World Health Day observed across country

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Fri, 7 Apr 2023, 9:38 PM

ISLAMABAD, Apr 07 (APP): Like other parts of the globe, the World Health Day was also observed in Pakistan on Friday to create awareness in the public about the importance of the day and the prevention and treatment aspects of various medical complications.

Various activities were arranged by public and private organizations to mark the day across the country which is celebrated annually to draw attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.
Speakers in these events spoke about raising awareness about the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of people.

The theme for the day this year is ‘Health for all’. This year, World Health Day marks WHO’s 75th anniversary and it presents an opportunity to look back at public health successes that have improved the quality of life during the last seven decades.

The history of World Health Day is directly linked to the formation of the World Health Organization. Officials of Brazil and China proposed the creation of an international health organization back in December 1945. The idea was the formation of an organization that is all-encompassing and absolutely independent from any government powers.

The constitution of the World Health Organization was approved half a year later in July 1946 in New York. The constitution entered into force on April 7, 1948, as 61 countries signed an agreement for the inception of the NGO.

As one of the first official acts of WHO, they created the celebration of World Health Day. It was first observed on July 22, 1949, but the date was later changed to April 7.

Since its formation, the U.N. agency has played a leading role in multiple public health achievements, including the eradication of smallpox and the development of an Ebola vaccine.

More recently the WHO was a key player in the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) scheme, which gave low-to-middle-income countries equitable access to coronavirus vaccines and tests.

Currently, the Geneva-based WHO has 194 member states and 150 field offices worldwide.

Land Reservation Committee allocates 151 acres of land for M-6 project

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NNPS Desk

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Fri, 7 Apr 2023, 9:28 PM

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KARACHI, Apr 07 (APP): The Provincial Land Reservation Committee Sindh, on Friday, approved the allocation of land for Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6), the expansion of Dhabeji Special Economic Zone, and other projects.

The land reservation committee met here with Chief Secretary Sindh Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput in chair and granted approval for the allocation of 103 acres of land for M-6 Motorway in district Jamshoro and 48 acres in Hyderabad and Matiari districts.

The committee allocated 265 acres of land near the Special Economic Zone at Dhabeji for the Department of Investment to enable future expansion of the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone. said a statement issued here.

The committee also approved the allocation of 5 acres of land for the construction of a Cambridge School in district Tharparker while another 12 acres of land were allocated for the Department of Minority Affairs near Chorio Mandir Nangar Parkar.

The Chief Secretary Sindh, at the occasion, directed all the departments to complete the projects on time. He said that after acquiring the land, all the departments should start their projects without any delay and those should be completed on time.

Senior Member Board of Revenue Baqaullah Unar, Secretary Universities and Boards Mureed Ahmed Rahimoon, Secretary Investment and other officers were attended the meeting while Commissioners of Hyderabad and Sukkur divisions and respective Deputy Commissioners participated in the meeting through video link.

Formation of national strategy to counter ‘mental health issues’ need of hour: Minister

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NNPS Desk

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Fri, 7 Apr 2023, 9:15 PM

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KARACHI, Apr 07 (APP): Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Abdul Qadir Patel on Friday said that a comprehensive national strategy on mental health issues is a need of the hour, therefore, a seminar will be organized after this Eid-ul-Fitr to take inputs from the experts about the future course of action on mental health issues.

He was addressing the launching ceremony of ‘PM Strategic Reforms Initiative for Citizens Mental Wellbeing’ Web-based application Humraz Mental Health App and Integrated Helpline 1166 on World Health Day -2023, at a hotel here.

Speaking about Hamraz Mental Health App and Integrated Helpline 1166, the federal health minister termed it as a good step in the right direction and said an awareness campaign should also be launched for its promotion and its advertisements should go on-air on television channels during talk shows.

Abdul Qadir Patel said that we started work on mental health issues, particularly, keeping in view the sufferings of the patients and our initiative would appear as the first brick of the building.

He said that we would have to keep working on this cause of facilitating mentally ill people as these issues were ignored in the past, he observed. It is also a hard task to find medicines for the patient with mental illness in Pakistan, it is indeed very painful, he added.

The minister said that we want to do something for mental health issues to proceed further towards a better future of our coming generations.

Speaking about the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Pakistan, the minister said that around 350,000 to 400,000 children are suffering from ASD in Pakistan. It is pertinent to mention that we do not even have an Urdu word for Autism, he added.

He said that work is also being done on Autism in Sindh and we have a dedicated unit on it in the DOW Institute of Health Science in Karachi.

He said that we have excellent coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and both these organizations always helped Pakistan in all testing situations, he added.

He said that the events on the health issues are regularly organized, but more important is creation of awareness among the masses about the available health services and issues.

WHO representative in Pakistan, Dr Palitha Mahipala, Director Health Programmes, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Dr. Baseer Khan Achakzai, Dr. Rizwan Taj and other notables were also present on the occasion.

It is worth mentioning here that “Hamraz Mental Health App and Integrated Helpline 1166” is a facility in the shape of a 24-hour mental health application and a mental health website, a call-free assistance for everyone, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Health to help the citizens about improving their mental health.

The application is known as Humraaz, will allow users to make appointments with the best psychiatrist and psychologist.

