Education
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KPK
Peshawar Strengthens Coordination with Education Sector for Upcoming Polio Booster Dose Campaign
Shahzad Rasheed
Peshawar, 16 October 2026: The Peshawar team convened an engagement session with representatives of the Education Department and public and private schools to strengthen coordination and mobilize support for the upcoming Polio Booster Dose Campaign, scheduled to take place from 26 to 31 October 2026.
The session brought together Additional Secretary Health/EOC Coordinator Ms. Sara Rehman, Additional Deputy Commissioner Peshawar, WHO Area Coordinator Dr. Ihtisham, District Health Officer (DHO) Peshawar, a representative of the Education Department, and officials from UNICEF. ADEO Male Saleem Farooqi, ADEO Female Shamsena Khattak, and Luqman from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Private Schools Regulatory Authority (KPPSRA) also participated.
Addressing the participants, the officials underscored the importance of collaboration between the health and education sectors in ensuring the successful implementation of the upcoming campaign. They highlighted the vital role of school administrations, teachers, and education authorities in raising awareness about polio vaccination, addressing parents’ concerns, countering misconceptions, and building community trust.
The participants were encouraged to actively engage parents and caregivers, disseminate accurate information, and support campaign teams in reaching all eligible children. The involvement of educational institutions was emphasized as a key strategy for strengthening community participation and improving acceptance of vaccination.
The interactive session provided an opportunity for school representatives and education officials to raise questions and share concerns regarding the campaign. The relevant officials responded to their queries and clarified key aspects of campaign implementation to promote a coordinated and informed response.
Representatives of public and private schools assured the health authorities of their full cooperation in supporting awareness activities and facilitating campaign-related initiatives within their institutions.
The engagement reflects the continued commitment of the Peshawar health and education sectors to work together to protect children from poliovirus. Through strengthened coordination, effective communication, and community mobilization, the campaign aims to ensure that every eligible child receives the required polio booster dose and contributes to Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio.
National
HISAAB: AI-POWERED RISK INTELLIGENCE TOOL LAUNCHED IN ISLAMABAD TO STRENGTHEN DISASTER RESILIENCE
TIMES REPORT
ISLAMABAD : In a significant step towards strengthening disaster preparedness and climate risk management in Pakistan, AI Geo Navigators, in collaboration with Air University, has launched HISAAB, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered risk intelligence product designed to help organizations assess natural hazards and understand their potential financial impacts.
The product was officially launched at Air University, Islamabad, on October 13, 2026, in connection with the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2026.
HISAAB aims to make climate and natural hazard risk information more accessible and practical for decision-makers by translating risk assessments into estimated financial losses in Pakistani rupees (PKR). The platform is designed to screen properties and asset portfolios across Pakistan for hazards, including floods and earthquakes, helping organizations identify assets that may require further assessment and risk mitigation measures.
The initiative is expected to provide a useful analytical resource for banks, insurance companies, property owners and other stakeholders seeking to strengthen asset protection, improve preparedness and make informed decisions about risk management.
The launch ceremony brought together representatives from academia, government, development organizations, disaster risk management institutions, climate and water resources sectors, financial institutions, the private sector and the media.
Participants included representatives from Fatima Jinnah Women University, the International Islamic University, Islamic Relief, the Climate Resourcing Coordination Center (CRCC), and other academic institutions and organizations.
Media representatives from Aaj TV, Express News, ARY News, Dunya News, Daily Ausaf, Daily Nawaiwaqt, Environmental Magazine and Digital Platform, and other news outlets also attended the event, highlighting the role of public awareness and media engagement in promoting disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
Speaking through the launch initiative, AI Geo Navigators underscored its commitment to developing technology-driven solutions that support evidence-based planning and informed decision-making. By connecting hazard assessments with potential financial consequences, HISAAB seeks to help organizations better understand their exposure and prioritize measures to protect assets against natural disasters and climate-related threats.
The launch comes at a time when access to reliable risk information is increasingly important for institutions responsible for managing property, financial assets and infrastructure. Tools that combine geospatial intelligence, artificial intelligence and data-driven analysis can support more systematic risk screening and help decision-makers determine where detailed assessments and preparedness measures may be needed.
The introduction of HISAAB also marks another milestone in AI Geo Navigators’ product development efforts. The company says further AI-powered solutions are in the pipeline to address emerging challenges and expand the use of data-driven technologies in risk assessment and decision-making.
As Pakistan continues to strengthen its disaster preparedness and climate resilience efforts, initiatives such as HISAAB aim to bridge the gap between technical risk information and practical financial decision-making, supporting a more informed approach to protecting assets and managing future uncertainties.
AI Geo Navigators is a climate-tech and geospatial intelligence company that uses artificial intelligence (AI), remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) and data-driven technologies to support climate risk assessment, disaster resilience and informed decision-making.
