Khushdil directs teachers to improve performance

Statesman Report

PESHAWAR: Deputy Speaker Khushdil Khan has paid a surprise visit to Government High School Upper Surezai here on Tuesday and expressed dissatisfaction over teachers' performance regarding imparting education and dilapidated condition of the school building.

He also expressed anguish over teachers' absence from their duties and lack of facilities in the schools and directed the concerned authorities to take practical steps to control teachers' absence, provide basic facilities to students like furniture, clean drinking water and electricity.

He also expressed anxiety over the lack of discipline and vacant seats of teachers and directed the concerned authorities to fill all the vacant posts in schools.

Teachers are the most responsible persons as far as our bright future is concerned, he added.

They have to prove their worth as the role model, adding that taking classes punctually was their first and foremost duty, but it was not enough.

Transferring knowledge from what is written in the books will only make a path to bright future, however, he maintained, polishing the personality and mentality of students would make their future brighter and stronger.

Keeping aside personal benefits, let us all work hand in hand within our resources to move forward to reform the foundations of education and personality development.

Dry weather causing spread of diseases

PESHAWAR: Continuation of dry weather due to absence of rain has caused spread of viral diseases.  Accurate figures of the victims from viral diseases due to the ongoing dry weather cannot be calculated, as mostly people go to private medical clinics and do not go to hospitals unless their condition deteriorates.

A heavy brown layer consisting of dust, smoke and pollution has been seen engulfing the city for the last many days, causing soar throat, chest congestion and respiratory infections among the residents.

People are reportedly under the grip of diseases like malaria, gastro-enteritis, viral hepatitis, influenza, typhoid, nasal allergy, soar throat, chest infection, phenomena, dry cough and scabies from the last many days, which are affecting the children especially. A large number of people are also seen visiting the private and public hospitals with complaints of the diseases caused by the dry weather. 

The meteorological officials have predicted that the dry weather would persist during next couple of days.

Dr. Ahmed Kashif Saeed, a lecturer said that with the start of winter, viral diseases were spreading across the city affecting the people, mainly children and teenagers. 

He said the number of visitors affected by the above said diseases, especially malaria, typhoid, influenza and soar throat, had increased with the advent of December and the number was estimated greater than that in the past years. Dr. Wafa Abbas said the dry weather was ideal for the growth of the virus and bacteria causing spread of these diseases. - Online

Mobile packages put a question mark on future of youngsters

PESHAWAR: The cheap like chips packages provided by the cellular companies has phenomenally increased the usage of cell phone, especially among youngsters, who, these days, spend most of their time in messaging or calling to their family, friends and lovers without any particular reason.

Can you tell me how to active night package? If I active this package, will my call be free at night? Will I get unlimited messaging service too?

These are the few questions which the mobile users today, are asking to their cellular companies' call centre and surprisingly the answer comes from there is "yes".

Though every sector has struck by the raising inflation, which shook up the citizens in the country but somehow the sector of telecommunication remains safe and from its nascence the cellular companies continuously decreases their call and Short Messaging Service (SMS) charges by introducing smart packages.  Standing on bus stop or walking on streets, driving a car or sitting in café everywhere these cell furors could be seen busy, calling or sending messages and remain oblivious of their surroundings.

Currently six mobile companies are providing their services in Pakistan and some 78.6 million users are getting benefits of these services though the figure of mobile users shows that the country's half population has cell phone but to find a person who does not has mobile is to "get blood out of stone".

A lecturer Nasira Habib criticised the young generation who got themselves addicted of cell phone said its nothing else than a waste of time and its ruining youngsters future.

"If we ask a group of youngsters that what is the total area of Pakistan then most of them would have to think of this question but if we ask the same group how many packages the cell company is providing, then you have to put tape on their mouths" she said.  She said that cell phone is a necessity but most of the youngsters were using that device for enjoyment.

"What is the logic behind using three cell phones at a time by a college or university student?" she raised question adding "the boys and girls, instead of concentrating on their studies, trying to find the new ideas of flirting and to fulfill their wish they make prank calls, even I receive unknown calls, and all this is happening because of the low call rates by the cellular companies"

It has been noticed that the packages, whether its Late Night free calls or unlimited SMS, announced by the companies are better suitable for youngsters especially for those who wanted to call their lovers.  Shahid Iqbal, who had activated night package, said the world was changing day by day and now they had to accept every new change they face.

