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WSSP Staff Earn Praise for Exemplary Eid Sanitation Efforts
PROVINCE REPORT
PESHAWAR: Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) successfully completed three-day Eid-ul-Adha cleanliness operation. During the operation, more than 14,000 tons of offal were collected from 42 union councils within WSSP limits and safely disposed of after spraying and covering with layers of soil and lime. To ensure disinfection and eliminate foul odors, collection points, roads, streets, and neighborhoods were washed with chlorine and rosewater solution, followed by lime spreading and spraying.
Provincial Minister for Local Government, Meena Khan Afridi, formally announced the completion of the operation in Peshawar and across the province during the concluding ceremony. Secretary Local Government Zafar-ul-Islam, CEO WSSP Yasir Ali Khan, Deputy Commissioner Sanaullah, ADC Asghar Sorrani, and other officials were also present on the occasion.
The Provincial Minister stated that more offal than the set target was collected across the province. Against the target of 50,000 tons, around 120,000 tons of offal were lifted. He said the operation in Peshawar remained exemplary and was widely appreciated. He praised the staff for sacrificing their Eid to serve the public and pledged that public service efforts would continue.
The Eid cleanliness operation was supervised by Chief Executive Officer Yasir Ali Khan. More than 4,000 staff members participated in the operation, while around 800 small and large vehicles were deployed for offal collection. Sixteen collection points were designated where offal collected from streets and neighborhoods was transported to dumping sites through large vehicles.
Water supply staff also remained on duty, while complaint cells stayed active throughout Eid. Dozens of public complaints were resolved during the three days of Eid.
Provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi also visited various parts of the city during Eid to review the operation and stated that proper arrangements had been made across the province for the disposal of offal. He added that the best possible measures were taken to keep Peshawar clean.
The operation was inaugurated by Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah. Commissioner Peshawar Riaz Mehsud, CEO WSSP Yasir Ali Khan, and district administration officials were also present on the occasion. The Chief Secretary distributed gifts among the staff and environment-friendly waste bags among citizens. He announced that three districts would be awarded for outstanding cleanliness during Eid and also announced one additional salary for the staff in recognition of their services.
During all three days of Eid, water supply staff remained on duty, while special monitoring teams continued to supervise operations across the city. Environment-friendly bags had been distributed among citizens before Eid to ensure safe disposal of offal. An awareness campaign was also launched before Eid, and religious scholars spread messages regarding cleanliness and hygiene.
An emergency response plan had also been prepared to tackle rainfall or any unexpected situation. Special teams equipped with machinery, dewatering pumps, jetting machines, water tankers, and emergency vehicles remained on alert.
CEO Yasir Ali Khan, General Manager Operations Muhammad Ejaz, and other senior management staff remained present in the field throughout the three days. The CEO visited various parts of the city and personally supervised the staff and operation.
Public representatives, government circles, and citizens highly appreciated WSSP for keeping the city clean during Eid. CEO Yasir Ali Khan also commended the hard work and dedication of the staff.
National
Al-Shifa launches first Pakistan-specific ophthalmic genetics database
Free testing to help prevent childhood blindness among poor
PROVINCE REPORT
RAWALPINDI: Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital has launched Pakistan’s first Ophthalmic Genetics Gene-Disease Variation Database, a major step toward improving the diagnosis and treatment of inherited eye diseases through precision medicine and locally relevant research.
The database, developed by the hospital’s Department of Ophthalmic Genetics under geneticist Dr Rutaba Gul and senior bioinformatician Abu Bakar, records mutations linked to inherited retinal diseases, congenital cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal dystrophies.
The initiative aims to address a major gap in global genomic medicine, where most reference data comes from European or East Asian populations and often does not accurately reflect South Asian genetic patterns. Pakistan carries a comparatively high burden of inherited eye disorders because cousin marriages increase the risk of recessive genetic diseases.
According to Al-Shifa data, hereditary and congenital conditions account for nearly 40% to 60% of childhood blindness cases in Pakistan. Specialists believe earlier diagnosis through genetic screening can help doctors identify at-risk children before symptoms worsen, improve family counselling, and support future gene-therapy planning.
The hospital’s dedicated ophthalmic genetics laboratory, established in January 2025, has already completed free genetic testing for 150 patients across the country, leading to the identification of 45 different eye-related genetic diseases. Officials said each test can cost nearly Rs100,000 in the private market, making access difficult for many families.
President of Al-Shifa Trust Maj Gen (Retd) Rehmat Khan said the organisation plans to expand the programme into a broader national database and integrate genetic screening services across its hospital network.
“This database is not just a scientific tool; it is a step toward better outcomes for future generations,” Dr Rutaba Gul said.
She said the initiative could help reduce avoidable disability, lower long-term treatment costs, and improve educational and employment opportunities for children living with inherited vision disorders, while also strengthening Pakistan’s role in global genomic research.
