Anees Takar
MARDAN: District Social Welfare department cracked down against beggars in metropolitans of Mardan and detained 11 beggars including one weman.
Acting on orders from Deputy Commissioner Mardan, Captain (R) Abdul Rehman, and under the guidance of Additional Deputy Commissioner Samiur Rehman, District Social Welfare Officer Jamal Shah Mohmand, the Superintendent of Darul Kafala Mardan, Muhammad Ismail Takar, conducted a focused operation to detain beggars in various parts of Mardan. This operation resulted in the apprehension of approximately a dozen beggars, all of whom have been duly processed and sent to Darul Kafala.
Muhammad Ismail Takar shared that Darul Kafala, which has been closed for five months, reopened today with this initiative. A total of 11 beggars were detained, encompassing one woman, four elders, and six young men. The primary objective is to clear the city’s key highways and markets of beggars and this anti-begging campaign will persist until the beggar network is eradicated.
Takar emphasized that all captured beggars underwent a thorough medical examination and verification process at the city police station before being admitted to Darul Kafala. He pointed out that, due to a lack of proper facilities for women, the necessary information was obtained from the woman beggar, and she was released. Efforts are underway to establish suitable arrangements for women at Darul Kafala in the near future.
Ismail Takar also shed light on the comprehensive support provided to beggars during their stay at Darul Kafala. Beggars are cared for over a three-month period, receiving essential necessities such as food, clothing, medical care, and, where applicable, training in practical skills like tailoring and computer courses.
Takar encouraged citizens to promptly report the presence of professional beggars and peddlers to the local police or Darul Kafala. He emphasized that this is a critical step in ridding society of these issues, which lead to more significant problems. Addressing this problem collectively will help cleanse our society of these ills.
One day workshop held: A one-day workshop on “Food Product Development & Commercialization” took place on Wednesday at the Department of Food Science & Technology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan in collaboration with ORIC. Prof. Amjad Iqbal, Chairman Department of Food Science & Technology & Dr. Tariq Mehmood, Director ORIC welcomed the speaker and participants.
The speaker, Mr. Hamayun Haseeb Baig from English Food Manufacturers spoke about the aim and importance of the Food Product Development & Commercialization. He elaborated that food product development starts with idea generation, which is followed by market research, feasibility study, recipe/formulation development, prototype creation, production and manufacturing, quality assurance and testing, packaging design, regulatory compliance, marketing and branding, test market, full-scale production, product launch, post-launch evaluation, product expansion and innovation.
Prof. Amjad Iqbal has talked on the importance of Food in general and the role of Technology specifically. He said that food product development & commercialization is the process of creating new food products or improving existing ones to meet consumer demands and market trends. It involves a series of steps, from idea generation to commercialization, and often requires collaboration between various professionals, including food scientists, chefs, nutritionists, and marketing experts.
A large number of students from FST and other departments attended the workshop. The students have also displayed posters and products they have developed for competition. Miss Sumaya, Miss Nadia and Miss Hafsa have won first Prize in Poster Competition, whereas the product developed by Mr. Talha, Mr. Sadeeq Akber and Mr. Mian Yasin Ali Shah has won first prize. Dr. Sadiq Shah, Mr. Hisham Javed, Mr. Fawad Ahmad and Mr. Syed Umair Shah were also present at this occasion.