"I m in love with my fiancée whom I met on phone some three years ago and I am really thankful to mobile companies who are providing low call rates" he added.  He further said that everything had negative and positive purposes but it depended on their selves how they used it.

"I know my friends who have no other mission than to make prank calls on unknown numbers but on the other hand there are my those friends who have no such aims and they are using this device just for necessity" he informed.

When asked a cellular company's representative Shahyan Amjad that why there best packages starts after 12:00am late night he humorlessly replied that if they allow their customers to call free at daytime, then without any doubt their service would be jammed because of limitless calls but at night only those customers would call who were truly affiliated with someone as it was difficult to made prank calls at night.

"We also have packages which suit mature users but because most of our costumers are young from 15 to 30 years of age group, so we are bound to introduce those packages which suit youngsters more than other users.  Pakistan now has become one of the fastest growing telecom markets in the world where only last year the mobile industry invested close to $3 billion of total foreign direct investment coming into the country. - Online

Owais for encouraging students to join Girls Guide

PESHAWAR: A five-member delegation, comprising office-bearers of Branch of Pakistan Girls Guide Association called on Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani here on Tuesday and apprised him about working of the association.

Talking on this occasion, the governor took keen interest in the organisational setup of the association as well as its performance and assured members of the delegation to take necessary steps to enable the association to work more efficiently.

Indeed, he said, there is a need to enhance opportunities and encourage the students to participate in the activities of the association and assured to extend every possible support to enable the association to work more efficiently.

Meanwhile, president of the association, Razia Aziz who was heading the delegates, informed the governor that the association, in line with the spirit of the guides movement is efficiently engaged in the social and religious education of the guides, besides arranging regular training programmes for the teacher trainers.

The Girl Guide movement, it was added, is quite popular in the province and the association is successfully encouraging the school level students to join the association and participate in its activities.

This year, it was said, the fresh enrollment has already reached 12,000 as against the given target of 10,000.

The governor was further informed that the association was also successfully running a vocational institute and a guide's school in the provincial capital, besides maintaining a Guides House, where educational and training facilities are being provided to the participants.

The members of the declaration also put forward certain problems and difficulties and requested the governor to help them in resolving them. - APP

Indian media, analysts pour venom against Pak

PESHAWAR: Indian media and political analysts without any evidence hastily flared up and started the blame game against Pakistan by pouring venoms, polluting the atmosphere that was so laboriously had been built after years of confidence-building measures between the two neighbours.

The Indian media true to its traditional hate postures towards Pakistan lost no time in blaring all those scum, which pointed fingers towards Pakistan and holding it responsible for the tragic incident without any basis and evidences at all, a private TV channel reported.

Indian anchors and analysts appearing on different channels across the country with one voice went on analysing the incident purely based on the figment of their imaginations in a way that could by all means give the perception of Pakistan's involvement in it.

Indian media tasked to propagate against Pakistan made out such fake stories and tried their best through a nefarious attempt to involve Pakistan in the incident.

Some Indian TV Channels openly hurled blames on Pakistan for these attacks without any proof or evidence.

Indian leaders' problems known to all that they are trying to hide their weaknesses and utter intelligence failures and find it safe putting blames on Pakistan for every incident happening in India, but the Indian media should behave responsibly in view of the delicate situation emanating after the attacks, the TV reported. - APP

119 POs, 1863 criminals held

Statesman Report

PESHAWAR: Police claimed to have arrested as many as 119 proclaimed offenders, wanted to police in cases of murders and attempts of murders and other cases of heinous nature besides arresting more than 1,863 criminals and recovered illegal weapon from their possession during a grand operation launched against the anti-social elements.

To root out anti-social elements from the society, police have launched a grand operations and barricaded roads at various localities and arrested scores of outlaws.

Police also recovered illegal weapons including 51 kalashnikovs, 17 kalakovs, 13 guns, 58 shotguns, 282 pistols, three hand grenades, 34,262 cartridges, 171 kg hashish, four kilogram heroin and 469 bottles of liquor from their possession.

Cases have been registered against them while further investigation was underway.

Gird for increase in gas tariff

By M. Fayyaz

PESHAWAR: Federal government has decided to raise gas prices up to 7.8 per cent on the recommendation of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and notification to this effect will be issued on January 1, sources here Tuesday said.

Sources said that Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) had sent recommendations to OGRA to increase the prices of gas across the country.

