Her family later learned from a local resident that a plain-clothes police officer had taken her away on a motorcycle. The victim later alleged that the officer took her to another location and sexually assaulted her. Following the allegations, police registered a case against the accused officer. DIG Investigation Syed Zeeshan Raza ordered an immediate and transparent investigation, directing investigators to proceed strictly on merit. The incident also led to disciplinary action within the police department, with 78 police officials reportedly suspended as authorities launched an internal review of the case. While police officials say the new directive is intended to safeguard women, some critics argue that restricting women’s presence at police stations does not address the root problem. They contend that law enforcement agencies should instead focus on ensuring police stations remain safe and accessible for women at all hours.