New regional approach to Afghan refugees agreed

PESHAWAR: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has thanked Pakistan for its hospitality towards Afghan refugees while praising its continued commitment to finding lasting solutions to the situation.

Antonio Guterres was speaking at the end of a two-day visit organized at the invitation of the Minister for States and Frontier Regions, Engineer Shaukatullah, said a press release issued here.

Guterres called for additional international solidarity with Pakistan and Iran which continue to host large numbers of Afghan refugees after more than 30 years.

“At a time when many countries are closing their doors to those fleeing violence and persecution, the generosity of the people and the Government of Pakistan towards Afghan refugees deserves greater recognition and support on the part of the international community,” he said.

During his visit Guterres also met with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.

Central to their talks was an agreement reached in Dubai earlier this week between Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and UNHCR to pursue a regional strategy aimed at finding durable solutions to the Afghan refugee situation.

The new strategy will be presented at an international conference to be held in Switzerland in early May.

The conference will seek international support for programmes inside Afghanistan that will increase the attractiveness and sustainability of returns while providing additional support to communities that continue to host Afghan refugees.

In 2011 just over 50,000 Afghan refugees returned home from Pakistan, down from nearly 110,000 thousand in 2010. Despite the decline, the number of Afghan returns last year still represented the largest refugee repatriation programme in the world.

“The priority now,” said the UNHCR chief, “is to create conditions inside Afghanistan that will allow for large scale voluntary repatriation.”

Afghan refugees will be more ready to go home once the right conditions are in place inside Afghanistan, he added.

Guterres also commended the government for reaffirming its commitment to the voluntary and gradual return of Afghan refugees.

There are currently 1.7 million registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Since 2002, more than five million Afghan refugees have already left to return home, the majority with assistance from UNHCR. - APP

IRNUM society demands machinery, funds

PESHAWAR: Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicines (Irnum) Patients' Welfare Society has demanded the provision of modern machinery, special funds and facilities to ensure timely and better treatment of cancer patients in the facility.

The demand was made by president of the society, Ghulam Sarwar Khan Mohmand and general secretary, Dr. Safoora Shahid while addressing a press conference here in Peshawar Press Club (PPC) on Thursday.

They said that the hospital requires two modern machines priced Rs200 million to provide better and timely treatment to patients of cancer from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Afghanistan.

They called on FATA Secretariat, Commissionerate for Afghan refugees and philanthropists of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for extending financial assistance to the hospital for provision of better and timely treatment to the patients.

On this occasion, Dr. Safoora Shahid said that the hospital was established by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto with 75 beds with capacity of provision of treatment to 1000 patients.

However, he said the deadly disease is increasing with each passing day and now the number of registered patients with the hospital had surpassed the figure of 5000.

She said that out of ten kinds of cancer, breast cancer is top fatal disease, which required research. But, they are lacking modern laboratory and funds in this regard. She said that due to increase in the number of patients, they are providing treatment in two shifts.

She said that on February 4, like other countries, World Cancer Day will be observed in Pakistan, whose basic objective is prevention and creation of awareness regarding the disease among the people. - APP

KP govt’s initiatives for poverty reduction yielding positive results: CM

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti has said that his government was following policy of provision of basic necessities of life to the people along with respectable earning to the youth by launching various initiatives.

He said that interest free loans under Baacha Khan Khpal Rozgar Scheme and interest of youth in Hunarmand Rozgar Scheme were clear testimony to the fact. The rate of return of loans in Bacha Khan Khpal Rozgar Scheme stood at 99%.

He was talking to MPAs during his weekly meeting at his office on Thursday. Those met the CM included provincial ministers and MPAs hailing from different political parties.

The CM said that thousand of families were indiscriminately benefiting from transparent implementation on government efforts for eradication of poverty, unemployment and illiteracy, adding, its practical effects were prominent.

He said that keeping people's attraction in mind, the funds for Baacha Khan Khpal Rozgar scheme will be enlarged further so that more unemployed people could earn for their families.

He further added that program of loans worth Rs3,00,000 on soft terms for skilled youth was also worth mentioning. Poverty alleviation program associated with name of founder Khudai Khidmatgar movement, Bacha Khan was successfully progressing and gradually expanding.

The CM also hinted at government historical and remarkable programs in education sector that included Stori Da Pakhtunkhwa and Scholarships programs. He stressed the MPAs to cast vigilant eye on timely and qualitative completion of welfare schemes in education, health and communication in their respective constituencies.

