TOBA TEK SINGH: Former MNA and PTI central vice president Chaudhry Muhammad Ashfaq announced his resignation from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), citing disagreement with the party’s anti-army policies.

In a recorded video statement on social media, he condemned the attack on military installations and stated his decision to temporarily leave politics while consulting with friends and supporters for future decisions.

Additionally, former PTI MPA Chaudhry Ali Akhtar from Faisalabad PP-99 (Samundri) also resigned from PTI, expressing his inability to support the party’s policies due to the attack on Jinnah House and army installations.

He announced his affiliation with the Istehkam Pakistan Party, led by Jehangir Tareen.

Another PTI ticket holder from Mamukanjan, Tandlianwala (Faisalabad), Mian Ijaz Sanouri, also announced his resignation from the PTI, sharing similar concerns about the party’s direction and promising to reveal his future political plans soon.

WORKSHOP: A training workshop focused on mental health and social resources was organised in collaboration with the Department of Psychology at the Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

The workshop aimed to enhance the utilisation of social resources to address mental health issues, raise awareness in society, and provide training on preventing mental depression, suicidal tendencies, and mental illnesses.

Notable attendees included Dr Usman Rasheed Chaudhry, a clinical psychologist from Fontaine House of Lahore, Prof Dr Asim Mahmood (dean of Faculty of Social Sciences), and Prof Dr Imtiaz Ahmed Dogar (in charge of Department of Psychiatry at Faisalabad DHQ Hospital).

Dr Rasheed and Dr Dogar discussed psychological factors contributing to the transmission of mental illness across generations and proposed remedial measures utilizing social resources.

Prof Dr Rabia Khawar emphasised the collective responsibility of the nation to eliminate mental illnesses and foster a healthy society.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2023