A community on the far fringes of immunisation
Khwaja siras, owing to deplorable living conditions, are among those most susceptible to Covid-19
Photo credit: Zahoor Ahmed
PESHAWAR:
58-year old Nagina, whose weather beaten skin speaks of a tempestuous life, is a motherfigure to some 50 khwaja siras living under her guardianship in the city of Kohat. The elderly transgender woman, respectfully addressed as guru by her chailas, is the cornerstone of Kohat’s hijra community, which she has been fostering for the last decade.
“Nagina runs the show here,” exclaimed one of her daughters. “She arranges for our hair, our makeup, our dresses, our performances, and our security. We go to her for advice and count on her to have a solution to our problems,” she added. However, for the last one year, the frown lines on Nagina’s forehead appear to have deepened into permanence. The threat of Covid-19, which seems to be compounding with every passing day, has brought endless worrie
National
April 11, 2021
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to launch a poverty alleviation programme in the erstwhile Fata to benefit 10,000 poor and deserving families.
This was disclosed by provincial minister for Social Welfare Dr Hisham Inamullah Khan at a press conference.
He said the “Insaf Rizq-i-Halal” programme would aim to enable the tribespeople affected by militancy to stand on their feet. He said a comprehensive programme has been prepared after he tasked by KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and it would cost Rs1.27 billion.
Dr Hisham Inamullah, who was elected from Lakki Marwat which is close to some of the newly merged tribal districts, said in total about 30,000 tribespeople would receive some kind of support under the programme.
Jani Khel tribe ends week-long protest after assurances from KP govt thenews.com.pk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thenews.com.pk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
National
February 21, 2021
MANSEHRA: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Social Welfare Dr Hisham Inamullah has said that the government is working on a strategy for the economic empowerment of women and children with disabilities across the province.
“In the past, none of the governments collected such accurate data on women and children with disabilities but our government is following a strategy in this regard,” he told a gathering organised by the Helping Hand Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences here on Saturday.
Educationists, dignitaries and students from across Hazara attended the event.
Dr Hisham said the first sociological institution for the children with disabilities would be inaugurated within three months where mentally challenged children from across the province could be enrolled.
Passage of ministers’ salary bill triggers heated debate in KP Assembly
Top Story
January 16, 2021
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Friday passed the KP Ministers’ Salaries, Perks and Privileges (Amendment) Bill, 2021 after a heated debate as the opposition lawmakers complained that the perks and privileges of the ministers were being increased but Members Provincial Assembly (MPAs) were ignored.
The amended act recommended payment of ministers’ utility bills by the departments concerned. The members from the government and opposition exchanged arguments over the passage of the bill.
The treasury benches argued that the bill would help save the public exchequer as ministers’ bills were already paid by the government but now the department concerned would pay the bills to avoid penalty due to delayed payment.