The people’s representatives informed the CM on progress in development process and expressed satisfaction on nation building departments. - APP

Pasha’s extension

out of question, claims PPP leadership

PESHAWAR: The senior leadership of Pakistan Peoples' Party claimed that Prime Minister would not give another extension to DG ISI Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha.

According to an Indian TV channel some leaders of PPP on the condition of anonymity, have termed the matter of extension to DG ISI as out of the question.

A party leader revealed that PPP discussed the matter and role of General Pasha in memogate scandal, which was as par with the driving the last nail into government's coffin in which his position was doubtful.

In the line with the decision made by top leadership of PPP, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani is unlikely to grant another contract to ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, which is going to be expired on 18th March.

The top official of Inter Services Intelligence is working on contract basis .

"There is no question of giving a further contract to Pasha if one passes by the state of relations between the government and the military, especially the premier spy agency, since the US raid in Abbottabad on May 02 last year to kill Osama Bin laden," said a close aide to President Asif Ali Zardari, who did not wish to be named.

"Some hawks in the PPP even proposed that the ISI chief should have been sacked in the wake of his role in the memo scandal," the Pakistan People's Party leader said.

Another PPP leader, who too spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said though there was an impression after Gillani's recent meeting with the Army and ISI chiefs that government-military relations were on the mend, this was not the case.

"Efforts are still on to get the Prime Minister in one way or another. The Army's top brass is not happy with him," the leader said.

After Ijaz made the memo public, the ISI chief met him in London to gather evidence about the unsigned document. Questions have been raised about Pasha meeting Ijaz outside the country without getting approval from the Prime Minister, and some in the PPP believed this was enough to initiate action against the ISI chief.

While the government insisted that a parliamentary panel should investigate the memo issue, the Army and intelligence chiefs had urged the Supreme Court to order an independent probe.

The apex court subsequently set up a three-judge commission to investigate the scandal.

Prime Minister Gillani recently said that the Army and intelligence chiefs had acted in an "unconstitutional and illegal" manner by filing affidavits on the memo issue in the apex court without getting the Defence Minister's approval, but subsequently distanced himself from the remarks in an apparent bid to ease tensions with the military.

The presidential aide said the PPP is currently focused on the contempt notice issued to the Premier by the apex court for failing to act on orders to reopen graft cases against President Zardari. - Online

TCKP finalises arrangements for 2nd session of seminar on youth policy

PESHAWAR: The Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) has finalised all the arrangements for second session of the seminar on formulation of a policy for youth of the province.

The two-day seminar titled "Formulation of a Youth Policy" will be held on February 6 at the Green Hut, which will be attended by all the stakeholders including distinguished scholars, educationists, researchers, leaders, lawyers, politicians and various representatives of the non-governmental organisations working on youth-related programmes.

The participants will again deliberate on a draft of youth policy, keeping in view their role and objectives.

The final programme will be held on February 13 at the Pearl Continental Hotel where representatives from youth, civil society and government officials will edit the two drafts.

The final draft will be given to the chief minister at the closing ceremony, at the same day it would be passed by the provincial assembly.

Earlier, the first session of the two-day seminar was held on January 27-28 at the Peshawar Archives Hall.

Besides others, over 200 young men and women attended the seminar who were later divided into 15 groups to give recommendations and suggestions in the light of the National Youth Policy 2008.

The salient features of the policy included motivation and sense of pride, character-building, national integration, promoting sports, recreation, academic and intellectual development, youth health, social volunteerism, incentives for talented youth, institutional plan and youth council.

The geographical, historic, cultural and traditional norms were kept in mind by the participants while sharing ideas about the policy. - APP

Govt to introduce lift

irrigation scheme in province

PESHAWAR: Minister for Agriculture, Arbab Muhammad Ayub Jan said here on Thursday that Lift Irrigation Scheme would be introduced with solar energy system to reclaim vast land that has been rendered barren owing to lack of proper irrigational facilities.

Chairing a high level meeting he said that proposed scheme would help cultivate thousands of acres of land from Nizampur to DI Khan and give impetus to economic activity in the area.

The minister said that Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti has principally agreed with the scheme, adding that ground work on the project is in full swing.

He expressed dissatisfaction saying that despite abundant water in the province, Agricultural Engineering Department has not yet presented a practical project to resolve irrigation related problems.

He underlined the need of water exploration endeavors and said that new water sources are vital for gaining autarky besides meeting the demand of people associated with livestock sector.