OGRA has prepared a case in light of SNGPL proposal and had sent it to Federal Economic and Coordination Committee for final approval.

However, the committee had approved 7.8 per cent hike in gas tariff which would be implemented after issuing the notification in January 2009.

Sources further said OGRA had to review gas prices this month (December) but to give relief to SNGPL, OGRA have reviewed the prices last month.

They claimed that had the OGRA reviewed the prices of gas in current month it would have given significant benefit to consumers.

Talking to the Statesman Ikhtiar Wali former provincial chairman and member of executive of CNG Association said that if CNG pumps were closed across the country for two months, than more than 2,600 CNG station would go on strike across the country.

He said that on the one hand government has reduced the prices of petroleum products to provide relief to the masses while on the other hand it has decided to raise gas prices which would multiply their miseries.

Former CNG association chairman further said that foreign investment would be badly affected by raising the prices of gas, adding that they would launch protest movement across the country against closing down the CNG pumps.

Government decides to streamline CIP

PESHAWAR: The provincial government has decided to streamline the Community Infrastructure Project (CIP) for accelerating the process of progress and provision of basic facilities of water supply, sanitation, street pavement and roads to the urban and rural population of the province

Whereas the project officials have been strictly directed to perform their duties dedicatedly and with missionary zeal to achieve the set goals of development, says a press release issued here on Tuesday.

Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour while chairing a review meeting in this regard here said that certain development funds had to be diverted for security improvement due to worsening conditions of law and order in the province and it is being badly suffered of the wave of terrorism.

He revealed that one billion rupees earlier allocated for improvement of communication sector have been transferred to spend on law and order due to non-provision of funds from the federal government and hence vitalising sectors like CIP has become essential that could be the source of providing relief to the urban and rural folks in such unpleasant conditions.

However, he made it clear that the financial foreign aid under such projects was in fact a loan that had to be returned from the taxes of the hard earned money of the poor masses and henceforth he said, achieving 100 per cent objects of such schemes was also a prerequisite on part of its officials.

The meeting was attended by Secretary LG&RD Hifzur Rehman, DG CIP, Murtaza Khan, Director-I Sher Ayaz, Director-II Latif Khan, Deputy Director Zafar Javed, Manager Finance Muhammad Saleem and other concerned officers of the project and apprised the senior minister of the background, targets and progress made so far on this long term project.

The DG CIP told that presently 540 schemes of potable water, sanitation and street pavement costing Rs2,071 million were in different stages of completion while work on all these development schemes have been further expedited following special directives of the senior minister.

Bashir Bilour while directing for transparent and judicious use of the project funds for providing basic facilities to the urban and rural population throughout the province and lauding role of secretary LG&RD Hifzur Rehman for streamlining activities of the department, said that provincial government had given them a clean team and then it was prime duty of the officials concerned to serve the masses and achieve the development goals without any fear, favour or indulging in corruption.

He further asked the officers to avoid preparing schemes in offices and waste time in meetings but come out of their offices, acquaint themselves of the real needs of the people and solve their problems accordingly.

The senior minister said he would personally inspect the under CIP to judge about its standard. - APP

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic now shipping

Statesman Report

PESHAWAR: Nokia announced a highly anticipated Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Tuesday which will be soon, available in select markets globally, including Pakistan, Russia, Spain, India, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Finland.

The latest in Nokia's XpressMusic range, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic delivers an affordable music device with a touch screen interface to the mass market. 

Aiming to put music into the hands of millions, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic offers all the music essentials including a graphic equaliser, 8GB memory for up to 6000 tracks, support for all main digital music formats, and a 3.5mm jack.

Built-in surround sound stereo speakers offer the industry's most powerful sound.

"When it comes to music phones, people all over the world want a device that is a great music experience and still works really well as a mobile phone, without sacrificing features," Jo Harlow, vice president, Nokia said.

The Media Bar also offers a direct link to the web and to online sharing because Nokia 5800 XpressMusic supports flash content, individuals can surf the entire web.

The innovative ‘Contacts Bar’ lets people highlight four favorite contacts on their home-screen and, through a single touch, track a digital history of recent text messages, emails, phone logs, photos and blog updates.

For the best screen resolution available on a mobile phone, the 3.2” widescreen display brings photos, video clips and web content to life in vibrant color and true clarity.

