Author: peshawartoday
PISHIN: At least 12 people were killed and 25 others wounded in a suspected suicide bombing at an election office in the PB-47 constituency of Khanozai on Wednesday. Levies sources confirmed the devastating attack, which targeted the election office of former provincial minister Asfandyar Khan Kakar, a candidate for the constituency. Initial reports indicated that eight individuals lost their lives in the blast, with 10 others sustaining varying degrees of injuries. However, the death toll was later revised to 12, with at least 25 injured, according to Levies officials. Rescue teams are diligently working to transport the bodies and injured…
WANA: An explosion rocked South Waziristan on Wednesday, near the car of former Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Naseerullah Wazir, injuring five people. According to media reports, the blast occurred in close proximity to Wazir’s parked vehicle, though the exact nature of the explosion and its intended target remain uncertain. The injured parties are currently receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital, with the severity of their injuries yet to be determined. Law enforcement authorities swiftly responded to the scene and have initiated an investigation into the incident. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Naseerullah…
A significant gathering of premium tobacco producers and workers from Colombia, Panama, Honduras, and Nicaragua staged a protest on February 5th outside the Panama Convention Centre, where the tenth Conference of the Parties (COP) of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is currently underway. The FCTC aims to safeguard present and future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke by reducing both demand and supply. Article 17 of the Convention mandates parties to promote economically viable alternatives to tobacco, emphasizing cooperation with international and regional organizations. During the protest,…
Amidst the anticipation of general elections in Pakistan, over 127 million registered voters eagerly await their chance to participate in the democratic process. With the power to elect representatives for both national and provincial assemblies, citizens recognize the pivotal role their votes play in shaping the country’s future trajectory. However, despite the significance of each vote, concerns persist over the rejection of hundreds of thousands of ballots by the electoral body in past elections. In the aftermath of the 2018 polls, reports revealed that approximately 1.67 million votes went uncounted for various reasons, highlighting flaws in the electoral system. How…
ISLAMABAD: In the run-up to Saturday’s general elections in Pakistan, a stark reality emerges regarding the lack of priority placed on women’s representation within political parties. The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), which monitors polls in the country, reported that out of a total of 6,037 candidates vying for general seats nationwide, only 275 are women, constituting a mere 4.6 percent participation rate in the elections. This figure falls well below the legal requirement of a minimum five percent representation mandated by Section 206 of the Elections Act, 2017. This mandate extends to elective offices, including seats in the…
ISLAMABAD: In a thrilling announcement, the celebrated singer Ali Zafar has delighted cricket enthusiasts with news of his upcoming anthem for the highly anticipated PSL-9. The musical maestro, known for his earlier contributions to the tournament, took to his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), to share the exciting development. Fans, eagerly anticipating the fresh anthem, received a sneak peek as Ali Zafar revealed the title of the song, “Khul Ke Khel,” urging them to dust off their dancing shoes in preparation for the musical treat. Having previously garnered widespread applause for his performances in the first three seasons of the…
ISLAMABAD: On the seventh anniversary of the passing of Bano Qudsia, the revered Pakistani novelist, playwright, and spiritualist, the literary community and admirers gathered to honor her lasting contributions. Born on November 28, 1928, in Firozepur, Bano Qudsia shared a profound literary journey with her husband, the acclaimed writer Ashfaq Ahmed. Her renowned novel, “Raja Gidh,” stands as a testament to her literary prowess and is hailed as a modern Urdu classic. Qudsia’s body of work includes notable pieces such as “Aatish-i-zer-i-paa,” “Aik Din, Asay Pasay,” “Chahar Chaman,” “Chhotaa Sheher Baray Log,” “Footpath ki Ghaas,” “Haasil Ghaat,” and “Hawa Kay…
MENLO PARK: Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, plans to roll out a new iteration of its proprietary custom chip in its data centers later this year, according to an internal company document obtained by Reuters. This development is part of Meta’s ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, aimed at reducing its dependence on Nvidia chips and mitigating the rising costs associated with AI workloads. The upcoming chip, representing the second generation of Meta’s in-house silicon line introduced last year, is expected to play a crucial role in supporting the company’s AI initiatives across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and…
ISLAMABAD: The upcoming 2024 General Elections in Pakistan will witness the participation of 5,254 candidates from various political parties and independents, contending for the 266 general seats of the National Assembly (NA), according to local media reports citing the electoral body on Friday. Initially, 6,999 candidates were declared eligible for the 266 NA constituencies, but during the process, 1,737 candidates, accounting for 24.81% of the total, withdrew their nomination papers. In addition, 12,853 contestants are vying for 593 general seats across the four provincial assemblies. Following scrutiny, 17,164 individuals were deemed eligible to participate in the elections for the assemblies…
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched Bureaucracy-Free Future initiative ‘Zero Bureaucracy Program’ aiming to revolutionize governance. This directive mandates UAE ministries and federal agencies to complete a minimum of 2,000 official procedures within the specified timeframe within the next year, with the overarching objective of cutting the time required for the remaining processes by half. Prime Minister and UAE ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, underscored the importance of steering towards a ‘Bureaucracy-Free’ future, emphasizing that this program is a pivotal element in the country’s strategic vision. Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the necessity of eliminating bureaucracy and ensuring swift…