Agriculture Minister approved a new sugar cane seed project called "Chasm" and said that under the project per acre seed consumption would be reduced from 80 mound to 20 maund with a remarkable increase in productivity. - APP

5 extremists killed in Khyber Agency

8 suspects held, arms recovered in Darra and Landikotal

PESHAWAR: At least five extremist commanders were killed and eight suspects held in security forces shelling and search operation in different parts of Khyber Agency on Thursday. The security forces also recovered huge cache of arms, suicide jackets and landmines during search operation.

According to details, the security forces conducted search operation in Tourchir locality of Darra Adamkhel. In clashes during search operation five extremist commanders Kasha, Kaka, Babu, Fazal Wahab and Haider Maula were killed.

The security forces also searched the hideouts of extremists in different areas of FR Jawakai including Marchakey Sar, Zaitoon Mourcha and Spin Qabar and recovered huge cache of arms, suicide jackets and landmines.

During security forces search operation in Khogakhel area of Landikotal tehsil in Khyber Agency eight suspects were taken into custody and arms and explosives was recovered. A bomb was also recovered which was later defused. - INP

Christian community threatens to boycott general election

if ignored in Senate polls

Peshawar: Christian community of District Peshawar has demanded of all the political parties to provide them ticket for upcoming Senate election otherwise they have the option to boycott the next general election.

Speaking at news conference here at Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, Diocese Coordinator Church of Pakistan and former member of district Peshawar council Hayat Bahtti said that the Christians had played important role in the development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and worked in disasters shoulder to shoulder with government and public.

Referring to 2005 earth quack, Swat operation and flood, he said that they performed their due role, saying that in Edwardes College and Mission hospital the Christian community was serving the common people but despite all this the christian minority had been ignored by all the political parties in general and Senate election.

Accompanied by Mohmood Jan, member of the finance board of the Church and Sarfarz Khushi, Bhatti threatened if his community was ignored for yet another term the christians will boycott the next general election. - PPI

KMU announces MBBS, BDS results

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Medical University (KMU) has announced the annual results of first professional MBBS Part-II and BDS Ist professional for year 2011 with overall success percentage of 62% and 53 percent respectively.

As many as 1234 students of MBBS and 169 students of BDS courses of the government and private colleges of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have participated in the examination for year 2011.

According to controller of examination KMU, Hera Ishaq, a student of Khyber Medical College, Peshawar has grabbed first position by obtaining 1061 marks while Tanzila Khalil of Jinnah Medical College stood second with 1060 marks and Anum Ishtaiq of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad clinched third position in the MBBS examination. Similarly, in BDS Ist professional examination, Khyber College of Dentistry Peshawar student, Arifa Rehman clinched first position with 411 marks, Dental Section Ayub Medical College Abbottabad student, Irum Saddique stood second with 393 marks and third position was bagged by student of Khyber College of Dentistry Peshawar, Mushgan Hidayat with 390 marks. - APP

PA body on privileges meets

PESHAWAR: A meeting of the standing committee on Rules and Business, Procedures, Privileges of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly was held here with Deputy Speaker Khushdil Khan in the chair here on Wednesday. The meeting reviewed the privilege motions referred to it by the KP assembly and held detailed discussion. The privilege motion of Habibur Rehman Tanoli against Dr. Ehsan Turabi Provincial Coordinator National Program for Family Planning was deferred till next meeting of the committee. The meeting disposed of the privilege motion of Aurangzeb Khan pertaining to broadcast of concocted news after the respective management apologized over the news item. The meeting was attended by Waqar Ahmed Khan, Barrister Javed Abbasi, Malik Qasim Khan Khattak, Mukhtiar Ali Khan Advocate, Habibur Rehman Tanoli and Aurangzeb Khan. - APP

61st Annual Day celebrated at Forward Public School

Statesman Report

PESHAWAR: Forward Public School; Dalazak Road Peshawar, conducted its 61st Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony wherein the Deputy Controller of Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education; Peshawar (BISEP) and also the former student of Forward Girls High School; Peshawar City, Sabeeha Nasreen participated as chief guest.

The girls gave performances on Welcome Song, Tableau, National Song, and Comedy Plays. All this greatly fascinated the chief guest and audience.

On this occasion, School principal, Hameeda Zafar delivered school's annual report and told the audience about school's exemplary matriculation result and extra curricular activities.

Afterwards, the chief guest distributed prizes and medals amongst the students.

Whilst addressing the students after prize distribution, Sabeeha Nasreen urged upon them to struggle persistently and study hard for attaining success.

She also paid rich tribute to his teacher late professor Muhammad Shafi Sabir and lauded his efforts in the educational field.

At the end, school principal presented Souvenir to Sabeeha Nasreen and thanked her for participation.