FM, Saudi ambassador discuss Pak-KSA bilateral ties

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Tue, 11 Apr 2023, 3:46 PM

FM, Saudi ambassador discuss Pak-KSA bilateral ties

ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki on Tuesday exchanged views on the bilateral ties between the two countries.

During a meeting, the foreign minister observed that restoration of bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran were significant for the regional peace, a press release said.

He reiterated that Pakistan accorded high priority to its bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto also expressed his good wishes for the Saudi leadership and expressed gratitude for always supporting Pakistan in every difficult situation.

Air quality in Capital reported healthy

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NNPS Desk

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Tue, 11 Apr 2023, 3:42 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP): The federal capital’s air quality on Tuesday was reported healthy despite dry weather and development projects on two major roads of the metropolis.

Air pollution in the metropolis remained low since the onset of the Spring season as prolonged rainy weather helped in containing air pollutants ration in the atmosphere.

The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) daily air quality report indicated a reduced ratio of air pollutants, recorded below permissible limits, and the air quality was healthy. The Agency is responsible to ensure the protection of the environment under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997.

The hazardous air pollutant particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5), which was a hazardous atmospheric contaminant, remained 14.46 micro grammes per cubic meter on average which was higher than the NEQS of 35 mic-programmes per cubic meter and denoted the air quality unhealthily.

PM2.5 is generated through the combustion of an engine, industrial emissions, burning garbage or inflammable material and dust blown up by fast-moving cars plying on non-cemented patches of the roads.

The EPA officials claimed that the vehicular emissions due to increased automobiles was one of the leading cause of bad air quality. Industrial emissions were already subsided due to carbon-absorbing advanced technology installed at various steel manufacturing units.

Senior Pulmonologist at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Dr Zia Ul Haq told APP that the dry and cold air at different phases due to increased exposure of an individual in the outdoors caused breaches in the lining of the respiratory tract which used to lead to an infection and also damage the normal secretions taking place inside the breathing organs causing respiratory ailments.

He said the pulmonologists usually advise the elderly above 50 years of age or patients of chronic heart, kidney, and lung diseases to get the flu vaccine during the peak winter season to avoid respiratory diseases.

The senior pulmonologists said the people were also advised to avoid unnecessary prolonged outdoor visits during the morning and evening timings of cold weather whereas in case of any visit they should properly cover their eyes, and face by wearing face masks and coverings.

Moreover, he also directed the masses to ensure the intake of warm fluids as necessary beverages like warm water and hot tea to control damage to the respiratory tract amid bad weather and air quality.

Four policemen martyred, one suspect killed in Kuchlak encounter

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NNPS Desk

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Tue, 11 Apr 2023, 3:38 PM

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QUETTA, Apr 11 (APP): At least four policemen were martyred while one suspect was killed in an encounter with the anti-peace element in Kuchlak, a suburb area here on Tuesday.

According to police sources, the Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) personnel conducted a raid at a house in Kuchlak area, after receiving information about the presence of suspects. During the raid, the suspects opened heavy fire against the police personnel.

As a result, four personnel of ATF including Ali Akbar, Faiz Muhammad, Muhammad Javed and Changaiz Khan embraced martyrdom after receiving bullet wounds. Meanwhile, one anti-peace element was killed in the retaliatory action of the police.

Following the incident, the law enforcement agencies reached the site and cordoned off the entire area starting a search operation. The police then shifted the dead bodies of the martyred policemen to Quetta.

APHC boycotts G20 summit in Srinagar

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NNPS Desk

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Tue, 11 Apr 2023, 3:35 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP): All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has reiterated its call for a boycott of the G20 summit in Srinagar on Tuesday.

According to Kashmir media service (KMS), all APHC leaders in a meeting drew the attention of the G20 countries towards atrocities by Indian troops on innocent people of India illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on daily basis and said, “These brutal activities are enough to say no to the event in Srinagar.”

They said, “By holding the G20 event in IIOJK, India, in fact, wants to give legitimacy.”

“G20 nations shall not forget that India is committing serious crimes against humanity in IIOJK, and its summit will not only undermine the UN’s credibility but will also raise questions over the Group’s adherence to democratic credentials.”

The meeting constituted a sub-committee to further strengthen coordination among the APHC leaders to expedite the struggle for securing the right to self-determination.

Besides G20 countries, the APHC leaders called on the UN Secretary-General to take a step forward and appoint a special representative to explore a viable solution to the festering Kashmir dispute.

Biomedical Engineering College, Cellular & Gene Therapies unit to be established at GIMS: CM Sindh

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NNPS Desk

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Tue, 11 Apr 2023, 3:27 PM

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KARACHI, Apr 11 (APP): Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah while presiding over a meeting on Tuesday decided to establish Cellular and Gene Therapies and a Biomedical College at Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences.

“I want to speed up the measures to establish Gambat as the first-ever Medical City in the province by establishing all the health facilities along both the banks of Rohri Canal,” he said

The meeting was held at CM House and was attended by Minister Health Dr. Azra Pechuho, Minister U&B Ismail Rahu, Parliamentary Secretary of Health Qasim Soomro, Chief Secretary Sindh Sohail Rajput, Chairman P&D Hassan Naqvi, PSCM Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary Colleges Ahmad Bux Narejo, Secretary Schools Akbar Leghari, VC NED Prof Sarosh Lodhi, Secretary Health Zulfiqar Shah, Director GIMS Dr. Bhatt and other concerned.

The CM said that he had announced declaring Gambat as the health city in his budget speech and now the time had matured to fulfill the commitment made with the people of the province by providing them with all the health-related facilities at Gambat.

He said that the Liver Transplantation unit was operating at GIMS successfully and over 700 transplant procedures had been adopted so far. The CM said Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari recently inaugurated the Lung Transplant unit at Gambat and their Buns unit was also operating successfully, therefore patients from all over Pakistan were coming here for the treatment.

Cellular & Gene Therapist Dr. Shahzad Sarwar of GIMS giving a comprehensive presentation to the chief minister said that cellular and Gene Therapy was emerging as a rapid development for healthcare.

He said that cellular and gene therapy involves the use of cells and genes to treat diseases. Gene therapy modifies a person’s genes to treat or cure diseases. Similarly, cell therapy uses cells from either the patient or a donor to treat diseases. Cellular therapy is the transplantation of human cells to replace or repair damaged tissue and/or cells. Some of the cells that may be used include various types of stem cells, lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and pancreatic islet cells.

Human gene therapy aims to modify or manipulate the expression of a gene or to alter the pathological process to treat a disease. It can work by editing-replacing the disease-causinggene with a healthy one; silencing-Inactivating a disease-causing gene that is not functioning properly and addition-Introducing a new, or modified gene into the body to help treat a disease.

Meanwhile, the CM directed Vice Chancellor NED University to establish a Biomedical Engineering college at Gamabt.

“I would suggest both of you that VC NED and Director Gambat Institute of Health Sciences, to sit together a prepare a plan to establish a Biomedical college,” he said.The CM also approved a proposal presented by Dr. Bhatti of GIMS to establish Cellular and Gene Therapies at GIMS.

It was pointed out that the land along both embankments of Rohri Canal at Gamabt would be utilized to establish different health facilities for long-term care and primary health care. The city would become medical tourism.

The CM directed Secretary Works to prepare a feasibility plan to construct a flyover from the National Highway to Gambat Health City and plan to connect the Rohri Canal embankments through a bridge. He also directed Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput to hire a consultant for the establishment of Gambat as a Health City.