With the consultation of these experts, people will be able to share their mental issues stress and anxiety. Turn it on, and the consultants will give the best suggestions for the improvement of the mental health of people. These suggestions will be related to the reduction of all the psychiatric and psychological issues faced by the people. It is also providing online facility or contact with experts on WhatsApp, all the information of people will be confidential

All people having psychological issues or poor mental health can contact the experts by calling the integrated helpline number 1166.

Sanjrani emphasizes investment in healthcare on World Health Day

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NNPS Desk

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Fri, 7 Apr 2023, 9:08 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Apr 07 (APP): Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani on Friday highlighted the need to prioritize health and well-being by emphasizing the importance of investing in healthcare systems, fostering collaboration between nations, and promoting research and innovation.

In his World Health Day message, Chairman urged the nation to come together and work towards ensuring that everyone has equal access to resources for healthy living.

He urged everyone to recommit themselves to this important goal on this World Health Day and work towards a healthier and happier future for all.

Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf in a group photo with delegation of APNS and CPNE in connection with Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Constitution at Parliament House

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Zia Ur Rehman

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Fri, 7 Apr 2023, 9:06 PM

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Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf in a group photo with delegation of APNS and CPNE in connection with Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Constitution at Parliament House — APP42-070423 ISLAMABAD:

NSC approves multi-pronged comprehensive operation against terrorism

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Munir Hussain

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Fri, 7 Apr 2023, 9:05 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Apr 7 (APP): The National Security Committee (NSC) on Friday approved a multi-pronged comprehensive operation with the support of the government and the nation to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country with a new resolve, determination and valour.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the 41st meeting of the National Security Committee held at the Prime Minister House.

The federal ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, services chiefs and high-ranking officers of the departments concerned attended the meeting, which was a continuation of the meeting held after the terrorist attack on the Peshawar Police Lines on January 2, 2023.

At the start of the meeting, the participants paid tribute to those who were martyred in the Gayari sector tragedy on April 7, 2012.

Emphasizing comprehensive national security, it was declared that relief to the people was of central importance. The forum was told that the government was taking measures in this connection.

The meeting acknowledged the sacrifices and efforts of the security forces for ensuring permanent peace for the nation.
The forum reiterated the resolve to continue operation till the eradication of terrorism from Pakistan.

The committee proclaimed that the recent wave of terrorism was the result of the soft corner and the absence of a well thought-out policy against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which was declared a terrorist organization but against the public expectations and wishes, under the previous policy terrorists were allowed to return without any hindrance. In the name of confidence building, dangerous terrorists of the TTP were released from jails, it added.

It was noted that due to the return of the dangerous terrorists and support of different terrorist organizations to them from Afghanistan, peace and stability, which were the result of innumerable sacrifices and continuous efforts, were affected.

It was agreed that in the new multi-pronged and comprehensive operation, combined efforts at diplomatic, security, economic and social levels would be undertaken for the elimination of the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

A high-level committee was formed which within two weeks would present its recommendations for the implementation of the policy and to draw its parameters.

The leadership appreciated the successful operation of the leading intelligence agency during which a highly wanted terrorist Gulzar Imam aka Shambay was arrested. The terrorist was the founding leader of the Baloch National Army and was involved in different terrorist activities for a long time.

The committee strongly condemned the increasing hatred and division in society and attempts to spread foreign-sponsored poisonous propaganda on social media against the state institutions and their leadership to achieve hidden targets and stated that those attempts were affecting national security.

While expressing resolve to fail the heinous designs of the enemies of the country, the committee said every effort would be made to maintain peace which was achieved with the supreme sacrifices and constant endeavours of the martyrs.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar virtually chairs the 2nd meeting of Steering Committee on implementation of Federal Shariat Court (FSC)’s judgment on Riba

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Zia Ur Rehman

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Fri, 7 Apr 2023, 8:59 PM

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Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar virtually chairs the 2nd meeting of Steering Committee on implementation of Federal Shariat Court (FSC)’s judgment on Riba — APP43-070423 ISLAMABAD:

Dar reaffirms govt’s commitment to promote Islamic finance, eliminate interest system

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NNPS Desk

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Fri, 7 Apr 2023, 8:58 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Apr 7 (APP): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday reiterated the government’s commitment to promote Islamic finance and eliminate the interest-based system in Pakistan.

The minister, while virtually chairing the second meeting of the Steering Committee on Implementation of Federal Shariat Court’s (FSC) Judgment on Riba, assured the complete support of Finance Ministry to the committee for achieving its objectives.

Besides the committee members, the meeting was attended by State Bank of Pakistan Governor, Secretary Finance, and senior officers from the Finance Division and SBP, a news release said.

The minister also appreciated the significant progress that had taken place since the formation of the transformation plan developed by the SBP in terms of awareness, capacity building, legal and regulatory reforms, and adoption of international standards for the purpose of conversion of conventional banking system into the Shariah compliant system.

The meeting also discussed the demand and supply side challenges being faced by the task force in eliminating Riba from the financial system, and various measures to be taken to address the same within the timeframe.

Ishaq Dar also expressed his confidence that under the chairmanship of SBP governor, the steering committee would able to complete the task efficiently.

He further instructed all the stakeholders to work with commitment, sincerity and understanding to overcome all the hurdles in the way of implementation of interest free system and making the system feasible and stronger that all citizens would aspire for it.