Public transport continues to block govt hospitals’ gates

By Kamran Khan

PESHAWAR: The traffic police have failed to control illegal parking of public transport vehicles near the gates of government hospitals hindering movement of ambulances and vehicles of emergency patients.

During a visit to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) and Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), the Statesman learnt that the public transport vehicles including rickshaws, vans and cabs were parked in front of entry gates blocking the passage to these hospitals.

However, situation at Combined Military Hospital was quite different as no vehicle was being allowed to stop or park near the entry gates.

Attendants of patients admitted to the emergency wards of government hospitals criticised the authorities for indifferent attitude to act against public transporters' callous attitude posing serious threat to the lives of emergency patients.

"Delay of a moment could be dangerous for the life of an emergency patient," said Shahzad Khan, whose child had fallen from stairs and was being treated in the emergency ward of LRH.

It is already difficult to get an ambulance and reach hospital in case of an emergency due to traffic jams on roads, he said, adding, wastage of time at the hospital gate can prove fatal for the patient.

He said the hospital authorities and traffic police should take strict action against the public transport vehicles parked at the hospitals' gates.

Hassan Khan, whose mother was admitted to the emergency ward of KTH, said that the authorities could not imagine the feelings of those people who bring some patient to hospital in emergency and did not find the gate clear for ambulance entry.

He said that the provincial government should focus on such problems to save lives of patients in emergency.

Zahid Khan, a visitor to HMC, said that traffic police should deploy at least one cop at the gates of each government hospitals to keep the passage for ambulances and other vehicles clear.

He said if the traffic police were unable to take action against them, the authorities should construct separate lanes for ambulances and rescue vehicles.

An official of traffic police said that though parking was a genuine problem, the traffic police could not bring change in society unless the traffic authority implements a comprehensive plan for the hospitals.

He said officials of city district government were not realising the importance of ambulances route.

He said the problem could be resolved with collective efforts of city district government and traffic police department.

Economic crunch not to mar welfare activities: Hoti

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti has said that despite economic constraints, the government would continue to support and provide relief to the orphans, widows and helpless people uninterrupted.

No shortage of funds would be allowed to the Tanzeem Lissail-e-Wal Mehroom (Organisation for the Indigent and Dispossessed) as serving humanity was the greatest worship adding parentless children Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti said this while donating 31 computer sets to the orphan children of Ummah Children Academy on behalf of Tanzeem Lissail-e-Wal Mehroom during a simple, but impressive ceremony here on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Hoti said that providing relief to the poor and destitute segment of society was first priority of the elected provincial government.

He paid glowing tributes to Tanzeem Lissail-e-Wal Mehroom and its chairman Abdullah for providing services to the poor in fields of education, health and social welfare on non-political basis.

The programme of providing computers to the orphan children was a novel experiment and hoped that it would provide social security to the destitute children, he added.

He also assured that the government would provide all possible assistance to the ummah academy for its services.

Abdullah presented annual report of the organisation and said that the organisation was serving the poor and destitute segment of society in the areas of education, health and social welfare.

He said the organisation had been providing its services in shape of activities not in cash, and was giving scholarships to the poor students through free banking service.

Abdullah said that since the organisation had started its work back in 2007, it has provided health services to 2,24,785 poor patients at their doorstep through 561 free medical camps throughout the province.

He also hinted at organising 211 free medical camps during the remaining quarter of the financial year 2008-9 in different parts of the province.

In addition, he said, the organisation had also provided free medical treatment to 3,206 patients of HCV, HBS, kidney, cancer, scabies, Leishmania, physiotherapy, eye and general diseases in different hospitals of the province. - APP

Railway to run six Eid trains from Saturday

Statesman Report

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Railways will run six special trains in the country to cater to the rush of passengers in connection with Eidul Azha.

According to PR announcement, first special train will leave Quetta on December 6 to reach Peshawar on December 7 in the night hours.

Second special train will leave Quetta on December 7 to reach Rawalpindi in the evening. Third Eid train will leave Karachi on Dec 6 to reach Peshawar on December 7 in the evening.

Fourth train will leave Karachi on December 7 in the afternoon to reach Faisalabad, via Multan, Shorkot, next morning.

Fifth special train will leave Peshawar on December 8 to reach Lahore in the night.

Last special train will operate from Peshawar on December 12 to reach Karachi on December 13 in the evening, via mainline, it was announced here Tuesday.