LAHORE, JUN 27 /DNA/ – Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf visited Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore, and addressed the participants of 54th PN Staff Course. While appreciating their efforts, he underscored the importance of understanding the evolving nature of modern warfare and emerging maritime security threats. He emphasized that traditional military strategies must adapt to effectively address the complexities of contemporary security challenges, both traditional and non-traditional.

The Naval Chief, while elaborating on the maritime challenges facing Pakistan and available response options, remarked that the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) remains fluid and contested. He highlighted that new geopolitical realignments and ongoing power rivalries in the region continue to affect security environment in the IOR. The recent crises between Pakistan and India, as well as the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, serve as testimony to this dynamic environment. He stated that the conventional, one-dimensional study of warfare is now outdated. Winning future wars demands not only a re-evaluation of legacy warfighting strategies, but also the development and maintenance of a future-ready workforce that is intellectually astute and technologically proficient.

In conclusion, Chief of the Naval Staff congratulated graduating officers on successful completion of the PN Staff Course and encouraged them to be meticulous, analytical, and innovative in their forthcoming appointments.

RAWALPINDI, JUN 27 /DNA/ – Thursday, 26 June 2025 – To support a youth-led campaign titled “Her Health, Her Rights,” PODA, in collaboration with the District Population Office Rawalpindi, organized an awareness session for more than 60 male and female students, focusing on female hygiene—particularly menstrual, sexual, and reproductive health. The session was held at the KIOCA Seminar Hall of PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi.

Representing PODA, Nabeela Aslam briefed the participants about PODA’s work for the protection and promotion of the rights of women, youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and other marginalized segments of society, with a special focus on the rights of rural women in Pakistan. She highlighted PODA’s flagship Annual Rural Women Leadership Training Conference, which will mark its 18th year of celebration this year. She also shared observations from the ongoing three-year project “Reduce Early Marriages to Enhance Gender Equality,” supported by the Norwegian Embassy in Islamabad. Through this project, a wide range of awareness activities on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are being conducted at various levels—from schools to key district government departments, including health, education, population, social welfare, and local government institutions.

During the session, she presented an oral testimony of a Grade 8 student suffering from severe health complications due to early marriage, with her kidneys now on the verge of failure. The girl faced immense physical strain as a result of being married at a young age. Nabeela Aslam also highlighted critical issues related to menstrual hygiene, including the inappropriate use of sanitary pads and unhygienic practices that lead to infections. She pointed out that many girls stop drinking water and avoid bathing during their periods, which further contributes to health problems. She emphasized the increasing cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by poor menstrual hygiene.

Representing the District Population Office, Dr. Anaam Mushtaq, Women’s Health Officer at the Family Health Clinic, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi, gave a detailed presentation on urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). She emphasized the importance of improved hygiene practices, describing them as the foundation of women’s health.

In response to a question about how one can identify reproductive health issues, she explained that it is important to understand your body and be aware of its normal conditions. This self-awareness helps in detecting abnormalities related to reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and breast health.

The participants raised various questions on period-related cramps and pain, irregular menstrual cycles, and infections such as RTIs and UTIs. Dr. Mushtaq explained that if RTIs and UTIs are left untreated for an extended period, they can become more serious, spreading to other reproductive organs and potentially leading to kidney failure. She also clarified that not all RTIs are sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The speakers emphasized the importance of menstrual hygiene, proper nutrition, and adequate hydration to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). They urged participants to drink plenty of water and urinate frequently as key measures to avoid UTIs. Proper hygiene of the private parts was also stressed, including thoroughly washing and cleaning to prevent fecal matter from reaching the vagina. The discussion further included anemia and the role of balanced nutrition in maintaining overall reproductive health.

The group coordinator, Asad Hayat, sought support from the Director of Student Affairs and the Aridian Health Care Society (AHCS) of PMAS Arid Agriculture University. Both warmly welcomed the initiative and actively mobilized their students to participate in the session. Group members included Rohma Rauf, Nisha Ilyas, and Junaid Zahid.

The group received appreciation for their effort to involve men in learning about female reproductive health and the consequences of delayed or inadequate treatment. They explained that through their initiative, “Her Health, Her Right,” they aimed to break the stigma surrounding open discussions on women’s health, particularly menstruation and its management. They emphasized that lack of awareness and proper information can lead to serious health complications for women.=DNA

WASHINGTON, JUN 25: US President Donald Trump has once again praised Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, calling him a “great person and an inspiring figure.”

Speaking at a press conference following the NATO summit in The Hague on Wednesday, President Trump described the ceasefire between Pakistan and India as a major diplomatic achievement. “Both countries are nuclear powers, and there was a real risk of nuclear conflict. But I made a few calls and emphasized the importance of trade,” Trump said.

He added that he spoke directly with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and warned him that the United States would halt trade negotiations if hostilities continued. “I told Prime Minister Modi very clearly: if the war continues, I will stop trade. That’s how we ended it,” Trump said.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the US president stated, “The most important issue wasn’t whether India and Pakistan will acquire nuclear weapons in the future — like we’re discussing with Israel and Iran — it was that they already had them.”

Also Read: Asim Munir’s red-carpet welcome in Washington stuns India

Trump credited his intervention with helping de-escalate tensions, saying, “I ended it with a series of calls focused on trade. I told them, ‘If you fight each other, there will be no trade deal.’”

He also expressed admiration for Field Marshal Asim Munir. “That general was truly impressive. The general from Pakistan was in my office last week,” he said.

President Trump had hosted Field Marshal Munir at the White House a few days ago, including a luncheon in his honour. After the meeting, Trump remarked, “It was an honour to meet Asim Munir. I invited him to personally thank him for preventing war with India. We also discussed the situation with Iran.”

Trump reiterated his close relationship with Indian Prime Minister Modi, saying, “Modi is a very good friend of mine. I told him, ‘If you fight, we won’t proceed with a trade deal.’ You know what he said? ‘No, we want to make a trade deal.’ And that’s how we stopped the killing.”

Also Read: In meeting with Asim Munir, Trump sees Pakistan’s role in Iran-Israel war

On June 18, US President Donald Trump said Pakistan “knows Iran better than we do,” as he confirmed discussing Iran-Israel tensions during his meeting with Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the White House.

Speaking to reporters following the high-level interaction, Trump emphasised Pakistan’s strategic importance in the region, particularly with regard to Tehran. “We spoke about the Iran-Israel issue. Pakistan understands Iran better than us — they’re a key player in regional peace,” he stated.

The rare one-on-one meeting, held in the Cabinet Room, was followed by a luncheon hosted by Trump in the Army Chief’s honour. A White House spokesperson confirmed that the luncheon was arranged to appreciate Pakistan’s role in regional stability and to acknowledge General Munir’s efforts in de-escalating tensions between nuclear-armed neighbours, Pakistan and India.

Also Read: After Modi call, Trump heaps praises on Asim Munir over Pak-India conflict

“It’s an honour to meet Field Marshal Asim Munir. I thanked him for not letting things spiral into war,” Trump said, referring to recent cross-border tensions that were defused diplomatically.

The two also discussed potential areas of economic cooperation, with Trump confirming that a trade agreement with Pakistan and India is currently under negotiation.

“We’re in early talks on trade — Pakistan’s concerns are being heard,” he said.