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KPK
Smart Advocacy Workshop on Mobilizing Domestic Resources for Family Planning
STAFF REPORTER
PESHAWAR : A three-day Smart Advocacy Workshop on mobilizing domestic resources for family planning and reproductive health programmes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is underway in Peshawar. The workshop is being organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pakistan in collaboration with the FP2030 Asia-Pacific Hub.
The workshop is being attended by UNFPA Pakistan Programme Specialist Dr Jameel Ahmed, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Dr Fareed Marwat, Programme Specialist for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Family Planning Dr Shahid Khan Tanoli, as well as representatives from the Health Department, Population Welfare Department, Planning and Finance Department, district health and population welfare offices, and other relevant institutions.
The objective of the workshop is to strengthen advocacy capacities for securing sustainable financial resources for family planning, establishing effective engagement with policymakers, and promoting evidence-based advocacy.
Under the Smart Advocacy approach, participants are being trained to develop actionable advocacy plans for family planning, engage effectively with decision-makers, and strengthen collaboration among different institutions.
The sessions are also focusing on linking family planning not only with health outcomes but also with economic and social development, increasing budgetary allocations for the sector, and effectively mobilizing domestic resources.
According to the organizers, Pakistan has set important targets under FP2030 to improve family planning and reproductive health services. However, achieving these targets requires greater allocation of domestic resources and more effective utilization of available funds.
At the conclusion of the workshop, a practical Smart Advocacy Action Plan will be developed for engagement with decision-makers at the national and provincial levels, with a focus on increasing resources for family planning and strengthening policy-level advocacy.
The three-day workshop will conclude today in Peshawar, with participants expected to finalize a joint strategy for sustainable financing, effective policymaking and improved mobilization of domestic resources for family planning.
National
Extortionist Killed in Police Encounter
Sabahat Sarwar
Karachi: A wanted extortionist, allegedly involved in a string of attacks on businesses and under construction projects over unpaid extortion demands, was killed in a police encounter in the Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan area, police said. The encounter took place on the main road block U, North Nazimabad where police encountered two suspected members of an extortion gang. An exchange of fire took place between the police and the suspects, in resulting one suspect being killed while his accomplice managed to escape. The deceased was identified as Muhammad Bilal, son of Ibrahim.
SSP District Central Dr Imran Khan said the suspect killed in the encounter turned out to be a key commander and active shooter of an extortion gang allegedly associated with Samad Kathiawari and Jameel Chhanga. Bilal was wanted in several cases, he allegedly played a key role in collecting extortion money for the gang and was involved in delivering extortion notes to businesses and under-construction projects.
Police said the suspect allegedly resorted to firing when extortion demands were not met. Investigators have obtained CCTV footage allegedly showing his involvement in several extortion related incidents further he had previously been arrested in multiple cases and had also spent time in jail. According to police, Bilal was allegedly involved in an attack on a sweets shop on August 10, when an extortion demand was not met. The subsequent firing left a police constable and two passers-by injured.
Police said that last month, Bilal allegedly demanded extortion from an under-construction project in Ferozabad. When the demand was not met, he allegedly opened fire at the project site. In another incident last month, an extortion demand was allegedly made to a private estate and builders firm in Gulberg. After the demanded amount was not paid, the suspect allegedly opened fire at the premises. Further during the same period, Bilal allegedly delivered extortion notes to under-construction projects in Surjani Town and Manghopir. When the demands were not met, he allegedly visited the sites and opened fire.
IGP Sindh Javed Alam Odho commended DIG West, SSP District Central and the police team, He appreciated the effective action taken by District Central Police and directed officers to ensure legal proceedings against the absconding suspects. While according to officials raids were under way to arrest the fleeing accomplice. A case has been registered and further investigation is under way.
